Synthetic oil change, how often?

[hotrod_tommy]

1st post.

I got a free case of full synthetic Lucas 5w30 oil and figured it was time to switch over. Questions:

1: How often should I change it? Is 15,000 really the norm?!
2: How often should I change the filter? (and is it hard to change the filter without draining the oil first?)
3: Does the synthetic make a difference in everyday driving.
4: Does it do damage to switch back to normal oil after using synthetic.

I drive a Ford Focus SVT with about 40000 miles.

Thanks. -Tommy

 

[michaelc80]

First, Welcome!

I don't think I'd go much beyond 10K or so, even on a synthetic, without a Used Oil Analysis.

Even with extended drains I'd prefer not to go beyond 7 or 8K miles on a filter. Especially some of the smaller ones.

Does it make a difference in everyday driving? It depends on what kind of driving you do. I have an 05 Subaru Outback Sport-rated at 30MPG highway. I easily achieve 35+MPG (registered on my Scangauge) under optimal conditions-60MPH. I run Amsoil in the engine, Redline in the manual transmission, and Amsoil in the differential. I firmly believe that 2-3 MPG extra is achieved due to the synthetics. I also prefer the synthetic because of cold weather winter starts (often sub-zero in the winter).

And no, it does no damage to switch back and forth.

 

[car_junkie_moron]

I used to change it around every 3500 to 4000 MI before someone here told me stop doin it. now I don't get past 10 to 12K. and change fiter every 4K (largely because my oil mfg. says so)

 

[RogerKlugerAus05]

I change at 10k kms/6k miles as per Toyota schedule, Mobil 1. At this mileage oil is clean and still smells 'sweet' Have Kluger(Highlander) and Corolla. Depends on use as well, mine never see short journeys nor traffic jams and are driven sensibly.
Roger

 

[Nappers]

I change my M1 every 5000 miles. I don't think that oil filters can go beyond 10,000 miles without falling apart. 5000 miles is a nice easy number and easy to remember.

 

[cmhj]

Here's the recomendation directly from Exxon Mobil on their Mobil 1.

Thank you for your inquiry,

You can take the classic Mobil 1 (gray cap) to the very
highest mileage limit that is stated in the owner's manual or once a year which ever comes first. The Classic Mobil 1 does not have a specific, guaranteed mileage limit like the other product lines.

The Mobil 1 Extended Performance motor oils contains 37% more cleaning
additives, 36% more anti-wear additives and upto 50% more of the Supersyn system which allows the motor oil to deliver performance and protection to the desired 15,000 mile mark or once a year which ever comes first.

--
Thank you for choosing ExxonMobil products.
If you need further assistance, please contact ExxonMobil at
1-800-ASK-MOBIL

 

[Eddie]

7,500 Miles is a nice number for a top-tier synthetic. Any decent filter (PureOne, Wix etc) will easly go to 10,000. No messing with an extra filter change which defeats the purpose of using a synthetic oil. Do a used oil analysis once the engine is full broken in (10,000 miles?)to conferm or not that you're doing right.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Once a year OCI with Mobil 1 for my family 3 cars: '94 Lexus LS400 with about 12-15k miles, '00 Mercedes E430 with about 11-13k miles and '04 Honda S2000 with about 6-8k miles. Oil filters were changed at the same mileages.