How Often Should I Change Synthetic Oil?

Synthetic oil is the term for lubricants comprised of artificially made chemical compounds. It has earned increased usage across the automotive industry for its greater overall stability and better performance in high-compression engines. 

Using synthetic oil, however, can be intimidating to those who may not be masters of the oil domain. Don’t worry, that’s what The Drive’s crack informational team is here for. So let’s get down to business as we explain the basics of synthetic oil, its uses, its lifespan, and its pros and cons compared to conventional motor oil. Borrowing a line from Seinfeld, with a little bit of a twist, “Synthetic oil is fake but still fantastic.” Let’s dive in!

Synthetic oil is a man-made chemical compound designed for lubricating conventional internal combustion engines, as well as airplane engines, and metal stamping machines. It is designed to be a substitute for conventional crude oil-based engine oils. It has many positives including reducing strain on the environment caused by the typical extraction and refining processes conventional oil demands. 

Gasoline engines have become more complicated, full stop. Manufacturers have gone to tighter tolerances among their moving parts, as well as higher compression ratios (i.e. turbocharged and hybrid engines). Synthetic oil, and it’s more chemically stable properties, are perfect for these applications as it evaporates less rapidly, won’t thicken in cold weather, and won’t produce sludge as quickly as conventional oil.

Likewise, synthetic oil’s longer lifecycle versus conventional oil has also attracted many, with conventional oil requiring changes every 3,000-5,000 miles and synthetic every 7,500-15,000 miles. 

While synthetic oils have many advantages compared to conventional oil, there are a few disadvantages such as price, disposal, and what engines are right for synthetic oil usage.

Synthetic oil costs about 10 percent more than conventional. 

Not every engine is designed for synthetic oil or its properties. Engines in older racecars and rotary engines shouldn’t use synthetic oil. 

Your oil change schedule depends on three primary variables; make, model, and the year it was built. Generally speaking, oil changes have been recommended every 3,000 miles or every three months. But as engines have become more efficient and oil chemistry has been developed to last longer, modern engines require oil changes far less frequently than cars of the past. 

Some cars, trucks, and SUVs now only require oil changes every 7,500 to 10,000 miles. And synthetic oil can prolong the time between changes even further than that. If you own something relatively new and drive at an average rate, you can get away with an oil change only once a year. To make it a little easier for you, here’s a brief rundown of the most common manufacturers and their lineups’ current oil change schedules.

Changing a vehicle's oil only requires a few specialized tools to get the job done, including something to remove the oil plug, something to remove and replace the oil filter, and something to add and extract the oil from the car's engine.

You’ll also need a flat surface, such as a garage floor, driveway, or street parking, though check your local laws to make sure you’re not violating any codes when using the street because we ain’t getting your car out of the impound yard.

Estimated Time Needed: Half hour

Skill Level: Beginner

Vehicle System: Oil system

Here’s a quick rundown of how to change your oil. For more information on the topic, consult The Drive’s more exhaustive guide for How to Change Your Own Oil.