How Good Is Redline?
 

Did an oil change in January using Redline 5w30 and a Purolator PureOne oil filter. I set my reminder on the car at 7500 miles...and I'm only at 5900 right now. Should I got ahead and change it since it's been almost 6 months or am I good through 7500 miles? I don't track the car...only drive it to and from work every day.

Thanks guys!

7500 is waaaaayyyy too long. The owners manual says 3750 with their (Nissan) ester oil. You might be able to push it to 5k if you drive like a granny but your filter will be done at that mileage.

Why are you trying to save such a tiny amount of $ on something as important to your car as your blood is to you?

Not trying to save $$...I have no problem buying and changing, but I believe in the DIY section, AK only does it twice a year. So that's why I'm asking...

Check out post #29:
http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...-inside-2.html

Well I believe in the engineers that built the engine.

Thing of it this way... If you change it a little more often you can do no harm and will improve the operating condition of your car. If you go too long and the oil keeps circulating contaminates and starts breaking down you will do harm.

It makes better sense to go by miles, not time.

So you're saying to wait and change it at 7500 then? I understand what the manual says and all that...but I'm also going by information from a reliable source, as well as others...

Good in terms of getting up to 7500 miles without tracking the Z? It's a pretty decent oil, but I wouldn't wait till 7500 every time to change it out. Keep it at around 4-5k

Wow...seems to be a lot of mixed reviews on when to change lol.

So you are saying that the people that design, engineer and build high performance, quality, long life engines (which are smarter than anyone you know or anyone on this board) are not as smart as someone who knows how to turn a wrench or because Bubba has been doing things to make engines go vroom.

:shakes head::shakes head::shakes head::shakes head::shakes head::wtf2:

Wow bud...for a board who's favorite saying is "use the search function," we certainly get a lot of flack when we actually search and then ask a question about what info we've found.

What I'm saying is that I've searched on this board, found many different answers and wanted to get the opinions of others specific to my situation.

That's because this isn't a question that garners a lot of discussion when the proper answer has already been given. 5k is too long to wait to do a oil change and 7500 is harming your engine pure and simple.

That may be your opinion...and if that's such a fact...why do many others on here change around 5k miles or longer? I've also read other places that you can run full synthetic up to 10k in some instances.

Not trying to get in a pissing match...just reiterating what info I've found.

and again you are going on this guy told this dude who races on the weekend who told my friend who told me instead of utilizing the information given by the people who make it. Nissan engineers don't make a penny more if you change your oil less or more often they go by what will keep it running in optimal condition.

and no this isn't my opinion its fact.

I appreciate your facts; I would like to hear facts from other people as well. Maybe a huge overhaul should happen on this forum and all non-factual information should be deleted...

Read the owners manual...

I'm done, I'll let Darwin's theory take over here...

You do realize that the manual isn't based on full synthetic oil right?

I do mine every 3k. If you want to extend it then thats you. There is a such thing as changing your oil late and hurting the engine. There isn't a such thing as changing too early and damaging your engine..

Yes, read the OM. People like you spread BS on when to change the oil. You only need to change the oil at 7500 mile intervals unless you drive under certain conditions as stated in the OM. And guess what? The Nissan engineers say so. Quit trying to be an authority on oil change schedules when you're not qualified to offer such advice.

joshs09slvrZ,
Read your OM and decide under what conditions you drive your vehicle. You can go up to 7500 mile intervals as stated in the OM. I change my oil, Mobil 5W-30, once a year but I also store my car for the winter. My engine will last as long as anyone who changes their oil at 3750, 3700, 3000, 2500, 2000..........well you get my drift. If you track your car then you may want to consider changing your oil sooner. And don't waste your hard earned money getting an oil analysis. Millions upon millions of ordinary people drive gazillions of miles and never have an analysis done and their engines last over 100,000 miles. But if you want peace of mind and have money to burn, go for it.

I just read the OM maintenance guide and it says to change the oil every 3750 miles... So no, you're the one giving bad advice.

I also love how you tell him oil analysis is worthless, your post and advice falls in that category.

