10,000 mile between oil changes
 

Had ester put in at 3,750. Now I am almost at 8,500

Could i roll until 13,000 or is the 5,000 interval I am almost at def time for an oil change

Nissan ester oil is supposed to be changed every 3750mi per the manual. It's NOT a synthetic. Pushing oil changes out to 5,000 or even 10,000 mi is best done only with synthetic oils. I'd be changing my oil more often if I were you and still using Nissan Ester Oil.

**edited to fix interval to 3750**

I change my oil every 2k miles about w/ ester... better safe than sorry...

3750 mile Intervals(Nissan Recommends)

The service manual calls for 3750/3 for heavy use, 7500/6 otherwise. Note that most of us fall into the first category and hence should follow the 3750 or even less if it is being tracked.

They describe the heavy use scenario as follows:

Follow Periodic Maintenance Schedule 1 (3750) if the driving habits frequently include one or more of the following driving conditions:
• Repeated short trips of less than 5 miles (8 km).
• Repeated short trips of less than 10 miles (16 km) with outside temperatures remaining below freezing.
• Operating in hot weather in stop-and-go “rush hour” traffic.
• Extensive idling and/or low speed driving for long distances, such as police, taxi or door-to-door delivery use.
• Driving in dusty conditions.
• Driving on rough, muddy, or salt spread roads.
• Towing a trailer, using a camper or a car-top carrier.

Are people really this cheap? Oil changes are not something to "push out" or "extend". Really?

Some people come from german cars like BMW, where factory (included) oil changes occur every 12-15,000 miles depending on driving style.

With my prior M3 and Mini Cooper S, even with my semi-aggressive engine use I usually could go at least 12,000 miles before the maintenance light would come on (BMWs and Minis have a special set of warnings for recommended oil changes, please don't confuse this with the check engine light).

Just a thought...:tiphat:

Yes, you could push it to 13000..........this time. I wouldn't make a habit of it though even though dino oil can last about 10000 miles if the vehicle is not driven under severe conditions. Anyway, still not sure why you would want to do this. I'd be far more concerned with your oil filter.

Use the 7500 mile maintenance schedule and I wouldn't pay any heed to the 6 month recommendation unless you store your car for years on end. Oil just doesn't go 'bad' in 6 months or even a year or more. Of course Nissan would like you to bring your car in at one of their dealer's every 3750 vice 7500 because that would double the profit for oil changes. I know there will be debate with my next statement but changing your oil every 3750 miles won't make your engine last significantly longer than if you change the oil at 7500 mile intervals. Why? Because oil won't break down under normal driving which includes some, not consistent, very hot weather and very cold weather driving. Now if you operate your vehicle in a lot of dusty conditions or on dirt roads, then I would consider changing the oil every 3750 miles. Me, it'll be every 7500 miles as per the maintenance schedule.

With the 3.7l motor running oil temps of 200-220 under normal driving conditions (due to lack of oil cooler) why would anyone say that "oil won't break down under normal driving conditions" and recommend 7500 mile change intervals?

I was under the impression BMW gets synthetic hence the longer change. The light goes off usually at 12000 miles as you've mentioned. For regular oil like ester, 3750 miles is recommended.

I'm in the 7500 mi. set of circumstances and I don't "track" my car. Nevertheless, considering the price of this investment and my plan to have this car last many years, I'm doing Mobil 1 every 5,000 miles. That's what I do with all my cars and I have never had any engine issues. This is not the place to try to save what amounts to a relatively few dollars.

Yeah, but on the Mini that was partially influenced by them paying for routine services....A lot cheaper for the dealer to do it every 15K than it is every 5K.
I never subscribed to that Mini Maintenance schedule when I had mine. Just because the Reminder spaces services out doesn't mean it's right. Both my Honda and my Old '08 Vette had maintenance light algorythms that actually calculated usage style (not just time or miles) and called for changes between 6K and 7.5K which seemed about right. I'm going on a 5K schedule with my Z (on Synthetic)

It's about what $60 for the oil and filter. Why chance it?

My first change was at 750 miles (to get the metal filings out during break-in). Switched to Mobile 1 5w-30 "extended life" and K&N filter. I read here somewhere that I probably should have used the ester oil for a bit longer before switching, but I've always had good results with Mobile 1. I'll change again at 4,000 or so, I never would go 10,000 on any oil. Just my opinion. Preventive mantenance

To me, changing oil frequently will save lots in the long run

PS I've got about 200,000 miles on my 944S and it doesn't burn a drop of oil. Testament to Mobile 1

Nows your chance - tell us why oil at temperatures of 200-220 F won't go the distance. Provide references also.

Two words - viscosity breakdown. No references needed.

So do you guys change the oil before AND after any track days, or just before or just after?

LOL, at 220 F? Are you an accountant?

As I understand it 200-220 is the ideal operating temperature. If you spend a lot of time well above that then I would consider that harsh.

Have you ever bothered to look at an oil temperature viscosity chart? :) It is weight dependant, of course, but check out 0w40 or 5w40. If you think that it won't break down before 7500 miles at 220 degrees farenheit, then you should quietly excuse yourself from this thread. ;)

I have looked at the chart, and the viscosity at 220 degrees is well within operating range. The lower viscosity does not cause breakdown in within itself.

