Changing oil! 3k or 5k or more
09-12-2003, 06:32 AM
#1
Changing oil! 3k or 5k or more
I have a 96 GLE with 115000 miles. I read a couple of threads where owners change their cars oil at 3000 and 5000 miles. I thought its best to change the oil at 3000 or 2500 for high mileage cars. I read a max owner change his car oils every 7k with 165K. Is it ok to change the oil at that interval? I've been keeping track of my car's oil color every week. After 2200 miles, the color of the oil looks like a cup of coffee. Even tho at that color, my car runs very smoothly and quiet. Would it give me any problem if I keept running my engine at that color? I put 10w30 Mobil 1 in the engine. Should I wait until it goes to 4k or 5k to change my oil? Any thought will be great.
Max 96 GLE
Other than the front strut bar, is completely stock.
Max 96 GLE
Other than the front strut bar, is completely stock.
09-12-2003, 08:47 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 866
I'd read the oil analysis spreadsheet to get a more informed decision about what oil and change interval. Personally, here's what I'd do. Get an oil analysis (you could even do it with 2200 miles you've got). I'd fill back up with Mobil 1 5w30 with a new OEM filter (the old one, it's something like part # 15208-9E000, or other filters recommended in this forum). I'd use Mobil 1 5w30 due to winter coming up and you living in NY. After you get the analysis back, you can make a much better decision as to your next change interval based on YOUR engine condition. After a couple analysis, you'll establish a good wear trend and can possibly run extended drain intervals from there.
The color of your oil is not a good indicator of when to change it. However, that said, it may look darker than others you've seen because synthetic oils tend to clean better than dino oils, which it may have been running. But this alone does not indicate a problem or that the oil is worn out. When you get the analysis, request a TBN (a little extra $$), which will tell you how the oil held up.
Dave
The color of your oil is not a good indicator of when to change it. However, that said, it may look darker than others you've seen because synthetic oils tend to clean better than dino oils, which it may have been running. But this alone does not indicate a problem or that the oil is worn out. When you get the analysis, request a TBN (a little extra $$), which will tell you how the oil held up.
Dave
09-15-2003, 07:54 AM
#3
Originally Posted by Max96GLE
I have a 96 GLE with 115000 miles. I read a couple of threads where owners change their cars oil at 3000 and 5000 miles. I thought its best to change the oil at 3000 or 2500 for high mileage cars. I read a max owner change his car oils every 7k with 165K. Is it ok to change the oil at that interval? I've been keeping track of my car's oil color every week. After 2200 miles, the color of the oil looks like a cup of coffee. Even tho at that color, my car runs very smoothly and quiet. Would it give me any problem if I keept running my engine at that color? I put 10w30 Mobil 1 in the engine. Should I wait until it goes to 4k or 5k to change my oil? Any thought will be great.
Max 96 GLE
Other than the front strut bar, is completely stock.
Max 96 GLE
Other than the front strut bar, is completely stock.
Color means nothing. When I was on blended oil (Syn/Dino), I ran every 5000 on a change. I just went to full Mobil Syn and I'm going 7000. To change oil every 3000 or even 2500 is a waste of cash. Just make sure you use a good filter.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JoshG
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
51
09-21-2015 10:41 PM
RWCreative
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
9
09-21-2015 11:01 AM
ag90fox
7th Generation Maxima (2009-2015)
6
09-09-2015 12:22 PM
sdotcarter
6th Generation Maxima (2004-2008)
2
09-02-2015 09:53 PM