Aging is a normal process, and this is true for your car as well. As your car ages, gaskets and seals become brittle and can start to leak. Plus, the years of friction created inside your car’s engine can lead to increased wear and tear. The good news is that there are motor oils available specifically for your high mileage engine that can help to prevent or even reverse the aging process!
Just as people use special products to prevent aging or reduce wrinkles, these high mileage motor oils are specially formulated with seal conditioners and other additives to help restore seals and gaskets to their original state, provide excellent friction protection, and help prevent sludge formation. If you have a car that has hit 75,000 or more miles, then you should absolutely consider switching to one of these formulas at your next oil change.
There are many different choices available when it comes to selecting an oil for your vehicle. You can select from mineral oil, fully synthetic oil, or a synthetic blend. We will explain each of these options in more detail throughout this article to help you decide which is right for you and your car. Each has pros and cons, and some choices are better suited to certain types of vehicles.
Knowledge is key to helping you make the best choice possible, so we are here to provide you as much information as possible so that you can make an informed decision. Read through the list of selected products, and then continue through the article for additional information about types of engine oil, how they work, and why you should choose a high mileage oil for older engines. Without further ado, here are our top picks for the best high mileage oils.
Pennzoil High Mileage 10W30 Motor Oil
If you are looking for the best bang for your buck, then this Pennzoil product is the way to go. This oil is specially formulated for newer and late model vehicles with over 75,000 miles. It contains seal conditioning additives that can help to prevent leaks and restore seals to their original condition. For these reasons, it is the best oil for older cars in this list.
By helping to reduce friction in your engine, this conventional motor oil provides proven wear protection for your engine components. In addition, it helps guard against sludge buildup so that your engine keeps running for many more miles to come. Remember that if your engine is already too far gone, you can always just sell your car to Auto Wranglers for a great price!
Another great thing you will love about this oil is the price. You can purchase a 5-quart container for about $17 from Amazon, which is much lower than many of other high mileage options on the market.
Rating: Best Conventional High Mileage Motor Oil
Pros:
- Low Price
- Great low temperature protection
- Seal conditioning additives
Cons:
- Needs more frequent oil changes
- Not for extreme high temperatures or high performance engines
Valvoline High Mileage with MaxLife Technology SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil
Valvoline is a name that has been trusted in the auto industry for many years. There is a reason that many professional racing teams and others in the industry choose Valvoline products for their extreme, high-performance applications. This oil is specially formulated to extend the life of your engine.
Sludge and other deposits begin to build up in older engines that lead to increased wear and a shorter lifespan. This product contains special antioxidants and detergents that prevent this from happening. In fact, you can even use this oil in newer engines to help prevent these issues before they ever begin!
If your engine has over 75,000 miles already, the detergents in this oil will attach to sludge and buildup to help remove those harmful deposits from your engine. The special lubricating seal conditioners will help to soften those older seals and prevent leaks. This is an overall great choice! You will love the price too as you can find it at Amazon and other retailers for about $17 for a 5-quart jug.
Rating: Best Overall Choice for High Mileage Engine Oil
Pros:
- Can be used in both newer and older vehicles
- Superior friction protection
- Helps remove deposits and restore seals
- Contains rust inhibitors
Cons:
- Not Dexos compatible
Castrol GTX High Mileage Synthetic Blend Motor Oil
Castrol is one of the world’s leading oil manufacturers, and their products have stood the test of time. Not to be left out of the high mileage market, they have released their own high mileage product that is one of the best on the market. When comparing Valvoline vs Castrol, their two products are very similar.
This Castrol high mileage oil is engineered to protect your car against sludge and other harmful buildups in your engine. It also helps prevent burnoff and provides excellent friction protection for your crucial internal engine components.
This product from Castrol is one of the only oils in the market specifically formulated to help protect against the need for a catalytic converter replacement. Catalytic converter failure is often caused by phosphorus in engine oil, so Castrol developed this product with special Phosphorus Replacement Technology to help reduce the amount of phosphorus contained in the oil.
You can even expect to see some increased fuel economy when you start using this product! This is a great overall product, and the best choice available for the value. At a cost not much higher than conventional oil, you get a synthetic blend that provides many great qualities and features. You can always Amazon for up to date information.
Rating: Best Overall Value for High Mileage Engine Oils
Pros:
- Improved fuel economy
- Lower phosphorus content
- Superior sludge and friction protection
Cons:
- Fewer cleaning detergents
- Lower leak prevention capability
Mobil1 High Mileage Synthetic Motor Oil
If you are looking for the best oil that provides superior protection against wear and tear, then this product from Mobil1 is what you have been looking for. This is a fully synthetic motor oil that protects against engine wear like nothing else on the market.
