Oil Analysis:2008 Nissan Rogue

[REDDOG]

Thought I'd start an oil analysis thread . The following are the results from the factory fill of my Rogue. I plan on doing regular analysis over the life of the vehicle.

2005 Nissan Rogue SL AWD QR25DE, CVT

Analysis by ANA LabsSample Date 01-06-08Oil=Factory FillFilter=stock NissanMiles on vehicle=890Miles on oil=890Oil added=0 (I should hope so, right?)

Elements

Sb 0

Ti 0

Ag 0

Cu 29

Pb 6

Sn 1

Al 8

Ni 1

Fe 18

Cr 0

Na 4

B 2

Si 45

K 5

V 0

Mo 83

Mg 14

Ca 1514

Ba 8

P 935

Z 797

H2O= <.05%

Fuel=0

TBN= 6.9

Glycol= No

Visc. @100 c= 8.49

I think the wear metals look very good for break in oil. Numbers should trend downward over the next several thousand miles. Anyone know what Nissan is using for factory fill oil? Looks very similar to Valvoline except for the moly, which could be from assembly lube.

Oil was drained at time of sample and replaced with Formula Shell 5W-30 and an Amsoil SDF oil filter. This oil will be sampled/drained at 3750 mi. (Mileage is currently at 2050, so that shouldn't be too far away.)

Questions and comments welcomed!

[BrianV]

Good deal. For DINO oil I live by Castrol GTX. I don't know what the dealer uses, hopefully not Pennzoil though.

PS - I didn't know Nissan made the Rogue as a 2005 model

[REDDOG]

OOPS, you're right-can't believe I did that. Yep, supposed to be 2008. Thanks!

[Jaded TC]

Is there something to detail what all those elements are? What is a bad/good reading etc...

[Rogueman]

Oil reading looks leet. But can you kindly explain all of the figures mean?

[Superdave54]

Who did your analysis and did they give you a report?

I am have had analysis done through Amsoil and a guide/report was included. It is a very good tool, and can head off bigger problems.

[kerrton]

I am very eager to see the oil analysis after your next oil change, because there has been concern regarding the very low RPMs at "around town" speeds of about 40kph to 50kph, giving the impression of being geared too high and possibly putting extra stress on the engine, as it runs at around 1000 rpms at these speeds, which is a design feature of the CVT to conserve fuel but makes one wonder about the long-term wear impacts on the engine. Your analysis and any additional thoughts on this are very much appreciated, thanks a lot for sharing!

[REDDOG]

I should have my next report back very soon. I'll post as soon as I get it and then I will try to give a brief 101 on what the numbers mean. The labs usually do comment on the findings but in general there comments are at best vague, and at worst, misleading, so I do my own interpretation.

I know many are concerned about the low rpm conditions created by the CVT, but I'm fairly confident my next few reports will put any concern to rest.

My wife is using the Rogue for work and is currently putting miles on to the tune of 1000 miles a week, so the reports should be coming fairly regulary. My next report will be with a different lab, Oil Analyzers, as will the following reports.



Thanks all, happy motoring!

REDDOG

[REDDOG]

On second thought I had some time now and thought I'd start in on what the numbers mean.

$.25 Oil Analysis 101

FE= Iron-Wear metal from Piston rings, rods, cams, etc. Traces can be found in new oils from piping, storage tanks, etc.

Cr= Chromium-from piston rings

Pb=Lead- bearings, can also be in some gasoline additives

CU= Copper- Bushings, bearings, oil coolers, anti seize compound

Sn= Tin= Bearings

Al= Aluminum-bearings, pistons

Ni= Nickel- Stainless steel, such as valves. Important indicator for dirt ingestion by the intake, as valves get "sandblasted".

AG=Silver- Don't see this much, but they test for it.

Si=Silicon- "Dirt" The high silicon from my post above is from the newness of the engine. Silicon leaches out of seals/sealants and into the oil. This should trend down fairly sharply in the next few oil changes. High silicon can also indicate dirt getting into the engine, either through the intake, or by other means.

