High Mileage vs Synthetic
 

I have a 1996 Camry LE 4-cyl. with 180k miles. It runs great and hasn't given me any problems aside from the fact that it has a small oil leak. I usually have to put more oil in about 1500 miles after I get the oil changed. I am going to try to get that fixed when I have the money, but in the mean time I am wondering what kind of oil I should be using. I have been using high mileage oil for a long time but I've been told it might be better to switch to regular synthetic. Any help is appreciated.

my initial post as I join the forum.
I'm intending to get a well maintained Camry on Sunday, if he hasn't sold it by then ... :confused:


I switched to synthetic at high miles - here's my story.

On a '93 Accord that ran well, I switched to synthetic Amsoil at 185,000 miles just because I happened to have it in the garage.
2500 miles later, when it was loaned out for the weekend, it was disabled on remote road because the oil had worked past the O-ring into the distributor.
Towing and parts took $500. Plus inconvenience. Later I also replaced the valve cover gasket which had started to significantly leak, too.

I've come to see, that in high mileage cars, the main purpose of oil is to maintain oil seal integrity - not superior lubrication.
And that's just the opposite of what synthetic oil is known for!

Now, I use Chevron plain jane 5W-30 or 10W-30 oil. In at least one car this has greatly reduced the oil drip problem (vs. Castrol - don't ask me why).

Might stick with what you are using now.

Suggest closely monitoring the leak. Most leaks on this engine are small and stay that way. However the oil pump seal can start to leak and go from small to 1 quart every 2-300 miles. The leak would occur when the engine is running from under the timing cover area, about 1/3 up from the bottom firewall side