For 2017 what's up with Nissan going to 0W-20 oil vs. 5W-30? Did engine tolerances get tighter this year or is this more of a gas mileage thing. I just did my 1st oil change on the Armada. I went with 0W-20 as per manual. I searched all the previous owner's manuals listed below. Isn't this the same engine since 2011 on all QX56 & QX80s?
Here's a list of owner's manuals I searched up for recommended oil:
2011-2013 QX56 5W-30
2014-2015 QX80 5W-30
2016 QX80 0W-20, 5W-30 "as an alternative"
2017 Armada 0W-20 (does not list an alternative)

It's a gas milage thing only.
All spacings are the same.

If a manufacturer wants to use an oil for EPA mpg testing which is heavy on short trips (so thin oils make a difference!) they MUST issue that oil as the preferred grade.

I even used to have the EPA letter that states this exact thing.

All these engines that are 0w-20 etc in USA are 5w-30 for winter elsewhere in the world with 10w-40 or even 20w-50 recommended for summer in hot climates.

Per warranty i have to use 0w20 then, correct? Protection/longevity of the motor is the most important to me. This thing is a gas hog & I knew that even before purchasing it so I could care less about the thinner oil producing better gas mileage.

Over here it doesn't really get below zero ever. Maybe once in a blue when in Tahoe or Reno, but that's about it. Otherwise, summers can be really hot in the 100s

STREETFIGHTER50 wrote:Per warranty i have to use 0w20 then, correct? Protection/longevity of the motor is the most important to me. This thing is a gas hog & I knew that even before purchasing it so I could care less about the thinner oil producing better gas mileage.

If 5w-30 is allowed according to the manual you will keep your warranty using it.
I think most service advisors understand that 5w-30 is a legitimate choice for these motors, (but they will be trained to recommend 0w-20)

That all being said modern engines are pretty tolerant of oil being too thin or too thick within reason.
There are some very good 0w-20 oils out there BUT in order for a 0w-20 to protect as will in summer as a 10w-40 it needs to be made form superior base stock.

The majority of 0w-20 oils are for this reason at least partially synthetic

PS: I like the 10w-30s even better than a 5w-30 in a warm climate.
The small spread from 10 to 30 guarantees minimal viscosity index improvers are used in the formulation which is good for both stability and less breakdown products

Source: Am a chemist.

wow thank you for sharing this data and you opinions. Good stuff!