I figured i'll do it one step at a time, and switch to blend, and then to fully synthetic. I have 18K miles on my baby and i really feel the diference. It does run quieter and definitely smoother, and feels more kick after 3000 rpms.
well just wanted to share the news.
peace

 

I run blend and so far like it. Did I notice anything? NO Is it better protected? I hope so.

Mark

 

I ran Castrol Syntec Blend from day 1in my '91 SE and got 300,000+ miles out of it with no engine trouble. I use it in my 2k1SE now.
My feeling is it protects much better than regular dino and doesn't cost my kid's tuition the way full synthetic can.

 

300,000

 

Commute 65 miles one-way 5 days a week, plus a trip from Indiana to Colorado and back and you, too, can rack-up the miles!

 

Castrol Syntec user here as well. Been using Castrol on every car I've ever owned. Never had engine problems, and never had a motor that used oil!!!

 

Ok I'll pitch in. Valvoline Blend

Mark

 

i'll chip in too. Gonna switch to Mobil 1 full synthetic this weekend.

 

Castrol Syntec 10W30 (Full synthetic) every 5K Miles along w/ BOSCHE premium oil filter. I have a '91 Sentra, (as well as the new SE MAX I just purchased ) that has 173K miles on it. Runs so smooth you can't even feel the engine running and I've never had any problems with it. (using 10W40 now because of the high miles)

I've heard many discussions about conventional and synthetic oil. The reason I use full synthetic is because unlike conventional oil, it doesn't break down. The only problem you have left is the deposits and contaminants that slowly build up in the oil... hence the need for a good oil filter. Theoretically, you could go forever on one change of synthetic oil if it remained clean, where as conventional oil starts to break down after 3K miles or so... even sooner when you drive the vehicle hard.

BTW: Wal-Mart now carries their own brand of fully synthetic oil. It's a little under $3 a bottle... which is a bargain compared to the $4.40 bottle of Syntec right beside it. I used it the last time I changed my oil. I'm sure it ALL comes from the same place anyway. I didn't notice any difference between it and the Castrol Syntec that I had always used.

Just wanted to provide some feedback. Take it for what it's worth.

 

If you don't mind me asking how many miles have you been known to go between oil changes? What filters do you use?

Thanks

 

You are right about Wal-Mart, K-Mart and other discount store oils being the same as name brands. During the summer breaks back when I was attending college (lets just leave it at over 10 years ago), I worked in a plant that blended and packaged motor oils. At that time - K-Mart oil was exactly the same as Citgo brand oil - the line wasn't even shut down when the switch was made - just different bottles and labels. This plant packaged Mobil products, Texaco products and Citgo products at that time - the dino oil blends varied little from brand to brand - slight differences in detergents.

 

just remember.. what you pay is what you get.. dont get me wrong, im not ripping on the wall-mart brand oils

anyway.. 3196 on my 2k2 and i just changed me oil to quaker-state synthetic.. oil place didnt have mobile 1

 

I always go a little over 5K miles (sometimes longer) before I change the oil. I have always done that w/ my '91 Sentra and it absolutely runs perfect. I only do that because I spend a little more for a premium oil filter... the BOSCHE Premium Filter (about $5 from Auto-Zone).

I now use 10W30 Wal-Mart Full Synthetic.

Hope that helps...

 

EwwwwWeee we have a new Maxma owner by the name of Russ! Oh ya!!!

 

Ohhhh...I try to shoot for somewhere between every 3000-6000 miles or so. I used your standard Fram filter.

 

I've actually heard that Fram filters are the worst ones to use. I've read reports and talked to technicians saying they actually leave deposits in the oil, which is really bad.

 

5k Miles? Hmmm...I'm almost religious about changing the oil every 3k miles or sooner. I've been using synthetic from day one Usually Castrol Syntec Full Synthetic...Mobil 1 Synthetic this time. Minimal difference between the Castrol and Mobil. Big time difference between organic and synthetic, big time..

 

i like to spoil my Maxima. I change her oil and filter every 2500 miles. With mobile 1 synthetic

 

http://mr2.com/TEXT/synth_oil.txt

http://www.micapeak.com/info/oiled.html

 

I used Fram. My Maxima lasted over 300,000 miles. No leaks. No engine work needed. Still ran strong when I sold it. Same with my BMW. And my Honda.

