Used oil analysis results

[mikedamageinc]

This is with nissan oil and filter, just over 5k and normal driving habits for the 2k I've had it. Redline fluid in it now, probably take it to 10k and test again.

[ArmedAviator]

I'm glad you posted this. I just put in PPPP (Pennzoil Platinum "with PurePlus") oil and want to take it to 7.5k. Atleast one other person here thinks I'm crazy. I will do a UOA when it comes time to change.

Your results look great.

[beachbum718]

I change mine at 4k.mobil 1 5w30 26.99 for 6 quarts at bj's and walmart.9.99 mobil 1 oil filter.and i do it myself.so cheap that i can careless about changing it early.yes its overkill to change it early but who cares.no matter what the test say why keep the same oil in there for 5k to 7k miles.when its so cheap to put fresh oil in?

[mikedamageinc]

You can change yours as often as you like but there are many reasons to stretch it. The cost is one thing, depending on how much you drive it could make a big difference. I put about 20 a year on mine and some here do more. Environmental is another, the used oil has to be disposed of and the less the better. The manufacturing of and dependence on foreign oil can be another. My main reasons is efficiency and saving time from not having to change it as much. When it comes down to it, the oil is either protecting or its not, it won't make your engine any better so changing it early is just wasteful. Again that is everyone's own choice, my only point to this post is to help others who want to maximize the oil.

My G lasted 10k on redline so I figure this engine will too. Mobil 1 euro 0w-40 was good too at about 5k and now that wally world sells it in a 5 gallon jug for $25, that is a cheaper alternative I may go back to.

[BlackCat81]

I'm glad you posted this. I just put in PPPP (Pennzoil Platinum "with PurePlus") oil and want to take it to 7.5k. Atleast one other person here thinks I'm crazy. I will do a UOA when it comes time to change.

Your results look great.

That's a stretch if you're referring to me. I said 7.5k would be fine but recommended a better quality filter than a fram. But what do I know, I'm only an Infiniti certified journeyman technician.

[Ilya]

I'm glad you posted this. I just put in PPPP (Pennzoil Platinum "with PurePlus") oil and want to take it to 7.5k. Atleast one other person here thinks I'm crazy. I will do a UOA when it comes time to change.

Your results look great.

That's a stretch if you're referring to me. I said 7.5k would be fine but recommended a better quality filter than a fram. But what do I know, I'm only an Infiniti certified journeyman technician.

Not all Fram's are built alike, evidently. I've heard this before on BITOG...I prefer to stick to my Mobil 1's but I'd be curious to see what the results of the analysis are on the Fram.

[mikedamageinc]

I think Fram stepped it up since they have received such bad press over the years. I still won't buy one but I've read the higher priced ones are much better than the cheap ones. I like ac Delco gold, denso, wix, napa gold, Purolator pure one, basically which ever one is on closeout on rockauto and I get a bunch at a time. Lots of cut open comparison reviews to check out.

[mrnix]

I have a noob question, but how much does the oil analysis cost? and how exactly do you send it off?

[ArmedAviator]

$28 IIRC through Blackstone.

Go to their website and order a test kit (it's free). The instructions of obtaining the sample, paying, and shipping will be included.

[BlackCat81]

I think Fram stepped it up since they have received such bad press over the years. I still won't buy one but I've read the higher priced ones are much better than the cheap ones. I like ac Delco gold, denso, wix, napa gold, Purolator pure one, basically which ever one is on closeout on rockauto and I get a bunch at a time. Lots of cut open comparison reviews to check out.

I know wix is supposed to make a great filter. I use the larger Nissan V8 filter on my M35. I guess my logic is for how cheap an oil and filter change is, I'd rather have the peace of mind. And then after sending and paying for an oil analysis, you could've changed the oil and filter twice for that price. I know now, years and years later, that the old 3.5's didn't do really well long term with extended oil changes. A lot of the ones that weren't routinely serviced have oil consumption issues. Not really a gamble I'd want to take, or recommend for that matter, with the 3.7. Hell, even the 5.6's have timing chain issues, which could possibly be exhasperated by lengthened oil change intervals.

[mrnix]

$28 IIRC through Blackstone.

Go to their website and order a test kit (it's free). The instructions of obtaining the sample, paying, and shipping will be included.

thanks. How often do most people do analysis?

[Ilya]

I've never done it. But I change my synthetic oil at 5kmi, long before it should be bad. To me, $70 every 4-5 months is pocket change. Might be over kill, but I do it anyway.

[mikedamageinc]

thanks. How often do most people do analysis?

I typically only do it when I get a new car/engine or if I want to try a different oil. Once I get my magic number that's what I run. Otherwise every couple of years to keep an eye on engine condition since they test for lots of different metals that each point to a different part that could be a problem-bearing, lifters, valve guides, etc.

[rsilva800]

I've never done it. But I change my synthetic oil at 5kmi, long before it should be bad. To me, $70 every 4-5 months is pocket change. Might be over kill, but I do it anyway.

I change mine every 4k miles . Ever since I have the M, I've only put M1 extended performance 5w-30 with a bosh distance plus filter, the car sees a fair a mount of stop and go traffic every day on the way back from work. I am about to clock 89k.

