I've had my G since March. It only has 1600 miles. I was wondering if I should change the oil yet. What should I go by... time or mileage. Also, should I go with synthetic when I do change it.

Any suggestions are much appreciated

 

I'm not an authority, but I believe you want to "break in" the
engine with normal oil before changing to a full synthetic.
I changed to Castrol synthetic around 20,000 miles.



God I love this car!

 

manuals always said "x mileage or x months" whatever comes first.

 

I go by milage (every 4000). I drive alot of highway miles.
I moved to a synthetic blend. I went mid stream (synthetic & conventional oil mix) because I didnt want to pay the higher prices of full synthetic but wanted some of the benefits of a full synthetic (better lubrication).
Bottom line- as long as you religiously change your oil, your in good shape.

G35papa- 03Sedan- Pearl / Willow / Premium LOVE IT!

 

I go by milage (every 4000). I drive alot of highway miles.
I moved to a synthetic blend. I went mid stream (synthetic & conventional oil mix) because I didnt want to pay the higher prices of full synthetic but wanted some of the benefits of a full synthetic (better lubrication).
Bottom line- as long as you religiously change your oil, your in good shape.

G35papa- 03Sedan- Pearl / Willow / Premium Pkg LOVE IT!

 

So let's say if it takes me 6 or 7 months to go the 4,000 miles, should i do the oil change at 3 months or wait till the 4000 miles?

 

The recommendation is 3 mths/3750 miles or 6 mths/7500 miles. It also depends on your driving habits, my limited second-hand knowledge says that short trips and city-type driving are harsher on the oil than longer highway type trips. Something to do with the acid content of the oil burning away on longer trips but building up and staying in the engine with short trips. So if you do a longer trip (>20 miles) regularly, every couple of weeks or so, you might be able to go 6 months between changes (at 4000 miles).

However if you want to be safe you can do one of two things:
- change your oil every three months with a high quality dino like Pennzoil or GTX, or
- do a couple of oil analyses to determine how your driving habits affect your oil.

I'm currently trying to go with 7500 mile oil changes on Mobil 1 synthetic. I'm up to about 6500 miles on the oil and will get to my interval in about 2 weeks, at which point I'll send out some of the oil for an analysis. Depending on how the results come back, I'll change (lenghthen/shorten) or stick with this oil change interval.

<font color=red>chinee</font color=red>
2003.5 G35s

 

I changed to mobil 1 synth and a mobil 1 filter at under 1000 miles. Synthetic is safe to use at any mileage if that is the route you want to go.

 

That's wise to get an analysis done.(I've been told). It tells a lot about what happening in the engine. Altho I've never had one done, I have considered it. Where to look for an oil analysis lab? Chinee are you in the GTA?
As far as frequency of changes. I tend to err on the side of caution. If I rack up a lot of city miles, I'll change more frequently than hwy miles. From what I understand, consistent hi speeds help keep the oil cleaner and less prone to acid and carbon buildup. IMO, you can't go wrong with following the manufacturer's suggested schedule for severe driving. Unless you go on a trip involving long distances in a short(er) time.
As far as when to change over to synthetics: I've heard as early as 1200 miles, and as late as 20k miles. I personally do it early.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on oil. I look forward to hearing more about your oil analysis.[img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

<font color=green>GSM</font color=green>

 

GSM...GTA? Not sure what that is... please translate for me. I've been frequenting www.bobistheoilguy.com and picked up a little knowledge on oil, change intervals, analyses...just enough info to keep me busy with my G.

Since I run 30-36K miles per year, and I keep my cars about 6-8 years, durabilty and reliability are very important to me, hence my little research on this topic.

The knowledge I've garnered is just enough for me to find a comfort zone with my oil change regimen, but certainly not enough for me to advise others. But I will share my experiences...(gotta big mouth, I'll post even if no one wants to know). [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

<font color=red>chinee</font color=red>
2003.5 G35s

 

Nothing at all wrong with sharing our experiences and prefferences with the group. I've learned a lot that way, I'm sure a lot of us have.
I'll visit www.bobistheoilguy.com for some interesting reading , thanks.
BTW-- LOL, GTA (Greater Toronto Area, Ontario,
Canada) is a long way from West Palm Beach Fla. I mixed you up with another member. Just checked your prophile.
I look forward to hearing about your oil analyses.[img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

<font color=green>GSM</font color=green>

 

GTA! LOL is right. Closest I've been is a passthrough once on my way to Winnipeg 20 years ago. Give me Florida warmth..it's too cold that far up north!

<font color=red>chinee</font color=red>
2003.5 G35s

 

hahaha, Your neighbour---Merlin--- calls this place "The Tundra". Most of the year tat's what it is. One of these days-- sunny Fla or sunny Cali and no more Tundra.
l8r

<font color=green>GSM</font color=green>