Keeping Your Vehicle Longer or Driving it More?

How long have you had your current vehicle? Not long ago, Americans thought about replacing their vehicles after five to seven years. But today, people are keeping their vehicles a lot longer – 12+ years on average, according to data from S&P Global Mobility.

The trend became evident during the pandemic, when new vehicles were in short supply. More recently, however, inflationary pressures and high vehicle prices are causing people to put off buying a new vehicle as long as possible. It’s no longer unusual to hold onto a vehicle well past 100,000 miles. In fact, with today’s automotive technology and regular maintenance, it’s possible for a vehicle to last as much as 200,000 miles and beyond.

But it’s not just older model vehicles that are racking up the high miles. Newer models that are driven heavily – say for ride-hailing, corporate fleets, rentals or long commutes – can reach the 100K point much more quickly than a typical family vehicle.

Common Engine Problems with High Mileage Vehicles 

Vehicles in either of these categories – newer vehicles in constant use or older vehicles with normal use – are deemed high-mileage, which generally means 75,000 miles or more on the odometer. And high-mileage vehicles experience a range of engine issues that are quite different from lower-mileage vehicles.

Excessive oil consumption: high mileage vehicles are more likely to consume excessive amounts of oil, whether from constant use or leaks due to worn out piston rings. This can lead to insufficient lubrication or an increase in exhaust emissions.

Wear and tear on engine components: high-mileage vehicles also see more wear and tear on engine components, including belts, bearings and pistons, which can mean a loss of power and ultimately higher repair costs.

Corrosion and overheating: corrosion is likely to build up more quickly due to prolonged usage and exposure to heat. A vehicle that is driven often may be more prone to overheating, especially if the oil level is low.

Faulty combustion and engine knocking: An engine could experience low compression due to damaged piston rings, which leads to faulty combustion and engine “knocking.” At the very least, engine knocking can constrain engine performance and in the worst case can cause severe damage to pistons or rupture the combustion chamber.

The Science Behind High Mileage Engine Oil

For these reasons and more, vehicles that have hit the 75,000 mark stand to benefit from switching to a scientifically formulated high-mileage, or “HiMi” oil. High-mileage oils differ from standard lubricants in significant ways. Specifically, they are formulated with an enhanced additive package designed to address the issues high-mileage engines face, including:

• Additional seal conditioners that rejuvenate worn seals, prevent oil leaks and help maintain proper engine pressure.
• Enhanced anti-wear additives that provide an extra layer of protection for engine components that may have experienced wear over time.
• A higher level of detergents and dispersants to clean dirty sludge and deposit buildup.
• Enhanced corrosion inhibitors to protect the engine's metal surfaces from rust and corrosion.

These necessary components found in HiMi oils help lead to significant benefits, including lower oil consumption, less risk of wear on engine parts, and overall improved engine performance and cleanliness in high-mileage vehicles.

When to Switch to High Mileage Engine Oil

So how do you know when to switch to a high-mileage oil? First, check your odometer. If you’ve reached 75,000 miles, consider switching even if you aren’t yet seeing, or hearing, any engine problems. Better to be safe than sorry. Also, look for signs of engine wear – sluggish performance, start-up trouble, unusual noises, or a faster-than-normal drop in the oil gauge. These may be signs that a regular engine oil is no longer adequate. And if you have questions, check the owner’s manual. Some manufacturers may recommend high-mileage oil when the vehicle reaches 75,000 miles or another designated level.

Chevron Havoline^® LIFELONG Full Synthetic Motor Oil

The Chevron Havoline^® brand offers a line of high-mileage oils, including Havoline LIFELONG Full Synthetic Motor Oil, which is compatible with both high-mileage and newer model engines. You can ask for Chevron Havoline motor oils by name at a Havoline or Chevron xpress lube^® oil service shop, or find them in the automotive department at popular retailers like Walmart.

Whether your livelihood depends on driving, or you simply want your vehicle to last longer, it pays to switch to a high-mileage oil. Maybe you’ve bought a used vehicle that already has a lot of miles on it, or perhaps you want to pass a hand-me-down to a younger driver in the family. In any case, a high-mileage motor oil can help extend the life of the vehicle, minimize maintenance and repair costs, and uphold the resale value for a longer period of time. Above all, you can drive a heavily used or aging vehicle with greater confidence, knowing it’s getting the protection it needs regardless of its stage of life.