Ideal mileage to switch to Synthetic

[LouDawg]

Most synthetic producers now say you can switch to syn anytime. But is there an "ideal" time to switch? I'll be going to PP probably somewhere around 17-18K on the Accord. Just wondered if it makes any difference as to when. It's obviously broken in now, and all on the FF and 2 oci's of MC 5W-20.

 

[cmhj]

I switched my 05 Vibe over at 15K. I would have done it much sooner but had a few free OCs so I used them up.

Switched my 06.5 Optima 2.4 Ltr. over at 6K. Would have done it sooner but had a free OC so I used it up.

FWIW

Most of my vehicles that I've switched over I've done at either the 1st or 2nd OC for years and it has worked very well.

Usually I'll do the second syn OC a bit sooner than what would be considered normal for a group III due to some of the dino residue.

 

[Turbodriven]

This is a difficult one, since some manufacturers say don't do it and certain oil companies say go right ahead from the start.
I would follow the advice of the manufacturer till the first change and as long as they do not recommend against a synthetic, I would switch then.

My opinion...your car is ready for it.

 

[hominid7]

I would not be concerned with switching to any of the group III synthetics at any time.

If the PP you have is PAO Grp IV then maybe waiting would not be a terrible idea?

 

[Ugly3]

I switched my `06 Toyota RAV4 3500 V6 at 200 miles. Went with Mobil 1 5w20 and it is doing just fine at 16,000 miles.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Use the factory oil for 3-4K -- then switch. I've been doing that for my past several new vehicle purchases. I am first & last owner of all my vehicles. Generally drive them to the junkyard 16-18 years later - all rusted out & well beyond 200K.

 

[ConfederateTyrant]

I feel comfortable waiting till after 10,000 miles to switch, if youre going to do extended drain intervals. Break-in metals don't appear to be in excess from the UOA's on this board, so waiting that long is probably unnecessary.

 

[williar]

I switched at the first scheduled oil change; 5K in my case.

 

[Volvohead]

Agreed with the above as to any manufacturer recommended first interval, especially with Honda and VAG engines. The boys on the VW forums who change out too early to synthetic are usually the ones complaining about consumption issues.

Otherwise, I have historically waited until 3-4k to change over, with a few quick changes early. I refuse to let go of that old habit.

 

[badtlc]

With my mazda6i i changed factory fill at 1000 miles with 5w20 MC. I then changed from 5w20 MC at 5000miles (4k oci) and went to full synthetic Royal Purple 5w20.

 

[bar1]

Quote:

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The boys on the VW forums who change out too early to synthetic are usually the ones complaining about consumption issues.

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Your VW/Audi has synthetic oil in it from the factory.

 

[LouDawg]

Problem is Honda doesn't say if/when to switch. It only says you can use synthetic as long as you follow the same OLM schedule. I'm planning on changing at the next oci unless I hear something that makes me rethink it.

 

[southbx]

I have 42k on my 05' corolla. Too late to switch to mobil 1 from castrol gtx? I usually drive about 40miles at a time at about 60-70 mph.

 

[GMorg]

I switched my GM at 800 miles - that was 26,000 miles ago. I will be switching my wife's Ford at 42,000 miles (I am finishing an AutoRX treatment first).

 

[Quattro Pete]

Many cars come with synthetic oil straight from the factory these days. So, we can only talk about switching if you decide to go back to mineral.

If your car came filled with 5w-20 from the factory, then being a synth blend, your car is already used to synthetic lubricants.

My old '01 A4 came with 0w30 from the factory. I am not aware of any mineral 0w30 oils, so I just kept using synthetic from the beginning. Using mineral would have meant going backwards.

EDIT: oops, I guess there are some 5w-20 mineral oils out there, too, aren't here?

 

[Cicero]

I was "advised" by a very nice VP Racing Fuels tech to break in my Si WELL on a conventional oil before switching over to their "real-deal ester" oil as he put it. Don't shoot me...I'm just relating the story.

 

[GMorg]

Link for Cicero:

http://theoildrop.server101.com/forums/s...true#Post657803

 

[jonny-b]

As long as you change to a dino group 3, you can do it right away. Both group 2 and 3 are mineral oil. The main difference is that group 3 have a more uniform molecule structure because of the hydrocracking. A true synthetic should be mostly group 4 or 5. The misleading thing here, is that group 3 is being defined to be synthetic........

 

[Stainless]

Quote:

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A true synthetic should be mostly group 4 or 5. The misleading thing here, is that group 3 is being defined to be synthetic........

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and this one fact frustrates the waahoo out of me.

i try to recommend Penns Platinum to people, and they say, "i don't want to run a SYNTHETIC oil."

It's hard to explain, "Yes, I know it SAYS it is a snythetic, but it really isn't." I give up.

 

[ARB1977]

9K.