So your vehicle has been around for quite some time? Notably, it has registered 200,000 miles or more on the odometer. This pretty much places your car in the high-mileage category. Once in this category, you’re probably facing some universal problems found in these cars.
First, your car is probably leaking. Yep, it’s marking its territory each time you park it. It drips and leaves puddles in your driveway. Second, it’s probably producing white-bluish smoke- a sign that it is burning oil. Lastly, it has definitely deteriorated in performance. It can barely produce a fraction of what it did in its heydays. Well, if you are experiencing these problems with your car, the best move you could make is switching to high-mileage oil for your car.
You’re probably wondering,” High mileage is considerably more expensive than the normal engine oil, is it worth the cost?” Of course, it is. The chemical makeup of high-mileage engine oil contains properties that help prevent some of the problems encountered in these cars.
These include anti-wear and detergent compounds among others. With that out of the way, the next hurdle is identifying the best oil for cars with Over 200000 Miles. If you can’t tell one brand from the other, you’re in luck. Here is a comprehensive guide to the best high-mileage motor oil.
Best Oil for Cars with Over 200000 Miles Review
1. AmazonBasics High Mileage Motor Oil, Full Synthetic
Highlighted Features:
- Friction-reducing formula
- Reliable protection
- Available viscosity grades
- Fully synthetic
To start us off in this list is the AmazonBasics High Mileage Motor Oil which is suited for vehicles with over 200,000 miles. It has properties that will toast a long life to your car and is fully synthetic.
One, this oil helps to reduce build-up in the engine which often leads to rust and corrosion. The last thing you want is corrosion in the inner parts of your engine and this high-mileage oil is designed to stop that. The additive packages contain anti-corrosion agents ensuring your engine is spick and span.
A car that has seen better days on the road is bound to experience engine wear and the parts deteriorate. Of course, running all those mileages will register on the car’s engine and some parts may wear out. You need oil that will reduce friction in the internal parts. The AmazonBasics high-mileage oil cuts on friction using friction modifiers and this ensures it makes up for internal tolerances that have been lost. The end result is less engine wear.
Finally, the oil is highly resistant to viscosity and is not subject to thermal breakdown. Furthermore, it will help cut exhaust emissions.
2. Royal Purple 11748 HMX SAE 5W-30 High Mileage Synthetic Motor Oil
Highlighted Features:
- Protection against LSPI
- Additional fuel efficiency
- Minimizes engine deposits
- Protects against leaks
The Royal Purple High-Mileage Synthetic Motor Oil has properties that will see your aged engine cough back to life. Whether it has declined in performance or experiences engine deposits, this is definitely the motor oil to give it a new lease of life.
The oil has additives that help reduce wear and even restore any lost engine performance. The oil boasts of improved additive technology that reduces metal-to-metal contact. With reduced friction comes optimized fuel efficiency-saving you money in the long end.
Use of this oil also ensures corrosion protection Upon standard industry testing, no rust has been observed. Furthermore, it has a patented anti-wear additive that helps reduce the harmful effects that result from exhaust gases affecting the catalyst.
Often, the use of synthetic motor oil in old vehicles poses a problem if the vehicle uses fuels that have ethanol. Well, this need not be a worry to you. This motor oil boasts of additive technology that stops white sludge as well as lubrication starvation that occurs when there are high concentration gasoline-ethanol blends.
3. Pennzoil High Mileage Conventional 5W-20 Motor Oil for Over 75K Miles
Highlighted Features:
- Exceeds OEM requirements-FCA MS-6395; Ford WSS-M2C945-B1
- Contains special conditioning seal agents
- Contains 160 fluid Ounces
- Ergonomic design that is easy to handle and pour with
The Pennzoil High Mileage Conventional Motor Oil joins the list of synthetic blends of engine oil. This engine oil is particularly made for new or late model trucks, SUVs, light vans as well as passenger cars.
The motor oil contains chemical additives that help cut on sludge alongside other damaging deposits that cut on the performance of your car’s engine. As a result, your engine is able to last a lot longer.
Your car may be experiencing leaks or consuming a lot of engine oil. This is often caused by cracked engine seals. Not to worry! Pennzoil High-Mileage motor oil has seal conditioning agents for cracked or dry engine seals that contribute to leaks.
Another problem that comes with high-mileage cars is engine parts wearing out. This engine oil boasts of wear protection for engine parts, ensuring that your engine lasts longer. The manufacturers of the oil boast that it goes beyond the requirements of industry specifications, another reason to get yourself the ergonomically designed 5-quart bottle.
4. Castrol 06470 GTX High Mileage 20W-50 Synthetic Motor Oil
Highlighted Features:
- Based on ACEA and API volatility specifications
- Boasts of improved fuel economy
- Phosphorus Replacement tech for the emission system
- Oil burn-off protection
If you own a high-mileage car, your ‘check engine’ light probably lights up like a Christmas tree. The most common cause of this is catalytic converter failure which is mainly caused by phosphorus in engine oil.
