Is thicker oil better for high mileage cars?

Yes, high mileage cars need thicker oil. If you're putting high miles on your car, your engine is subject to more wear and tear. Using thicker oil helps keep your engine parts lubricated for longer and keeps your engine in great shape.


What oil is best for high mileage Cars?

10 Top-Rated Oils and Additives for High-Mileage Vehicles
  • Slick 50 Recharged High Mileage Treatment. ...
  • Valvoline High Mileage with MaxLife Technology Synthetic Blend Motor Oil. ...
  • Techron Fuel Cleaner. ...
  • Mobil Super High Mileage Oil. ...
  • Pennzoil High Mileage Motor Oil. ...
  • Gumout Fuel System Cleaner. ...
  • Royal Purple High Mileage Synthetic.


Will thicker oil damage my engine?

Since thicker oil doesn't transfer heat as well as thinner oil, operating temperatures will increase, possibly leading to accelerated chemical break down (called “oxidation“) and harmful sludge and deposits.


Should I use higher viscosity oil in a high mileage engine?

Vehicles with older engines benefit from thicker oils that prevent friction and oil loss whereas newer vehicles benefit from thinner oils for faster lubrication of new engine parts. If older engines are not replaced with high-viscosity oil, it can lead to problems such as noisiness and increased wear.

What weight oil is best for high mileage engines?

Some mechanics recommend switching to a thicker (higher viscosity) oil — such as 10W-30 full synthetic oil instead of 5W-20 full synthetic — or using oil additives to stop leaks.


My Favorite Engine Oil for High Mileage Cars and the Reasons Carefully Explained



Should I run thicker oil in an older engine?

Many older, high mileage engines might face issues with oil pressure due to age and wear and tear. In this case, a practical method to improve oil pressure is to use a thicker oil, since the thicker oils have heavier base weight oil, which can help protect worn engine bearings well.

What oil should I use for 150000 miles?

Valvoline High Mileage 150K with MaxLife Plus Technology Motor Oil offers high-mileage engines better protection against the four major causes of engine breakdown – wear, friction, heat, and deposits.

Is 5W30 good for high mileage cars?

Mobil 1 Extended Performance High Mileage 5W-30 advanced full synthetic motor oil is designed to protect critical engine parts for up to 20,000 miles between oil changes and help extend the life of vehicles with more than 75,000 miles.


What happens if I put 10W40 instead of 5W 30?

What happens if you use the wrong engine oil? By mistake, we put 10W40 instead of 5W30. Nothing catastrophic, the engine won't explode the moment you turn the key. HOWEVER, with the oil being too thick the engine won't have adequate protection and it'll wear out faster (especially the bearings).

Does thicker oil affect gas mileage?

Thicker oil creates resistance inside the engine, slowing down moving parts and lowering your miles per gallon. A hybrid or very high mile per gallon car can lower mileage by 1 to 2 miles per gallon.

Which oil is better for older engines?

While contemporary engines are designed internally to live on such lightweight lubricants and improved sealing technology prevents leaks, we believe vintage engine are normally better served by heavier 10W-30 or 20W-50 synthetics.


When should I run thicker oil?

If, for instance, clearances between engine components have increased, gotten sloppy, a thicker oil can help to fill the void. Within reason, thicker oil maintains a better lubricant film between moving parts. Some have even used thicker oil in a leaky engine to prevent oil from seeping out.

Is 10w40 good for high mileage?

Designed for high mileage vehicles

Mobil 1 High Mileage 10W-40 motor oil is recommended by ExxonMobil for use in high mileage vehicles (even those that have used lower quality conventional oils), including: Cars.

What oil lasts the longest for cars?

Mobil 1 Extended Performance motor oil

This synthetic motor oil performs well in both high temperature and cold temperature environments and is long-lasting with a life of up to 20,000 miles between engine oil changes.


Is it safe to put synthetic oil in a high mileage engine?

It's not accurate to say that you should never use synthetic oil in an older car. In fact, Mobil 1 High Mileage is a synthetic oil designed specifically for high-mileage cars. If the car has been maintained and is in excellent running condition, the synthetic oil may protect the vehicle and prolong its life.

What oil should I use for 100k miles?

Mobil 1 45000 5W-30 High Mileage Motor Oil

The interesting thing about this product is a 5W index of viscosity which means that this is more dense oil than the rest and it is suited for engines with extreme mileage since it will seal it better.

Which engine oil is better 5w30 or 5w40?

In practice, this means that each oil is just as viscous at lower temperatures and will remain viscous at -30°C, however 5w40 oil outperforms 5w30 oils at higher temperatures, being effective up to ambient temperatures of 50°C, as opposed to 30°C.


Will thicker oil raise oil pressure?

Thicker oil will generally increase oil pressure but may reduce lubrication.

Can putting the wrong oil damage engine?

Engine Damage

Your engine could still be susceptible to damage, and it's a good idea to have it looked at by a mechanic. Using the wrong engine oil can cause the metal parts of your engine to shear, making additional noise, and leaving metal shavings in your engine oil.

Is 5W-20 or 5W 30 better for high mileage?

5W-20 oil provides excellent start-up performance in colder temperatures. Note: Older vehicles may need a high mileage variant of their regular oil (5W-20 or 5W-30). In this case, the high mileage oil better protects the engine at extreme temperatures from friction and engine drag.


Is 5W-20 thicker oil than 5W 30?

Let's look at 5W-20 vs 5W-30 again. The 5W-20 will remain a little thinner at operating temperature, as indicated by its lower “20” number, while 5W-30 will provide a slightly thicker lubricating film.

Is 5w30 better in hot weather?

When should I use 5w30 oil? You should always use the oil recommended by your vehicle's manufacturer. However, 5w30 oil can function in temperatures as low as -30ºC and as high as 40ºC, making it an ideal choice if you drive your car in a place with relatively high seasonal temperature variations.

Is synthetic oil better for older cars?

It protects better, performs better, and lasts longer, and it's no longer made with a chemical compound that could hurt older vehicles. Modern synthetic oil is safe to use in all types of vehicles, ranging from new purchases to classics to aging not-so-classics.


Do high mileage oils really work?

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.

Is high mileage oil thicker than regular oil?

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.