How many miles for oil change

bradz · 08-20-2009, 08:00 PM

Is it advisable to change the oil at around 1,000 miles or we need to follow the 3,750 interval? Any insight?

Caravanshaka · 08-20-2009, 08:16 PM

I did 1k for first change, then going by normal intervals

nicknick · 08-20-2009, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradz

Is it advisable to change the oil at around 1,000 miles or we need to follow the 3,750 interval? Any insight?

Personally in the Zed, I'd change it at 1 thou, then every 5,000kms with an ester based synth, like Motul. Bare in mind though that Ester based oils are not desgined for long life but they do excel under high stress and heat but after 5,000km even according to Motul the oil should be changed out. for the Zed I'd go the 5w-40 in the Motul 300v range, expensive but good.

bradz · 08-20-2009, 09:56 PM

I went to the dealership to have my 1200 miles oil change this morning, and the service adviser told me not to change the oil, because the car is not fully broken in yet. He even told me that there is break in oil in it.

Caravanshaka · 08-20-2009, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradz

I went to the dealership to have my 1200 miles oil change this morning, and the service adviser told me not to change the oil, because the car is not fully broken in yet. He even told me that there is break in oil in it.

the oil in it from the factory is nissan ester oil...

bradz · 08-21-2009, 06:50 AM

I think they used mobil 5w30 semi synthetic. Is this gonna harm my engine?

kannibul · 08-21-2009, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradz

I think they used mobil 5w30 semi synthetic. Is this gonna harm my engine?

Mobil1 makes great oil...no harm...

It's what I use in anything I care about.

kannibul · 08-21-2009, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicknick

Personally in the Zed, I'd change it at 1 thou, then every 5,000kms with an ester based synth, like Motul. Bare in mind though that Ester based oils are not desgined for long life but they do excel under high stress and heat but after 5,000km even according to Motul the oil should be changed out. for the Zed I'd go the 5w-40 in the Motul 300v range, expensive but good.

Why 5w40 instead of 5w30 like the manual specs?

VCuomo · 08-22-2009, 01:31 AM

It's incredible how much BS is out there relating to oil.

Let's see, Corvettes, Porches, and a bunch of other high-end autos come from the factory with 100% synthetic (and supposedly Nissan uses a synthetic blend, not a "break in oil", as its factory fill). You can switch to 100% synthetic (like Mobil 1, Amsoil, Redline, Royal Purple, Nissan's ester oil, etc.) whenever you want. You can do your first oil change as early as you want - but I'd wait at least 2K to 3K miles to get some use out of the factory fill.

And you should use the viscosity that Nissan recommends - 5W30.

ZKindaGuy · 08-22-2009, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VCuomo

It's incredible how much BS is out there relating to oil.

Let's see, Corvettes, Porches, and a bunch of other high-end autos come from the factory with 100% synthetic (and supposedly Nissan uses a synthetic blend, not a "break in oil", as its factory fill). You can switch to 100% synthetic (like Mobil 1, Amsoil, Redline, Royal Purple, Nissan's ester oil, etc.) whenever you want. You can do your first oil change as early as you want - but I'd wait at least 2K to 3K miles to get some use out of the factory fill.

And you should use the viscosity that Nissan recommends - 5W30.

If you are saying there is no such thing as a "break-in" oil then this is not accurate. It has always been for as long as SYNTHS have existed that for a new engine it is best that a natural mineral oil be used as an engines first oil for at least the first 3000 to 5000 miles rather than using a SYNTH when breaking in an engine.

The reason is entirely based in that using a SYNTH (with its extra friction-preventing additives) for break-in does not allow the kinds of internal cylinder pressures required to FULLY expand and set the rings properly against the cylinder walls. In fact even Royal Purple has a specific "Break-In" oil (and named just that BTW: Royal Purple Engine Break-In Oil ) that is a blend of natural mineral oil and SYNTH. It in essence provides the best of both worlds.

Being that Nissan Ester Oil is a natural conventional oil then in essence when the Nissan service people said that the engine had a "special break-in" oil they were technically telling the truth. They are in essence keeping the SYNTH out of the engine until after the 3750 mile "break-in" period has been met.

VCuomo · 08-24-2009, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZKindaGuy

If you are saying there is no such thing as a "break-in" oil then this is not accurate. It has always been for as long as SYNTHS have existed that for a new engine it is best that a natural mineral oil be used as an engines first oil for at least the first 3000 to 5000 miles rather than using a SYNTH when breaking in an engine.