 

OK, well... I guess that proves me wrong then about the Frame filters. I wasn't basing any of that on my own experience.

I read (most of) the article posted above by Jeff. I've head about that as well... an engine lasting 300,000 miles with the oil changed every 25,000 using full synthetic oil. It makes sense to me knowing the drastic differences between synthetic and conventional oil, and the whole purpose of motor oil is for lubrication.

 

what kind of oil does nissan use when u get the oil change done there?

 

Fram filters are very controversial. I dropped them because of the valve train noise in my Nissan's when starting the engine cold. The probelm disappeared with every other different brand of filter used. I have no faith in Fram, although others swear by them. I know its personal preference, but Nissan brand filters are good.

Check out this link:
http://www.motorvate.ca/auto/maxima/...oil_filter.htm

I switched to Valvoline Synpower this past weekend for the 1st time in my 01 Maxima at 30K miles. It may be my imagination, or possibly just wishful thinking...but I'd swear the engine runs smoother, quieter and starts easier. I'll never go back to dino oil.

 

Don't waste your $$$. The Mobil 1 will last at least 7,500 miles, the filter depends on quality. You could change the filter OEM, Purolator, Bosch, at 3,750 and top off the oil.

If you change it that often, why not use dino juice? Just a suggestion.

 

your syn oil may be ok to 7500-12500 but that doesnt mean it's a good idea to run it that long...

http://www.adpub.com/tim/oil-max1.jpg

 

You mean w/o changing the filter? Or?..... I'm confused on your point slightly

 

my point is *not* to make a blanket statement. You know, that whole 'do your research' to make your decisions, not just running your car to 7500+ because someone on a website said it was ok.

You could conclude lots of different things from that, least of which is you may have to change the filter if your driving patterns are 95% city like mine. You might conclude that you would have lower wear even if you 'wasted' your money with a 3000 mile interval. Dunno.. You know that they say... Opinions about oil are like ***holes, everybody's got one.

 

I agree, that's a waste of money. Synthetic oil should go no problem to 7500 miles, especially with a high quality filter change halfway. Why not extend the interval a little and try an oil analysis report? That would give you a better idea of how long you could go between changes with your driving habits.

 

Mobil Blend 5W30, Wix filter since 15k on my baby (every 3,500 miles). Not to flame on anyone, have read way TOO many articles for and against full synthetic. Have been happy so far with the blend and it doesn't bleed my wallet dry. Have also read articles written by engineers, and they suggest that, beacause of the heat in the cars motors, anything over 5K is not recomeended. However, our own experience with our cars should hold more value when deciding when to change the oil.

 

You're right, the bottom line is you have to be happy. As far as the engineers, my car was driven on a roadcourse for 3 days which included four seperate 20-30 minute session each of wide open throttle and redline engine speeds. I don't have an oil temp guage so I don't know how hot it got, but I can't imagine anything else that could create much more "stress" on the engine. The synthetic I had in there went 8060 miles and Blackstone reported all metals significantly below average with no probems evident. The only elements higher than average were anti-wear additives and detergents. The full results are in Bill's spreadsheet when he puts it back up.

 

not a *waste* of money to me. thats minimal wear on a VERY short drive car. I'm happy. still costs <$20 for Mobile1 and a Nissan filter. where's the waste? A dealer change? now THAT is a waste.

 

my point is *not* to make a blanket statement. You know, that whole 'do your research' to make your decisions, not just running your car to 7500+ because someone on a website said it was ok.

You could conclude lots of different things from that, least of which is you may have to change the filter if your driving patterns are 95% city like mine. You might conclude that you would have lower wear even if you 'wasted' your money with a 3000 mile interval. Dunno.. You know that they say... Opinions about oil are like ***holes, everybody's got one.


I am not making a blanket statement. The owners manual says that you can go 7500 miles/6 months between oil changes. Personally, I would not do that with dino juice and a plain fram filter.

