Hi. I'm kind of new to the Maxima (12/8/00) and wondering when is the correct time to have the first oil change done in my 2001 SE. I have 3050 miles on it and was under the impression that waiting until about 3750 miles was ok, or perhaps even longer. I've also heard that the first change should be around the first 3000 miles. Any suggestions would be real helpful. Thanks...

 

The Owner's Manuel recommends that you do an oil change every 3,750 miles, but I do all of mine at 3,000 mile intervals.

 

Why should the first one be any different right? Most manuals on any car suggest that the first 1000 miles is the break-in period. So if it's triple that, the engine should be well lubed and set to go to have new oil dropped in it. That's what I think and have changed at 3000 mile intervals on all my new cars, including the first 3000.

 

Ok, thanks! I was thinking the same sort of thing about changing it at 3000 mark. I was letting my non-max friends tell me that the first change after the break-in should be a long one, and just wondered what everyone here thought. Thanks again!

 

I changed the first time at 5,000mile mark. Next was at the 11,500mile mark. I'm at 13,900miles right now so I'm gonna go until 15,000miles before I change it again.

If you look in your Maintanance booklet, It will tell you what Nissan recommends.

schedule 1 every 3,750miles: stop-go traffic, cold starts, show trips, ect...

schedule 2 every 7,500miles: highway, long trips, ect...

If you read MotorTrend or Car and Driver long-term wrap-ups, most of the cars they have require 7,500mile oil changes and thats what they follow.

I only wish our MAXIMA's have BMW's idiot-proof Oil change indicator which monitors engine speed, weather, cold starts, driving style ect.. Car and Driver actually got their long-term 328i through 18,000miles before the light came on and it had its first oil change.

 

Ill have to fully agree with you. Thats exactly how Nissn puts it, and thats how our shop handles it.

 

Wow, the BMW thing sounds pretty interesting. I guess it helps you to get the 'Max' life out of your oil...

 

My wifes Z3 has the same idiot lights and they are not much help. We followed them and by the time we got it to the dealer (when they came on - approx 12,000 miles) I was told that the oil levels were dangerously low. So now, light or no light every 3000 I have the car's oil changed. Going to do the same for my new max.

 

I don't think 3K can hurt you any. I know when they assemble your engine there is some special lubricant that they line the surfaces with (it's red and I can think of the name right now). It is mainly to keep everything running smooth until all the parts break in. I agree , that at 3000 miles your engine should be well ready for a lube. The process of changing your oil (especially your first oil change) cleans a lot of contaminents out. So go ahead..have it changed.

 

The oil change light doesn't mean you should never check the oil! Obviously the car cannot tell how much oil it has until you are too low, and the oil pressure light comes on, and well, then you're screwed.

BTW everyone, 3000 miles oil changes are not necessary. They won't hurt the car, but unless you beat the car day in and day out, changing the oil at 4000-5000 mile intervals is perfectly fine.

 

Thanks for everyone's help! I had the dealer change the oil and filter yesterday over lunch. I realize I could do this myself, however the first change was free and I was feeling kind of lazy. Next time I'll do it myself and probably switch to Mobil 1 instead of just regular oil. Why? My friend has a 2000 Eclipse that I have to keep beating up on... He's been making some mods, so I guess I need to start here soon too before I fall behind...

 

But, as the other posts point out, it does not track oil levels.

One of the (main) reasons for the lights is that BMW now includes free oil changes for the first 3 years, so this limits the amount they have to pay dealers for routine oil changes. It drives most BMW owners nuts - as they would prefer to have the oil changed sooner.