Made the change to Pennzoil Dino Oil

[Big Red]

This was a tough decision. In my 1995 Nissan hardbody 4x4 V6 with 73500 miles, I was using Castrol GTX 10w30, and prior to that QS 10w30. Since new, I have changed the oil and oil filter with out fail every 3 months or 3000 miles using the Nissan OEM oil filter. Well, I was torn between Chevron Supreme and Pennzoil 10w30 after reading positive things about each. I end up going with Pennzoil because it is available in more auto stores.What do you guys think? Are there any other positive reasons to back up my choice I didn't think of? Thanks

 

[cangreylegend]

So what's so bad about "QS" anyways? Just because there are no UOAs?

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

3 MONTHS OR 3K MILES? You really can't make a bad choice. I asked Johnny from Pennzoil and he said that their Wolf's Head brand was fine for this regimen. The Pennzoil does have moly if that floats your boat.

 

[mikemc]

Between those brands and a 3K interval I don't think you could make a bad choice.

 

[GSV]

Big Red, How do you like your truck? How reliable has it been? I have a 97 Nissan 4x4 XE King Cab. I've only owned it for 5 months but it seems pretty solid. I run a 100 miles a day on it and get about 28 mpg ( at 75-80 mph). When I climb from 4300 feet to 7600 feet I wish it had more power but then you don't get 28 mpg... good luck!

 

[got boost?]

quote:

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Originally posted by GSV: Big Red, How do you like your truck? How reliable has it been? I have a 97 Nissan 4x4 XE King Cab. I've only owned it for 5 months but it seems pretty solid. I run a 100 miles a day on it and get about 28 mpg ( at 75-80 mph). When I climb from 4300 feet to 7600 feet I wish it had more power but then you don't get 28 mpg... good luck!

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how are you calculating mpg? I think you miscalculated.

 

[GSV]

quote:

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how are you calculating mpg? I think you miscalculated

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Take the amount of gas added at a fill up and divide the number of miles driven on that quantity of gas by that number. example 8.5 gallons / 230 miles driven = 27 mpg FWIW If I do 100 miles in a day 90 will be highway. [ July 15, 2003, 12:53 AM: Message edited by: GSV ]

 

[Bror Jace]

Big Red, conventional wisdom floating about this place says that brand is not really an issue when using a 3,000 oil & filter interval. But, if the price is comparable I'd go with the better stuff of course. Castrol GTX is OK. I haven't used it recently but several years ago I did and I'd find that its detergent/dispersant package was marginal. It would stay clean-looking for thousands of miles but then switching to something else (Mobil 1 in my case) would cause the second oil to darken quite quickly as it (presumably) was cleaning up whatever the Castrol left behind. That was actually the Syntec I had used and had left it in for at least 5,000 miles. The GTX I used in my '86 Escort GT throughout its relativel short life with me. I haven't touched QS in decades ... but I assume it's at least competent. Base oil is a 2 compared to the 2+ with Pennzoil (and I think Chevron as well). --- Bror Jace

 

[Schmoe]

I just ran a UOA on a Pennz. 10W-30 dino special and had really great results at 3400 miles. Members have said that I could probably run it up to 4K or even maybe 5K, but this is strictly highway mileage. IMO, if you stay with Pennz. and change around 3 to 3.5K, I don't think you could ever go wrong. I've used this product since I was driving and hasn't let me down yet. But, it's like you said, 3000 miles is around the limit. For extended drains, you've opened up Pandora's Box. Some swear by it, others scorn it. You may be like me in that I've been so engraved in the head that you MUST CHANGE AT 3K, that anything past it, I get sweaty palms. Hard to teach an old dog new tricks.

 

[Big Red]

Thanks Guys for your feedback. GSV This is my second Nissan truck. My first was a 1984 720 4 cylinder (8 plug engine) 5 speed. It was a great truck, very reliable. I sold it when I purshased my second Nissan truck ( 1995 Hardbody V6 A/T K/C 4x4) new. As with the first Nissan truck I owned the 1995 truck also is very reliable. I make sure I follow all recommended maintance, keep it waxed and so on. As a matter of fact I had an oil change at a Nissan dealer last Saturday. The Nissan Tech stated he would like to buy my truck if I ever trade it. Many people say it looks good for a truck that is 8 years old.I have 73500 miles on it. Good luck with yours.

 

[mikemc]

Schmoe said "I've been so engraved in the head that you MUST CHANGE AT 3K, that anything past it, I get sweaty palms. Hard to teach an old dog new tricks" ... I hear ya brother.

 

[Norm Olt]

Man, this "MUST change oil @ 3K!!!!" thang has got me wondering about the actual effectiveness of mass marketing & advertising! Almost any good oil (make that "one that meets the OEM requirement for grade and weight") ought to provide adequate protection IN EVERY SENSE for a well-maintained, unabused engine, within the normal parameters of usage. I'm not talking about a winter of -37 degree start-ups, nor Death Valley ambient temps, nor 75 X 2 minute trips a day: Normal use. Going 4K once or twice should not result in a catastrophic engine failure, greatly diminished performance or reduction in gas mileage, or huge amounts of additional wear, accumulations of sludge, etc. I think we need to remember that the "EVERY 3K!!!" mantra is from the quickie-lube places and the oil companies that sell them oil! And that this is directed towards the CONSUMERS, many of whom have never (and would also never consider! )changed their oil themselves... OR an air filter "It started right up!" fuel filter "I put in a can of STP!" Coolant "It's still green!" brake fluid "Brakes still work!" and are blissfully driving around (with under-inflated tires) with 17K on their last oil change waiting for the red lights to go out... "They went out when I turned it off!" The nice man at the Dealership offered to check the Halogen in the headlights for free! , but true! There's one born every...