UOA @12k miles, synthetc vs. regular oil

tranceformer · 03-16-2010, 08:48 AM

My Z is now at ~12k miles. Until about 5,500 miles I would just go to the dealership for the standard oil changes at 3k miles or less.

I was curious to see the difference between using synthetic & regular oil. Although I think the results are somewhat skewed because of the engine still breaking in. Either way I'm pleased with the oil/filter combo, it's keeping my motor healthy. I used the same combo again with the last oil change, but I might try something else off the shelf next time. Maybe Pennzoil Platinum and K&N filter or PP w/ a Purolator filter.

1st UOA
10/2009
regular oil & OEM oil filter at the dealership
~3k miles & ~3 months of use (NJ)
80% city / 20% highway

2nd UOA
3/2010
Castrol Syntec 5w-30
K&N oil filter
~3k miles & ~6 months of use (NJ)
25% city / 75% highway

3rd UOA
5/2010
Castrol Syntec 5w-30
K&N oil filter
~3k miles & ~2 months of use (FL)
25% city / 75% highway
Note: replaced air filters with OEM at about 13,800 miles.

4th UOA
7/2010
Castrol Syntec 0w-30 aka "German Castrol"
4200 miles & months of use
25% city / 75% highway
~30 passes at the 1/4 drag strip

thegraylady · 03-16-2010, 09:03 AM

so what your saying is buy redline oil right?

tranceformer · 03-16-2010, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegraylady

so what your saying is buy redline oil right?

Sure, if you want to spend the extra money. Redline 5w-30 is $10/ qt versus the $22 I paid for the 5+ qts of Castrol Syntec 5w-30.

That and I just prefer to use off-the-shelf fluids for something changed as often as engine oil. But for diff & trans (something not as often), I use brands like AMSOIL, Motul, Redline, etc.

thegraylady · 03-16-2010, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tranceformer

Sure, if you want to spend the extra money. Redline 5w-30 is $10/ qt versus the $22 I paid for the 5+ qts of Castrol Syntec 5w-30.

That and I just prefer to use off-the-shelf fluids for something changed as often as engine oil. But for diff & trans (something not as often), I use brands like AMSOIL, Motul, Redline, etc.

thats why my friend we have amazon

tranceformer · 03-16-2010, 12:06 PM

Yes but it still comes out to a bit more than $10/qt even if you buy in bulk from amazon. More than I want to spend for motor oil, 370Z or not. I will try other off the shelf "normal" synthetics and have them tested but I don't feel the need to spend that much on motor oil.

NyCSnEaK · 03-16-2010, 04:02 PM

Give German Castrol a try. 0w-30 European Formula. Can be found at your local Autozone and sometimes Pep Boys.

tbonesteak · 03-16-2010, 08:18 PM

Good stuff!! yeah, oil is completely personal preference. I myself use redline but that's only because it helps me sleep at night. No evidence stating one oil is better than another. Thanks for the useful info +rep!

6spd · 03-16-2010, 09:39 PM

your regular oil was the nissan ester, correct? the changes look excellent!

tranceformer · 03-17-2010, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6spd

your regular oil was the nissan ester, correct? the changes look excellent!

It was not Nissan ester oil, just the regular stuff.

Zsteve · 03-17-2010, 11:51 AM

how much do the tests cost?

TheSnakeJake · 03-17-2010, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zsteve

how much do the tests cost?

i think it's $22.50 from blackstone...

j.arnaldo · 03-17-2010, 03:27 PM

FYI: Pureone by Purolator's your best bet, oil filter-wise, according to an engineer who tested them ALL on the market. I'm just passing on the info', man.

Zsteve · 03-17-2010, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSnakeJake

i think it's $22.50 from blackstone...

so that can be added to his oil change price here and there so he is still paying a little extra for his changes if he keeps getting tests done.

tranceformer · 03-17-2010, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zsteve

so that can be added to his oil change price here and there so he is still paying a little extra for his changes if he keeps getting tests done.

