Originally Posted By: NissanHauler
Just got myself a new 2015 Nissan Frontier (Crew Cab, SV 4x4, VQ40DE 4.0L V6) after my old 06' Tacoma died out at ~320k miles. I ran Valvoline conventional (OCI 4500 miles religiously) and Purolator One then upon release, the Purolator BOSS filters (changed with every oil change) the entire life of the Tacoma.
I do a lot of 4000lb+ towing and want a stronger oil and to extend my OCI to 6000. I've whittled down my choices to Valvoline SynPower, Castrol Edge with Titanium, and Pennzoil Platinum.
I plan to keep the Purolator Boss filters for life. Never had an issue and my used oil looked noticeably less dark once I started using them.
Looking for other opinions, I have experience with Valvoline products but feel that it wasn't as up to the job as I thought it was with my old truck. I opened up the engine and the cams, cylinders, and bearings were more worn expected considering how much I babied the truck
When you say the Tacoma died at 320k miles, what made it stop working? Something on the engine stopped working? Just curious, Toyotas are know for their longevity. Here is a Tundra with a million miles. Yes, most owners will never see that, but, it nice to know they are built well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HnokrriP_c
The cams, cylinders, and bearings were more worn than you were expecting, is it possible you weren't getting oil flow through the engine?
Found this a little while ago, not sure if it is accurate, but food for thought. Our dad has a 2006 Tundra, I used a Wix oil filter a couple of years ago, he was saying his truck was running rough during that time. I found this, switched to the Toyota Denso oil filters, and he says it is fine now.
http://www.iatn.net/forums/2/343599/toyota-4-0-l-1grfe-engine-failure-due-to-napa-1348-filter
I have used various Valvoline products in our vehicles and farm equipment, I want to like them, I really do, but, I have had issues with them.
Another thing I noticed, on the back of the Valvoline white bottle and Maxlife bottles, it says it exceeds American, European, and Japanese wear requirements, but for the Synpower, no such wording. I thought that was interesting.
Are you open to other brands? In our dad's truck, we are using Mobil 1 TDT, he tows a 20 travel trailer for his work. He just came back from Ruston, LA, which, is fourteen hours away. He came back in 90 degree heat towing the trailer. The Mobil 1 holds up very well in the heat. The heat didn't seem to phase the oil, the engine is running great. We have used Valvoline Durablend, Penzoil Platinum and Ultra, Rotella, and now Mobil 1 TDT in it. The TDT helps the engine run with a smoothness that the other oils have not been able to match.