Hi Guys, I have a 2000 Buick LeSabre with the 3800 Series ll V6. Right now it has just under 85K miles. It uses no oil, nor does it leak any oil. It runs like a sewing machine. I normally use Castrol GTX 10W30 with a 3 month OCI. The high milage oils that I have taken off the shelf all say on the bottle to use this oil if your car has over 75K miles. Should I start using it ? What do you Guys think ?
When To Use High Milage Oil ?
- Thread starter GoldenRod
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Stay with what you have been doing. Only switch if you have some seal seepage or burning oil. Hopefully, you may never have to use a high mileage oil. The 75K is advertising hype.
75K is definitely ad hype. I'm of the opinion that if it's good at 75K, it's good from day #1. Try it for a few OCI's. If you like it, continue to use it. If not, try something else.
I have a bottle of Maxlife high mileage oil (10w30 SL) that says on the back label it is safe for new and rebuilt engines. I suspect many high mileage oils are more robust than regular oil. Some are on the thicker end of their SAE viscosity grade. Others are not, but I suspect have a thicker base oil.
I only run the maxlife in my 3800 because it's a better oil for the dollar than conventional or the other blends - not because it's "specifically for 75K and up" and I get good wear numbers with it to boot
Keep running the GTX if you're happy with it, there is no reason to change unless you just want to.
Keep running the GTX if you're happy with it, there is no reason to change unless you just want to.
GTX HM is a nice oil. I use it in some cars, oil burner/leakers and it improved the situation. It's thick, so keep away from the 40 weight.
So the general consensus here is, don't use high milage oil unless you have to ? The reason I was so inclined to switch to this oil is the advertised seal conditioners. This makes me wonder if HM oil would be good to maintain seal pliability. However, maybe that would be an unnecessary additive, I just don't know. It was interesting to find out though that HM oils run on the thicker side on their viscosity range. I did not know this.
Nothing wrong with switching to HM. The only real reason not to is that it's more expensive than regular dino oil. If your car doesn't have oil problems it may not do much, but if you feel the peace of mind is worth the extra bucks, go ahead. But don't lose any sleep either if you'd rather stick with your old oil.
I think most high mileage oils have higher detergent levels and may do more cleaning than regular oil. Seal conditioning seems like a good thing to do at any time, especially before the seals get in too bad of shape.
I believe seal conditioners are seal swellers which is different then keeping the seals clean. there is no need to condition seals unless they are leaking as regular non HM oils keep the seals in good shape. HM oils swell the seals they do not clean them etc. If you have leaking seals I suggest a round of Auto RX as a cure rather then HM oils. Once a seal is swelled you may be stuck for life with a swelling agent IMO.
GoldenRod, If your not using any oil, and the engine runs good....stay with what you are doing. Just to let you know, my 89 Buick with the 3.3 has 239,000 and some change on it. It still does not use oil. If a oil type/grade is doing good for you, why change? I love those Buicks...nice cars.
I think the engine you have is the same as in the Australian GM Commodore and over here they use a 10w30 oil. these engines do a lot of miles and i wouldn't change the viscosity of oil unless your having oil usage problems.
Hi Guys, Kragen has a coupon in the Sunday paper today saying you can buy GTX for 99 cents a quart if you buy the whole case with mail in rebate. That's extremely tempting and is going to make it real hard for me to try the HM oil while they have that offer for the GTX.
If you put High Mileage oil in it, you might as well put a .357 in the block.
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