High mileage oil, when and why?

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otis24

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What dictates the need for a high mileage oil? Is it odometer reading or in response to a known or perceived problem? I purchased my Dodge Gr Caravan new. Is has been well maintained by me and has seen 4k to 6k ocis using synthetic oils since about 36k on the odometer. Currently has 159k on the odometer.

Secondly, ive only seen HM oils in a 5w or 10w rating. No 0w rated HM oils. Do HM oils have properties that preclude them being 0w rated?
 
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If it doesn't leak anywhere it doesn't need a "high mileage" oil. IMHO.

Don't know about the 0w rating and HM oils.
 
Originally Posted By: otis24
What dictates the need for a high mileage oil? Is it odometer reading or in response to a known or perceived problem? I purchased my Dodge Gr Caravan new. Is has been well maintained by me and has seen 4k to 6k ocis using synthetic oils since about 36k on the odometer. Currently has 159k on the odometer.

Secondly, ive only seen HM oils in a 5w or 10w rating. No 0w rated HM oils. Do HM oils have properties that preclude them being 0w rated?


HM oils tend to be slightly thicker than their non-hm counterparts with stronger doses of additives and seal dwellers/conditioners.
I cannot answer as to why there aren't any 0w hm oils.
I've read at the oil manufacturers sites that you can use hm oils at any time. The engine doesn't have to have high miles. The extra additives may or may not help longevity since they havent been out long enough,nor do people run the oils from when the engine is new.
I don't think it will hurt anything by using them so pick one and try it. If you decide you don't like it try another. The options are endless.
 
Since they don't normally have API approvals:

They MAY have more additives or more VOLATILE additives that would shorten the life of the catalytic converter.
 
I'm a big fan of high mileage oils but for me it has nothing to do with the actual mileage, but more the condition of the vehicle I want to use it in.

I like the stouter anti-wear additive packs (usually) extra detergents and often the slightly thicker for grade viscosity they offer... which often happens to be a great match for the needs of our older vehicles.
 
Originally Posted By: widman
Since they don't normally have API approvals:


That's an important point - read the bottle. Some are actually SN/GF-5 approved (i.e. Mobil Super 2000 up here and the latest MaxLife), whereas others certainly are not. Some don't even bother advertising any specifications, such as some examples of Castrol HM and Pennzoil HM I've come across here (I realize that's probably not the norm for those two products, but that's what I saw).
 
Castrol GTX HM is API SN rated, but not "Resource Conserving" of course. Have no idea on Pennzoil though.
 
I think what I saw was just some labeling flubs. Some had no API designation whatsoever. That was around the time of the SM to SN switchover, so I'm sure there were some real gems out there.
 
I'm only running Mobil 1 High Mileage for one interval. My engine was poorly maintained by the previous owner, with subpar Honda natural oil, and I want to wash-out the sludge. If you're looking for thin, try 5w-20 (46.9 viscosity at 40C),
Originally Posted By: widman
Since they don't normally have API approvals
Really??
That's a surprise. Mobil 1 HM lists API SL as its spec. Mobil Super HM lists API SJ through SN.
 
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I think of HM oils as preventive maintenance, if you wait for a problem(leak, oil burn, etc) there is less chance the oil will help...

I just bought a 2000 Explorer with 117K mi, no smoke, no drip but it'll be getting HM oil when changed...
 
Originally Posted By: theaveng
I'm only running Mobil 1 High Mileage for one interval. My engine was poorly maintained by the previous owner, with subpar Honda natural oil, and I want to wash-out the sludge. If you're looking for thin, try 5w-20 (46.9 viscosity at 40C),
Originally Posted By: widman
Since they don't normally have API approvals
Really??
That's a surprise. Mobil 1 HM lists API SL as its spec. Mobil Super HM lists API SJ through SN.


There is a HUGE difference between being approved and having the donut, and saying "meets" or "exceeds".

But yes, it could have extra ZDDP and still license SL. Not very good for catalytic converters, but ok for the engine.

The words "resource conserving" can only be used up through xW-30.
 
Originally Posted By: widman
There is a HUGE difference between being approved and having the donut, and saying "meets" or "exceeds".


Yes, one has to be careful. MaxLife, notably, claimed to meet the cleanliness portion only of GF-5. Now, according to pics we saw here on the board, it's GF-5 with the Starburst and Donut, in the appropriate viscosities of course. It's worth paying attention.
 
Originally Posted By: Garak
Originally Posted By: widman
There is a HUGE difference between being approved and having the donut, and saying "meets" or "exceeds".


Yes, one has to be careful. MaxLife, notably, claimed to meet the cleanliness portion only of GF-5. Now, according to pics we saw here on the board, it's GF-5 with the Starburst and Donut, in the appropriate viscosities of course. It's worth paying attention.


I saw those pics but it looked like varnish to me,not sludge however i cannot say if that level of varnish would affect how well it ran.
 
Originally Posted By: buster
What pics are you referring to?


there was a thread a few days ago where someone posted about valvoline and they had the valve cover off and there was quite a bit of varnish.
Im not sure of what day it was.I do remember the debate though
 
Originally Posted By: Clevy
I saw those pics but it looked like varnish to me,not sludge however i cannot say if that level of varnish would affect how well it ran.


Oh, I was talking about the pics with the Starburst, as opposed to the previous meeting GF-5 wording that was on the bottle.
 
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