Originally Posted By: buster
YES you can use MaxLife in a new car. Valvoline clearly states that you can and I've spoken with Thom Smith about it. ZERO issues.
Valvoline arguably uses the best seal conditioners on the market that keep seals elastic. No swelling involved. If any, it's very small.
All oils have seal conditioners, HM just have a tad more.
*The product you want to avoid is the Stop Leak bottle stuff you throw in the crankcase. Avoid those.
Originally Posted By: buster
Quote:
Valvoline MaxLife™ is the first motor oil specially formulated to address the unique needs of higher mileage engines. Valvoline MaxLife™ is a blend of synthetic and premium conventional basestocks with seal conditioning agents, extra cleaning agents, additional anti-wear additives and novel friction modifiers for added protection. MaxLife provides performance benefits for high mileage, new and re-built engines.
Thanks. Sure beats "Yes" with no explanation. However I think you overreached putting all HM oils under the one blanket statement highlighted in red. Will explain. I'm hung up on what they call "conditioners" in HM oil because of the following:
A) M1 HM's official product description. "Mobil 1 High Mileage 5W-30 advanced full synthetic motor oil is designed to help maximize engine performance and extend the engine life of vehicles with more than 75,000 miles." "Seal Conditioner. Helps to prevent leaks"
http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/NAXXENPVLMOMobil_1_High_Mileage_Oil.aspx
B) M1 HM's FAQ.
- "higher level of seal-swell agents"
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Car_Care/AskMobil/High_Mileage_Oil_Clogging.aspx
- "the seal swell additives in Mobil1 High Mileage can actually help re-swell the seal"
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Car_Care/AskMobil/Leaking_Seals.aspx
- "Mobil 1 High Mileage contains seal swell that will help eliminate leakage."
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/Moto...nventional.aspx
- "Mobil 1 High Mileage is formulated with seal swells that will help eliminate leakage."
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Car_Care/AskMobil/High_Mileage_Vehicles.aspx
Are all of these mis-speaks? Wrong word? Wich one is it, "Seal Conditioner" or "higher level of seal-swell agents" ???!!!??? I do question whoever wrote.. "formulated with seal swells" and "contains seal swell". Written by somebody that lacks understanding of what they are posting IMO. But somebody that knows used the word. And I would imagine somebody reviewed the answers before they went out on the FAQ.
I'm not bought in that a conditioner alone can replace the chemistry of a shrunken seal returning it to its original size or anywhere close.. Soften it? Yeah. Replace the chemical composition of rubber? Impossible. IMO there's no way a rubber seal will recover its shape or size without a swelling agent once the seal has shrunk. What magic in a high mileage oil stops or prevents leak? Thickness? It can't just be that or could it? I use HM oil, and it can do what regular oil can't. Thats why I'm hung up with the word "conditioner" when it relates to a high mileage oil. Maybe somebody can straighten me out.