Auto RX question on old car

[John in the ATL]

I have a 1994 Nissan Altima with 118,000 miles. I am planning to change the oil this weekend along with my 2K Maxima. I like to change them both at the same time since I have a 2.5 year old son and little time. I am currently using Amsoil in both 8-9 month intervals/4 month filter change.

Question?? Can I change the Altima oil and filter over the weekend and wait a few days to put in Auto-Rx when it arrives? Or should I put off the change until I have the Auto-Rx in hand?

Please advise.

 

[Bio-T]

I would change the oil as normal this week-end and top up with the Auto-Rx when you receive it. Leave the initial fill of oil about 1/2 quart low to accommodate the Auto-Rx. Then add the Auto-Rx and top up with oil as necessary.

 

[John in the ATL]

VetteMan, thanks for the reply. It is so much easier to change both at the same time.

 

[Eiron]

Well, my first questions are: how hard is the Altima on oil, & how far have you already gone on the Altima's oil? If it's at the low end of your interval range (shouldn't 10k miles be easy for this oil?), I'd simply add the Auto-Rx to the existing Amsoil & save yourself the trouble & expense of an unnecessary oil change. This may mean you can also put off the Maxima's change until you're ready to drain out the A-Rx from the Altima.

[Edit:]
Almost forgot: you'll still need to change the Altima's old filter with a new one, but otherwise you save the greater work/cost of a complete oil change.

[ July 17, 2003, 11:37 AM: Message edited by: Eiron ]

 

[John in the ATL]

quote:

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Originally posted by Eiron:
Well, my first questions are: how hard is the Altima on oil, & how far have you already gone on the Altima's oil? If it's at the low end of your interval range (shouldn't 10k miles be easy for this oil?),

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The Altima is driven as a commuter vehicle for the suburbs into downtown Atlanta everyday. Yes it is fairly hard on the oil. (Blackstone Labs TBN 4.5 used oil analysis, 12,250 miles/1 Year sample, Amsoil 5w30, November 2002)

The reason for the quicker change on the Amsoil has to do with it the thickening (viscosity in the 40 weight range) based on the last used oil analysis. After consulting with a fellow Nissan owner, I decided to shorten the time to 8-9 months. Hopefully, the analysis will be better.

 

[Eiron]

quote:

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Originally posted by John in the ATL:
The Altima is driven as a commuter vehicle for the suburbs into downtown Atlanta everyday. Yes it is fairly hard on the oil. (Blackstone Labs TBN 4.5 used oil analysis, 12,250 miles/1 Year sample, Amsoil 5w30, November 2002)

The reason for the quicker change on the Amsoil has to do with it the thickening (viscosity in the 40 weight range) based on the last used oil analysis. After consulting with a fellow Nissan owner, I decided to shorten the time to 8-9 months. Hopefully, the analysis will be better.

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Gotcha! but I still think you can save yourself the time & trouble of doing the before-Auto-Rx oil change. I mean, if you've only got 8k miles on the Amsoil now, simply adding A-Rx & driving another 1k will only put you at 9k miles total. And that's still 25% less use than what you gave it last time.

If you have to change the Maxima now, just get a pre-Auto-Rx used oil analysis sample now from the Altima & spend the rest of the day with the family. Then, when the A-Rx arrives, swap oil filters, add the A-Rx & any additional oil you'll need, & spend the rest of the day with the family again. Don't forget, you're going to have to change it all after 1k miles anyway, so why spend the extra time & money to do it twice when you don't need to?

Of course, that's just my POV. I'm comfortable doing this with my cars, but I realize you may not be with yours.

[ July 17, 2003, 03:49 PM: Message edited by: Eiron ]