Best Oil For Cars With Over 100k Miles (2023 Reviews)

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When you drive a car up to 100,000 miles, most of its components would be weak and need replacement. However, with regular maintenance, such a car can last longer, up to 200K miles or longer. One of the ways to keep an old car’s engine running at its best is to use the right motor oil specified for the engine.

A vehicle with over 100k miles is considered a high-mileage car, and as such, it is best to use high-mileage engine oils for such a car, which is why we’re about to show you some of the best oil for cars with over 100k miles.

High mileage motor oils are specially formulated to protect old engines against wear by coating the internal parts with a film. They are also typically made with seal conditioners to prevent leaks.

The truth is, for vehicles with over 100k miles, it is best to use high mileage motor oils. Regardless, most “regular” (non-high-mileage) full synthetic motor oils are suitable for engines with over 100k miles.

Types Of Motor Oils (By Mileage)

There are two major types of motor oils: high mileage oils and regular oils. Both types of oil can come as full synthetic, synthetic blend, or conventional oils.

High Mileage Motor Oils

This type of motor oil is mainly specified for old engines (I.e., engines that have lasted for many years), or high mileage engines (engines that have gone past 75K miles).

It is not advisable to use this type of motor oil on newer vehicles, regardless of whether the one you’ve got is full synthetic or synthetic blend; high mileage engine oils are most suitable for old engines.

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Regular Motor Oils

Regular motor oils simply refer to engine oils that are not clearly indicated as “high mileage” oils.

This type of oil is suitable for all kinds of engines (both new and old) – you just have to choose the one that matches the specifications and viscosity grade for your engine (ex. 5w20, 0w30, 10w40, and other grades).

You can actually use regular motor oils on cars with over 100k miles – but that has to be full synthetic models. An engine with 100k miles would potentially have worn-out parts that need strong additives (which are typically included found in full synthetic oils) to prevent further wear and leaks.

Best Oil For Cars With Over 100k Miles

1. Royal Purple High Performance Synthetic Motor Oil

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The Royal Purple brand is notable for producing some of the best-performing motor oils out there. This high mileage oil from the brand is made with a patented formula that is meant to unlock the best performance of high mileage engines while protecting the core internal components from excessive wear.

This is a full synthetic oil, available in different grades, and comes in a 5QT container. You can use this oil on vans, trucks, and sedans with over 100k miles.

It is also suitable for engines with over 200k miles. The formula and additives in this oil help to improve fuel efficiency, protect against wear, and the emissions system.

Highlights:

The formula includes patented anti-wear additive for optimal protection of core engine components
Maximizes fuel economy and horsepower
Improves LSPI protection

Pros:

You can choose from the different grades available
Good buy for the price
Includes premium and patented additives in the formula

Cons:

Some users complain that it burns off faster

2. Havoline High Mileage Synthetic Blend

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100k is “high mileage,” and as such, you need to use a high mileage engine oil for the car. Interestingly, the Havoline high mileage oil is one of the best-recommended options in the market.

This engine oil is specified for 5w20 engines; but, it is available in other viscosity grades including 0w20, 10w30, and 5w30.

So, you can choose the grade for your engine and stick with it. However, this Havoline motor is a synthetic blend (it’s a full synthetic oil), but it works well for old and high mileage engines. The formula includes premium additives targeted to improve the performance of high mileage vehicles.

Furthermore, this synthetic blend comes in a 5QT container, which is big enough for any type of vehicle; in addition, it meets the industry’s standards.

Highlights:

Meets the industry standards for all available grades
Exceptional protection against wear
The formula is advanced and patented
High resistance to oxidation

Pros:

Good price
Reduces oil burn off in old engine
Cleans the internal engine parts very well
Improves fuel economy

Cons:

It is not full synthetic oil

3. Mobil 1 High Mileage Motor Oil

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Coming from one of the best brands that manufacturer motor oils of different grades, this high mileage oil is inarguable a good choice for cars with over 100,000 miles.

This high mileage oil from Mobil 1 comes in a 5QT container, and the formula includes premium additives meant to protect and improve old engines.

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It is a full synthetic motor oil, which gives it an edge over the other options in the market. While the manufacturers allege that this oil can last for up to 12,000 miles drain intervals, it is advisable to stick with 10,000 miles drain intervals.

More so, you can use this motor for all kinds of vehicles; it cleans old engines and protects them.

Highlights:

Perfectly cleans out deposits and sludge
Exceptional protection against wear
Flows evenly in low and high temperature
Patented additives

Pros:

This oil works on all European and Asian car models
Available in different grades
Advanced full synthetic oil
Includes seal conditioners in the formula

Cons:

Quite expensive

4. Amsoil Small Engine Synthetic Motor Oil

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Amsoil is also one of the notable brands that produce high-performing engine oils of different grades. This high mileage oil comes in a 1QT container and it is suitable for all kinds of old engines. It is a full synthetic motor oil made from pure petroleum and patented formula.

The formula works to reduce oil burn-off, protect against wear by coating the engine parts, and reduce leaks, thanks to the seal conditioners. Amsoil engine oil is one of the best in the market, and it can be used on trucks, vans, and cars. You may need to buy at least two of this oil since it’s just 1QT.

