This is not an oil specific question..

[Limeybastard]

... and nothing to do with whats best or what not.

Recent research has concluded that the EU / UK service manuals state a 9000 mile oil change interval. Why does the current US spec 370z state 5K miles?

I am sure the oil over there is the same as here.

I am also aware that US Nissan changed the oil changed service interval on the 2013 + books to 5K from I think 7K.

[DavidZ370]

Pushing oil on the vq37 9k is way too much, I interval at 3k with pennzoil ultra and at 3 this thing looks pretty dark. The engine in our cars run hot so I personally don't even push to 5k

[Limeybastard]

Originally Posted by DavidZ370

Pushing oil on the vq37 9k is way too much, I interval at 3k with pennzoil ultra and at 3 this thing looks pretty dark. The engine in our cars run hot so I personally don't even push to 5k

I understand and not questioning pushing synth oil. I was merely curious as to why their ( across the pond ) intervals differ to ours. I got a funny feeling its do with some kind of politics.

[Arrvaxx]

Originally Posted by Limeybastard

I understand and not questioning pushing synth oil. I was merely curious as to why their ( across the pond ) intervals differ to ours. I got a funny feeling its do with some kind of politics.

Same reason our death industry uses embalming...MARKETING...end of thread.

[sofaonasock]

Originally Posted by Limeybastard

... and nothing to do with whats best or what not.

Recent research has concluded that the EU / UK service manuals state a 9000 mile oil change interval. Why does the current US spec 370z state 5K miles?

I am sure the oil over there is the same as here.

I am also aware that US Nissan changed the oil changed service interval on the 2013 + books to 5K from I think 7K.

I'm showing it went from 7,500 to 5,000 in 2014:

https://owners.nissanusa.com/nowners...n/manualsGuide

[DLSTR]

Originally Posted by Limeybastard

... and nothing to do with whats best or what not.

Recent research has concluded that the EU / UK service manuals state a 9000 mile oil change interval. Why does the current US spec 370z state 5K miles?

I am sure the oil over there is the same as here.

I am also aware that US Nissan changed the oil changed service interval on the 2013 + books to 5K from I think 7K.

There is no difference and dark oil is not bad oil. The US public has 3000 on the brain and not enough people know shite about what oil does or how it works. I use a 15000km change per my German dealer. I have a US model car with the same motor. If you track it or spend ALL your time in traffic I could see 5000 mile changes as prudent. Beyond that I wont bother explaining it LOL! This and other forums just have alot of people wasting alot of oil thats about it.
Until an owner does a couple UOA to have some clue about their oils condition over time most owners have no idea what they are talking about and only know what someone said on a forum.

The research and engineering are clear - 3000mi oil changes are not at all a good idea.

[IDZRVIT]

Originally Posted by DLSTR

There is no difference and dark oil is not bad oil. The US public has 3000 on the brain and not enough people know shite about what oil does or how it works. I use a 15000km change per my German dealer. I have a US model car with the same motor. If you track it or spend ALL your time in traffic I could see 5000 mile changes as prudent. Beyond that I wont bother explaining it LOL! This and other forums just have alot of people wasting alot of oil thats about it.
Until an owner does a couple UOA to have some clue about their oils condition over time most owners have no idea what they are talking about and only know what someone said on a forum.

The research and engineering are clear - 3000mi oil changes are not at all a good idea.

100%

[bvl]

Different regulations. EU has mandates we do not. Ex German synthetic oil must be group 4 vs g3. Notice that only in the US does the manual say 5w30 oil where as non-US allows for 40w. Is the engine different? Nope.

7500 mi is fine with a quality synthetic and street driving. 10k could work but me personally I would work my way up there with uoa tests to measure TBN and TAN. 7500 on my z has shown to be fine. I stay there for warranty purposes only.

Unless racing, using a a very cheap oil with poor add pack, or tinkling in your sump 3k is a waste of money. Walmart superflo SN will give you 5k easy.

- b

[ayrton88]

When I owned BMWs they always recommended 1 year or 10K. That was with their synthetic which I have no idea what it was. I never pushed it that far...always changed every 6 months. Never had any problems. Well, not with the engine. Just about everything else broke.

[watson853]

Besides the money what is so bad about changing every 3000 miles. I understand it's not necessary but I certainly don't see it being a "bad idea"..

[SouthArk370Z]

Originally Posted by watson853

Besides the money what is so bad about changing every 3000 miles. I understand it's not necessary but I certainly don't see it being a "bad idea"..

After break-in, you can't change your oil too often. As has been pointed out, it can be a waste, but it doesn't harm anything (other than your pocketbook or the threads on the drain plug).

[DLSTR]

Originally Posted by watson853

Besides the money what is so bad about changing every 3000 miles. I understand it's not necessary but I certainly don't see it being a "bad idea"..

Simple explanation from a no shite F1 oil engineer working for a MAJOR oil company supplying multiple teams:

Oil for road cars is dual in nature-- for protection yet cleaning. The additive packages are at odds with each other - One wants to coat and protect the other wants to clean. It takes time and MILEAGE for the additives to do both. If you in fact change early you are doing more harm and causing more wear as the additive package that protects has not had enough time to bind sufficiently to bearings and other surfaces. He told me flat out changing oil too early causes more harm. Color is NO indication of anything.

Knock yourselves out - Over maintain your car with completely un-necessary oil changes by all means. Its your money and time. Ive got better things to do like actually enjoying the car and ignoring the myths on this and other auto forums. Unless you know what your oil is doing vs the mileage and wear you put it through, ie an oil analysis, you dont really have a good picture. Its worth the effort.

[VCuomo]

Originally Posted by DLSTR

... If you in fact change early you are doing more harm and causing more wear as the additive package that protects has not had enough time to bind sufficiently to bearings and other surfaces. ...

With all due respect to your friend, I don't believe this is correct. If you change your oil with oil that has the same additive package, you'll still get the same protection (it'll just come from cleaner oil).

Everything else he said - True.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My car sees only street use, about 70% freeway and 30% street use in flowing (not stop-and-go) traffic, and in 70 - 95 degree ambient temperature. Given those operating conditions, 3K oil changes would be downright silly. I've been changing mine at 5K intervals with premium full synthetic oil and oil filters, and I'm sure I could easily and safely take it to 7.5K mile intervals (but there's no reason to, other than saving a little money, and it really is "little money" in the big scheme of things).

[KetanLadd]

Nissan here make you service your car every 5000 km so 3100 miles! Annoys me, but then I guess we are always running the engine at very high temps, especially right now when the air temperature is 43 Celsius.

[VCuomo]

Originally Posted by KetanLadd

Nissan here make you service your car every 5000 km so 3100 miles! Annoys me, but then I guess we are always running the engine at very high temps, especially right now when the air temperature is 43 Celsius.

Yep (43C = 109F), that's hot.