The reason is entirely based in that using a SYNTH (with its extra friction-preventing additives) for break-in does not allow the kinds of internal cylinder pressures required to FULLY expand and set the rings properly against the cylinder walls. In fact even Royal Purple has a specific "Break-In" oil (and named just that BTW: Royal Purple Engine Break-In Oil ) that is a blend of natural mineral oil and SYNTH. It in essence provides the best of both worlds.

Being that Nissan Ester Oil is a natural conventional oil then in essence when the Nissan service people said that the engine had a "special break-in" oil they were technically telling the truth. They are in essence keeping the SYNTH out of the engine until after the 3750 mile "break-in" period has been met.

Where did I say that "there is no such thing as a 'break-in' oil"?

But I stand by my assertion that you do not have to wait any particular mileage before switching to 100% synthetic. Here is some info straight from Mobil (Mobil_Oil_Myths):

Quote:

Myth: You should break in your engine with conventional oil, then switch to a synthetic oil like Mobil 1.
Reality:
You can start using Mobil 1 in new vehicles at any time, even in brand new vehicles. In fact, Mobil 1 is original equipment (it is installed at the factory) in:

Acura RDX
Aston Martin
All Bentley Vehicles
All Cadillac Vehicles
Chevrolet Corvette C6 and Z06
Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS
Chrysler 300C SRT-8
Cobalt SS S/C Coupe
Dodge Caliber SRT-4, Charger SRT-8, and Magnum SRT-8
Jeep Cherokee SRT-8
Mercedes-Benz AMG Vehicles
Mercedes SLR
Mitsubishi Evolution
Pontiac Solstice GXP
All Porsche Vehicles
Saturn Ion Red Line and Saturn Sky Red Line
Viper SRT-10

One of the myths surrounding synthetic oils is that new engines require a break-in period with conventional oil. The fact is, current engine manufacturing technology does not require this break-in period. As indicated by the decisions of the engineers who design the high-performance cars listed above, Mobil 1 can be used starting the day you drive the car off the showroom floor.

Redline recommends waiting 3,000 miles primarily for rebuilt engines - not fresh engines from major manufacturers; here's a quote from Road & Track Technical Correspondence Column (9 years ago, emphasis below added, link is Redline_break-in_link):

Quote:

Redline, on the other hand, has found it best to recommend a mineral oil break-in. Occasionally an engine will glaze its cylinder walls when initially run on Redline, they say, so by using a mineral oil for 2000 miles, verifying there is no oil consumption and then switching to the synthetic, glazing is eliminated.

Cylinder-wall glazing is not a deposit left on the cylinder wall, but rather a displacement of cylinder-wall metal. This happens when the high spots of the cylinder wall crosshatch are not cut or worn off by the piston rings, but rather rolled over into the valleys or grooves of the crosshatch. This leaves a surface that oil adheres to poorly, against which the rings cannot seal well. Compression is lost and oil consumed, and the only cure is to tear down the engine to physically restore the cylinder-wall finish by honing.

Why is glazing not a problem for the major manufacturer? Because they have complete, accurate control over their cylinder-wall finish and ring type. Redline deals with a huge variety of engines and manufacturers, both OEM and from the aftermarket. Cylinder-wall finish and ring type thus vary greatly, and glazing can therefore occur, albeit rarely.

Another interesting tidbit from the same link:

Quote:

Exxon/Mobil's official policy is that their synthetic oil may be used at any mileage, including factory fill, unless otherwise stated by the vehicle manufacturer. Mobil pointed out, as you did, that all Corvettes, Vipers, Porsches and Aston Martins are factory filled with Mobil 1 synthetic. We can only conclude that improvements in cylinder-wall finish and ring design or materials makes this possible.

It is also likely that vehicle manufacturers not using synthetics as the factory fill are also not optimizing their cylinder and ring packages for the slippery synthetics, in which case approximately 1000 miles on mineral oil should prove ample break-in time. In fact, in modern engines a very high percentage of ring break-in takes place very quickly, probably in the first 10 to 20 minutes of engine running. Certainly, some final lapping of the rings and cylinders takes place over several hundred miles after initial break-in.

Just to add some confusion, Porsche dynos all of its engines before installing them in the chassis. We were unable to determine what oil is used for the dyno session, but would presume it's Mobil 1.

355890 · 08-22-2009, 07:20 AM

[QUOTE=bradz;161391]Is it advisable to change the oil at around 1,000 miles or we need to follow the 3,750 interval? Any insight?[

I offloaded the so called Break-in-Oil

at 1,000 miles and stuffed the engine full of Royal Purple 5W30. This will get replaced ever 3,000 miles religiously.

Regardless of any other comments and primarily for my own personal satisfaction ( none fact based ) and for the basic rule that lubricant breaks down the moment it becomes functional.......this has been my routine, and the engine truly appreciates the care.

