I'm trying to understand the whole oil change situation better. My car's manual says synthetic oil every 7,500 miles, but my dad swears by conventional oil every 3,000 miles.
What's the real difference in terms of engine protection? And does using synthetic actually let you go longer between changes? I've also heard that the type of driving you do matters - lots of short trips vs highway driving.
Looking for advice from people who have experience with both types of oil and different change intervals.
Synthetic oil is definitely worth it for modern engines. It handles heat better, lasts longer, and provides better protection. For car maintenance oil changes, I recommend full synthetic every 5,000-7,500 miles depending on driving conditions. Conventional oil every 3,000 is an old rule that doesn't apply to most modern cars. Check your manual - it'll tell you what the manufacturer recommends.
I use synthetic and change it every 5,000 miles. The extra cost is worth it for the better engine protection. For car maintenance oil changes, I think frequency matters more than oil type if you're on a tight budget. Conventional oil changed regularly is better than synthetic changed rarely. But if you can afford it, synthetic with proper intervals is ideal.
When I'm selling cars, buyers always ask about oil change history. Synthetic oil changes look better on maintenance records. For car maintenance oil changes, I'd say go with what your manual recommends, but if you're planning to sell within a few years, synthetic might give you a slight edge. It shows you were willing to invest in proper maintenance.
The driving conditions matter a lot. If you do mostly highway miles, you can go longer between car maintenance oil changes. Lots of short trips, towing, or extreme temperatures mean you should change more frequently. I use synthetic blend as a compromise - better than conventional, cheaper than full synthetic, and I change every 4,000 miles with my city driving.