Was never really a fan and with 4 cars seems like one of them always needs a change. It's been about 6 months since I changed the Q's oil so figured it's about time. But was thinking I rather switch over to some Mobil 1 0w-40 (the same stuff I run in my 740) and a Mobil 1 filter. I know switching over to synthetic is more money but I can go 1 year between oil changes as opposed to 4-5 months. And since 5 quarts of this stuff runs only $30 with the filter, it may actually be cheaper. At the very least, saves me some labor.
And for those who say the year interval is too long, keep in mind I probably only drive 7-8k miles a year. I also pulled valve covers off of both motors and they are squeaky clean. Mind you, the PO of my 740 (who bought it new 11 years ago) went according to the service intervals (15k or 1 year) since the car was new and there is no sludge. I only say this b/c some still insist on changing synthetics every 5k miles which is just plain silly.
What do you think? BTW, Q as 93k miles and likely has run dino since new.
So I hate changing oil
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m0nkeyprince
- Posts: 329
- Joined: Sat Jul 10, 2010 7:03 am
- Car: 1998 Qx4
- Location: Bay Area, CA
Re: So I hate changing oil
yeaa, go with mobil 1, i switched over at 80k no problems.
a year without changing oil? sounds a little too much, even with that marketed "extended clean" crap.
But if you only drive 7-8 k a year, changing twice a year sounds okay
a year without changing oil? sounds a little too much, even with that marketed "extended clean" crap.
But if you only drive 7-8 k a year, changing twice a year sounds okay
Re: So I hate changing oil
Cool - yes a year is no problem at all. I go 6 months on dino anyway so the only reason I'm making the switch is so I can make the interval longer. Otherwise it would defeat the purpose of doing less oil changes! 
But as I said, I pulled apart both motors and they look like new on the inside. I know some people worry about letting it go that long w/o a change (I was one of those people too) until I saw proof that using a high quality oil and filter and changing acording to the regular intervals is perfectly adequate.
But as I said, I pulled apart both motors and they look like new on the inside. I know some people worry about letting it go that long w/o a change (I was one of those people too) until I saw proof that using a high quality oil and filter and changing acording to the regular intervals is perfectly adequate.
Re: So I hate changing oil
Porsche has recommended a two year replacement interval on the water cooled cars for years with Mobil 1 -- many many Porsches are driven less than 6k per year. Mobil 1 is fine for extended change intervals. When regular oil was used the recommendation was one year. Remember that the cars also hold upwards of 9 quarts of oil - so a bit more than the Pathfinder. They have a 12-15k replacement interval.
We change our Pathfinder at the 5k and 6k interval using regular oil -- and have since the beginning. It is driven between 12k and 15k a year -- so about twice a year. Car now has about 125k on it. It's in our company fleet so it gets changed at one of the quick lube places and its cheaper and easier for me do do it that way then to use synthetics and change the interval.
It really depends on the vehicle and the conditions it is driven. A car that is driven three miles to work each day in a cold climate could require more frequent changes than one driven 15 miles each day in a warm one.-- you just have to look at it. Its surprising how clean the Pathfinder oil is at 5k. I'm sure you will be fine at 7-8 k with synthetic oil. We have a few Lexus V6's that are among those that can be affected by sludge -- also changed the same way and driven the same way. All fine at 6k intervals. It's the constant short runs in cold weather that causes the problems.
One thing I would not do is change from a recommended weight -- I would use the weight recommended for the car at your temperatures.
Also .... with an older car you can occasionally have some leaking with the switch. This has nothing to do with any incompatibility using synthetics. Synthetic oils flow better at a given weight at lower temperatures -- this is why they are better at start-up. So any small leak can often show up with the use of synthetics.
We change our Pathfinder at the 5k and 6k interval using regular oil -- and have since the beginning. It is driven between 12k and 15k a year -- so about twice a year. Car now has about 125k on it. It's in our company fleet so it gets changed at one of the quick lube places and its cheaper and easier for me do do it that way then to use synthetics and change the interval.
It really depends on the vehicle and the conditions it is driven. A car that is driven three miles to work each day in a cold climate could require more frequent changes than one driven 15 miles each day in a warm one.-- you just have to look at it. Its surprising how clean the Pathfinder oil is at 5k. I'm sure you will be fine at 7-8 k with synthetic oil. We have a few Lexus V6's that are among those that can be affected by sludge -- also changed the same way and driven the same way. All fine at 6k intervals. It's the constant short runs in cold weather that causes the problems.
One thing I would not do is change from a recommended weight -- I would use the weight recommended for the car at your temperatures.
Also .... with an older car you can occasionally have some leaking with the switch. This has nothing to do with any incompatibility using synthetics. Synthetic oils flow better at a given weight at lower temperatures -- this is why they are better at start-up. So any small leak can often show up with the use of synthetics.
Re: So I hate changing oil
About oil change time intervals and this is a fact!
QX4 or any chain driven timing chain installed cars.DO NOT EXTEND OIL CHANGES BEYOND 6 MONTHS especially when the interval sees low mileage.
Driving any vehicle less than average distances cause excessive oil wear and contamination. Oil itself will be more prone to water, acids and metal stretch as in chain components. Few oil changes will show up in wear of the engine at just over 100,000 miles. Timing chain stretches, links are worn, cylinders are no longer round but oval. Bearing surfaces are no longer smooth.
