using it for the first time today in my Max at 32,000 miles. I assume I won't notice much but how much better is it than regular motor oil?

 

Of course oil is like politics. No two people see things the same way when it comes to oil. Anything I say here about oil will be considered wrong by some folks.

Full synthetic is extremely 'slippery', and gives a little more consistent cushion between moving parts. It also tends to hold its lubricating properties longer than dino or synthetic blends. It is generally considered to be safe to run full synthetic more miles between changes than it is dino or blends.

Tests have shown full synthetic to still have good lubricating properties after 15,000 miles of use. Not that I would do that. I would say somewhere between 5K and 10K between changes with full synthetic would be fine. 7500 or 8000 miles between changes is a good average.

For normal driving, dino works fine, and I have driven over 206,000 Atlanta commuting miles on dino in a Maxima, with not the slightest engine problem, then saw that same Maxima tooling around town four more years after I let it go.

Of course dino should be changed more frequently. Oil change shops say every 3K, but, for normal driving, that is overkill. Nissan recommends 3750 miles, and that is what I do. But 4K between changes with normal driving is absolutely fine.

For a synthetic blend, I would suggest around 5K to 6K miles between changes.

Drivers who like to go longer between changes, or who are towing trailers, or who live in extreme climates, or who regularly climb very steep hills, or who drive very aggressively, or spend a lot of time stuck in gridlocked traffic might be better off with either a blend or full synthetic.

 

Lightonhill always has some great posts! Great there, that he provided.

I use full synthetic and to answer your question, I will say you really would not notice much of a difference. As for your question, how much better it is to regular oil? Hmmm, I can't tell. Some people use dino and their cars last over 200k. Others use full synthetic and their cars also last over 200k. Some people use dino for 3000 to 5000 miles or even push if more than that. As for full synthetic, people too use it for 3000 miles to 5000 miles or 7000 miles or 8000 miles or even 10000miles or more than that. People with dino do not often push their OCI beyond 5000 miles, but people with full synthetic often go past 5000 miles.

But as Light said, a lot of studies have been done to prove that full synthetic can be used for longer drain intervals. As for me, after my vast research on the internet, bobistheoilguy, and talking to mechanics, I feel very safe with my car using Mobil 1 Full synthetic Extended Performance and mobil 1 Extended Performance filter and going for 10,000miles between oil changes. Car drives and handles like a champ and I push it too to its limit.

So, it is really up to you how long you want to drive before an oil change. But there is a lot of info for you to read and even do a UOA and then decide for yourself what works for you.

 

Running full synthetic just for the sake of running synthetic is probably a waste of money, kinda like asking why should I eat healthy, if you don't know why then its a pointless argument.

I run synthetic for the added protection on my investment, I have done extensive reading on oil, and Im using it for the added protection benefits, my daily commute is 2-3 miles each way, so the cold crank up with the short drive is one and the other is that synthetic does a better job against protecting against fuel dilution.

The synthetic may also keep the engine quieter but engine noise is a direct relationship to how the car is driven, but then again most people think a car wears out cause of mileage, not driving it like you stole it

 

BMW's require full synthetic and their computers track the engine operation conditions and depending on how the car is driven it may go between 10k and 20k miles on an oil change.

 

I use Mobil1 full synth because if you look into it, it actually contains the ester oil Nissan tries to sell you specifically for the Max. the main advantage to full synth is it has higher working temps so takes longer to break down than dino oil. depending on how you drive too, like zman said, it can affect how quickly you need to do an oil change so if you like to drive hard like I do I'd go full synth and check it at 4,000 miles, thats when I usually do my oil. theres also a chance your engine will make more noise, but I haven't put dino oil in my Max so dont know if thats true or not

 

Regular oil goes 3-5k on an oil change, synthetic goes 5-7.5k on an oil change, now do like BMW and double the oil capacity to 8 quarts and you can easily go 10-15k if not more and if your an easy driver I have heard of BMW getting the oil changed at 30k still out of warranty the oil change is 100 plus for parts

 

I will go full synthetic at 5k then go every 10k from there on. I just wish the max had an oil life meter like my honda did. It would give you a percentage based on how you drove the car. If I drove easily I could get 10k no problem.

 

Mobil 1 synthetic is actually rated at 15K between oil changes...t've used that on my benzo and switched the max right away to that.. also Amsoil is rated at 20-25K i believe...but double the Mobil price...in the end its your choice

 

15k? i must be doing something wrong, I changed at 5k and it was black and thick

 

Ghozt, what do you use? The extended performance or the regular full synthetic? I use the extended and I go 10,000miles between oil changes and when it is changed, it is dark, but not too bad nor is it thick. And I do push my Maxima very often.

I use the gold one shown below. It is rated as a 15,000miles oil. But I do 10k.
Do you use the other one? The regular one?

 

Ah I'm using the regular stuff. Is the cost that much higher? If not might as well go extended right?

 

nah the cost is pretty much the same....should have clarified...yes extended

 

That is true, cost is pretty much the same.

I think anybody wishing to do a long drain interval with mobil, should use the mobil 1 extended performance. They claim it has more additives to last the long drain interval of 15,000 miles and still provides great protection. That is why I went with it.

 

Are there any disadvantages to using the extended performance? I feel kinda dumb like I've been wasting money lol

 

NONE. This oil is supposed to be better than the regular full synthetic. This packs more additives and good protection for people like us who go the 10,000 miles.

LOL, don't feel dumb. I think we all learn everyday from the org. Even the people on here who give the best advice still learn something new. So, I think you are good. Just remember your next oil change should be Extended Performance.

 

Full synthetic is fine. But just remember, "never go full retard..." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6WHBO_Qc-Q

 

I have been using mobile-1 full synthetic for the longest time and I love it! It breaks down much slower than regular oil, so it obviously lasts longer. regular oil you would do an oil change at around 4000 miles, and synthetic can go up to 7500 miles for mobile-1 and 10000 miles for Ams Oil full synthetic.

 

Very happy with Mobil 1 in all three cars. In the Maximas I use the longer 15208-9E000 filters. Change oil every 6,000 miles or once a year. No engine noise and the oil runs clean.

 

i changed mine to mobil 1 full syn shortly after buying the car and could tell it ran a lil bit quieter.