How much oil for my VQ30DE 5th gen?
 

I just bought 5 quarts of Mobile CLEAN 5000 10w30 for $11 for my maxima's first oil change (bought it w/ 114,000, now 117,xxx) and i got a Mobile 1 oil filter for $9.

when I drain it, how much should i start off with? 4 quarts, then check the level? i heard when you drain it half a quart stays inside. I never got a owners manual so i don't know how much i'm supposed to fill, should i put all 5 in or just 4 and keep the last for spare incase it goes low (i checked the level today and it still looks pretty clean and its right on the line of full like when i bought it).




another question i have is i checked my trans fluid when it was cold and it was still way above the full HOT line, should i drain some? i notice some odd shifting when it changes from 2nd to 3rd gear, whats the best way to drain a little trans fluid? unscrew one trans pan bolt?

maybe you should look harder in the manual! J/K seriously, it's in there, the exact number is 4 and 1/4 quarts with a filter change. i changed mine today, same oil, got 4 and 1/2 quarts in. a little more then recommended, hope i won't hurt anything.

An underfill is tons better for your motor than an overfill.

what if its below the Low mark?

so its better to have it below the LOW mark...and above the HIGH mark? kthxbye

You want it in the crosshatch area at all times. What i mean is if the capacity is 4 1/4, it's better to put 3 1/2 and still be in the crosshatch area than to put 4 1/2 and be above the full line.

what happens if your a tad above the F mark? how about alot above the F mark?

:bowdown:

Let's assume the sump area is one square foot (save to say for the VQ30) and you over filled it by 1/4 of a qt. The level will only be 0.1 inch above the high mark, or less than 1/8 of an inch and won't hurt a thing.

Also, if you use an oversize filter, it will take a little more to reach the high mark. I'm using a NAPA Gold (Wix) 1334 and it does take a little more than 4.25 qts. (but I just learned it's not as efficient as the 1356 so I will be going back to this smaller size next oil change).

I just used the 4 1/2 figure as an example. I've seen an otherwise healthy VQ burn oil with a little less than 5 quarts added accidentally.

Good to know, i was about to go drain some. I use OEM filter. how do you know if car burns oil, black smoke?

If you have a 5th gen you have a.) VQ30DE-K or b.) VQ35DE

A moot point, but since you listed a Nissan engine code thought I would mention.

The manufacturer specifies an oil capacity for a reason. There are known reasons why an overfill can be detrimental. The onus is on people that say it's ok to overfill to provide concrete reasons as to why it's not harmful.

won't my oil light go on if something is wrong?

No. That's for an excessively LOW oil level/pressure.

In addition, if you overfill you will damage seals which will cause leaks.

i got a big mobile 1 filter, so when i drain it i will add 4 qts and 1/4 and let it sit, check, fill accordingly to fill into crosshatch line, dont go past Full, thanks...btw i didnt get a manual with my car, thats why i asked

my oil light goes on upon start up, thats normal at times but nothing after 2-3 secs. then something is wrong. I once put in 6 quarts for 3 weeks no problems....

I hate our dipsticks so much. sometimes its a pain to get a good reading and sometimes its easy. I dont get it why it smeers and doesn't.

i just changed my oil, i heard a big clunk after when i was driving home, sounded like my oil filter shot off or something, and was worried, but i got home and checked under the car and everything looked ok, i think i hit something on the road, has this ever happened to anyone? i let my car drain for about 5 hours so i got most of the old oil out and added 4 qts , i gonna go check it now that its been sitting for a few hours and get some food