Interchanging conventional & synthetic oils

[DEV1ST8R]

Is it bad to switch back and forth between conventional and synthetic oils? And are sythetic oils really superior. . .enough to pay almost double for?

[GMCSierra04]

You will not hurt anything by switching back and forth from synthetic to conventional engine oil. Any thing that you might have heard about interchanging the two oils will damge engine components or cause leaks are myths.

 

Synthetic engine oils will be eaiser to pump through the engine, have extreme temperature and viscosity breakdown resistances and the ability to stand up to higher loads. You can also "cheat" or prolong engine oil changes (depending upon different conditions) but you should still change your oil every 3,000 miles for city driving/severe driving conditions, 7,500 for normal conditions which is basically interstate driving only.

[jpt7779]

I wouldn't go back and forth. Goto www.AMSOIL.com and get a real education about oil types/filters and comparisons. I installed their dual by-pass filtration system and run nothing but synthetic fluids (oil, front/rear differentials, transfer case, and transmission. The advantage is superior products and extended drain intervals. After 12,000 miles or 1 year I send a oil sample to them, get it tested, change 1 filter and head on down the road! Common sense tells me 2 good sized filters are much better than that puny little stock oil filter!

[facn8me]

I also dislike the price of synthetic. I know you can use longer drain intervals with synthetic, but I prefer every 3000 miles. Since synthetic and dino will mix with no problems I run Synthetic in the winter and Dino in the summer and service every 3000 miles. It keeps the cost of oil changes down. With all the benifits of synthetic where it shines...... extremely cold temps.

 

 

And yes Sythetic is far superior unless you factor in price. There are many people that change oil filters and top off to extend thier service range to 10k or more. For less than $16 for a oil change and $28 for a Synthetic oil change(doin it myself) I prefer to just change mine every 3000. I run NAPA brand synthetic ( Valvoline makes it) to help keep cost down also.

[GMCSierra04]

There is no problems with changing back and forth from the 2 types of oils, you will not cause any problems what so ever. You do change your oil/filter sooner than 12,000 miles don't you?

[Mighty HD]

I change the oil in the car/truck every 2000 miles by the Bible. Mobil 1 5w-30 with a M1 filter.

 

The work truck needs it technically every 2000 as well and SHOULD run synthetic. It runs all day long 70+hrs a week, 80% of it is idle time, the other 20% is interstate driving home. That one however only gets it ever 5,000 miles.