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changing oil soon...got a question

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Old 12-20-2004, 11:20 AM
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changing oil soon...got a question

ok so, im not entirely sure what kind of oil to use in my next oil change. i usually bring it to a shop and let them do everything. but after reading the specific types of oils people use and what not, im beginning to question whether or not its safe to go to a shop.

anyway, i drive a 2000 maxima with about 37,000 miles. its about 5 years old, but has low mileage. what kind of oil do you guys suggest i use? i know nothing about any of this, so, the type of filter, addiditves and all that other jazz will help me out too. thanks a lot guys.
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Old 12-20-2004, 05:19 PM
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Well if you are going the mineral route use either Castrol GTX or Mobil 1 5W30 if you are going to make the move to synthetic it's either Amsoil or Mobil 1 5W30.
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Old 12-20-2004, 05:39 PM
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Originally Posted by NIKV69
Well if you are going the mineral route use either Castrol GTX or Mobil 1 5W30 if you are going to make the move to synthetic it's either Amsoil or Mobil 1 5W30.
wait wait wait Well if you are going the mineral route use either Castrol GTX or ?????Mobil 1 5W30 ????????????

moble 1 is not syn is it?
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Old 12-20-2004, 06:53 PM
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Don't get scared for one. Your car isn't going to die because you put cheap oil in it. Usually shops put either Valvoline, Penzoil or Quaker State into your car. If you don't drive alot of miles, I would suggest going to a shop and getting a Mobil 1 change with a Mobil 1 filter(if they have Mobil 1 filters) and changing the oil every 6 months. You will be perfectly fine doing that. I would find a shop that uses quality filters. Generally, Gemini GoodYear shops use Mobil 1 filters on their Mobil 1 oil changes for a slight extra cost.

If you are going to change the oil yourself, I would suggest getting with either Talkinghorse or iwannabmw and get some Amsoil 0w-30 or 5w-30 and changing the oil every 12 months with a filter change at 6 months with a Mobil 1 filter. At the 6 month mark, you should take a sample of the oil when you change the filter and send it into Blackstone labs just to make sure everything is ok. You will only have to do this maybe 2 times. I did this with my wifes Durango and Blackstone told me I could have gone longer than a year.
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Old 12-20-2004, 07:42 PM
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Your right kcryan!

Those are the only two oils I would use. Castrol for mineral and Mobil 1 for synthetic, though Amsoil is probably the best synthetic out there!
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Old 12-20-2004, 08:16 PM
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what do you guys think of 76 oil? because thats what my mechanic uses in my car
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Old 12-20-2004, 09:15 PM
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Not familiar with 76's analysis. You may want to visit www.bobistheoilguy.com and see if their spreadsheet or anyone has had analysis done on that oil.
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Old 12-20-2004, 09:40 PM
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I recomend u do wha Virus said above.
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