I have a 2008 Toyota Camry XLE V6 with 110K miles in great condition! I’m at the Toyota dealership for oil change and tire rotation. I know I can get that any where but convenience is more important this morning.
I asked the attendant if they would use high mileage oil. She said “my guys do not believe in using high mileage oil”. She did not know why they “believed” this way. They just use what Toyota recommends or synthetic oil she said.
Can anyone tell me if high mileage oil has any value?
" I have a 2008 Toyota Camry XLE V6 with 110K miles in great condition! "
Is The Car Leaking Or Consuming Oil ?
Are You Adding Any Between Chnages ?
If “Yes,” How Much ?
If it’s in great condition and not leaking or consuming oil then I’d say it doesn’t need anything other than what the manufacturer specifies. Does Toyota specify High-Mileage Oil at 100,000 miles ?
Your Camry is not “high mileage” in my opinion. High mileage oil simply has some additives in it that is supposed to swell seals and gaskets to reduce leaks and burning of oil. Valve seals in particular is the target for high mileage oil.
If you are not burning oil between oil changes, or if you have to add oil at the 2000 mile mark between changes your car is fine. If you see a strong puff of blue smoke when you first start the car after sitting overnight that is another symptom of a car with leaking valve guides where a “high mileage” oil might help.
I suspect a regular oil will be fine in your Camry. High Mileage oil is more marketing than any real advantages, and therefore a justification for a higher price. A few pennies of additive for several extra dollars at the cash register.
110k isn’t really high mileage, 220k? Yeah probably. To me high mileage is 300k + but it’s a subjective issue. Regardless, just use the oil specified in the owner’s manual and keep rocking on. It sounds like the shop you patronize has the right idea.
You would think a dealership and the owners manual would know for sure. No need to apologize for using a dealership. I use mine in the winter and their prices are competitive with with anyone’s. And, sometimes they seem to know more than the chains.
Uncle Turbo explained what “high mileage” oil allegedly is, but I honestly think it’s just marketing hooey. Use the oil specified in your owner’s manual. If you feel like you’d like to “hedge your bet” with something a bit better, you can use “blended” or “synthetic” oil. But if you do, still maintain the schedule recommended in the owner’s manual.
High mileage oil isn’t “Hooey”. When the sons Jeep started leaking oil from the rear main seal he started using one of these high milege oils and sure enough the oil leak stopped. But as soon as he stopped using the high mileage oil the leak reappeared.
@Tester, Then It’s A Trade-Off ?
If It Helps, But Doesn’t Harm, Why Wouldn’t All Motor Oil Be High-Mileage Formulation ?
Is This Stuff More Expensive ?
What’s The Trade-Off ?
CSA
If using high mileage oil makes you feel good, I don’t think it will hurt anything. My son has the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander that I used to own and his mechanic thought at 110,000 miles that he should use high mileage oil. The Uplander does not use or leak oil and runs great. I really don’t think it does anything, but my son feels good about taking care of the vehicle. At my age, I take my Geritol. My physician doesn’t think it does anything for me, but doesn’t really hurt me. Since it makes me feel good, I take some now and then (I will keep mum on what I mix it with).
I used to change oil on 1997 Camry every 5-7K, or try to do 3x per year based on seasons, using ASE oil but cheaper brands. Still going strong at 250K with good mileage.
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The Prius '08, purchased with maintenance package and a lifetime tires, wanted 3K oil changes, all for $500. Wife loved the package-Me thinks dealer had a stupid moment. Dealer no longer offer this warrenty and unilaterally changed our contract to 1 tire change and 5K oil changes. I discovered that 3k miles the oil still looks new and at 5K the oil is only lightly blackened.
