I've been using Royal Purple on my G35. I only change the fluid every 10k miles but I put a new filter in at 5k miles and top the oil off. 2 years later and over 55k miles I'm running strong.

I may send in some of my used oil for a Blackstone Lab test. Curious of the test results.

 

^ do it, you might be suprised...

 

I don't understand??? So you're changing your filter more often than your oil? That's pretty backwards to me. If you're going through all the trouble of getting under your car, removing the undertray, unscrewing the old filter, losing half the old oil in the process, then topping off...why not just drain and replace all the dirty oil?

 

You lose less than a 1/4 quart when you take the oil filter off. Oil filter life is only about 5k miles. Royal Purple supposedly lasts longer than traditional synthetics...

"Royal Purple suggests adhering to manufacturer‘s recommended oil change intervals for vehicles under warranty. Vehicles that are no longer under warranty can frequently double or triple the number of miles between oil changes depending on the vehicle, its condition, the way its used, and the oil filter that is used. For guidelines specific to your vehicle, we recommend contacting our technical department at rpautotech@royalpurple.com"

So I change the oil filter at 5k and top off about a 1/4 quart of RP.

 

You should be changing the filter more often. Filters are usually rated till 5,000 miles. Synthetic oil will easily do 7,000 miles depending on how you drive. By changing the oil at 5,000k you are not getting the advantage of synthetic oil's longer drain intervals. (unlesss you track or are FI of course).


bwahahahahahaah . Can only imagine something trying to wash their oil filter out with K&N cleaner or some dish washing soap.

 

The VQ is very hard on oil ,sytec can only go 6k so I would not blantently say 7 k easyon any oil. UoA will tell you. Some filters can do. 10k OCI

 

Deep Z
your right I will change my K&N oil filter with every oil change from now on. I have the funds so why not?

Original Poster,
I recommend you utilized Jiffy Lube.............................

 

What is an oil change at Jiffly Lube.... $30+ for dino-oil... $60+ for synthetic? Screw that noise. Do it yourself for half that. It's too easy a job to not do it yourself and know that it was done right. I don't trust high school kids working on my car even if it's just a simple oil change.

 

Ok normally I would recommend the same thing. However the OP asked about washing an oil filter. How safe do you think it would be for him to lift his car, set it on jack stands, and change his own oil? Until he witnesses how it is done then I think its best he get a shop to do the work for him.

 

How do you know synthetic only goes till 6k? How is the VQ hard on oil? I run regular castrol gtx dino oil with a puralotor filter for 4-5k intervals in my Z and have been doing so in other cars for years now with no issues. IMO, people change their oil too prematurely with these 3k dino oil and 6k synthetic oil recommendations. Like I said before, it depends on your driving habits first and foremost. And 10k on any oil filter is outrageous.

And when I refer to synthetic oils I am talking about oils that meet european spec and that are made from a group IV,V base stock. Not the commercial brands that come from a stock III with additives in them to mimic synthetic oil.

 

Point taken

 

Yes the VQ is hard on oil, go read up on BITOG. Also how do you know your oil is doing well with 4-5k OCI's? Have you ever done a UOA? GTX is great oil, but it might not be up to 4-5k OCI's on the VQ.

The only true way to know how long your can run your oil is to have it tested with the TBN. Then you can see how long you can run it.

Again the VQ is hard on oil vs other engines, so I would not just go out and say 7k is easy on Synthetics. Most of what people buy in the US are yea, the Fake Synthetics, some Group IV/V oils can do 7k but not all.But just because its a Group III oil does not mean its bad, Ie Syntec shows one of the best UOA of any oil on the VQ35 but can only be ran for 6k miles, based on UOA's.

So I would never just blatantly say that "synthetics" can go 7k without looking up some UOA's on that Specific Oil on the Specific engine you have.

Remember just because Syntec works amazing in the VQ does not always translate to being amazing in different model engine.M1 might be better in that engine while in the VQ syntec is better..ect Do a UOA and see for your self how "your" engine responds to the oil.

Just look at this forum for instance, half of the forum runs M1,and its been proven to be craptastic in the VQ, but all of them don't read UOA, and just go off word of mouth. Oh my friend said its good...

And Yes some filters have thick enough filter media to run for 10k miles.

 

Given the direction this thread is going, might I suggest the toilet paper oil filter. Yes they still make them! http://www.frantzoil.com/TOILETPAPER.html

Why wash it, when you can flush it?

 

1st oil change should be done at 1k.
The rest should be done every 3700-5000 miles depending on oil.

Filters can clog and oil will bypass the filter to provide lubrication. So I would not keep an oil filter longer than 5k. Especially the cardboard crap Nissan uses.

 

I've never been able to justify using synthetic. I'd much rather change my oil, with filter, two to three times more often than the claimed 1 cycle I'd get using synthetic. At a ratio of oil changes, dino:syn at the same price, a 3:1 ratio is pretty damn good and I'm willing to wager better for your engine.

Synthetic is really only beneficial if you're in very, very cold climates. Use synthetic if you want, I don't give a hoot.