whats your favorite oil?
09-22-2010, 02:33 PM
#1
whats your favorite oil?
what is your favorite oil to put in your max? does it make a big difference to you? is there oil that you wont ever put in your max? just curios to see what people do and dont use
09-22-2010, 03:18 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Posts: 1,994
My favorite oil (which I have not used, yet) is Amsoil. I have their synthetic fluid in my manual trannie on the Max and in the front and rear differentials on my 4-wheel drive Dodge pickup truck. The Dodge came with Castrol synthetic fluid in the manual trannie and it is not yet time to change that fluid.
I am currently using up all of the Mobil 1 motor oil that I bought many years ago. When that has been all used, I will then use up the Pennzoil synthetic motor oil that I bought many years ago at an even better price than I paid for the Mobil 1. When that has all been used, I will be ready to buy some Amsoil synthetic motor oil.
Amsoil is the best, but I will use up synthetic motor oil that is not quite as good first -- given the "sunk cost" of that oil.
I am currently using up all of the Mobil 1 motor oil that I bought many years ago. When that has been all used, I will then use up the Pennzoil synthetic motor oil that I bought many years ago at an even better price than I paid for the Mobil 1. When that has all been used, I will be ready to buy some Amsoil synthetic motor oil.
Amsoil is the best, but I will use up synthetic motor oil that is not quite as good first -- given the "sunk cost" of that oil.
09-22-2010, 06:33 PM
#4
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 79
after many years of experimenting with different oils and many many oil analyses I will boldly say it does not matter so long as the oil is API SM certified and you change it regularly. blackstone labs will say the same. only thing expensive synthetics give you is extended drain intervals, maybe.
the only reason I use Maxlife is because it's the only oil I've found that quiets the slight TC tensioner rattle on cold start. if not for that I would use walmart supertech high mileage (extra detergents to keep an older engine clean) or whatever is on sale.
the only reason I use Maxlife is because it's the only oil I've found that quiets the slight TC tensioner rattle on cold start. if not for that I would use walmart supertech high mileage (extra detergents to keep an older engine clean) or whatever is on sale.
09-22-2010, 09:38 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: MN
Posts: 328
after many years of experimenting with different oils and many many oil analyses I will boldly say it does not matter so long as the oil is API SM certified and you change it regularly. blackstone labs will say the same. only thing expensive synthetics give you is extended drain intervals, maybe.
the only reason I use Maxlife is because it's the only oil I've found that quiets the slight TC tensioner rattle on cold start. if not for that I would use walmart supertech high mileage (extra detergents to keep an older engine clean) or whatever is on sale.
the only reason I use Maxlife is because it's the only oil I've found that quiets the slight TC tensioner rattle on cold start. if not for that I would use walmart supertech high mileage (extra detergents to keep an older engine clean) or whatever is on sale.
09-23-2010, 03:32 AM
#6
? Why would you do that?
You should use corn oil in the summer, and olive oil in the winter.
There. Now you've been told something else.
09-23-2010, 01:07 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Posts: 1,994
I agree. Stick with one or the other -- don't switch back and forth between dino and synthetic.
You may want to try using a slightly ligher weight oil in the winter (5W30) and a heavier weight oil in the summer (10W30). But Nissan recommends the 5W30 weight in the USA for year-round use. And in Europe, Nissan recommends 10W30 weight -- because there is not the manufacturer's incentive for a very slight improvement in EPA quoted gasoline mileage from recommending the lighter weight motor oil.
You may want to try using a slightly ligher weight oil in the winter (5W30) and a heavier weight oil in the summer (10W30). But Nissan recommends the 5W30 weight in the USA for year-round use. And in Europe, Nissan recommends 10W30 weight -- because there is not the manufacturer's incentive for a very slight improvement in EPA quoted gasoline mileage from recommending the lighter weight motor oil.
Last edited by SilverMax_04; 09-23-2010 at 11:22 PM.
09-23-2010, 04:56 PM
#8
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Central TX
Posts: 338
Parsonally, I've juast started using Mobil 1 0w-30 and I can say The engine seems to run MUCH smoother under load. Prior to that I had used Kendall Synthetic and was not as impressed.
I have heard great things about the amsoil ATF, but read mixed reviews about amsoil motor oil; some say its great, others not so much (search amsoil sludge)
So far due to my perceived benefits in mobil 1 I will probably stick with it.
I have heard great things about the amsoil ATF, but read mixed reviews about amsoil motor oil; some say its great, others not so much (search amsoil sludge)
So far due to my perceived benefits in mobil 1 I will probably stick with it.
09-24-2010, 12:22 PM
#10
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Posts: 1,994
Wrong. The 30 is the supposed reading when the oil has reached engine operating temperature. The lower number before the W is the reading when the oil is cold. Thus, the 5W is lighter than the 10W oil. I have compared them, and the 5W is lighter at room temperature.
In an engine that burns some oil, it will burn 5W30 oil faster than it will burn 10W30 oil.
In an engine that burns some oil, it will burn 5W30 oil faster than it will burn 10W30 oil.
