High mileage oil

The typical automobile on the road today is more than 11 years old. That’s because drivers are keeping their cars longer or opting to purchase pre-owned vehicles instead of new models. And unless you own a classic car that you drive only under certain conditions, you probably have lots of kilometres on your pre-owned engine.

Caring for older, high mileage vehicles

Today’s vehicles are generally capable of racking up more kilometres than cars and trucks of a generation ago, but the secret to true vehicular longevity is still the same: regular maintenance.

High mileage vehicles need tender loving care on a number of fronts. To get long life from your engine, remember to:

Top off all fluids
Check the coolant level, especially in the warmer months
Inspect filters, belts and hoses

Also, be sure to get your tune-ups at the manufacturer’s recommended intervals. Most of all, your high mileage engine needs regular oil changes. As vehicles and their engines age, their moving parts can wear and potentially need even greater lubricant protection. And while your high mileage engine won’t turn its nose up at regular engine oil, it will perform better if you use oil specifically formulated for high mileage engines.

Is high mileage oil worth it?

High mileage engines – those with more than 120,000 kilometres – face a number of potential problems that high mileage oil is specifically formulated to address. Some high mileage oils, such as Mobil 1™ High Mileage and Mobil Super™ 2000, contain engine oil additives and conditioners that help to combat:

Engine oil consumption and leaks

Over time, an engine's seals can erode, causing engine oil to leak. Additives in certain high mileage oils can protect worn seals and keep leaks from forming. Older vehicles tend to burn more oil, and the lower volatility of Mobil 1 High Mileage helps reduce oil loss caused by burn-off, particularly on cylinder walls due to leakage past the oil control ring.
Engine oil sludge

Sludge is a tar-like residue that can build up in an engine as the result of oil thickening or breakdown, most often the result of infrequent oil changes. High mileage oil can help remove engine sludge and reduce wear in older engines.
General engine wear and tear

As engines age, they can increasingly wear out. Mobil 1 High Mileage oils offer outstanding wear protection to help prevent wear and protect critical engine components – a claim supported by the industry-accepted Sequence IVA engine wear test.

High mileage synthetic vs. high mileage synthetic blend

For added protection, consider using a high mileage synthetic or synthetic blend oil rather than a conventional motor oil. Unlike conventional oil, which is simply refined crude oil, synthetic oil is distilled, purified and broken down into its basic molecules. It is then rebuilt and improved with additives formulated to better protect against wear, high heat, cold weather and sludge buildup. High mileage synthetic oils help your car’s engine, young or old, run better for longer. And if you’re searching for the best high mileage motor oil, you can rest assured that the Mobil 1™ family of motor oils offers outstanding wear protection – a claim supported by the industry-accepted Sequence IVA engine wear test.

But which high mileage oil should I choose for my vehicle?

Mobil 1 High Mileage

If you know your vehicle has received regular oil changes at the manufacturer’s suggested intervals, then Mobil 1 High Mileage synthetic motor oil is the best choice. Why? This high mileage oil contains a higher base oil viscosity to help reduce leaks and provide better high-temperature protection. Mobil 1 High Mileage also provides outstanding wear protection of critical engine components*. Plus, if your engine contains excessive sludge deposits due to less-than-adequate maintenance practices, this high mileage oil can help by reducing this sludge.

Mobil Super 2000

If you know your vehicle has received regular oil changes at the manufacturer’s suggested intervals, then Mobil Super 2000 synthetic blend motor oil is a great choice. Why? This high mileage oil contains seal conditioners to help prevent leaks and control oil consumption.

Keeping your vehicle well maintained and running smoothly is the key to a longer-lasting engine. And as drivers hang on to their aging cars and trucks, perhaps much longer than originally planned, it becomes even more important to give them the care they need. Your older engine might require you to spend more time in the driveway with your hood propped up, but your careful attention can add many more kilometres to your vehicle’s life, even well into its senior years.

*A claim supported by the industry-accepted Sequence IVA engine wear test.