To borrow a famous slogan, just do it.

There is still some confusion about changing to a different type of oil in vehicles, particularly older models that have accumulated many miles. A small group of ill-informed individuals in garages and on blogs still cling to old beliefs that synthetic motor oils cause roller followers to “slip or skid,” or that switching to synthetic motor oil causes issues in older engines, particularly oil leaks.

Facts have since replaced these outdated ideas about synthetics causing engine problems. The use of synthetic lubricants is growing rapidly because properly formulated synthetics offer benefits well beyond what conventional and synthetic blend products can provide. Many new passenger car and light truck vehicles come factory filled with synthetic lubricants – not just high-performance sports cars.

There are a couple of ways to install AMSOIL synthetic motor oils for the first time.

• Jump right in and simply change the oil – many people do this with excellent results

• Flush the engine first – this process more immediately removes sludge and debris accumulated over time

The main difference between flushing your engine and a normal oil change to synthetics is the rate at which the built-up debris is removed from older engines. If you change to AMSOIL synthetic motor oil without flushing, accumulated debris is cleaned from the engine over subsequent oil changes. When you use AMSOIL Engine and Transmission Flush, the cleanup is more immediate and helps ensure the engine is clean and free of any accumulated contaminants.

We recommend using AMSOIL Engine and Transmission Flush if your engine has a questionable history or is known to have deposits. It’s also great insurance if you simply want to give your vehicle a fresh start. It’s exactly what I did after buying a Honda CR-V a couple years ago with 157,000 miles on the odometer. After flushing the engine, installing AMSOIL Signature Series 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil and an Ea® Oil Filter, the engine – now at 190,000 miles – has run flawlessly ever since.

Whichever procedure you use, be confident you’re putting the best product in your engine when switching to AMSOIL synthetic motor oil.

Ask Rick for AMSOIL on your next oil change!

The simple answer: Most oil manufacturers recommend changing their synthetic oils according to the service guidelines given in vehicle owner’s manuals. A few synthetic oils on the market, however, provide recommended service intervals on their back labels that are generally longer than those given in vehicle owner’s manuals. Each is different, so check the label carefully. AMSOIL Signature Series Synthetic Motor Oil, for example, protects so well motorists can use it for up to 25,000 miles/12 months (15,000 miles/12 months in severe service) if they choose.

The detailed answer: Most motorists now understand that synthetic motor oil performs better than conventional oil. It delivers improved wear protection, offers better engine cleanliness and lasts longer. Not as well understood, though, is how often you should change synthetic motor oil.

Let’s back up a few decades before answering that question.

Back in the day, it was common to change conventional oil every 3,000 miles/3 months. The practice originated in the 1960s as a way to time oil changes with the seasons. The quick lube market picked up the idea as a way to keep traffic flowing, touting it as an “insurance policy” for your engine.

Improvements in motor oil performance and engine technology have since rendered that guideline outdated. The advent of electronic oil life monitors struck a first blow. GM introduced its system in 1988, and it’s now on tens of millions of vehicles. The state of California has aggressively campaigned against changing oil every 3,000 miles, calling it wasteful. The final stake in the heart of the 3,000-mile oil change came in 2011 when Jiffy Lube, the face of the quick lube industry, abandoned the practice, advising motorists to follow the guidelines in their vehicle’s owner’s manual.

So what about synthetic oil? If it performs better, it should last even longer, correct?

The fact is, most oil manufacturers don’t recommend a service interval for their products. They generally advise you to follow the oil-change recommendation in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. I can’t speak for other oil companies, but it’s likely due to most motorists’ unwillingness to go longer between oil changes than what’s recommended in their vehicle owner’s manual. After spending $30,000 or more on a vehicle, one tends to be motivated to follow the service guidelines to avoid potential warranty headaches. More on this in a minute.

So, why spend more money on synthetic oil if it doesn’t last longer?

It’s a good idea for the following reasons:

Improved wear protection – Synthetic oils are more durable than conventional oils. They form a stronger protective film between metal components to shield against wear. AMSOIL Signature Series 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil, for example, provides 75 percent more engine protection against horsepower loss and wear than required by a leading industry standard*, extending the life of vital components like pistons and cams.

Better engine cleanliness – Synthetics’ improved resistance to heat and chemical breakdown helps guard against harmful engine deposits, so your engine remains cleaner, runs more efficiently and lasts longer. AMSOIL Signature Series scored 93 percent better for piston deposits than required to meet the latest API standard.*

Maximum extreme-temp protection – The average operating temperature of a passenger car/light truck engine has risen to 235ºF, and higher under heavy loads. Synthetic motor oils do a better job of withstanding extreme heat, while their improved fluidity in cold weather helps the oil reach components faster at startup for reliable wear protection.

