Many motor oil myths are commonly taken as truth, but how much about these myths is actually true? This post can help you uncover the real truth behind these common motor oil myths.

The Truth Behind Six Common Motor Oil Myths

If you believe everything you hear about motor oil you're probably living with a lot of false information. Motor oil myths are quite common and widely believed. To help you give your engine the best protection, get to know the truth behind six of the most common motor oil myths.

Myth: Motor Oil Should Be Changed Every 3,000 Miles

There is no universal oil change interval that all drivers can follow. How often you need to get your oil change can vary depending on a variety of factors. Your vehicle's make and model can affect how often you will need to get your oil changed as well as the conditions you drive in, the age of your car, and the type of oil you use. If you have a newer vehicle, it may even come equipped with an oil life monitor which will alert you when it's time to change your oil.

Myth: Black Oil Indicates It's Time for an Oil Change

All motor oil turns black as it performs its duties. If you notice your motor oil turning from amber to black quite quickly, this simply means your oil is taking care of its job. Since your oil is responsible for removing buildup and keeping your engine clean, it should come as no surprise that it can get quite dirty. Your oil changing colors shouldn't be taken as a sign that it's time to get an oil change or else you'll be getting oil changes quite often.

Myth: You Should Change Your Oil Before a Road Trip

If you're planning on taking your car on a road trip, an oil change may be necessary before you head out. However, this is only true if your car will be due for an oil change before your trip or during your trip. If your vehicle isn't due for an oil change until after your trip, you can hold off on getting it done until then. If you will be getting your oil changed before the trip, be sure to have it done at least a week before you leave. This will ensure you can catch any problems before you're headed out of town. If you want to give a synthetic oil a try, why not start off with AMSOIL's Signature Series Synthetic Motor Oil? This oil will not only give your engine all of the benefits of a synthetic oil, but it can also go up to 25,000 miles before it needs to be changed! Contact Synthetic Oil Inc. in La Mesa at (800) 653-0323 to get expert help finding the best synthetic oil for your engine. You can also browse their online shop for a full selection of the best AMSOIL Oil products.

Myth: Changing to a Synthetic Oil Means You're Stuck with It for Life

If you want to give synthetic oil a try but don't want to commit to it forever, you don't have to. Just like switching from conventional oil to synthetic oil is ok for your engine, so is switching from synthetic oil to conventional oil. As long as you use the correct type of oil for your engine, everything should continue to run just fine. The only thing that may stop you from returning to a conventional oil is all of the benefits of using a synthetic oil.

Myth: Synthetic Oil Causes Leaks in the Engine

Although this may have been true back in the 1970's, synthetic oils have advanced through time and no longer cause leaks. Some vehicle owners may notice leaks after switching to a synthetic oil, but these leaks aren't new. Many times, conventional oils will cause buildup around seals, helping keep leaks covered. The superior cleaning powers of a synthetic oil can remove this buildup, causing old leaks to become more noticeable.

Myth: You Can Change Your Oil and Not the Oil Filter

Although you can do this, it's not recommended. Your oil and oil filter work to remove contaminants from your engine to keep it protected. Once they're both too dirty to continue performing their jobs properly, it's time to get them changed. If you only replace the oil and not the filter, you will leave your new oil more susceptible to getting dirty at a faster rate. For the best results, it's highly recommended that you get both changed at the same time.

The Best Synthetic Oil Change in La Mesa

Now that you know the facts about motor oil, why not give your engine a full synthetic oil change? Contact the experts at Synthetic Oil Inc at (800) 653-0323 for help finding the perfect AMSOIL products for all of your engines.