How Many Months Does Synthetic Oil Last?

Most drivers believe that synthetic oils can last up to 10,000 miles or even more. Yes, this is what most mechanics and auto experts would say. Well, that’s not far from the truth – synthetic oils last longer than conventional oils or blends.

But, in exact words, how many months does synthetic oil last? Synthetic oils last up to 6 months (or even 8 months depending on your driving style). If you calculate by mileage, synthetic oils typically still look good even after 8,000 miles.

So, if you use synthetic oil for your engine, how often should you go for an oil change? Actually, there are pretty many things you should know about synthetic oils, and this article explains virtually all of them.

How Many Months Does Synthetic Oil Last?

If you check your owner’s manual, apparently, your car engine manufacturer would usually specify the type of oil you should use, and also specify the interval for an oil change. Typically, the interval is usually between 5,000 – 7,000 miles.

However, not everyone pays attention to those instructions in the manual; more so, the 5,000 miles interval for an oil change is quite close. Hence, some mechanics would advise you to extend the intervals to between 7,500 – 10,000 miles.

Now, why do synthetic oils last that long? It’s simple, they are made with premium additives. These additives are well-refined and thus, they can still protect and clean an engine over a long time.

In contrast, if you blend two synthetic oils, your oil change intervals should be shorter than when using fully synthetic oils. Yes, when you mix motor oils, the additives do not deliver 100% effectiveness; thus, you need to change the oil sooner.

The brand you bought can also affect the number of miles you should drive before changing the oil.

Some notable brands produce synthetic oils that can last for up to 15,000 miles – but NO! Regardless of the synthetic oil, you bought, do not exceed 12,000 miles without an oil change, else, you’d be risking a costly repair.

How Often Should I Change My Synthetic Oil?

As hinted above, when you should change your synthetic oil depends on certain factors. If you do mix oils for your engine, then instead of waiting till 10,000 miles before going for an oil change, you should go that at 7,000 (at most).

When you mix oils, your engine won’t get the full benefits from both of the oils you mixed; thus, you need to be more frequent in changing the oil in order to keep your engine running smoothly all the time.

But, if you have been using the oil specified by your automaker (or its exact equivalent), then you surely do not need an oil change until you hit 8,000 – 10,000 miles from the previous oil change.

Yes, when you use full synthetic oil for your engine, the engine gets all the benefits it needs from the oil, and this makes the engine last longer – functioning at its best.

How Often To Change Synthetic Oil If Don’t Drive Much

Probably you have more than one car in your garage, and you’re wondering if you also need to change the synthetic oil in the car you don’t drive every day? Well, yes, you need to change the oil in the engine, even when you don’t drive the car always.

Mainly, it is recommended to change the oil in seldom engine every 6 months. So, once every 6 months (twice a year), you should drain the old oil in the car and refill the new one. That way, the engine will continue to be in good shape.

Summary

So, conclusively, how many months does synthetic oil last? The answer is 6 months, and this applies irrespective of whether the car is being driven always or parked at a place.

However, an important note is to ensure that you change your engine oil quite sooner than 8,000 miles if it’s not full synthetic or you mixed oils.

Regardless, all engine oils are meant to deliver the same job, which is to protect your car’s engine and ensure that the moving parts are well-lubricated. Hopefully, this article answered your questions about synthetic oils and the expected duration for oil changes.