Fluids and Lubricants Motor oil, transmission oil, radiator fluid, power steering fluid, blinker fluid... wait, there is no blinker fluid. Technical discussion and analysis of the different lubricants we use in our cars.

NEED a simple answer??

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Old Apr 15, 2009 | 07:07 PM
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NEED a simple answer??

my 4th gen has 160k on it and i wanted to know what is the best oil to start using for my oil changes plain and simple... i dont really know about it so average joe terms would be appreciated!! thanks in advance!
Old Apr 16, 2009 | 05:39 AM
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ne1?
Old Apr 16, 2009 | 07:02 AM
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Simple answer? Grab some Penzoil Platinum and a Purolator Pure One filter.
Old Apr 16, 2009 | 12:19 PM
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Thanks for the help
Old Apr 17, 2009 | 05:34 AM
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Originally Posted by brandnew
my 4th gen has 160k on it and i wanted to know what is the best oil to start using for my oil changes plain and simple... i dont really know about it so average joe terms would be appreciated!! thanks in advance!
I agree that PP is a great oil....I use it myself.

But it really depends on what you have been running in it. I have heard many times that if you switch to synthetic with that many miles, things can start leaking because the synthetic runs a bit less viscous (thinner) than conventional.

So for the simple answer you were looking for, if you have been running synthetic, Pennzoil Platinum. If you have been using conventional oil, Castrol GTX.
Old Apr 17, 2009 | 12:39 PM
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Originally Posted by kgallerie
I have heard many times that if you switch to synthetic with that many miles, things can start leaking because the synthetic runs a bit less viscous (thinner) than conventional.
Leaks can sometimes occur, but not for the reason you state. Oil thickness is measured against an industry-wide standard. An oil rated as a 30-weight will fall within the thickness range of a 30-weight regardless of whether it is synthetic or petroleum-based.

If one were to introduce synthetics to a high mileage engine that had been neglected up to that point, the superior detergency of the synthetic oil could dissolve deposits left behind by the petroleum oil and potentially leak through defective gaskets, previously sealed by the deposits. Along those lines, the increased detergency of the synthetic oil could cause it to become contaminated quicker than normal if introduced to a "dirty" engine and result in increased oil consumption.

With that said, Nissan engines are typically not prone to sludge. I've change many high mileage engines over to synthetics without issue. If you do decide to go with synthetics, check the oil regularly and change it if consumption increases...increased consumption is a sign that the oil is becoming dirty/contaminated.

Last edited by talkinghorse; Apr 17, 2009 at 04:21 PM.
Old Apr 17, 2009 | 02:09 PM
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I stand corrected.....thanks Ed.
Old Apr 22, 2009 | 11:40 AM
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If you dont like the price of full-syn, then at least use the syn-blend. It's usually only like 50 cents more a quart.
Old May 21, 2009 | 01:25 PM
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Pennzoil Platinum or Mobil 1 fully synthetic. After spending sometime looking at some previous posts, these 2 were the most recommended.
Old Jun 4, 2009 | 06:23 PM
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Eneos Synthetics.
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