which oil and filter for my situation?
which oil and filter for my situation?
i've had the max for about two months now and it's about time to get the oil changed.
i did some searching and read alot about synthetic and dino and some other kind and i just keep getting more and more confused. then there's the viscosity...
my main problem is that because i just got the car, i have no clue as to what kind of oil is in it now, except that it's last oil change was at one of those quick change places.
it's a 98 5spd with a little more than 124k miles. i dont do any track racing or anything, just use it to drive around town and to get to school. i probably drive it about 20 miles a day. mostly city. it doesn't burn any oil as far as i know and i haven't used auto-rx yet either.
recommendations? thanks in advance.
i did some searching and read alot about synthetic and dino and some other kind and i just keep getting more and more confused. then there's the viscosity...
my main problem is that because i just got the car, i have no clue as to what kind of oil is in it now, except that it's last oil change was at one of those quick change places.
it's a 98 5spd with a little more than 124k miles. i dont do any track racing or anything, just use it to drive around town and to get to school. i probably drive it about 20 miles a day. mostly city. it doesn't burn any oil as far as i know and i haven't used auto-rx yet either.
recommendations? thanks in advance.
Nice car, I just bought a 98 Black 5-Speed. It took me 5 months to find one in the condition I've been looking for. Best purchase I've ever made.
Most people come to find out that using synthetic has no negative affects on the engine. For example, when I bought my 95, I am sure as heck that synthetic was not used, and I decided to go with Mobile 1 when it came time for an oil change. Nothing happened to the car whatsoever. No leaks, and I would say the car ran a little smoother than it did before the oil change.
I guess just think of it like this. Use 5W30 for summer, and 10W30 for winter depending on your location. I've never really been on par with the whole viscosity of oil either. I should stop being lazy and educate myself and do a search, haha. Synthetic oil appears to be the oil of choice for Maxima users with 100K+ miles. I could be wrong, but hey, it's just what I've noticed.
Chances are, synthetic oil was not used when the oil was changed a quick oil change shop. It seems as if they use just a conventional oil to make the oil changing process as "cheap" as they usually advertise. Synthetic oil isn't necessarily cheap, nor is it crazy expensive. But, expensive enough that 4-5 quarts will easily go over the $20 mark quick oil changing places usually charge.
Also, it might be good a good routine to do a synthetic oil flush of the engine. What I mean by this is if you go with synthetic oil, do the next few oil changes within a 1000 miles of each other. That way you'll gradually flush any other type of oil out of the engine when you switch over. I read somewhere there is some sort of gradual process like this when moving to synthetic. Don't get me wrong, that isn't the exact way to do it, but it's the only part I recall. Good luck!
Most people come to find out that using synthetic has no negative affects on the engine. For example, when I bought my 95, I am sure as heck that synthetic was not used, and I decided to go with Mobile 1 when it came time for an oil change. Nothing happened to the car whatsoever. No leaks, and I would say the car ran a little smoother than it did before the oil change.
I guess just think of it like this. Use 5W30 for summer, and 10W30 for winter depending on your location. I've never really been on par with the whole viscosity of oil either. I should stop being lazy and educate myself and do a search, haha. Synthetic oil appears to be the oil of choice for Maxima users with 100K+ miles. I could be wrong, but hey, it's just what I've noticed.
Chances are, synthetic oil was not used when the oil was changed a quick oil change shop. It seems as if they use just a conventional oil to make the oil changing process as "cheap" as they usually advertise. Synthetic oil isn't necessarily cheap, nor is it crazy expensive. But, expensive enough that 4-5 quarts will easily go over the $20 mark quick oil changing places usually charge.
Also, it might be good a good routine to do a synthetic oil flush of the engine. What I mean by this is if you go with synthetic oil, do the next few oil changes within a 1000 miles of each other. That way you'll gradually flush any other type of oil out of the engine when you switch over. I read somewhere there is some sort of gradual process like this when moving to synthetic. Don't get me wrong, that isn't the exact way to do it, but it's the only part I recall. Good luck!
