Just bought a new Altima SE 3.5. What oil would you guys use? Is this engine hard on oil? I will not use synthetic because of my past exerience with leaks and the owners manual recommends using mineral oil. It says 5w30 is prefered but what I thought was strange was that 10w40 was still acceptable above 0. I will be using the recommended 3,750 OCI.
What oil for nissan 3.5
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I've been running whatever 5w30 or 10w30 is a good deal at oil change time, for our 3.5l Quest. I've used the "Mobil" SuperTech, Trop Artic, and Exxon SuperFlo. My dealer uses Citgo, I believe.
I don't worry about it too much. Nissan makes great engines. I don't even do oil sampling. I just change the oil between 3500 and 4000, and enjoy the other aspects of life.
I don't worry about it too much. Nissan makes great engines. I don't even do oil sampling. I just change the oil between 3500 and 4000, and enjoy the other aspects of life.
Any GF-4 SM rated dino oil will be just fine in your car.
Consider Castrol GTX 5w30. It seems to be the dino oil of choice for Maxima owners on www.maxima.org. However, I have seen a lot of kudos on BITOG for Havoline and Chevron Supreme dino oil.
You should revisit your position on not running synthetic oil when you have 15 or 20K on the Altima, however. The engine will not leak using synthetic if you switch it over once its decently run in and the above-mentioned mileage should do it.
In the interim, stick with 5w30 for your climate.
You should revisit your position on not running synthetic oil when you have 15 or 20K on the Altima, however. The engine will not leak using synthetic if you switch it over once its decently run in and the above-mentioned mileage should do it.
In the interim, stick with 5w30 for your climate.
The VQ35DE is a clean running engine. You're not going to have leak problems with synthetics from scrubbing sludge away from dry seals, unless maybe you've used bad dino for a very long time. I've had a G35 sedan for about 15 months and 37k miles. It has the same engine as your Alti, just in a hotter state of tune. I've been using German Castrol Syntec (the exception in the Syntec line, a true synthetic) since 6k miles. I have not had the slightest indication of either leaking or consumption. None at all. And I while I don't abuse the car, I hardly baby it either -- it will go fast, and I've driven it that way. My manual also says mineral is recommended, but I have had no hint of a problem on the synthetic. Check out my UOA on this engine (search on my #, 3733 in the UOA section). From what I've been able to put together, the mineral recommendation is there because there are a few off beat, oddball syns out there they don't want you using, but the mainstream stuff should be fine.
I'd also note that me engine is visually clean in addition to being analytically spotless. When you look into the filler, all you see is clean, bare aluminum. It looks like the day it rolled of the assembly line. Not even the beginning of varnish.
The VQ35 seems to like the heavier oils vs the lighter ones. My manual specs 5w-30, 10w-30, and 10w-40, with the 5-30 being "preferred". When I switched from Havo 5w-30 to GC (almost a 40 when hot), I noticed a distinctly smoother feel and sound from the engine. Subjective to be sure, but there nevertheless. You'll find other VQ owners saying similar things. Experiment with a few grades and settle in on one that produces an effect you like.
My recommendation, since you asked for input, is reconsider syns and give GC a try and compare its performance to the others.
I'd also note that me engine is visually clean in addition to being analytically spotless. When you look into the filler, all you see is clean, bare aluminum. It looks like the day it rolled of the assembly line. Not even the beginning of varnish.
The VQ35 seems to like the heavier oils vs the lighter ones. My manual specs 5w-30, 10w-30, and 10w-40, with the 5-30 being "preferred". When I switched from Havo 5w-30 to GC (almost a 40 when hot), I noticed a distinctly smoother feel and sound from the engine. Subjective to be sure, but there nevertheless. You'll find other VQ owners saying similar things. Experiment with a few grades and settle in on one that produces an effect you like.
My recommendation, since you asked for input, is reconsider syns and give GC a try and compare its performance to the others.
steveh: Not sure what part of Wisconsin your in, but the Nissan dealers in Madison, Appleton, Green Bay, and Wausau use either Pennzoil or Quaker State 5W30.
