Getting old is part of life. As the years roll by, the parts that make us tick don't work as well as they once did. Cars are the same way. They wear down, and older vehicles with higher mileage need a little extra boost to keep things running smoothly. That’s where high mileage oil comes in!
Just as you can take steps to stay healthy later in life, you can give your car high mileage oil to help curb wear and tear related to old age. But how do you know when it’s time to start using it? For vehicles with 75,000 miles or more, the time may be now.
So, what exactly is high mileage oil?
As the name implies, this type of motor oil is formulated to address the specific problems encountered by high mileage vehicles, or those with more than 75,000 miles. It can help reduce oil consumption, smoke, and emissions from older engines. High mileage oil also works to minimize leaks and oil seepage.
While you could use high mileage oil in a younger car without harming it, the issues that high mileage oil addresses usually don’t appear in vehicles with fewer than 75,000 miles.
How does high mileage oil work?
High mileage oil works like a powerful multivitamin, restoring worn engine parts and preventing further wear and tear.
As the seal conditioners within high mileage oil expand and rejuvenate seals, less oil seeps out from your engine. This results in less oil consumption, which means fewer oil changes and fewer engine problems down the road.
High mileage oils also contain various antioxidants, detergents, and additives to decrease wear and friction—all things that are advantageous for engines past their prime. These ingredients clean out the grime and sludge that naturally builds up over time, while simultaneously minimizing friction so your engine purrs like a kitten.
Who needs high mileage oil?
Cars with more than 75,000 on their odometer can usually benefit from high mileage oil. Older vehicles with fewer miles can benefit too, as engine seals can erode over time regardless of mileage. Degraded seals mean leaking oil, and leaking oil means your engine isn't working at its best.
You might want to switch to high mileage oil if:
- You back your car out of the garage and find oil stains on the ground where your car was parked. Oil drips could indicate a loosening of engine parts.
- You look under the hood and notice oil streaks on lower engine parts.
- Your engine sounds louder than normal. A rattling noise might signal that your engine could benefit from denser motor oil, i.e., high mileage oil.
If you’re committed to preserving your vehicle for the long run, stick to regularly scheduled preventative maintenance services, especially oil changes with high mileage oil.
How does my engine benefit from high mileage oil?
High mileage oil addresses specific weaknesses in your engine that are related to old age. It’s like a healing ointment for overused engine parts.
- Reduced oil consumption: High mileage vehicles tend to leak and burn off more oil than younger cars due to degraded engine seals. High mileage oil rejuvenates degraded seals, which leads to less oil consumption and burnoff.
- Less engine sludge: Older engines tend to accumulate sludge left behind by other motor oils. High mileage oil breaks up and dissolves residual sludge.
- Protection from damage: High mileage vehicles tend to suffer from more general wear and tear than younger cars. The additives in high mileage oil preserve and protect your entire engine.
I'm ready for my high mileage oil change!
Regardless of how many (or how few) miles you have on your vehicle, regularly scheduled oil changes are critical for keeping your car running newer, longer. When you head in for your next oil change at a nearby Firestone Complete Auto Care, ask your technician about a high mileage oil change, especially if you’ve observed oil stains in your driveway or heard engine rattling. A high mileage oil change could help your car hit its next big milestone!