Last edited by tcaughey; Jul 12, 2008 at 11:30 PM.
i just read up some more on viscosity and im pretty sure its the other way around, 10w for summer and 5w or even 0w for winter if its reallly cold.
so far, i've decided on the nissan oem oil filter that was recommended in this forum on the official oil and filter thread. and i think ill also be going with mobil 1 supersyn 10w/30 then switching to 5w/30 during the winter months and back again for summer.
im pretty sure that Quick Lube (checked the oil change sticker and thats the name of the place) used one of the non synthetic oils. are there any things to look out for when switching to synthetic?
should i use a little less oil the first time around and just change it more often, say instead of 4-5 quarts i use 3 and then within 1500 miles or 2000 i do it again?
so far, i've decided on the nissan oem oil filter that was recommended in this forum on the official oil and filter thread. and i think ill also be going with mobil 1 supersyn 10w/30 then switching to 5w/30 during the winter months and back again for summer.
im pretty sure that Quick Lube (checked the oil change sticker and thats the name of the place) used one of the non synthetic oils. are there any things to look out for when switching to synthetic?
should i use a little less oil the first time around and just change it more often, say instead of 4-5 quarts i use 3 and then within 1500 miles or 2000 i do it again?
Mobil1 filter. Castrol 0w30 year round.
You are right and wrong about the oil. 5w30 year round (or 0w30 year round) but if you were determined to switch during the year, 5 winter 10 summer. the main issue diff between the 2 is viscosity difference at startup and free flowing 5w30 or Castrol 0w30 would do no damage in the summer on startup. cold 10w30 in the winter is a diff story however.
Stay away from Royal purple.
PS: the Mobile 1 is not a true synthetic, so fo the same price you may as well go to Autozone and buy the Castrol True synthetic (only the 0w30 that is marked "Made in Germany" on the back). Our cars LOVE it.
You are right and wrong about the oil. 5w30 year round (or 0w30 year round) but if you were determined to switch during the year, 5 winter 10 summer. the main issue diff between the 2 is viscosity difference at startup and free flowing 5w30 or Castrol 0w30 would do no damage in the summer on startup. cold 10w30 in the winter is a diff story however.
Stay away from Royal purple.
PS: the Mobile 1 is not a true synthetic, so fo the same price you may as well go to Autozone and buy the Castrol True synthetic (only the 0w30 that is marked "Made in Germany" on the back). Our cars LOVE it.
by running a 5w30 year round versus a 10w30 in the summer you will reap better gas mileage.
Look at most new cars, they are all running thinner oils. ford and honda use 5w20, and many manufacturers are switching to 0w* oils.
10w30 oil is not something to use in a car anymore. Hell my 87 celebrity called for 5w30, as did my 91 Blazer.
If you plan on keeping the car long term, then I would also run a full synthetic oil as well.
Look at most new cars, they are all running thinner oils. ford and honda use 5w20, and many manufacturers are switching to 0w* oils.
10w30 oil is not something to use in a car anymore. Hell my 87 celebrity called for 5w30, as did my 91 Blazer.
If you plan on keeping the car long term, then I would also run a full synthetic oil as well.
im going with the nissan oem filter because of what they said in the post about which oil and filter to use. according to it the M1 would not fit in the VQ30DE, only the VQ35DE.
taken from here:
http://forums.maxima.org/fluids-lubr...viscosity.html
Recommended Oil Filters for VQ engines, ranked in order of preference based upon my own observations:
Mobil 1 M1-105 (fits VQ35DE only)
Nissan OEM 15208-9E000 ONLY (for all VQ30DE and VQ35DE engines)
Mobil 1 M1-110 (fits both VQ engines, but bypass valve isn't as good as M1-105 filter)
Amsoil SDF-20 (fits both VQ engines)
taken from here:
http://forums.maxima.org/fluids-lubr...viscosity.html
Recommended Oil Filters for VQ engines, ranked in order of preference based upon my own observations:
Mobil 1 M1-105 (fits VQ35DE only)
Nissan OEM 15208-9E000 ONLY (for all VQ30DE and VQ35DE engines)
Mobil 1 M1-110 (fits both VQ engines, but bypass valve isn't as good as M1-105 filter)
Amsoil SDF-20 (fits both VQ engines)
Last edited by rex3001; Jul 13, 2008 at 01:05 PM.
