How many miles between oil changes when using Synthetic Oil?

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Hemi_Freak
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How many miles between oil changes when using Synthetic Oil?

Post by Hemi_Freak »

I just changed over to synthetic oil from the reg oil at 3000 miles. I was wondering how many miles I should build up using the synthetic before my next oil change. I have been told around 7000k. Any thoughts let me know!!
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mopar_maniac
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Post by mopar_maniac »

i have heard that it is ok to go 10k when using synthetic oil. im not exactly sure if this is 100 % true, but i have heard that, especially if alot of your miles are highway miles
Ritterkreuz
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Post by Ritterkreuz »

I would never go over 3000 no mater what oil I was using. That said, I use Pennzoil, as its the same thing my father uses in my mother's 1992 camery which has never had an engine problem since the day they bought back in late 1991.
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Post by HEMICharger/Durango »

The recommended interval in my manual is 6K. I am going with 5k using Syntec. I used to be one of those 3k no matter what but I have come to the conclusion that this has become a tactic to sell more oil or get you into jiffy lube more often.
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fmdog44
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Post by fmdog44 »

This is per experts that have an auto repair talk show every weekend where I live, not me. You can go 7,500 with your oil but they recommend a filter change at 5K. Now the way I see it is I change mine (not synthetic) every thousnad for the first 3,000 just because it is the break-in where microscopic metal pieces come off. But I am not sayin this is necessary, only my way. I do know per the experts on the show syntheic is not necessary for new engines and they recommend it only for older engines or if you plan to keep your truck for a very, very long time.
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Post by lilhemi »

It doesn't matter much if the base oil is synthetic or mineral, the additive package is what determines how long it can clean long.

Most Corvettes are highway only, not much dirt.

The oil should be changed BEFORE the additive package is spent
(holding all the contamintation it can).

Whether that is 3000 or 12K for a particular car is unknown unless
a TBN and wear metals test is done on an oil sample.

How many folks do this to know when to change their oil?

Most over the road truck lines and rental companies are very interested in oil change frequency and have rigid PMs to reduce
down time and overall costs.

For the individual a good rule of thumb is 3000-4000 unless operated in dusty conditions or short trips in cooler weather which
causes condensation and sludge eventually.

If long intervals are what you want to risk you might consider
an oil test.

Many years ago I worked for Hertz.
They had an oil change policy of whatever the OEM recommended
If a customer was waiting the car may be rented again before the oil was changed.

I recall a new Mercury from Colorado that came in a few miles overdue.

I pulled the plug but nothing came out.

I knew there was oil in the motor because I drove it on the lift
and the oil light wasn't on??

I waited and nothing came out.

I then took a coat hanger and drug the oil out.

The mileage indicated it had been 13K since the last change.

There was about 3 quarts left (5 to fill)

It was cleaned up really nice and retired to the retail sale
lot.

Play it safe and change around 3-4K depending on the weather
and driving conditions.

Or pay for some high dollar oil and take a chance.
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