A regular oil change is a small maintenance job that helps keep your engine in top shape for miles to come. Yes, it’s an extra cost on top of gas and insurance. But as a wise person once said, prevention is cheaper than cure. From conventional to synthetic, here’s our guide to the best motor oils for any car.
You might be surprised to learn that both conventional and synthetic oil are derived from crude oil. However, synthetic oil is manufactured with far fewer impurities and is less susceptible to breakdown. So while conventional oil typically lasts for 5,000 miles, a full synthetic can often go 10,000 miles between oil changes.
There are also synthetic blends, which provide extra protection at a more affordable price point. However, you shouldn’t expect these oils to perform at the same level as a full synthetic. Like a plug-in hybrid vehicle, synthetic blends simply offer a middle ground between two categories.
In the past, conventional wisdom suggested changing your oil every 3,000 miles. However, both cars and oils have come a long way since then. In most cases, you can comfortably drive for 5,000 to 7,500 miles between oil changes. Synthetic oil can help take you even farther, lasting anywhere from 10,000 to 20,000 miles.
To really gauge when your oil needs changing, we recommend that you keep an eye on it personally. Newer vehicles are equipped with an oil monitoring system, but you can always do it the old-fashioned way by checking your engine’s dip stick. New oil looks light amber and darkens over time. Inspect it every thousand miles up to the recommended change interval. Soon, you’ll know which shade of dark brown means it’s time for a change.
Always check the owner’s manual to see what kind of oil you should be using in your car. That includes knowing the grade, which is often expressed as numbers such as 10W-30. You’ll also want to know if your vehicle requires synthetic oil, which isn’t uncommon among performance and luxury vehicles.
You should also know that oil filters are almost as important as the oil itself, helping prevent foreign debris from damaging the engine. We recommend an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) oil filter, which is tested extensively for your vehicle. You can find OEM filters at your local dealership—another reason to be wary of the $19.99 oil change special from independent mechanics.