Many vehicle manufacturers now require synthetic oil – Automakers understand synthetic oils help their vehicles deliver improved performance and last longer. That’s why newer Toyota, GM and European vehicles, among others, use synthetic motor oil.

Not only that, but some synthetic oils, such as AMSOIL extended-drain synthetic motor oils, protect so well you can go longer between oil changes if you choose. Many motorists want to follow the guidelines in their vehicle’s owner’s manual, and that’s fine. Lots of them still choose AMSOIL products that are capable of extending drains because they simply want maximum protection for their vehicles or the comfort of reserve protection should maintenance be delayed. Others desire the convenience of a once-a-year or twice-a-year oil change.

For these motorists, AMSOIL Signature Series Synthetic Motor Oil is guaranteed for 25,000 miles/12 months (15,000 miles/12 months in severe service). AMSOIL XL Synthetic Motor Oil is guaranteed for 10,000 miles/6 months, or longer where recommended by electronic oil life monitoring systems. They offer an outstanding combination of performance and value.

And, practicing extended drain intervals won’t void new vehicle warranties. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act protects you in these situations. Plus, the AMSOIL Limited Warranty provides an extra measure of confidence. For details, visit www.amsoil.com/warrantysecure.
*Based on independent testing of AMSOIL Signature Series 5W-30, in ASTM D7320 as required by API SN specification. 

Clean is good.  It’s good to eat with clean hands, and wise to wash (clean) your vegetables before you stew them.  We brush our teeth after meals, and floss routinely in order to keep teeth free of deposits and the build-up of plaque. Clean clothes smell fresh and make us more presentable. Clean air is fresher, and healthier, to breathe. When we get a cut or abrasion, we clean it to keep the wound from becoming infected. Clean is very good.When it comes to the cars we drive, we also value cleanliness. Dirty windshields can be dangerous, and in the winter good wipers are important for keeping visibility clear. Washing your car not only keeps it looking nice, removing the road salt will help it last longer and prevent an early retirement due to rust.  
Air filters should be changed when they’re dirty because the internal combustion engine is designed to work best when the air/fuel mixture is optimal. Fuel injectors need to be kept clean for the same reason. Deposits on fuel injectors can inhibit fuel flow, causing erratic idle, poor acceleration and hard starting. (AMSOIL has an excellent product called P.i. for cleaning injectors as well as piston deposits.) Throttle plates and valve stems also need to be clean to operate properly.  
And the inside of your engine needs to be kept clean as well.
While it is true that over the decades oil companies have made improvements in their processes and products, conventional petroleum-based oils have still not kept pace with the demands placed on them by advances in engine technology. Systems today are more interrelated, engines more sophisticated and prone to have problems because each individual component has a tendency to affect the overall operation. This is why more makes and models are factory-fill synthetic.
Engines are having greater demands put on them, especially to minimize emissions and meet CAFE requirements. As a result higher operating temperatures and tighter clearances make for some challenging lubrication specs. Turbo charging also produces more heat.  If the oil does not keep up with the sophistication of engines the result will be an increase in undesirable emissions, increased wear, and a host of engine performance problems including loss of power, poor fuel economy, and trouble starting.
Almost every car manufacturer now sells engines with variable valve timing.  The average motorist has probably never even heard of variable valve timing, but it is a critical component in the operation of a vehicle today. Almost every manufacturer has published a bulletin stating that the number one cause of that intricate variable valve timing system not working right is from small amounts of residue and sludge. In other words, cleanliness in the system is absolutely essential. 
One car dealer I know of became so exasperated with the gumming up of this component due to petroleum residue that he has changed his thinking about synthetics.  The slightly higher cost of synthetic oil far outweighs all the hassle and expense of fixing the problems caused by slushy or gummy oil remains.
A premium synthetic like AMSOIL synthetic motor oil reduces varnish, sludge, wear, ring sticking and emissions due to its ability to resist oxidation, breakdown and volatility. In fact, AMSOIL Signature Series Synthetic Motor Oil provides 75% more engine protection against horsepower loss and wear than required by a leading industry standard.* Signature Series also prevents piston deposits 93% better than required to meet the latest API standard.*
It’s not magic, it’s science. 
Keeping engines clean using AMSOIL synthetic motor oil helps them last longer.  Synthetic motor oils unquestionably reduce vehicle maintenance costs over the long haul. Find out more about purpose-built AMSOIL lubricants, designed for whatever you drive, ride or operate.
*Based on independent testing of AMSOIL Signature Series 5W-30, in ASTM D7320 as required by API SN specification.

AMSOIL products are available for sale at Rivord Repair Center