09-28-2010, 09:56 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 6,190
Esso Extra XD-3 0w30 PAO, full synthetic. Costs about 2/3 that of Mobil and has superior UOA and VOA results according to posts on bitog.
Available in Canada at Esso bulk plants. Not sure if it is available in the US yet. WalMart was stocking 0w40. Perhaps they are stocking 0w30 now.
This oil is ideal for extended drain intervals.
I sent in a sample after 15 months and 5,000 miles and Blackstone Labs said I was good to go
Available in Canada at Esso bulk plants. Not sure if it is available in the US yet. WalMart was stocking 0w40. Perhaps they are stocking 0w30 now.
This oil is ideal for extended drain intervals.
I sent in a sample after 15 months and 5,000 miles and Blackstone Labs said I was good to go
09-28-2010, 11:16 AM
#15
valvoline maxlife 10w 40...best oil i've switched to...i am now a Valvoline believer...as i ran this in my truck with no issues and now that i have switched to this in my max, i recognize less soot on the rear bumper (as i have no cats)
09-30-2010, 02:53 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 738
While Amsoil is really the best, I do not use it due to cost. I've used Valvoline SynPower in my Maxima now and its been great for the engine and performance. Since putting in full synthetic, I do oil/filter changes every 7500 miles now so it lines up perfectly with tire rotation.
09-30-2010, 03:10 PM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Posts: 1,994
I too find that tire rotation and an oil change are best done at the same time. This is because it is much easier to change the oil filter when the right front wheel has been removed. But I have pushed both the rotation and the oil change to 10 K miles. This has been working well for me -- and I know because I have Blackstone check the oil after every change. Why do I have that lab analysis done -- because I found that the engine in my Dodge pickup truck was leaking antifreeze into the motor oil. Without this lab analysis, it would have been much longer before I found this leak. I consider this lab analysis to be a cheap insurance policy.
Last edited by SilverMax_04; 10-01-2010 at 03:15 PM.
09-30-2010, 11:47 PM
#18
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 3
Wich oil it´s better for my 96 maxima with 158,000 miles?
Hello everybody I´m just wondering wich it´s the best oil I can use on my max, it has 158,000 miles on it and run´s very well, but here´s the dilemma, I live in Mexicali Baja California and here the summer is like hell with temperatures up to 105 degrees, (but we are now on fall so the temperature is decreasing)and one problem is that the motor has a knocking noise at the first start in the morning but a friend told me that the noise is produced by the valves that are discharged maybe cause I use a thick oil (Castrol 20w-50) so, would be better if I use a 10w30 or 15w40 and the sound will dissapear?? Does the knocking noise is normal ?Do I´ve to change the valves??
Another thing it´s that I check the oil today after turn it off and I saw some bubbles in the oil, the car it´s running with the same oil of 5 months ago and the last three or four days are been with some wind and humidity so I just wanna be shure that the weather has something to be with.
I´ll be very thankful with all the help you can provide me.!!!!!
P.D. Where can I found the front lip of the 98 bumper??
I wanna make my maxima look sportier :P
Another thing it´s that I check the oil today after turn it off and I saw some bubbles in the oil, the car it´s running with the same oil of 5 months ago and the last three or four days are been with some wind and humidity so I just wanna be shure that the weather has something to be with.
I´ll be very thankful with all the help you can provide me.!!!!!
P.D. Where can I found the front lip of the 98 bumper??
I wanna make my maxima look sportier :P
10-01-2010, 03:11 PM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Posts: 1,994
Hello . . . one problem is that the motor has a knocking noise at the first start in the morning but a friend told me that the noise is produced by the valves that are discharged maybe cause I use a thick oil (Castrol 20w-50) so, would be better if I use a 10w30 or 15w40 and the sound will dissapear?? Does the knocking noise is normal ?Do I´ve to change the valves??
Another thing it´s that I check the oil today after turn it off and I saw some bubbles in the oil, the car it´s running with the same oil of 5 months ago and the last three or four days are been with some wind and humidity so I just wanna be shure that the weather has something to be with. . .
Another thing it´s that I check the oil today after turn it off and I saw some bubbles in the oil, the car it´s running with the same oil of 5 months ago and the last three or four days are been with some wind and humidity so I just wanna be shure that the weather has something to be with. . .
20W50 weight motor oil is quite thick. I suggest you go to 10W40 during the summer and 10W30 for the rest of the year. Motor oil with those weights should be enough for your Max. You don't say how frequently you change your oil, but that the current oil has been in the engine for 5 months. With Castrol non synthetic motor oil, you should not go past about 7,500 miles or one year -- which ever comes first.
Bubbles in the oil are not unusual and should not be a problem. If you take a bottle of new oil and shake it hard for a few minutes, you will see bubbles in the oil. Also, wind and humidity should not have any effect on motor oil.
Hope this helps with your problems.
Last edited by SilverMax_04; 10-01-2010 at 03:16 PM.
