10,000 mile between oil changes

[ddvette9]

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

[spearfish25]

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**

[shabarivas]

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

[FuszNissan]

3750 mile Intervals(Nissan Recommends)

[ChrisSlicks]

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.

[stormcrow]

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

[marcussoori]

Originally Posted by stormcrow

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...

[IDZRVIT]

Originally Posted by ddvette9

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

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.

[stormcrow]

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?

[AK370Z]

Originally Posted by marcussoori

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...

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.

[OldGuy]

Originally Posted by AK370Z

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.

[Modshack]

Originally Posted by marcussoori

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).

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)

[ferrari_rich]

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

[IDZRVIT]

Originally Posted by stormcrow

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?

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

[stormcrow]

Originally Posted by IDZRVIT

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.