6th Generation Maxima (2004-2008) Discussion of the 6th generation Maxima. Come see what others are saying.

Oil change interval

Old Apr 30, 2011 | 10:04 AM
  #1  
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Oil change interval

What interval do you guys change oil on mobil 1?
Old Apr 30, 2011 | 02:20 PM
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We dont all share the same driving conditions.

Read the container.

I use Amsoil, they recommend 10-12K.
Old Apr 30, 2011 | 06:54 PM
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I know alot of people use amsoil, but I wanted a more specific insight on mobil 1. I used to change it every 6000KM but I feel like I am wasting good oil.

What surprises me is that my GF 2010 rav4 suggests 8000km on regular oil. I just think that it seems wrong to change mobil 1 every 6000km.

Whats a reasonable interval on mobil 1, mostly highway, moderate weather? 7-8000 km? (4300-5000 miles)? is 5k miles too much? (8000km)

thx
Old Apr 30, 2011 | 07:35 PM
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I just changed mine a few weeks ago, was using Mobil 1 with a Mobil filter. I was at 10000Km's and the oil was cleaner than regular oil after only 6000Km's. I do about 50/50 city/hwy.

I was a little worried about going any longer but I guess the only real way to find out how much longer I can go is to get an oil analysis done.

Like KC said, it all depends on driving conditions and habits. I have heard some guys on here say they go 10-12K Miles with no issues...
Old May 1, 2011 | 06:17 AM
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I use Mobil 1 Extended Performance with the Extended Performance filter. Mobil 1 EP is recommended for 15,000miles oil change. But, I change my oil and filter every 10,000miles. Yes, ten thousand miles, not km. So, if you do 5000miles, it is totally good and safe. And I change my cabin and air filter every 20,000miles. I driver 50/50, city/highway.

You should know that mobil 1 comes as factory fill for some cars like Benz, BMW and Corvette. And if my memory does not fail me, some of them are recommended to go up to 12,000miles before changing their oil.

And note that on here, I have seen that most people who use synthetic choose to drive for any miles between 5,000 to 10,000 before changing their oil. A very popular number is in the range of 5,000 to 7,000 miles.

Go to www.bobistheoilguy.com, where you will see a lot of UOA and learn more if you want to be aggressive and go longer on your sysnthetic. Remember, the best way to be comfortable with how far you go on your oil is to do a UOA. I have never done one and don't think I would ever. I do feel comfortable with my 10,000miles interval. I will be doing my next oil change next week, when I hit 80k. And next oil changes are 90k, 100k, 110k.... and so forth.
Old May 1, 2011 | 06:30 PM
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Originally Posted by sensfan1111
I just changed mine a few weeks ago, was using Mobil 1 with a Mobil filter. I was at 10000Km's and the oil was cleaner than regular oil after only 6000Km's. I do about 50/50 city/hwy.

I was a little worried about going any longer but I guess the only real way to find out how much longer I can go is to get an oil analysis done.

Like KC said, it all depends on driving conditions and habits. I have heard some guys on here say they go 10-12K Miles with no issues...
That's crazy....I change mine out at 5000 kms and she is blacker than tar. Not sure why. I have zero oil consumption issues. She's get drity though, so I change it out at 5k intervals.

Where do you live in Ont?
Old May 2, 2011 | 01:18 AM
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Same here, 5k is the max that I will wait until I get a change. Don't have any experience with mobil 1 or ambsoil so, I can't speak on that.
Old May 2, 2011 | 07:01 PM
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7500 mile interval until the warranty runs out. I believe that is the max interval, schedule B etc. I usually run my synthetics for 10,000 miles and change the filter half way but you can balance the cost effectiveness with the first method as a 5 quart jug is only $23 at WalMart or so. Filters are $12. Probably works out to be the same.
Old May 3, 2011 | 04:04 AM
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So I guess that changing it every 5000km is a waste. I guess i'll go the 8000km (5k miles) way.
Old May 3, 2011 | 11:17 AM
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No matter what any of you guys say. I will always continue to change my oil 3-3500k MILES! after having my timing chain, guides and tensioners replaced i am not taking any chances. Nissan tech said our VQs are recommended change anywherfe from 3750-4500. I am still not taking any chances. Mobil 1 all the way and i will continue to pay lol
Old May 3, 2011 | 11:43 AM
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Originally Posted by ArmaanOG
No matter what any of you guys say. I will always continue to change my oil 3-3500k MILES! after having my timing chain, guides and tensioners replaced i am not taking any chances. Nissan tech said our VQs are recommended change anywherfe from 3750-4500. I am still not taking any chances. Mobil 1 all the way and i will continue to pay lol
You are funny, dude. No one should tell you what to do to your car. We all drive the same car and do whatever we want to our cars. You have control over your car and can do your maintenance as often as you want. It gives you peace of mind and you feel safe and happy.

