Best Oil For High Mileage: Here’s The Top 6

To quote an old movie; “It’s not the years, it’s the mileage.”

You’ve put more than a few miles on your vehicle, and keeping it on the road despite its well-worn condition is top of mind. Question is, do you use a high-mileage oil? And if so, which is the best high-mileage oil?

Let’s delve a little deeper into the subject.

Many major brands market high-mileage oil a product that’s usually a blend of synthetic and petroleum-based oils. They’re touted as a means to keep your engine healthier, by rejuvenating seals and preventing oil leaks. They also include detergents that are formulated to clean out sludge and other chemicals inside an engine.

Whether a high-mileage oil is right for you is a matter of personal judgment. But there are certain products that are popular in the field to choose from.

6 Best Oils For High Mileage

1.     Castrol Edge High Mileage Synthetic Motor Oil

Castrol Edge High Mileage Synthetic Motor Oil has been mentioned for both its performance and its value. According to Castrol, this product utilizes an engine’s short-and-long-term performance to its best, while reducing burning oil and leaks.

The product comes in 1.0-or-5.0-quart bottles, which can help maximize your value by purchasing the larger size. That’ll work out to be about $0.14 an ounce. And this product appears popular with customers. It’s ranked 4.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon, with 19,100 customer ratings.

At the time of this writing, 89% of those ratings were five stars. As well, Castrol says the oil includes a phosphorus replacement which can help keep your catalytic converter in good shape. Castrol notes replacing the converter could exceed the value of the vehicle, so every ounce of prevention is to be considered.

Also, it’s reportedly one of the only oils on the market with this technology. And we should note Castrol offers its GTX High Mileage product which it claims is the “# 1 high mileage oil among do-it-yourself consumers”.

2.     Mobil 1 High Mileage Full Synthetic Motor Oil

This six-pack of 1-quart bottles is popular with many motorists. A number of glowing reviews are posted about its ability to protect an engine from wear that most oils available today, and it’s touted as a good option to protect your vehicle’s lifespan for years.

Mobil 1 High Mileage Full Synthetic Motor Oil is a fully synthetic oil that includes special additives and engine seal conditioners, such as antioxidants that reduce oxidization.

Mobil 1 says benefits include “an advanced full synthetic formula, exceptional overall engine protection to help extend engine life, precise balance of performance additives, unsurpassed wear protection, outstanding thermal and oxidation stability, protection for up to 10,000 miles between oil changes, and active cleaning agents.”

However, you will pay more for the Mobil 1 product than some of the other brands on the market. But it may be worth it, as it’s said to keep your car going well over 200,000 miles. And you have several viscosities to choose from.

You can use this oil in a range of vehicles, including ones that have high-performance engines, whether they be turbocharged or supercharged ones found in passenger cars, SUVs, light vans, and light trucks. However, Mobil 1 says the product is not recommended for 2-Cycle or aviation engines unless set out by the manufacturer.

3.     Pennzoil Conventional High Mileage Motor Oil

You’ll find Pennzoil’s Conventional High Mileage Motor Oil placing high on many lists of similar products. It’s something to consider if you’d rather go with a conventional oil rather than a synthetic one. Despite it being a conventional product it also features a number of additives geared toward preventing the buildup of oil sludge, sealing minor leaks, and restoration of old valves, thus ensuring your engine runs longer.

In fact, Pennzoil says its high-mileage oil is formulated with trademarked “Active Cleansing Agents” that are designed to help stop leaks from seals and reduced oil consumption in worn engines. It’s also one of the cheapest high-mileage oils on the market, however, it may need to be changed more frequently than its competitors.

One bonus: the Pennzoil bottle has an easy-pour design aimed at spill prevention. Amazon customers rate Pennzoil Conventional High Mileage Motor Oil at 4.8 out of 5 stars, with over 4,400 reviews, 86% of the reviews on Amazon gave five stars for the Pennzoil product.

4.     Amsoil Signature Series Synthetic Motor Oil

If you’re prepared to go the extra mile in finding the right product for you, the Amsoil Signature Series Synthetic Motor Oil is one to consider. Their product line may be harder to track down, and frequently more expensive but is well regarded as being one of quality.

