New member... Nissan Frontier question

[sdude2k2000]

Hey guys, I'm a newbie to the board, but have been lurking around for about a week now... great information on here!

Now I got a question of my own... I've got a 2000 Nissan Frontier v6 3.3L with 68,000mi on it, and was wondering if any of you oil pros out there recommend a certain oil weight in that motor? I've used synthetics since around 20,000mi... and wont go back to dino (huge difference w/ the synthetic, plus price doesn't matter that much to me). I'm currently using Mobil 1, 5w30... but have traditionally used either Mobil 1 -or- Royal Purple 10w30.

Am i doing good? Or do you guys have any better recommendations?

 

[Bryanccfshr]

What exactley is the differnce with synthetic and how are you measuring this difference?

What intervals are you running? I have had many of my preconcieved notions shattered here in the past couple months.

As far as oil weight use what the manual tells you. If you live in a warm climate run the highest recomended viscosities. I run 10w30 and 5w30 in my 3.4 Tacoma.

 

[sdude2k2000]

Engine operates smoother (idling, down-revving, etc.), greater fuel economy, etc.

I'm living in Southern Oregon, so my thought process is: 10w30 in the summer and 5w30 in the winter.

 

[Cyprs]

sdude2k2000

I have run Nissan 4 banger engines long time. I have used Esso or your Exxon Superflo, I now use Esso XD3 0-30 100% POA Synthetic Oil. There are many topics and some oil analysis posted on this XD3 0-30 XD3 syn oil made by Mobil for $3.71 litre Canadian at Esso bulk stations up here. My Altima really quieted down on this XD3, starts great with a -60F flow pour point. It has a 12 TBN and 12 viscosity at 100C. It is a great syn oil at great value, I dont know why Esso/Exxon/Mobil/Imperial Oil does not market this oil in the States now.

If you can get accross the border for this XD3 I would recommend it to you, my Nissan dealership okays it for use in my 03 Altima. If I could not get this XD3 then I would probably go to Mobil syn oil at double the price as XD3 syn oil.

Cyprs

 

[sdude2k2000]

....and my intervals are approx every 5,000mi

 

[msparks]

quote:

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Originally posted by sdude2k2000:
....and my intervals are approx every 5,000mi

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Bump that up to 7500 or 6 months. 5w30 winter and 10w30 summer sounds optimal to me.

 

[berge]

quote:

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Originally posted by sdude2k2000:
[QB] I've got a 2000 Nissan Frontier v6 3.3L with 68,000mi on it

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99 Quest, same 3.3L engine. 110K miles. Toronto.
had regular oil all it's life.
no sludge, lots of varnish.
tried Mobil 1 5W30. no more lifter tick on startup, smoother running overall, seemed a little noisier.
tried Esso XD3 0W30. so far, exctatic.
Through auto rx and Mobil 1, the bottom end of the dipstick had varnish on it. With this oil, the varnish is disappearing.

BTW, do you have the same, fishing line with rectangle unreadable blob at the end, dipstick.

 

[John in the ATL]

The Nissan V6s tend to like a heavier 30 weight oil. The Castrol Syntec 0w30 or German Castrol is a good choice off the shelf. If you are willing to order online or through a Amsoil site sponsor, the Amsoil ASL 5w30 performs well in these engines.

Mobil 1 is okay, but I would stick with the 10w30 in the cooler months and add a quart or 2 of the 15w-50 in the warmer months to thicken it up.

 

[MolaKule]

I agree with John in Atlanta.

My pathfinder V6 prefers 10W30 in the winter and M1 SUV 5W40 in the summer.

 

[sdude2k2000]

what kinds of things should i be looking for to tell what my "engine likes" ?

 

[John in the ATL]

quote:

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Originally posted by sdude2k2000:
what kinds of things should i be looking for to tell what my "engine likes" ?

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I base this on Used Oil Analysis or "used oil analysis" as we says on the Board. If you decide to start having your oil analyzed, consider the Blackstone Labs/Dyson Commentary to fine tune your selection of oil/filter and interval.

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/terry.html

Check out the used oil analysis section here (link below) and the maxima.org board in the Fluids and Lube section that has an Excel spreadsheet of many Maxima V6s.

http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi

[ December 04, 2004, 11:44 AM: Message edited by: John in the ATL ]