Nissan 3.5 liter oil

[Robcox25]

I have a 2023 Nissan Pathfinder with a 3.5 liter engine. It calls for 5W-20, however I noticed the prior 3.5 liter engines called for 10W-30 or 10w40. I know manufacturers use lighter oil for fuel economy, but is that protecting my engine enough. Should I use be using a 10w30?
Thank you Rob

 

[kschachn]

Yes you can use a -30 grade. You can use a -40 grade as well.

Which winter rating is determined by your expected starting temperature. An oil with a 10W rating is acceptable down to about 0F.

 

[Hohn]

Welcome, I see this is your first post.

It sort of depends on how hard you push the vehicle. Lots of vehicles of done many, many miles on 20 grade oils. They seem sufficient for wear protection the majority of the time.

But I'm partial to 30 grades or higher. The old 3.5s recommended heavier oils but that was a long time ago. Modern oils are better than ever and a 30 grade now protects more like a 40 grade of yesteryear, if not better.

More than viscosity, I'd look at specific OEM approvals because the additive pack matters more than the viscosity per se. If you live where winters gets super cold, then go with the 0w30 ESP from Mobil 1. The 0w40 Euro formula as also highly regarded, even as an API SP formula.

If you live where a 5w or 10w is sufficient, then I'd recommend the M1 Extended Performance 10w30, the Truck and SUV 5w30. I like these M1 because they have very high flash point and seem to have some AN content in them.

In Valvoline, I'm a big fan of their Euro XL-III (See my profile pic) and their VRP. They are 5w30s. VRP is fantastic for any engine where you think it might have some cleaning needed (buy used, or haven't stayed on top of OCIs or been using cheap commodity oils).

In Castrol, I'd only consider their Euro oils-- look for the the VW 502/505 approval and BMW LL-01 with MB 229.5. Typically this is their 0w40 or 5w40 A3/B4 oils.

I also use and recommend HPL oils but I know the steeper price is not for everyone.

 

[Robcox25]

Thank you!

 

[Robcox25]

Yes you can use a -30 grade. You can use a -40 grade as well.

Which winter rating is determined by your expected starting temperature. An oil with a 10W rating is acceptable down to about 0F.

Thank you. I noticed that the 3.5 Nissan is an engine that has been around for over 20 years and was on Wards top 10 engines for 10 years, but they all had 10w-30. I also read an article that said one reason that engines aren’t lasting as long is due to thinner oil used to pass EPA regulations for mileage. That got me to thinking about this.

 

[SiRDOHC]

I have a 2023 Nissan Pathfinder with a 3.5 liter engine. It calls for 5W-20, however I noticed the prior 3.5 liter engines called for 10W-30 or 10w40. I know manufacturers use lighter oil for fuel economy, but is that protecting my engine enough. Should I use be using a 10w30?
Thank you Rob

I would run 5w30 in warmer climate just like I ran in VQs in the past, but grade aside I would be doing short intervals, have seen these produce coal like sludge first hand.

 

[wemay]

Yes, it's protecting your engine "enough". But moving up is fine too.

 

[MolaKule]

I have a 2023 Nissan Pathfinder with a 3.5 liter engine. It calls for 5W-20, however I noticed the prior 3.5 liter engines called for 10W-30 or 10w40. I know manufacturers use lighter oil for fuel economy, but is that protecting my engine enough. Should I use be using a 10w30?
Thank you Rob

FWIW, I have the older 4.0L version and use 5w30 in the winter and 10W30 in the summer.

 

[SC Maintenance]

@JTK had one. I think he had timing chain problems. You may wish to message him.

Is it still in warranty?

 

[JTK]

I have a 2023 Nissan Pathfinder with a 3.5 liter engine. It calls for 5W-20, however I noticed the prior 3.5 liter engines called for 10W-30 or 10w40. I know manufacturers use lighter oil for fuel economy, but is that protecting my engine enough. Should I use be using a 10w30?
Thank you Rob

That is interesting as my 2016 Nissan Quest minivan with the VQ35DE recommended 0w20 by Nissan, as did my 2019 Pathfinder with the VQ35DD GDI version just like your 2023 has. I ran anything from 0w20 to 5w30 in them with no noticeable differences in fuel economy, NVH, etc.

If you poke around any Pathfinder site that has a lot of 2017+ threads, you will see many sludge horror stories as well as early timing chain failure on the DD version of this engine.
I ran almost entirely 5w30, changed at no more than 3500 mile interval without fail the time I owned my 2019. 25k miles to 102k and I still suffered the early signs of timing chain failure, so I'm not sure 5w30 is the answer.

 

[NormanBuntz]

Welcome to BITOG. I'm not sure what your source is, but since at least 2006 Nissan recommended 5w-30 in all 3.5 and 3.7 six cylinder motors until the recent switch to 5w-20 and 0w-20 oil. Never during that time did Nissan recommend 10w-30 or 10w-40 in those engines. These motors are known to be tough on oil with a tendency to sludge if neglected, so regular oil changes are the key to long service. Since new my 2007 runs clean and uses zero oil between changes, which I've done religiously between 4,500 and 5,000 miles with a fair number of highway miles.