Highlights:

100% full synthetic motor oil
Made with Amsoil’s advance synthetic formula
Fortified to prevent leaks and excessive wear

Pros:

Good price
Reputable brand
Available in different grades
Good for cars and trucks

Cons:

This model is just 1QT, you need to buy more of it

5. Valvoline Full Synthetic High Mileage Oil

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The Valvoline Full Synthetic motor oil proves to be one of the best oils for engines with over 100k miles (or even 200k miles).

It is a full synthetic motor oil available in different grades, and the formula is carefully decided for old cars. This oil cleans the engine perfectly and contains seal conditioners to prevent leaks.

While this particular model is specified for 10w30 engines, this oil has 5w20, 5w30, and 10w40 grades.

The brand, Valvoline, has earned a good reputation over the years of its existence, and this motor oil is rated almost 5-stars on Amazon by over 4,000 customers. You can use the oil on all kinds of vehicles (cars and trucks).

Highlights:

The formulated is fortified with the company’s patented MaxLife technology
Includes seal conditioners for leaks protection
Contains detergents for thorough engine cleaning

Pros:

Unbeatable price
Reputable brand
MaxLife technology
Resists oxidation

Cons:

Few complains from some users on Amazon

6. Pennzoil High Mileage Motor Oil

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While we mentioned that full synthetic oils are the best to use on engines with over 100k miles, some conventional oils actually perform better due to the additives and formula used.

The Pennzoil high mileage oil is one of those few conventional high mileage oils you can trust to improve your engine’s performance.

Available in a 5QT container, this conventional oil is made with a strong formula, fortified to deliver optimal protection against wear and leaks. However, since this is not synthetic motor oil, it is not compatible with most engines. You could mix it with a high mileage oil additive for better performance.

Highlights:

Suitable for engines with over 75k miles
Cleans sludge and deposits
Good for vans, trucks, and cars

Pros:

Unbeatable price
Improves fuel economy
Delivers better protection against wear

Cons:

Not compatible with most newer vehicles
It is not a synthetic motor oil

7. Castrol GTX High Mileage Oil

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Lastly on our list is a super-performing motor oil from the Castrol brand. It is clearly specified for high mileage engines (engines with over 75k miles), and it comes in different viscosity grades. This top-quality full synthetic engine oil coats the engine’s internal parts to protect them from wearing off.

There are two models of Castrol High Mileage Oil, and they both deliver exceptional performance on old vehicles.

This one comes in a 5QT container; the formula includes superior detergents to remove any dirt or sludge residing inside the engine. Thanks to the inclusion of seal conditioners in the formula, this oil prevents oil leaks.

Highlights:

Advanced formula with detergents and seal conditioners
Big container (5QT)
Full synthetic motor oil

Pros:

Works impressively on high mileage vehicles
You can choose from different viscosity grades
Reputable brand

Cons:

A few complains from some users on Amazon

When Should You Change Oil On a 100K Miles Engine?

It would be best to change your oil at 7,000 – 8,500 miles intervals, or at most, 10,000 miles. While some oil manufacturer may claim their products can last up to 15,000 miles or more, you shouldn’t listen to that marketing jargon.

Since your engine has already done 100k miles, it needs to be fed with clean oil more regularly than ever. So if your previous drain interval is above 10,000 miles, you need to bring it down to 10,000 miles, or a little bit below – 10k miles should be the landmark.

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Keypoints:

It is advisable to switch to high mileage oils when you hit 80,000 miles on your odometer
Reschedule your oil change intervals, keep it below, or at 10,000 miles (if you use full synthetic oils).
If you use conventional high mileage oils, keep the drain intervals below 6,500 miles.
Full synthetic oils are the BEST
Stick to the instructions and recommendations in your car’s owner’s manual

How To Buy Motor Oils For Cars With Over 100k Miles

High mileage motor oils should be selected carefully because high mileage engines need nothing but the “Best” oil in the market. These factors would help in choosing the best for your 100k miles vehicle.

1. Go For Synthetic Oils

It is best to go for full synthetic high mileage motor oils as they typically offer more benefits than synthetic blends and conventional motor oils.

Notwithstanding, there are some very good conventional oils (ex. Pennzoil high mileage oil) and synthetic blend (ex. Havoline high mileage oil) that deliver good performance on vehicles with over 100k miles.

2. Viscosity and Grade

The viscosity grade of motor oils is an important factor to consider when choosing high mileage motor oils. Since your engine is most likely stressed due to the several miles, it is advisable that you go back and stick with recommended oil grade for the engine.

For example, if you were using 5w20 while your engine is specified for 5w30 or 10w30, at this point (since you’ve hit 100k miles), it is best to stick with the exact grade for your engine.

3. Brand

Of course the brand matters. There are many top brands you can trust for their oil products; brands like Royal Purple, Mobil 1, Amsoil, and Castrol. However, if your engine OEM specified a brand to use, go for the brand’s oil.

What More?

This article has clearly listed the best motor oils to use on engines with over 100k miles; it also reviews the best practices to follow while shopping for new motor oil for your old or high mileage engine.