Is synthetic oil worth the extra money?
Answered by Super Tire & Muffler · Updated June 19, 2026
Short answer
For most modern vehicles, yes. Synthetic oil resists heat and cold better, flows faster on cold Ohio starts, and lasts longer between changes, often 7,500 to 10,000 miles versus 3,000 to 5,000 for conventional. Many newer engines actually require it. If your owner’s manual calls for synthetic, it is not optional; if it calls for conventional, synthetic is a reasonable upgrade but not mandatory.
When synthetic clearly pays off
Synthetic earns its keep in turbocharged engines, vehicles that tow, cars that sit through cold winters, and any engine the manufacturer designed around it. The longer change interval also offsets part of the higher price.
On an older engine that has always run conventional, you can switch to synthetic at any time. The idea that you cannot is a myth.