high milage or not high mileage is the question

[DARKSCOPE001]

Ok guys My gf needs an oil change (due to the fact im out of Pennzoil platinum to feed her car) But here is the catch. it is the second oil change I have done since switching and the car has gone about 5 k and so far has burnt up 1/2 quart of oil. Im going to add the remaining half quart tonight to get her through till I can get the oil changed. the engine is currently near empty on oil so im glad I checked. so my estimates are that she has burned up about 1 -1&1/2 quarts of oil over 5k of driving (mostly freeway)

So here is my question. Should I switch? obviously 1 quart over 5 k miles is nothing big but is it reason enough to change to a high milage oil? Im thinking about switching to valvoline maxlife full syn so that way my car and her car will both be running the same oil. But keep in mind this is only the second oil change. so should I just stick in there and go one more and see what happens?

Oreilly's currently has a pennzoil platinum deal right now. 5 quarts and a wix filter for 26 bucks. so thats awefuly hard to beat. at 25 dollars they are pretty much throwing the filter at you. So im thinking sticking out one more pennzoil plat oil change and seeing what happens and if it doesent get any better/worse Ill think about changing over to a high mileage oil which seems to have almost haulted oil burnoff in my car

Thanks
Sean Scott

 

[tomcat27]

I would go with the penz plat and not worry about that rate of consumtion, which is minor. of course, what age and mileage on the car?

 

[ARB1977]

As long as the burning is within spec I wouldn't worry about it. Just make sure you check oil at least once a month. Neither of my vehicles burn but I still use HM... just a preference.

 

[DARKSCOPE001]

its a 99 chevy malibu with about 93k on the clock. Car has the 3.2l v6 (3.0 i dont remember somewhere around there) Someone once told me that the chevy 3.2l is notorious for burning oil. I replaced the pcv valve last oil change so idk what it can be other than oil being burnt off in the combustion chamber. either way im still leaning towards pennzoil for 25 bucks and a good filter i think ill take a small ammount of burn off.

Thanks
Sean Scott

 

[crazyoildude]

most high mileage oil is great in the summer

 

[Gene K]

I suspect thats a GM 3100. 3.1L 60 degree V6.

These engines are notorious for a leaking intake manifold gasket that allow coolant to get into the oil. Thats a very good way to damage an otherwise healthy engine. Watch for it.

The only other issue I remember is some broken camshafts. They dont seem to break cranks like the earlier 2.8L.

Dont really have anything to add on the oil.

 

[DARKSCOPE001]

thanks gene k. I am keeping an eye on the lower intake manifold. im thinking about just doing the repair job with a felpro kit. so that i dont get suprized anytime in the future. But so far I havent noticed any watery oil or unexplained loss of coolant. I dont know how else it could manifest itself but so far so good.

Thanks
Sean Scott

 

[geissjr]

I would move forward again with the PP. Great oil @ a great price with the filter. I plan on switching to PP @ the next oil change for my Sierra.

 

[crazyoildude]

they are not as bad as some think we rebuild them a lot but most are with over 200,000 miles on them and the intake is still good...those engines are in a lot of cars and they are reliable

 

[dan3952]

1 to 1 1/2 qt in 5000 miles is normal oil usage and I wouldn't change weights or brands based on that. I'm lucky if use less than a qt every 1000 miles. I don't think your engine is worn enough to justify high mileage oil with the solvents etc. that they put in it

 

[Hollow]

I'd consider .5 quart in 5000 miles within acceptable limits.

That being said; Maxlife, Pennzoil HM, and Mobil's HM are all good oils in my opinion.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: tomcat27
I would go with the penz plat and not worry about that rate of consumtion, which is minor. of course, what age and mileage on the car?


I agree. Just keep checking the oil for her, and not let it get low again.