Look at this; this car cost us like 30k and trust me when I say we do each want to protect our asset.

Well, you might be doing your oil change every 3k, but I do mine every 10k. But I promise you, me and you get the same peace of mind. I also will not take no chance on my car. But after reading over here and at www.bobistheoilguy.com, I feel very comfortable with my car doing 10k on a single oil change of Mobil 1 EP with the same filter.

Just do as you please, it is all good. Don't think people on here are trying to convince you to do a 5k or 7k or 10k oil change.
Old May 3, 2011 | 01:53 PM
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Just out of curiousity, does anyone use /heard of castrol edge? I recently bought my car and I'm trying to find the best oil for it. Also is it necessary that I buy a synthetic oil filter if i am using synthetic oil?
Old May 3, 2011 | 02:25 PM
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Originally Posted by infamousv
Just out of curiousity, does anyone use /heard of castrol edge? I recently bought my car and I'm trying to find the best oil for it. Also is it necessary that I buy a synthetic oil filter if i am using synthetic oil?
Yes. I have heard of it. So has a lot of people on here. And the guys who drive the Nissan Z say the Castrol synthetic works very well for the VQ engines. There is a link somewhere on here to all that info. I can't search for it right now. Do a litte work to search for it.

Also, if you have the patience, go www.bobistheoilguy.com and read a lot of UOA on Castrol Synthec and Castrol Edge. I know it is a good synthetic oil, especially for our VQ engine. But I use Mobil 1 EP.

And always buy the best filter you can afford when you buy synthetic oil. A good filter is very important, as important as a good choice of synthetic is important. So, if you call your filter a synthetic filter, then buy it. Buy the best you can afford. To go with the best synthetic you can afford.
Old May 3, 2011 | 02:30 PM
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regardless what you choose...

I highly suggest you check your oil level at least every 2500 miles. I am a quart short each time. Hoping yesterday's change of M1 0w-40 will see less consumption.

7500 miles for me even after warranty. I drive too many short trips in the winter to stretch it to 11000/ 1 year like I want to do.

I needed almost 5 quarts to get it to the full line. I always did 4.5 quarts and I fill at least a cup of new oil in my new filter. I had to top off another cup this morning since it was halfway down the hashes.



Anyway like I said check your levels and depending on your conditions, AT LEAST 5000 miles to beyond 12,000 miles on a good syn. BUT check your level since the VQ is an oil-holic.
Old May 3, 2011 | 06:54 PM
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Lots of good information.
Old May 3, 2011 | 07:09 PM
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I go about 5K-7K miles under great driving conditions with Mobil 1 and a FRAM Xtended Guard Oil Filter with the suregrip (Filter is good up to 10K miles)
Old May 3, 2011 | 07:29 PM
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Originally Posted by NismoMax80
regardless what you choose...

I highly suggest you check your oil level at least every 2500 miles. I am a quart short each time. Hoping yesterday's change of M1 0w-40 will see less consumption.

7500 miles for me even after warranty. I drive too many short trips in the winter to stretch it to 11000/ 1 year like I want to do.

I needed almost 5 quarts to get it to the full line. I always did 4.5 quarts and I fill at least a cup of new oil in my new filter. I had to top off another cup this morning since it was halfway down the hashes.



Anyway like I said check your levels and depending on your conditions, AT LEAST 5000 miles to beyond 12,000 miles on a good syn. BUT check your level since the VQ is an oil-holic.
I agree. For some reason this variant of the VQ eats oil. My 96 you could seal the cap shut until it was time to change oil. I think I may go with 7500 change intervals as well instead of more or less wasting a filter at 5000 and pushing the oil a tad further. It's not that expensive.

I have noticed a decent amount of oil buildup on the top of the filter. It appears to have been slung there off the crank pulley. I do not see any drips or residue below the crank as a crank seal failure would entail. Any ideas? The next oil change I will monitor it more closely as I am still under warranty and would like for the dealership to have to change the seal out instead of myself. Done it before on my old SHO, not fun.
Old May 3, 2011 | 07:37 PM
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Do you guys burn oil? I bought my car brand new and started my 10k oil change intervals when I was at 50k. Actually, at 37.5k, I used amsoil asl with amsoil filter and drove for 12.5k before changing oil. Then as from 50k, I have been doing just 10k oil change intervals. This weekend, I will do my third 10k oil change at 80k miles on odometer. I have never burned any oil.
Old May 3, 2011 | 08:10 PM
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5k MILES. Synthetic. Keep it clean
Old May 3, 2011 | 08:15 PM
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Originally Posted by PetitFrereMaxima
Do you guys burn oil? I bought my car brand new and started my 10k oil change intervals when I was at 50k. Actually, at 37.5k, I used amsoil asl with amsoil filter and drove for 12.5k before changing oil. Then as from 50k, I have been doing just 10k oil change intervals. This weekend, I will do my third 10k oil change at 80k miles on odometer. I have never burned any oil.
I've been saying things like that on this forum for over 5 years, maybe if more people got a snyc oil and changed at higher intervals we'd save a butt load of oil and prices would go down, of course Big Oli or oil change francises don't want you doing or knowing this!
Old May 6, 2011 | 02:45 AM
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I use M-1 5W-30 in the new Corvette and the 2007 Maxima
2007 Maxima is a commuter car with 76,000 miles on it. Oil is changed every 5,000-7,000 miles with 15208-9E000 OEM filter or Mobil filter. I expect to get 125,000 miles out of the car and that car will owe me nothing.
As soon as the Rogue freebie dyno oil changes at the dealer run out, I'll change it over to M-1 5W30 with same OEM filter.

