I have a 2012 Nissan Pathfinder with a 4.0 V6 and I run Mobil 1 5w30 I change it at about 7,000 miles. This summer I will be towing my 4,500 camper quite a bit so should I shorten my OCI to say 5,000 miles?
Towing and OCI
- Thread starter Camprunner
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Sorry that was supposed to say 4,500 lb camper
I'd think about taking a sample for UOA at 5k and leaving it in, that way you'd be sure.
Or to keep it simple, you can say that towing puts your engine into "severe service" category, consider the OCI difference in the owner's manual between normal and severe, and reduce your OCI by a similar proportion.
Or to keep it simple, you can say that towing puts your engine into "severe service" category, consider the OCI difference in the owner's manual between normal and severe, and reduce your OCI by a similar proportion.
Is it recommended for conventional or synthetic from the factory? What is the oil capacity?
We can't really tell without data - but unless the engine is super hard on the oil, I don't see why it couldn't make it 7K towing.
We can't really tell without data - but unless the engine is super hard on the oil, I don't see why it couldn't make it 7K towing.
The Nissan VQ40DE 4.0 V6 takes about 5.5 quarts with filter. The recommended max OCI under normal use is 7,500 miles with conventional 5w30 and I think the severe service is 3,750 also with conventional 5w30. Some have stated on Nissan forums that the Nissan 4.0 V6 is hard on oil from the rather large timing chain that the engine has? Frankly I really wonder if that matters? I guess the smart thing to do is to have an oil sample tested and go from there.
Mobil 1 at 7k while towing is good enough IMO. If you're worried since some have said its hard on oil, crank it down to 5k.
If you want a used oil analysis in the name of science, go for it, but spending $25+ to get it tested while you can get a quality synthetic near that just doesn't add up to me.
Just keep the oil topped off and go.
If you want a used oil analysis in the name of science, go for it, but spending $25+ to get it tested while you can get a quality synthetic near that just doesn't add up to me.
Just keep the oil topped off and go.
Assuming you have an oil cooler on it pulling that much weight with a v6 I wouldn't expect much difference between 5-7k Oci is just go the full 7 and do a used oil analysis to confirm it I'd bet it will still be fine. Just keep the trans happy and not hunting for gears and it'll be good those nissans are about bulletproof
Originally Posted By: Camprunner
Some have stated on Nissan forums that the Nissan 4.0 V6 is hard on oil from the rather large timing chain that the engine has? Frankly I really wonder if that matters? I guess the smart thing to do is to have an oil sample tested and go from there.
I have no experience with Nissan, but in my experience most timing chains add a huge amount of wear to an oil.
Some have stated on Nissan forums that the Nissan 4.0 V6 is hard on oil from the rather large timing chain that the engine has? Frankly I really wonder if that matters? I guess the smart thing to do is to have an oil sample tested and go from there.
I have no experience with Nissan, but in my experience most timing chains add a huge amount of wear to an oil.
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