how many people using synthetic oil?

[keithhr]

I've always used synthetic oil and I was wondering how many of you are using synthetic? I've just purchased a 2006 M35, the car of my dreams and after driving a 175 miles I checked the oil to verify that the dealer had indeed changed it just before purchase. I was really surprised, and I mean really at how absolutely clean the oil was. I don't ever recall seeing oil that clean except on a brand new car. Is this a trait of the M35 or just good fortune? My car at time of purchase had 35,875 miles on it.

[antzrus]

My machine was used also (31.5k). It had synthetic in it. I've used Mobil 1 since it came out.

Yes, it does look really clean even w/8.5K miles on w/no change; used less than a quart also.

[GJEMD]

Amzoil and amzoil filter every 7500/miles until 75,000 miles the every 15000 miles.2004 M45 44,000 miles 1 qt use every 7500 miles

[jwheaton]

Just got mine used and first oil change put in mobil 1 0w40

I think I'm at about 40k miles now, only 1500 or so are mine

[eggyacid]

i like to do my oil change at dealership, will they put synthetic in it?i wonder if they will do this if i bring my oil in.

[Mark Linkous]

Hello,Purchased at 29,000 miles. Immediately switched to Mobil 1 0W-40.

Eggyacid, you can bring in your own oil and filter. My dealer charges me 19.99, which is the price for a regular change. Usually comes out to $50.00 all in. About 30-40 dollars cheaper than having the dealer do it. Also, the usually do not carry M1 0W40 and others.Cheers,ML

[szh]

I bought my 2003 M45 new. All of the first few oil changes (till after 7500 mile mark) were dino oil ... did multiple changes (see my thread on why!). I used CastroL GTX for these.

After that point, I switched to Mobil 1 Synthetic 0W-40 and have never looked back. Now, I have just over 70k miles on the car ... after just a bit more than 5 years of ownership!

Z

[DRIPS]

Interesting. On my 03 I was told by the dealer to stay away from syn oil. I use regular oil. every 3000 miles.

[sr79labrat]

I am all synthetic baby! I actually tried the green whatever stuff this time. It is ok though not ideal for cold weather. I get some valve noise on ultra cold startups though it seems to run great! I do wait long between oil changes as synthetic is supposed to last longer.

Peace, Kyle

[daveM45]

A rumor I've heard is that switching to synthetic after running regular for a few years can cause gaskets to shrink a bit leading to oil leak. I had an older Mazda that I switched to Mobile 1 after 60k. Within a year I had a bit of drip from the valve cover and oil cooler gaskets. Maybe coincidence but I ended up replacing both.

Last two cars I switch to M1 at the first change. No problems. I stick to the oil/filter interval in the manual and also use the OEM filters.

[AG-M35]

2006 M35Switched to Mobil1 (5W30) at 14K miles, right after I considered it broken in. Synthetic is the first best thing you can do for your car. The second best thing is the change the oil and that TINY oil filter every 3-4K miles. At 7500, it might look clean on the stick but isn't when you pull the plug. Oil/filters are cheap insurance. Synthetic will not cause any problems with any engine. If you get a couple leaks, it's because the structure of the molecular chain is very small and will find it's way out of anything not fairly tight.

[yosM45]

OEM oil is 50/50 syn.

I run mobil 1 10-30 and infiniti OEM filter ever 5k.

[szh]

Interesting. On my 03 I was told by the dealer to stay away from syn oil.

No reason to. He is wrong.

I use regular oil. every 3000 miles.

That is always best. If you change at 3k miles (including the filter), then, like I have always said, any good oil (including good dino) will be perfectly fine. I'd suggest Castrol GTX and Chevron Supreme 5W-30 as good dino oils to use - the price is the same as the cheaper stuff!

Z

[szh]

OEM oil is 50/50 syn.

Hmmm ... what is OEM oil?

Nissan and Infiniti dealers around here use Quaker State 5W-30 ... which is perfectly fine dino oil if your OCI is 3750 miles or less.

Z

[yosM45]

To be honest with you, i never asked the brand?

I asked the tech and advisor why thier oil changes were so damn expensive, and they told me it is because they use synthetic blend.

I'll find out what brand they use.

[GJEMD]

The second best thing is the change the oil and that TINY oil filter every 3-4K miles. At 7500, it might look clean on the stick but ......

Intuition and opinion do not make science. The size of the filter has nothing to do with its efficiency. Small size actually increases the time the oil is filtered because of circulation frequency. Lastly all filters are not the same. I'm sure OEM filters have oil analysis behind the recommended change interval. I have used Amsoil and Amsoil filters with analysis. I drive about 40/60 city/ highway. 7500 interval shows <1% contamination and no deterioration in viscosity or friction reducing properties. Both oil and filter is warrantied to 25,000 miles. I have a 1990 Mercedes diesel and a 1996 lincoln MK VIII that I have used exclusively Amsoil oil and filters with 7500 change intervals. Mercedes with 170,000 milesLincoln 165,000 miles neither use any oil between changes.

[tigerclaws1318]

ive always used mobil 1 5w-30 extended performance in all my cars. it states change intervals at every 15,000 miles but i wouldnt trust it. i would still change it at every 5000 miles.what do you guys think of the extended performance?

