Synth oil change
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Recommended service interval on my Japanese suv with a 4 cylinder for oil change is 10k kms using 0-20W synthetic. Make sure you monitor the oil level though between changes. I've had to top mine up as it hits the midway mark. Actually had the little warning light come on. Kinda embarrassing, that's one thing you should check every couple of fill ups.
O
OnTheWayOut
Engines are being built to tighter tolerances to squeeze out a few more HP, some of the oil passageways are smaller as a result. You do not want to cut corners on oil changes in newer cars. You cannot change the oil too often but realistically 8,000 sounds reasonable. Rule of thumb is that you want the oil to look like new, as soon as you notice any discoloration change it.
Synthetic oil will keep protecting much longer than conventional oil but in a new engine the first few changes there will be more metal filings due to break in. The filter should catch these but best to change the oil and filter a bit sooner as precaution.
I've been using synthetic since the 90s with great results, never have had any engine failures. I used to drive about 60-70k per year until recently, good tests for my cars. For cars before 2012 (when most manufacturers went to the tighter tolerances) I used to go @ 20k between changes with full synthetic. I've heard of people going longer and changing the filter in between oil changes as that's where the contaminants go. Theoretically synthetic oil does not break down like conventional oil does, the need to change comes from the contaminants.
My current car gets changed every 6k to 9k as it is a newer V6. Plus the dealer gave me lifetime oil changes which was once a month until I cut down my driving. They regretted that deal, I tried to warn them. LOL
Synthetic oil will keep protecting much longer than conventional oil but in a new engine the first few changes there will be more metal filings due to break in. The filter should catch these but best to change the oil and filter a bit sooner as precaution.
I've been using synthetic since the 90s with great results, never have had any engine failures. I used to drive about 60-70k per year until recently, good tests for my cars. For cars before 2012 (when most manufacturers went to the tighter tolerances) I used to go @ 20k between changes with full synthetic. I've heard of people going longer and changing the filter in between oil changes as that's where the contaminants go. Theoretically synthetic oil does not break down like conventional oil does, the need to change comes from the contaminants.
My current car gets changed every 6k to 9k as it is a newer V6. Plus the dealer gave me lifetime oil changes which was once a month until I cut down my driving. They regretted that deal, I tried to warn them. LOL
I wonder when the Japanese/Germans are going to get to GM's technology standards - all the GM cars I bought in the last 12 years have an oil life monitor that will let you know when you need to change the oil based on actual abuse that the oil is put through - no more going by kilometres.
To answer your question, 8000km should be okay for a synthetic change.
To answer your question, 8000km should be okay for a synthetic change.
Check the oil to see how it looks, if it is too dirty change it. I saw a YouTube video that suggested changing the oil filter half way between oil changes. Just make sure that you fill the filter with oil before you attach it if you want to do this.
8,000 Km is reasonable for synthetic as it does not break down the same way regular oil does. But the crap that it gets contaminated with remains that issue. My Ford suggests oil once a year or every 20,000 KM, which is far too long an interval for my liking.
8,000 Km is reasonable for synthetic as it does not break down the same way regular oil does. But the crap that it gets contaminated with remains that issue. My Ford suggests oil once a year or every 20,000 KM, which is far too long an interval for my liking.
From my experience, 0w-20 cars go at 10,000km intervals. 5w-20 cars go at 8,000km. I also don't trust anything made by GM or Chrysler (Ford, you might be next!!!)
Spend the money and go synthetic anyways and change at the recommended intervals. Put an OEM or better filter on it. Put 5w-30 in a 5w-20 car. Crappy Tire will put everything on sale and you can do your own oil changes.
I had 300,000km on my old Honda before I had to move on due to size issues. Mine not hers... Her dipstick gleamed to perfection and she ran strong. Same clutch too! Painful to let her go. I miss her oil getting onto my hands... She's with another man and still serving him well many years later.
(PS - The reason you put synthetic in is for the flow properties at cold weather, etc...)
(PPS - I was a Pennzoil man)
Spend the money and go synthetic anyways and change at the recommended intervals. Put an OEM or better filter on it. Put 5w-30 in a 5w-20 car. Crappy Tire will put everything on sale and you can do your own oil changes.
I had 300,000km on my old Honda before I had to move on due to size issues. Mine not hers... Her dipstick gleamed to perfection and she ran strong. Same clutch too! Painful to let her go. I miss her oil getting onto my hands... She's with another man and still serving him well many years later.
(PS - The reason you put synthetic in is for the flow properties at cold weather, etc...)
(PPS - I was a Pennzoil man)
German cars have gone to oil change intervals of 15,000 km. I think it is a long time, but I don't really care, because I generally trade in after 3 years before the warranty runs out.
