3 Questions And Answers Regarding Synthetic Motor Oil Change Intervals Inquiring Minds Need To Know

I received these 3 questions about synthetic motor oil change intervals today from a friendly subscriber

. The questions that were asked left me wondering how anyone can trust any oil company these days because if you aren't at the top of your game you can easily be conned into purchasing a product that won't necessarily deliver what it promises and will leave you with either engine damage, money damage or ego damage, and none of those sound particularly fun.

Let's stop the suspense and get to the questions...

#1 I know that most people I've spoken to who've heard of the 'necessary' 3,000 mile oil change interval is nothing but a myth told by anyone who can make a quick buck selling oil, but how does this "myth" hold up to synthetic motor oil changes?

#2 When do I change my oil since I haven't yet met the mileage limit that my current oil recommends?

#3 If I am using oil analysis is an initial higher TBN number better?

Now those are some great questions and here are some answers:

Way back in '97, the line between synthetic motor oil and conventional motor oil were blurred because Castrol wound up with a ruling from the court to let group III basestocks be labeled 'synthetic'. So ultimately, when it comes to the 3,000 mile myth is concerned, it's extremely difficult to make a clear distinction between the two. I can say generally that the 3K myth is more so a myth with synthetic. A quality synthetic oil with a decent additive package will outlast a traditional conventional oil any day of the week.

Questions #2 and #3 share the common issue of TBN. It's vital that the detergents and alkalinity in relation to TBN of the oil are provided for an anticipated duration of the oil in the engine. Motor oil additive packages are designed differently for extended change oils. To ensure that your engine's environment doesn't become corrosive or acidic, the TBN would be higher.

Everyday runs to drop the kids off at school or running up to the convenience store are especially rough on your engine's oil. Typical stop and go driving in the city is considered severe conditions with respect to oil change intervals. Most people caught up in the hustle and bustle of the city don't have the time to let their engine heat up properly and then unburnt fuel and moisture end up diluting the oil and breaking it down.

For that reason it is best to start up and run down the highway for greater than say 15 minutes to really allow the engine to cook the oil "dry".

Bottom line is if the oil is not designed for longer life with higher TBN more detergents etc then it will deplete its useful life sooner depending on your driving habits.

Additive packages in oils are very complex. Along with the benefits of additives, there are costs attached and all additives have to be balanced with the other additives. It takes a lot of testing to get the formula down pat.

To determine for yourself, once and for all, what your motor oil is truly doing to and for your engine you're going to have to run it in your engine and perform your own periodic analysis. If the additives are balanced properly I would expect the TBN should stay elevated longer therefore protecting your engine from corrosion for longer drain intervals. You can find the best motor oil review for all the different oils using a google search.

I'm inclined to stick with either Mobil 1 Synthetic oil and AMSOIL Synthetic Oil. AMSOIL has been my oil of choice for the past 7 years for both of my vehicles and I've had no engine problems with either, only changing my oil in both once a year.

On your last note I agree it really is difficult to feel a 2% change in horsepower or detect a small percentage improvement in gas mileage. A brake caliper dragging a little bit or low tire pressure makes that much of a difference. I always have to raise an eyebrow when I hear folks proclaim that they could actually feel the improvement when they switched the type of oil they were using, or if they added some silly additive and they felt a boost or paid less at the gas pump.

by: Jess Hull

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