How Much Oil Do In YOUR VK45DE When Changing?
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The00Dustin
- Posts: 1041
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- Car: 2006 Infiniti M45
- Location: Bloomington, IN
How Much Oil Do In YOUR VK45DE When Changing?
I've read plenty of bad things about overfilling oil, and tend not to. I actually had an engine that had never lost oil lose a full quart after it was overfilled by half a quart, and from that change on, it always lost a full quart between changes. I've always made sure they only put 5.75 quarts in my M45, but last change they put 6 in. Much to my surprise, when I checked it shortly thereafter, it showed full (not overfull, and I'm not sure I had ever previously seen it show full). Perhaps that half a quart in that other engine was a red herring, or perhaps a certain amount over full won't cause any trouble. Regardless, I wanted to get some opinions and/or find out how much oil various members put in their VK45DE when performing a change.
Re: How Much Oil Do In YOUR VK45DE When Changing?
Funny...I just did mine last night.
I use the 5.1 Mobil 1 or Castrol Syn containers and then add in a full quart after. So just a bit over 6 qts.
I read slightly above the full mark for about a week, then there's a progressive march to about 4 quarts remaining by the time there's another oil change due.
In that time period, if I run it for just a minute, like to move it from one place to another (street to garage) and then crank it again later (like the next day)...and it's low on oil, I get the loud valve train clanging and LOTS of blue smoke. I immediately shut it down and add a quart. I can count on my mileage reaching 3000 in a day or so when that happens as well.
In your case, they may have spilled some in the process, mis-read the amount gong in, you checked the stick on non-level ground, or the difference that .25 qts makes is not significant to the indicator on the stick.
I just turned 120K.
I use the 5.1 Mobil 1 or Castrol Syn containers and then add in a full quart after. So just a bit over 6 qts.
I read slightly above the full mark for about a week, then there's a progressive march to about 4 quarts remaining by the time there's another oil change due.
In that time period, if I run it for just a minute, like to move it from one place to another (street to garage) and then crank it again later (like the next day)...and it's low on oil, I get the loud valve train clanging and LOTS of blue smoke. I immediately shut it down and add a quart. I can count on my mileage reaching 3000 in a day or so when that happens as well.
In your case, they may have spilled some in the process, mis-read the amount gong in, you checked the stick on non-level ground, or the difference that .25 qts makes is not significant to the indicator on the stick.
I just turned 120K.
Last edited by Double E on Wed May 16, 2012 6:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
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szh
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Unfortunately, no longer a Nissan or Infiniti, but continuing here at NICO! - Location: San Jose, CA
Re: How Much Oil Do In YOUR VK45DE When Changing?
I drain thoroughly ... always hot and I ask the person doing the work to let it drain for at least 10 minutes minimum if possible.
(With the filter change, too, of course) then I have them put in the full 6 quarts of Mobil 1 that I provide to the dealer or the place changing my oil for me.
The next morning, when cold, the mark is just around full (very occasionally, above the line a fraction). This seems okay to me.
Z
(With the filter change, too, of course) then I have them put in the full 6 quarts of Mobil 1 that I provide to the dealer or the place changing my oil for me.
The next morning, when cold, the mark is just around full (very occasionally, above the line a fraction). This seems okay to me.
Z
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szh
- Posts: 15932
- Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2002 12:54 pm
- Car: 2018 Tesla Model 3.
Unfortunately, no longer a Nissan or Infiniti, but continuing here at NICO! - Location: San Jose, CA
Re: How Much Oil Do In YOUR VK45DE When Changing?
And, yes, I agree entirely on two points:
1. Always let it be level ground. This is pretty much the case inside my garage - so the reading is consistent too.
2. Always measure cold. So, this is done in the morning before I even start the car.
By the way, point two is the reason I don't worry about the oil being above the full mark a bit on occasion. Since manuals typically call for a "10 minute" rest prior to measurement, I figure that the overnight rest could give me a little bit more of a higher read (more oil drained down into the pan with the longer rest).
Z
1. Always let it be level ground. This is pretty much the case inside my garage - so the reading is consistent too.
2. Always measure cold. So, this is done in the morning before I even start the car.
By the way, point two is the reason I don't worry about the oil being above the full mark a bit on occasion. Since manuals typically call for a "10 minute" rest prior to measurement, I figure that the overnight rest could give me a little bit more of a higher read (more oil drained down into the pan with the longer rest).
Z
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CPJ LB
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Re: How Much Oil Do In YOUR VK45DE When Changing?
I change with 5qts of Mobile 1 synthetic 5/30 then drive mildly on the fwy then normal street driving -- traffic lights etc. I'll check the oil level after the drive...then do it again in the morning, but drive harder....rest for 30 mins and check oil level....I average the high mark on the dipstick...
Other maint products used:
Castrol synth : two thumbs up
RP: one thumb
Valvoline synth: thumb down
Redline fuel system cleaner: two thumbs up
Lucas oil Transmission conditioner: two thumbs up
Oil filter: Fram
***sorry, I have the VQ35DE engine....
Other maint products used:
Castrol synth : two thumbs up
RP: one thumb
Valvoline synth: thumb down
Redline fuel system cleaner: two thumbs up
Lucas oil Transmission conditioner: two thumbs up
Oil filter: Fram
***sorry, I have the VQ35DE engine....
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The00Dustin
- Posts: 1041
- Joined: Mon Jun 29, 2009 4:05 am
- Car: 2006 Infiniti M45
- Location: Bloomington, IN
Re: How Much Oil Do In YOUR VK45DE When Changing?
Thanks for the responses thus far. The two VK45DE responses both say they put in 6, so I think that'sa good sign 6 is safe. Regarding the level, I always check in the same parking spot, may not be level, but it's consistent. That extra quarter is the first time I have ever seen the oil up to the full mark, so .25 quarts is an easily human-detectable difference on the dipstick.
Re: How Much Oil Do In YOUR VK45DE When Changing?
CPJ LB wrote:I change with 5qts of Mobile 1 synthetic 5/30 then drive mildly on the fwy then normal street driving -- traffic lights etc. I'll check the oil level after the drive...then do it again in the morning, but drive harder....rest for 30 mins and check oil level....I average the high mark on the dipstick...
Other maint products used:
Castrol synth : two thumbs up
RP: one thumb
Valvoline synth: thumb down
Redline fuel system cleaner: two thumbs up
Lucas oil Transmission conditioner: two thumbs up
Oil filter: Fram
***sorry, I have the VQ35DE engine....
Give up the Orange can of Death. Google "bitog".