We have a new 2012 Maxima approaching 3700 miles. In talking with the service rep at the dealership about my upcoming oil change I asked about the type of oil that I should use. He indicated that the dealership only used a synthetic blend per Nissan specifications and that full synthetic was not recommended for the 2012 Maxima and in fact there had been problems with those who go full synthetic.

Where does truth reside?
Does Nissan have a warning about full synthetic?
Is a blend just as good for normal operation? (Virginia/NC)
Who can I trust for correct recommendation?

 

Not only is a blend an excellent oil for the '12 (and all) Maximas, but for normal driving, even a plain dino oil will work. The three Nissan dealers nearest me all use Shell's best dino oil for all oil changes unless the customer wants a blend or full synthetic.

I once ran a Maxima 206,000 miles with plain dino oil, and the engine was purring very quietly when I let it go, and I saw that Maxima still rolling around town four years after letting it go.

The synthetic blend is a fine oil that can easily go 5,000 miles between changes, but doesn't cost quite as much as the full synthetic.

Car fans, especially young ones (under around age 50), love the full synthetic, but auto engineers do not all agree it is the best oil for engines. Some feel full synthetic is so good it won't even allow enough wear to let the engine parts fit completely together in order to have the engine run at peak efficiency. But I would guess that eventually, engines do attain that perfect meshing of parts, although full synthetic is so slick it definitely slows the process down.

But mention oil, and there will be 26,819 different responses here. And don't bother to try to tell anyone they are wasting money by upgrading their oil, as every poster here knows he is doing the 'right thing' for his car. The good thing is that any good quality oil (SAE approved) of any type, as long as it is the proper weight and viscosity, will work fine in our Maximas.

Having said all that, if I drove aggressively or pulled a trailer or did elapsed time runs or lived in a very hot or very cold or very dusty climate, or drove much on unpaved roads, I would be switching to either a synthetic blend or full synthetic somewhere between the third and fifth oil changes.

Now we should duck aside for 'incoming missiles', because some folks feel mighty strong about their choice of oil.

 

I use Mobil 1 full syn. on the max since its first oil change when it had about 2500 miles. I have used full syn. for years now never had an issue, takes longer to break down vs reg. oil. But yeah this is beating a dead horse as everyone has their own theory.

 

Response 3 of 26,819:

Dino, Blend, or full synthetic. The most important thing is clean oil.

I have always read that you should break the engine in with dino for what its worth...

 

Response #4......and then the good ole Nissan car manual "recommends" Nissan's own "ester oil" which happens to be a full synthetic which is a bit confusing as some were told by dealers NOT to use full synthetic.

 

Response #5

I have always used Mobile 1 syn in all my cars and trucks. I change it at 7500 miles using Nissan oil filters. One of these vehicles turned over 1/4 million miles.

I tend to keep my vehicles for a long time. One of the benifits i noticed using full syn oil is at least a 1 mile per gallon increase in milage.

When my 09 SV runs out out of free oil changes at the dealership I will change to Mobile 1. BTW the dealer ship uses Castrol Syn Blend.

 

The most important thing is doing oil changes ON TIME. Oh, a good filter is a must. Most oils now days are high quality, if you do all of your oil changes on time, most likely you will never have any engine failures. Unless abused.

 

I'm of the opinion that non-synthetic fits if you keep up with the change intervals and don't put sustained stress on the engine. As with Light, I'd move to synthetic if I were towing, tracking, or pushing the car in a hot climate.

 

I used a Syn-Blend only because my commute to work is a bit longer and I end up going past 3k for changes...yes i still live by the 3k change rule....

I sold my 96 maxima with 202k on it using Dino oil and sometime Syn-blend when i was feeling saucy....sold it to my brother who drove it for 3 more years not maintaining it like i had hoped he would

 

Most dealers will use basic 5w30 whatever the dealer stocks either it be Pennzoil or Quaker state or whatever. I guess some use a synthetic on these. They use to recommend though not necessary like for the z Esther oil. And its Nissan recommendation for 3,750 for oil changes

 

Quality name brand oil regular or synthetic, do some searching Nissan engines are somewhat unique when it comes to oil compared to other manufacture engines, your best bet would be to get a used oil analysis.

Just keep in mind the Dealerships just back up what the manufactures want them to, but its odd that they tell you the car does not need synthetic but they sell it

 

I think i'm going to do the next oil change myself. I'm at like 38K miles and I think it's time for Synthetic now.

