How often should synthetic motor oil be changed?
On One Hand: The Safe BetMost automobile manuals state that synthetic motor oil should be changed every 7,500 miles under normal driving conditions, which is about 2.5 times longer than conventional oil. Auto mechanics will commonly counsel drivers to adhere to the mileage recommendations in their manuals, but they still advise changing the oil at least once a year at the minimum regardless of the mileage.On the Other: Not All Are Created EqualFinding common ground on this subject has become more elusive due to the increase in high-performance synthetic oils on the market. Some of these oils claim to last anywhere from 15,000 to 25,000 miles before any chemical breakdown takes place. Therefore, proponents of these newer synthetics argue that the commonly accepted 7,500-mile interval should be re-evaluated.Bottom LineThe best bet is to always follow the mileage recommendations in your automobile owner’s manual. As engine and synthetic oil performance increase, change intervals listed in