The Amsoil line is a fully synthetic motor oil that includes some additional benefits. Amsoil says while many other competitors can remove sludge buildup, their oil works well at preventing such buildup in the first place. The Extended Life Synthetic Motor Oil is also said to be well tailored for higher mileage vehicles by reducing wear over the years.

And it’s geared towards going longer periods without needing a change, plus provides the usual benefit of restoring seals to a better condition to avoid leaks. However, it may not be the best option for older vehicles based on its advanced formula. Amsoil says its synthetic lubricants are “chemically engineered to form pure lubricants”, and “contain no contaminants or molecules that don’t serve a designed purpose.”

The chemical composition also is said to have properties that provide better friction-reduction, optimum fuel efficiency, maximum film strength, and extreme-temperature performance. As well, the company says conventional lubricants can’t match their product, as conventional ones are refined from crude oil, and contain “contaminating” elements such as oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen.

Sounds like a firm argument for synthetic motor oils. There are dramatically fewer reviews on Amazon for this product, compared to the competitors listed here. But there also glowing reviews including one from “Kasper”, who says, “Best oil on the market, hands down. It’s truly a 100% synthetic oil, whereas others are only partial synthetic oil. Highly recommend for any of your toys you want the best protection for!”

5.     Royal Purple HMX Synthetic Oil

With many older vehicles, hardened engine seals that lead to more oil consumption are a common problem, and the Royal Purple HMX is devised to combat it. The company says a combination of its special formula helps give new life to high mileage engines. Royal Purple® HMX® has a formula of zinc and phosphorus additives, plus Royal Purple’s proprietary additive technology “Synerlec®”.

The product is said to use stout detergents to remove engine deposits and help maintain peak performance. Plus, the company maintains that Synerlec technology reduces friction, and provides ample resistance to oxidation. It’s also rated well as a high-performance product, with claims to increase horsepower while lasting upward of 10,000 miles.

The company also touts some impressive feats involving an “ion attraction to metal components” which maintains an oil film on engine parts that will minimize start-up wear. Some motorists believe Royal Purple® HMX® can help your engine keep running for many years to come and possibly even add years to your engine’s health.

By clearing out and reducing sludge, cracked engine blocks and other issues can be prevented. And in some cases, car aficionados give this oil high marks because it not only protects from sludge buildup but their vehicles can also go longer in between oil changes. One downfall, however; some analysis has found that this high-mileage oil doesn’t last as long as some of the other options on the market.

6.     Valvoline High Mileage With MaxLife Technology

Speaking of long life, Valvoline has been around for more than a century and its High Mileage with MaxLife is a popular product.

Offered in 1.0- and 5.0-quart containers, the oil is said to maximize engine life in vehicles with over 75,000 miles. The Valvoline proprietary formula offers a mix of synthetic and premium conventional oils to protect against the major causes of engine breakdown: wear, friction, heat, and deposits. You can also say adios to stains on your driveway, with premium seal conditioners rejuvenating aging seals to prevent leaks.

And Valvoline says the product also battles sludge, corrosion, and rust that can sap your engine’s horsepower and fuel efficiency. By the way, the 5.0-quart container includes an easy-pour spout to ensure you hit the mark.

Conclusion

In life, and with vehicles, being proactive is often key to avoiding issues. Seals and gaskets often crack over the years and cause oil leaks. But as listed above, there are popular products that may help prevent such issues.

And once your vehicle has passed the 75,000-mile mark it’s time to consider using a high-mileage oil, such as Castrol Edge High Mileage Synthetic Motor Oil, Mobil 1 High Mileage Full Synthetic Motor Oil, Pennzoil Conventional High Mileage Motor Oil, Amsoil Signature Series Synthetic Motor Oil, Royal Purple HMX Synthetic Oil, and Valvoline High Mileage With MaxLife Technology.

Your engine, and your next commute, maybe all the happier for it. If you have any questions please leave a comment. Thank you.