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How Long Does Synthetic Oil Really Last?
With the rise of synthetic oil, changing your car’s engine oil every 3,000 miles has begrudgingly become a routine of the past. Yet, because motor oil performs so many critical functions, many car owners are hesitant to push the limits. They’d rather not find out how long synthetic oil really lasts the hard — and expensive — way.
The guide below couples a primer on synthetic oil with a discussion of its properties, including how long it can remain in your engine and still be effective. Although synthetic oil has gained popularity in many circles, it may not always be the best choice for your vehicle.
Consult your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommended oil specifications, or discuss your concerns with a qualified and trusted mechanic.
What Is Synthetic Oil?
Synthetic oil is a type of premium engine oil, often referred to as full synthetic or 100% synthetic. Among the spectrum of motor oil types, synthetic sits opposite conventional oil, which isn’t as refined and doesn’t last as long.
While synthetic blends strike a cost-effective balance between conventional and synthetic oils, they lack the complete properties of synthetic oils that allow car owners to go longer between oil changes.
Like all other engine oils, synthetic oil lubricates the motor’s internal components, sealing fast-moving metal parts in a viscous liquid designed to reduce friction. Engine oil minimizes wear, cools the engine as it operates, removes debris from critical passageways, and ensures performance, efficiency, and longevity.
Without oil, your engine would seize up and become nothing more than an expensive and useless paperweight.
Base Oils and Premium Additives
To understand the difference between conventional and synthetic engine oils, it’s best to trace their origins back to two components: base oils and additives.
Refining crude oil produces base oils, which are further processed at varying rates to produce different qualities. The engine oil additives are then incorporated to enhance the oil’s existing properties.
Synthetic and conventional oils come from refined crude oil, but synthetic undergoes more processing. This additional step is reflected in the price you pay for synthetic oil, whether you perform the oil change yourself or pay to have it done.
However, the additive quality also influences how well the oil performs when poured into your car’s engine.
How Long Does Synthetic Oil Really Last?
Most synthetic oils last between 7,500 and 20,000 miles, or 10,000 to 15,000 miles on average. If you’d rather follow the calendar, a synthetic oil change every six months should keep your engine running at its optimal specifications.
Many newer vehicles also have engine oil life monitoring systems in place to more accurately determine when the oil in your car is no longer performing at its best.
Why Are Oil Changes Important?
Proper routine maintenance incorporates oil changes at regular intervals, regardless of the type of oil your owner’s manual calls for.
Like every other fluid in your vehicle, engine oil naturally breaks down over time, especially under conditions where temperatures fluctuate. Draining the old oil and replacing it with fresh oil renews the protective properties to ensure your engine operates smoothly. Just like timely oil changes, a reliable bulk fuel delivery service can also contribute to the optimal performance of your vehicle.
In addition to choosing between synthetic, conventional, and synthetic blend oil, selecting the proper oil viscosity is key.
Again, your owner’s manual will specify viscosity recommendations for your vehicle, which are typically expressed as two separate numbers separated by a “W,” such as 5W-30. The first number indicates the viscosity at lower temperatures and the second at higher temperatures; high-viscosity oils move like syrup, while low-viscosity oils flow like water.
What Factors Affect the Lifespan of Synthetic Oil?
The particular lifespan of the synthetic oil in your vehicle depends on two major components: the engine’s design and operating conditions.
Automotive manufacturers design modern engines made from improved materials with tighter tolerances. The engine oil works seamlessly with these specifications to remain cleaner longer while still providing superior protection.
The operating environment will affect your car’s engine oil, whether you use synthetic or not. Pushing your vehicle without allowing it to achieve optimal operating temperature based on ambient temperatures can easily affect the lifespan of your engine and the oil contained within it.
Hot-rodding your car or pulling excessive weight can also reduce the effectiveness of engine oil, opening your car’s powerplant up to severe potential damage. Understanding these factors in depth can be achieved through a comprehensive oil analysis.
Should You Put Synthetic Oil in Your Car?
Despite synthetic oil’s superior properties compared to conventional oil, it’s not always the best choice for every vehicle.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations when choosing an engine oil, which can be found in your owner’s manual. Newer vehicles’ engines are often designed to work with premium oils, but older vehicles lack those same specifications.
When it comes to caring for one of your car’s most essential components, it pays to purchase the brands you trust.
Cadence carries several types of motor oils — from brands like Castrol and Pennzoil — to ensure your vehicle runs smoothly every time. Selecting the best engine oil for your fleet can also help keep your business profitable.
Protect Your Vehicle’s Longevity With Cadence
Performing regular oil changes represents one of the simplest ways car owners can protect their investments.
Synthetic oil offers more advantages than conventional, with longer-lasting oil-change intervals that can save drivers time and money without risking catastrophic malfunctions and costly repairs.
Cadence partners with many well-known motor oil brands to bring you the best in lubrication solutions, so call us at 336-629-2061 to learn more about our products and speak with a friendly and knowledgeable representative.
Sources:
Facts about Oil | Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program
Refining crude oil - the refining process | U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)