Oil for 2019 Frontier V6

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May 14, 2026
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Got a -new to me- Frontier with a V6. Almost 98k

I’m the type to drive a car forever.

I’m about to change the oil for the first time.

What brand does everyone like for this engine?
 
Congrats. That engine is not particular at all to any specific spec or brand if I'm not mistaken. If it was mine I'd throw Valvoline Restore and Protect in it being you don't know the oil change history. I'd start there and then if you want to go for longer drain intervals maybe jump to a Mobil 1 product.
 
Got a -new to me- Frontier with a V6. Almost 98k

I’m the type to drive a car forever.

I’m about to change the oil for the first time.

What brand does everyone like for this engine?
The Nissan VQ40 engine absolutely loves Mobil 1 0W-40 European Car Formula. I have been running it in my Frontier VQ40 for a few years and have zero deposits or varnish based on a recent valve cover replacement. It is on currently on sale at WalMart for $25, but you will need 6 qts. for an oil & filter change.
 
If it were me, I would run 4 OCI's of Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W-30. Cut open the filter after each change to see how much it's collecting. Then, either stick with it, or go with a robust other oil, like someone mentioned the Mobil 1 European formula.

Do you have any of the maintenance history on the truck? They don't appear hard on oil. I have posted here before, but my neighbor bought a brand new, I believe 2018 Frontier, and never changed the factory oil until 23K! I did it for him. I expected an absolute disaster, but, it actually seemed fine. Even the cut open Nissan OEM oil filter seemed okay. Some people boggle my pea brain, but yeah, you should be in good shape!

Also, BIG WELCOME to BITOG! Glad to have you here!
 
I don't think there's a brand which EVERYONE likes.

You got boutique' freaks, Valvoline Restore and Protect advocates, Mobil 1 devotes and those who'll mock you for buying anything generic such as Kirkland or Walmart...even if it meets specifications.

What oil spec is called for?

API SN, GF-5 (or newer API SP / GF-6A)
 
If it were me, I would run 4 OCI's of Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W-30. Cut open the filter after each change to see how much it's collecting. Then, either stick with it, or go with a robust other oil, like someone mentioned the Mobil 1 European formula.

Do you have any of the maintenance history on the truck? They don't appear hard on oil. I have posted here before, but my neighbor bought a brand new, I believe 2018 Frontier, and never changed the factory oil until 23K! I did it for him. I expected an absolute disaster, but, it actually seemed fine. Even the cut open Nissan OEM oil filter seemed okay. Some people boggle my pea brain, but yeah, you should be in good shape!

Also, BIG WELCOME to BITOG! Glad to have you here!
I got to ask . Why on his part ????
 
I got to ask . Why on his part ????
Man, I spent many a moment tilting at that particular windmill. Just not important to him. To make it worse, he tows with it (lawn and tree equipment that he does on the side.) We moved abut 2 years after he got the truck, but we ran into them a couple years ago and he's still driving it. I doubt the oil gets changed much more, maybe every 10-15K if I was to guess.....not to mention that poor transmission....

Oh, still looked clean as a whistle. He washes it all the time! Weird, right? Someone is going to get kicked in the teeth on this used truck down the road.....
 
For more longevity I’d focus on keeping a low amount of contaminants in the oil. Use a high efficiency oil filter like a Purolator ONE or Mobil 1. Make sure the engine air filter is replaced and using a high quality paper filter with good filtration efficiency at small microns. I think this will matter more than what oil brand is chosen.

Doesn’t sound like you’re trying to do anything out of the ordinary with the truck. Brands I’d consider just out of habit and preference.
Mobil 1 Truck and SUV 5w-30
Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5w-30
Cold climate? Mobil 1 0w-30 AFE
But really any synthetic API/ILSAC 5w-30 would be totally fine.

Then, I’d just change it every 5k miles. After the first 5k, I’d sample the oil and just make sure there are no air leak letting in dirt, coolant leaks, or excessive fuel in the oil that would indicate other problems to address.
 
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Got a -new to me- Frontier with a V6. Almost 98k

I’m the type to drive a car forever.

I’m about to change the oil for the first time.

What brand does everyone like for this engine?
I bought my wife a 2019 Frontier new off the lot a little over 6 years ago. It is nearing 40K mi. On the odometer. I change the oil every 6 months, and it typically has 3K mi. on the oil.

We ran Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0w30 until it hit about 30K miles. She thought the engine was running a little rough. I did the full 30K service schedule, and put in Amsoil Synthetic Blend 5W-30. She said it runs so much smoother.
 
Congrats. That engine is not particular at all to any specific spec or brand if I'm not mistaken. If it was mine I'd throw Valvoline Restore and Protect in it being you don't know the oil change history. I'd start there and then if you want to go for longer drain intervals maybe jump to a Mobil 1 product.

If it were me, I would run 4 OCI's of Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W-30. Cut open the filter after each change to see how much it's collecting. Then, either stick with it, or go with a robust other oil, like someone mentioned the Mobil 1 European formula.
This is the answer, OP. You don't know the history. Run Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W-30 for 4 OCIs and cut open the oil filters. If you still have carbon, keep going until you don't.

Then you can either continue on with it or switch to another excellent oil like Mobil 1 Euro FS 0W-40, Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30, Castrol Euro Edge 0W-30, basically anything with MB 229.5x approval.
 
I have an Xterra (same drivetrain) with 420K miles - always on some type of conventional or blend.

I have a 2011 Fronty with 245K miles run mostly on synthetic. Sporting Mobil 1 0W-40 currently - like @Nukeman7 . Excellent oil at excellent price.

Owned both of the above since new.

I also now have a 2013 we bought around Christmas with 150K. Also running Mobil 1 0W-40.

None burn any oil. I see no reason to use Valvoline Restore and Protect to the chagrin of the faithful. I wouldn't overthink this. You can use a boutique or high price oil if you please, but there really isn't a need. Great engines.
 
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