Should I switch to high-mileage engine oil?
There are two schools of thought about using high-mileage oils. The first is to switch when your vehicle reaches 75,000 miles. The second is to switch if your older vehicle is beginning to show signs of engine loosening. If you notice an oil drip, that’s a sign you should start using high-mileage engine oil. If your engine “sounds louder” and you are noticing a new rattling noise, sometimes the engine would benefit from a denser oil.
If you’re not having any issues, don’t change your engine oil. Because high-mileage oils are usually not API licensed, I recommend waiting until your vehicle’s warranty period is over before considering switching. If you do want to switch engine oils, use the Cenex Lubricants Recommendation Tool to find the right engine oil for your vehicle.
What makes high-mileage engine oils different?
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.
Over time, anything mechanical—even door handles—begins to loosen. Seals, gaskets and non-metal parts begin to decay as an engine ages. The higher-mileage oils are formulated with seal conditioners that increase flexibility and restore shape, which can help prevent leaks in the long run.
The bottom line is that high-mileage engine oils are designed for engines that are beyond their warranties and have 60-, 80-, 150,000 miles. Use it if you see a leak or notice rattling. This product can do a lot to protect engines.
Learn more about Cenex Auto Gold® HMO, which is designed for older, higher mileage vehicles.
Photo credit: skpy
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Why is It Important to Use a Motor Oil made from Natural Gas?
All engines generate contaminants such as soot, carbon, and sulfuric and nitric acid. These contaminants are inevitable byproducts of the combustion process, and all of them end up in your motor oil, to varying degrees. So, the question isn’t whether you need an oil that cleans, but how well your motor oil cleans the dirt and deposits your engine generates.
To put it simply, a cleaner engine is better protected, has a higher quality performance, and works more efficiently than a dirty one.
This is why it’s important to use a motor oil like Pennzoil Platinum® Full Synthetic motor oil made from natural gas, that helps keep engines cleaner than any leading synthetic motor oil.
Want to learn more about motor oil? Check our education section.
What makes synthetic oil better? The Proof is in the Pennzoil.
Many people wonder about the benefits that come from using synthetic motor oil made from natural gas, especially since they notice the price tag is slightly higher than conventional motor oil. It all comes down to science and innovation.
Base oil makes up nearly 80% of a motor oil formulation and additives make up the remaining nearly 20%. The chemically engineered molecules in synthetic base oil have more uniform properties while the molecules found in conventional base oil differ in shape and levels of impurity. This shift to a cleaner, higher quality product is becoming the norm in the automotive world with 70% of new cars using synthetic motor oil to help maintain performance.
Pennzoil Synthetic motor oil, takes things to the next level of performance because they use base oil made from natural gas, which is purer than base oil made from crude oil. With the help of this revolutionary gas-to-liquid technology, your vehicle can experience complete engine protection including cleaner pistons1, better fuel economy2, horsepower protection3, unsurpassed wear protection4, and extreme temperature performance.
1Based on ILSAC GF-5, Sequence IIIG piston deposit test using SAE 5W-30, and Ford, Chrysler and GM specifications. Does not apply to Pennzoil Platinum® Euro products.
2Based on pistons from standard V6 engine in ASTM Sequence IIIG piston deposit test using SAE 5W-30. Does not apply to Pennzoil Platinum® Euro products.
3Fuel economy measurements made using CAFE cycle under FTP75. Avg of 550 extra miles based on mixed city/highway miles and US avg of 13,476 miles driven per year with 4.1% better MPG vs dirty engine. Source fhwa.dot.gov, 2011. Follow OEM recommended oil drain intervals.
4Based on Sequence IVA wear test using SAE 5W-30.
In the natural gas drop depicted in the header image, the base oil is crystal clear. We add our unique high-performance additives which gives Pennzoil its distinctive amber color.
In the natural gas drop depicted in the header image, the base oil is crystal clear. We add our unique high-performance additives which gives Pennzoil its distinctive amber color.