New truck. Direct injection. First DI only engine I have owned. I had 1117 miles on it. Early change. The oil came out black. Not use to that. At 1000 miles on it. I’m a short tripper. I’ll do the severe oil change intervals. I can’t see running a DI only engine on out there. Oil is cheap as they say. That was my morning. Wardawg.
Nissan frontier VQ38DD first oil change
- Thread starter Gawardawg
- Start date
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
i don't find mine to blacken the oil as bad as other Nissan GDIs I've owned. The VQ35DD in my 2019 Pathfinder for instance. That one was bad.
Looks like you've got extra stuff to remove on yours vs my 2022 Frontier S-model. I just have to remove the metal door on the belly pan to get at the filter. No ramps needed. 50k miles on my 2022. Totally problem free knock on wood.
Looks like you've got extra stuff to remove on yours vs my 2022 Frontier S-model. I just have to remove the metal door on the belly pan to get at the filter. No ramps needed. 50k miles on my 2022. Totally problem free knock on wood.
I'll tell you what I find most interesting about what's seen in the pics? It's that you have an original set of Yellow Ultra Ramps AND you have the 'extension kit' that goes with it. I still have the same set also with the extension kit. With today's low-profile vehicles without the extension kit, ramps basically useless. Extension kit a very hard find now. Used them for many years until I bought a set of Rhino Max Ramps. The latter wider, lighter, and easier to use.
So, does accessing the drain plug and/or filter require removing the entire belly pan? At least the pan looks much more substantial that what's used now on Sentra, Altima, and Rogue.
Congrats on the new truck. Enjoy!
So, does accessing the drain plug and/or filter require removing the entire belly pan? At least the pan looks much more substantial that what's used now on Sentra, Altima, and Rogue.
Congrats on the new truck. Enjoy!
To get to the drain plug you have to remove 5 bolts. Easy peasy. The shield/ pan is plastic. But solid enough. The oil filter access cover is also plastic. Two bolts on that. It actually has a plastic pan/ shield over the transmission pan area . I swapped the factory drain plug with a Z1 plug with magnet.
Yeah I got the ramps in the 1990’s. Had a Thunderbird that had to use ramps for. 97 Chevy Silverado I just slide under and did the deed. I was a year or two younger back then
Very nice. I just bought a White ‘25 Frontier Pro4x last week.
Dumped the factory fill as soon as I got home at 91 miles, and replaced it with the current BITOG obsession, M1 ESP 0w-30.
Glad I dumped it early. It was very glittery when I shined a flashlight on it.
Dumped the factory fill as soon as I got home at 91 miles, and replaced it with the current BITOG obsession, M1 ESP 0w-30.
Glad I dumped it early. It was very glittery when I shined a flashlight on it.
Congratulations on the new truck! Awesome.
We had a '22 Pro 4X where I work that was as loaded as they come - heated steering wheel, 360 camera, leather, roof, etc. I was surprised at how "nice" it drove on the highway; light years ahead of my then new '21 Tacoma Off Road with a manual - looked so cool but drove like a coal cart.
WiskyBadger
Site Donor 2025
How do you like the new rig? I’m interested in these. Thanks
WiskyBadger
Site Donor 2025
how do you like it?
Nice truck. I often thought about buying one but the way I drive for work, I wouldn’t make as much money on mileage reimbursement. I have 2 altimas and a rogue and thought about trading that in, but it’s paid off and a loaded frontier cost almost as much as my 1st house..,not an exaggeration. Good call on the early oil change, although when I did my Nissans at around the same mileage the oil was nowhere near black. It was glittery though. 2 of my 3 are direct injected. Nissans aren’t picky about oil, I’ve tried just about everything in them, although I wouldn’t use a gohner filter if they paid me to. Looks like yours came with the mahle.
So far, I like it a lot. Steering is kind of heavy. Heavier than my M3, which is known to have pretty heavy steering. But, it’s not bad.
I’m 6’2” and it fits me just about perfectly with the seat all the way back and down. But, if my legs were longer, it probably wouldn’t be very comfortable. FYI, in case you’re a giant. lol
Only issue I have is the wind noise from the rear door trim. But, it’s a super easy fix.
I got 1117 miles on it so far. Mines a fake 4 wheel drive. It’s a Pro X 2wheel drive. I took one 400 miles round trip in it. It rode really good on the interstate. It has the AT tires and bilstien shocks. It’s a 9 speed auto . Based off a Mercedes Benz transmission. It’s supposed to be the same one they ran in the Titan. Research yourself. Not claiming my memory is holding true. If I keep it 65-70 rolling it gets over 22 mpg . I have no regrets at this time. Wardawg
The steering is old school truck steering. It’s hydraulic steering. Folks say it heavy steering. I won’t go that far. It’s not electric steering. I’m use to it now. I don’t notice it. And you won’t unless you’re at a stop or maybe a slow roll. Wardawg
I forgot. One of yall said you got wind noise from the rear door ect…,, mine’s quite.
WiskyBadger
Site Donor 2025
Good info, I’m only 5’-8” so leg room is no issue! Lol
I like the way these trucks look and I’ve debating going away from a full size for next daily-ish truck purchase. Good power, gas mileage?
Only have 250 miles on it. So, not even a full tank. I’m expecting low 20’s at 75mph on highway trips. None of the mid-size trucks get very good mileage when you’re >60-65mph.
Power is fine. I’ve not tried to tow with it, and I don’t live at altitude, so I can’t comment on those. But, it’ll get out of its own way just fine at sea level in cool temps.
9 speed transmission seems ok so far. Occasionally gets a little clunky at low speed. But, not bad. It’s a Mercedes unit built by Jatco in Japan. I like that you can D&F the fluid somewhat easily. There’s a reasonably priced tool you buy to do the D&F.
I will say the Fender audio system is ok at best. I wouldn’t go out of my way to get it. It came with one of the packages I wanted. The bass is very muddy. I’d gladly take the extra storage under the left rear seat instead of having the sub.
The dealership had one of these in a bright orange. Looked very good in that color. And, I don’t usually like stuff that bright. But alas, I’m not bold enough to drive one that color for the next 5-10 years. lol
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