You can switch back and forth between conventional, semi-synthetic, and full synthetic as much and as often as you wish. The "once you switch to synthetic you can never return" ultimatum is a myth. While some synthetic oils do contain special detergents and additives to maximize performance, none of them are capable of altering the molecular composition of your engine to require it to continue to need synthetic oil forever. They simply lubricate your engine, and lubricate much longer and more efficiently than conventional oils.
Synthetic motor oils are fully compatible with all petroleum motor oils, and there is no danger in mixing the two. Essentially, that is exactly what synthetic blend or semi-synthetic oils are, a mixture of full synthetic and petroleum oils. Mixing with petroleum oil, however, is not recommended as a general practice. Performance and long drain intervals will be sacrificed, defeating the advantages of full synthetic oils.
It is a common misconception that changing to a full synthetic oil will cause the engine to leak. In modern vehicles, there is no risk of full synthetic motor oil leaking. In fact, most synthetic motor oils are fully compatible with modern seal materials. AMSOIL, in particular, is properly formulated to condition seals, keeping them pliable to prevent leakage.
Another common misconception is that changing to a full synthetic oil will clean and loosen sludge from the engine and cause it to plug the filter and passageways. This too, is false. Switching from petroleum oil to full synthetic oil in routinely maintained vehicles will not cause clogged oil filters or passageways, regardless of mileage. Sludge, which is caused by poor quality oil and neglected maintenance practices, would have to be present in significant amounts to plug oil filters and passageways. If this excessive amount of sludge is present in an engine, it is just a matter of time before oil filters and passageways clog, regardless of the installation of synthetics.
There are no special procedures for changing from conventional oil to full synthetic oil, but as a precaution in older vehicles or those with high mileage, it may be advisable to use an engine flush first. This will ensure that the engine is clean and free of any accumulated contaminants which might have an effect on the service life of synthetic motor oils.
Synthetic oil is the best choice for any vehicle in the long run. While they will cost more at the time of your oil change, they will save you more money over the service life of your vehicle.
For example, over the course of 25,000 miles, the cost of regular dinosaur oil with a drain interval of 3000 miles will require at least 5 quarts and a filter per oil change, for 25,000 miles you will need 40 quarts and 8 filters, this comes to a total of about $168.00 (40 quarts @ $3.00, 8 filters @ $6.00).
For the same vehicle using top-of-the-line AMSOIL 100% Synthetic Oil with a drain interval of 25,000 miles in conjunction with an AMSOIL Absolute Efficiency oil filter, you will need 5 quarts and 1 filter, this comes to a total of about $59.75 (5 quarts @ $8.75, 1 filter @ $16.00).
You would save $108.25 over conventional oil by using AMSOIL premium synthetic oil. This, along with the benefits of better wear protection, lower engine temperatures, improved fuel efficiency and easier cold-weather starts. All of these benefits add up to reduced operating costs and longer engine life.
More info is available at our website's FAQ section:
http://www.gforcesynthetics.com/FAQs.html
Small question about fully synthetic oil?
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