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          Valvoline / FAQs / Motor Oil / High Mileage Motor Oil

          High Mileage Motor Oil

          1. What is the difference between MaxLife Synthetic Blend motor oil and MaxLife Synthetic motor oil?

            MaxLife Synthetic Blend combines synthetic and conventional motor oils to improve performance and gas mileage without having to convert to a full synthetic formula. MaxLife Synthetic motor oil is fully synthetic and offers the greatest protection available.

          2. I mixed MaxLife Synthetic Blend and MaxLife Synthetic; will this cause a problem?

            Mixing synthetic and synthetic blended oils will not cause any problems. The oils are compatible.

          3. Do I have to wait until my car reaches 75,000 miles before I can use MaxLife?

            Valvoline MaxLife motor oil is designed for high mileage vehicles of 75,000 miles or more. However, it is perfectly acceptable for use in new or used vehicles with less than 75,000 miles.

          4. How is MaxLife Synthetic motor oil different from SynPower Synthetic motor oil?

            MaxLife Synthetic motor oils contain stop leak additives to help with oil consumption and extra detergents to help with the cleaning of an older engine.

          5. My owner's manual says to only use motor oil featuring the American Petroleum Institute (API) starburst. I don't see it on the MaxLife bottle. Is it still ok to use in my car?

            MaxLife is formulated with specialized additives that help fight the problems typically found in higher mileage engines. Because MaxLife's formula is focused for maximum performance in stopping the four major causes of engine breakdown - Leaks, Deposits, Sludge, and Friction - it was not formulated to exceed API criteria for fuel economy (also known as the API starburst on packaging labels). However, the difference between average fuel economy results for MaxLife and other motor oils that meet the API criteria is still very minimal. More importantly, if you want the extra protection that MaxLife offers then you can use MaxLife in any vehicles that specifies enhanced fuel economy motor oils (API starburst).

          6. The MaxLife ATF bottle says it is not recommended for Honda or Acura vehicles. Is it ok to use in other Japanese vehicles?

            Please refer to the back of the bottle for recommendations or call 1-800 TEAM VAL for information on whether the MaxLife ATF is recommended for your vehicle.

          7. Has MaxLife always been a synthetic blend?

            MaxLife Synthetic Blend motor oil is actually the same product as regular MaxLife. MaxLife has always been a synthetic blend oil; we just now label the product that way. It is the same oil as before. As long as you have used MaxLife, you have used synthetic blended oil.

          8. What percentage of MaxLife is synthetic?

            MaxLife Synthetic Blend contains 30% synthetic and 70% conventional.

          9. The back of the MaxLife container mentions MaxLife oil filters. Where can I purchase these?

            MaxLife Oil Filters have been discontinued.

          10. Why is there no mileage limit given on MaxLife Synthetic motor oil? Mobil 1 says 15,000 miles and Amsoil says 25,000 miles?

            Valvoline recommends following the oil change intervals recommended in your owner's manual no matter what type of oil you use. Most manufacturers recommend every 3-months/3,000 miles.

          11. Once MaxLife is installed in my car, how long does it take for the oil to start sealing and protecting my engine?

            The oil will start conditioning seals immediately. Other protective benefits vary by vehicle.

          For more information or to submit additional questions, please click here to contact us via email or by phone at 1-800-TEAM-VAL.

          Motor Oil Myths

          If you don't drive in severe conditions, you don't need to change your oil as often.
          Valvoline recommends changing oil every 3,000 miles. Most consumers (more than 80% of drivers, according to a State of California study) actually drive under what is considered severe driving conditions (stop and go, short trips, towing, or very hot or very cold temperatures). Auto manufacturers' oil change interval recommendations are dramatically shorter for severe driving conditions, with the majority recommending 3,750 miles or less and with 3,000 miles being the most common recommendation. Both oil and oil filters have less of a useful life under severe conditions due to increased dirt and other contaminants. So, changing the oil and filter every 3,000 miles is the best way to ensure engine health.
          View All Myths
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