Out of all the vehicles in my driveway, none have a sticker on the windshield, I'll continue to change the oil based on its appearance and not by mileage.

 

I haven't changed my oil for 10 months

 

Newbie question: What does OCI stands for??

 

I would think probably Oil Change Interval.

 

Curious: Does the US manual call for oilchange at 3k interval. In my 4th gen book (european) it says every 10000km (6,2k miles). "More often under severe operations"

 

Quoting from my 2004 Service and Maintenance Guide (the Owners Manual does not contain this information) for replacing engine oil and filter:
- Schedule 1 Maintenance at 3,750 miles or 3 months
- Schedule 2 Maintenance at 7,500 miles or 6 months

Then you have to go to page 7 to find out the difference in these schedules. Schedule 1 is when the vehicle is operated under any of these conditions:
- Repeated short trips of less than 5 miles in normal temperatures or less than 10 miles in freezing temperatures.
- Stop-and-go traffic in hot weather or low-speed driving for long distances.
- Driving in dusty conditions or on rough, muddy or salt-spread roads.
- Towing a trailer or using a camper or car-top carrier.
These are what I generally describe is severe operating conditions.

"Generally Schedule 2 applies only to highway driving in temperate conditions. Use schedule 2 only if you primarily operate your vehicle under conditions other than those listed in Schedule 1."

I did my first oil change at 3,750 miles using Castrol dino oil. At 7,500 I changed oil again, this time to Mobil 1 synthetic oil. I then changed oil every 7,500 miles (using Mobil 1) until I was past the Nissan 60,000 mile extended warranty for the drive train. At this point, I went to a 10,000 mile OCI (yes, Oil Change Interval) continuing to use Mobil 1, but now getting a lab test of the old oil after every change. The two tests I have on this extended OCI have shown life still remaining in the old oil.

 

IIRC it says 3750. I'll pay attention next time I look at it.

 

every 5k is what I did on my acura, I plan on doing the same with the max. My dealer offers "free" oil changes for as long as I own it, but if I want him to use mobil 1 they will charge. to me its worth it than the cheap stuff they use.

 

"I did my first oil change at 3,750 miles using Castrol dino oil. At 7,500 I changed oil again, this time to Mobil 1 synthetic oil. I then changed oil every 7,500 miles (using Mobil 1) until I was past the Nissan 60,000 mile extended warranty for the drive train. At this point, I went to a 10,000 mile OCI (yes, Oil Change Interval) continuing to use Mobil 1, but now getting a lab test of the old oil after every change. The two tests I have on this extended OCI have shown life still remaining in the old oil."

Although at relatively high mileage (130K), I've decided to go to 7.5K mile OCI using synthetic oil - Mobil 1 10W30. I am wondering if you needed to change oil filter at mid terms (3.75K or 5K miles?) If not, how did the old filters look and what brand did you use? Many thanks.

 

First point: You can't tell very much from the way an oil filter "looks" -- or for that matter how the old motor oil "looks." The only difinitive point about the old motor oil is how it comes out in a lab test. This is why I stress the importance of getting this test done on any extended drain period (over the maximum recommended by Nissan, which is 7,500 miles).

I used the Nissan filter recommended on this site until Nissan cheapened the construction of that filter. I have since gone to the Mobil 1 filter, which is the only filter I have used on my 10 K mile OCI changes. (There are other high-quality filters available -- Amsoil comes to mind.)

I believe if I tried to push my OCI above 10 K miles, I would need to change the oil filter once in the middle of that extended drain period. I have chosen not to do that and change both oil and filter at 10 K miles (actually have changed a few hundred miles before 10K due to upcoming longer trips).

I believe you need to use synthetic motor oil and and a good quality oil filter if you plan to go past about 5 K mile OCIs.

 

SilverMax_04,

Your insight and advice are much appriciated. I am heading out to get some Mobil 1 filters for the extended 7.5K mile OCI.

Regards,