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Like many car questions, unless you are an expert in cars, it can be hard to answer with a simple explanation. There are a number of factors that must be considered in order for you to determine when it is time to change the oil in your car.
For example, some of this depends on the type of car you own, the year it was made, the type of oil you are using, and the recommendations provided by your car maker for oil changes.
However, it may not be as complex as it seems since there are several guidelines that you can follow. If you have questions about these guidelines, one way to get an easy answer is to look in the manual of your car to determine what their recommendations are.
If you have misplaced your manual, you might also try contacting your dealership or inquire in a store that sells oil. Below are some guidelines to help you determine when it is time to change your synthetic motor oil.
Guidelines for Changing Synthetic Motor Oil
Usually car dealerships will tell you when it is time to change your oil. However, if you prefer to change the oil in your car yourself, knowing some guidelines about when you really need to change the oil is helpful!
Would it surprise you to know that the 3,000-mile oil change that is recommended is usually too soon? Changing your oil this frequently can yield waste and increased cost for you, since you will be changing your oil more frequently throughout the life of your car.
In general, cars that were made in 2013 or later only need their oil changed every 7,500 to 10,000 miles! This should significantly cut down on the number of oil changes that your car will need over its lifetime.
The exact mileage that you can get out of your oil depends on the type of car you own. For example, people who own a Jaguar only need to change their oil once every 15,000 miles. It is important to note that 15,000 miles is the longest that you can go in any car without changing the oil.
If you are unsure of whether the oil in your car needs changed, best practices suggest changing it. You can only do damage to your car by not changing your oil often enough, not by changing it too frequently.
The excessive oil changing will only cost you to some extra money when it comes to the purchase of oil, but not changing it enough can result in engine damage and other costly repairs.
The above guidelines are only for drivers who are using their cars for typical, everyday driving. If you are planning to use your car on dirt roads, for exploring off-road adventures, using your car for short distances when the weather is less than 32 degrees F, or permitting your car to idle for an excessive amount of time, then your oil should be changed every 5,000 miles no matter the type of car or oil that you choose to use.
Lastly, most manufacturers also provide a time increment for which you should have your oil changed if you do not exceed a certain mileage. For example, if you are supposed to have your oil changed every 10,000, but do not drive more than that in a certain amount of time (i.e., 6 months), you will need to obtain an oil change after the time limit has been met. This time interval changes depending on the make and model of the car you own.
How Do Oil Changes for Regular and Synthetic Oil Compare?
Many people wonder how to tell how long their car can go without a change if they are using conventional oil versus synthetic oil. In general, you will be able to go much longer without changing your oil when you use a synthetic oil versus a traditional oil.
For example, if your recommended oil change is every 5,000 miles with conventional oil, you should be able to get somewhere between 7,500 to 10,000 miles before needing an oil change if you opt for a synthetic oil.
Conclusion:
When it comes to changing the synthetic oil in your car, unfortunately there is no hard and fast rule that can be applied to every car. However, you will obtain more mileage when you use synthetic oil versus conventional oil. You can use the guidelines from the bottle of oil that you purchase, as well as the guidelines from your car manufacturer, to determine when it the best time to change your synthetic oil.
