BrentK7

Hey all, just got my 4th Gen ('96) a while back and am getting ready to change the oil and filter. I know it has Mobil1 10w30 in it right now cause there is a little sticker on the inside of the windshield that the shop put there saying when it was changed and what they put in it. My question is as follows:

I know nothing about synthetic, should I run it? And second is synthetic oil still measured in weight just like generic oil (10x30, 10w40, etc)? If so then how can i tel if it already has synthetic in it. Any info would be good, thanks.

dennisadhs

I only run synthetic, mobil 1 is a good choice. Synthetic doesnt break down as fast as regular motor oil therefore you can change it every 5000 miles UP TO 10000(with one oil filter change in between). I say since you already have synthetic in there you should just stick with it. And yes it is still measured the same as generic oil. I dont know how you would be able to tell if it really does have synthetic in it or not. If your really looking for protection though Castrol GTX is actually the best oil for out cars. It mostly comes down to how long of a period you want to change your oil.. Castrol GTX=3000 or mobil 1 = 5000 up to 10000 its up to you.

BrentK7

ok, so since i don't know what is actually in it now (standard/synthetic) is there any process for switching it from standard to synthetic? Or do i just drain it completely and put the synth in with a new filter?

Thanks.

jbreit

you can mix and match synthetic all you want. no special process required to go from one to the other. The weight description will indeed be the same.

I might get flammed for this but I don't believe in running synthetic in your engine....not that its bad....just that its expensive, with little gain to show from it, unless you are on the track.

synthetic oil has four advantages....lower friction, higher temperature stability, higher chemical stability, and greater film strength.

Some people will tout gaining horsepower from switching to synthetic. I did lots of dyno-work when I was racing motorcycles to test this, and found the gains to be 1-2% outside the error of the dyno. But motorcycles also run that oil through a gear box, so the gains are higher than they would be in a car engine.

Lower friction does mean lower wear....but chances of wearing out a maxima engine are slim in a daily driving scenerio provided you take any care of your car.

If you care about money, stick to a regular oil....kendall, castrol etc. Keep up your routine oil changes every 3000-5000 miles and stick to a good oil, and you'll be fine. If you are doing changes yourself, stick to good filters....OEM Nissan, STP, Bosch, WIX. We have a local place that does a semi-synthetic kendall oil change for $19+tax...thats hard to beat.

If you want to switch something to synthetic, switch the tranny to Mobil 1 synthetic ATF....you'll be glad you did. Read the stickies on doing a flush yourself.

MDeezy

iTrader: (27)

I think more its a matter of money not wheater you CARE about money, as you stated if synthetic protects your engine very well then its a good investment, but they protect better than regular standard oil, price wise it works out the same you do an oil change and it costs about $10-$15 for 3000 miles, you run sythectic it will cost $20-$30 for say 6000 miles ( you could run it longer) so if the price works out the same then why not go with syntectic and you dont have to change your oil as often its all benefictial.

I'd go synthectic. but thats my $.02

flthere

iTrader: (2)

What's more important, is it the number of miles (3000 mi for reg. oil) or 3 months ?!? Even the manual says 3months or 3750 miles whichever comes first!!! I always saw ppl talking abt mileage intervals and never the time interval

BrentK7

i know that there is Mobile1 10w30 in the car right now. Does that "1" mean it's synthetic? I thought it did but i don't really know.

Thanks again.

dennisadhs

No the 1 is just part of the name.

S00NR1

iTrader: (3)

I will also throw in my two cents. I have and will always be a Mobil 1 fan and user due to several different reasons.

First off, if you look at the oil spreadsheets, you can see that Mobil 1 is superior in wear and in longevity compared to any dino oil tested.

Secondly, what you get with the synthetic that you don't with the dino is the extensive detergent package that will contribute to keeping the combustion chamber cleaner.

Finally, as has been stated, the longer drain intervals make the price difference between the dino and the mobil 1 negligible.