Hard earned money??? its 50 bucks you cant even take someone out to eat for that!

There are two maintenance schedules for North American vehicles. From the 2010 Z service manual (also in OM):

"Follow Periodic Maintenance Schedule 2 if none of driving conditions shown in Schedule 1 apply to the driving habits."

Now, go read the conditions in schedule 1. Alot of Z owners do not fall under schedule 1 but there is so much internet hype on oil that people are changing their oil at 3750 miles when there is no need.

This was exactly what I was trying to get at. Again, I have no issue changing it earlier if need be, but if I'm able to get more mileage out of the oil...then why not? Why change the oil at 3750 just because the manual says so when you may have only used half the life of the oil, not only are you wasting money, but you're not getting the full life out of the oil (you may as well use regular oil instead of synthetic at that point).

It's so interesting how this topic starts such a heavy controversy...there's always one guy who thinks he's better or smarter than the entire board and we should bow down to him.

Thanks to the others for your input...I greatly appreciate it!

I use redline oil as well and change mine every 3-4k miles.

:iagree: Change it when it's dirty. Unless you're driving in a vacuum that'll be around 2500-4000 miles. Or 2 track days and some commuting.

More importantly, Don't put *-30wt oil in your cars, guys, and nothing that says SAE. M1 0W40. Royal Purple XPR 10w40. These oils have the protective additives your hi perf car needs and the right lubrication for the VQ system. SAE labeled oil is O2 sensor-safe corporate-approved generic stuff, the protective additives your car needs fouls their precious warrantied parts, and they've conspired against you. So, ignore the Nissan Corporate instructions like they ignored your need for a quality paint job, slave cylinder, fuel system, stereo, oil cooling, EXHAUST etc... Their Ester oil is super pure at the beginning which is great- for about 1K miles then it's like water because the Z34 oil pump shears the molecules. And the *-30wt stuff is for mom's Quest, not your Z.

Now that we're back on topic, please discuss.

:shakes head: Here we ago again. :ugh2:

I'll be doing an oil change as soon as my Redline shipment arrives at my door.

I know I know :) Im in Germany and my mechs laugh out loud mind you, how we p-ss oil down the drain. Modern oils are so strong and durable most here just dont get it.
Example - The current model Porsche Turbo 911 uses Mobil 1 and the dealer doesnt want to see you until 7500miles that's12000 kilometers. New or used doesnt matter. Talk about heat generation in that machine!

My VW dealer says 30,000 kilometers on my new GTI. Using the VW long life oil. I noticed they dont have a yard full of blown engines because of this either....Hmmmmmmm.

In any case folks should do an oil analysis and see where their motor is to begin with and look long and hard at how you actually do drive.

The 3000mile oil change is long dead. Not only that back in the 70's many cars had 6000mil oil changes in the manuals not 3000mi. That was on Dino oil, non synthetic. What was the old phrase about a sucker being born......

:hello:

Extended drain: Are longer oil change intervals good for your car? - Sympatico.ca Autos

I found this a few weeks ago and posted on the VW forum Im on. Oil has come a long long way. Worth a read for education whether you change early or not.

Found this here on the 370 - Redline analysis for another member:
http://www.the370z.com/members/linpa...bs-sample.html

Do an Engine Oil Analysis. (EOA)
Blackstone Labs

That will tell you what you need to know. Its not expensive and its a good way of tracking your engine's condition too. It will tell you if you can wait longer or need to do more frequent changes.

Oil is a tricky thing hence why there is always so much discussion on it. Your driving habits, region, engine, and oil all have an effect on your oil's performance.

For me I change my oil once per year. But I barely drive the Z 3000miles a year. And my EOA said I could have used the oil even longer.

Also when looking at change intervals its not only engineering at work its management and making money factoring in. More people will buy an oil if it says 7500mile changes then one that says 3000. And good luck getting an oil company to replace your engine if it fails. Same goes with maintenance schedules is it better for you to come in and drop $100 every 3000miles or every 7500. And Nissan is on the hook for replacing your engine if it fails and they are doing the scheduled maintenance.

