Why is it so important to use the correct oil when performing an
oil change in your car or truck’s engine? Today’s vehicles have requirements for low emissions, high fuel mileage, and customers want high horsepower. To meet these requirements modern engines are much more complicated, with internal systems such as variable valve timing. There are actuators inside the engine that are operated by engine oil based on oil pressure. If the correct grade or viscosity of the oil is not used problems with how the engine
performs can arise. This could cause a check engine light to come on. We have plenty of examples of fixing a check engine light. Engine drivability problems can be solved by using the correct oil during an oil change. There have always been two different positions when it comes to this topic. Many believe that you should switch to high mileage when your vehicle reaches 75k miles. Another opinion is that you
should switch if your vehicle is getting older and your engine is showing signs of loosening. If you frequently notice oil leaks on your older vehicle, you should start using high mileage oil. Engine noises such as rattling can benefit from a denser high mileage oil as well. If you arent experiencing any of these issues there is no need to change your engine oil. Typically high mileage engine oils are not licensed and using them could affect your warranty What makes high-mileage oil different?High mileage oil is designed to care for older engines. The ingredients in high mileage oil care for the seals, have antioxidants, detergents, and wear and friction additives. High mileage oils contain viscosity modifiers that are durable and won’t diminish over time. This causes the oil to stay thicker for longer periods of time, helping protect your engine parts. Over the course of the life of a vehicle, everything begins to loosen. As the engine ages, your gaskets, seals, and non-metal parts begin to wear. High mileage oils are designed with additives that increase flexibility and restore shape to these parts. This can help with oil leaks in the long run. High mileage oils are designed for engines that are beyond the warranty mileage. What’s the downside of high mileage oil?Some of the thicker oils, such as 10W-30 full synthetic and 5W-20 full synthetic can make your vehicle harder to start. This is especially true in colder temperatures. They can also reduce the circulation around the engine and increase your overall oil pressure. This will result in more pressure trying to push the motor oil between seals and gaskets. What can happen if the correct oil isn’t usedIf the correct oil is not used the vehicle warranty could be affected. For these reasons, at G&G Auto Repair we always look up the manufacturer’s required oil specification for every vehicle when we change the oil, and we only use an oil that we verify meets that specification. We use oil from a variety of sources. Even popular brands of synthetic oil don’t meet the specifications of every manufacturer. Whether you have your oil changed here or at another repair facility, it’s important that the correct oil is used in your vehicle’s engine. High Mileage Oil Can Help Extend Engine LifeMotor oil is arguably the most important non-mechanical component of any vehicle’s engine. It lubricates and cools hundreds of close-tolerance moving parts to minimize friction and wear. It seals piston-ring gaps and cylinder-wall valleys to keep contamination to a minimum. It protects the engine from collecting lubrication-crippling sludge. And it prevents corrosion from moisture and/or acids that may find their way into the engine. But just as our bodies require extra care as we age, our cars, trucks, and SUVs can benefit from a specific class of motor oil formulated to help engines keep turning after they have racked up 75,000 or more miles. What Is High Mileage Motor Oil?High mileage motor oil is designed specifically for older cars with high mileage (75,000 miles or more). Compared to regular motor oil, high mileage oil contains special additives that improve engine longevity. What Is Considered High Mileage?When oil manufacturers refer to “high mileage cars,” they are usually referring to cars with 75,000 miles or more on the odometer. High Mileage Oil vs. Regular OilHigh mileage oil contains special antioxidants, detergents, and additives that can help reduce engine wear and minimize the chances of sludge buildup. Importantly, high mileage oil helps prevent aging seals and gaskets from becoming brittle and causing leaks, which are usually evidenced by oil stains on the pavement where the car is parked. This can lead to increased oil consumption and even costly engine damage. High Mileage Oil vs. Synthetic OilHigh mileage oils are usually synthetic oils. They are typically based on either full-synthetic oil or a blend of synthetic and conventional oil. Synthetic oil offers greater protection in extremely high temperatures, and its ability to flow without difficulty in cold weather helps make engine starts easier in freezing weather. (Synthetic oil is otherwise recommended for speedy sports cars and vehicles used for heavy-duty towing and hauling.) Whether full or partially synthetic, high mileage oil is more expensive than standard grade oil. High mileage synthetic or synthetic blend oil, as with the conventional variety, is available in various weights that are labeled according to their viscosity, a measurement of an oil’s thickness or resistance to flow. This is expressed as a series of numbers, such as 10W-30. The lower the first digit, the more resistant the lubricant will be to thickening in low ambient temperatures (the “W” stands for winter). A higher second number means it provides added protection against thinning when the weather turns hot. Check the owner’s manual to see what’s recommended for your vehicle based on how and when it’s driven.  So, Is High Mileage Oil Worth the Money?Though it provides an added layer of protection for older cars, some sources suggest a specific high mileage blend might not be worth the extra money if a car’s engine is not already leaking or is burning oil excessively. If that’s the case, choosing a higher viscosity (thicker) grade conventional oil and/or using stop-leak additives to bolster seals can be a lower-cost alternative. Check an Older Car’s Oil Once a MonthTo further help extend the life of an older car, truck, or SUV’s engine, drivers should check the oil level at least once a month between changes, since extended driving with a low oil level could lead to engine damage. If your car needs more oil, follow the instructions provided in the owner’s manual. Add a quart of oil when the level indicated by your engine’s dipstick reaches or drops below the “ADD” marking. Can You Mix High Mileage Oil and Regular Oil?Despite what some drivers may believe, if the need arises, you can mix high mileage motor oil with the conventional or synthetic variety (or vice versa) in your car’s crankcase, though you’ll lose some of the benefits of the high mileage oil in the process. You can also switch back and forth from one type to another at subsequent oil changes without fear of engine damage. How Often Do You Change High Mileage Oil?As with any type of motor oil, always follow the automaker’s recommendations on oil-change frequency outlined in the owner’s manual. There are usually intervals given for normal and “severe” use. “Severe use” can include frequent short trips, towing or hauling, stop-and-go driving, or operating in extremely dirty/dusty conditions. Severe use requires shorter change intervals (say 3,500 vs. 7,500 miles). Next Steps
If you have questions about this story, please contact us at Is it OK to use synthetic oil in high mileage cars?Myth: Full synthetic oil is not good for high mileage cars or older vehicles. The myth is rooted in the idea that synthetic oil is “slipperier”—lower in viscosity, or not as compatible with seals and will therefore leak or leak more in places conventional oil might not. Again, completely untrue.
Should I use high mileage oil or synthetic?High mileage oil is designed for vehicles with more than 75,000 miles. Such oil features additives that help protect seals. This leads to less leakage and oil burn-off, which can be common in older cars. If your vehicle is high-mileage and high performance, it's suggested that you go with this type of synthetic oil.
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Do i have to use high mileage oil
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