5w-20 nissan users
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From a former and current VQ owner, these engines seem to like oil on the thicker side. My 3.5 Altima ran quietest on 10W30 Mobil 1, despite calling for 5w30. My 06 Frontier seems to like 10w30 dino oil...still waiting to convert to full syn. I'd stay on the heavier side for a VQ if I were you. Have no experience with the 2.5, other than hearing about the pre-cat nightmare.
Nissan & GM probably know something Ford, Chrysler, & Honda do not.
Yeah..Nissan doesn't want their microfinished pistions / cylinders scuffed. 
Kidding
Kidding
At least as to the VQ35, I agree that is seems to "like" slightly thicker oil to the thinner ones. I run ~12 cSt GC in mine, and it produces a noticeably smoother sound than it does on the more commonly available ~10 cSt 30 wt oils. Possible flaws in my reasoning: 1) I've done UOAs on only the GC, not the thinner oils, so my impression is strictly subjective at this point, and 2) the ~10 cSt oils I used were dinos, so this adds another element of "apples and oranges" to my comparative statement. Bottom line for me is that I think 20 wt oils are fine in engines meant for them, but I'm not going to try one in my VQ unless and until Nissan tells me I should and why. Not holding my breath on this...
I've got Pennzoil Platinum 5w-20 in my '02 2.5l SpecV right now. It sounds and runs fine.
Yep. Like be prepared for a manure storm if you try to advance tribological technology.
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/cert/dearmfr/cd8411.pdf
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=000521
427:
I agree with you generally, but don't forget that, at least with respect to the VQ engines, Nissan itself seems to be at odds with the general trend toward use of lower vis oils. At present, the manuals for VQ powered cars spec three oils, 5w30, 10w30, and 10w-40 (though 5w30 is designated as the "preferred" choice). I can't speak for anyone else here, but I'm not "anti" toward any particular grade of oil (if I had a new Toyota, Ford, or Honda, I'd be using 20 wt without a second thought). I guess the question suggested in this thread is what is Nissan's basis for bucking the trend? Is there something particular about some of its engines that tips the scales in favor of more viscous oils? Or are the Nissan folks just Luddites sticking to their old oil recommendations just because that's what they've always spec-ed? I'd sure like to hear something from Nissan on this.
I agree with you generally, but don't forget that, at least with respect to the VQ engines, Nissan itself seems to be at odds with the general trend toward use of lower vis oils. At present, the manuals for VQ powered cars spec three oils, 5w30, 10w30, and 10w-40 (though 5w30 is designated as the "preferred" choice). I can't speak for anyone else here, but I'm not "anti" toward any particular grade of oil (if I had a new Toyota, Ford, or Honda, I'd be using 20 wt without a second thought). I guess the question suggested in this thread is what is Nissan's basis for bucking the trend? Is there something particular about some of its engines that tips the scales in favor of more viscous oils? Or are the Nissan folks just Luddites sticking to their old oil recommendations just because that's what they've always spec-ed? I'd sure like to hear something from Nissan on this.
Captain:quote:
Originally posted by Captain Howdy:
I've got Pennzoil Platinum 5w-20 in my '02 2.5l SpecV right now. It sounds and runs fine.
What oils are spec-ed in your manual?
My manual says 5w30 preferred but 10w30 or 10w-40 may be used above 0 degrees F.quote:
Originally posted by ekpolk:
Captain:quote:
Originally posted by Captain Howdy:
I've got Pennzoil Platinum 5w-20 in my '02 2.5l SpecV right now. It sounds and runs fine.
What oils are spec-ed in your manual?
Edit: Nissan is a bit odd. My manual says I may use mineral or synthetic but not to mix the two. Other people have said their Nissan manuals recommend against synthetic. I'm sure I've read that on this board.
I'm 99% certain that they don't list 20 wt. I have a 01 Nissan Sentra (2.0L). I plan on going with 3 quarts of Havoline 5W-20 and 1 quart of 5w30 RL oil next time. I'll pull a sample at 3K and if it looks good I'll leave it in until 6K miles. Thats my plan and I'm sticking to it.
Excellent questions, and I admit to being a tad flippant in my first post in this thread.
Historically, Nissan valvetrains were especially susceptiple to sub-optimum lubrication at lower temperatures where additive activation is questionable, and thus the use of the KA24E for the Sequence IVA test. Therefore I'm guessing Nissan is somewhat hesitant to make the switch until they have assured themselves they can do it across the board without question.
Unfortunately, we probably won't have enough evidence as to whether some of their more modern designs are compatible with 5w20s until they begin to spec it. So far, the limited evidence we have has shown some promise for some engines, but I believe most would agree the jury is still out on this.
Now that's a good answer!
I have a 95 Maxima SE with the VQ engine, with 64K mostly highway miles. I've run dino oil, mostly Castrol GTX 5w30 since day 1 but following an AutoRX application I've switched over to synthetic oil.
I would avoid 5w20 oil in a VQ engine as, others have stated, the VQ prefers a thicker oil.
I've switched to Esso Extra XD3, 0w30 PAO full synthetic and plan on running it year round.
Given you live in Ottawa, nicholas, and the winters get quite cold, I suggest you give the Esso Extra XD3 a try.
It is available at your local Esso bulk dealer.
It only costs about 60% to 2/3 of what Mobil 1 runs you at Wally World too!
I would avoid 5w20 oil in a VQ engine as, others have stated, the VQ prefers a thicker oil.
I've switched to Esso Extra XD3, 0w30 PAO full synthetic and plan on running it year round.
Given you live in Ottawa, nicholas, and the winters get quite cold, I suggest you give the Esso Extra XD3 a try.
It is available at your local Esso bulk dealer.
It only costs about 60% to 2/3 of what Mobil 1 runs you at Wally World too!
instinctively, my choice for the VQ would not be 5w20
Running Castrol GTX 10W-40 in my 04 Altima 2.5 now and it loves the 10W-40.
So that explains it! I've been wondering why that engine was chosen for that test and why the temperature of the test is so low.
427:
Interesting info. As with so many of our more intriguing threads, one answer spawns two or three more questions (
). This makes me wonder why Nissan valvetrains showed this tendency. And of course, it's more than idle curiosity in my case.
Second spawned question: is there anything owners/operators can do (such as, for example, selecting certain oils while rejecting others) to minimize any risk associated with this vulnerability?
Sure would be interesting to see what's going on behind the scenes at Nissan. I'll be watching to see what they spec in the soon-to-appear 2007 Altima Hybrid. If they're ever going to take the plunge, that car would seem to be a logical possibility for first out of the gate.
Interesting info. As with so many of our more intriguing threads, one answer spawns two or three more questions (
Second spawned question: is there anything owners/operators can do (such as, for example, selecting certain oils while rejecting others) to minimize any risk associated with this vulnerability?
Sure would be interesting to see what's going on behind the scenes at Nissan. I'll be watching to see what they spec in the soon-to-appear 2007 Altima Hybrid. If they're ever going to take the plunge, that car would seem to be a logical possibility for first out of the gate.
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