G 35 Oil change

[crazyboy3012]

Hello friends,

Just a quick question. Are all of you changing oil at an authorized Infiniti service centre (or by urself) or using other options such as Midas?

Further am i right in understanding that it really does'nt matter whether you use a regular oil or synthetic?

We just have to make sure we use 5W30 or 10W 30..right?

I donno much about oil filters...any input about where can i buy or which one is recommended is highly appreciated.

Sorry...i am used to getting my old Mazda 626 serviced at Walmart and it has 170K miles and still runs like a champion...this is my first luxury car and i have a lot of questions.

Thank you in advance-V

[SVTCOBRA]

I use Mobil 1 Syn. and change it every 3.5k miles.I also use a nissan filter. I get a break on them when I buy several.Others here will tell you to make sure you keep records and receipts if you have it changed else where or do it your self.

You might want to use the search button too, cause there have been past threads that you might find educational.

Congrats!! We love our G's!!

[redhed]

infiniti dealer is 4+ hours away, so i just have mine serviced at the local nissan garage. not sure what brand of filter they use. as for oil, they put regular old dino quaker state 5w30 in mine. seems to work just fine...no usage whatsoever in between 3500/4000 mile routine service.

[Gimli G35]

Royal Purple 5W30

I get a local shop owned by my brothers friend to do it .. well .. I DO IT.. i just use the LIFT

Every 3-4k miles

OEM filters .. are the best

~Gimli~

[crazyboy3012]

Hey Guyz,

Thanks a lot for your replies.

[telcoman]

Crazyboy3012

I change oil myself every 3k -3500 miles using Infiniti factory filters which I buy 2-3 at a time along with a spare Air and cabin filter. I generally use Pennzoil or Quaker State 5w-30. If one changes oil every 3-4k miles I see no need to spend $$$ for either synthetic or purple or any other high priced oil. My 88 old Mazda 929 had over 200k miles on it & it reached those miles by regular oil changes every 3-4k miles. This is the most economical thing one can do to get a long life out of a vehicle. The dealer is too expensive & I don't trust places such as Walmart, Jiffy Lube or any of the others. Do it yourself & you'll know its done right. I've heard too many stories of oil drain plugs not tightened & falling out. Try going back after a week and convincing one of those places that they screwed up should that ever happen to you.

Telcoman

[redhed]

just wondering...does anyone know who makes those infiniti filters???

[SVTCOBRA]

I think I saw another post that said they were WIX filters.

[grillo]

how many qts does the infiniti take

[fungusmungus05]

5W30 or 10W 30? How many quarts?

[szh]

Are all of you changing oil at an authorized Infiniti service centre (or by urself) or using other options such as Midas?

Avoid the quickie oil change places - they are not careful enough. Take your own oil filter and oil to a place where they will allow you to see and surpervise the work ... I use a local Goodyear place and a Precision Tune sometimes. I refuse to let them use any old filter though - see below!! If the Midas place will let you observe the work, then fine - just use your own oil and filter.

If I had a safe way to get under my car, I would probably have fun doing it myself though ...

Further am i right in understanding that it really does'nt matter whether you use a regular oil or synthetic?

If you change the oil and oil filter often enough (3750 miles or less, or 180 days or less, regularly, without fail) then, imho, any good oil - dino or synthetic - will do. We had an oil expert here once who recommended Chevron Supreme and Castrol GTX as good dino oils in a 5W-30 weight (10W-30 in hotter climates), and Mobil 1 Synthetic 0W-40 as a good year-round synthetic. I use the Mobil 1 Synthetic in my cars ...

We just have to make sure we use 5W30 or 10W 30..right?

In general, yes. However, depending on your location and how hot or cold it gets, you can vary this a bit. Like in hotter climates, in summer, a 10W40 might be better.

I donno much about oil filters...any input about where can i buy or which one is recommended is highly appreciated.

Stick with OEM filter. Get the filters and copper crush washers (called drain plug washers) from Joe Tsensky at http://www.everythinginfiniti.com - the price for "six packs" is comparable to after-market filters and you will be sure of quality product.

As a summary: I buy 6 qts of Mobil 1 Synthetic 0W-40 oil (it is a V-8 Infiniti engine, so takes 6 quarts, a bit more than the G35 probably) from Kragen, the OEM oil filter and crush washer from http://www.everythinginfiniti.com, and the Goodyear place charges me $12.99 to change the oil and filter and dispose of the old oil and filter. Can't beat that for the convenience!

Z

[szh]

5W30 or 10W30?

Either, depending on your location and time of year. See my previous post in this thread too ...

How many quarts?

It is in your Owner's Manual ... near the last few pages of the book. Probably under 6 quarts, I would imagine, since my V-8 Infiniti engine takes 5 7/8 quarts (when the filter is also changed - I do that every time!)

Z

[crazyboy3012]

This is the first oil change since i purchased my car on June 30th. I am not sure if the previous owner used a synthetic or a regular engine oil. I called up the Infiniti dealer in Dallas where the car was originally purchased from and all regular maintanence and inspection were performed and for some reason they said that they will not provide me with any information (just the verbal info about what oil they have used in the past) although they have all the information upto the 45K scheduled maintenance.

