Nissan's recommendation for oil change is the earlier of 3 months or 3,750 miles. I usually average less than 7,500 miles a year, so that I've typically changed the oil every 6 months for most of my cars. How important is it to stick to the 3 month interval? Does oil degrade that quickly? I've searched through other threads, but most only seem to address mileage between oil changes. TIA.

 

I'd recommend using Amsoil or Mobil1 5W-30 synthetic oil. That way, you know you're using top quality oil and it won't degrade quickly. You never really know what Nissan dealers put into your oil tank. I use Amsoil.


~limsandy

 

I'd offer the opinion that your 6 month interval is perfectly okay. Oil doesn't degrade quickly. It picks up combustion blowby gasses and insolubles, and with that low of mileage, probably does not get up to proper operating temp often enough. That is harder on the oil than simple age, and why you want to eventually change the oil on the basis of time rather than mileage. 6 months is probably okay. Heck, even long duration oils like Amsoil suggest changing within a 1 year period if the stated mileage isn't reached first.

 

You should be fine doing the oil change twice a year, but if you're worried about it, do it 3 times a year It only takes about 5-10 minutes to do it anyways

 

lol do what i do every 1800-2000 miles oil change
with good old castrol 5-30 oil

 

As long as the trips aren't a mile or 2 in cold weather, you're probably okay. If they are, I'd probably go with the 3 month interval or a high quality synthetic instead.

 

iwannabmw is right.
Short trips especially in the cold dilute the oil because a richer mixture is leaking past the rings. And shorter trips dont allow for the fuel in the oil to cook off.

 

I had the same problem. Changing at 3 month intervals resulted in only 800 miles and I thought this was a bit much. I now change every six months but switched to synthetic oil. (Castrol 0W30-the made in Germany ones only)

 

i also do 5-6 month oil changes even in the cold chicago winters. I only put on about 500 miles a month and i do many short trips. Hope i'm ok ahha

 

That GC 0w30 is some good stuff and sometimes hard to fine. How is it doing in your Max? Will be switching to Amsoil after my rinsing phase of Auto-RX. Tempted into trying the GC 0w30.

Pedro

 

Pedro
I'm due to change the GC in early March and will do a UOA then. Posting here is a bit of a drag, but I do post on BITOG.