Should I use Thicker Oil in an Older Engine? –  Signs of Worn-out Engine

Despite being given all the answers in the car’s manual guide, people often wonder which oil they should go for. Some even ask, ‘Should I use thicker oil in an older engine?’

Choosing the right car oil for your vehicle might seem intimidating, especially for car lovers, but gladly it’s not. Although it is always suggested to follow the owner’s manual, going for oils just one grade higher or lower than the recommended one poses no serious threat to your vehicle.

The same goes for people using older vehicles. In fact, a slight viscose oil could be a better idea for older engines as it will also help protect weary bearings. It’s because when a thicker or heavier oil is added to an old engine, it throws extra smoke out of it without leaking the oil.

So, should I use thicker oil in an older engine? Since it’s a matter of a car, we cannot jump straight to any conclusions. Below we have detailed whether you should go for it or not. And if yes, under what conditions.

Should I use Thicker Oil in an Older Engine?

Using thicker oil for old pistons might not be a good idea. When a car gets old, it starts consuming more engine oil compared to the new ones, and when you add thicker oil to that engine, the situation gets even worse. That said, not all thicker oils are bad for weary engines. There are some specific types of thicker oils that you can grab from the shelves for your old car.

Thicker Oils for Older Engines

Below we have briefed on some different types of oils. Learn about them to decide which one is perfect for your worn engine.

• Conventional Oil

All modern vehicles come standard with this oil. It is more common for use in new cars. That’s what we have learned about it so far. The car manufacturers usually opt for conventional oil as its viscosity ranges from 10 x to 30 w, depending on the engine’s temperature. While the oil works fine for almost all the engines, it requires regular filtration to keep working well.

Check out the link to buy conventional oil for your car.

• Full Synthetic Oil

Full synthetic oil comprises synthetic base stock that is blended with different additives to boost the performance of the oil. It is considered the purest form of the best synthetic oils. They are mainly formulated for complex technical engines boasting advanced technologies. Not just do they perform well, but they give a long-lasting performance in all crucial areas. They are not temperature sensitive, so you can use them regardless of your geographical location.

If you have a good budget, you can definitely use full synthetic oil for a better performance of your vehicle. They exhibit the best performance in cars.

• Synthetic Blend

Those who are looking for an oil that performs better than regular oils and doesn’t cost too much should check out the synthetic blend oil. It works as kind of an alternative to conventional and full synthetic oils. Since it is less refined than the previously mentioned full synthetic oil, it is also called semi-synthetic oil. Its formula contains organic oils that help protect your vehicle’s engine in hot climates.

Synthetic blend oil can help you achieve fuel economy as it is less volatile and evaporates less. However, the only downside is that it is more expensive than conventional oils.

• Higher-Mileage Oil

Don’t you feel broken when you make heavy instalment payments each month? Try using good oils to make the most out of your money. Higher-mileage oil is formulated to meet the drivers’ demands of better performance specifically. Moreover, it is made compatible with new-model cars.

When your vehicle gets old, it requires more maintenance. Oily patches underneath your car when it is parked signify that your vehicle needs maintenance. You need to put a quart more oil into your engine compared to when it was all brand new. Your vehicle needs more care when it starts depreciating. As far as leakage is concerned, you can use rubber seals to prevent that.

Another possible reason for leakage could be your car oil. When you don’t change your car oil for a long time, it starts leaking.

Do Synthetic Oils Cause Leakage in Old Cars?

Unfortunately, synthetic oils can cause leakages in old cars as they are rich in detergents, dispersants, and other cleaning agents to remove dirt and gunk in the engine that could be working as a seal.

However, that doesn’t mean that cleaning your engine is bad. In fact, it is an important part of car maintenance you should better not skip. Not changing oil will lead to more gunk accumulation around the oil drain holes and cause the engine to overheat.

Should you Opt for Thicker Oils if your Engine Consumes Oil?

Usually, oil consumption issues happen when a vehicle gets old. So, yes, you should switch to thicker ones if your old car has started consuming oil. Check the owner’s manual to learn about the viscosity of the oil your car needs. Doing so will prolong your engine’s life span.

When an engine gets old, its clearance rises due to wear and tear. As a result, there is more space in there, which is difficult to maintain with a runny oil.

The important thing to consider here is that you should spot the signs that your car’s engine is getting old. Because if there are no such signs, you might not have to switch to a thicker oil. Oil switching should be your last resort in order to prolong your engine’s life that is already on its way out.

When Should you opt for High Mileage Oil?

You should consider switching to high mileage oil if you find your engine; burning excessive oil, overheating, and leaking. The high mileage oil comes with a seal swelling agent that works as a reconditioning engine seal which gets solid over time.

With time, the engine seal gets shrinks, becomes hardened, and less stretchy. Its formula contains a seal swelling agent that reconditions the seal and makes it hard for the oil to get passed. However, that doesn’t mean it’s a permanent fix. If your engine has a broken seal, it will never be fixed with a high mileage oil. You need to either consult a technician or get the seal repaired.

Advantages of Thicker Oil for an Old Engine

Thicker oils offer a host of advantages to old car engines. We have mentioned below the top benefits of using it.

• Thicker oils reduce friction in the engine.
• It refines the engine, which reduces gunk accumulation.
• Additives in thicker oils clean the engine.
• It performs well in even cold weather
• It has fewer impurities

Verdict – Should I use Thicker Oil in an Older Engine?

You should have a strong reason to switch to thicker oil for your old engine, for instance, oil leakage, overheating, or burning excessive oil. If your car doesn’t exhibit any of those signs, then there is no need to change your car oil. However, if you are still bent on changing your car’s oil, go for synthetic oil, as it is much more powerful and effective than conventional oil.

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