I have heard that once you begin to use synthetic oil, you cannot switch back to conventional oil is this true

Question

92 honda accord
252,000
10w-30

Answer 1

Not true. I only want to respectfully disagree with one comment above: synthetics have precisely the same additive/detergent package as the conventional counterparts (say both are SJ). Synthetic refers to the man-made oil base, versus conventionally refined mineral-oil, and you can switch between them, and the only issue you *might* have is greater likelyhood of seal leaks when using synthetics. And this is unlikely on a well maintained Honda.

Answer 2

Everyone has you on the right track. You can switch between the two. Think of it this way what is a Semi-Synthetic a blend of the two.

With your high mileage though if you have any leaks it may leak worse with a regular synthetic. Valvoline and I belive Mobil 1 make a high mileage synthetic. But I stick by the if it aint broke don't fix it theory. If your car has made it 250k on regular oil I'd stick with it it must be doin something right.

Answer 3

Where did you hear that one?

Synthetic oils contain a higher level of detergents for better cleaning in your engine than mineral oils.

Your car though at that age is better off staying with a mineral based oil particularly if i read your question right and you have over 250.000 on the clock.

You can change to whatever oil you choose, there is no harm in changing back to a mineral oil.

Answer 4

False. Essentially, oil is oil, whether synthetic or natural. Synthetic oil is about twice as expensive as natural oil, but lasts about twice as long, so the cost is about the same. Synthetic oil does not seem to break down from combustion gas blow-by nor does it seem to lower its viscosity with age the way that natural oil does. But if you are going to change your oil every 3,000 miles anyway, just use the oil that the car manufacturer recommends.

Answer 5

It is not true!