# Is it safe? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** matrix, toyota\ **Created:** [June 4, 2010, 6:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-it-safe/49842 "2010-06-04T18:39:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Impala69](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ebca7d/32.png) [@Impala69](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Impala69)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2010, 6:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-it-safe/49842/1 "2010-06-04T18:39:24Z")
Is it safe to switch back and forth between conventional oil and synthetic. I change my oil every 6 months and thinking of switching to synthetic. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2010, 6:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-it-safe/49842/2 "2010-06-04T18:42:13Z")
Sure you can. You can switch back and forth all you want. Afterall, they make synthetic blended oils. Part synthetic oil, part regular oil. Tester ---
**Author:** ![ignoramus9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/d07c76/32.png) [@ignoramus9](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ignoramus9)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2010, 6:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-it-safe/49842/3 "2010-06-04T18:44:36Z")
Is it safe? Hmm, I admit I dont know, but my old dad told me that you should not mix these oils, say add a quart of one to a crankcase filled with the other. If it was me, I would look for a way to flush the old oil before I added a new type. While it is true you can get multi blend oils, these are formulated oils, not random mixes. But what do I know, I am just a shade tree guy not an expert. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2010, 7:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-it-safe/49842/4 "2010-06-04T19:41:03Z")
It is safe if your car’s manufacturer has not specified the use of synthetic. You change your oil every 6 months… How many miles is that? Why do you want to change back and forth? ---
**Author:** ![Impala69](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ebca7d/32.png) [@Impala69](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Impala69)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2010, 8:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-it-safe/49842/5 "2010-06-04T20:55:10Z")
That’s what the schedule calls for 6 months or 5K miles whichever comes first. Because I was thinking of just going synthetic in summer time. ---
**Author:** ![lenjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f475e1/32.png) [@lenjack](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lenjack)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2010, 9:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-it-safe/49842/6 "2010-06-04T21:06:50Z")
Absolutely safe. you can change back and forth as much as you want with no problems. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2010, 9:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-it-safe/49842/7 "2010-06-04T21:09:19Z")
It is completely, absolutely, and totally safe. The two are totally compatible. They are chemically the same except that synthetic is a bit more pure and has more consistant molecular size…allegedly. [www.carbibles.com](http://www.carbibles.com) has a good primer on oils. I recommend a visit. ---
**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2010, 9:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-it-safe/49842/8 "2010-06-04T21:58:21Z")
I would be more likely to use the synthetic in the WINTER, unless you live in the South. The great value of synthetic is its extremely low pour point, like -45F, and that it provides full lubrication very quickly on cold mornings. Many companies in the North (Alaska, etc) have standardized on Mobil 1. ---
**Author:** ![Impala69](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ebca7d/32.png) [@Impala69](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Impala69)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2010, 10:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-it-safe/49842/9 "2010-06-04T22:14:03Z")
Good point. I may just do that. ---
**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2010, 11:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-it-safe/49842/10 "2010-06-04T23:28:59Z")
Yes. Change with what you please as long as it meets spec. For a matrix any modern bottle will.