OCI Recommendations

[ptkdude]

What kind of OCI would you guys use for the following:

2000 Nissan Altima 150,000 miles
I drive fewer than 6,000 miles per year, mostly less than 5 miles per trip (commute about 3 miles each way to work entirely within the Atlanta city limits).

I used to have my mechanic change the oil, and he used Mobil Super. He's turned into a ****, so I've changed it myself the last 2 times, and am currently running Pennzoil Conventional (the last change was Valvoline NextGen 5w30).

The engine does not use oil to the point where I have had to add oil between changes. I've been using Bosch premium oil filters, but will switch to FRAM Ultra with my next change (because it's much easier to remove them).

According to the owner's manual, I should be changing the oil and filter every 3,750 miles or 3 months (whichever comes first). Based on how few miles I drive, 3 months is about 1,300 miles.

Should I change the oil twice a year? Once? Would switching to synthetic be better for the engine?

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[Nick1994]

I would use a synthetic blend and change once per year.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Switching to synthetic would most likely be a waste of money. Due to your short tripping, I'd limit the OCI. Do you take the car on longer runs on weekends? This would allow for moisture and fuel to burn off and may allow you to keep the oil longer, like say one year? If only short trips, then maybe cut it down to 6 months.

One thing you could do is get the oil analyzed after 6 months and go from there.

 

[bigt61]

Pennzoil Conventional is already top of the line dino - stick with that and change it once a year, but keep it topped off. The cheapest filter you can find is all you need. IMO, a Fram Ultra on a 15 year old beater is a waste....unless you want to change it every other OCI.

 

[Rolla07]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Switching to synthetic would most likely be a waste of money. Due to your short tripping, I'd limit the OCI. Do you take the car on longer runs on weekends? This would allow for moisture and fuel to burn off and may allow you to keep the oil longer, like say one year? If only short trips, then maybe cut it down to 6 months.

One thing you could do is get the oil analyzed after 6 months and go from there.



+1

 

[Schmoe]

I'd go with Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5w30 and go once a year. Changing out twice a year with a cheaper oil will cost about the same but you get a better oil. From time to time, run it longer than the short trips.

 

[lubricatosaurus]

Schmoe is right.

For those who say "no full-synthetic" here: Doesn't conventional SN-only oil lay more junk down on the rings than a full syn? There was some posts here recently about engine teardowns seeing it where conventionals were used, and the paper http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/4872/1/leepm4.pdf which shows loiter time in the rings of around 1 minute.

For that reason and chemical stability, I'd say a few extra bucks for synthetic is worth it.

 

[camrydriver111]

Originally Posted By: Schmoe
I'd go with Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5w30 and go once a year. Changing out twice a year with a cheaper oil will cost about the same but you get a better oil.


I agree. I don't think the engine will care either way.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Schmoe
I'd go with Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5w30 and go once a year.

What is it in synthetic oil that can make it last longer under such harsh circumstances as the OP described? If you're getting moisture and fuel dumped into the oil and no chance of extended driving, then the only way to get rid of this stuff is to change the oil. There is nothing magical in synthetic that can combat moisture and fuel.

 

[Oregoonian]

I would do the following in your situation;

Use a semi-syn (blend)....such as Motorcraft, Penz. Gold or Quaker State.
OCI: Once a year (6K to 7K)....and a Fram Toughguard filter.

 

[Oregoonian]

I would do the following in your situation;

Use a semi-syn (blend)....such as Motorcraft, Penz. Gold or Quaker State.
OCI: Once a year (6K to 7K)....and a Fram Toughguard filter.

 

[camrydriver111]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: Schmoe
I'd go with Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5w30 and go once a year.

What is it in synthetic oil that can make it last longer under such harsh circumstances as the OP described? If you're getting moisture and fuel dumped into the oil and no chance of extended driving, then the only way to get rid of this stuff is to change the oil. There is nothing magical in synthetic that can combat moisture and fuel.


This is a problem only in the winter. Once highway trip also cleans it right up.

We also don't know how long it takes OP to drive the distance. If he's stuck in traffic the engine has plenty of time to warm up.

 

[barkingspider]

Once a year OCI w whatever 5W30 U can get on clearance. Dino , blend, Full Synthetic doesn't matter. Keep the oil level. Use whatever filter u like

 

[ptkdude]

Thanks, everyone, for chiming in. To address some of the questions:

My morning commute is usually about 15-20 minutes, evening commute is 20-25.

I'm in Atlanta, so "winter" isn't very cold. When the weather turns icy, I work from home and don't drive at all.

The car is sometimes driven further on the weekends, and there is an occasional longer trip (250 miles each way every couple of months).

I was thinking FRAM Ultra because of the grippy material on the end. Due to some limitations, I have to change the filter by removing the passenger side front wheel and reaching in, and I've had issues removing the Bosch that way because it was slick. The Ultra also doesn't have the cardboard end caps, of which I am wary.

Thanks again, everyone!

 

[Quattro Pete]

In that case, I vote for once a year OCI.

 

[Merkava_4]

Change the oil twice a year with Valvoline MaxLife.

 

[69GTX]

I have the same situation but in the northeast (8K mi per year short tripping). And I'm staying with 2X/yr or by 4K miles. If the oil looks great maybe push it another month or two. Either a synthetic on sale or a quality dino - blend or straight. For $2-$3 extra a filter I'll spend the money on a Fram ultra or Tough Guard. Over several years the total cost for better oil + filter won't even be $100. I value my $3K engine (and peace of mind) a lot more than that. I can handle the cost of most mechanical repairs on my car....except engine and trans. Doing a used oil analysis is a good idea.

 

[Branson304]

I'd use Valvoline MaxLife synthetic blend & a Fram Tough Guard. Change once a year.

 

[gallydif]

Pennzoil Conventional is top of the line dino. If your engine is not burning any oil and you don't find yourself topping it off, no need to switch to a high mileage oil. Pennzoil Conventional combined with the fram ultra that you speak of- just do yearly oil changes.