Had my new (to me) 2011 LR2 with I6 engine in at the dealer for an inspection and oil change. I was told that it was not necessary to use synthetic oil. Their recommendation was to use conventional 5w30 and change every 7500 miles. What are your thoughts?

 

Change fluid more often than 7500.

 

How hot is it where you live?
As for oil changes, every 3000 to 4000 miles on regular oil and every 5000 to 7500 on synthetic. Along with a good filter like a Mobil1 or a K&N oil filter.

 

It can hover around 100 degrees in mid summer. So from what I'm understanding change conventional oil at lower cost more often or change synthetic oil at more cost less often, which I suppose is a wash.

 

Regardless of type of oil, there will be a quantity of swarf (microscopic metal pieces) inside the motor, circulating in the oil. Acting like liquid sand paper.

Leave the oil in longer, and that quantity has longer to grind away. Change fluid more often, and most of it is removed, and must start building up again. This material is so small it passes the filter.

 

Thanks buzz...that's kinda what my gut has been telling me. If I'm going to change oil often, there's not much to justify the added cost of synthetic.

 

Yes; Td5 Defender has the conventional filter plus a centrifugal filter which takes out the realy tiny particle which pass through the cannister filter.
They use this to justify 12-month oil changes, but I would never trust that; every 6 months for me.