My '96 has 106K miles. Is it necessary to use the special high mileage oils? Will these oils extend the life of the engine or are they just an unnecessary additional expense? Opinions please from all the oil "experts".

 

No.

Just use Castrol GTX. It's the best dino oil you can get.

 

Oil is the only protection against internal engine corrosion and damage. Synthetic oils have higher operating temperature capability and enhanced viscous properties. A synthetic oil is also laden with detergents and cleaners that wisk away particles that enter your intake and also the shavings caused by parts rubbing together. No matter what oil you use, your engine will most likely rub because it takes a second or two to pressurize and get oil to the upper portions of the engine. In cars with more mileage (and years), these parts have seen more corrosion and wear. Synthetic oils will not drain as quickly into the pan and will therefore provide better protection against already-worn parts and further wear. I prefer doing all I can to protect my car, and if it only costs me $5-10 dollars more every three months to avoid a possible few hundred $$ down the road, I will invest the money.

 

honestly - if you have high mileage....as long as you've changed oil on schedule and coolant flushes, theres no need to switch oils. (from reg to "high mileage") but syntec is good

 

Which brand of sythetic is the best "value"? And by value, I mean it has the lowest cents/mile cost. I'd like to change my oil/filter every 6000-8000 miles using the Nissan OEM filter so the synthetic oil has to hold up that long.

 

Mobil 1 or Amsoil.... I prefer Mobil 1 since it goes on sale around here a few times a year. Then I'll buy all the cases they have...


-RMB

 

I have 140k miles on mine and I use Mobil 1 full synthetic. I've been using synthetics since about 85k I think. From 5 - 80k, I used regular oil every 3000 miles.

 

if you are religious with changing your oil every 2500-3000 miles, you will be fine with dino oil. i personally lover castrol gtx. most of the synthetics on the market today have a dino blend to them. the only true synthetics are amsoil, redline, etc. companies such as mobil 1, castrol, etc. have cheaped out on their synthetic formulas in recent years.

my old accord went 185k with no problems on castrol gtx. i was also the original owner of the car. my cousins 95 maxima has gone 220k so far on dino oil (uses random oil) with no problems.

if you are religious about changing your oil, synthetic really is not necessary for an everday car.

 

Thanks guys.

 

Like most people have already mentioned, the high mileage oils are basically just marketing. With regular changes a high quality conventional works fine. If you want the best protection, choose a real full synthetic.

 

i taught switching to a full syntecic oil if you have high miles is no good because its easier for the oil to slip threw worn valves, etc and causes leaks, thats what stopped me from switching,

i have 120k now , i been using pennzoil 10w30 since i got my car with 104k , is pennzoil a good brand , as good as castrol , they cost similar prices but i was told to use pennzoil from my mechanic bc he says its better, i change my oil every 2500-3000k

 

You can give Castrol the credit for that. They created Syntec, Mobil sued them for calling it synthetic when it's not. Mobil lost. To stay in the game (Castrol's Syntec must cost less to produce than the original Mobile 1), I guess Mobil could not beat Castrol, so they had to join them.

DW

 

Cruisin55, take a look at http://www.bobistheoilguy.com This site has the most unbias and knowledgeable bunch of guys that know lubricants. Take a few hours and read the site before deciding on switching. HM oils are not that bad. The base oil is actually better then your basic dino oil.

 

True, the high mileage oils have different basestocks and that site is excellent. Just consider that a better basestock does not necessarily mean a better oil. You also have to consider the additive package blended in with the basestock as well. Castrol Syntec is a better basestock than Castrol GTX, yet analysis results have proven that GTX holds up better in actual use. So the question becomes is spending the extra money to get a high mileage worth it because of the better basestock or should the whole picture be taken into consideration?

 

hey guys, personnally, go with mobil 1 syntech....i'm at 429 000kms....still runs when like when i first bought the car, my car is a 1996 maxima se

 

would it do any good to switch to a different weight (or a straight-weight) oil, depending on seasons, mileage, etc?

 

Conventional oils: Winter 5W-30, Summer 10W-30.
Synthetic oils: Either 5W-30 or 10W-30 year round. 5W-30 will give the best fuel economy and startup protection, especially in winter.

Stay away from the straight grades.

 

Is that a typo or do you really have 420,000k on your Max? I have a '96 with 150,000 and it still runs perfect. What major repairs have you had?

Thanks.

 

yup thats not a typo, its the actual mileage, the only major repair were the brakes and AC and also the differentiel, but thats it, runs like new

 

I have learned a lot about oils, additives and filters from Bobs The Oil Guy forum. So much good information their.

Pedro

 

That is awesome! I was hoping for 300,000 but you set the bar higher. I have a dent in the right front fender I wasn't going to fix but I am now cause I plan to have it a long time.

 

I personally have been using RedLine oil for about 10 years i started using it in my stang 5.0's it is without a doubt the best synthetic oil on the market I buy it from S/K Speed here in LI New York.My 99 SE runs like a champ with it.But i here alot of people swear by Amsoil anybody have any expieriance with it is it any good?

 

good luck dude! MOBIL 1 !! hehe

 

where is sk speed exactly, do they have redline tranny fluid, u have their #?

 

They are on Sunrise Highway in Rocville Centre the # is 516-766-2225 they carry a full line of Redline oils, Tranny fluid,power steering fluid,gear oil/ETC they have another location in Lindenhurst on route 109 where they have a machine shop and also a manual tranny shop.

 

Yes, it's very good. Both Amsoil and Redline are the top oils out there. Which one is better depends on your particualr priorities, whether it be wear protection or maximum power to the ground. It's the same thing as people who argue whether Ford or Chevy trucks is better.