2017 Nissan Rogue 2.5 - 5W-30?

Joined
Feb 24, 2011
Messages
2,113
Location
California
My wife has a 2017 Nissan Rogue with the 2.5. She bought it new, and had services done up until recently by either the dealer where she bought it, or more recently, at the local Valvoline Oil Change. Now that all of her extended warranties are expired, I'll be the oil changer. This time, I used Quaker State FS 0W-20. Would using 5W-30 be ok/advisable? Owner's manual only mentions 0W-20. I'm in SoCal, so temps can range from just below freezing (a little frost on the windshield) to about 95F normally. During Santa Ana conditions, it might get to 105F or so. I just want this car to last as long as possible.
 
Outside of the US that engine takes everything from 0w-20 to 20w-50 in the owners manual. Same with toyotas and others. I'm using 5w-40 instead of 0w-20 in my cadilac and mitsubishi. More importantly service the CVT. They last forever with basic maintenance and I believe yours had a drain bolt in the pan buy may not have a dip stick but I believe you can buy one for under 20 online. It's so easy to do the cvt on the mitsubishi I don't have to lift it up to take a 19mm socket to the drain bolt and it takes 5 minutes to do a spill and fill. Castrol transmax hasn't failed me before and now that it's out of warranty I'll use that. I think I'll change it even sooner now like 10-15k.
 
Family member has the same year Rogue 2.5L that I help maintain. I've used 0w20 (some 5w20) almost exclusively. In any case, 0w20, 5w20 or 5w30, all work fine. Iirc the dealer in family member area used 5w30 on a very rare dealer OC. If you feel better with 5w30 use it. If it's seen regular OCs, the CVT would be the bigger issue, imo. It's a no dipstick application too. :(
 
Last edited:
Nissan oddly specifies two different viscosity grades for the QR25DE engine. The engine in the Rogue and all of the passenger cars call for 0W-20. The QR25DE in the Frontier pickup specifies 5W-30. The Frontier in Mexico specifies 10W-30.

I personally would use 5W-30 across the board. I actually use 10W-30 in my Frontier because where I live it tends to get fairly warm in the summer.
 
Sure 5w-30 would be fine if your going with QS I would upgrade to quaker state ultimate protection it is only $23.98 for a 5 qt jug at my local wally world. It is a very good oil for the buck.
 
Big, super long stoke 4 bangers like the QR25DE want a 30 grade. They have a stroke longer than a Lincoln 460 big block!
When you are swinging rods like that you need some viscosity.

I only found 1.6 and 1.5 like 0W-20 - even some of those want more.
Try a skinny 5W30 for an OCI and see if it acts too sluggish, also track the fuel mileage. That year rogue does not have the D.I Altima variable oil pump. - Kenarco
 
Nissan has recommended 0w-20 OR (conventional 5w-30) for at least the last 10 years, for both their I-4 or V-6 engines.
Yes I too have seen a similar recommendation before, which make no sense. They skip right over 5w20 and why conventional 5w30? Rhetorical. There's no logical reason for it. That said, Nissan the same that recommended their own "ester" oil (for some vehicles, V6?) which showed no evidence of ester content. But the OP will be fine with 5w30 if he chooses. Servicing the CVT more critical. Fwiw, went to the 17 Rogue OM PDF and the OP correct about what it says. No mention of 5w30.
 
the OP will be fine with 5w30 if he chooses. Servicing the CVT more critical. Fwiw, went to the 17 Rogue OM PDF and the OP correct about what it says. No mention of 5w30.
+1

@Sayjac, I don't have the FSM for a 2017, but here's what it says for the 2016 and earlier:

Genuine NISSAN engine oil or equivalent Engine oil with API Certification Mark, SAE Viscosity 0W-20. For additional information, see "Engine Oil Recommendation". As an alternative to this recommended oil, SAE 5W-30 conventional petroleum based oil may be used and meet all specifications and requirements necessary to maintain the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

I've been using 5w-20 SuperTech conventional in my parents 2015 Rogue with the QR25DE from when they bought it circa 2018/9, every 5k miles; I've changed the CVT fluid at least once too.
 
IMO if the manual says use 0w20 just go with that. 0w20 oils have proven themselves for decades now. Service at appropriate intervals and you are safe.
 
I agree. 0W20 has proven itself over the years. I own a 13' CRV AWD with the 2.4 in it. Original owner, always did my own oil changes. About 5k in between OC's. The car/truck/ crossover/or whatever you want to call it has 614, and change miles on the ODO. Always used 0W20 full synthetic ( whatever brand I could grab the cheapest ). Also ran whatever filter was on bulk sale. The owner's manual says 0W20, the oil cap says 0W20. Did a few valve adjustments on it the years. No sludge build up on the top end. But, being that Rogue has so many variations of oil to use, I can't see 5W30 harming it. If you feel better about using a slightly heavier oil, then just go for it.
 
Yes, I concur.......to an extent. I don't know how many -0 degree days you've experienced in Eastern Wa......But I'll tell you, in New York, when we get a " Polar Express" come thru in the winter, it can get down to -5 without the wind chill effect. That 5W30 flows good until you hit 5 degrees. Even using the 0W20, my Honda is not happy at those temps. Let her warm up good before I leave to get all the juices flowing. Cylinder head valves clackin away, shakin and carrying on ( I''d do the same too if I were out in the cold all night . LOL ).........So, for ME, a more moderate temperature climate, I wold go for the 5W30. That's just MY personal experience.
 
So, seems like the jury came to a verdict on this 2.5 Nissan engine. Given it's displacement, ( 2.5), it seems to be large enough to handle the 5W30 full synthetic ( Gavel slams on desk. LOL )....So, just go for it. It will help in hotter climates, at the very least.
 
Back
Top Bottom