I personally use Amsoil 5w30 with an Amsoil filter. I change the filter at 6 months and top off the oil level. At one year I change the oil and filter. I not advocating that anyone do this.

The key with synthetic oil is good filtration. Mobil 1 and Castrol Syntec are good off the shelf synthetic oils. Any synthetic oil worth its salt should last that 7500/6 months unless you are using a turbo or nitrous setup.

 

Okay, let me clarify a little. I don't reccomend dino oil at all, but I do think it's waste to change synthetic that early.

Tim, all the levels in your oil analysis were good, with the exception of the insolubles, which indicate a filtraion issue because of the deposits building on your short trips. Have you thought about changing the filter at 3000 miles and running the oil a little longer. A new filter will clean up the oil and allow it to be in service longer. This would still protect your engine and allow you more bang for your buck. I'm sure oil analysis coul continue to help you determine better interval using this technique.


johnny2kgle, as a side note, that 7500 mile/6 month interval is for non-severe use, which almost no one meets the criteria for. I agree that I wouldn't trust dino oil to go that long and that filtration is a huge factor in how long the oil can be in service. Just wanted to explain the 7500 mile thing in case anyone else reading this thread assumed you could go 7500 miles no problem no matter what their driving conditions.

 

we live in different climates and driving habits, we have all have different needs.

It's easier, while down there, just to drain and fill. Yes, I fully agree that I'm wasting perfectly good oil (but not wasting *money* on oil).

Nissans tend to have alittle clatter on startup that I find unsettling at times. I think its the timing chain, but nonetheless, I want that added protection of quicker flow regardless of temp outside. Thats what helps me sleep better at night

 

Since I label myself an "expert" based on some of the replies I've seen in this thread alone, Tim's doing the right thing with what he currently chooses - a Nissan OEM filter and Mobile 1. Based on HIS DRIVING HABITS, anything more than 3500 miles on one filter and Mobile 1 doesn't appear to be wise.

Tim's is an unusual case, but he has some of the harshest driving conditions of anyone who has participated in the Oil Analysis stuff.

Unless he's willing to switch to Redline or Amsoil, what Tim currently does is exactly what he needs to do.


Sometimes the "Jiffy Lube" interval is necessary.

 

This is all the information I have gathered over the past few years of using synthetic oil

** '91 XE Sentra. I have has always had synthetic oil in it. Started at 1K miles w/ 10W30 Castrol Syntec and Bosche Oil Filters until 100K Miles, then I started using 10W30 Wal-Mart synthetic (read my previous postings on this). Not only do I drive this car pretty hard, I always go a little over 6K Miles before changing the oil and filter. It's now got 174K miles on it and the engine runs so smooth that I can't even feel it idling. Also, throttle response is as good as it was brand new.

** '00 Mustang GT (yes, a ford... I'll never buy one again) Started using Wal-Mart 10W30 Full Synthetic @ 2K miles w/ Bosche Filter and changed every 6K Miles. I really drove the hell out of this car. I had many many problems with it(pretty much why I sold it), but the engine always ran perfect and very smooth for a 4.6 V8. Right after 33K Miles, I had the car inspected and the technician said he had never seen a GT Mustang run 0% on emissions. Then he asked me if I had been running synthetic oil for a while. I smiled and said yes. Then we prceeded to have a 30 min conversation about sythn oil that I won't bore you with, (basically stated all the benefits of it, etc).

Same driving habits and oil changing methods used for my previous '95 Maxima SE (120K miles) and '01 Xterra SE 4X4.

All of my driving is 95% city driving, but I also take long trips over the weekend at least once a month. I also have a very heavy foot when it comes to the accelerator. Based on everything that I've read and experienced using Synthetic Oil, I don't see why anyone wouldn't want to use it. It doesn't break down, better protects your engine, prolongs it's life and makes it run smoother. Especially now that Wal-Mart is carrying their full synthetic at a little under $3 a bottle, (though currently only available in 10w30 weight as far as I can tell).

Hope this helps.

 

I change my oil myself, have a 2000 max GLE auto. I used castrol synthetic 10w30 then switched to synthetic blend and pretty much is the same. Just the cost is better. Use a pureflo filter, never had any problems. I change oil about every 3300 miles.