Changing the oil is a regular and relatively easy procedure that is required in order to keep your car in a good shape for years.
Synthetic Oil Lasts Longer Than Mineral Oil
Modern synthetic oil is much better for the car than crude oil. It is fortified to withstand extreme temperatures and refined to the extent where it has no pollutants at all. And thus, it lasts much longer. That’s why, even considering the higher price, the synthetic oil quickly becomes a norm. There is even a tendency to change from regular oil to synthetic. But with that comes the question – what are the normal oil change intervals for synthetic oil? What is good for the regular oil is excessive for the synthetic, obviously.
3,000 Mile Myth
The so-called 3,000 mile myth refers to a common belief that you should change the motor oil at least every 3,000 miles. It is also approved by numerous service stations and their mechanics because it generates more income for them.
Oil Change Intervals
And here we come to the question: what are the oil change intervals for synthetic oil? There are two approaches – one from the automaker and other from the oilmaker. The former may provide you with advice to change from every 5,000-mile/6-month, whichever occurs first, to 10,000-miles/12-months, whichever occurs first, if your car requires 0w-20 synthetic oil. On the contrary, oilmakers such as Mobil 1 or Royal Purple may say that their synthetic oil is recommended for oil change intervals up to 15,000 miles or one year, whichever occurs first. In general, it is so indeed, but automakers understate the figures in an effort to minimize the risks.
Photo in the header: Oil change © Jeff Wilcox/CC BY 2.0
