01BLKMaximaSE

I will be changing my oil on my 2k2 for my first time. What oil is recommended and how much? Is it worth doing it myself or should I take it somewhere?

Tanman

Switch to Amsoil synthetic. Check with Highlander or RussMaxManiac on this forum for good prices. Have you ever changed your oil yourself? If not, maybe let a shop do it. You'll maybe want an engine flush and definitely special filters if you go to synthetic. As for how much, read the owner's manual.

RTPMax

I just had my oil changed for the first time yesterday. I took it to the dealer for the first time and watched them change it so I could get a better grasp on where everything was. Apparently, Nissan tries to make you go to the dealer by having Gorilla's tighten them at the factory, so it may be helpful to have someone else do it for the first time. From now on, I'm doing it myself, though there's really no reason you couldn't do it yourself from the get-go.

If you do a search on "oil AND filter" under the General Maxima Discussion forum, you'll see a very long history of threads dedicated to this subject. After spending 4 hours reading over the weekend, I've come to the conclusion that Mobil 1 is probably the best "semi-synthetic" oil, based on recent formula changes, you can by at a store. I put in 4.25Q of 5W-30 with a M1-108 filter from Mobil 1 at 3000 miles. When I get to 10,000 miles, I'm switching to Amsoil's fully synthetic 5W-30 with the SDF-13 filter and am going to start changing my filter every 6mo(or 12,500mi) and chaning my oil every 12mo(or 25,000mi). If you plan on racing your car, your oil requirements may be different, but you can read the previous threads mentioned above for different oil thicknesses and changing patterns.

BTW, I drive my car a lot on the highway with little racing(for now), so the 5W-30 is what I've found best.

karguy

I would like to second the recommendation to switch to sunthetics. I converted 5 cars about 11 months ago and the results have been excellent. I put AMSOIL 0W-30 in all 5 and are using AMSOIL oil filters I have had no oil leak or consumption problems. I changed from AMSOIL to Baldwin oil filter (AMSOIL filter is made by Baldwin)and the Baldwin filter only costs $5.00. I will be doing oil analysis on all 5 cars when I change oil. I will submit oil analysis results to Forum. Also I have seen several write ups on how to change engine oil so just do a search.
Be well!!!!

RTPMax

Where's the best place to get the Baldwin filters?

bill99gxe

iTrader: (1)

Music to my ears

bill99gxe

iTrader: (1)

Please use the SDF-36 filter instead of the SDF-13. It's about $2 cheaper and is a bigger filter.

RTPMax

Forgot to mention, it has also been rumored that the XL-7500 formula for Amsoil has succumbed to the recent changes in what can be truly classified as "synthetic." There is still the SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil and the Series 2000 0W-30(which Amsoil states can take the place of 5W or 10W-30 oil requirements).

Can anyone comment on the composition of the Amsoil SAE 5W-30 and the Series 2000 0W-30, with respect to both being suitable options as a fully synthetic oil???

iwannabmw

iTrader: (3)

You forgot me

RTPMax

Bill, I remember seeing concerns about oil pressure when using a bigger filter. Should we still be concerned with that or just use the biggest filter that fits in the space?

karguy

I went to their website, got an 800 number and called them. They told me of many dealers located in Charlotte. I am sure they do the same for you.
Be well!!!!

bill99gxe

iTrader: (1)

It's not that big of a difference, maybe a quarter of a quart of oil more is needed. The SDF-36 fits on VQ30s, but is unknown on VQ35s.....

Mark S.

01BLKMaximaSE, I just did mine recently and I can tell that there is no substitute in doing it yourself. At least you'll know that you did it right (i.e. put in the oil yourself, torqued the drain plug correctly, and properly hand-tightened the oil filter). I will tell you that removing the drain plug and factory oil filter for the first time will be a bit tough since they must use a gorilla at the plant to put them in. I had to use the "Persuader" (oil filter pliers) to get the filter off. And the drain plug was a bit tough, but I used a 14mm socket wrench to get it off...had to tap the handle in order to loosen the plug. Other than that, it went smooth like any other filter change. Be sure to pick up the Nissan filter 15208-65F00 and also a copper crush ring (for the drain plug). The filter I removed was 15208-65F01, but I checked with the dealer and the 65F00 and 65F01 work interchangeably (they are small filters and it's easier to work with since that darn splash shield is a bit in the way while removing and replacing the oil filter). Good luck on your oil change. Oh, I did drain about 4.25 quarts of oil (including the small bit oil in the filter)...I measured it. So I put in 4.25 qts of oil just like the manual recommends.
P.S. I used 5W-30 Pennzoil...use whatever you like.

woreyah

Mobil 1 synthetic 5W-30. That oil is so nice and clean.

redfly17

hmmm would it be all right to mix grades of oil?? like 4 quarts of 10w-30 with a half a quart of 10w-30. Both synthetic but also different brands???

Mikes2K2SE

Maybe I missunderstood but RTPMAX you said that you were going to "chage your filter every 6mo(12,500 miles) and change your oil every 12mo(25,000 miles)"???
I hope that was a misprint on your part because I dont care what kind of oil you use I would never wait 25,000 miles to change it. I work in a service dept and I could tell you some horror stories about people who go to long before changing their oil. Synthetic or not I would and do change my oil every 3,000 mile, no questions, and I use mobile one oil in all my cars.
just my 2 cents

Virus

iTrader: (1)

I changed my Honda Civic's oil with Amsoil 0-30 which states 35,000 or 1 year whichever comes first, every 25,000 miles. I changed the filter every 10,000 miles. I sold the car to a Honda mechanic who tore the engine apart after me telling him my oil change intervals. The car had 200,000 miles on it. He now uses Amsoil religiously!

Virus

iTrader: (1)

I would however change the filter at least every 7k to 7500 since the size of the filter on the Max is so small.

karguy

Hey Virus I've got a soul mate. I converted 5 of our cars to AMSOIL
0W-30 about 11 months ago. I change oil filters every 6 months and oil on a yearly or 25,000 miles basis. I plan on doing oil analysis at every oil change. I originally used the AMSOIL SDF oil filters but have switched to Baldwin (they make AMSOIL oil filters) at half the price. Switched 97 Maxima GLE to AMSOIL ATF with awesome results and also installed AMSOIL 2 Stage Air Filter on 97 GLE and 98 Civic EX Coupe. Extremely pleased with AMSOIL products. Oh yeah, I also run AMSOIL 0W40 in my John Deere Mower and Mclane Edger. I plan on swiching to their Synthetic 2 cycle oil as soon as I use up my
dino 2 cycle oil. You are the only person on the forum that I know of who is using 0W30 besides myself. Have a safe and happy 4th of July!
Be well!!!!

Virus

iTrader: (1)

I just bought a case of the 5-30 from Highlander. Next year I may switch to the 0-30 again. I'll be switching the ATF by 9-10k miles. I've always bought the 2 stage air cleaner, but this time around I went with K&N. What can I say, I fell for the hype. The Amsoil air filter do an awesome job at keeping out the dirt. I noticed quite a bit more dirt and large debris built up before the filter which I never had on paper filters. What I was disappointed with is it's durability. After just a few cleanings you can see pieces of the foam in the sink. Maybe it's just in my head, but I notice a difference when using Amsoil over any other synthetic. I've tried a good bunch.

iwannabmw

iTrader: (3)

iwannabmw

iTrader: (3)

2 Questions

1. Have you ever heard of Amsoil? If not, please visit my webiste at http://www.mdvsynthetics.com

2. Have you seen the analysis results?
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....hreadid=100060

Highlander

That's just the kind of feedback we like to hear!!!