I just took ownership of a 97 maxima 5 speed with 190K on it. It has been using regular oil its whole life and now im wondering if i should change to synthetic or a high mileage oil? i plan on using this vechile everyday and want it to last as long as possible. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

First off, do you have any oil leaks from oil pans, valve covers, or RMS?? If so, how much oil are you losing??

 

lol...this kid jus bought the car and been posting questions like crazy.

Do a SEARCH or hit the lubrications forum. There is a guideline for how to switch from conventional to synthetic oil.

That being sd, u dont have to switch to syn. U can use castrol or pennzoile high miles or any name brand oil. Doesnt matter. jus get a good filter too. change oil every 3 months or 3k miles.

 

Must be his first car and doesn't want to mess it up...let's give the guy a generous helping hand.

 

I switched @ I think it was 180k, 245k now, it's fine.

 

190k.....im on 218k and still running...And I was on regular...Now I changed to high mileage..Then again its my car.

My advice Google and Youtube

 

i wouldn't change, man. just keep putting the regular stuff in. synthetic might open up some new-old holes to leak from... *puts the flame suit on*

 

Your logic is invalid.

 

Yea, I don't get this logic at all.

To the OP - you may want to switch to a high mileage blend, not sure how much of a difference it actually makes. 190k on my '96, I've always been using conventional oil since I bought it with 98k.

 

I use conventional oil...no special high mileage anything. 230k on the '98.

 

He has a point. Very old seals have a tendency not to like synthetic oil. Something about it flowing TOO well, finds it's way through anything less than a perfect seal. Conventional oil tends to be a bit more forgiving in this regard. If you want to see that rear main REALLY start hemorraging...go for it. Been there, done that.

 

His point is valid. Im at 300K on the regular stuff comin outta the big drum in the back! haha.

 

Well back to regular I go.....

 

High Mileage is just a synthetic blend, so you are fine to stick to it. IIRC it's probably only 30% synthetic? Anyone know exactly how much?

 

high mile oil jus has more additives to prevent seal wear. Not too sure about 30% synthetic.

Synthetic doesnt have additives cuz its not conventional oil. It synthesized to have the same properties of motor oil without additives to make it flow the same at different temps.

 

my car ran GREAT with castrol gtx high milege 10w30 go with IT!


i just switched to mobil 1 full synthetic and it made my lifters make noise in cold start ups and valve cover leaks started all in less than 400 miles on the synthetic lol. o i have 295,000 miles maybe thats why.



id stick with what your motor is used to.