Yes it is cheaper to use synthetics, yes interval changes can be lengthened...but too long is false economy.
My QX4 is in its 14th year, Mobil 1 change over at 24000 km. Oil changes vary from 1 yr to 3 months. What and why. Besides distance the type of driving, stop and go traffic, change more frequently.
Highway driving, long distances, constant ambient temperatures...long time intervals.
Cold temperatures, hot temperatures...more frequent changes.
Towing, hard use, extreme RPM...more frequent changes.
Short city trips in cold or hot or varied temperatures...more frequent oil changes
Some manufacturers recommend extended intervals if a certain oil and a certain filter are used. Makers of cars know we as drivers and owners want an extended oil interval because for the most part WE ARE LAZY AND CHEAP.
As far as expense goes, an oil change with filter is cheap compared to not changing the oil. An engine can cost up to 10,000 bucks + down time.
CHANGE THE OIL WHETHER SYNTHETIC OR DYNO.
Synthetics are great and the same effect with dyno oil can be achieved by changing it regularly and often, but it is a pain in the rump changing oil and for that reason alone synthetics are worth their higher price.
Oil analysis of used oil will tell you exactly what is wrong with extended oil intervals. My experience with many vehicles that I have owned for 10-20 years got that time because of oil changes.
I also know that if you do not change the oil the motor will suffer a premature death.
Today too many people feel it is not worth the time and cost to do a simple oil change but they will go out and spend $40,000-$50,000 for a new car only to run it to its grave long before its time.
Oil changes from $20 to $60, new car $40,000 oil change priceless. I know it's your money, your car, your time, I 'm simply relating that too many people piss away all of this for the sake of saving. But beware of what you save.
QX4 or any chain driven timing chain installed cars.DO NOT EXTEND OIL CHANGES BEYOND 6 MONTHS especially when the interval sees low mileage.
Driving any vehicle less than average distances cause excessive oil wear and contamination. Oil itself will be more prone to water, acids and metal stretch as in chain components. Few oil changes will show up in wear of the engine at just over 100,000 miles. Timing chain stretches, links are worn, cylinders are no longer round but oval. Bearing surfaces are no longer smooth.
Yes it is cheaper to use synthetics, yes interval changes can be lengthened...but too long is false economy.
My QX4 is in its 14th year, Mobil 1 change over at 24000 km. Oil changes vary from 1 yr to 3 months. What and why. Besides distance the type of driving, stop and go traffic, change more frequently.
Highway driving, long distances, constant ambient temperatures...long time intervals.
Cold temperatures, hot temperatures...more frequent changes.
Towing, hard use, extreme RPM...more frequent changes.
Short city trips in cold or hot or varied temperatures...more frequent oil changes
Some manufacturers recommend extended intervals if a certain oil and a certain filter are used. Makers of cars know we as drivers and owners want an extended oil interval because for the most part WE ARE LAZY AND CHEAP.
As far as expense goes, an oil change with filter is cheap compared to not changing the oil. An engine can cost up to 10,000 bucks + down time.
CHANGE THE OIL WHETHER SYNTHETIC OR DYNO.
Synthetics are great and the same effect with dyno oil can be achieved by changing it regularly and often, but it is a pain in the rump changing oil and for that reason alone synthetics are worth their higher price.
Oil analysis of used oil will tell you exactly what is wrong with extended oil intervals. My experience with many vehicles that I have owned for 10-20 years got that time because of oil changes.
I also know that if you do not change the oil the motor will suffer a premature death.
Today too many people feel it is not worth the time and cost to do a simple oil change but they will go out and spend $40,000-$50,000 for a new car only to run it to its grave long before its time.
Oil changes from $20 to $60, new car $40,000 oil change priceless. I know it's your money, your car, your time, I 'm simply relating that too many people piss away all of this for the sake of saving. But beware of what you save.
Re: So I hate changing oil
A few years ago, I would have agreed with you and would actually not get why people would go that long w/o oil changes. But the evidence doesn't lie. I drive almost 100% stop and go short city trips and after 100k miles and pulling off the timing covers and valve covers, engine is spotless (speaking of 740). I figure if it works in that motor, the Q should be no different although the sump capacity is only 5 qts vs 8 qts. 
Re: So I hate changing oil
I'm in sort of the same situation. The only thing I hate about changing the oil is the fact that the damn oil filter is right above the axle boot. I've been wrapping it with a plastic bag so the oil doesn't degrade the rubber.
Re: So I hate changing oil
In the end you have to do what makes you feel comfortable. Just providing information.
That information available from manufactures - fleet operators -- classic car clubs -- racers -------- all point in the same direction.
Like anything else -- some exceptions (engines) exist that require a little more investigation like some of the Toyota V6 units.
Jaguar -- when they developed the new V8 in the mid 90's -- designed it with plastic timing chain tensioners that must be now be replaced or catastrophic engine damage will occur. Jaguar recommended 20k change interval for this engine. When the covers are removed they engines look new inside.
That information available from manufactures - fleet operators -- classic car clubs -- racers -------- all point in the same direction.
Like anything else -- some exceptions (engines) exist that require a little more investigation like some of the Toyota V6 units.
Jaguar -- when they developed the new V8 in the mid 90's -- designed it with plastic timing chain tensioners that must be now be replaced or catastrophic engine damage will occur. Jaguar recommended 20k change interval for this engine. When the covers are removed they engines look new inside.