Oil Changes

[stylishG35xS]

Just a quick question. Does everyone change their oil (not synthetic) every 3750? Is there any issue if you miss by a grand or so at times? Want to think about longevity but don't want to be anal if I can't make it to the dealer until its convenient. 2008 xs 11k miles. Thanks

[PuvMan]

The VQ likes to burn oil a bit - If you keep a check on your oil level I don't seen why the oil won't hold up till 5k miles (or even beyond, but I don't feel comfortable pushing it further). If you are doing any severe driving (track) I would def change in the 3 - 4k mark though.

[stardust]

Originally Posted by PuvMan

The VQ likes to burn oil a bit

ummm not ours

[pfarmer]

Originally Posted by stylishG35xS

Just a quick question. Does everyone change their oil (not synthetic) every 3750? Is there any issue if you miss by a grand or so at times? Want to think about longevity but don't want to be anal if I can't make it to the dealer until its convenient. 2008 xs 11k miles. Thanks

Every 5 k for me with an 08 XS.

[pfarmer]

Originally Posted by stardust

ummm not ours

Not any that I know of either. The main reason I change at 5 k is to change the filter. Some large trucks running Syn oils and partial bypass filters have gone as high as 1,000 k miles without any detectable issue with the oil when analyzed. Personally I see that as possible the best first mod for anyone to do.

[soundmike]

I've gone as high as 12k on VQ's without any problem (Blackstone recommended). On the G, i'm slowly moving up on OCI's. Currently at 6k intervals right now. Last time it was at 5k, with a track day and the oil tests still showed i could go another 2k or so with it.

[E-Ticket Ride]

I'm going to do my first Blackstone test on my next change (a bit over 16k miles), as soon as I get the kit in the mail. I do anywhere between 3.5 to 5k miles as far as changes.

I'm anxious to see what's going on in there.

[mlimg35x]

Do you guys change it every 3-4 months as well? I drive ~9000/year on the G.

[pfarmer]

Originally Posted by mlimg35x

Do you guys change it every 3-4 months as well? I drive ~9000/year on the G.

For me I change 5k miles regardless of how many miles I drive which over the years has varied largely. The only time I would change more frequently is if the car sits for long periods without starting (moisture reasons).

[johnnyzee]

while the car is under warranty, don't be cheap (or lazy), get it done at the required mileage intervals (I don't believe in the every 3-4 months bullsh!t). This way, should something happen to your car, they don't blame it on your "lack of maintenance", and cannot void your warranty on that factor.

I've had this issue with my Camry, and I got screwed. it's not worth the risk during your warranty period. after warranty, then feel free to stretch it.

[Texasscout]

If I run "bulk" dino oil, I change at 3K. If it's a "quality" dino oil, I'll go 5K. Mobil 1 I change at 7.5K. I am now running Amsoil's latest 10W30 and their Ea filter. It "says" you can go 25K, but I'll go 7.5K, change the filter and add then go to 15K before I change. Same as what BMW recomends with Mobil 1.

[pfarmer]

Originally Posted by Texasscout

If I run "bulk" dino oil, I change at 3K. If it's a "quality" dino oil, I'll go 5K. Mobil 1 I change at 7.5K. I am now running Amsoil's latest 10W30 and their Ea filter. It "says" you can go 25K, but I'll go 7.5K, change the filter and add then go to 15K before I change. Same as what BMW recomends with Mobil 1.

Awhile back and its has been 'awhile' I read a report on using Syn oil in NYC taxis. The basic consensus was that you could go 25k easily as far as the oil goes but you wanted to change the filter frequently. Everytime you change the filter you basically added close to 1 quart of new oil. I believe in changing the filter frequently and if it was easier to get out I would probably buy several and do it once a month or so.

The trucks that went 1,000 k miles used a partial bypass system for the filtering. Basically that means you are alway bypassing part of the oil which allows you to use a much finer filter media which allows filtering of much finer particles passing through the filter. The hazard if you don't compensate for it is passing larger particles into the engine during an event. On the industrial turbines and other equipment I have been involved with that used this type of system always had some other method of detection of events such as for gas turbines in their use of 'chip' detectors. I have seen a couple of other application for vehicles similar to industrial systems where you are in the partial bypass mode after warmup.

I have thought a little about this since it really is a fairly easy mod to do using the normal external filter/cooler kits available.

The only thing I see of value with the timed approached (once every three months or so) is if you let your car sit moisture tends to get into the system. The moisture is the issue especially if the oil happens to be a little bit high in sulfur content. Other than that follow the mileage suggestions based on your driving habits. Not a bad idea is to have your oil analyzed as suggested to tell you the conditon of the oil, just remember it doesn't do much in the way of telling you the condition of your filter.

[sunny G-35 NYC]

Between 4-5k miles you should get an oil change regardless of how you drive or where you drive

[klossfam]

I change every 7,500 miles per the standard interval - did the first change at 3,750, the second at 7,500. Switched to full syn on the first change and have mostly used Mobil 1 or Castrol SYNTEC. The filter on the VQ engine is very small as you know, so I've been using Mobil 1 or K & N filters to increase the element area. The Nissan/Infiniti OEMs seem pretty low quality if you cut one apart. No reason to be using dino oil. Not much price difference and full syn will more than survive 7,500 mile intervals, even in a free reving engine like the VQ. I'm at 25,000 miles and have not seen any excess oil usage.

[joesmithf1]

what if i drive only 3000 miles every 6 months? is it 'safe' to wait till 7500 miles before an oil change(given i change the filter every 3 months)? this means i only need to change oil about once a year. No one seems to be able to answer this question. Any advise? thanks!

i have Mobil 1 full syn, btw.