WASHINGTON, D. C. (Tuesday, June 6, 2017) –– Is it every 3,000 miles? Or is it every 5,000-7,000 miles, or as many as 10,000? Many motorists are totally confused about oil changes even though motor oils are more advanced then they have ever been. Now many vehicle owners are grappling with which is better for their wallets and engines, synthetic oil or conventional oil? Making an informed choice about oil changes just got easier, thanks to new research on the quality of engine oil, advises AAA Mid-Atlantic. In fact, AAA found that synthetic oil outperformed conventional oil by an average of nearly 50 percent in its independent evaluation, offering vehicles significantly better engine protection for only $5 more per month when following a factory-recommended oil change schedule.

While AAA recommends that all drivers consider upgrading to synthetic oil, it is especially beneficial for vehicles that operate in extreme conditions, including towing, driving in stop-and-go traffic or operating in very hot or cold temperatures.

“For drivers looking to extend the life of their vehicles, or operate their vehicles in extreme conditions, the use of synthetic engine oil can result in less engine wear and protect engine components as the testing reveals,” said James Spires, Regional Director of AAA Mid-Atlantic Car Care Centers. “While only a limited number of vehicles specifically require synthetic oil, all vehicles can benefit from using synthetic oil.”

“It is axiomatic: regular oil changes are your best investment toward the longevity of your engine,” Spires added. To protect vehicle engines, particularly those that operate in extreme conditions, AAA urges drivers to consider a switch to synthetic oil at their next oil change service.

 “Oil protects critical engine components from damage and AAA found that synthetic engine oils performed an average of 47 percent better than conventional oils in a variety of industry-standard tests,” said John Nielsen, AAA’s managing director of Automotive Engineering and Repair. “With its superior resistance to deterioration, AAA’s findings indicate that synthetic oil is particularly beneficial to newer vehicles with turbo-charged engines and for vehicles that frequently drive in stop-and-go traffic, tow heavy loads or operate in extreme hot or cold conditions.”

At an oil change service, many drivers are offered a choice between conventional or synthetic oil. However, in a companion AAA nationwide survey of U.S. drivers, 44 percent said they are either unsure (27 percent) or do not believe (17 percent) that the more expensive synthetic oil is better for a vehicle’s engine. Reasons cited for regularly choosing the cheaper, conventional oil include feeling that synthetic oil is too expensive, offers no benefit, that the upgrade to synthetic oil is an unnecessary up-sell by a repair facility, or they are simply not offered the choice.

Switching from a conventional oil to a synthetic oil will cost the average driver $64 more per year, or an extra $5.33 per month. A survey of AAA’s Approved Auto Repair facilities reveals that the average cost of a conventional oil change is $38, while a synthetic oil change is $70. For those that change their vehicle’s oil themselves, the average cost of 5 quarts of conventional oil is approximately $28, while synthetic oil is $45. AAA’s survey also shows that a vast majority (83 percent) of service professionals select synthetic oil for their personal vehicles.

“It’s understandable that drivers may be skeptical of any service that is nearly twice the cost of the alternative,” continued Nielsen. “While a manufacturer-approved conventional oil will not harm a vehicle’s engine, the extra $30 per oil change could actually save money in the long run by protecting critical engine components over time.”

The hesitation to select a synthetic oil may stem from Americans’ distrust of repair facilities. Another recent AAA survey found that two-thirds of U.S. drivers do not trust repair facilities, with most citing concern over the recommendation of unnecessary services. Motorists are advised to have their oil and filters changed by a trusted repair shop, such as one of the more than 7,000 AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities across North America or the more than 20 AAA Car Care Centers throughout the mid-Atlantic region.  To locate a AAA Approved Auto Repair (AAR) shop in your area, visit AAA.com/AutoRepair.

AAA’s engine oil research focused on eight industry-standard ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) tests to evaluate the quality of both synthetic and conventional engine oils in terms of shear stability, deposit formation, volatility, cold-temperature pumpability, oxidation resistance and oxidation-induced rheological changes. At the time of testing, all tested oils were licensed by the American Petroleum Institute and advertised to meet the International Lubricants Standardization and Approval Committee’s GF-5 specifications. When selecting an oil, it is critical to reference the vehicle’s owner’s manual to ensure that the oil meets the exact specifications for that particular engine. AAA’s full research report, fact sheet and additional supporting materials can be found at NewsRoom.AAA.com.

Here is a roll call of AAA owned and operated Car Care Centers in the Great Washington area.

AAA Car Care Insurance & Travel Center Locations in the Washington Metro Area

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AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 57 million members nationwide and nearly 78,000 members in the District of Columbia.  AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years.  The not-for-profit, fully tax-paying member organization works on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. For more information, visit  https://aaa.com