High mileage oil vs full synthetic reddit

Q: Is high mileage oil change the same as full synthetic?

High Mileage with MaxLife™ Technology is created using a blend of natural and synthetic oils as its foundation, while Full synthetic High Mileage with Maxlife™ Technology uses an even more robust base of entirely synthetic oil. Either way, they contain similar additives to address the problems related to wear.

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Is high mileage oil better than full synthetic?
Is high mileage oil change the same as full synthetic?
Is high mileage synthetic oil worth it?
Can I mix full synthetic with high mileage oil?

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r/prius

Hey All -

Just purchased my second high mileage Prius (now have 2 in the garage that we get used daily). When I recently took one in for an oil change I was presented with an option for high mileage oil or synthetic oil, both at the same price. Is either one better for a high mile Prius?

level 1

They make high mileage full synthetic. I change my own oil and have found that not every viscosity is always in stock at every location of every store, so sometimes I use another that's close, but all of the major motor oil companies make a high mileage version of their full synthetic and I suspect the place you were getting your oil changed just did not have any on hand. Of course, the next place might lie to you, but maybe you'll find somebody who'll do it right.

I'd use full synthetic. If they don't have a high mileage in stock, you might want to go up a viscosity, but I personally would stick with full synthetic, first and foremost, then look for a high mileage version and go from there.

level 2

Interesting. Thanks for the response! Might just start taking them directly to the dealer from now to be sure.

level 1

Isn't 'high mileage' oil just a little more viscous/thicker so that it's a little less likely to get past sloppy rings and burn?

As for whether or not to use synthetic, I believe Toyota straight-up recommends synthetic for our cars now because of the high number of starts and that's what we run in our three hybrids.

level 2

I'm not sure. I don't know much about car maintenance besides the basics but the oil change guy said high mileage has additives that is less likely to cog down a high mileage engine. I might just go with synthetic or start taking it directly to the Toyota dealer from now on. Thanks for the response!

level 1

I use supertech high mileage full synthetic. $15 for a 5qt jug, can't beat that

level 2

Sounds like I need to learn how to change my own oil... full synthetic change was $70 for me!

level 1

Depends, what does your manual say? Oil is oil is oil, for the most part. Stick to the type and weight that the people who built the engine tell you to use, they have quite a bit more knowledge on this than some lube shop does.

Where did you take this to? If it was some quick-lube place like Valvoline or Jiffy Lube, please stop going to places like that. You are 100% at risk of them completely screwing it up, scamming you, and vastly overcharging you. Please take it to a local mechanic (that isn't attached to a gas station).

level 2

2008 Prius manual doesn't say much about what type of oil besides a drawing of an oil cap that says 5w30. Real life oil cap under my hood also says 5w30. Nothing about full synthetic vs not.

It's tough to find a trusted local mechanic as a transplant to a smaller city. The Toyota dealer here has good reviews but obviously super high prices. Maybe I'll just take some auto mechanic courses at the local community college so I know what I'm doing 90% of the time!

level 1

I think GenIII they originally stated 5w30 but switched it to say/do 0w20 after I got mine.

I use Mobile 1 0w-20 long life since I do a lot of highway travel.

level 1

Use the manual for suggested oil use. If it is high mileage I would switch to the fully synthetic high mileage offering in the required viscosity. I know on my '19 requires the odd 0w-16.

level 1

Please YouTube the difference between high mileage oil and regular from mechanics. They’ve always told me to only start using High Mileage oil once the car is experiencing oil leaks from worn out seals/rubber. High Mileage oil adds things to possibly expand seals to stop small leaks. Cars without leaks don’t need their seals treated and don’t need their engines subjected to unnecessary additives. But it’s your car.

level 1

· 3 yr. agoWife and I share 2011&2018 base models

Always always synthetic 0w20.

Do what Toyota wants you do to. They want your car to last for a very long time so follow their advice.

level 2

Doesn't location matter for this? I've always heard that but could be totally wrong. I'm in Michigan. They put in 5w30... should I get it changed to 0w20 or just wait until the next 5k?