titantruck:
I think I'll chime in here. I'm on my second Titan...I own a 2006 SE KC 4x2. I previously owned (traded in for the 2006 at 9900 miles) a 2005 LE KC 4x4...and it had many, many issues with the engine, fuel system, brakes, etc. You can read the ghastly (long) thread if you wish.
http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=003286
Anyway, IMHO as far as oil and some experience with the Titan, just use regular dino-oil (Castrol GTX, Chevron Supreme, Havoline--5W30) and a Nissan oil filter (Purolator Pure One, Napa Gold are fine too), change oil/filter at 3k to 5k intervals, and you will be fine...why?
1) Cost
2) No "seal" issue
3) Warranty (I assume your truck is still under warranty)
Well, at the risk of getting seriously flamed (folks, please don't flame me, this is just my opinion), the Nissan manual says:
ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER RECOMMENDATION
Selecting the correct oil... NISSAN
recommends mineral based oils.
I interpret "recommends" as "prefers". But if they recommend it, it's for a reason, and that's what I'm using after my fiasco. I will use 5W30 Castrol GTX and a Nissan filter for my first change at 1k (currently ~897 miles), and for all subsequent changes. I am NOT saying synthetic oil caused my engine issues, just stating my opinion.
Now, I'm not saying synthetic will "void" your warranty...it won't. But why spend extra money if you are going to do short OCI's...waste of cash in my book. As Bill in Utah put it in a previous thread:
quote:
I would follow the manual. Why, it's THEIR engine until the warranty is done.
If they ask for 5,000 mile oil changes, I'd do that or better. (I mean, if 5k is good, they can not say (or get on your case if you did 4k)
If they RECOMMEND mineral oil, you bet I would be doing that. Why? Why give them the excuse that Syn "could" have caused this or that... They can say that’s why they put the "NISSAN recommends mineral based oils" to prevent xx...
You engine will last using either. I am in the mindset that unless the MFG states I have to run Syn, I will not. I have tried it and done UOAs and the extra cost of the syn (FOR ME) is not worth the cost. The UOAs are not any better and I've had strong long life clean motors running under $1 a quart oil for many years. Many engines too, not just one or two.. (I drive too much...)
I'd rather save the $$, get an extra UOA here and there to keep track of the motor and use the $$ for other things (like GAS.. )
I think that sums it up
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One more point not related to engine oil...
Dark Jedi wrote:
quote:
Id be more worried about that tiny pumpkin on your rear end. than what the oil will do to your engine. the weak link in this truck is its rear end.
There has been some rear end failures on some Titan's...part of it was the gear oil was too thin in all 2004's, and early 2005 Titan's (75W90).
Dump that rear oil
immediately...I changed mine on the 2005 at ~3000 miles, and it looked terrible, with alot of metal. I used Valvoline synthetic 75W-140. Get a drain pan and 3/8" drive ratchet. Piece of cake to do and only takes a few minutes. You do NOT have to remove the rear cover. Drain plug on bottom, fill plug on top. You will need 3 quarts...2 full ones, and ~4 ozs. out of the third.
The manual calls for 68 ozs, mine took just about that.
This really is a must do even with only a few hundred miles on a new Titan. For some reason Nissan is famous for sending these trucks out with low diff. fluid levels, and that's certainly not a good thing.
Please change this fluid ASAP if you haven't already. I am even changing my 2006 diff. fluid when I change my oil.
Sorry mods, slightly