Is it OK to Go 10,000 Miles with Synthetic Oil on Long Island?

It’s not recommended to drive 10,000 miles on a synthetic oil change. While some modern engines with high-quality synthetic lubricant can safely reach 10,000 miles, Long Island is a special case with a “severe service” environment.

In Suffolk County, we don’t drive in ideal conditions. The 10,000-mile interval marketed by many manufacturers is based on consistent highway cruising in a temperate climate. The reality for many Long Islanders is short trips, stop-and-go traffic, and severe weather variations throughout the year. This all puts pressure on the engine and its oil.

How Many Miles Should Synthetic Oil Last?

In perfect conditions, a high-quality synthetic oil can last 10,000 to 15,000 miles in a modern vehicle. However, for a car in Suffolk County, the best oil service interval is 5,000 to 7,500 miles.

Here’s why synthetic oil should be changed more often on Long Island:

• Long Idle Periods: If you’re stuck in traffic with your engine running, unburned fuel can seep through the piston rings and mix with the engine oil. This thins it and reduces its performance. This is also a problem if you commute regularly into NYC with extended periods of stop-and-go traffic.
• Short Trips: If your daily commute is under 10 miles (common for residents in towns like Selden, Coram, and Centereach), your engine oil might never reach its peak operating temperature. This allows moisture to stay in the oil, creating acidic sludge that reduces its lubrication performance.
• Additive Degradation: Synthetic oil has a complex chemical structure and additives, such as detergents and friction modifiers. While the oil itself doesn’t expire, the additives degrade with time. In severe driving conditions, like those common on Long Island, this happens well before the 10,000-mile mark.
  

The Risk of Pushing Your Synthetic Oil to 10,000 Miles

Running synthetic oil for 10,000 miles or longer creates a high-stress environment in your engine. The problems accumulate over time and can be costly to repair.

• If your car or truck has a turbocharger, degraded oil can cause carbon deposits in the system that will eventually cause a complete failure.
• If your car or truck uses oil pressure to drive the timing chain tensioners, the system can fail, causing stretching or catastrophic timing issues.
• Some car warranty services require oil change intervals of 5,000 miles (much lower than what manufacturers recommend). Failing to change your oil frequently could mean a loss of coverage.
• Degraded oil means more heat and friction in your engine, which puts all components at risk of early failure.

Pro Tip: Watch for Oil Service Warnings on Your Dash

Some modern vehicles use icons or messages to tell you when to change your synthetic oil. These vehicles ignore the standard mileage logic and instead track datapoints like idle time, oil temperature, oil level, and engine temperature.

Don’t delay if you see a yellow oil can warning light or a message to change the oil on your infotainment unit.

Book an Expert Synthetic Oil Service in Suffolk County

If you’re in Selden or anywhere nearby, you can get a dependable synthetic oil change service from Dee Pat’s Awsomotive. We are one of the best-rated Suffolk County auto repair shops, and are ready to provide swift service while you wait in our air-conditioned lobby with complimentary Wi-Fi.

Regular oil changes are crucial for vehicle maintenance. Talk to us today and schedule an appointment at (631) 538-4441.