OK my AE maxima is at 181000 miles, its time for an other oil change, my second change in this car since I have owned it for 3 months,OK so question is what oil should I use? Conventional or synthetic? Or should I use high mileage oil? I have been using 5w30 with no problems, also what oil company should I use? I have heard some good things about Mobil 1 on maximas.

Oil filters:
What oil filter should I use, I used fram last oil change but what are better filters for my car?

Spark plugs:
OK I know the manual recommends platinum plugs , but could I use copper plugs? Or should I just stick with platinum?

 

http://forums.maxima.org/fluids-lubr...viscosity.html
http://forums.maxima.org/fluids-lubr...viscosity.html
http://forums.maxima.org/fluids-lubr...viscosity.html
http://forums.maxima.org/fluids-lubr...viscosity.html
http://forums.maxima.org/fluids-lubr...viscosity.html
You can use coppers if you want, just remember you'll be replacing them more often since Plats go 100K. And there's really no added benefit with coppers in a normal, non-modded Maxima. If you're on Boost or turbo or SC then that's another story, but since you're not...

BUT WHATEVER YOU CHOOSE, MAKE SURE THE BRAND IS NGK.

 

Congrats on you new mx!

One thing you are going to want to look at, if you don't already know is if you are burning any oil. You do have rather high mileage and if you haven't been running on Synthetic (if you know what the previous owner used) I would keep with conventional oil.

High mileage would be best if you are unaware of the history of the car.
In my opinion Fram filters are fine (what I use), you could look at K&N.

As for the plugs definitely stick with platinum NGK plugs.
DO NOT USE BOSCH PLUGS IN YOU CAR!!!

 

I use Mobil 1 filters and Mobil 1 Full Synthetic and I change my oil every 8-10k.

Go with the Ir's, I can post a PN on here, they're cheaper than the Pt's and last longer (supposedly) and I noticed the idle seemed smoother, though that was probably because Ihad 90k on the OEM's.

 

I put NGK iridiums then switched to factory spec NGK laser plat.

 

Isn't it fairly easy to change the spark plugs on the VQ30.. Just get whatever is cheapest

 

I prefer the "if you're gonna do it, do it right" method. I'm not for cutting quality to save a buck, but that's me.

 

NGK for the plugs. Copper if you want to change them every couple years. They are not hard to do. About oil and filter everyone has their own opinion. I used Purolator Pureone filter and Pennzoil full synthetic oil on my 2001 Maxima with 182k on the clock. Car ran great with no issues, no leaks either.

 

No, do not get whatever is cheapest or the forum will not help you when you have other ignition issues caused by plugs and they figure out you got whatever was cheapest, against the very correct advise to stick with NGK

 

^
Different NGK plugs have different mileage rating

NGK Copper is cheaper than platinum but doesn't last as long...

That is all I meant

 

My best advice in this thread would be not to take ANY advice from George ^^^ He is a troll, and a fool.

As far as oil goes, as long as your doing regular changes and it hasn't had synthetic in it previously, conventional oil and a Fram filter should do just fine.

Plugs, do not be cheap, as others have said. Buy ngk, I think I used iridiums and they have performed great.

 

Valvoline Maxlife 5w30. Either full synth or synth blend. Doesn't matter. Pure-1 filter.

 

Is that true George? Are you a troll?

 

High Mileage oil, get best quality filter made in usa, ngk double platinum sparks.

 

nah not a troll but I ask A LOT OF QUESTIONS (some considered stupid but better safe than sorry)

 

True.

 

Is going from synthetic back to conventional bad? If so, what kind of damage can it do?

 

^
I was told the car could start leaking oil if you move conventional to synthetic due to the seals and conventional oil plugging holes. I was told to use a high mileage conventional oil instead from a brand like GTX.

 

It's ok to switch back to regular and back again even.

#4
http://www.valvoline.com/faqs/motor-...tic-motor-oil/

 

BITOG is the place to go to learn about oil/filters. At 181k miles, the piston rings and seals are worn so a switch to synthetic may increase consumption as the uniform synthetic oil molecules slip past worn areas more easily than their conventional counterparts. Is the engine burning any oil now? Fram filters are not looked upon too favorably due to their poorer construction, e.g., cardboard end caps, cheap anti-drain back valve and non-uniform pleats. Again, check out BITOG for filter tear downs. You can't go wrong with Wix/Napa Gold or Purolator PureOne's.

For spark plugs, I wouldn't put ANYTHING in a Japanese engine besides NGK or Denso Plats/Iridiums. With our cars, NGK is what the manual states.

 

something also to consider with changing plugs is knowing if plug temp is a factor.

i have yet to read up on hot or cold plugs for a max but thats my next bit of investigating before i change. i had a plug that was too hot in my frontier and developed knock, it already was a PITA changing them out and had to do it all over again the following weekend. Next time i read up to see if that is even something to consider with the with maxima haha

 

I have to disagree with going to BITOG for anything other than some very basic recommendations. Those guys are too far off into the weeds to be taken too seriously. It's fun reading, if you like nerds bench-racing and arguing over decimal points.

There's no good reason not to continue using synthetic oil (other than price) for the life of your Maxima. I've used both full synth and synth blends (again, depending on prices) in my Maxima since it was new. It came from the factory with full synth.