If your car is leaking oil, then it may be the perfect time to use high mileage oil. 

A critical factor to keeping your high-mileage vehicle healthy and in good condition for longer periods of time is by making sure to use high-mileage oil. This type of oil differs from regular oils in that it has special additives that allow it to minimise any engine oil leaks, both internal and external, as well as seal enhancers. 

Oil leaks and burning often happen in older engines. Using high mileage oil is a recommended way of preventing this. 

High mileage oils are designed to aid engines that have more than 75,000 miles under their belt. Although the decision to switch to using high mileage oil is ultimately up to the owner, experts still advise car owners to do so. 

However, there are some cases that won’t be fixed by switching to high mileage oil, such as vehicles that have combustion gases leaking between the cylinder wall and a piston into a car’s crankcase or those that have undergone more severe damage like cylinder snap, power loss, etc. In cases like those, they are most likely caused by mechanical failure and can only be fixed by a professional. 

To the same effect, maintaining your high mileage engines allows them to benefit from high mileage oils.

What ‘High Mileage’ Means

It’s not uncommon to hear people ask how many miles a car can last or what high mileage means. 

The thing is that there is no one right answer to this question. Although 75,000 miles or 120,000 kilometers is typically the mark of a high mileage vehicle and is applicable to most cars, there are no clear rules as to what determines a high mileage car.

There are experts who claim that cars with more than 45,000 miles in them should count as high mileage vehicles, saying that a car’s life expectancy can reach up to 200,000 miles with the right maintenance. On the other hand, regular cars that take advantage of the technology today can go up to 400,000 miles. 

City Miles vs Highway Miles

Driving around a city is not the same as driving on a highway. 

Other than the difference in fuel consumption, the toll on the engine also differs. Research studies have reported that, in terms of engine wear and tear, city miles are more demanding than highway miles. 

In other words, driving across highways involves having fewer starts and stops with the engine running at a steady temperature and at peak efficiency. On the other hand, there are numerous and frequent alterations in the performance of an engine on city miles. What this means is that engines that have 75,000 city miles under their belt are potentially just as worn out as engines that have 150,000 highway miles. 

Of course, several other factors are at play, such as:

• The type and quality of fuel and oil being used
• How the car is driven
• Whether the car undergoes regular maintenance, etc. 

Depending on the factors mentioned above, you need to decide whether you should use high mileage oil for the specific condition of your engine. 

When To Change High Mileage Oil

It’s not that easy to answer this question as there are conflicting opinions found online or at local car repair shops, along with multiple factors that can affect your choice. Instead, experts suggest gathering as much best-practice data as you can and then applying it to your situation. 

There are two conflicting opinions found online:

• There are people who think that it’s a better idea to change your oil a lot more frequently as the mileage of the car increases. This is because of engine loose tolerances that can result in soot aggression and blow by. 
• There are others who claim the opposite, saying that oil changes should happen less frequently as the mileage of the engine goes up. They believe that it is inevitable for a car to undergo wear and tear and that owners shouldn’t worry about having their warranty voided. 

It’s trickier when you realise that neither opinion is completely right or wrong. 

Should High Mileage Oil Be Used In My New Car

Not only is it not recommended but there is no need to use high mileage oil for your new car. 

Although it won’t harm your vehicle, it’s always best to stick to the instructions indicated in the car’s owner manual. 

For more information on the best oil change options and to get oil change coupons, contact Valvoline Express Care.

Oil changes are a regular and critical part of vehicle maintenance. Oil plays an incredibly important role in your car’s performance. The oil keeps your engine running smoothly and efficiently, by lubricating the engine to avoid friction from metal scraping on metal.

All oil has a shelf life, and must be changed on a consistent basis to continue to be effective.

How do you know when it is time for an oil change?

There are several tell-tale signs that your vehicle is in need of an oil change. Here are a few examples:

• Colour and texture of oil
• Engine sound
• Check engine light
• Low level
• Time since your last oil change

Colour and Texture
When oil is new and useful, it will be a light honey brown colour. The oil will become black and viscous when it begins to deteriorate. Once there is debris and other contaminants floating in the oil, it is time for an oil change, and possibly a filter change as well.

Engine Sound
If your oil is working efficiently, your car’s engine should be purring and fairly quiet. Once the oil gets old and dirty, the engine will become louder and may produce grinding and clunking noises.

Check Engine Light
Most cars will have an oil gauge on the dashboard that will let you know when it is time for a checkup. If the engine light is coming on, may also indicate an issue with the oil. If any of these lights are illuminated on your dashboard, it is a good idea to take your vehicle in for servicing.

Low Level
You can use the dipstick to check the oil level yourself to ensure there is an appropriate level in the tank. If levels are low, it is a good indication that the oil is too old and is getting burned up more quickly because it is no longer effective.

