Is 5W20 good for high mileage?
Andrew Mccoy
Updated on January 12, 2026
Designed for high mileage vehicles
Mobil 1 High Mileage 5W-20 motor oil is recommended by ExxonMobil for use in high mileage vehicles (even those that have used lower quality conventional oils†), including: Cars. Trucks.Is 5W-20 or 5W 30 better for high mileage?
5W-20 oil provides excellent start-up performance in colder temperatures. Note: Older vehicles may need a high mileage variant of their regular oil (5W-20 or 5W-30). In this case, the high mileage oil better protects the engine at extreme temperatures from friction and engine drag.What oil is recommended for high mileage vehicles?
If you know your vehicle has received regular oil changes at the manufacturer's Mobil 1™ High Mileage synthetic motor oil is the best choice. Why? This high mileage oil contains a higher base oil viscosity to help reduce leaks and provide better high temperature protection.Can I use 5W30 instead of 5W20 for a high mileage car?
While both 5W20 and 5W30 motor oils are suitable for high mileage engines, the best viscosity type for your vehicle depends on how the manufacturer designed the engine. Using 5W30 when it is advised that you use 5W20 can result in your vehicle not getting good fuel economy.When should I use 5W-20 oil?
As 5W-20 is a low viscosity oil, it's best suited for cars that drive a lot in low temperatures and colder climates. It's ideally recommended for light-duty petrol and gasoline engines, and can help with engine deposits and wear and tear problems. For a higher temperature climate, you may use 10W-30 as an alternative.5w20 or 5w30? Which do I run and why. Is 5w20 a hoax for fuel milage?
What cars use 5W-20 oil?
For model year 2001 and Newer: Ford, Honda, Chrysler and other OEM's specify 5W-20 and 0W-20 motor oil for most all cars and light trucks.Is 5w20 a synthetic oil?
SAE 0 oils are full-synthetic oils, whereas 5W20 might be partially synthetic or conventional.How many miles is 5w20 oil good for?
Protects for up to 20,000 miles between oil changes†Mobil 1 Extended Performance High Mileage 5W-20 advanced full synthetic motor oil is designed to protect critical engine parts for up to 20,000 miles between oil changes† and help extend the life of vehicles with more than 75,000 miles.
Is Thicker oil better for high mileage cars?
The slightly thicker oil film from the heavier base weight oil - 10W - can help protect worn engine bearings as well. As long as you're not hearing knocking or serious mechanical noises from the engine, the heavier oil should buy you many more miles of service from your vehicle.Is 5W 30 good for high mileage?
Furthermore, high-mileage 5W-30 motor oil is specially formulated for late model vehicles or newer vehicles with over 75,000 miles/120,000 kilometers. High mileage motor oil, with its unique additives and formulation, helps to reduce oil burn-off, and helps prevent oil leaks that may occur in older engines.Does high mileage oil make a difference?
Reduced oil consumption: High mileage vehicles tend to leak and burn off more oil than younger cars due to degraded engine seals. High mileage oil rejuvenates degraded seals, which leads to less oil consumption and burnoff. Less engine sludge: Older engines tend to accumulate sludge left behind by other motor oils.Do high mileage cars need synthetic oil?
Myth: Full synthetic oil is not good for high mileage cars or older vehicles. The myth is rooted in the idea that synthetic oil is “slipperier”—lower in viscosity, or not as compatible with seals and will therefore leak or leak more in places conventional oil might not. Again, completely untrue.Can too thick oil damage engine?
Not only that, but the engine will waste energy pumping the thicker oil, reducing fuel economy. Since thicker oil doesn't transfer heat as well as thinner oil, operating temperatures will increase, possibly leading to accelerated chemical break down (called “oxidation“) and harmful sludge and deposits.What does 5W-20 stand for?
5W20 Meaning5W means that the oil is suitable for winter temperatures down to -35 °C. At these cold temperatures the oil is still pumpable and can spread in the whole engine. The second part of the SAE class description, the figure '20', refers to the kinematic viscosity at 100 °C.
How long does 5w20 synthetic oil last?
Protects for up to 10,000 miles between oil changes*Mobil 1 5W-20 advanced full synthetic motor oil is designed to deliver outstanding engine protection, keep your engine running like new and protect critical engine parts for up to 10,000 miles between oil changes.
Is 5w20 good oil?
When comparing 5w20 vs. 5w30 motor oil, the 20 indicates that the oil has a lower viscosity and is thinner at higher temperatures. This enables the 5w20 motor oil to reach engine parts quicker and create less drag that reduces fuel economy.What's the difference between 5W 20 and 5W 30?
5w20 is an engine oil type characterized by its winter rating of 5 and an oil weight of 20 in warmer conditions. It is less viscous compared to 5w30. 5w30 has the same viscosity rating of 5 during winter but an oil weight of 30 during hotter conditions hence it is thicker.Is thinner or thicker oil better?
Engine oil viscosityThin oils reduce friction in engines and help engines start quickly during cold weather. Thick oils are better at maintaining film strength and oil pressure at high temperatures and loads.