To counter this, the GTX High Mileage Motor Oil contains Phosphorus Replacement Technology which extends your emission system’s life. Speaking of extending life, your vehicle is probably experiencing engine wear and this works against your vehicle’s performance. Thanks to the advanced additives in this motor oil, you should be able to reduce engine wear.
If your car has registered over 200,000 miles on the odometer, it is probably burning off oil. Good thing this motor oil offers outstanding oil burn-off protection that is way above industry standards. And can you even consider motor oil if it doesn’t fight sludge? The additives in this motor oil are best suited for preventing sludge from building up.
5. Mobil 1 (120769) High Mileage 5W-30 Motor Oil-5 Quart
Highlighted Features:
- Offers full range temperature protection
- Increased engine wear protection
- Meets ILSAC GF-6 standards
- Helps in fuel economy
The Mobil 1 High Mileage synthetic motor oil is specially designed to extend the life of high mileage cars, especially cars with over 200,000 miles. It has a number of properties that work together to ensure your car lasts longer on the road.
One, it contains a boosted amount of seal conditioner which helps in reducing leaks which occur mostly in high mileage cars. The seal conditioner ensures that the seals revert back to their original size and this prevents leaks.
Another problem that accompanies high-mileage cars is harmful sludge buildup over time. This need not take up your time with this synthetic motor oil. The advanced formulation of this motor oil helps cut the deposit of harmful sludge. Additionally, it also prevents deposits from forming on engine parts.
One of the main uses of motor oil is reducing friction and this motor oil not only controls friction, it also prevents wear on metal-to-metal parts of the engine. Additionally, the oil controls oxidation which helps rein in oil breakdown.
Benefits of Using High Mileage Motor Oil
- Engine Oil Sludge
Sludge is a residue that is tar-like and that builds up over time in an engine, following oil thickening or breakdown. It is mainly caused by infrequent oil changes. The use of high mileage oil helps to get rid of the engine sludge while cutting on wear in older engines.
- Engine oil leaks and consumption
Due to age, engine seals often erode, and this causes engine oil to leak. High-mileage motor oil contains additives that aid in protecting worn seals and this curbs leaks from developing Older vehicles also often burn more oil and high-mileage oils with their low volatility reduce such oil loss.
- Engine wear and tear
As engines age, the result is increased wearing out. High mileage oils offer wear protection which prevents wear while protecting vital engine components.
Buying Guide for Best Oil for Cars with Over 200000 Miles
If you want to settle for the best high-mileage oil for 200,000 miles, there are a number of factors to keep in mind before you buy:
- Age of the engine
This could be in years or the number of miles on the odometer. A good place to start is 7 years or 75,000 miles. During this time, you should head out to your auto shop to find oil with higher viscosity. Of course, if your car starts stalling before this period, welcome to the club!
- Temperature and viscosity
One of the key things to look for in high-mileage oil is high viscosity. Additionally, the oil should retain its viscosity even at high temperatures. The label on the bottle should read “5W-30”. The first number usually represents the viscosity of the oil once the engine is cold. The lower that number is, the lower its viscosity. This is definitely good for the engine’s startup performance, The second number refers to the oil’s thickness at normal temperatures.
- Additives
Another key thing to check is the additives found in the oil, especially additives that boost protective qualities in the oil. These additives come in the form of seal conditioners, detergents, antioxidants, and friction modifiers and help to keep the engine clean and free of corrosion.
- Pricing
Of course, this will greatly influence the type of high-mileage oil you settle for. There are a number of high-mileage oils out there ranging from conventional to synthetic grade. Prices are determined by the brand and the grade. Synthetic oils are often the most expensive.
Top Rated Motor Oil Buying Guide Video Review
Frequently Asked Questions on High Mileage Motor Oil
How Often Should I Change the Oil in My Car?
The rule of thumb dictates that your oil should at least be changed twice a year or after every 10,000 miles. These numbers, however, may vary depending on your car, how often you take it out for a drive, and the kind of oil you use.
What is the difference between conventional and synthetic motor oil?
Conventional motor oil is derived from petroleum and in most cases, is considered less desirable than synthetic oils. Synthetic oils on the other hand are refined and are further processed, thus getting rid of particulates that continue to exist in conventional oils. Furthermore, synthetic oil is more durable, lasts longer, and withstands extreme heat more than conventional oil.
When Should I Switch to High-Mileage Oil?
There are two schools of thought when it comes to this issue. One advises that you change the oil once your car registers 75,000 miles on the odometer. The other group has no regard for mileage. It recommends switching to it once the engine exhibits wear signs like poor performance, oil leakage, low fuel economy, and various kinds of noises.
The best decider is waiting until your car’s warranty period is up. High mileage oils are mostly not API licensed, thus using them in most cases voids that warranty. If the car develops the above problems, you can always take it to the dealer so long as the warranty is in place. Once it’s up, switch to the oil when the engine leaks or produces rattling noises regardless of it having hit the 75,000 miles threshold.
Conclusion
High mileage oils contain numerous properties that are good, if not essential, for older engines. They contain detergents, viscosity modifiers, and friction additives, among other ingredients that are good for engine parts and will keep your car on the road for a long time without running into trouble. They will definitely save you money that you would have otherwise used in repair and maintenance.