 

I'd just take it to the dealer and hand them the synthetic. They're always running specials. Mine is $17 with the oil. They'd probably do it for $10 if you provided it.

 

I just had an oil changed at dealer with synthetic w/ 33K miles on my 2010 Maxima SV. It sounds much quieter & love the way the car drives with no hesitation or effort. My Max has got the moves like Jagger!

 

I'm happy for you and your car, but, let's just pretend the last sentence of your post didn't happen.

 

Dealership has been putting in the synthetic blend into my car.

 

Oil analysis are mostly done for fleet vehicles. If you were to do it it would cost you about the same as a regular oil change which is $20. So I am not sure how helpful is this advice.

PS what is unique about the Nissan 3.5 engine beside the OHV, 10.6 compression ratio and variable valve timing that are used by many other automobile manufacturers ?

 

Search is your friend, the answer is on every Nissan forum.

UOA are done by plenty of people who want to see how long the oil will last with their driving habits, read up on bob is the oil guy, UOA are done on military vehicles cause the government will not spend a penny more to change the oil when it can go until no useable life is left, fleet vehicles are usually maintained by the book cause they are resold.

I think I already mentioned what was unique, its is harder on oil, it has a high shearing quality on the oil, that is all, it is highly discussed on the web

 

Hahaha. Looking back, I would agree.

 

Lol, that's great. Thanks for coming back and posting that.

 

Main thing is it indeed change your oil. Do it routinely and stick with whatever brand oil you start with. I've already changed my oil once, at 1K miles, and will be changing it again at 3K and every 3K after that. I have done this with every new car I have purchased and not had any issues. I've been using and will stick with Pennzoil. Just make sure you change your oil at regular intervals.

 

Been using Mobil 1 synthetic in all the cars since 1999. Ran the 2007 Max for 91,000 miles. The 2012 Max has 24,000 miles so far. Never a problem with syn oil.
Costco is running a Mobil 1 sale with $10. off per 6 pack and that brings the price down to about $4.50 per quart.
Good luck in picking your oil!!!!

 

How frequently are you changing with Mobil 1?
What kind of driving do you do with the Max?

 

The Maxima is 95% highway commuter car and clocks about 20K miles a year. I change the oil and Nissan OEM filter every 5-7K miles. I use the longer 15208-9E000 filter.
Hope this helps.

 

Exact info I was looking for ... thanks!

 

Helped me too. Changing oil this weekend.

 

I've used royal purple on my altima and want to use it on my max expensive but worth every penny. I think ill switch over at 10k

 

Have you read up on Royal Purple oil? It seems that most would disagree with your statement that its "worth every penny".

If you want to go with a "worth it" more expensive oil, I would recommend Amsoil or something like a pennzoil ultra or M1 extended performance.

 

Mobil 1 Extended Performance. And I do it every 10k miles. Car drives like new and I don't burn oil.

Bought my 08 brand new and now I have 148,000miles on odometer. My car does not burn oil at all!!!

Read my thread and see...

http://my6thgen.org/f13/emiles-petitfreremaxima-17985/

 

LMAO!!! This was great!

 

I have a 2012 Maxima SV. I use regular dino oil on all my cars. Changed oil at 1,000 Miles and then at 5,000 miles and will change oil at 10,000 miles, etc., etc,......

 

You'll want to get some oil designed for cars. Like Mobil1.

 

I have a 2012 Maxima with 12,000 miles. I have been going to dealer for all service. On my third oil change last week, the dealer told me they have been mistakenly changing my oil at 7500 thousand miles where it should be changed at 3500 thousand miles. Sticker was placed in my window and reminder program set in car.

Is this shortened interval correct? Oil used is Nissan 5W30 Ester.

Thanks

 

I believe Nissan reccomends 3750 miles betwee oil changes

I doubt any car ever went "3500 thousand miles" between changes, lol

 

your 3rd oil change every 7500 would put you at 22500, what does your repair orders say

 

Here is some great reading material for all types of oil. http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/

 

AMSOIL
- 8k - 9k interval changes with filters every other change.

 

Maintenance manual says 7,500 miles. You can get a PDF online of it right now.

 

My friend put the entire system in his 4Runner, auxiliary oil container, 2 extra large filters, his oil quantity went from 7 quarts to 12, but he runs the oil to 25k before changing

 

Yes it does but you will probably be burning some oil by 75k if you think this engine will like 7500 oil changes.

Regular oil 3000-3750

Synthetic 5000 to 7500

Probably better off getting a used oil analysis, and figuring out your mileage and change interval then telling someone randomly they can go 7500 miles