Changing Oil 03 M45

[DELUNASC]

I have always had Valvoline Durablend in my car, and would like to start using Mobile 1 full synthetic oil. Are there any issues with changing the type of oil from what itis used to? I have heard that to receive the benifits of synthetic oil, the car needs to begin using synthetic when it new. My car currently has 55k on it. What about oil filters? Any preferences? How many quarts are in a 03 M45?

Thanks in advance for any help.

CD

[maxnix]

I changed my VH45DE and VH41DE to M1 at about those miles. Buy your M1 filters (a little better than the OEM thimbles) from Joe for a great price.

If you are worried about oil pan residue, pour in some BG Quick Clean immediately before changing the oil while the engine is idling. Do not drive or rev it.

Another option is to use a mechanical crankcase flush like

http://www.envirolution.com

I did this when I converted on all of mine to remove any sludge in the oil pan that wouldn't drain. The oil fill always requires an extra .5 qt that the drain, new filter and fill doesn't. If you are interested, I can give you the national guys number to tell you who can perform the service on a VK45DE in your area.

You must have the OM and FSM and read them to specify services for your vehicle.


Modified by maxnix at 8:51 AM 10/28/2007

[szh]

I have always had Valvoline Durablend in my car, and would like to start using Mobile 1 full synthetic oil. Are there any issues with changing the type of oil from what itis used to? I have heard that to receive the benifits of synthetic oil, the car needs to begin using synthetic when it new. My car currently has 55k on it. What about oil filters? Any preferences? How many quarts are in a 03 M45?

Thanks in advance for any help.

I use Mobil 1 0W-40 in my 2003 M45 without any difficulties. For the first thousands of miles, I used dino oil and switched at around the 7500 or 10k miles (I forget exactly, but it is in an older post here from me). Our resident old oil expert (not here anymore) used to recommend using a good dino oil (like Castrol GTX 5W-30) for the first 7.5k to 10k miles to get everything seated in well and then switch.

FWIW, even at your mileage, I would not have any concerns about switching to synthetic.

However, and this is more of an important point. I also believe that if you change your oil and filter often enough (like the 3750 miles schedule I follow), using any good oil - dino or synthetic - will be fine. Yes, I prefer to use synthetic, for the believed added protection, but you cannot go wrong by just following a good oil change interval schedule with any good oil - just never miss that interval!

And, of course, check the oil often in the 2003 and 2004 M45 with the VK45DE engine ... they are prone to oil use and you do not want to have problems with that.

In regards to oil filters, unless you are very knowledgeable about differing brands and believe a given one is particularly superior (I certain don't have that knowledge! ), I would recommend sticking with the Nissan/Infiniti OEM filter and crush washer. You can get the OEM filers for about the same prices as other good ones, from http://www.everythinginfiniti.com (or even your local Infiniti dealer for not much money).

A 2003 M45 engine takes 5 7/8 quarts of oil, when the filter is also replaced - which you should always do when replacing the oil ... no reason not to! I find it easiest to just make sure to get a good long drain done by the places I go to (not too hasty to replace the drain plug!) and then just put in 6 qts of oil.

These numbers are, by the way, written down in the Owner's Manual, and I also have them in the Basic Specs sticky in the M forum (see links in my sig below). You can also get the Service Manual - lots of detailed info - at http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/.

Enjoy!

Z

[StarPD]

I have always had Valvoline Durablend in my car, and would like to start using Mobile 1 full synthetic oil. Are there any issues with changing the type of oil from what itis used to? I have heard that to receive the benifits of synthetic oil, the car needs to begin using synthetic when it new. My car currently has 55k on it. What about oil filters? Any preferences? How many quarts are in a 03 M45?

Thanks in advance for any help.

CD

Synthetic is compatible with conventional oil. Even so, when I buy a used Q, I change oil immediately (I use Mobil 1, but that's a personal choice), then again after 500 miles, kind of like a flush (of the old conventional oil).Then I change once again at 1,000 miles, and every 3500 miles after that, always with an OEM filter each OC.

I used to always use 10W30, but after thinking more about the wear from cold starts, now use 5W30. I know some people prefer 0W30, but my Q is an '05 (F50) with the VK45 engine. VKs are known to consume more oil than VHs, and I live in Phoenix, where it gets HOT in Summer and doesn't get that cold in Winter, so I believe that under my circumstances, 5W30 is preferable.

When I first got my '94 Q45t, and it only had around 28K on it, I drove it from Phoenix to LA at a solid non-stop (except for gas once) 135 MPH, then the same back. That musta seated the rings pretty well. It never used ANY measurable oil between 3,000 mile OCIs, and I averaged around 21 to 23 mpg city and 26 to 29 highway mpg. Even though I sure like my '05 Q45, I miss the old "t". The '05 gets around 7,000 miles per quart, and 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. But even though my '94 was fast, the '05 is even faster, and while it pushes in hard curves, it corners flatter.