Oil Quantity b/w 2 vehicles

[NissanFan]

Not sure if this topic will get a lot of run, but if I understand correctly, in general terms, for a specific size engine, whatever size that may be, it would be desirable to have a larger oil capacity rather than smaller...because:

a)larger quanity of oil will keep it (the oil) from getting "beat up" as fast

b)better heat dispersion w/in the oil it self

c)more dispersant for contaminants that do make it into the oil, whatever they may be

d) any other reasons I might not be addressing

This being said, I was thumbing through the Chilton's guide I have for my 2001 Frontier the other day.(which covers multiple years of this model truck I believe from 99-2002/3 perhaps, it also covers pathfinders during this span of time as well. The engines it covers are the 3 diff engines that were available in these models during this time frame, these are the 2.4 cyl 4 banger KA24E (i believe), the 3.3 V6 and the 3.5 V6.

My first issue is that, while I know that the Pathfinder was the "flagship" SUV/Truck for Nissan during this time, I believe Nissan dropped the ball when they opted not to offer the 3.5 in the Frontiers as well. It was a more powerful engine with the tuning it had in the Pathy, and had the same fuel economy it seems as the 3.3. I also believe, and could be wrong, they were off the same block. Not that the 3.3 is a horrible engine per se...it just isn't as powerful as I'd like, but does get the job done.

Ok, with that rant over, next thing I noticed, was that the 3.3 while being the middle of the as far as size goes...has the smallest oil capacity.

2.4L 4cyl = 3.75 qts (not really comparing this one, but it's in the Chilton's so I threw it in, because it has a larger capacity than the 3.3)

3.3 V6= 3.5 qts

3.5 V6 5.4 qts

I initially thought this was a typo (those in the know could verify or refute that number please), but if it's valid...wow, that's quite a large capacity for that size engine no? What do y'all think OH BITOGER's!!!???!!!???

 

[ThirdeYe]

It was the KA24DE, not the KA24E. I had one in my '98 Altima. It also took 4 quarts, not 3.75 at least before 1999, I remember it said it right in the manual. I think they added 5HP to the KA24DE in 1999, and the oil capacity also decreased (for some reason) The KA24E was used from 1988-1996.

 

[NissanFan]

Well, I just checked my manual before posting, and it did say 3.75 qts with oil filter for a change for the 4 banger, regardless, it's still more than my 3.3 V6 at 3.5 quarts, perhaps Nissan made a change in their quanity specs.

 

[ThirdeYe]

Yeah, I believe they changed it after 1998 when they added 5HP to the engine. Amsoil's specifications guide seems to confirm this.

 

[aquariuscsm]

My 300ZX`s owner`s manual says 3.8 quarts w/filter change,BUT that only puts it up about halfway on the dipstick. It takes exactly 4 1/2 quarts w/filter change to bring the level to the top of the full mark on the dipstick. A lot of Z32 owners just put in an even 5 quarts with no ill effects at all. I`ve often wondered about the typo theory myself.

 

[ThirdeYe]

My sister's manual has an oil related typo as well. They wrote 5w30 for all climates/temperatures and 10W-50 (guessing they meant 10w30?) for temperatures above 32F, lol.

 

[chief]

My 2001 Frontier crew cab 3.3 holds 3.5 qts. Ive got 6 nissans and this 3.3 is the biggest engine and the smallest sump of all them. Its a really small oil pan and the drain plug is a good 1/2 inch up the side of the pan. No way to drain all the oil out. Who every the "dipstick" was that designed the dipstick should be hanged. Its just a cable with a handle on one end and a piece of keystock on the other end. When you pull it out there is oil everywhere. I dont have a clue what the level is.

 

[TallPaul]

My wife's 3.0 V6 Aerostar takes 4.5 qts by the book and actually with the slightly oversized filter takes 5 quarts. So really , the 3.3 seems to have an unusually small capacity. You could get a bigger filter, which is not a bad idea regardless of capacity, but another option is to run an ester based oil which can take more abuse.

 

[badbrad358]

The 3.3 was built on the VG architecture, not the same block as the 3.5 which is the famous VQ series. I own a VQ40DE in my '06 Frontier, it holds 5.5 qts. and I have a KA24DE in my wife's '99 Altima that holds 3.5 qts. Personally, the smaller capacity doesn't concern me a whole lot, but 3.5 qts. for the 3.3 seems a bit small for engine size, but nothing I'd worry too much about. Just change it a little more often if you're worried about it, it's less oil to buy. Some info on each engine series below for the interested gear heads and Nissan fans.

VQ info and history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_VQ_engine

VG info and history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_VG_engine

KA info and history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_KA_engine

 

[Gary Allan]

Do they share the same OCI across the board? This would show if it's out of whack under that/those comparison(s) (NOT that those 3 dimensions are the only thing determining the OCI = displacement/sump size/duration of use).

 

[NissanFan]

Chief- I would have to agree..the "dipstick" who designed the dipstick apparently didn't pull it out to try and check oil level on it, it's a pretty lousy one.

Gary- I do not know what the OCI recommendations for the pathfinder is as far as the Nissan Manual, I will have to see what Chilton says about it, but I know that in my Nissan Manual, it says 3750 for severe.

Brad- thanks for pulling my head out of my proverbial six, I didn't realize it was a VQ, but I should have checked for the pathy. I still think Nissan dropped the ball on this one, as they could have sold (IMHO) a lot more frontiers during the same years that the pathy had that engine, because it had the same fuel economy ratings and made almost 50HP or so better than the 3.3 (non-supercharged that is), the torque was better as well, in fact, with the low boost on the VG33ER that came stock, the VQ35 in the pathfinders still made more HP and torque than the Frontier S/C's.

Don't get me wrong, I am a Nissan Fan, obviously, thus the name, but just makes me wonder why they didn't do some of those things.

By the way, anyone see the new 09 Infinity FX50....lol...yep that's right, they went from a 4.5L V8 to a 5.0L for this model for 09. Also the FX35 is getting a tunining job and bumped up to just over 300HP. Apparently the 350Z is also going to become the 370Z and get the same engine as the G37 series, it will be interesting as they said they shortened the frame as well as making it wider by a small amount.

 

[ewetho]

Originally Posted By: ThirdeYe
My sister's manual has an oil related typo as well. They wrote 5w30 for all climates/temperatures and 10W-50 (guessing they meant 10w30?) for temperatures above 32F, lol.


Not sure but Suzuki posted a TSB changing the oil recommendations in a Verona to 5w30 under 90F (Maybe 100) and if you break that 10W-40. Deleting 10w30 as no longer recommended for the engine.

The 5w30 did not change but the 10w30 was deleted and replaced with 10W-40 and listed the 10w30 as no longer a recommended oil.

Who knows!!!

 

[hooligan24]

I always thought it was weird that my GF's SuperCharged 3.3 V6 Xterra only held 3.5 quarts and has a Dixie Cup for an oil filter.

My 2.4L 4 cyl chrysler motor holds 5 quarts and a filter 4 times the size