Most modern engine manufacturers recommend vehicle owners to use synthetic oil for their engines since that is the type of oil that provides most protection, wear resistance and lubrication. Regular oil on the other hand, breaks down faster, does not offer as much protection and needs to be changed often.

However, switching between regular and synthetic oil will not cause any specific damage to the engine, since both are compatible with each other. It is still safer for vehicle owners to stick to the manufacturer recommended engine oil to prolong the life of the engine. 

How long can you go between oil changes with synthetic oil?

Synthetic oil is engineered to protect the engine well for longer periods and hence it does not need to be changed as often as regular or semi-synthetic oil. However, it is still important not to go too long without an engine oil change, to keep the engine healthy.

Can you go 10,000 Kilometers with synthetic engine oil?

Yes, you can go 10000 kilometers with a synthetic engine oil.
While different models have different recommended oil change intervals, also dependent on usage, generally it is recommended to change synthetic oil after 5000 to 75000 miles or 8000 to 12000 kilometers. 

The lifespan of synthetic oil is quite long, especially in vehicles that are being used properly and serviced regularly. Good quality full synthetic oil has been seen lasting even up to 15,000 miles or longer in some cases. However, this is not possible in all vehicles and therefore should not be accepted as the norm. It is best to change the synthetic oil as often as is recommended by the manufacturer. 

What are the disadvantages of synthetic engine oil?

Synthetic engine oil has been accepted in the automobile industry as the best type of oil for modern engines. It offers better protection at varying temperatures, better lubrication as well as higher resistance to corrosion, wear and tear, etc. However, the one main disadvantage of synthetic oil is its cost. Since synthetic oils are made entirely in the laboratory and go through extensive chemical processes, they are quite costly as compared to regular engine oil. Nevertheless, when compared to how often regular oil needs to be changed, synthetic oil might also prove cost efficient in the long run. 

Does synthetic oil degrade over time?

The answer is yes. Like any other type of engine oil, sythetic engine oil also degrades overtime. 

Synthetic oils are processed in the laboratory at the molecular level and are specifically engineered to be able to withstand high temperatures in the engine. This is why, unlike regular oils, the chemical composition of synthetic oil does not break down over time. This allows synthetic oil to be used for longer periods and thus extends the oil change interval for the engine. 

How often should engine oil be changed for a car that isn’t being driven much?

It is recommended that owners should change engine oil every six months or a year, even if the recommended distance limit has not been reached. This is a precaution taken to ensure that there are no other issues caused by keeping the engine oil the same for too long. 
In cars that are used only occasionally and on short trips, deciding the oil change interval can be difficult for owners. Sometimes these cars might take lots of years to reach the recommended number of miles/kilometers before the oil needs to be changed.

Does synthetic oil expire?

Yes, Synthetic Engine Oils expire. For most popular brands of oil, the expected duration of expiry is about 5 years.
There is no definite time for how long synthetic oils should last before expiring. This duration largely depends on the quality of the oil and its usage.
It is important to change engine oil before this approximate expiry date since expired oil can damage components and will no longer be able to protect the engine and perform well.