When To Switch To Synthetic ? ?

**William Young** · 12-24-2008, 06:29 PM

I am a firm believer in synthetic oil and have used it in previous vehicles.
The readout on my dash on the new van says I have 65% of safe oil life left before changing. I now have approx 4000 km on the vehicle.
My monthly email diagnostic report that checks my vehicle out via satellite and checks every thing on my vehicle right down to the tire pressure in every tire, says that according to my driving conditions and habits my oil life expectancy is to 10,100 km at which time I should change it.
Some say that synthetic should not be put in until at least 25000 km because it is such a superior lubrication over conventional oil that the rings will never seat if changed too early .
Others say that is old hat and with the new modern engines, synthetic can be used at a much lower mileage.
The dealer says it doesn't make much difference one way or the other as to how many miles should be on it and I was not satisfied with that response. .

So my question is ? ? ? ?
How many here have switched to synthetic on the first oil change and was it from good authority that prompted you to do so .

Or should I wait until at least the second oil change ?
W.Y.

**retired** · 12-24-2008, 07:48 PM

I don't know the km to miles conversion but here is what I've done on every new truck I've owned. First oil change 3000 miles, and filled with synthetic and changing the oil every 5000 miles after that.

**William Young** · 12-24-2008, 10:03 PM

Thanks for that . I don't really believe in going 10,000 km like the computer claims it should . I have always changed oil much sooner in previous vehicles .
I did a little conversion

3000 miles = 4,828 km

5000 miles = 8,046 km

So you switched to synthetic at 3000 miles ? Seems a little soon but you no doubt have good reason for doing so.

W.Y.

**retired2001** · 12-24-2008, 11:12 PM

I know on my Winnebago M/H which has 8.1L the "book" says not to switch to "syn." until 15000 miles, so I am waiting on it, but I'd go for "after the first oil change" on the new vehicle.

**Akula682** · 12-25-2008, 05:01 PM

in new vehicles it doesnt make a diff. if your OM gives you a mileage go with that if it doesnt dump it in. Some of the high end cars come with Syn Oil right off the line.

**JMoney02** · 12-29-2008, 04:42 AM

Most good engine rebuilders will state to use the break in oil first(new oil for new vehicle, actual break in oil after rebuild oil). Change at 3k miles twice, then switch to full Synthetic. Change the oil every 5k miles for your interval after that.....I have been changing oil/filter on my own since I can remember and the only problem I had was the first car I had that the intake valley was caked from oil burn. A 1970 Torino I bought from my Mom with 46k miles and QuakerState oil changes, never used it again since, that was 1975......

Jeff

**black jack** · 01-01-2009, 07:16 PM

it doesnt matter when you change it or even miles . the chevy corvette has it from day 1. ive got an 05 pontiac gto and i changed it over less than 50 miles on od. and what a great dif in performance , on my wifes mini van i switched it over when it had 15k miles and my 05 av. i changed it over at 25k miles. it all up to you when to do it.

**ChevyTech** · 01-01-2009, 07:56 PM

I too like synth oil I use a quality synth blend instead of full however you see I am horrible at changing my oil and by horrible I mean at 2500 mile all of my vehicles get oil changed. I know I know what a waste, new oils are designed to go alot longer but it is just the routine I am stuck in and have been since I was a kid. I have worked in dealerships for the last 10 years and have heard alot of back and forth on when to go synth. As said before it doesn't matter really, I typically switch at first oil change I drive the delivery oil because I paid for it I am going to use it. The only vehicle I have that runs full synth now is my 2007 SAAB but that is because it gets it at the scheduled maintenance. My recommendation is that after 3000 miles swap out the oil for a synth of you choice, if you drive alot and are going to use the longevity of your oil than a full synth is best however if you are like me and do not drive as much and you change your oil often a good quality synth blend will be just fine I have ripped apart motors that use both and both provide good lubrication. Hope this helps.

**ChevyTech** · 01-01-2009, 08:05 PM

I too like synth oil I use a quality synth blend instead of full however you see I am horrible at changing my oil and by horrible I mean at 2500 mile all of my vehicles get oil changed. I know I know what a waste, new oils are designed to go alot longer but it is just the routine I am stuck in and have been since I was a kid. I have worked in dealerships for the last 10 years and have heard alot of back and forth on when to go synth. As said before it doesn't matter really, I typically switch at first oil change I drive the delivery oil because I paid for it I am going to use it. The only vehicle I have that runs full synth now is my 2007 SAAB but that is because it gets it at the scheduled maintenance. My recommendation is that after 3000 miles swap out the oil for a synth of you choice, if you drive alot and are going to use the longevity of your oil than a full synth is best however if you are like me and do not drive as much and you change your oil often a good quality synth blend will be just fine I have ripped apart motors that use both and both provide good lubrication. Hope this helps.

**silveradojc** · 01-09-2009, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by black jack

it doesnt matter when you change it or even miles . the chevy corvette has it from day 1. ive got an 05 pontiac gto and i changed it over less than 50 miles on od. and what a great dif in performance , on my wifes mini van i switched it over when it had 15k miles and my 05 av. i changed it over at 25k miles. it all up to you when to do it.

I agree too, never too soon to change over