Never had a problem using M-1 and I've been using it for 15 years.

Hope this helps.
Old May 6, 2011 | 04:01 AM
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So 5k miles is not a problem from what I have read.
Old May 6, 2011 | 10:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Kryogen
So 5k miles is not a problem from what I have read.
5k is conservative with synthetic even if you beat the car in horrible conditions.

Like I said I do 7500 to be safe. Of course you can do an oil analysis after a couple 5000 changes and have a lab tell you for $20 you can at least double your mileage before changing... unless there's a problem that needs to be addressed or you only drive 5 miles a day lol
Old May 6, 2011 | 11:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Terrentius
That's crazy....I change mine out at 5000 kms and she is blacker than tar. Not sure why. I have zero oil consumption issues. She's get drity though, so I change it out at 5k intervals.

Where do you live in Ont?
My used oil analysis said the dark color meant nothing, the oil is doing it's job of absorbing heat, why it turns black
Old May 7, 2011 | 05:14 AM
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Mobil1 synth and Mobil M1-105 all the way for 5k interval.

Yes I have stocked up M1-105 filters that are now almost discontinued
Old May 11, 2011 | 08:18 AM
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Isn't the point of synthetic oil to change your engine oil and filters less often. Even with higher mileages between changes, shouldn't it protect your engine better than Dyno oil? Is 5000 for synthetic oil overkill? I know lots of people that go 4000/5000 miles between changes on dyno oil.
Old May 13, 2011 | 05:58 AM
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I change it every 5k with Mobil 1 Synthetic with mobil 1 filter.
Old May 13, 2011 | 02:13 PM
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Originally Posted by hicksjd9
Isn't the point of synthetic oil to change your engine oil and filters less often. Even with higher mileages between changes, shouldn't it protect your engine better than Dyno oil? Is 5000 for synthetic oil overkill? I know lots of people that go 4000/5000 miles between changes on dyno oil.

Yeah indeed it may be a waste of oil at every 5k miles if using synthetic. However I don't yet have that dreaded timing chain issue at 120K+ miles with 5k oil change interval. If suppose I go over 5k and if I get expensive timing chain issue (it may, may not be related to oil change interval) at the same time then I do not want to kick myself for breaking the 5k oil change rule. Pretty straight and simple reason for my 5k miles oil change interval.
Old May 13, 2011 | 02:44 PM
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The color of the oil has absolutely nothing to do with the quality. The additive package in the oil is designed to gather the particles generated by the combustion process. The ONLY way to know for sure is with a spectrographic oil analysis.

Also, a comment was made that certain synthetics are used as factory fill on certain cars. This is only because that oil company bid on and purchased the rights to putting their name on the oil cap. Also, the argument that those cars go 10-12k on their oil changes is also not valid. BMW and Mercedes for instance hold a tremendous amount of oil. The capacities versus the engine sizes are not even close to Nissan.

2006 BMW 325ci - 2.5 Liter 6-Cyl - 6.9 quarts of oil
2006 Mercedes C230 - 2.5 Liter 6-Cyl - 8.5 quarts of oil
2006 Nissan Maxima - 3.5 Liter 6-Cyl - Only 4.4 quarts of oil

How can you compare a car like the Mercedes that uses 3.4 quarts of oil to lubricate every liter of engine, to a car that only uses 1.3 quarts of oil to lubricate every liter of engine? Its not apples to apples.

Personally, I follow the severe service recommendations from Nissan. I change the oil in my Maxima every 3,750 miles and I use full-synthetic. The purpose of full-synthetic is not to extend drain intervals. The purpose of it is to make sure that it is lubricating as well when it comes out as when it went in. If you wait until it is no longer cleaning and lubricating properly you are risking damage to the engine to save a few bucks. It's just not worth it.


Just my $0.02...
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