I take the car in for service and tell them you maintained it when I trade in.
I take the car in for service and tell them you maintained it when I trade in.
lol - "get to GM standards".
The Japanese and Germans have had the superior oil viscosity sensor system for years - at least 15. There is a less expensive algorithm approach that uses your car's computer and calculates changes based on engine hours, engine temperature and revolutions (it does not use sensors or directly monitors the oil). Which technology your car has is usually related to the price of the car. GM's "Oil Life System" is the cheaper algorithm approach.
Even the superior viscosity systems still augment the direct measurements with an algorithm based on hours and engine temperature.
My new GM says it needs oil with Dexos. So the Oil change places tell me I have to go for at least semi-synthetic.
It’s a scam. When gm dealer changed oil, they used regular oil, thier minimum requirements which includes Dexos.
I go look at Canadian tire and even Walmart, ALL regular oil now says includes Dexos and meets warranty requirements.
So, do jiffy lube and minute lube, penzoil and others, specifically go out of thier way to make oil that doesn’t meet warranty requirement, just so they can sell upgrades? Hmmm, sorry to say, but reminds me of some sp’s, take stuff off the menu so they can sell upgrades.
When I had the ZL1, I always changed oil myself, always used good oil with Dexos. I didn’t trust anyone to do it right, and it had an underplate to remove, so anywhere would charge extra.
Now with the new car, V6, overhead cam, all wheel drive, I just drive inn and let them change it.
Every car I’ve had takes 5W-30, since 1988. I change when the indicator gets down to 30-25%, and that’s about 8k km.
So far it hasn’t been down even 1/2 litre.
It’s a scam. When gm dealer changed oil, they used regular oil, thier minimum requirements which includes Dexos.
I go look at Canadian tire and even Walmart, ALL regular oil now says includes Dexos and meets warranty requirements.
So, do jiffy lube and minute lube, penzoil and others, specifically go out of thier way to make oil that doesn’t meet warranty requirement, just so they can sell upgrades? Hmmm, sorry to say, but reminds me of some sp’s, take stuff off the menu so they can sell upgrades.
When I had the ZL1, I always changed oil myself, always used good oil with Dexos. I didn’t trust anyone to do it right, and it had an underplate to remove, so anywhere would charge extra.
Now with the new car, V6, overhead cam, all wheel drive, I just drive inn and let them change it.
Every car I’ve had takes 5W-30, since 1988. I change when the indicator gets down to 30-25%, and that’s about 8k km.
So far it hasn’t been down even 1/2 litre.
Nice car! What year was it? I was debating that or a Z28 for a while, I've always like the Camaro.
What sensor are you talking about - the OP said his car doesn't have an oil life monitor and has to change by kilometres?
All my car manuals say 12 months so I would go with the engineers' recommendations.
For my newer Japanese vehicle which is at about 6 months old, the dealership recommend a synthetic oil change once a year or 15,000 km. I believe its synthetic oil type is 0W-20.
It was 2013, got 3 summers out of it and I was cut off and got the guard rail, front then back. Write off.
My only regret, if I knew I’d only get 3 summers out of it, I woulda drove it a lot harder.
Came with 580 hp, added headers, ported TB, cold air intake. I still miss that car.
Of course I also miss the 96 I had, it was the Z28 + SS. Parted with that for wife/kids. Kids grew up and I got the ZL1.
P.s. out of the 5 chevys I’ve run to well over 300k, some into 400k, never had an engine problem. The only time I ever had a timing chain problem was my wife’s quad 4 Oldsmobile.
Transmissions on the other hand, that’s been a problem on 2 cars.
Their engines are rock solid...out of curiosity, did you change or flush the oil on the transmission prior to the issues on those two cars?
Synthetic oil is the way to go, one day soon conventional oil will go the way of the dodo bird. You can go synthetic at the same cost of conventional oil. Look for synthetic oil on sale at CDN Tire sometimes at up to 50% off reg. prices and buy several jugs. Walmart has synthetic oil sometimes at $28 for a 4.5 liter jug.
I go one step further when I change oil. I change out the old synthetic oil with conventional oil ( sometimes on special for as low as $12 for a 4.5 liter jug ) and run that for a week to flush out all the crap. The oil then looks like weak tea. Then I do a full synthetic oil change with new filter. This double oil change can be done for about $50-55.
I go one step further when I change oil. I change out the old synthetic oil with conventional oil ( sometimes on special for as low as $12 for a 4.5 liter jug ) and run that for a week to flush out all the crap. The oil then looks like weak tea. Then I do a full synthetic oil change with new filter. This double oil change can be done for about $50-55.
