Reconsidering Synthetic Oil Change Intervals

FREMONT — With the growing prevalence of synthetic engine oil, oil change intervals have become a hot topic for high-end car owners. Because of synthetic oil’s superior performance, the typical oil change interval for a high-end car is several thousand miles longer than that of a normal vehicle. Still, it’s important to get the right information when determining the correct oil change interval for your car.

Many high-end car manufacturers are now recommending an oil change interval of 10,000 miles. However, this is in conflict with synthetic oil manufacturers, which recommend oil changes every 7,500 miles. So, who should you trust?

As a professional mechanic, I’ve found the 10,000-mile oil change interval to be very problematic. After 7,500 miles, synthetic oil’s viscosity starts to break down, which means you’re driving that last 2,500 miles with bad oil in your motor. This is even worse for cars with more than 100,000 miles on the odometer, as they’re more liable to develop engine lubrication problems. At my shop, I’ve seen everything from BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes to Hondas and Nissans come in with major internal lubrication issues due to being driven too long without an oil change. In most cases, these issues cost thousands of dollars to repair.

For this reason, I advise listening to the oil manufacturer rather than the car manufacturer when it comes to oil change intervals. After all, as the ones designing and producing the oil, they should know best. By having your synthetic oil changed every 7,500 miles, you can avoid major engine problems and prolong your vehicle’s lifespan.