My only proof of this relentless process is my 12 year old pick-up truck which has 354,000 miles, 3,000 mile oil changes continue today and it runs fantastic ( it is still my daily driver ).

I Doubt I will personally ever see this Z car ever get to 50,000 miles but I enjoy the process.

ZKindaGuy · 08-22-2009, 07:39 PM

[QUOTE=355890;163329]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradz

Is it advisable to change the I offloaded the so called Break-in-Oil

at

why are you calling out the use of the term "Break-in Oil" by using the "roll the eyes" emoticon??? It is "break-in" oil in every sense of the word since it is mineral oil and not a SYNTH....

GingaBreadMan · 08-22-2009, 08:07 PM

I did my 1st oil change at 1500 miles using Mobil 1 and have noticed slightly higher oil temps since. With driving habits and weather temps being the same I find this odd. I'm going to continue to monitor the oil temps. I'm thinking of using Redline 4 my next change.

ZKindaGuy · 08-23-2009, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GingaBreadMan

I did my 1st oil change at 1500 miles using Mobil 1 and have noticed slightly higher oil temps since. With driving habits and weather temps being the same I find this odd. I'm going to continue to monitor the oil temps. I'm thinking of using Redline 4 my next change.

Before you put in redline 4 why don't you try the Nissan Ester Oil as this was the original oil put in the car before you did your first oil change and see if the engine temp goes back to what it was before you put in the Mobil 1?

08-20-2009, 08:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
bradz Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pinellas County Florida Posts: 348 Drives: 09' 370z MB 6spd Rep Power: 16	How many miles for oil change Is it advisable to change the oil at around 1,000 miles or we need to follow the 3,750 interval? Any insight?

08-20-2009, 08:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
Caravanshaka I shake Caravans Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: north Dallas Posts: 9,517 Drives: everyone crazy Rep Power: 43	I did 1k for first change, then going by normal intervals __________________ ____________________ PROJECT DiaD - Sold but not forgotten! The first testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that in order to work the penis, the brain must remain whole.

08-22-2009, 07:20 AM	#12 (permalink)
355890 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 416 Drives: GP Z Base+Sport (6m) Rep Power: 542	[QUOTE=bradz;161391]Is it advisable to change the oil at around 1,000 miles or we need to follow the 3,750 interval? Any insight?[ I offloaded the so called Break-in-Oil at 1,000 miles and stuffed the engine full of Royal Purple 5W30. This will get replaced ever 3,000 miles religiously. Regardless of any other comments and primarily for my own personal satisfaction ( none fact based ) and for the basic rule that lubricant breaks down the moment it becomes functional.......this has been my routine, and the engine truly appreciates the care. My only proof of this relentless process is my 12 year old pick-up truck which has 354,000 miles, 3,000 mile oil changes continue today and it runs fantastic ( it is still my daily driver ). I Doubt I will personally ever see this Z car ever get to 50,000 miles but I enjoy the process. __________________ *"Burnley Football Club supporter" ENGLAND...ENGLAND...ENGLAND*

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08-20-2009, 09:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
bradz Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pinellas County Florida Posts: 348 Drives: 09' 370z MB 6spd Rep Power: 16	I went to the dealership to have my 1200 miles oil change this morning, and the service adviser told me not to change the oil, because the car is not fully broken in yet. He even told me that there is break in oil in it.

08-21-2009, 06:50 AM	#6 (permalink)
bradz Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pinellas County Florida Posts: 348 Drives: 09' 370z MB 6spd Rep Power: 16	I think they used mobil 5w30 semi synthetic. Is this gonna harm my engine?

08-22-2009, 01:31 AM	#9 (permalink)
VCuomo Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 887 Drives: BMW 335i Sport Rep Power: 18	It's incredible how much BS is out there relating to oil. Let's see, Corvettes, Porches, and a bunch of other high-end autos come from the factory with 100% synthetic (and supposedly Nissan uses a synthetic blend, not a "break in oil", as its factory fill). You can switch to 100% synthetic (like Mobil 1, Amsoil, Redline, Royal Purple, Nissan's ester oil, etc.) whenever you want. You can do your first oil change as early as you want - but I'd wait at least 2K to 3K miles to get some use out of the factory fill. And you should use the viscosity that Nissan recommends - 5W30.

08-22-2009, 08:07 PM	#14 (permalink)
GingaBreadMan Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: New York Posts: 313 Drives: 09 370z Sport 6spd Rep Power: 17	I did my 1st oil change at 1500 miles using Mobil 1 and have noticed slightly higher oil temps since. With driving habits and weather temps being the same I find this odd. I'm going to continue to monitor the oil temps. I'm thinking of using Redline 4 my next change.