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Owners of new cars and trucks are always anxious about switching over to synthetic oil. We share when this changeover should occur to protect their investment.
New truck and car owners are always anxious about the best ways to protect their investment. They prefer converting to synthetic oils immediately by switching out factory fluids from their vehicle. If you’re in the same boat and wonder when you should make this switch, you have come to the right place. We will explore the earliest point when you should change your vehicle’s factory fluids to synthetic oils in the differentials, transfer case, transmission, and engine.
The Engine
The biggest concern regarding when to switch over to synthetic oil for a new engine is the process of “break-in” for the vehicle. Many believe that synthetic oil is slippery, and thus the piston rings won’t be seated properly, and oil consumption would fall off a cliff. Even though this break-in period is a genuine concern, the precise manufacturing processes and tolerances ensure that this break-in isn’t required.
You can switch over to synthetic oil after driving one mile, and you won’t face any oil consumption issues. Most car engines are even coming with synthetic oil from the factory. However, it’s better to keep the factory fill in your car engine before you switch to a high-quality synthetic oil. That’s because manufacturing by-products and small fillings may leak out of gaskets and contaminate the new oil.
Therefore, it’s best to let the original filter and oil get rid of these contaminants before switching to new oil. Driving for at least 850 to 1550 miles should be a safe period to make a change. You can switch to synthetic oil earlier, but most auto dealers and manufacturers suggest waiting until your first scheduled oil change. That could be nearly around 10,000 miles or more.
The Transmission
Automatic or manual transmissions don’t have a break-in period, and there is no combustion, which makes it easier to transmission fluid than engine oil. However, switching to synthetic transmission fluid has many advantages as it is better in cold temperatures and resistant to extreme heat. That’s why most new car and truck owners can’t wait to flush out their factory fills immediately.
The Differentials
Most of the differentials in SUVs and trucks today are equipped with synthetic gear lube from the factory. That has many wondering whether it should be changed. Evidence does show that changing it earlier can be beneficial for you. Differentials have a break-in process, and that’s why it is better to switch earlier to synthetic oil for your differentials. It will make life easier for you and ensure that you never have to worry about performance issues in your truck or SUV.
The Transfer Case
Synthetic oils can be great for transfer cases as they help improve wear control, are resistant to extreme heat, and are better in colder environments. There are several types of four-wheel-drive systems, and depending on the usage of the vehicle, the transfer case loads may vary significantly. The variables mean that changing the fluid from the transfer case should be done after a full year.
