Oil Change Interval question

[mfarhan_86]

Hey everyone i have acquired recently a 1999 Infiniti Q45, i notice in the manual Infiniti recommends oil change every 12000 km as i am in Canada it is about 7300 miles i think is it the same recommendation in the U.S.A? So far i have been following 5000km/3000 miles change interval running full syntec 0w - 50 Castrol. just wondering what oil everyone else uses and recommends. 0w - 50, 5w - 30 etc and what kind of change interval does evenry one follows. thanks everyone

[TBrack]

I would stick with 3000~ miles. As far as the type, I'm sure some of the northern owners can help you out there...

[qship96]

0-50 seems way too thick when factory spec is a 5-30 or 10-30. most change their oil every 90 days here.

[Falkdesigns]

I change my oil once a year, Amsoil 10-30 synthetic and Amsoil EAO filter. Just had my valve cover gaskets done by an Infiniti tech, said the cams, etc. look new. 101k on it, had it since 75k, 3 years ago.

[Brokenbc]

I too have wondered this... Mine is making this ticking noise so I ran a can of generic napa motor flush through it actually half a can, then oil change with generic oil, then another oil change.

lets go ahead and add which filters we're using...

I'm using Valvoline High milage oil and fram filters and follow the 3K mile rule.

Also I'm thinking of switching to amsoil and I've heard a few people say that fram is horrible so I'm thinking of switching that too.

[lino]

I change mine every 3 months or 5000km (3000miles) whatever comes first. I use Mobil 1.

[Skibane]

The proper oil change interval depends a lot on your driving habits. If you're putting a lot of highway miles on your Q (with plenty of time for the engine to fully warm up), then 12,000 KM isn't unreasonable. However, if you're doing a lot of short trips (i.e., where the engine doesn't spend as much time fully warmed up), you should consider shorter oil change intervals.

If you're having doubts about whether you're changing the oil often enough, it's not a bad idea to have the oil analyzed. Blackstone Labs does a good job, at a reasonable cost.

[mfarhan_86]

Allright thanks everyone for their input so far.... ok as for type of oil i didnt know what my oil changer was putting in, i asked him and he told me 0w-50, so i am guessing i should change to 5w-30 or 10w-30? now that i think about it that might be causing the awful 11mpg fuel consumption that has been bothering me. I am planning next oil change this weekend. thanks again

[maxnix]

If you are getting 11mpg and are not warming up 10 minutes each cold start, you have other problems. It is not the oil.

Get M1 filters from Joe.
Modified by maxnix at 7:00 AM 4/14/2007

[friedrice2841]

i am curious about amsoil; how many miles a year do you drive. can i assume that you change your filter only once a year too? can you purchase amsoil locally or is it mail order. i have been waiting to hear that a Q owner has had a positive experience with amsoil

[DrewQ45]

i am curious about amsoil; how many miles a year do you drive. can i assume that you change your filter only once a year too? can you purchase amsoil locally or is it mail order. i have been waiting to hear that a Q owner has had a positive experience with amsoil

Personally I wouldn't go an entire year with the same oil, but definately not with the same filter. At least change the filter in 6 months.

[Q45tech]

Oil change intervals have to shorten as ring clearence wear increases.

If 7.5k is max new 3.75K might be max at 250,000 miles.

Current oem oil filters are not as good as orginal Japanese made oil filters.

Small size vs bypass pressure mandates frequent replacements.

The point is old Q leak and need 90 day observation and spray cleaning to identify increases in leak rates so why not while you are there.

You'll never make 500,000 miles if you don't devote a day every 90.

[elwesso]

I personally use OEM filters and change my oil every 4 months, which turns out to be just a touch under 4000 miles..

This past time I used mobil clean 7500, seems to be pretty nice... Used a purolator gold filter.

Next fill im gonna go with something a little better and a 60U00 filter..

All the sources Im seeing is that M1 is now a waste since its no longer a full synthetic. At 90 day OCI, it doesnt really matter what oil you use because no matter how hard you are on it, its probably not worn out at 90 days.

[StarPD]

Oil is cheaper than parts.

You can not go wrong using a good premium synthetic 5 w 30 oil and a known good oil filter, changing both every 3500 mies.

Don't forget trans flush, brake system flush, cooling sytem flush, diff drain and refill, and power steering flush. These are essential to preserve the long service life designed into your Q45.

[99q45t_vl]

So far i have been following 5000km/3000 miles change interval running full syntec 0w - 50 Castrol. just wondering what oil everyone else uses and recommends. 0w - 50, 5w - 30 etc and what kind of change interval does evenry one follows. thanks everyone

Are you sure it's 0W-50 and not a 0W-30 Castrol Syntec? Castrol does not list it on the website. Does it look like this?

http://theoildrop.server101.co...art=3

[szh]

I change my oil (Mobil 1 0W-40) and filter (OEM Nissan) every 3750 miles ... which is about every 3 to 4 months anyway.

Z

[mfarhan_86]

hey i am not 100% sure if it is 0w-50 i was looking at their website as well and notices it is not listed there but i asked the guy who changes oil at the shop and he said 0w-50 maybe i heard wrong maybe he said 0w-40 i am thinking of going to 5w-30 next oil change

[mfarhan_86]

or would 0w-30 be a better option

[99q45t_vl]

or would 0w-30 be a better option

If you can get it. AFAIK, Wal-Mart and Canadian Tire sell it in Canada.