High mileage oil vs regular oil

[trainman]

I was just wondering if there is any benefit to running an oil made for high mileage vehicles as to just using regular oil? I have a 98 Ram 4x4 with 76,000 on it and was just curious as to what others think.

[tony36]

at 76k you are not at high mileage, thats pretty low for the age. I have always ran regular oil, stayed away from synthetic. Syn is ok for new motors, it lubricates well, but you need more than just lubrication after the motor has worn. Syn is thinner than regular, and when a motor wears the oil takes up the space, this is where thicker oil comes in. Whith the miles you have I would just keep running what you have been.

[fredjacksonsan]

Sorry Tony36; can't agree with you on the synthetic being less able in older engines. Where the problem sometimes lies is with vehicles experiencing leaks when switching a higher mileage vehicle from regular oil to synthetic.

I used to change my regular oil at 2500 miles. But after doing a bunch of research, am now running synthetic and changing less frequently. I never had any problems using regular oil though; the key is to change your oil once it gets worn out (as in the additives are going or gone) and before the lubricating ability is gone. As far as price, it's about even between the synthetic and less frequent changes vs the more frequent regular oil changes.

For more on oil, I'd suggest: www.bobistheoilguy.com Those guys have more info about oil and lubrication than you can easily imagine.

If you're concerned about how your oil is after a few thousand miles, check out: http://www.blackstone-labs.com/free_test_kit.html

They'll test your oil and let you know how it's doing. The analysis is $30, which includes their opinion of your engine's condition.

[wafrederick]

Put the right oil in the newer engines or you will have lifters rattling like crazy.Go by what it say in the owner's manual or it says on the oil cap.My neighbor's wife went through it was a 1998 or 1999 Chevy S10 4x4,put in synthetic and the lifters rattled like crazy.It sounded like the engine was going to blow up.She drained the synthetic out,did put in what was recomended and the lifters quieted right up quickly.

[neon_rt]

I've heard of the lifter problem before. Synthetic is about 10% slicker than Dino oil of the same viscosity. Synthetic tends to flow through the engine faster (easier) and in the case of worn engine or not enough volume from the oil pump, the oil pressure can drop too low while idling hot. My Jeep was fine with the recommended 10-30 dino oil (20psi at hot idle). When I switched to 10-30 Mobile 1 my oil pressure dropped to less than 10psi (hot idle). I changed to Mobile 1 SUV 5-40 and my oil pressure returned to normal.