Originally Posted by sjtech

Based on the fact that you, in your own words you drive "like a granny", which can cause more varnish build up than usualy. one thing I would recomend would be to take your car on the highway once a week and drive it hard, really put it through it's paces. Before doing this it would be advisable toswitch to a thicker oil (given the climate you described 5W30 would provide adiquate protction, while being thin enough to have a reasonable fuel economy and starting characteristics)

Originally Posted by Br0nz

0-w30 may break down faster because it has to be a 0 weight and a 30 weight in different aspects. however being that it has the w30 at the end means it is what the vq30 wants. now 0-w20 is 20 weight that would explain the issues.

personally i run mobil one 15k gold cap 5-w30 before choosing this oil i read the (cant remeber what it's called? white papers?) and it has the lowest flow point of any 5-w30 i could find. I feel this is good enough as when the vq30 was designed they did not have such high spec oil.

I am sure i am overkill even tho its 15k oil i change it @ 5k. I am **** but in my opinion oil is the #1 most important thing i can do to keep my baby runing for as long as possible.

That said i live in connecticut, i very rarley see neg temps. if i did i would use a block heater!(infact i almost added one this winter as it has been harsh)

Originally Posted by Bobo

I did not state that I drive like a granny. I said that I let the engine warm upfor 1 minute and then drive off like a granny. What I meant is until the car is warmed up. I also stated that I get the car out on the freeway once a week. I also stated that I am running AutoRX on a maintenance basis and used AutoRX before I switched to synthetic ol 5 years ago. It was a 3,000 mile process.

I have absolutely no engine varnish.

Originally Posted by NmexMAX

You'd be proud of me. My 03 has seen less road time in the past 2 years than ever. I'd say I've put on maybe 8.5k miles/year in that time.