kapesports

What do you guys use ?? I usually go to a dealer but I figure I can do it and put synthetic oil instead of the regular oil ? not sure where to start ...

04SEelite

Castrol GTX 10w30 is my preferred and I usually pay extra at the dealer for it...

NismoMax80

iTrader: (6)

you pay extra for it? I bought a few gallons for 6.xx each on sale for GTX. hope I can wait 20k miles to switch to Mobil 1. I thought we were supposed to use 5W30? I get GTX with the white cap.

tko507

Took my car to Mission Hills Nissan, Mission Hills, CA for oil & filter change. Used their coupon and the total is only $19.02 plus they washed the car. Where can you get an oil change that cheap.

NismoMax80

iTrader: (6)

at my house. $7 GTX $5 oem filter. plus an hour of my time and gas $ saved.

viguera

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the tip. I'll drive over to your house with $12 next time I need an oil change. What did you say the address was?

NismoMax80

iTrader: (6)

no problem, we can have an oil change meet. but I doubt the 4 hour drive would be worth it.

viguera

iTrader: (1)

Mess around and you'll see... you own a Maxima... you know how it works. You'll drive 150 miles to get tacos just because.

Go start the "Oil change Meet at Nismo's" thread and you'll see... you'll have a driveway full of cars before you know it. I'll bring the hot dogs, btw...

RaTgoesMaX

Castrol GTX 5w-30 and Nissan Filter number 9E000. It is the one for the 4 cyl Altima and I use it because the volume is slightly larger and it fits like a glove. I figure I`m getting more filtration and the price is the same.

Burny

It takes you an hour to change the oil. I done and cleaned up in 20 minutes.

Monotaur

Yeah, we are supposed to use 5W30... My dealer will give anyone who buys a car from them free oil changes (you just buy the filter...) and they give you their dyna oil... however, I've started to bring in my own oil (Mobile 1's "For newer engines").

The last time I brought my care in the for the 15K mile maintenance (which they did not replace the in cabin microfilter...), it took them 10 hours... I dropped the car off at 8AM and I hadn't heard anything back from them by 4:30 (close to quittin' time)... so I gave them a call and "Oh, I see it's being pulled in right now.. sorry, we were pretty busy today. Shouldn't be more than 45 minutes"... So, I called back at 5:20... "Oh, it's almost done... 20 or 30 more minutes". Finally, at 6PM I get my car back...

Atleast they knocked off $5 for taking so long...

licnyc

The best thing one can do is to change the oil on there MAX. Reason being is if you are one of those people that can kiss there steering wheel because of what this MAX is, the enjoyment from your ride. Take the time to look under your ride. See whats shes all about! Thats the time to see if she needs underneath maintence. Oil castrol 5w 30w start up or regular castrol is just fine. Save your receipts for (nissan) oil and filter for warranty. But nothing like taking care of your baby doing your own mantenance. This is the time of the year to check tire pressure....>>>>

3.5 Lover

Does anyone know when its safe to change to Synthetic Oil? I hear different stories from everyone. I know in Germany the German cars come from the factory with Synthetic. I had a Saab in Germany in 1988 and it had Synthetic oil in it. They have a break-in version that you have to change at about 500 miles then they put the good stuff in. How about our cars?

Monotaur

I've been using synthetic for a while now - according to Mobil 1, you don't have to wait a certain period of time before switching... although I waited a few thousand miles before switching (I think it was about 8K).

3.5 Lover

When I go for my first oil change I will try the synthetic. I only have 600 miles on my car now.

Monotaur

According to the first item from http://www.mobil1.com/why/myths.jsp this should be just fine.

3.5 Lover

Monotaur; thanks, this link is a big help. I am going to switch to synthetic in my Acura Legend as well. I guess I can change every 5000 instead of every 3000 with synthetic oil and be safe.

rmb

It's an old wive's tale.

You can change anytime. Follow the manufacturer's directions for the initial oil fill change interval and then use whatever synthetic you want. Mobil 1 every 5k with a filter change will get you 200k+ out of the max motors.

lightonthehill

Well, things are going too smoothly on this thread. Time for the usual 'slap in the face' from the official maxima.org wet dishrag.

Mobil 1 folks naturally tell us it is fine to put their expensive product in anything, anytime. And the truth is that doing so won't really hurt your engine.

BUT

Nissan engineers say synthetic oils are so good they prevent new engines from applying the small amount of wear necessary for properly seating of rings and other parts. As a result, an engine which uses synthetic oil during the 'breakin' period is (despite what Mobil 1 folks say) not usually properly broken in, and will often not perform quite as efficiently as an engine that has been properly broken in with dyno oil.

WHO IS RIGHT?

I lean to Nissan's view, but see no real harm if one wants to waste money on synthetic oil from day one. Why do I say synthetic oil from day one is a waste?

BECAUSE -

The purpose of oil is both to lubricate, and to hold impurities in suspension until they can be drained from the car. In truth, with a new engine, dyno oil could probably do a good job of lubricating for 20 or 30 thousand miles, and synthetic for probably over 100 thousand miles. But the impurities being held in suspension gradually build to a point where they do damage to the engine if not removed.

SO -

No matter which oil is used, it should be replaced at the normal oil change time (even the Mobil 1 'promo' says that). Not because the oil has worn out, but because it is holding impurities that should be removed from the car.

FINALLY -

Nissan engineers suggest 20 thousand miles as a good time to switch to synthetic oil. For those 'in a hurry' to switch, I feel 10 thousand miles (even 7500 miles) would probably be just as good a time to switch.

Synthetic oils make the biggest difference in an engine that has lots of miles on it. I usually switch to synthetic at between 50 thousand and 70 thousand miles, and continue using it as long as I own the car (sometimes over 200 thousand miles).

CRUNCH . . SPLAT -

That was the sound of my soap box collapsing under the duress of my oration, and the sound of the first ripe tomato landing on my ear, doubtlessly thrown by a 'synthetic-or-die' Maxima driver . . . time to duck and run.

NismoMax80

iTrader: (6)

Light, maybe u should copy and save this for everytime a newbie needs "enknowledged" (if not made a sticky by a mod).

FCarp

Hello - new member here.

How does everyone change the filter on their car without a lift given the location down near the passenger wheel?

Thanks in advance.

SkItZoSkAmZ

I use synthetic.....It lasts longer with less viscocity and breakdown.

NismoMax80

iTrader: (6)

uh, Viscosity is the thickness: 10W30 is 10W30 no matter what.


use a jack or ramps.