I have a 2012 Nissan Pathfinder and I use Forumula Shell full synthetic 5w30 and stay within Nissan recommended 7,500 mi oil change. In the summer I haul a 5,000 lb camper prob for a total of 3,000 miles would it be a good idea to shorten my OCI during the RV season say to 6,000 miles?
Short OCI for tow
- Thread starter Camprunner
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I have hauled loads for years, several hundred thousand miles. never ran short oci's.
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I would run a full synthetic & a good filter (like a Fram Ultra, or other quality filter), and as long as you don't overheat the oil a full length OCI should be fine. I always carry an extra quart or 2 of M1 TDT in the Ram when I pull the boat or camper with it, seems to burn off quicker towing in hot weather.
Is that the motor with 3.5qt sump?
Do what your manual says for towing and have full confidence =you're already using fully synthetic=
By the way it's a 4.0 V6 I think they call it a VQ40DE and it holds just over 5 quarts.
Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
Is that the motor with 3.5qt sump?
Where did u get that from.....this isn't a sentra.
Is that the motor with 3.5qt sump?
Where did u get that from.....this isn't a sentra.
Originally Posted By: Camprunner
I have a 2012 Nissan Pathfinder and I use Forumula Shell full synthetic 5w30 and stay within Nissan recommended 7,500 mi oil change. In the summer I haul a 5,000 lb camper prob for a total of 3,000 miles would it be a good idea to shorten my OCI during the RV season say to 6,000 miles?
I think you have a good plan to shorten the OCI a little. My OLM ticks down faster when I'm towing a travel trailer. I guess the main reason is that when towing you are usually at higher rpm's and burning more fuel which are both variables in OCI length. On the other hand I don't think towing is as severe as short tripping because the oil is getting up to temp as you are probably going on long trips. Safe travels.
I have a 2012 Nissan Pathfinder and I use Forumula Shell full synthetic 5w30 and stay within Nissan recommended 7,500 mi oil change. In the summer I haul a 5,000 lb camper prob for a total of 3,000 miles would it be a good idea to shorten my OCI during the RV season say to 6,000 miles?
I think you have a good plan to shorten the OCI a little. My OLM ticks down faster when I'm towing a travel trailer. I guess the main reason is that when towing you are usually at higher rpm's and burning more fuel which are both variables in OCI length. On the other hand I don't think towing is as severe as short tripping because the oil is getting up to temp as you are probably going on long trips. Safe travels.
Originally Posted By: domer10
Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
Is that the motor with 3.5qt sump?
Where did u get that from.....this isn't a sentra.
I was confusing it with the Xterra, which with a V6 had a 3.5qt sump.
Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
Is that the motor with 3.5qt sump?
Where did u get that from.....this isn't a sentra.
I was confusing it with the Xterra, which with a V6 had a 3.5qt sump.
Towing is hard on oil - period. Keep the OCI shorter and make sure the level stays topped off. Even with my BBC Suburban, Chevy recommended towing in a lower gear - spinning the engine faster is less stressful than lugging it with a heavy load.
I'd say if you tow 5,000 pounds for 3,000 miles, especially on a pathfinder, it wouldnt hurt to change it at 4,000. Even with the full synthetic, the engine will really be pushed at that towload. Good luck
I wouldn't be overly worried about the OCI when you do that amount of towing, as long as you're not overheating the car which would put added stress on the oil.
What I would be concerned about is the OCI for the transmission and what fluid you have in there. If you don't have a full syn in there now, I'd suggest shortening the change interval then and/or switching over to a full syn.
What I would be concerned about is the OCI for the transmission and what fluid you have in there. If you don't have a full syn in there now, I'd suggest shortening the change interval then and/or switching over to a full syn.
Originally Posted By: gregk24
Towing falls under the severe service category. So change the oil according to whatever mileage is listed under the "severe service" category in your owners manual.
+1
Towing falls under the severe service category. So change the oil according to whatever mileage is listed under the "severe service" category in your owners manual.
+1
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