10-04-2010, 11:44 PM
#21
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 3
thank´s Silvermax04, well actually the noise of the valves is produced each time I start the engine after 30 minutes or an hour of turned it off, considering this problem and the mileage on it, (158,000)would be propperly to use a 10w30 ?? I change the oil ever 3 or 4 months
What you think it´s better?? Mobil 1, Castrol, or get a Nissan oil from dealership?
What you think it´s better?? Mobil 1, Castrol, or get a Nissan oil from dealership?
10-05-2010, 09:10 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Posts: 1,994
Unless you drive quite a few miles in that 3 to 4 month period, you don't need to use synthetic. The average yearly mileage in the US is 10 to 12 K per year, so, if you are like the average, you are driving no more than 4 to 5 K miles in that time period. If you want to push your OCI (oil change interval) to more miles, you could consider synthetic.
But in a worn engine, synthetic motor oil tends to slip past the worn spots in the engine and burn faster than the less slippery dino motor oil (non-synthetic). I personally think that Castrol makes the best dino motor oil. Given where you live, I will stick by my recommendation of using 10W40 in the summer and 10W30 the rest of the year.
But in a worn engine, synthetic motor oil tends to slip past the worn spots in the engine and burn faster than the less slippery dino motor oil (non-synthetic). I personally think that Castrol makes the best dino motor oil. Given where you live, I will stick by my recommendation of using 10W40 in the summer and 10W30 the rest of the year.
Last edited by SilverMax_04; 10-12-2010 at 11:49 PM.
10-05-2010, 10:13 PM
#24
until 30k used castrol gtx to break her in. (3750 mile changes)
then used M1 5w-30 until (5000 mile changes)
M1 5w-30 EP came out. (been doing 7500 mile changes with that)
one more change of that left... at 70k. (going to start 10,000 mile changes)
next i will to check out Mobil 1 0w-40
hoping to me my new oil.
then used M1 5w-30 until (5000 mile changes)
M1 5w-30 EP came out. (been doing 7500 mile changes with that)
one more change of that left... at 70k. (going to start 10,000 mile changes)
next i will to check out Mobil 1 0w-40
hoping to me my new oil.
10-09-2010, 02:56 PM
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Illinois
Posts: 399
Was using Castrol Syntec for a while...liked it......then jumped on the RP bandwagon.....didn't like the tone and feel of the engine and changed the oil out earlier than usual because I couldn't take it anymore (just seemed overtly harsh).....am now using Pennzoil Ultra Synthetic.....and it runs great in the VQ35DE.....car feels much more smooth and is noticeably quieter than when using the previous two types of oil.....since this is the first time I am trying this oil....I will post back after I send a UOA after 5k......won't be for a few months though.
Oh yeah....forgot...but I had also tried Mobil 1....didn't like it to much....got too much startup lifter noise (more than on the castrol and about equal to the RP)......very rare with the PZ ultra....
Oh yeah....forgot...but I had also tried Mobil 1....didn't like it to much....got too much startup lifter noise (more than on the castrol and about equal to the RP)......very rare with the PZ ultra....
Last edited by 2 GO B4; 10-13-2010 at 01:18 AM.
10-17-2010, 12:27 PM
#30
I love the Pennzoil Premium synthetic stuff.
I've run it in 3 Maximas and a 3.5 Altima with no issues.
I change it every 4000 miles, timing chain noise lets me know it is time, even thought the oil is at the correct level. When I change it, start-up noise from the chain goes away. (3.5 Altima)
weird thing on the two 4th gen Maxima's, the oil never seems to get dirty. On the VQ's, it does get a lot darker.
I've run it in 3 Maximas and a 3.5 Altima with no issues.
I change it every 4000 miles, timing chain noise lets me know it is time, even thought the oil is at the correct level. When I change it, start-up noise from the chain goes away. (3.5 Altima)
weird thing on the two 4th gen Maxima's, the oil never seems to get dirty. On the VQ's, it does get a lot darker.
12-03-2010, 06:45 AM
#34
Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 143
I usually just use a walmart brand synthetic. I don't think the brand really matters, it's just a question of how hard you drive...buy synthetic if your a little ricer but if your just commuting I think semi synthetic will put up to the abuse.
12-19-2010, 09:54 AM
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Illinois
Posts: 399
I love the Pennzoil Premium synthetic stuff.
I've run it in 3 Maximas and a 3.5 Altima with no issues.
I change it every 4000 miles, timing chain noise lets me know it is time, even thought the oil is at the correct level. When I change it, start-up noise from the chain goes away. (3.5 Altima)
weird thing on the two 4th gen Maxima's, the oil never seems to get dirty. On the VQ's, it does get a lot darker.
I've run it in 3 Maximas and a 3.5 Altima with no issues.
I change it every 4000 miles, timing chain noise lets me know it is time, even thought the oil is at the correct level. When I change it, start-up noise from the chain goes away. (3.5 Altima)
weird thing on the two 4th gen Maxima's, the oil never seems to get dirty. On the VQ's, it does get a lot darker.
The former is a larger filter with increased surface area
To filter with....
