high mileage synthetic or just synthetic?

Oil labelled "high mileage" contains additives that swell rubber, basically attempting to tighten up valve seals. I would not use it unless I had a serious (near-terminal) oil consumption. Also, once you start with it, you pretty much have to stick with it. Going back to regular (non high mileage) oil, the valve seals may shrink back, with a vengeance.

I can recall looking at a bottle of this stuff, decades back, wondering the same thing. They really should clarify on the bottle, what it's for, what it's doing.

 

If it's not burning oil, stick with what you've been using. Don't change anything

 

THIS.

Except maybe what do you consider as "not using too much oil" ??

If you are up to a quart in 3000 miles or less, it might be time to switch......and go up a step in weight too unless you live where it is REALLY cold.

 

I think that's already been answered.
Stick with it.

What IS your oil consumption like ?
And what weight of oil are you using ??

 

Stick with the high mileage .

The toothpaste is out of the tube, so no going back now.

 

You could try an oil change with regular oil, see what happens. I don't believe you've mentioned your oil consumption rate?

 

A 13 year old car with over 200K miles......and isn't using ANY oil !!!

WOW it sounds like you got a REALLY good deal.

Please keep us posted.

Just for the record, oil usage is the ONLY reason for the existence of "high mileage" oil.
It sounds like you really didn't need it......but that might be WHY it doesn't appear to be using any too.

Stick with it. No going back now.

 

13 YO Prius with 242,000 miles? Just change the oil/filter every 5K with what's been used before, check every fill-up and top off with same as required. So called "high mileage" oil won't make any difference.

 

And you know that ...how, exactly ??

It won't fix everything that causes oil loss but it does a surprisingly good job in a lot of cases.......as a temporary "fix".

 

Oh I don't know...maybe because I've been turning a wrench professionally for more than 40 years might have something to do with it.

 

That does not mean that every ASSumption you have arrived at over 40 years is really valid.

I personally have seen it make a distinct difference in more than one engine.

 

WOW! Name calling on an oil thread? You have a nice day sam spade 2.

Anyways...ericspoor you already know this used vehicle has a limited time left on the clock. Follow my advice and you will be fine until then.

 

While bulk oil often is just regular, the connection is not hard-and-fast. At my local dealership I purchase bulk Toyota 5W20 (for a Pilot) that is regular oil, and bulk Toyota 0W20 which is synthetic. Also, there's nothing wrong with regular oil, in particular if you abide by the oil change intervals, never let the level drop low.

I've been using bulk Toyota 0W20 synthetic for DIY oil changes on our (2010) Prius for maybe 3 years now, both because it's cheaper and to avoid contributing oil-fouled empties to the recycle stream (or landfill?).

That's one downside to DIY, the prevalence of small containers fouled by various hydrocarbons. Another example: my daughter is redoing a deck, using large vats of some sort of roofing tar. The "empties" are an ecological disaster; it'd be much better if there was some service with tar tankers (like a redi-mix concrete truck).

 

To the op your burning oil just don't know how much. Check the oil every few days first thing in the am as all the oil will have drained from the VVT section by then and its the most accurate measurement. Check it every few days. The G2 motor takes about 3.5 quarts of oil with new filter. Check it next morning after an oil change. Keep it at the full line.

Its a rare 250K G2 motor that does not eat oil. I would just use cheap dino oil 5-30 and take it easy on the car.Buy 5 quart jug at walmart.

Good luck.

 

You are about 400-4000 miles early for confirming no oil burning. If it happens (and usually does) then wait until 1500 or 2000 miles driven and recheck.

I'd bet that you cannot go 5000 miles without dropping below min on dipstick.

Walmart is THE ONLY PLACE TO BUY OIL!!!! (Also free 2 day shipping and no $130 annual "prime" membership nonsense).

$25.47 at Walmart (Mobil One 5W30 Extended Performance Full Synthetic)
Mobil 1 5W-30 Extended Performance Full Synthetic Motor Oil, 5 qt. - Walmart.com

Or you can pay $42.99 at O'Reillys.

$9.17 at Walmart for the extended performance oil filter

Or you can pay $14.99 at O'Reilleys.

Walmart grand total: $34.64

O'Reilleys grand total: $57.98

I bring my own oil to oil change shop and they change it for $15 (most shops are $20).