B= Boron- Oil additive Anti wear/antioxidant. Can also be found in coolant.

Na= Sodium- Classic coolant additive. Normal for a very small amount to make it through the air filter, especially if winter driving is an issue. Increasingly common in oils as an antiwear/anti corrosion additive.

Mg and Ca= Magnesium and Calcium-Oil Additives Metalllic detergents/dispersants, keep contaminants in suspension and keep your engine clean. Also add alkalinity(sp.?) to oil to neutralize acids created by combustion byproducts and condensation/moisture. See TBN below.

P and Z= Phosphorus and Zinc- Antiwear additives/antioxidants

Mo= Molybdenum-Antiwear additive/friction modifier/antioxidant in oils.

K= Potassium, coolant additive.

Fuel= Amount of fuel in oil, by %. The less the better but most consider 2% the upper limit. Causes include short trip driving in cold weather, poor engine tune, leaky injectors, etc.

Visc. @ 100 C= Viscosity at 100 degrees Celcius (212 F) , in Centistokes. The oil's "thickness" or resistance to flow. The viscosity above was low, in the 20 weight range. Judging by smell I think some of that had to do with fuel dilution, despite what the lab report says. Some viscosity loss is also caused by shearing, or the oil getting mechanically broken into smaller pieces by the engine.

H2O= Water, %. Don't want water in your oil! From short trip driving , poor PCV performance, excessive blowby.

Solids=Soot, insoluables.

Coolant/Glycol= Presence of antifreeze in oil-not a good thing. Usually a positive/negative test.

TBN= Total Base Number- measure of the reserve alkalinity of an oil, aka it's remaining ability to neutralize acids caused by moisture and combustion byproducts. Acids can corrode/wear an engine while it sits in your driveway, and also has a negative impact on cleanliness.

Oxid and Nitr=Oxidation and Nitration= Oxidation is the reaction of the oil with oxygen that causes oil thickening and acidity. Nitration is related to sludge formation.


Modified by REDDOG at 3:38 AM 2/18/2008

[REDDOG]

2008 Nissan Rogue SL AWD2.5L QR25DE, CVT transmission

Factory fill---------Formula Shell SL 5W-30890 mi on oil--------2870 mi on oil890 mi on vehicle----3760 mi on vehicleOil Filter=Nissan----Oil Filter=Amsoil SDF-13 Make up oil=0--------0ANA Labs-------------OAICu 29----------------11Pb 6-----------------1Sn 1-----------------0Al 8-----------------3Ni 1-----------------0Ag 0-----------------0Fe 18----------------7Cr 0-----------------0Na 4-----------------0B 2-----------------178Si 45----------------41K 5-----------------0Mo 83----------------47Mg 14----------------12Ca 1514--------------2176Ba 8-----------------0P 935---------------818Zn 797---------------1014Ti 0-----------------0V 0-----------------0

Visc 100C= 8.49------8.73

TBN= 6.9-------------3.67

Fuel= 0--------------<1

Water=0--------------0

I'm very happy with the way things are progressing so early in this vehicle's life. Refilled with another round of Formula Shell 5w-30 and a Napa Gold filter-will change at 7500 total vehicle miles and start a steady diet of Schaeffer's 7000.

I know these are only 2 samples folks but they have absolutely eliminated any shred of doubt in my mind that the low rpm conditions created at times by the CVT are not harmful. Bearing wear in this second sample is practically non existent. Enjoy your Rogues and sleep easy!

REDDOG

[kerrton]

Anyone heard from RedDog lately? I'm curious if he continuued having his oil analyzed periodically, and if nothing else this is an interesting reference thread that I'm sure new members would be interested in - bump to the top!

[philipa_240sx]

Reddog used to post regularly about his Rogue on bobistheoilguy.com

He hasn't posted and update since April '09. Here are a few of his threads:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/...31827h ... m/...01943

[Pescakl1]

Mine are in this thread: zerothread/304676

Hope this helps.