[saeedakobiakov]

M 1 10W30 EVERY 3000K/HASTING OIL FILTER. my friend mechanic use it in all of his cars from zo6 to mini s to Shelby cobra (replica of course) oil filter that is.

i got question for you.

where on the dipstick the perfect amount of oil should show in between high and low?i keep my right in the middle, which is 5 quarts only. it is anal, i know.

where is your oil level when you put 5.1/2 quarts, or whatever the right amount is, if you put that amount?

Thanks,Caug.
Modified by saeedakobiakov at 10:11 AM 12/20/2008

[szh]

I check my oil at the 1750 mile mark, and if it is below the half-way mark, I add about 1/4 to 1/2 qt to get it above the half-way mark.

When I change oil at the 3750 mark, I use 5 7/8 qts, which gets it just below the full mark.

BTW: always a cold-oil check ... first thing in the morning.

Z

[Infinity_818]

I just got an 06 m35 with 61k on it, I don't know what was the previous owner using so I don't know if I switch at this mileage would I damage my engine or its ok to change, I'd rather stick with normal oil as the dealer have a special for $29.99 for regular conventional oil and I don't know when oil is due so I would like to have it changed. What would you guys recommend?

[Larz]

The first thing I do to any car I buy - new or used - change the oil to Mobil 1. Even on a used car that has been on reg oil, changing to Mobil 1 has no risks - just improvements. Yes, it does cost more than standard oils, but you really DO get what you pay for.

My Infiniti dealer does oil changes with standard oil for about $30, or what they call a 'synthetic blend' for $45. If you request Mobil 1, they charge the min rate and then add an extra $10 per quart - so its about $80 for Mobil 1 at the dealership.
I will pay them $80 every so often just to get the 150-point inspection that my service guy throws in for free (instead of the reg multi-point one with oil change). Otherwise I do it myself or use the same mechanic I've used for the last 10 years.

I do it every 3 -4 months (oil and filter). I don't drive lots of miles, but in S Florida where it's 80-90s daily, A/C on all the time, stop and go traffic, and draw bridge delays, I feel safer on this schedule. Even if I only drive 1,500 miles after 3 -4 months, I change oil and filter (K&N or Mobil filters).

The Infiniti dealer, my reg car mechanic, or myself are the only 3 ways oil gets changed. The LAST place I go are those Jiffy, Spiffy, Speedy, etc shops. I've seen and heard too many horror stories from forgetting to tighten the drain plug / filter, or forgetting to actually ADD the oil, using standard oil regardless of what you asked and paid for ... to using 'flushing products' they claim are required maintenance, but are specifically NOT recommended by your car manufacturer.

[DeanM45]

M1 0W30 every 5K miles.

[Ilya]

I just got an 06 m35 with 61k on it, I don't know what was the previous owner using so I don't know if I switch at this mileage would I damage my engine or its ok to change, I'd rather stick with normal oil as the dealer have a special for $29.99 for regular conventional oil and I don't know when oil is due so I would like to have it changed. What would you guys recommend?

If you are unsure, run a treatment of AutoRx (go to their site and read up) and then make the switch.

[bicsintegra]

I use a 50/50 blend of 5W-30 oil every 5k miles either penzoil or Castrol syntec blend.

[jonlex99]

Mobil 1 EP with Mobil 1 filter every 8k..

[EniGmA1987]

I just got an 06 m35 with 61k on it, I don't know what was the previous owner using so I don't know if I switch at this mileage would I damage my engine or its ok to change, I'd rather stick with normal oil as the dealer have a special for $29.99 for regular conventional oil and I don't know when oil is due so I would like to have it changed. What would you guys recommend?

My dealer uses a 70/30 synthetic blend when it does oil changes. I one time went with non-synthetic oil and I really liked how the engine felt smoother and had a bit "warmer" tone to it. However after 2000 miles or so the car seemed to not feel as powerful and when looking at the oil it just looked absolutely terrible. So I did an oil change back to synthetic blend only after the 2k miles and have never gone back to trying out dino oil ever again.

To be honest with you, i never asked the brand?

I asked the tech and advisor why thier oil changes were so damn expensive, and they told me it is because they use synthetic blend.

I'll find out what brand they use.

When I first got my car I asked the dealer about the oil they use. I was told that Riverside Infiniti uses Mobile 1 brand of oil, a 70/30 synthetic blend of 5W-30 as well as mobile 1 filter. Oil changes are also only $49.99 plus tax at that dealer. IMO a pretty decent price for quality oil and filter. It costs that much to simply buy the stuff yourself from O'Reilly, and you dont even have to do any of the work yourself and get a decent wash out of the price too. That is why I always just let the dealer do my oil changes.

[SchoonerVanHelmet]

My 2008 M35 Sport has 88K miles.. I use Mobil 1 Synthetic Extended Performance Oil & Filter and change every 7,500miles..

[rics8]

I do but that's what the book recommends.
but i do add 1bottle of 40w with my 30w

[atlM35]

I use regular oil and change every 3,000 miles.
I figure having new regular oil and filter is better than old synthetic.

[EniGmA1987]

I figure having new regular oil and filter is better than old synthetic.

Not necessarily. Synthetic doesnt break down nearly as fast as conventional oil, it also lubricates better because the molecular chain is designed specifically for automobile oil as well as being more consistent in its molecular structure. These help the car run better for longer and helps the oil last a lot longer. So 6,000 mile old synthetic could easily be in the same or better shape than 3,000 mile old conventional oil.