When should I change the oil???

[krissj2001]

I put 3000 miles on my new Versa .When should I change the oil???Nissan's service book says 3750 miles My dealer offers 5000 miles free oil change service Some people here say 7000 miles.

Let me know ,what do you think?

K.J

[blindsnyper]

I do mine every 3000 miles

[BBISHOPPCM]

If you plan on a long relationship with your car, the 3,000 mile schedule is a good one to follow. Although modern oils, when used in modern engines, can last up to 5,000 miles, this may mean the difference of consuming oil at 150,000 miles and not consuming oil at 150,000 miles. There are arguments for both sides. Personally, I change my oil every 2,500 miles, so the engine never has a chance to get dirty (and will likely last 300,000 miles, as god intended).

On the other extreme, I've herd stories of people never changing their oil; they just top it off when it runs low. These people have gotten as much as 150k out of their engines. To each his own...

[Rand0m0sityxX]

i did my first one a 1000 miles, then i did my next one at 3000. I put Synthetic oil in mine so i can go up to 5000 without one but i'm doing my next one at 10,000 (I'm over 9000 right now).

[ZuZ]

i change mine every 1000 miles!i love the feeling of having brand new oil!

[blindsnyper]

i change mine every 1000 miles!i love the feeling of having brand new oil!

well your over there where all you have to do is poke a hole in the ground to get all the oil you needJ/K

1000 miles

[ZuZ]

lol i wish that was true!no oil in Lebanon.. believe it or not the only arab country with no oil!!!

[DejaWiz]

It's going to depend on how you drive, the efficiency of the filtration system, and what type of oil is used.

I probably would say the efficiency of the Versa's filtration is about average, so it's not the very best.

If you drive at constant speeds more often than stop and go (hwy vs. city), the oil can typically last longer from what I understand.

Using a higher quality oil and filter (which exceeds OEM requirements), a synthetic blend, or full synthetic can really kick out the longevity, as well.

That said, I try to do mine somewhere in the range of 3000-4000 miles, even though I've gone as long as 7000 miles and the oil isn't anywhere near pure sludge.

Granted, this was with the two past vehicles I have owned: a '90 Saab 900 and an '03 GTI VR6. Saab had over 200,000 miles on it when I sold it and the GTI had 68,000 miles. No engine problems with either.

I'm due for my first oil change with the Versa (3450 miles).

[ZuZ]

why would u trade a 03 GTI VR6 for a Versa!!

[DejaWiz]

Clutch hydraulics, A/C, Cooling System, Audio System, and some other things needed repairing or all out replacing... about $5,000 worth. Most problematic vehicle I've ever had. That and it consistently gave 19-22mpg every tank no matter how I drove it. Wasn't a problem when I literally lived 2 minutes door-to-door from work, but since they moved us to a building that now takes me about 25 min to get to, the gas mileage of the Versa is a lot nicer. Oh, and I'm married now fully considered the future when I went out car shopping, as we are planning on expanding our family within the next year.

It was actually cheaper in the long run to buy the Versa brand new... it's about $30 more per month, but I'm saving a hell of a lot in gas and insurance, even without factoring in the repair costs spread out over the remainder of it's loan term. The dealer paid off my loan in full (I actually made $250 on the deal), so there was no reason for me to keep it and try to figure out how to pay for all the repairs.

[Onyxblue]

I am using Schedule B for maintenance (I am driving 80 miles per day, 90% highway), full synth 5w30 Mobil 1 and change every 7500 miles.

[sooner4x4]

I put 3000 miles on my new Versa .When should I change the oil???Nissan's service book says 3750 miles My dealer offers 5000 miles free oil change service Some people here say 7000 miles.

Let me know ,what do you think?

K.J

Free oil changes every 5000 miles? This is a no-brainer. Take it in every 5000 miles for the free oil change. As long as you don't let them sell you unneccessary services, which they will most likely want to do, this is a good deal for you and and the long life of your Versa.

The 5000 oil change interval is the standard for Honda and Toyota vehicles I have owned.

[Rand0m0sityxX]

i change mine every 1000 miles!i love the feeling of having brand new oil!

if i changed mine like that i'd be doing it every week. I put on that many miles a week for work.. =/

[Avidshifty]

I get it done at the dealership every 3000 miles or so. i payed the extra $2 a month and get free oil changes and tire rotations every-other visit for the entire time i own the vehicle. so i just bring it in when the sticker suggests =) Autoway nissan btw

[Griema]

You should change your oil when your report comes back from the lab with higher levels of metal in the oil sample. Every crank is different. Our weather and driving habits are different.

Synthetic Oil doesn't "sludge", it looses detergents. Visibly checking synthetic oil has no effect. One thing about synthetic, though, through 3 different "torture" tests done on websites such as bobistheoilguy.com, when "topped off" synthetics are refreshed. A leaking Camaro required 1/2 a quart of oil every other weak and nearly went 30,000 miles before chromium went up a tenth of a percent in the lab report.

I'm at 12,000 miles on synthetic 5w-30 and my lab reports are still very, very clean. 95% highway, 40 minute trips two times a day, 5 days a week with an occasional very long highway trip (about three times a year). "City" drivers should stick with 3,500 for peace of mind

[fjwagner]

Think about it. Nissan wants you to believe that you should bring your car in frequently and often! Modern oils are better than your Father's oil and can go for much longer intervals. I occasionally send my oil in for analysis and find that even a conventional oil still has properties in spec at 7000 miles. Given my mixed driving, I stay with the 7500 mile interval. Given that I work for ExxonMobil, those of you that want to spend the extra money to change your oil at 1000 or 3000 miles; go for it! Makes my pension that much better. Fred

[Vahagn23]

my dealer tells me every 3k so its been every 3k

[fjwagner]

my dealer tells me every 3k so its been every 3k

My point exactly. They are taking your money twice as often as really necessary.

[Vahagn23]

I pay 160$ once and I get lifetime oil change for free. Except I wonder what happens when the dealership closes down.

[Griema]

It will take me 4 years of oil changes to get to $160 and I'm using very HIGH quality oil. On the surface, that may seem like a deal, but if you have the ability to change your own oil (ability, as in a place, the time, and the want to do it); on your next car you may want to reconsider lifetime deals for sludge dino. Reading into it, the dealership's oil is so inferior that they have to change it MORE OFTEN than the manufacturer's recommended schedule. That says something, doesn't it? The manufacturer of the car has multitudes more knowledge about the car than a dealership and Nissan's harsh driving schedule is 3750 miles for the Versa.

[feloniousmonk]

As others have mentioned, it depends on how and where you drive.

If you do a lot of short trips, or where you drive gets really hot during the day and cold at night, or you drive the car very card... every 3,000 is probably a good bet.

If you do mostly highway with constant speed cruising, not a lot of shut downs and starts a day and in mild to moderate climate... every 5,000 is just fine.

In most cases every 3,000 is excessive and you're basically wasting money. Modern oil is robust enough to last over 5,000 before the additives lose their ability to react and chemically neutralize contaminants and sludge precursors. Every 1,000 is completely unnecessary.

[frankoV]

Every 1,000 is completely unnecessary.

But his service manager loves him . . .