Now i am not sure if i should go with a synthetic or a regular one. I called up the previous owner and left a voice mail. I am heading for a 3K mile road trip and i need to get the servicing done before i leave.

So just to be on the safe side do i use one of the synthetic 5W-30?

What are OEM filters? Are they different than the regular ones available in the auto shops?

Thank you in advance for all the info.

Regards -V

[SVTCOBRA]

I would go with a FULLY Synthetic oil.I would get a Nissan OEM Filter.

If you are going to get somebody else to do it, I would check with your local Nissan dealer about getting them to do it.

I pay more for Synthetic not because I can get more miles between changes, but because it's better for your engine. It's Slickeriey.

Have a safe trip!!!!

[szh]

What are OEM filters? Are they different than the regular ones available in the auto shops?

OEM means "Original Equipment Manufacturer". In this context, it means buy Nissan/Infiniti filters from a dealer, or in quantities from Joe Tsensky at http://www.everythinginfiniti.com ... don't forget the crush washer!

I supervise my oil changes, and once had a tech ask me what that crush washer was for. I looked at him sideways and asked for another tech to finish working on my car!

Another time, the guy showed me what he pulled off the bolt and compared it to a new one: "Its not the same size!". I pointed out that the material was soft copper for a good reason ... it crushes down for a tight seal when the oil drain bolt is tightened to the correct torque!

Z

[zozoka1212]

these oil technicians are scary. Have a hard time to trust these guys and give them my key.

Zozo

[crazyboy3012]

I am convinced .... My next oil change will be at an Infiniti service centre even if i have to shell out some extra $$.

Thank you all for a very informative feedback.

Wishes -V

[szh]

I am convinced .... My next oil change will be at an Infiniti service centre even if i have to shell out some extra $$.

Oh, don't get me too wrong ... it's okay to use a non-Infiniti place ... just find a good place (not the quickie oil change places) that is willing to let you oversee the work - even if from a few feet away. That is why I use a particular local Goodyear and Precision Tune places for the in-between oil changes - they are willing to let me watch while the work is being done!

If I could get under my car safely (I do not trust jack stands and do not have the room in my garage to keep a good set of ramps), I would DIY this for fun and to show my 9 year old son what to do for his cars when he grows up. Oil changes are easy - only the disposal is a bit of a pain.

Z

[Cali 2 Balti G]

As far as I can tell all of the replacement parts have NISSAN stamped on them. So you can often save your self some money by going to a NISSAN dealer instead of an infiniti dealer. You may not be offered free bottled juices and soda - but your oil change will be $10-15 cheaper.

[telcoman]

Used oil disposal is no problem here in New Jersey. Any place that changes oil is required to accept used motor oil. I save 2 & 3 quart orange juice containers & fill those with the used motor oil. I usually drop them off at the local Pep Boys door early Sunday mornings when they are closed on my way to the bagel store.

Telcoman

[szh]

Used oil disposal is no problem here in New Jersey. Any place that changes oil is required to accept used motor oil. I save 2 & 3 quart orange juice containers & fill those with the used motor oil. I usually drop them off at the local Pep Boys door early Sunday mornings when they are closed on my way to the bagel store.

Yes, I think this is true for Cali too. But, it is still a bit of a pain ... years ago, I once dropped a dang plastic pan full of engine oil while carrying it and it got all over the place and me! Fortunately, it was outside and not in my garage!

Z

[szh]

As far as I can tell all of the replacement parts have NISSAN stamped on them. So you can often save your self some money by going to a NISSAN dealer instead of an infiniti dealer.

I suppose this may be true in some area, but, not too surprisingly, the labor rates are pretty similar between the Nissan and Infiniti dealers in the S.F. Bay Area.

The filters cost about the same too, but I buy my Nissan/Infiniti filters from Joe Tsensky at http://www.everythinginfiniti.com ... which is cheaper than the Nissan dealers around here.

Z

[telcoman]

Yes *## happens and I've spilled oil also on my garage floor a few times. I have a bag of stuff, I forgot what its called but looks like kitty litter that they sell by the bag at Pep Boys. It soaks up oil spills. The plastic jugs are fine for used oil and I usually place a few of them in an empty oil carton that held 12 quarts of oil. I make sure the caps are on tight and place some old rags on the bottom just in case. Not only is the dealer expensive but it is a pain just going for an oil change. I usually wait for a decent Saturday or Sunday and it only takes about a half hour.

Telcoman

[snaga61]

Used to change my own oil on a 911. A lot of oil comes out as it holds 12 qts. Didn't consider how fast the oil comes out of the oil tank the first time and had to spend half the day mopping up the oil on the drive way. Finally got the system down after 7 seven years (didn't drive it much).

So here are the things that I learned were helpful in keeping everything clean and easy for disposal.

1) A big aluminum sheet/drip pan (~3x4) from Pep boys or any other parts store

2) A heavy duty plastic spare gas tank (at least 2 gallons. I used a five for the P-car) for the used oil (using used water/milk jugs was for the birds)

3) A oil-drain pan (totally open at the top) with a spout.

[shrtcrt]

When I leased my G35 I bought the maintenance package so all of my oil changes and inspections are covered. They used the synthetic by default.