+1 on getting an Oil Analysis if you are debating when to change your oil this much. It will tell you how much life is left in your oil if you changed it to early or how much life is not left if you waited too late. Then you will know based on your circumstances when the optimal time is to change your oil. Rule of thumb is to change it more often than not.

Now I want to know why none of you are changing your oil after driving around the block for optimal performance! :rolleyes:

2011 Nismo#91, What did your analysis show as far as percentage of contaminants in the oil after 3000 miles? I am guessing that driving such few miles it would be low. However for the guys storing their Z's for the winter after driving it all summer. I would recommend changing the oil prior to storage if you aren't already doing so. This will prevent potential contaminants from settling and causing harm to the engine.

:iagree: I use redline 5w30 oil and I change my oil once when I take it out of storage and right before I put it in. I usually drive about 3000-5000 miles per year

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Last summer thanks to a lack of time I ran 4 track days (2 weekends) and close to 3000 highway miles on my oil. I felt horrible about that since I was changing after every weekend before that, but I sent a sample to blackstone and they said to run it longer next time. :)

Sig what exact oil were you using?

I just ordered the sample kit. Heck...they send the kit to you for free and it's only $25 to get it tested...you can't go wrong there for peace of mind.

Also ordered 6 quarts of 5W30 Redline today! :)

Please post your results! You are using the Nissan Ester currently and will change that out and have it tested? Def want to hear about this! Thanks in advance.

Also if you notice anything about your switch to RedLine, feel of the car, more importantly engine sound and temps.

Red Line 5w30. Just an anecdote, ymmv. :)

I have Redline currently in there now, so that's what will be tested. I am very curious to see what the results are. I have a feeling that even after 6k miles, I'm still going to have some life left; but we'll see. :)

The first 30k miles, I used the Nissan oil and then switched to Redline in January and the car runs much smoother and even a few degrees cooler (as far as oil temps go).

I'm glad you are doing the oil analysis. Thats the best way to determine if you interval was too short, too long, just right. That fuzzywuzzy guy doesn't know what he is talking about. It depends how you drive the car and the synthetic oils today can go over 10k miles. The filter is what needs to be changed and is usually the limiting factor.

My dad goes 15k miles using Amsoil in his Sienna and changes the filter only at 7500. His car has over 100k on it and runs perfect. Not saying thats the right thing to do but the only way is to get an analysis of the actual oil, not basing it on what a book says.

Also I feel that the 3750 in the owners manual is very conservative because Nissan would rather change the oil a couple more times in the warranty period than possibly replace engines if people drive their cars hard and don't change the oil often enough (especially if not using synthetic).

I agree with you 100%. I have the Purolator PureOne filter in there now. Supposedly they are pretty good...we'll find out when I get the analysis back. :)

I change the oil in all my vehicles (2012 370Z, 2001 Porsche Turbo, and 2002 Silverado) at 5K miles. Makes it easy to remember on the odometer. The Z and Turbo get Redline and Mobil1 Synthetic respectively and the Silverado gets plain old dino oil. The Silverado is currently at 150K miles, runs like a top, and the only repair I have ever done is a fuel pump at 100K miles. Doesn't burn a lick of oil.

Changing your oil at 3750 is silly IMHO, but if it makes you feel better, it certainly won't hurt...hell, changing at 5K is probably silly for that matter, but its an easy to remember system for me. Modern EFI engines put MUCH less contamination into the oil due to better fuel metering/combustion, and tighter manufacturing tolerances. As long as you are regularly getting the oil hot enough to burn off moisture (hardly an issue with our 370's HA!) modern synthetic oil is probably good to 15K intervals. If I was going that long though, I'd be checking regularly with oil analysis, but at 5K intervals, its a waste of money unless you are looking for something specific.

It is as simple as checking your dipstick.
I thought I could just stick to a 7500 mile interval with Redline like in the DIY that AK370 made but I realized at the next oil change how black it was. Since then, I've adjusted it to about 5000 miles. It really just depends on how hard you drive it. I drift mine and frequently hit redline