I was wondering because after running 4000 miles the oil is still clean and golden in color as the first day.
Is it really necessary to change engine oil every 3000 miles for a Maxima 1998 with 90k miles?

 

If its on a regular basis I doubt that extra thousand miles will make a difference. That's actually really surprising its the se color as day one.

 

At 3,000 miles, the oil color as seen on the dip stick on my 200K mile motor looks dark gold. I use Castrol GTX, which is a nice golden color new. Keep in mind, your looking at the oil with a silver background, the dip stick. So in general it will look pretty good until it gets pretty nasty. With that said, you cannot judge the condition of oil by it's color. Yet, 4,000 miles is acceptable mileage between oil changes and I wouldn't expect to see very dark oil at that mileage.

What your seeing is normal.

 

What is the most acceptable mile before changing the oil? 5000 miles?

 

The 3,000 mile oil change interval came from a time long, long ago when engine oil had no additives or any other things added into it. After 3K miles, the oil started to break down on the molecular level and couldn't do it's job effectively anymore. Viscosity would break down and sludge buildup was an engine killer. Now with newer technology, oil can last much longer, is much more sludge resistant, and does a better job lubricating and protecting the engine.

Personally, I feel comfortable going 6K between oil changes, or you can go even farther if you're using synthetic. Many newer cars that come factory filled with synthetic have 15K, even 20K mile oil change service intervals.

 

I do 5K mile intervals for several reasons, not the least of which is that it's easy to remember - 230K, 235K, 240K, next one at 245K. Conventional 5W30 and a new filter every time; I use whatever oil/filter is on sale at the time. We have 5 vehicles of various types, the newest one is about to hit 190K, others are 245K and up. Sometimes it seems that all I do is work on cars!!

 

I can fe.e.e.e.l the car working harder at 4000 miles. After an oil change, I can tell the difference. It is lighter, and more responsive. I'll stick to 3000 miles interval though I use mobil-1 syn. reg. and the oil usually clear and not very dark when I change.

I am surprised to some people running with flat tires and it burns them to the rims and keeps going. Did they not feel a thing?

 

I've been told at every lube joint around the Chicagoland area that its recommended by manufacturer for my car to be changed around 5000-7000 miles I asked why other places are telling me 3000 and they say its because they want my money

 

This is true and they featured it on the news at one point also. I stretched mine out to every 4000 since I am using Castrol GTX High Mileage which is part synthetic.

 

Depending on your driving, you could safely go 7000 miles on conventional. If you drive a 20 mile trip every day or so the oil will last longer than 3 mile trips. I drive a 50 mile round trip to work every day and could easily do 7k oci (oil change interval).
Running Mobile 1 synthetic you are doing yourself a disservice not changing at 10k.
As engines go the VQ30 is easy on oil and a good candidate for extended oci.

 

Everyone who enjoys thie care and thier money should spend some time lurking on bobistheoilguy.com.

 

I have 206k on my 1998.

I have lost track here and there between changes and went as far as7 or 8k as a drive a lot of highway miles. I get over 30 mpg with the t3wc oil mixed in the gas.

 

What is "t3wc oil"?

 

Two stroke marine oil. makes a good cheap upper cylinder lube.

 

How to use it?

 

Read the sticky at the top of the Fluids and Lubricants forum, here:
http://forums.maxima.org/fluids-lubricants-52/

The Fluids and Lubricants forum is also where you'll find a ton of helpful info to answer your basic oil questions (and where your oil threads belong).

 

I have found this. Is that the correct one?
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Super-Tech...fl-oz/16913695

 

yes