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How Often Do You Need a Synthetic Oil Change?

Conveniently located to serve Los Feliz, Echo Park, and Silverlake

As gasoline engines become more complicated over the years, so are the materials needed to make them function.

Many cars still use traditional oil, but as the years go by, the use of synthetic oil is gaining traction. This means if you buy or lease a new or used car, you’ll want to know what kind of motor oil you will need.

A synthetic oil change is different from a traditional oil change, so if you need one done, check out this guide to learn more about synthetic oil changes or contact European Motors in Silver Lake.

What Makes Synthetic Oil Different From Traditional Oil?

Unlike traditional oil, synthetic oil is man-made.

It can lubricate:

  • Conventional internal combustion engines
  • Airplane engines
  • Metal stamping machines
  • And more…

Synthetic oil is a cleaner substitute for conventional crude mineral oil. This means it’s better for your engine. It reduces strain on your engine by using higher quality oils that are:

  • More chemically stable
  • Less easily oxidized and acidified
  • Slower to break down; protective qualities are maintained longer

Traditional oil can provide decent lubrication, but when it comes to providing long-lasting and efficient engine performance, synthetic oil comes out on top. Here are some perks of synthetic oil you’ll never find in its conventional counterpart:

  • Resists sludge build-up
  • Prevents wear and tear
  • Resistant to high and low temperatures
  • Highly controlled break-down of oil

Since synthetic oil is made via a careful and complex process (it’s chemically constructed  using petrochemicals ), it is a process specifically tailored to increase engine life.

Synthetic oil products are constantly modified to keep up with the increased demands of more complicated and powerful engines of each passing era in the automobile industry.

How Often Should You Get a Synthetic Oil Change?

It goes without saying that if synthetic oils are made of different materials than conventional oils, then the intervals in between each  oil change  will be different too.

But it’s a little more complicated than that. The answer also depends on the make and model of your vehicle. Be sure to keep your owner’s manual handy.

You also can’t rely on past experiences as every car will have different maintenance rules and procedures. This pertains to both synthetic and nonsynthetic oil-based engines.

The  old common rule  says that you should change your oil every 3 months or every 3,000 miles, but doing so could actually be financially wasteful depending on your car.

Some car manufacturers have extended that interval to 5,000 – 10,000 miles intervals.

Pro Tip  – Always trust what your owner’s manual says over what your mechanic says.

Let’s say your mechanic says your car desperately needs an oil change after 3500 miles since your last full synthetic oil change, but your manual says you have at least 3500 more miles to go.

You can place your bets on the longer interval. Some mechanics might try to trick you into paying for services you don’t actually need. So it’s best to stay educated on these matters before getting swindled.

How to Check Your Oil Level

Many cars these days come with an oil monitor, but it also doesn’t hurt to check your oil level with your own pair of eyes. Consider buying a dipstick to measure your oil level.

Be on the lookout for:

  • Hot spots under the hood
  • Make sure your car is parked on flat land, not an incline
  • The color of the oil. (Black or brown is ideal. Milky is not good)

Always be sure to double-check before assuming your engine is ready to go. There’s always the possibility that you might have missed something.

Pro Tip –  Before you double-check, wipe your dipstick with an old cloth or some other fabric not needed for other purposes. This will help you better see the results of your second look.

The Dangers of Not Changing Your Synthetic Oil Regularly

Perhaps a more appropriate title for this section would be, “Why You Shouldn’t Destroy Your Vehicle”. Needless to say, the consequences of neglecting to regularly change your engine’s oil are severe.

These consequences include:

  • Corrosion:  Synthetic oil might last significantly longer than conventional oil, but it can’t last forever. It inhibits the accumulation of corrosive compounds, but it doesn’t eliminate this process. The more compounds, the higher consumption of oil. This can be very costly long-term.
  • Wear:  Think of this degradative process as arthritis for your car. As the oil falls apart, it can no longer properly lubricate all of the parts in your engine. This accounts for a rickety machine in need of major engine repairs.
  • Reduced performance:  Be careful. You might not even notice a change in your vehicle’s performance in the beginning. But don’t get too cocky. If you’ve let your vehicle go past its oil change due date for too long, you may be in for a rude awakening. It’s best to be preemptive.

Keep in mind, the intervals for changing your vehicle’s synthetic oil can vary depending upon climate, too. Manufacturers will have different recommendations if you’re located in the Mojave Desert or Alaska.

Always be sure to keep your owner’s manual handy when making these determinations.

Synthetic Oil Change Prices

Although synthetic oil changes might cost more out of pocket than traditional oil changes, you’ll be saving much more long-term. You’ll have a cleaner engine, which means fewer repairs.

And, your car engine will be clean for a longer period of time. This means fewer oil changes per year.

You can expect to pay between $35 to $75 for conventional oil changes.

Synthetic oil change prices, start around $90.

If you’re in the Los Angeles, CA area and you’re wondering, “Where can I get a synthetic oil change near me?” consider giving European Motors a ring. European Motors is a fully stocked distributor performing Liqui Moly oil changes.

Did You Find This Information Useful?

Synthetic oil changes might be more complex than conventional oil changes, but we hope the information provided in this article has proven its extraordinary benefits.

If you’re interested to learn more about a BMW oil change , Mini Cooper oil change , or another European car make, see below for the vehicles serviced at European Motors.

CARS WE SERVICE

A blue and white volkswagen logo on a white background
audi repair silver lake
bmw repair silver lake
mini cooper repair silver lake
Volvo Repair Los Angeles
mercedes benz
fiat repair silver lake, ca
porsche repair silver lake
Land Rover repair los angeles
jaguar repair los angels, CA

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