Do high mileage engines need thicker oil?

High-mileage oils have ingredients to take care of older engines, like conditioners, seal swells, antioxidants, detergents and wear or friction additives. Typically they use a viscosity modifier that is durable and won't lose viscosity very easily. These oils need to stay thicker longer to protect engine parts.

Should I use thicker oil in high mileage?

A: Yes. This is a practical method to improve oil pressure in an older, high-mileage engine. The slightly thicker oil film from the heavier base weight oil - 10W - can help protect worn engine bearings as well.

What's the best oil for high mileage engines?

10 Top-Rated Oils and Additives for High-Mileage Vehicles

• Valvoline High Mileage with MaxLife Technology Synthetic Blend Motor Oil. ...
• Pennzoil High Mileage Motor Oil. ...
• Slick 50 Recharged High Mileage Treatment. ...
• Gumout Fuel System Cleaner. ...
• Royal Purple High Mileage Synthetic. ...
• Techron Fuel Cleaner. ...
• Mobil Super High Mileage Oil.

When should I use thicker engine oil?

There are some circumstances where drivers have used thicker oil in an engine. If, for instance, clearances between engine components have increased, gotten sloppy, a thicker oil can help to fill the void. Within reason, thicker oil maintains a better lubricant film between moving parts.

Will thicker oil help a worn engine?

The slightly thicker oil film from the heavier base weight oil — 10W — can help protect worn engine bearings as well. As long as you're not hearing knocking or serious mechanical noises from the engine, the heavier oil should buy you many more miles of service from your vehicle.

Pat's Perspectives - Thicker Oil (#2)

Is 10w40 good for high mileage?

Designed for high mileage vehicles

Mobil 1 High Mileage 10W-40 motor oil is recommended by ExxonMobil for use in high mileage vehicles (even those that have used lower quality conventional oils^†), including: Cars. Trucks.

What happens if I put 10w40 instead of 5w30?

Your vehicle does not use 5W-30 oil. The recommended oil viscosity for your vehicle, according to Kia documentation, is 10W-40. If you drive the vehicle in exceptionally cold weather, well below 32 degrees, you can use 5W-30 oil but even 10W-40 is still perfectly OK to use if outdoor temperatures are below freezing.

Is 20w50 good for high mileage?

Is 20W-50 Oil Good For High Mileage? 20W-50 is only used for certain older vehicles or worn engines that require the extra cushioning of a high viscosity oil. Other than that, it really isn't a high mileage oil.

Which engine oil is best for old engines?

In most temperate climates, a 10W oil will suffice, but the best motor oil for high mileage engines in cold weather will start with 5W or even 0W.

Is 5w30 better for older cars?

5W-20 and 5W30 motor oil are winter viscosity grade oils primarily recommended for older engines and light-duty use. These oils are best utilized in colder temperatures.

Is 5w30 good for high mileage?

Pennzoil High Mileage SAE 5W-30 Motor Oil is engineered for cars that have accumulated more than 75,000 miles, particularly those that are experiencing oil leaks and oil burn off. Engines with higher mileage tend to experience more wear than new engines.

Is 10w30 better for high mileage?

10W-30 motor oil makes for a decent high-mileage oil. It gives a better fuel economy while reducing the oil consumption for older engines. Older engines with more than 75,000 miles on them require a thicker oil that will properly lubricate their critical engine parts and prevent oil leaks, sludge, and deposits.

Does high mileage oil really make a difference?

Reduced oil consumption: High mileage vehicles tend to leak and burn off more oil than younger cars due to degraded engine seals. High mileage oil rejuvenates degraded seals, which leads to less oil consumption and burnoff. Less engine sludge: Older engines tend to accumulate sludge left behind by other motor oils.

What oil should I use for a high mileage truck?

In this article:

Best Synthetic High Mileage Oil: Mobil 1 High Mileage Full Synthetic. Best Synthetic Blend: Valvoline High Mileage With MaxLife Technology. Best Conventional High Mileage Oil: Pennzoil High Mileage. Best Value: Castrol Edge High Mileage.

Is synthetic oil better for high mileage cars?

Synthetic oils will enhance the engine protection in older vehicles with higher mileage, just as they do for new engines.

Is 5w30 thicker than 10w30?

Both the oils have similar viscosity at 100 degrees Celsius but 5w30 grade oil will thicken less than 10w30 grade oil in cold climate. This means 5w30 grade oil will flow effectively in low temperatures, whereas 10w30 oil will flow effectively in high temperatures because of the smaller temperature window.

Will synthetic oil hurt older engines?

It protects better, performs better, and lasts longer, and it's no longer made with a chemical compound that could hurt older vehicles. Modern synthetic oil is safe to use in all types of vehicles, ranging from new purchases to classics to aging not-so-classics.

When should I use 20w50 oil?

A SAE 20W-50 motor oil is typically used in older vehicles or in particularly warm climates. Castrol GTX 20W-50 has been specially formulated to help extend the life of your engine by keeping it free from sludge, even when operating in extremely high temperatures.

Which oil is thicker 10w30 or 10w40?

The difference between 10W-30 and a 10W-40 is the high temperature viscosity. Obviously, a 10W-40 is thicker than a 10W-30 at high temperature.

Which is better 10w30 or 20w50?

It really comes down to personal preference. As your engine does put out significant horsepower, we would lean toward using 20W-50. If your engine sees very light duty or is built exceptionally tight, 10W-30 would be fine. But again, if you twisted our arm, we would give 20W-50 the nod for the thicker viscosity.

Which oil is thicker 10w40 or 20w50?

10w40 oil is a popular all-purpose oil designed in many different engines. 20w50 (also known as 10w30) is another popular all-purpose oil used in engines. The differences between 10w40 and 20w50 are small, but they have something in common: They are thicker than regular 20w50 oil.

Does engine oil get thicker or thinner with age?

As the oil oxidises, there are two parallel problems arising. Firstly, as a result of the oil molecules reacting and joining together, the oil becomes thicker and darker. The heavier the molecules become, the heavier, or thicker, the oil gets to be.

When should I use 10w40 oil?

So, if you drive in a warm climate — especially more than 32°C (90°F) — or have an engine that runs hotter than others, 10W-40 oil viscosity is a good option. This higher viscosity oil is designed for hotter temperatures and can handle the added heat stress from the environment.

How much thicker is 10w40 than 5w30?

At high temperatures, the 5w30 oil is thinner than that of 10w40 since 30 is lower than 40. These numbers, however, do not depict the actual viscosities of the oils at extreme temperatures.

Will 10W 30 oil hurt a 5w30 engine?

Can I Mix 10w30 and 5w30? Most oils will mix perfectly, provided they have a similar synthetic. Therefore, there is no problem in mixing 10w30 and 5w30 since one will be topping up. Mixing the viscosity of oils will not have any effect on the engine.