OriginalMadMax

I've seen all three mentioned in posts online here. The lightest was mentioned as best mileage/performance, the heaviest as quieting valve clatter at startup. Feedback from users appreciated:
0-30
5-30
10-30

dwapenyi

iTrader: (3)

It really depends on you.

If you drive in a area that experiences wickedly cold weather regularly, 0W30

5W30 is the standard all round grade for our car.


10W30 is for warmer regions, like if the temps never get below 0 degrees.

You should understand that these weights really apply to dino oil, and synthetics way outperform their designation.

For example, I use Castrol Syntec blend 10W30. since it's a 10W30 weight, it really not be used in temps below 0 degress, but since it's a semi-synthetic, it will flow down to -35 degrees, better than dino 5W30!

Given all that info, I use 10W30 semi-synth all the time.

DW

OriginalMadMax

Looking at the Amsoil choices, their top S-2000 oil comes in 0w-30 and 20w-50 (I ran Castrol in that weight in my V-6 Alfa). Their "lower grade" 25,000 mile oil comes in 5w-30 and 10w-30. I guess if someone is planning to change oil every 7.5k-10k, then might as well save a bit and get the cheaper one. They're both pretty good, from what I understand.

dwapenyi

iTrader: (3)

You really can't go wrong with anything from Amsoil. It is the shiznit

DW

OriginalMadMax

I agree: it's all good, but some is better than others (now where have I heard THAT before?)...
I figure since I've signed up as a dealer and am going to recommend this to friends and family, I could use whatever experiences I can get from this board. The fact that someone didn't like valve clatter and so went to a heavier oil is useful feedback.

iwannabmw

iTrader: (3)

The 5W-30 and the 10W-30 aren't really their lower grade, that designation would go to the XL-7500 oils targeting the quick lube people. The 0W-30 and the 20W-50 is their latest formulation but, that technology hasn't filtered down to the more mainstream oils yet, they're concentrating on the extreme ends. The 5W-30 and the 10W-30 are both excellent oils. When I first put the 5W-30 in my car I noticed a difference even over Mobil 1.

OriginalMadMax

Right. I wasn't saying that the 5w-30 and 10-30 aren't top quality, and I expect these to be better than the Mobil 1 I've been using, just that the latest formulations are the ones they are touting as even better, state of the art.

Considering I've been running synthetics since I've had the car (about 60k, bought it with 60k already on it) do you think it would be a good idea to do the engine flush when I switch to Amsoil? I guess that's their recommendation and it isn't expensive ... maybe I just answered my own question

WizzaMax

iTrader: (9)

I have run all weights but the 20W-50 and I prefer the 0w-50 for the fuel economy

got rice?

iTrader: (2)

I'm in PA, temps usually above 15-20 deg F and below 100 deg F. I've always used 10w-30 on all my cars.

iwannabmw

iTrader: (3)

That's an interesting question. I bought my car with 36K on it with dino oil. I ran it another 25K with Mobil 1 and switched to Amsoil. Before the switch I ran the engine flush through it. I didn't really think it was necessary, but I wanted to try the product before I blindly started recommending it to people. I couldn't believe the amount of crap that came out with the oil, it looked like black death. The interesting thing is all that crap was stuck in places, because the sample I took before adding the engine flush came back with excellent results. It's in Bill's spreadsheet if anyone wants to look at the actual data.

I know that's not a solid answer to your question, but I don't want to go into salesman mode here , but that should give some people something to think about.

OriginalMadMax

Gotta do it now. Heck, it's only about $5, so if nothing happens, I know my engine was in good shape, and if I get results like yours, I'll be very happy I made the little extra effort.

bigd480

I'm in Austin TX where I never see snow and it will be 100+ in the summer - I also make a lot of long trips - what would be best if engine protection is 1st priority and fuel economy is #2?

dwapenyi

iTrader: (3)

The highest weight you can put in your car, 10W30. I would venture to suggest even Synth 15W50, but that's not a Nissan recommended weight for the VQ.

DW

iwannabmw

iTrader: (3)

I agree, I'd stick with the 10W-30. As long as you use a high quality synthetic which maintains viscosity at higer temps and doesn't thin, you'll have no problems.

Using a thicker viscosity isn't recommended because the flow charactersistics aren't want Nissan intended. It's also a catch 22 in that the thicker viscosities usually aren't energy conserving and your engine ends up working harder to pump them through the system. If the engine's working harder it going to run slightly warmer internal temperatures offsetting the "benefits" of the thicker viscosity.