It's another $10 for the TBN test, I wanted to see how the oil would be after 6 months & 3k miles. And I don't mind paying for the testing, I get some good info out of it. More than likely I'll keep testing my oil, I'm a bit of a nerd.

clayton · 03-19-2010, 10:14 PM

I have less than 500 miles on my Z, when should I make the first Oil Change, and what oil do you prefer...... I have always used Mobil 1 Syn... also does the syn effect the oil temp. issues ?

03-16-2010, 08:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
tranceformer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Palm Beach, FL Posts: 1,213 Drives: 2009 370Z PW 6MT Rep Power: 268	UOA @12k miles, synthetc vs. regular oil My Z is now at ~12k miles. Until about 5,500 miles I would just go to the dealership for the standard oil changes at 3k miles or less. I was curious to see the difference between using synthetic & regular oil. Although I think the results are somewhat skewed because of the engine still breaking in. Either way I'm pleased with the oil/filter combo, it's keeping my motor healthy. I used the same combo again with the last oil change, but I might try something else off the shelf next time. Maybe Pennzoil Platinum and K&N filter or PP w/ a Purolator filter. 1st UOA 10/2009 regular oil & OEM oil filter at the dealership ~3k miles & ~3 months of use (NJ) 80% city / 20% highway 2nd UOA 3/2010 Castrol Syntec 5w-30 K&N oil filter ~3k miles & ~6 months of use (NJ) 25% city / 75% highway 3rd UOA 5/2010 Castrol Syntec 5w-30 K&N oil filter ~3k miles & ~2 months of use (FL) 25% city / 75% highway Note: replaced air filters with OEM at about 13,800 miles. 4th UOA 7/2010 Castrol Syntec 0w-30 aka "German Castrol" 4200 miles & months of use 25% city / 75% highway ~30 passes at the 1/4 drag strip __________________ Ray 2009 370Z Base Sport 6MT / 12.860 @ 109.09mph / 1.921 60ft / street tires official 1/4 mile track times Last edited by tranceformer; 07-25-2010 at 09:40 PM.

03-16-2010, 12:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
tranceformer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Palm Beach, FL Posts: 1,213 Drives: 2009 370Z PW 6MT Rep Power: 268	Yes but it still comes out to a bit more than $10/qt even if you buy in bulk from amazon. More than I want to spend for motor oil, 370Z or not. I will try other off the shelf "normal" synthetics and have them tested but I don't feel the need to spend that much on motor oil. __________________ Ray 2009 370Z Base Sport 6MT / 12.860 @ 109.09mph / 1.921 60ft / street tires official 1/4 mile track times

03-16-2010, 04:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
NyCSnEaK Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 44 Drives: 007 Z Rep Power: 16	Give German Castrol a try. 0w-30 European Formula. Can be found at your local Autozone and sometimes Pep Boys. Smashley likes this.

03-16-2010, 09:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
6spd A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,001 Drives: Q50RS Rep Power: 25	your regular oil was the nissan ester, correct? the changes look excellent! __________________ -Jay- jonathanjamesphotographer.com

03-17-2010, 11:51 AM	#10 (permalink)
Zsteve A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: TX Posts: 3,298 Drives: the 2 balled club Rep Power: 22	how much do the tests cost? __________________ 2010 LS3 C6 Silver coupe corvette

03-16-2010, 09:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
thegraylady Base Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: new york Posts: 63 Drives: 09 370z gray7 speed Rep Power: 15	so what your saying is buy redline oil right?

03-16-2010, 08:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
tbonesteak Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 914 Drives: MY09 MB 6MT Rep Power: 375	Good stuff!! yeah, oil is completely personal preference. I myself use redline but that's only because it helps me sleep at night. No evidence stating one oil is better than another. Thanks for the useful info +rep!

03-17-2010, 03:27 PM	#12 (permalink)
j.arnaldo Banned Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 937 Drives: Nissan 350Z, 2004 Rep Power: 0	FYI: Pureone by Purolator's your best bet, oil filter-wise, according to an engineer who tested them ALL on the market. I'm just passing on the info', man.

03-19-2010, 10:14 PM	#15 (permalink)
clayton Base Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: lancaster ohio Posts: 12 Drives: 370z MT Rep Power: 15	I have less than 500 miles on my Z, when should I make the first Oil Change, and what oil do you prefer...... I have always used Mobil 1 Syn... also does the syn effect the oil temp. issues ?

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