Real Score on Oil for Pathfinder

[yek]

I went to my dealer for the regular servicing of my 2007 Pathfinder I bought from them new last year. The regular service guy which I have befriended over time was engaged so i had to settle for the next guy. I told him that I have read from this website about synthetic oil for my 2007 PF. He told me that if I wanted synthetic, I should have had it the very first time I had my oil change and since i have about 12T miles already since I bought it new, it would not be good to change. I told him, how come nobody from them told me about it so I could have had an informed decision. He then told me that they use blended oil, when the other guy heard what he said, he got a slap in the hand when they senior guy rebuked him that they only use dino oil unless instructed otherwise. ****.. the service guy can't even get his info right.. So I wonder.. was he right that I should not shift to synthetic oil at 12T miles so far?.

[fueler]

eh it doesnt matter... lots of people make the switch... i heard that its good to use a synthetic blend inbetween the switch... not sure if thats necessary but thats what i did with my last car and everything was fine just dont switch back and forth often and u should be alrite

[mpeatc5]

everybody has different opinions regarding oil use. i found this article interesting.

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/p...c+oil

[hsckris]

I don't know what 12t stands for, but you actually don't want to run synthetic while the engine is breaking in. After that, it is fine to switch... I'd only be worried if you had a ton of miles (12t?).

I think you should 1) change your oil yourself, and 2) use synthetic

[Andrew224]

You can switch at any time...

Synthetics are a little bit more forgiving. They are good for people who don't always change their oil on time or for high performance engines or people that really put their engine under a lot of stress (towing applications) or lead feet. Good quality dino oil is fine if you are religious about changing your oil every 3 months / 3,000 miles.

See this link from Mobil that debunks some synthetic myths:

http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-En....aspx

As far as service consultants go...Some service consultants are very knowledgable and some have no idea about anything other than what someone (qualified or unqualified) mentioned to them. I have a friend that's a service consultant for Volvo and before he got that job, I had never known him to know anything about cars. I don't think he's ever even changed oil in a car before. He's a nice guy and wouldn't try to steer anyone wrong but I don't think I would take advice from him about vehicle issues.

Food for thought.

Andrew

[02pathy]

hey what a matta for u , huh? lol 1st of all i would stay away from that place something aint right, u can switch to synthetic, but don't be switching like a trickin, and as far as i know or remembered it's not good to break in anew engine with synthetic could b wrong though

[Buzzman]

Switch over if you want. It shouldn't be a problem.Like others have said though, don't be switching back and forth. Once you go with synthetic, stay with it.I bought my 02 Pathy used in 03, and it had over 40,000 KMS on it at the time.I switched to synthetic on the first oil change, and it has run great ever since. I still go from oil change to oil change without losing a drop.

[yek]

Thanks guys. I was pretty convincd with synthetic oil that's why I asked the service guy from the nissan dealer about it. If it is indeed no good to have synthetic oil during break in.. the a.....hole even had the temerity to tell me that I should have asked synthetic oil the first time i changed oil (at 3t miles). What pissed me off is that I have been loyal to this dealer and I change oil every 3t miles more or less, often even before 3t limit. As have been said, I have 12T miles in my 2007 PF so I am beyond the breakin period I believe. I am going to another nissan dealer for the oil change soon, so what's the best synthetic out there? I will believe users like you and not marketers.

[Andrew224]

I like Mobil 1.

Valvoline SYNPower, Quaker State Horse Power (recommended by Ferrari to use in their engines if I'm not mistaken), and Quaker State Torque Power (a synthetic oil designed specifically for 4X4s) are all good.

Just my opinion. I have no scientific proof to back up my claims. So maybe I'm just falling for the hype.

I have run Mobil 1 in my M45 since I got it 3 years ago. The car does not burn a drop of oil between oil changes which are done every 6 months / less than 3,000 miles (and still the oil comes out fairly clean).

With the QX4, I had Infiniti do all my servicing with whatever bulk 5W-30 dino oil they had up until recently. I'm going to switch to synthetic next oil change now that (1) the price of regular dino oil is going up to the point it's almost the same price as synthetic and (2) I just realized how easy it is to change the oil / filter on my truck myself (saving me money).

I had bought a Chevy Cavalier brand new in 2000 and I would run it with the cheapest oil / filter I could find and would change the oil every 4000 miles which was like every 3 months and it lasted me up to 99,500 miles without any problem. I sold it to a friend about two years ago and it's made it up to 134k miles without any engine problems. So go figure.

My thoughts are... Change the oil when your supposed to and you'll be fine with any decent brand name oil, synthetic or not.

Andrew

[fueler]

yeah i used to run synthetic oils in several of my previous cars then i realized, my cars all end up either sold, stolen, or totalled, so theres no need to put expensive oil in I now change dino mobil1 every 3k in my QX4 and ive never been happier

[hsckris]

I am going to another nissan dealer for the oil change soon, so what's the best synthetic out there? I will believe users like you and not marketers.

Mistake -- Dealer changing your oil. It really isn't hard. That truck should be exactly the same as my Frontier (or at least real close). They'll probably charge you around 75$ or more for a full synthetic oil change. You can do it yourself for about 20-40$ (depending on the oil/filter you use) and it doesn't take very long at all.

For oil -- I use a Mobil1 5w30 & Mobil1 Filter

[yek]

I have read in the other threads that Mobil1 is the best out there based on experience by users. I guess it will be Mobil1 unless somebody posts a convincing alternative.

I know its easy to do your own oil change, but thing is I am still looking how to dispose used oil legally because they will require special disposal and the garbage company in my town will not accept used motor oil from residents allegedly because of an ordinance.

[hsckris]

I am still looking how to dispose used oil legally because they will require special disposal and the garbage company in my town will not accept used motor oil from residents allegedly because of an ordinance.

Almost any auto parts store accepts it (for free). I know Advance Auto does b/c that is where I take mine.

[Andrew224]

I take my used oil to AutoZone. They accept all used fluids free. Just walk in and hand it over to the person behind the counter. No hassles whatsoever.

Right now they are having a sale on 5 qts of Valvoline SYNPower (full synthetic) and a Bosch oil filter for $20. Then go on the Valvoline website and there's a $10 mail in rebate for 5 qts. Can't beat that for $10!

Just don't forget to replace the copper crush washer when you do your oil change or it'll leak. (Get them from the parts dept at Nissan or Infiniti, they should be less than $1).

Andrew

[yek]

Thanks Guys. I'll probably have the first switch to Synthetic made by another nissan dealer, and thereafter, i'll do it on my own. I live in a small town, and I inquired from a small autoshop, and they accept the used oil provided I buy the new oil from them. It's a good trade. hey.. they too have to make a living. It's an honest trade nonethless.

Now its Mobil1 vs Valvoline... gee... problems seems to be neverending

[hsckris]

Denver = small town ?

I prefer Mobil1

[yek]

I finally made the ultimate step to synthetic oil. I've chosen Mobil1 and paid 60$for oil, filters and routine inspections at13,000 miles. Its the big leap and no more turning back. The engine sound is smoother this time and have yet to check mileage advantage. Next change will be november or after 3,000 miles. Thanks for all your replies..