High Mileage oil vs regular.
01-21-2013, 08:30 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 09-08-2012
Location: Vancouver. B.C.
Posts: 143
High Mileage oil vs regular.
Hi all.
I thought I would post my info on trying high mileage oil over conventional for the first time.
Although this is in my 2002 Chevy Express van, the results would be the same.
I read that high mileage oil has a higher amount of zinc in it, and that it swells the worn seals in the engine to reduce leakage etc.
My van is at 170,000 kms now, and leaking a bit from the oil cooler lines, and the rear main seal. Nothing bad, but enough that I thought I would give it a try.
When idling at a red light in drive, the rpms drop to around 550. At the same time, the oil pressure gauge would drop right down to the edge of the red.
It turns out that this is the biggest change I have noticed. Now at idle in drive at a red light, the oil pressure is a couple notches up the gauge higher than where it was. Also, I have less leakage so far. By now the oil would be lower on the dipstick.
I have not gone the full 5000 kms yet on this oil, so not sure exactly how much better it is, but I have noticed these improvements so far.
I am using Canadian tire's 5-30 Formula 1 High Mileage brand, which when on sale, is only 2 bucks more than the regular Formula 1 5-30. I paid 16 bucks for 5 litres....so I bought a few jugs to last me till the next sale....lol
A tech at a GM dealer told my dad that the oil manufacturers are putting less zinc, or no zinc at all in motor oil now, and that you should be adding an additive to maintain your warranty. I don't know how much truth there is to that, but worth looking into I guess.
However, I don't think I will use it on the wife's car just yet. It only has 77,000 kms on it, but we are creeping up to our first oil change, and will have to pick an oil soon.
Anyway. That's all I have. My wife loves her 07 hhr 2lt, and that means I'm safe....for now.
I thought I would post my info on trying high mileage oil over conventional for the first time.
Although this is in my 2002 Chevy Express van, the results would be the same.
I read that high mileage oil has a higher amount of zinc in it, and that it swells the worn seals in the engine to reduce leakage etc.
My van is at 170,000 kms now, and leaking a bit from the oil cooler lines, and the rear main seal. Nothing bad, but enough that I thought I would give it a try.
When idling at a red light in drive, the rpms drop to around 550. At the same time, the oil pressure gauge would drop right down to the edge of the red.
It turns out that this is the biggest change I have noticed. Now at idle in drive at a red light, the oil pressure is a couple notches up the gauge higher than where it was. Also, I have less leakage so far. By now the oil would be lower on the dipstick.
I have not gone the full 5000 kms yet on this oil, so not sure exactly how much better it is, but I have noticed these improvements so far.
I am using Canadian tire's 5-30 Formula 1 High Mileage brand, which when on sale, is only 2 bucks more than the regular Formula 1 5-30. I paid 16 bucks for 5 litres....so I bought a few jugs to last me till the next sale....lol
A tech at a GM dealer told my dad that the oil manufacturers are putting less zinc, or no zinc at all in motor oil now, and that you should be adding an additive to maintain your warranty. I don't know how much truth there is to that, but worth looking into I guess.
However, I don't think I will use it on the wife's car just yet. It only has 77,000 kms on it, but we are creeping up to our first oil change, and will have to pick an oil soon.
Anyway. That's all I have. My wife loves her 07 hhr 2lt, and that means I'm safe....for now.
01-21-2013, 09:45 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: 09-11-2007
Location: Palm Bay, Florida
Posts: 1,378
I've been running synthetic oil (Mobil 1) in my 06 HHR. Currently I haver ~7000+ miles on my last oil change and the DIC states 44% oil life. I did have a 3000 mile road trip on this oil change.
01-22-2013, 06:31 PM
#4
Deceased
Join Date: 06-30-2010
Location: Kannapolis NC
Posts: 25,739
"High Mileage" oils usually contain additives that cause seals to swell up for a period of time, as Sleeper stated, unless you're burning oil...they aren't really necessary.
No oil will correct issues caused by engine wear, they can only disguise the symptoms for a bit, when she's worn out...she's worn out. You have to weigh the economics of an engine rebuild vs. just living with the problems.
No oil will correct issues caused by engine wear, they can only disguise the symptoms for a bit, when she's worn out...she's worn out. You have to weigh the economics of an engine rebuild vs. just living with the problems.
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