How Often Do You Change Synthetic Oil?

Synthetic oil is a higher-performing, more refined alternative to conventional petroleum-based oil. Although these two oils are visually identical, they operate under different conditions and therefore need to be changed at different intervals. So, if you find yourself wondering how often to change synthetic oil in your car, read on!

Depending on the brand, synthetic oil tends to last longer than conventional oil in addition to being better for the vehicle you use for your Stamford drives. Typically, synthetic oil lasts between 7,500 and 15,000 miles, although your owner’s manual will have more specific numbers for you. If you find that it’s time to change your vehicle’s synthetic oil, our service team at BMW of Greenwich can take care of everything. You can schedule a service appointment online and then bring your vehicle to our dealership.

Synthetic vs. Conventional Oil: What’s the Difference? 

Looking at them side-by-side, you’ll find no visual difference between synthetic and conventional petroleum-based oil. Under the surface, however, these two oils have quite a few key differences. Synthetic oil is more expensive but compensates by being more refined and longer-lasting. It also leads to better performance in your car, making it the oil of choice for high-performance vehicles. If you’re wondering what the best type of oil is for your specific vehicle, your owner’s manual should tell you which is recommended by BMW.

Why Choose Synthetic Oil?

The higher price tag can turn some customers away from synthetic oil, but it has quite a few benefits that you can’t get with conventional oil. We’ve listed some of the biggest advantages of synthetic oil below:

• Longer Oil Change Interval – Synthetic oil tends to last longer than conventional petroleum-based oil, sometimes lasting as long as 15,000 miles between changes. This interval varies based on your vehicle, so check your owner’s manual for details.
• Better at Higher Temperatures – One of the biggest advantages of synthetic oil is that it performs better at higher temperatures, which makes it last longer than conventional oil.
• Better for Performance – Synthetic oil is ideal for high-performance racing vehicles or vehicles designed for rugged performance, because it stays cleaner for much longer. So, if you’re planning on racing or offroading near White Plains, synthetic oil is the way to go.

Can You Mix Synthetic & Conventional Oil?

If you absolutely have to, you can use a mixture of synthetic and conventional oil in your car. We don’t recommend this, though, because it removes a lot of the performance advantages of synthetic oil. If you’re able to use synthetic oil in your vehicle, we’d recommend only using that.

How Much Is a Full Synthetic Oil Change?

There is no set price for a full synthetic oil change; it depends on your vehicle and the type of synthetic oil used. Our service center near Darien can give you more details on the pricing of an oil change for your car – we can easily give you a quote if you provide us with your car’s make, model, year, and trim. 

Schedule an Oil Change at BMW of Greenwich! 

If you have any questions about synthetic oil or your vehicle’s oil change, you can always contact our office in Greenwich for more information. You can also schedule appointments online, check out our service specials, and read our service tips and tricks for other ways to keep your vehicle in top condition.