This oil provides outstanding wear protection for your engine all the way up to 250,000 miles! That’s quite an impressive feature! Not to mention the fact that it provides superior protection against oil leaks through its advanced seal conditioners and it helps reduce oil consumption. If you want to know which oil is best for high mileage engines, this is it!
Being a fully synthetic oil, you can expect to go longer between oil changes. This oil can last for 10,000 miles between changes which means that you can save time not changing your oil as frequently. This product also shines in protection in extreme temperatures. You can expect it to provide excellent protection all the way to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and -40 Fahrenheit, so it works great in cold weather too. If you need a different viscosity, also check out Mobil1’s 5W20 high mileage oil.
There is a trade-off, however, for the level of protection this oil provides. It does come at a cost as this product is quite expensive. You can check the current price on Amazon. If you are willing to pay the price, you will get one of the best products on the market.
Rating: Best Premium Oil for High Mileage Vehicles
Pros:
- Excellent friction protection
- Extreme temperature protection
- Mileage between oil changes
Cons:
- Expensive
- Not great for older vehicles
Royal Purple HMX 5W30 High Mileage Synthetic Oil
Royal Purple may not have the name recognition that some of the other major manufacturers have just yet, but don’t let that fool you. They produce a high quality product that is comparable to other oil brands on the market. This is one of the best motor oils you can find for high mileage cars.
This Royal Purple product is a full synthetic motor oil so it provides superior friction protection for your vital engine parts. In addition, it helps against sludge buildup through special additives and detergents.
Unlike conventional or semi-synthetic oils, this fully synthetic oil can last up to 10,000 miles between changes. Not to mention the fact that it will boost engine performance. That’s a win-win for both you and your vehicle! Check out this product and the latest price here on Amazon.
Rating: Best Value for Fully Synthetic Option
Pros:
Fortified with zinc for extra protection
Can extend engine life
Detergents help clean you old engine
Cons:
A bit expensive
Doesn’t last as long as some other fully synthetic oils
Is High Mileage Oil Worth It?
The short answer is yes. Just like people, engines begin to age and show signs of wear. Seals become brittle and start to leak. Tiny abrasions start to be created from the friction of the moving parts inside your engine, and this can lead to other failures.
High mileage oils are specially formulated to protect against many of these issues. They contain special additives and detergents that help to clean the deposits that have begun to build up inside your engine. They also contain seal conditioners that help to restore those seals to their original condition and help prevent leaks.
High mileage oil is comparable in price to standard oils, so if you have an older car, you should absolutely consider switching to one of these options. They can improve the performance of your engine and help to reverse the effects of those years of wear and tear.
If your car is too far gone, then it’s likely that no oil is going to bring it back to life. If that is the case, don’t worry! You still have options. Even if your car is total junk, there are ways that you can sell it for $500 or even more. However, if you car still has some life, then keep reading to determine what type of oil is best for you.
What Type of Oil Should I Choose?
You might be wondering, “What is the best motor oil for high mileage engines?” Well, the answer depends on several factors. There are three basic types of motor oil. Conventional (mineral) oil, semi-synthetic, and fully synthetic oil. Each of these types may be used for different applications.
Conventional Oil
Conventional, or mineral, oil is generally what most people think of when they think about oil. It is made totally from organic materials and comes directly from the ground. Conventional oil is inexpensive, but it does not have a very high heat tolerance. This kind of oil is best used in older vehicles that cannot handle synthetic oil.
Synthetic Blend
As the name implies, this is a blend of conventional oil and man-made materials to form a blend that offers the best of both worlds. It can be used in many types of vehicles, is fairly inexpensive, and does not break down as easily at high temperatures. Due to its high demand, it is the most common oil found in the market today.
Fully Synthetic Oil
This kind of oil is made totally of man-made materials with lots of additives and detergents. Many newer vehicles require this kind of oil because it provides superior protection to the internal parts of your engine. The drawback is that this oil is quite expensive because of the process required to produce it. Full synthetic high mileage oil may be expensive, but it is usually worth the money.
Conclusion
If you were looking for the best oil for high mileage vehicles, then you came to the right place. Maybe you started out wondering “What is high mileage oil?” or “Is synthetic oil better for high mileage cars?” After reading through this article, you should have a much better understanding of the answer to both those questions.
Conventional oils are less expensive and better suited for older vehicles that cannot handle synthetic oils, while fully synthetic oils are completely man-made and provide superior temperature and friction protection. High mileage oils contain special additives and conditioners to help keep your engine running at peak performance for years to come.
As we mentioned before, if your car is too far gone and you need to just get it off your hands, then contact Auto Wranglers today for a free instant cash offer. Our process is simple and easy, and you can use the cash from the sale to buy yourself a new ride.