We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more ›
Fakes get a bad rap, whether it’s fake Rolexes, fake handbags, or fake Bugattis. They’re seen as lesser, and by all accounts, they are. They’re not made as well, they’re cheaper, and you’ll look like a cheap poseur when found out. That, however, isn’t the case with 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!
What Is Synthetic Oil?
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.
Why Use Synthetic Oil?
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.
Common Synthetic Oil Problems
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.
Price
Synthetic oil costs about 10 percent more than conventional.
Engine Usage
Not every engine is designed for synthetic oil or its properties. Engines in older racecars and rotary engines shouldn’t use synthetic oil.
How Often Do You Need To Change 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.
- Acura: 7,500-10,000 miles
- Audi: 10,000 miles
- BMW: 12,000-15,000 miles
- Buick: 7,500 miles
- Cadillac: 7,500 miles
- Chevrolet: 7,500 miles
- Chrysler: 8,000 miles
- Dodge: 7,500 miles
- Ford: 7,500 miles
- GMC: 7,500 miles
- Honda: 7,500 miles
- Hyundai: 7,500 miles
- Jaguar: 15,000 miles
- Jeep: 5,000-7,500 miles
- Kia: 7,500 miles
- Land Rover: 7,500-10,000 miles
- Lexus: 10,000 miles
- Mazda: 15,000 miles
- Mercedes-Benz: 10,000 miles
- Nissan: 5,000-7,000 miles
- Porsche: 20,000 miles
- RAM: 8,000 miles
- Subaru: 5,000-7,000 miles
- Tesla: You don’t! It’s electric!
- Toyota: 15,000 miles
- Volkswagen: 10,000 miles
- Volvo: 10,000 miles
Everything You’ll Need To Know About Changing Synthetic Oil
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.
Tool List
- The proper-sized wrench socket to remove the oil plug (check the owner’s manual or online documentation).
- An oil filter wrench that is compatible with your car’s oil filter.
- An oil drain pan.
- Disposable container for old oil (the old oil bottles could work)
- A funnel.
Parts List
- The proper synthetic oil for your vehicle (check your dusty owner’s manual).
- The right oil filter.
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.
- Raise the vehicle up to access the undercarriage if necessary. If you have a truck or SUV with good ground clearance (at least 10 inches from the ground), you may be able to skip this step. For most cars, however, you will have to raise the front end using a jack or ramps to get enough clearance. It is important to secure the car with wheel chocks or jack stands to keep it from falling off or rolling away when you are under the engine.
- Cover the ground underneath the engine with some cut-up cardboard boxes. The cardboard will soak up the inevitable oil spills.
- Let the engine run for 1-2 minutes exactly to warm up the oil before draining. It’ll come out easier when it’s warm. Disclaimer: DO NOT LET IT WARM FOR ANY LONGER OR YOU WILL BURN YOURSELF.
Here’s How To Change Synthetic Oil
Oil Change Basics
Estimated Time Needed: Half hour
Skill Level: Beginner
Vehicle System: Oil system
How to Change Your Synthetic Oil
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.
- Remove the oil cap on top of your engine and place an oil catch pan underneath the oil pan at the base of the engine.
- Extract your old oil by removing the drain plug on the oil pan underneath the engine. Be careful not to drop the plug into the oil. You might want to have a rag ready to clean your hand.
- Once the oil has drained, reattach and tighten the oil drain plug. Thread the plug by hand and then use the same wrench as before to tighten it, but don’t overtighten it as you could strip the threads.
- Remove and replace the oil filter.
- Using a funnel, add new oil through the opening that was underneath the oil cap at the top of the engine. Your manual will tell you exactly how much to use.
- Replace the cap, start the engine, and use the dipstick to check the oil level.
- Add oil if necessary.
Video
