Since my first oil change I have been putting in only FULL synthetic oil. It has only been about 5,000 miles since my last oil change but it was a year ago. Dealer says I should get the oil changed because it's been a long time. What do you think I should do?
Thanks!

 

uhh...just because you used synthetic oil doesnt mean your good on oil changes for the life of the car.

i'll change my oil every 6 months or so reguardless of miles. having the same oil for over a year and 5000+ miles is not a good idea.

 

Every 5,000 or every 6 months is the general standard from what i've seen.

 

It depends on the performance/quality of the oil in question. Most of the, "synthetic oils", a motorist can purchase from their friendly discount auto parts stores aren't really synthetic oils in the traditional sense of the term anyway.

However, just because an oil uses a synthetic base stock, doesn't mean it is safely capable of extended drain intervals. If you're using one of the better synthetics like AMSOIL or Mobil 1, you're good to go. 99% of the so-called, "synthetic oils", on the market today are not formulated for safe extended drain intervals and asking a standard drain oil to perform in extended drain service, is asking it to do something it wasn't intended to do.

What brand and type of oil is it? If you go to that companies web site, you can usually find out what their recommended drain intervals are.

You can also have an oil analysis done on the oil to actually find out the condition of the oil, but more importantly the general condition of the internals of the engine. Here is a link to an oil analysis company where you can have a thorough oil analysis done for about $25 -

http://www.oaitesting.com/www.oaitesting.com/

 

I don't see what the big deal is. First of all oil & filter are cheap. What's more important $15 in an oil & filter and a few minutes under your car, or a potential catastrophe? Secondly no matter how good the oil is, it will either A- brake down over time and should be changed, or B- is being lost through the rings, pcv and so forth so after this much time you must be down at least one quart. So you have to top it off. Now is it smart to mix new oil with year old oil? I don't think so, (I wouldn't). Just my 2 cents.

 

I changed my AMSOIL synthetic motor oil after 2.5 years and 33,000 miles of driving. The oil analysis laboratory report showed the oil, "suitable for continued use". No need to change oil if there is no need.

 

The reason the interval changes from kilometers to time is generally low kilometers in a bunch of time means short trip useage. Short trip useage means you must change it sooner. A long trip highway car can go more kilometers between changes.

 

Mobil 1 syn 5w-50 changed at 1 year and 804 miles. All was/is good.

 

i use Valvoline full synthetic and change mine every 4 months. I dont drive much.