[M37xfan]

Just had my first oil change a few weeks ago and the infiniti service advisor explained that infiniti uses a synthetic blend motor oil.

so my next oil change is set for 4k miles and that's what they recommended

[mrnix]

thanks. How often do most people do analysis?

I typically only do it when I get a new car/engine or if I want to try a different oil. Once I get my magic number that's what I run. Otherwise every couple of years to keep an eye on engine condition since they test for lots of different metals that each point to a different part that could be a problem-bearing, lifters, valve guides, etc.

interesting. I just got mine, has 47K miles. still under factory warranty. I was going to have a local shop do an oil change soon and give it a good once-over, in case they note anything wrong with it, so I can get it addressed before the warranty expires. I'm thinking it might be a good idea to get that kit and have the oil tested at that time as well.

[mikedamageinc]

interesting. I just got mine, has 47K miles. still under factory warranty. I was going to have a local shop do an oil change soon and give it a good once-over, in case they note anything wrong with it, so I can get it addressed before the warranty expires. I'm thinking it might be a good idea to get that kit and have the oil tested at that time as well.

They are specific about how to collect the sample- warm, recently ran engine, start drain, fill bottle half way through drain. They can take a cold resting sample but it is best to let them know that is what you did so they can account for it since it can change the results.

My experience with shops is they don't give a crap and you will never know for sure. They could forget and just put some used oil out of their collection jug.

[ArmedAviator]

Or they can completely forget to fill out up with oil....

Many stories of that on Google and YouTube. Happened to my cousin at a no name 10 minute oil change place a few years ago. They redid the oil change and paid for towing......but not to replace the engine. Of course the second oil change which actually filled it was just a farce to cover their asses. My cousin didn't understand his bearings were toast.

[mrnix]

Or they can completely forget to fill out up with oil....

Many stories of that on Google and YouTube. Happened to my cousin at a no name 10 minute oil change place a few years ago. They redid the oil change and paid for towing......but not to replace the engine. Of course the second oil change which actually filled it was just a farce to cover their asses. My cousin didn't understand his bearings were toast.

plenty of bad/shady shops out there, for sure. I don't go to the local shop often, usually do my stuff myself when I can, but these guys have treated me well the times I've gone there, and gone out of their way to be helpful. I would expect if I asked them to get me the sample per instructions, they'd be able to handle that.
As far as the quick lube place forgetting the oil, regardless of what their paperwork said, they would be absolutely liable for any damage they caused by failing to do the job for which they were contracted (filling the oil!!!), the potentially tough part would be getting a mechanic to explain to an uninformed audience of 12 jurors and a judge how the lack of oil caused the damage, but it could be done.

[ArmedAviator]

Or it might be tough to gather up money and free time to take a company to court and pay a lawyer all while trying to get a car to replace the one with a ruined engine.

[mrnix]

Or it might be tough to gather up money and free time to take a company to court and pay a lawyer all while trying to get a car to replace the one with a ruined engine.

quick lube place that screwed up the car should be on the hook for all that as well.

[M37xfan]

Or they can completely forget to fill out up with oil....

Many stories of that on Google and YouTube. Happened to my cousin at a no name 10 minute oil change place a few years ago. They redid the oil change and paid for towing......but not to replace the engine. Of course the second oil change which actually filled it was just a farce to cover their asses. My cousin didn't understand his bearings were toast.

I have personally heard these stories myself of how oil was never replaced. That's the reason why I will not take a vehicle of mine to these places.

[Larz]

Another point to consider: These cheep oil change places are huge corporations with a fleet of lawyers who can keep you out of the courts for years. What are you supposed to do when your car is dead, in your driveway, and it takes years to get to a place where you can actually go after the company? All that to save a few dollars Vs using the dealer? I'm sure there have been rare examples of dealers screwing this up too (in every field there are a few idiots), but I reckon Infiniti corporate would probably not take years to settle a case of obvious failure of their mechanics.

[mikedamageinc]

Here's my latest results. I changed at 8k just to make sure it was good but it looks to act the same as my 3.5 engine and go 10k with redline 5-30 oil. This sample was a road trip I just took so it was mostly highway and cruising 80-85mph with aggressive passing so basically it wasn't easy highway miles.

***edit, my bad, I scanned as pdf and I cant upload it. ill scan later as a word doc to make it easier

[mikedamageinc]

[ArmedAviator]

That's 7,400 miles, not 8,000. Won't make much difference but thought I'd point it out.

Glad to see the results.

[mikedamageinc]

That's 7,400 miles, not 8,000. Won't make much difference but thought I'd point it out.

So when we're you stalking me and reading my odometer!? Where did you get that from?

[ArmedAviator]

"MI/HR on Unit" for your previous test reads 42,600 miles. This current one reads 50,000 miles. Simple math.

I really look forward to another UOA if you plan on doing more though. I haven't changed my oil since my initial post-purchase fill. I only have about 2,500 miles on it and I want to take it to 6,000 for my first OCI and get an UOA. I have the kit on my desk.

[mikedamageinc]

Oh I see what you mean. I don't pay as much attention to overall mileage because I just round that off. What is exact is the oil change interval. Sorry for the confusion.

[16q70l]

Thanks for sharing this. This is good info. I just did my first oil change and am running Valvoline Synpower with oem filter.