Oil Weight Based on Higher Mileage

[galaxy]

So I did a search and ran through a couple quick threads on oil weight, but didn't see much on this. Do you guys specifically look into a different weight oil based on higher mileage? Getting up to the 110,000 mile neighborhood and still on 5W20. But now also running E85 and a few bolt on mods. Engine is solid but gets driven. Was thinking about 5W30 at a minimum or even 0W40. Totally not trying to start a new 'which oil' thread, just mainly curious this time how mileage factored into some of your decisions possibly. Thanks guys.

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[Cory S]

Can’t go wrong with 5W-30.

 

[ice445]

Can’t go wrong with 5W-30.

Second this. 5W20 is fine too, could keep using it. But as parts wear, thicker oil can be useful.

 

[EFI]

Oil viscosity is based on many aspects of the engine, however age is not really one of them.

The engine doesn't wear out that much where an increase in oil viscosity is needed. Depending on your intended use, a 5w30 or 0w40 may be appropriate, but not because your engine has 110,000 miles.

 

[ice445]

Oil viscosity is based on many aspects of the engine, however age is not really one of them.

The engine doesn't wear out that much where an increase in oil viscosity is needed. Depending on your intended use, a 5w30 or 0w40 may be appropriate, but not because your engine has 110,000 miles.

I'd have to agree, 110K isn't much in the grand scheme of things. Thicker oil can be helpful closer to 200k though, depending on how well you maintained things over the engine's life. I've seen a 1st gen 5.0 F150 throw low oil pressure warning light at idle because it was dropping just under spec from worn bearings and clearances. Going to a thicker oil combined with an OEM filter with less pressure drop "fixed" the problem. I've seen the same fix on many Tauruses over the years. That little bump in viscosity helps slow the pressure bleed from worn internals.

 

[Andrew@Lethal]

So I did a search and ran through a couple quick threads on oil weight, but didn't see much on this. Do you guys specifically look into a different weight oil based on higher mileage? Getting up to the 110,000 mile neighborhood and still on 5W20. But now also running E85 and a few bolt on mods. Engine is solid but gets driven. Was thinking about 5W30 at a minimum or even 0W40. Totally not trying to start a new 'which oil' thread, just mainly curious this time how mileage factored into some of your decisions possibly. Thanks guys.

I run 5w-30 full synthetic on all my vehicles. I just prefer that oil weight. It is a bit more effective for higher mileage vehicles as well.

 

[CBass2288]

I run 5w-30 full synthetic on all my vehicles. I just prefer that oil weight. It is a bit more effective for higher mileage vehicles as well.

So do I. Haven't had any problems.

 

[Dfeeds]

Bumping up viscosity on a high mileage engine is a bandaid for some issues that could develop.

If your engine doesn't feel down on power or has any increased oil consumption then I'd stick to what you've been using. I'd also personally use 5w30 but why fix what's not broken? Certain driving habits can favor lower viscosity oils. You could also consider moving to a high mileage oil. I'd recommend this before a higher viscosity.

 

[Andrew@Lethal]

Bumping up viscosity on a high mileage engine is a bandaid for some issues that could develop.

If your engine doesn't feel down on power or has any increased oil consumption then I'd stick to what you've been using. I'd also personally use 5w30 but why fix what's not broken? Certain driving habits can favor lower viscosity oils. You could also consider moving to a high mileage oil. I'd recommend this before a higher viscosity.

I prefer having the added oil weight to prevent wear and tear. I drive like a bat out of hell and want the added insurance for my engines.

 

[Ebm]

I'm at 95k miles on mine and it has seen nothing but 0W-30 for the past 50k miles. I'd recommend switching to 5W-30 or 0W-30 even if you didn't have 110k miles. For the new GTs, Ford's manual recommends 5W-30 or 0W-30 for the new MY even though they have recommended 5W-20 since the GEN 1 Coyote. What changed? Ford's mind did... Nothing to do with the car.

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