I put only 5W-30 Castrol GTX motor oil in my 5-spd 99 SEL. I change the oil once every 3000 miles exactly. Now, I heard a lot about synthetic motor oils being "better".

Well, the synthetic oils are more expensive so logically thinking I think that they are better. My mechanic on the other hand gave me this lecture recently: He told me that if I change the oil frequently (that is, every 3000 miles) it does not matter if I use synthetic or regular. He told me that unless I have a high reving engine say like more than 6.5 RPM like the Maxima (for instance M3 etc.) that synthetic is not going to do much, if anything, for a stock Maxima like mine.

He did say however, that synthetic is better for long run, that is, if I changed the oil less frequently say ever 5k+ miles. Then, synthetic would be better he said. But since I change the oil very frequently, he bascially said that the difference between synthetic and regular motor oil is none is my situation.

What do u think?

 

I think this should be posted here -> http://forums.maxima.org/forumdisplay.php?f=70


Just think of it this way: no matter how many times you cast your reel into the lake, if the fish aren't hungry, they're not gonna bite.




Your mechanic is 100% right. If you change your oil every 3k miles or less....and use the SAME grade...10W or 5W (whichever you prefer) - no damage will be caused.


Preventive maintenance = oil changes, tranny fluid flush, injector cleaning, compression testing, coolant flush, etc etc

 

thank you for clearing that up!

 

I use synthetic oil for two reason.

1. I hate changing my oil so I can do it every 5K or more.
2. I'm running nitrous so it might help on the wear and tear of the motor.

On my mom's sentra, I change the oil every year or 10K miles whichever comes first. So far so good....

 

LOL! Get em Blake!

 

if you are keeping the oil very clean, and changing that often, synthetic isn't really needed. if you drive more "spiritedly" and believe your putting added stress or wear on the engine, or you just want to pamper your car, put synthetic in it.

 

Also BOSS you probably should've went with 10W30 since the winter is near and the tems are getting cold. 5W30 is more of a spring/summer oil...

 

Nah I thaught it was the other way around

5W-30 is a thinner Oil used during the winter months to reach the top of the engine faster on cold startups

10W-30 is a little thicker for those hot summer days when the oil thins out...

Therefore:
Winter = 5W-30
Summer= 10W-30

Correct me if Im wrong but thats what I always believed was true

-matt

 

what do you mean by keeping the oil very clean? If your motor burns oil it can't be avoided, and if you aren't changing your oil correctly (getting it dirty) you need to learn how to do it right.

 

well excuuuse me kenji. when you change the oil, you get deposits from the engine in the used oil. the more often you change the oil, the less deposits will be in that oil. since hes keeping the oil system fresh, changing EVERY 3000 miles, the oil would be "clean." also, what does changing the oil have to do with getting it dirty? yes the engine burns oil, and you get deposits, so like i said in the first place...changing it more would keep it cleaner

 

Analysis reports of the VQ indicate 5k intervals on Castrol GTX is the optimal interval and the most cost effective, provided you use the 15208-9E000 OEM or STP S6941 oil filters.

 

heavier for summer lighter oil for winter

 

not necessary

 

You are correct, sir!

 

I change my oil every other week. Ultimate protection!

 

 

is there any real harm in changing it a lot? sometimes i do it when im just...bored

 

Changing your oil too frequently serves as much benefit as changing your tires too frequently

 

the only harm i see is your wallet getting lighter and ligher...

 

Peace Of Mind...I change my Synthetic every 3,000-3,500 miles...I feel alot better with new oil in the car...plus me spening money on mods, a few extra bucks every few months (3 months) is pennies to me

-matt

 

its not exactly pennies to me...but i do feel better with fresh oil in the car, especially since i like to have fun driving my maxima

 

It does figure out to be pennies a day when you think of it at like 3 maybe 3.5 months all depending on the amount of miles you drive in a month

-matt

 

u didnt say pennies per day, so thought you were saying "oh its just pennies" like the money was no big deal