Hi! I'm looking for some advice. My 2002 Silverado has 170k+miles. During oil changes, I'm being told that it's lost up to half a quart of oil. I've read online that this should be time to change to high mileage synthetic oil; however, one of the techs at the dealership suggested I simply keep using the current oil. I drive about 12k miles a year mainly highway. What's your take on this?

 

I would do like the tech said. Keep using the regular oil with regular oil and filter changes. If it ever gets more than a quart between oil changes, then it is time to think about what to do.

 

I wouldn't hesitate for a second to switch to a blended oil like Valvoline Max Life or even better a full synthetic like Mobile 1.

Mobil 1 Synthetic Oil | Engine Protection

Oils re not like they used to be - switching to a full synthetic is something people do all the time with no adverse affects.

I switched my 89 5.0L HO from regular oil to Valvoline Max Life with over 100,000 miles on the engine and 200,000 miles later not a single oil related issue.

 

To me, the type of oil is not the most important. The oil change interval should be given more consideration.

 

A half a quart every oil change is not bad at all. Some conventional wisdom would suggest that up to a quart every 1,000 miles on an engine -could- fall into the normal range.

I agree with the tech and say use the same or maybe a high mileage. I still have my 94' K1500 daily driver with 220k. I have been using a high mileage oil for some time now. I leave no oil spots in the driveway.

Switching to a regular synthetic may become problematic. The viscosity is the same, but the refinement synthetics go through allows for better flow. In other words, it will likely find some extra spots to flow out of on an old engine. I tried it once, and the above was true. I have just seen the high mileage synthetics and am unsure how these may do. Good luck!

 

Maybe quit reading online?

Allan

 

I switched all the fluids to synthetic in my previous two vehicles, and didn't notice any extra fluid leaking out of them. I went at least twice as long between oil changes, and I was able to keep them running until their 20s.

One of them was a 1988 Ford Ranger 4x4, which fell apart on me in 2011. While I did have to get the head gasket changed at the 250,000 mark, that's the usual mileage when head gaskets broke down for this particular model and year. Admittedly, I did use a thicker high mileage synthetic oil on my truck, which most mechanic wouldn't recommend doing on later model vehicles.

The Other was 1995 Plymouth Voyager, that I got rid of in 2018, when the fuel pump broke down and parts got harder to find for it.

 

Trust the techs, keep using the current oil