What to Expect with a Synthetic Oil Change

A synthetic oil change is essentially the same as a traditional oil change, in the sense that it drains the old fluid and replaces with new, except it isn't needed as often as traditional oils had to be replaced. The obvious advantage is that it's less maintenance which needs to be routinely conducted, but it does become more important to take care of it according to schedule because of the amount of time which passes between oil changes. The oil needs to be inspected for debris or condensation which might indicate a problem within the system. A further consideration is the oil filter needs to be replaced with one which is appropriate for the higher mileage it is expected to perform at.

Why Synthetic Oil Needs to Be Changed

The most basic reason for oil changes is that oil breaks down on a molecular level over time, especially considering heats and cools every time the vehicle is started and stopped. There's also an issue with debris building up in the oil, as even though it lubricates the internal moving parts of the engine, they can leave tiny metal flakes in the oil which impedes its efficiency. If a gasket was improperly placed, it can break off and foul the oil, as can excess gasket sealer (essentially the glue that holds the gasket in place and fills any remaining gaps between the parts being sealed) potentially get into the oil supply. Because it isn't a perfectly sealed system, condensation can build up in the oil reservoir, which contradicts what the oil is meant to do for the engine.

What Happens when Synthetic Oil Isn't Changed

In most cases, there won't be any immediate visible effects if an oil change is skipped. It will eventually lead to the vehicle having a shorter lifespan than expected. It's important to remember as well, the oil change process gives a professional technician the opportunity to look at the engine and inspect the oil, possibly noting signs of potential problems and correcting them before major repairs are needed. The bottom line without a deeper explanation is simply how the car was designed to have routine oil changes and won't perform well without them.