Conventional Oil Changes
If left to their own choices, most people select conventional oil for their vehicles. This type of oil often has the lowest cost, but it may not suffice for high-end vehicles or those with high mileage. Conventional oil also has various viscosities to meet the needs of multiple temperature ranges. For instance, people in warm climates may need 5W-30 oil that stands up to hot summers. Whereas, those in more moderate climates or who have cold winters may need 5W-20 or 5W-30, which will still flow well in winter.
Discuss with your Chevy dealer if your car can use conventional oil. Newer vehicles that have consistent driving patterns operate better with conventional oil than older cars of those that drive in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Conventional oil tends to oxidize sooner, requiring oil changes at three-month or 3,000-mile intervals.
Synthetic Oil Changes
If you have a high-end vehicle, your engine may require a more robust, high-performance synthetic oil. Full synthetic oils flow better in all temperatures, especially extreme cold. They also coat better in very hot temperatures and lubricate engine parts more thoroughly.
However, not all vehicles require synthetic oil because it costs much more than conventional or semi-synthetic oil. Check your owner's manual or consult with a certified technician about whether your vehicle needs the extra performance of synthetic oil. Due to their superior performance, these oils can last 10,000 miles or six months between oil changes.