Nissan VQ35 -> Different Oil Recommendations In Europe vs. N.A.???

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il_signore97

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Sep 5, 2006
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Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Hi everyone,

I'm a new member here! I've been reading these forums for a long time, and there is some really great info posted on these boards.

I've been reading a lot about the Nissan VQ35 engine, as I own a 2005 Altima 3.5 5-spd M/T, bought brand new in April 2005.

I've been using Amsoil 0W30 Series 2000 since the car had 2000 km on it. It runs great with it, and I will be doing some UOA soon to see how things are doing.

However, I came across the following image in a Maxima forum. It contains the recommended oils for a European model VQ35 engine as given in the European owner's manual (see pic below). I was surprised to discover that the recommendations are quite different than those in my manual here in Canada.

My manual recommends 5W30 for all temps, and states that 10W30 or 10W40 can be used only for higher temps.

As you can see in the pic, the European owner's manual has quite a bit more selection of recommended oils, more on the thicker side by my eye. It also states that 5W30 should only be used below 15 C! I found that particularly interesting.

What do you guys think of this? I've read posts on this forum stating that VQ engines seem to prefer thicker oil, although that is debatable as well. Do you think that Nissan North America is simply trying to improve their CAFE level and is not thinking about engine protection as a primary consideration?

I was thinking of moving up to Amsoils 5W40 Euro formula for the summer months, and switching to 0W30 series 2000 for the winter. Thanks for the comments in advance
cheers.gif



http://server6.theimagehosting.com/image.php?img=Euro Specs.jpg

EDIT: Sorry, I don't know how to make the image display here. The link is given above. Thanks!
 
ekpolk! Dr. Polk, You are wanted in surgery... or to testify about the magic VQ lube combo.

German Castrol 0w30 - LubeControl- garnered the lowest numbers this analyst ever studied.

BTW
welcome.gif
to being a BITOG poster!

Please do get the unit sampled whatever you decide. I have customers that run Amsoil TSO 0w30 and their results are good.

Terry
 
Thanks for the welcome Terry!

I have always used Amsoil TSO in my cars with good results, and my last car was sold with 300,000 km on the clock and was in perfect running condition (it ran on TSO most of its life, with 15,000-20,000 km OCI's).

I just couldn't help but question the logic of making two different recommendations for the same engine! In any case, I was thinking of doing a back-to-back test next year (when the summer heat is back again) between the TSO 0W30 and the AFL 5W40 to see exactly what their effects on my engine are... Of course, I would opt for full Dyson analyses after each test
wink.gif


I should mention that I do drive at high speeds for extended periods of time (around 3,500 RPM in 5th gear for at least an hour everyday) and do a lot of passing when driving at lower speeds. So I'm sure that some other VQ owner may have different results from me, but I'm just trying to do the best for my engine!

Thanks again.

[ September 08, 2006, 10:23 PM: Message edited by: il_signore97 ]
 
quote:
Originally posted by Terry:
German Castrol 0w30 - LubeControl- garnered the lowest numbers this analyst ever studied.
Click to expand...
il_signore97, consider yourself lucky. Not every new member is greeted by the resident Tribologist, let alone gets a recommendation. Forget foreign manuals and follow Terry's advice.
 
It is normal for the EU countries to have completely different "schedules" compared to USA.

Last time I spoke to my cousin he said most cars are on a 20-30K KM OCIs over there and the oil is about $20 a liter.

I guess that might be the reason.
 
Different vescosities for different countries could easly be explaned. We like 3-7,500 mile oci while EU typically are recomending 10-20,000? mile intervals. In addition we are buying oil very cheap (my mobil 1 @ $21.90 per 5 quarts) and I read EU is paying 2-4X times my cost.
 
quote:
Originally posted by il_signore97:
Do you think that Nissan North America is simply trying to improve their CAFE level and is not thinking about engine protection as a primary consideration?
Click to expand...
Yes and No. Yes all automakers in North America are concerned about CAFE, and are recommending the fuel efficient and HP saving ILSAC GF-4 oils. No the reason heavier oils are recommended in Europe is because the Europeans are confused. They think heavier oil is better and without any CAFE to challenge their thinking, they continue to put molasses in their engines. See this paper if you want to get into the detail and the history of this. The Mazda I drive has exactly the same engine but different oil recommendations in Europe.

Improved Fuel Efficiency by Lubricant Design
 
il_signore97,

I use the German Castrol 0w-30 with Lube Control in my 2000 Maxima that is due for an analysis of a 10+ month interval. I will be interested to see if it is as good as ekpolk's report.

I formerly used the Amsoil ASL 5w-30 then the formulation was thicker in 2002. The best interval for it was 9-10 months since it would thicken to a 40 weight.

As for the 5w-40, I had heard that Infiniti manuals list this as the best all around option so Amsoil's AFL 5w-40 will fit the bill.
 
Come on, this chart is an ancient joke. It lists a straight 10W for temps between -22 and 59F.
 
quote:
Originally posted by 427Z06:

quote:
Originally posted by Terry:
German Castrol 0w30 - LubeControl- garnered the lowest numbers this analyst ever studied.
Click to expand...
il_signore97, consider yourself lucky. Not every new member is greeted by the resident Tribologist, let alone gets a recommendation. Forget foreign manuals and follow Terry's advice.
Click to expand...
427Z06, I am honoured that Terry gave me a personal welcome and recommendation. Perhaps I didn't make that clear in my reply.

I actually ment to say that if I am able to find some GC 0W30, I would definately be willing to give that a run and see how it works in my engine with my driving habits. I am aware that many people have had great luck with it. However, I have never been able to locate it in my area - maybe I'm not looking in the right places??? Until I locate a reliable local supply of GC, I believe that Amsoil is the best choice of oil, as Terry stated, and is what I currently use (Amsoil TSO Series 2000 0W30).

But anyway, thanks for all the replies everyone. Keep 'em coming if you have any other comments / opinions on this!
cheers.gif
 
quote:
Originally posted by bar1:

quote:
Originally posted by Ron AKA:
No the reason heavier oils are recommended in Europe is because the Europeans are confused.
Click to expand...
Before you say insulting things to other people on this forum, at least make shure that what you say is true:
Looks like the only one beeing confused here is you:
http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=016052
Click to expand...
This link refers to a VW 2.0, and having owned one of those in the past, I can say without a doubt it's requirements are totally different than a Nissan VQ35 engine.
 
quote:
Originally posted by il_signore97:

quote:
Originally posted by 02RedSpec-V:

quote:
I actually ment to say that if I am able to find some GC 0W30
Click to expand...
Just go to Walmart!
Click to expand...
Walmart only has North American Castrol Syntec. I have never seen German Castrol at Walmart!
Click to expand...
I have seen Castrol 0w30, which says it has been made in Germany at PartSource. Not sure you have PartSource in Ontario? It is owned by Canadian Tire.
 
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