Can you use High Mileage oil on a low mileage car is one of the most popular questions that many car owners ask when they’re in need of engine oil. While it’s unlikely for an engine to actually damage itself when using a high-mileage oil, There are certain things that you need to know, lets get straight to it.
Can High Mileage Oil be Used in Low Mileage Cars?
In short, there is no harm in using high mileage oil in low mileage vehicles or newer and newer vehicles. But, the oil is specially designed to target the problems which develop in older cars with more than 75,000 miles of experience. So, it will not be beneficial for younger vehicles or low mileage vehicles.
However, for younger or low mileage cars, high mileage oil can be used as a preventive measure to decrease the wear and tear of the engine parts. The excess additives and conditioners protect the parts of the engine and increase their durability.
What is High Mileage Oil?
As the name suggests, high mileage oil is a kind of motor oil formed to withstand particular problems that come with high mileage cars or cars with 75,000 miles or more. It is loaded with ingredients like seals, conditioners, swells, detergents, wear or friction additives, and antioxidants.
These ingredients restore the shape and improve flexibility, which helps to limit the leaks in the long run. Also, it helps to minimize the smoke, emissions, and oil consumption in older vehicles. It also minimizes the problems like oil seepage and leaks.
What’s the Function of High Mileage Oil?
As powerful multivitamin tablets and supplements are to the human body; the high mileage oil is to an old vehicle. This oil helps to repair the worn-out parts of old cars and vehicles.
The seal conditioners in the high mileage oils rejuvenate and open the seals of the old vehicles. This enables less oil to seep out of the engine. This leads to less oil consumption, which further results in lesser oil changes and lesser engine problems in the long run.
The numerous additives, detergents, and antioxidants in the high mileage oil decrease the old parts’ friction and wear and tear. These are highly beneficial for the engine parts which are past their prime time. These components get rid of the sludge and grime which are accumulated in the engine over time.
It also minimizes the friction between the parts, which enables your engine to purr like a kitten. The ingredients also increase the flexibility of the engine, which increases the mileage output of the car. The cleaning of the sludge in the engine parts helps to combat the 4 major causes of engine breakdown and prevent that.
Which Vehicles Should Ideally Use High Mileage Oil?
Vehicles that have traveled a lot over the years and the odometer shows 75,000 miles can hugely benefit from the high mileage oil.
Worn-out cars that have covered less distance can also find high mileage oil advantageous, as they repair the engine seals that decay and corrode with time despite the mileage. The defective seals mean leaking oil parts and thus prevent the engine from working at its maximum potential.
When Should You Use High Mileage Oil?
Now, let us look at things that indicate that cars should switch to high mileage oil:
- When you take out your vehicle after a long time and notice oil spots at the place where it was parked, then you know that something is wrong. The oil stains on the ground mean that the engine parts are loosened. This restricts the functioning of the engine.
- Similarly, when you bend and look below the hood and smell oil or see oil stains on the engine parts, you should start considering the high mileage oil.
- When your engine starts making a louder noise than usual, it is time for you to shift to thicker motor oil. The rattling sound of the engine is an indication that the engine parts are becoming old and need a little extra something.
If you are dedicated to protecting and maintaining your vehicle, you should adopt some more maintenance techniques different from what you have been using since the beginning. One of the positive changes you can make to your vehicle once it grows old is switching to high mileage oil.
Some More Benefits of Using High Mileage Oil
High mileage oil targets the particular defects in the engine due to old age. As healing ointment is to human burns, the high mileage oil is to the overused engine parts. Some of the advantages of high mileage oil are listed below.
- Increased mileage output: The older vehicles often consume burnoff and leak more oil than the newer cars owing to deteriorated seals, which points to less oil burnoff and consumption.
- Less engine damage: The older engine has a greater possibility to collect sludge and dirt leftover by other motor oils. The high mileage oils dissolve and break up residual dirt and sludge.
- Damage protection: The more traveled cars often experience more damage than the newer cars. The components of high mileage oil protect and preserve all the parts of the engine and increase the engine’s longevity.
Conclusion on High Mileage Oil in Low Mileage Car
I have tried to list all that you need to know about high mileage oil and when and how it should be used. As listed it can also be used in low mileage cars or but it is not that advantageous as it is for older cars. This oil is specially formulated to target the problems that are faced by older vehicles.
Therefore, it is more logical to use the high mileage oil after your car has traveled more than 75,000 miles. Moreover, you should take your car for regular oil checkups. The professionals would be in a better position to suggest when you should shift to high mileage oil. If you have any suggestions or questions, do write to us in the comments section below.
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Robert Anderson is a world class motorhead who rebuilt his first carb at age 10, his first engine at age 15, and completed his first full hotrod build when he was just 18! Previously, he has ran a part warehouse, delivered pizzas, and managed the service department for a $20 million/year revenue dealership. Robert knows cars like few others and he is passionate about sharing his knowledge.