Oil for a Nissan Sentra

[Finklejag]

I just bought a 05 Nissan Sentra. It has the QG18DE engine. It only has a 2 7/8 quart capacity with filter.

What do you guys recommend for oil in this beast. Nissan recommends 3,750 or 7,500 mile OCI's. I don't think I will even try 7,500 with synthetic. I think I will stick with less then 4K OCI's until I do a analysis after I put some miles on her.

Nissan says to use a SL oil. 5w30 is perferred, but 10w30/10W-40 can be used above 0 degrees. Would it be a waste of money to use a synthetic in this application? I think I will use Chevron Supreme 10w30 oil and stick with 4K OCI's.

Thanks for the help.

[ May 26, 2005, 10:52 PM: Message edited by: Finklejag ]

 

[bighead]

I would think the Chevron would do you just fine for those intervals. However, I'm not familiar with that engine, but I think you would have no issues. Does it get pretty cold up there in Portland? If so you might want to run the 5w30. I'm sure someone with more knowledge will chime in and clear things up...

 

[MONKEYMAN]

I have a 93 Sentra, with the GA16DE, that may be similar to your engine, but oil capacity is 3.4 quarts.

At about 76,000 purchased used. For about 75,000 it had Castrol 10w30 (free from dealership). The problem I have seen is oil leaks in my engine. It baked a few oil pan gaskets. Valve cover gasket replaced, and of course, the front main seal (common repair). I just did two treatments of Auto-RX, and am using Havoline 10w30. Supplementing this with E.P. Moly and Lube Control. Not being well versed in oils, I don't know what I would suggest. I have an idea that synthetic oil may hold up better in this engine, and may reduce some of the leaking problems due to baked seals/gaskets. I think the 4 k oil changes would be reasonable in this engine. That is what I plan to use from now on.

 

[02RedSpec-V]

quote:

---

I don't think I will even try 7,500 with synthetic.

---

Why not? lots of people on this board are with great results in UOA including myself.

 

[luvs2drive]

My Girlfriend recently switched to Mobil 1 5W30 SS and runs it for 4K miles regardless of time. The oil comes out only slightly darkened, and smells clean considering the short trips she takes. The car seems to like it.

I'd go with syn, simply because of the small sump capacity. Stick with Nissans oil filters. The 9E000 is the one they should be using.

 

[mikemc]

I would keep the intervals low with such a small sump. 4K at most with Chevron/Havoline should do well.

 

[Finklejag]

quote:

---

Originally posted by 02RedSpec-V:

quote:

---

I don't think I will even try 7,500 with synthetic.

---

Why not? lots of people on this board are with great results in UOA including myself.

---

The car only has a 2 5/8 sump. If it had a 4 quart sump or more, then yes I would consider 7,500 OCI's.

 

[Finklejag]

It suppose to get 28 city, and 34 highway.

1.8L 1769cu 129hp.

I have to have both hands on the steering wheel at all times. It's a beast, I tell you.

 

[unDummy]

This is an excellent engine.
I'd go straight for a synthetic. It only takes 3 quarts. And, a synthetic should easily go the 7.5k miles or every six months.

An oversized oil filter can make it an even 3 quarts.

Here are some used oil analysis using the search engine:
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=001849
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=001335
http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=002264
http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=002594

 

[Al]

We don't have a whole lot of oil analysis on the new GF-4/SM oils. But I think that Chevron 5w30 and Havoline 5w30 are gonna prove to be among the best. That 1.8 has a history of cooolant leaks and I would be a little careful with long OCI's. An oil analysis every now than is good insurance for this engine.

One other thing..use the filter made for the year 2000 (and earlier) Maxima engine. If you get it at the dealer..tell them to use it-some do automatically.

 

[ryansride2017]

I have an 03 Sentra with your exact engine. Don't be afraid to run 5K on conventional oils. My analysis was excellent with Pennzoil:

My used oil analysis

I wouldn't even hesitate running 7.5K with Mobil 1. It's a rock-solid little engine. I now have 83K on it and it sounds just as good as it did when it was new. My goofy sister-in-law has one identical to mine and her last oil change interval was 18K with regular Chevron (I wouldn't recommend that). Even with all of that abuse, the engine keeps humming along like it did when it was new (but I would love to see the inside of her's).

 

[haley10]

Finkeljag, what is the typical mpg you'll get and what is are the cu.in. displacement and rated HP output??

You can tell, we are about to apply the mathematical formula here.

 

[Finklejag]

Thanks guys for the help. I guess Mobil 1 10w30 and 5K OCI's are in order. I just picked up a OEM Filter. I was suprised they are made in Japan. Good stuff. I will change out the factory fill at 1K.

 

[msparks]

My choice goes to Amsoil ATM 10w30 for this application. 10,000 mile changes would be fine. No need for a filter change either.

Just keep an eye on the oil level. You don't have much room for error (if your down a quart you just lost 1/3 of your oil level.

In all honesty, that's the biggest downside to having small sumps. You lose some oil and you could be in big trouble.

 

[Al]

quote:

---

Originally posted by ryansride2017:
It's a rock-solid little engine.

---

Unfortunately..Nissan dropped their super size rock solider SR20DE

 

[haley10]

No matter what you guys think of Ted's formula...here are the #'s.

Dino = 4332 mi.
Average Syn = 5777 mi.
Premium Syn = 8665 mi.

I based it on 30 mpg. I would even be more conservative until confirmed.

The sump is small enough that syn should be affordable after break in. Starburst dino might shear pretty bad.

 

[haley10]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Finklejag:
It suppose to get 28 city, and 34 highway.

1.8L 1769cu 129hp.

I have to have both hands on the steering wheel at all times. It's a beast, I tell you.

---

Squeezing 129HP out of 108 cu. in.

and a sump of 2.875 qts.

It's a beast.

 

[y_p_w]

quote:

---

Originally posted by haley10:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Finklejag:
It suppose to get 28 city, and 34 highway.

1.8L 1769cu 129hp.

I have to have both hands on the steering wheel at all times. It's a beast, I tell you.

---

Squeezing 129HP out of 108 cu. in.

and a sump of 2.875 qts.

It's a beast.

---

Now I'm jealous. My dearly departed (stolen, stripped, recovered, and junked) '95 Acura Integra GS-R only managed 170 HP out of a 1790 cc inline 4. The crankcase only held a mere 4.8 quarts (~4.2 quarts per change).

 

[Frank D]

What will your driving be, mostly highway, mostly city stop and go or a mixture of both? I had an 87 Sentra with the 1.6 SOHC motor bought new that I put 283,000 miles on (mostly highway) that did not burn or leak any oil and I used the recommended 10w30. I bought what ever name brand 10w30 that was on sale and used mostly Fram and Purolator filters. I replaced that with a new 96 Sentra with the 1.6 DOHC motor because I wanted AC and the 87 was still running great. I used the recommended 5w30 in the 96, usually Castrol GTX. I put 230,000 miles on that car unil I bought my 04 Altima 2.5S. The only leak on the 96 was the front seal that came at about 190,000 miles. That car also did not burn any oil and was running great when I sold it. Once I used Pennzoil 15w40 LL in the 96 in the summer and the motor did not do well with it, seemed very sluggish so I went back to the 5w30 and the free reving returned. I don't think you will have any problems using quality dino in your new Sentra. On the 87 my oci was 4,000 miles and on the 96 I upped it to 5,000 miles (again mostly highway miles). Enjoy your new Sentra.

 

[Finklejag]

I will be driving all highway, 48 miles round trip. I think I will use 10w30 year round up here in Portland. It only gets down in the 20's a couple times in the year.