How Often to Change Synthetic Oil

Keeping up to date with your oil change schedule is the best way to ensure that your car, truck, or SUV is always running smoothly and safely on Halifax-area roads. How often to change your oil by km can vary, depending on whether your vehicle receives a conventional or synthetic oil change. Conventional motor oil should be changed every 8,000 to 12,000 kilometres, but how often do you change synthetic oil?

We recommend changing your synthetic oil every 12,000 to 16,000 kilometres; however, you should consult your owner’s manual to find the specific synthetic oil change schedule for your vehicle’s specific make and model. But while you’re here, learn more about general recommendations for how often to change synthetic oil, and if your vehicle is due for its next synthetic oil change, schedule a service appointment today in Dartmouth at MacPhee Ford!

Synthetic Oil Changes vs. Conventional Oil Changes

Synthetic oil is produced through specialized refinement that increases its effectiveness and helps it last longer than conventional oil. While synthetic oil costs more than conventional oil, it is required for some vehicles. Your owner’s manual will have information on exactly what type of motor oil is recommended for your car. If you are unable to access your owner’s manual to find out how often to change your oil per the km on your vehicle’s odometer, feel free to stop by the MacPhee Ford service centre. Our team will be happy to help you determine what kind of oil is right for your vehicle and what the best synthetic oil change schedule for your model is.

Advantages of a Synthetic Oil Change

Some of the benefits of synthetic oil that you will enjoy when driving in and around Sackville include:

• Extended Oil Change Interval: Vehicles that require synthetic oil can go as long as 16,000 kilometres between oil changes.
• More Tolerant of Higher Temperatures: When subjected to higher engine temperatures, synthetic oil maintains its viscosity, which in turn helps it last longer than conventional oil.
• Better for Performance: Synthetic oil also has an increased resistance to oxidation, which allows it to stay cleaner for longer, improving performance. Furthermore, many high-performance vehicles require synthetic oil changes because synthetic oil can withstand the high temperatures generated by the faster rates of combustion that occur at high RPMs.
• Cleans Engine: Conventional oil often leaves grime on the moving parts of your engine.  On the other hand, synthetic oil works to break down deposits to boost the efficiency of your engine’s performance.

Is it Okay to Mix Synthetic and Conventional Oil?

It is safe to mix synthetic and conventional oil, but mixing the two will decrease the enhanced performance advantages of synthetic oil and increase the rate of how often to change your oil by km. Also, if your owner’s manual recommends synthetic oil for your vehicle, you should avoid mixing it with conventional oil. Why would you mix the two types of oil then? Mixing these oils allows you to produce a blend that lasts longer than conventional oil, but is more affordable than synthetic oil. If that sounds appealing, you can mix the oils yourself, or purchase synthetic blends at our parts centre.

How Much is a Full Synthetic Oil Change?

Now that you have an idea about how often to change synthetic oil, you may be wondering just how much a synthetic oil change will cost. The price of a synthetic oil change varies depending on the vehicle and the grade of oil used. Contact our service centre to find out what our current synthetic oil change pricing is.

Schedule a Synthetic Oil Change Today at MacPhee Ford

If your car, truck, or SUV is due for its next synthetic or conventional oil change, stop by our Service Centre in Dartmouth. Our expert team can handle all of your recommended vehicle maintenance, from oil changes and tire rotations to brake service and wheel alignment. Give us a call at 902-434-7700 if you have any questions.