i just got mine off a car parts site, but the dealer should have them. be careful though, they only recommended the nissan filter with part number 15208-9E000. word is they try to sell you a different one which falls far short of even the good aftermarket filters.
just make sure you get 15208-9E000. i just ordered two for like $6 each. dont forget the washers!
just make sure you get 15208-9E000. i just ordered two for like $6 each. dont forget the washers!
Quick Situation Update
alright, so i'm sticking with using the Nissan OEM recommended filters that i ordered (#15208-9E000)
and instead of just switching to synthetic im going to go with Castrol GTX 5w/30 for this change because i'll also be using Auto-RX, and they recommend not using synthetics while using the cleaner.
the only thing im not sure of now is, after the 3000 miles with the castrol gtx and auto-rx mix, should i switch over to synthetic or go with another round of castrol gtx THEN switch to synthetic after another 3000 miles.
Option A - Castrol GTX 5w/30 + Auto-RX = 3,000 miles
then switch to synthetic
Option B - Castrol GTX 5w/30 + Auto-RX = 3,000 miles
Change oil with another round of just Castrol GTX for another 3,000 miles
Switch to synthetic after having used castrol GTX for two rounds
and instead of just switching to synthetic im going to go with Castrol GTX 5w/30 for this change because i'll also be using Auto-RX, and they recommend not using synthetics while using the cleaner.
the only thing im not sure of now is, after the 3000 miles with the castrol gtx and auto-rx mix, should i switch over to synthetic or go with another round of castrol gtx THEN switch to synthetic after another 3000 miles.
Option A - Castrol GTX 5w/30 + Auto-RX = 3,000 miles
then switch to synthetic
Option B - Castrol GTX 5w/30 + Auto-RX = 3,000 miles
Change oil with another round of just Castrol GTX for another 3,000 miles
Switch to synthetic after having used castrol GTX for two rounds
do you plan to change your oil often?... say every 3000 to 4500 miles? if so, why do you want to use synthetic?
are you thinking you'll reap some performance or engine protective reward by doing so?
if you maintain your car and change the oil regularly at the manufacturer recommended interval you will realize absolutely no performance or protection benefits by using synthetics.
on the other hand if you're a street, circuit, or auto-cross racer; if your car is turbo'd or supercharged; if you typically extend your drain interval; or if you drive in some seriously nasty conditions of heat and cold (NJ summers and winters don't count as seriously nasty in the world of motor oil), then synthetics may be a benefit... primarily if the drain interval is extended.
change your oil every 3000 miles, use a high quality conventional oil and a high quailty filter and save your money.
are you thinking you'll reap some performance or engine protective reward by doing so?
if you maintain your car and change the oil regularly at the manufacturer recommended interval you will realize absolutely no performance or protection benefits by using synthetics.
on the other hand if you're a street, circuit, or auto-cross racer; if your car is turbo'd or supercharged; if you typically extend your drain interval; or if you drive in some seriously nasty conditions of heat and cold (NJ summers and winters don't count as seriously nasty in the world of motor oil), then synthetics may be a benefit... primarily if the drain interval is extended.
change your oil every 3000 miles, use a high quality conventional oil and a high quailty filter and save your money.
Last edited by Turbobink; Jul 13, 2008 at 05:37 PM.
I switched a long time ago from regular oil to blend, to full synthethic. I was on full synthetic when I was still n/a and felt like it ran better that way. Just my opinion. Mobil 1 full synth and nissan oem oil filters is all I use. I also swtiched out my gear oil for Amsoil. Oem oil filter is like $7 I think and 5 quarts of mobil 1 is like $23 at Wally world and change every 4k or so.
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