Last Oil Change
One of the most reliable methods for knowing when to change your oil is by figuring out the last time it was changed. It is recommended to change your oil every 5,000 to 8,000 kilometres. Check your owner’s manual for maintenance schedules.

Frequency Factors
How often you get your oil-change can be determined by 3 basic factors:

• Maintenance Schedule in Owner’s Manual
• Driving conditions
• Environmental conditions

Maintenance Schedule
The most important factor is following recommendations laid out in the owner’s manual. You don’t want to stray too far from the suggested schedule, as there may be conditions set in the manual that will void the warranty if not followed correctly.

Driving Conditions
The conditions you drive in on a daily basis will also be a factor. If your drive in severe conditions, you should be getting your oil changed more frequently. Severe conditions include:

• Stop-and-go traffic in high temperatures
• Short drives in freezing temperatures
• Driving at slow speeds for long distances
• Driving on dirt, sand, or gravel roads
• Dusty, muddy, or salty conditions
• Towing something behind your car or strapping something heavy to the roof
• Frequent stops and starts

Environmental Conditions
The climate you live in will also play a role in determining how often your oil should be changed. Extreme cold, especially if only driving for short distances, can cause moisture to build up in the engine and lead to quicker contamination of the oil. Hot temperatures can also be detrimental, even more so in stop-and-go traffic.

For more information on oil change, contact our Auto Technicians.

If you are in search of a fast, affordable, and reliable oil changing service in the Brampton area, Valvoline Express Care is an excellent selection.  The Valvoline Express Care Automotive Centre in Brampton has been providing exceptional automotive service for over 20 years. They offer a wide array of oils and filters to choose from, to ensure you get the right products for your vehicle to keep it running smoothly and efficiently. Bring your vehicle in for an oil change and get a check up to make sure your car is operating at peak performance, and that it is safe to drive for you and your passengers.

Oil Change Services Brampton

Valvoline Express Care offers a quick and easy oil change solution, so you don’t have to worry about taking too much time out of your busy schedule. Just show up at the service centre in Brampton, no need to make an appointment in advance. The efficient and effective oil change technicians will have you in and out in no time. You can also discuss with them, the best and type of oil and filter for your vehicle.

Why choose Valvoline Express Care for oil changes?

There are several strong arguments for using the services at Valvoline to preserve the value and enhance the performance of your vehicle.

Some advantages of using Valvoline are:

• Enhance performance
• Save money
• Protect the engine
• Choose quality products
• Preserve warranty
• Convenience
• Enhance Performance

One of the major reasons for having your oil changed consistently is to keep your car functioning at optimal levels.

Clean oil allows the engine to do its job efficiently and friction-free. Oil gets dirty and ineffectual over time. Eventually unchanged oil will begin to fill up with dirt and debris. If the oil gets too filthy, it can no longer provide proper lubrication, causing friction between the metal components of the engine.

Oil changes can help you save money

This bonus of consistent oil changes that I’m sure every car owner can get behind. Why spend more money than you need to?

 The only issue with this approach is that it takes some foresight on the part of the owner. Not everyone is willing to invest short term money, in order to save big in the long run.

Regular oil changes will help you avoid large and terrifying mechanic bills when your car breaks down because it wasn’t properly cared for. The cost repairing an engine is no joke. It is best to avoid that situation altogether if possible.

Not only that, clean oil allows for better fuel economy. The engine doesn’t have to work as hard when it is provided with clean oil on a consistent basis.

Oil changes help you protect the engine

Clean oil can help protect your engine from all kinds of problems like:

• Metal-on-metal friction
• Build up of dirt and debris
• Sludge formation
• Overheating

Contaminated oil can severely damage your engine. Lack of lubrication opens the door to the potential for the engine to overheat, and even seize up entirely. If dirt oil is left unchecked long enough it can start to turn to sludge, massively inhibiting engine performance.

Choose Quality Oil Change Products

The option to choose from a variety of products is incredibly beneficial for your vehicle. All motor oils are quite different from one another, so it is important to choose the one that works best with your vehicle. Valvoline offers various different oils, for different purposes. For example, let’s take a look at Valvoline Max Life Synthetic Blend. This type of oil is more geared towards older vehicles, in particular cars with over 75,000 miles on them.

Max Life Synthetic Blend motor oil focuses on minimizing further engine wear by:

• Improving engine power
• Enhancing fuel economy
• Preventing oil leaks
• Minimizing total oil consumption
• This is just one example of the many product choices on offer at Valvoline Express Care.

Oil Changes can help preserve warranty

With a lot of vehicle warranties, the validity hinges on regular oil changes done by an automotive professional.  Check your warranty to see if there are any stipulations outlining required services that are needed to keep the warranty binding.

Convenience

This may be one of the best perks of using a professional oil change service. Trying to change your oil on your own can be very time consuming, not to mention dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing. Doing the job incorrectly can result in hefty fees to fix it. It is also not safe to do it yourself without the proper equipment and knowledge.