I think for the money the Altima is one of if not the best cars on the road.
I think for the money the Altima is one of if not the best cars on the road.
If memory serves, Nissans can shear the oil. In Wis., you can probably find the Schaeffer's blend. The 5W-30 in the Schaeffers is what I would run. This oil has a high shear resistance. Another beneift to the Schaeffers is that it does very well in high-fuel-dilution scenarios during your cold-start-warm-up sessions.
The best UOA I've seen on a VQ35DE was Amosoil 0W30 with Lube Control.
Any of the top tier dino, Pennzoil, Havoline, Chevron, and Castrol GTX. Stick with the 5w-30 for your climate, at least November through April.
After 10k miles, you should strongly consider synthetic for longer drain interval and better cold weather performance.
That being said, I will second the use of Schaeffers' Blends. I currently use the Castrol Syntec (GC) as mentioned above. The only reason I am not currently using Schaeffer's is the expense of procuring it.
I would stay away from Mobil 1 with this engine since it is a thinner 30 weight and its performance is about the same as a top tier dino.
After 10k miles, you should strongly consider synthetic for longer drain interval and better cold weather performance.
That being said, I will second the use of Schaeffers' Blends. I currently use the Castrol Syntec (GC) as mentioned above. The only reason I am not currently using Schaeffer's is the expense of procuring it.
I would stay away from Mobil 1 with this engine since it is a thinner 30 weight and its performance is about the same as a top tier dino.
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John Quote:
"I would stay away from Mobil 1 with this engine since it is a thinner 30 weight and its performance is about the same as a top tier dino."
The EP 5W-30 is not thin... try just over 11 cST @ 100.
"I would stay away from Mobil 1 with this engine since it is a thinner 30 weight and its performance is about the same as a top tier dino."
The EP 5W-30 is not thin... try just over 11 cST @ 100.
Fair Enough. Castrol Syntec (GC) is 12.2 cST at 100 deg C and a better choice based on UOAs that I have seen.
There are best choices available for this engine ohter than M1. Mobil 1 will show double digit ppm of iron and lead. If he had a Honda V6, I would actually recommend M1.
There are best choices available for this engine ohter than M1. Mobil 1 will show double digit ppm of iron and lead. If he had a Honda V6, I would actually recommend M1.
You two are both right. With the now dizzying array of M1 30s, there are actually a couple that are a tad thicker than the usual ~10 sCt that we're all used to. If you check the data sheets, you'll find two, IIRC (don't recall which, EP 5w-30 must be one of them).
M1 seems OK in some VQs and less OK in others. The engine, for whatever reason, seems to have a taste for thicker oil. Nissan/Inifiniti seems to tacitly agree, as the presently spec-ed oils are 5w-30, 10w-30, and 10w-40, but with the first noted as preferred. I have not experimented around much, but mine really feels nice on GC.
M1 seems OK in some VQs and less OK in others. The engine, for whatever reason, seems to have a taste for thicker oil. Nissan/Inifiniti seems to tacitly agree, as the presently spec-ed oils are 5w-30, 10w-30, and 10w-40, but with the first noted as preferred. I have not experimented around much, but mine really feels nice on GC.
Been running M1 5W30 in my VQ30 for a while, and my only complaint is how noisy the engine is. After 72k miles, it's been using only about half a qt for every 5K miles or so, so I'm pretty happy with it. If I could only get my hands on some XD3 0W30 to get the best of both worlds.
Is that an undisclosed secure location???
If you're liking M1, you might try the 10w-40 (in the EP line) or the 0w-40. After break-in, when I switched from Havoline 5w-30 to GC, I immediately noticed that the engine was quieter and smoother -- not a massive change or anything, but enough to convince me that I like GC for this reason alone.
If you're liking M1, you might try the 10w-40 (in the EP line) or the 0w-40. After break-in, when I switched from Havoline 5w-30 to GC, I immediately noticed that the engine was quieter and smoother -- not a massive change or anything, but enough to convince me that I like GC for this reason alone.
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