Is synthetic motor oil really effective for 15,000 miles ... or should one change oil more often regardless?

Question

I have religiously changed oil every 3,000 miles all my life, but am wondering if there is truly an acceptable alternative.

Answer 1

No motor oil will effectively last that long. The people who want to sell you full-synthetic oil will claim that the longer molecular chains of it last longer than conventional oil, and that is probably true. But the anti-foaming agents, the detergents and other additives still break down in roughly the same time and you still have the by-products of combustion - which is primarily what turns it black after approx. 2500 mi.

Answer 2

lucas oil stabilizer...... (aka oil foamilizer) makes the oil foam like hell.

They are backed by a warranty, so why would they if it didn't do what they say it would?

The black oil thing as said above is wrong..... the additive pack lasts way beyond 3,000 miles.... the oil doesn't get black because of that or dirt...... its either from the heat (like mobil one may do sometimes) or your engine was dirty to start off with. Some have run pennzoil past 12,000 miles (yes the conventional stuff) and it did GREAT!!, of course it was backed by a oil analysis. Which should be done to find out how far your engine can actually go.

Answer 3

Your oil should be changed every 3,000 miles or 3 months which ever comes first. By changing your oil when recommended the engine doesn't have to work as hard.

Answer 4

no what they dont tell you is that it could protect to 15000 only if you run it like grandma synthetic motor oil is just more money out of your pocket truly the best thing is diesel fuel and lucas oil stabilizer put that in your engine and watch the difference

Answer 5

You should be changing your oil every 3,000 miles not every 15,000

Answer 6

Read your owners manual. I don'tthink I'd push it that far, maybe 10