Actually, the rule of thumb is 10 degrees cooler than your coolant temperature is the optimum operating temperature. so, 200 is right on the cusp. I would say 180-190 would be optimum. Of course, below 180 is not really recommended.

The debate is not whether or not 220 is within operating range, but whether or not it will be sufficient for protection after 7500 miles. The answer is no.

And you are correct, lower viscosity does not equate breakdown...but, with rising temperature viscosity drops and metal-to-metal contact begins. Engine wear is greatly accelerated. Viscosity breakdown begins when temperatures exceed the viscosity's rating.

http://www.elephantracing.com/images...erature400.gif

Present your data to backup your claim. Your outdated chart proves nothing.

I'm not really arguing the point of 7,500 miles, personally I wouldn't go that long unless I was driving all highway and running synthetic.

But as far as viscosity goes, as I understand it you have to get the oil pretty thin before shear comes into play. I stand by 220 being an ideal operating temperature and viscosity for 5W30 and 5W40 oil. I'm happy to be proven wrong by any oil experts out there.

A quick search for the test method to certify API SM (dino or synthetic) oil is as follows:

A key new test for GF-4, which is also required for API SM, is the Sequence IIIG, which involves running a 3.8 L (232 in³), GM 3.8 L V-6 at 125 hp (93 kW), 3,600 rpm, and 150 °C (300 °F) oil temperature for 100 hours. These are much more severe conditions than any API-specified oil was designed for: cars which typically push their oil temperature consistently above 100 °C (212 °F) are most turbocharged engines, along with most engines of European or Japanese origin, particularly small capacity, high power output.
The IIIG test is about 50% more difficult[10] than the previous IIIF test, used in GF-3 and API SL oils. Engine oils bearing the API starburst symbol since 2005 are ILSAC GF-4 compliant."

So, for all you guys who think oil temps are an issue you need not worry unless you run your engine all day long well above 260F. I submit that Nissan designed their engine to go into limp mode above 280F to prevent engine damage based on the newest oil standard quoted above. In another ten years it will probably even higher.

that is certainly not outdated. clearly you are misinformed.


You obviously never track your vehicle. I am not saying that I do, but I am good friends with quite a few who do. Having just come from a GT-R, I can tell you that temps above 240-260 for a track day; the oil is changed. I even changed mine every 1500 miles as I would see temperatures of 240+ sustained on mountain runs. Keep in mind that the GT-R is designed for track usage...well, moreso than the 370.

If you want to drive 7500 miles at higher temps between oil changes, more power to you. Me, i will opt to protect my engine...especially since it will be twin turbo'ed soon. Massive AE Performance oil cooler will be first modification.

I won't go over 4,000 miles with synthetic, so non synthectic 3,000 max if so.

We're discussing routine oil changes for normal vehicle operation - not tracking. Obviously you can't digest what the current API SM specification standard is. This is 2010 not 1970. There have been technological advances not only in engine design but also in lubricants. If you want to resist change that's fine. But don't come in here espousing that oil if not changed prior to 7500 miles will cause pre-mature failure. Because that is what you are insinuating which is BS. So, for you, I'll return the same courtesy :gtfo2:

I use Redline and am not comfortable taking it too far beyond 4k-4.5k miles under regular driving conditions. It may very well be good beyond that (and probably is), but at 4k I'd much rather replace the dirty stuff with clean and go on with it.

Straw-man arguments are your specialty, I see. I was extrapolating track usage temperatures to what we see in the 370Z under routine or spirited driving. Again, if you wish to reach temps of 240-260 under spirited driving and 220+ under normal conditions and change your oil every 7500 miles, enjoy! You are obviously misled if you believe this will not cause premature failure.

Ok.. bottom line: you are pushing the limit and ppl who get changes every 2k miles are making sure their 40k investment runs in 10 years... if your wallet can afford changes every 1k miles - you should do it... whats 80 bucks every couple months to have peace of mind? lets please stop this personal opinion rampage that this thread seems to be experiencing

I change mine every 3k or 3 months which ever comes first.... I dont risk it with oil especially since I drive the hell out of my car....

Seriously - we are nitpicking about an 80$ oil change or less if you do it yourself and people dont think twice before getting a 2k exhaust... priorities these days seem to be out of whack...

Agreed. I'd also consider lazy too as another alternative.

No they aren't. You had nothing of substance nor fact to refute. Anyway, if you'd like to put up some facts I'd like to read them. Extrapolating with track friends doesn't do it here.

And no, I don't track my cars. But I am quite familiar with multi-million dollar naval propulsion systems if that counts toward knowing something about lubrication.

+1 It seems a loss of common sense, as well.

For some, certainly. Others are just misinformed and believe what Castrol bottles have printed on them.

This one? :tup:

http://www.steevven1.com/images/canadian%20navy.jpg

I don't do any of those with my Z...?

I'm surprised no one here has mentioned Blackstone Labs to test their oil. From there you should be able to figure out how long to run whatever oil you choose to put in your car.

So you are applying your oil knowledge from multi-million dollar naval propulsion systems to our Zs? How does that work?