Is synthetic oil better than conventional oil?
At my last oil change, I switched to full synthetic oil. Does synthetic oil really last longer than conventional oil?Q.
I drive a 2014 Honda Accord that has 50,000 miles on it from a daily commute from Massachusetts to Rhode Island. At my last oil change, I switched to full synthetic oil. A few questions: How often should I be getting oil changes? Is it safe to disregard the old rule of 3,000 miles or three months? Does synthetic oil really last longer than conventional oil, and are the benefits worth the cost?
A. Over the years, I have been become a believer in synthetic oil. I used it in my vehicles and have found the benefits outweigh the cost. Your Honda uses a maintenance indicator system that uses a wrench icon to let you know when the car needs service. Under normal driving conditions, the oil could remain in the engine for 10,000 miles or one year, whichever comes first, but these long service intervals don’t mean you never have to check the oil. Any engine should be checked every 500 to 1,000 miles.
John Paul is AAA Northeast’s Car Doctor. He has over 40 years of experience in the automotive business and is an ASE certified master technician. Email your car question to [email protected].
