Using Synthetic Motor Oil

[GalDisney]

The past few oil changes I have been using synthetic motor oil. I go to Sears Auto center, don't do it myself. I have a 12 yr old Explorer with over 110,000 miles on it. I would like to use regular oil on my upcomimg oil change service because it is 50 percent less expensive, but someone told me once you start using synthetic oil, if you go back to using regular oil you would damage the engine. Does anyone know if this is true?
Thanks!

 

[Jitzy]

My husband changes the oil in our cars and has used synthetic for the last 6 to 7 years. Our oldest car made the switch from regular to synthetic and performs very well. It is 16 yrs old!

Basically, you can switch and it will be fine. What once used to be a rule with cars now doesn't always apply. Remember oil changes every 3K miles?

 

[dawson5]

I can ask hubby when he gets home but I thought with synthetic you can wait longer for an oil change. I think they say 3,000 for regular and 5,000 for synthetic. I know that Toyota is (or will soon) recommend 10,000.

It might be cheaper but I think you will have to have it changed more often.

 

[tmccullough]

Bought a new Nissan a year ago and Nissan garage does all the oil changes. The very first oil change, they recommended regular oil and then after that, they recommended synthetic for the life of the car. The nice thing is we only have to get it changed every 6,000 miles instead of 3,000 miles and the garage is an hour away.

 

[Janet Hill]

http://www.goss-garage.com/node/33

Great place to ask all of your car care questions. This man has made a fortune with his knowledge of cars and actually responds to the emails.

 

[bumbershoot]

DH was a service consultant at Saturn, a really really good one, and he loves cars and working on them.

He says: "They can switch back to real oil. However it is suggested to go with a blend for 2 changes and then go back to real oil. Also if they go back to synthetic it will take about 2 to 3 oil changes before the see any difference."


And for the record, he switched us TO synthetic, because of the fewer oil changes with it.

 

[Disnydad]

On my vehicles I've only used synthetic oil. The vehicles computers tell me when it's time to change and it averages between 10,000 to 12,000 miles between changes. So it costs more, but you need fewer changes.

 

[pixiedustaholic]

I happen to work at a rapid lube location. I have heard several variations this. The owner/gm is a car nut and he does a lot of research on these issues. Some people may say you can go longer on synthetic but I wouldn't if it were my vehicle. 3000 miles, especially with a lot of stop and go driving is plenty long enough between changes. We still recommend changing every 3,000 miles. I will ask him tomorrow for specifics. If the vehicle is older and has always used conventional motor oil, synthetic oil will not be beneficial enough to justify the $$. To answer your question, though, no, it will not damage the vehicle to switch. Do I think it's worth the extra money...no. I especially like having mine serviced every 3,000 miles b/c they check ALL of my fluids, belts, air filter, wipers, and tires...which need to be checked regularly...not every 6 months or so.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

DH says as long as you put the correct weight of oil in you vehicle, it really does not matter what you put in as long as you change the oil and filter at the proper interval-----------------and 3000 miles is the result of marketing campaigns and not modern engineering research.

Open up your owners manual and follow the directions listed there.