- Joined
- Jul 11, 2025
- Messages
- 3
Good Evening,
I've lingered around these forums for years, but haven't ever posted any questions here. I'm in a pickle.
I moved from the US to Coastal Ecuador near the town of Salinas. I bought a new 2025 Nissan Qashqai 1.3L direct injection with a turbo & six-speed manual transmission.
The 'dealership' in Guayaquil, Ecuador, wanted me to go back to them every 5,000 KM (3,106 miles) to get the oil changed. This is a 300-mile round trip. I did this twice and decided I'd be doing maintenance locally. After doing research and talking to the lads in England via Qashqai Facebook groups (where this vehicle is made and most popular), I've decided to change the interval to every 10,000 KM (6,213 miles). That's still way more often than I've ever changed oil before (usually at the 10,000-mile mark) - and hopefully contributes to engine and turbo longevity.
I don't at all mean to be a jerk, but the people here know very little about proper vehicle maintenance or lubricants. Here, you take your oil and filter to the mechanic to change. I'd do it myself (and have for 25 years), but my community (Urbanizacion) doesn't allow it, and I have no ramps, tools, or anywhere to catch the oil (none of that is common here like in the US).
Here's my issue: I live directly on the coast, like.. 250 yards from the ocean in a warm tropical environment. I have the Pacific Ocean on one side of my house and a saltwater flamingo preserve on the other. I'm constantly surrounded by and saturated with saltwater. Ecuador has a limited number of oil brands readily available. They have a few of their in-country brands everywhere (like Golden Bear) that most of us would never use - but as for trusted brands, there are only a few (and Mobil 1 isn't one of them).
They do have 5w30 Liqui Moly Green MolyGen, which is the holy grail of oil here. I've never heard of this stuff (4 liters for $115.00)
They also have 5W30 Pennzoil Platinum (4 liters for $55.00)
My question is, is this Liqui Moly stuff a gimmick, or is this worth the premium paid for it? I've heard great things about Pennzoil Platinum, but will it hold up in this harsh environment? Again, I live in a saltwater-saturated area, could the premium stuff make a difference inside the motor? Is the premium stuff better for my turbo or direct-injected engine?
I appreciate any insight!
~ Travis
I've lingered around these forums for years, but haven't ever posted any questions here. I'm in a pickle.
I moved from the US to Coastal Ecuador near the town of Salinas. I bought a new 2025 Nissan Qashqai 1.3L direct injection with a turbo & six-speed manual transmission.
The 'dealership' in Guayaquil, Ecuador, wanted me to go back to them every 5,000 KM (3,106 miles) to get the oil changed. This is a 300-mile round trip. I did this twice and decided I'd be doing maintenance locally. After doing research and talking to the lads in England via Qashqai Facebook groups (where this vehicle is made and most popular), I've decided to change the interval to every 10,000 KM (6,213 miles). That's still way more often than I've ever changed oil before (usually at the 10,000-mile mark) - and hopefully contributes to engine and turbo longevity.
I don't at all mean to be a jerk, but the people here know very little about proper vehicle maintenance or lubricants. Here, you take your oil and filter to the mechanic to change. I'd do it myself (and have for 25 years), but my community (Urbanizacion) doesn't allow it, and I have no ramps, tools, or anywhere to catch the oil (none of that is common here like in the US).
Here's my issue: I live directly on the coast, like.. 250 yards from the ocean in a warm tropical environment. I have the Pacific Ocean on one side of my house and a saltwater flamingo preserve on the other. I'm constantly surrounded by and saturated with saltwater. Ecuador has a limited number of oil brands readily available. They have a few of their in-country brands everywhere (like Golden Bear) that most of us would never use - but as for trusted brands, there are only a few (and Mobil 1 isn't one of them).
They do have 5w30 Liqui Moly Green MolyGen, which is the holy grail of oil here. I've never heard of this stuff (4 liters for $115.00)
They also have 5W30 Pennzoil Platinum (4 liters for $55.00)
My question is, is this Liqui Moly stuff a gimmick, or is this worth the premium paid for it? I've heard great things about Pennzoil Platinum, but will it hold up in this harsh environment? Again, I live in a saltwater-saturated area, could the premium stuff make a difference inside the motor? Is the premium stuff better for my turbo or direct-injected engine?
I appreciate any insight!
~ Travis
