2009 Altima Coupe 3.5

[ACoupe09]

Hello! I'm very new to this whole oil concept and would like to follow the board rules to see what is the best type of oil for me...

Currently I use Valvoline or Castrol GTX 5-30 (Synthetic)...I'm open to suggestions.


1. What kind of vehicle you have
2009 Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5SE (VQ35DE)

2. What your owner's manual says -- not just viscosity, but certifications (look for acronyms like API SM, ILSAC GF-4, etc.) and change intervals as well

I don't have the owners manual anymore, unfortunately. The online version does not specify.

3. Where you live

I live in Waltham, Massachusetts...east coast

4. How you drive (easy? hard? fast? slow?)

I drive mostly highway, with some city driving. I have a 6MT and love to use it. I reach redline at least twice daily mergining onton the interstate...and yes, I drive fast most of the time. I have a background in autocross and love to drive.

5. What your daily drive is like (short trips? long trips? city? highway?)

Highway to back road driving...all paved...35mph to 85 mph daily

6. Whether your car has any known problems

No problems, but a few modifications: Cold Air Intake, full exhaust (no headers), and phenolic spacers... anti-sway bars front and rear 58000 miles

 

[Dakota1820]

either one your using is good for 5000 miles anymore than that and i would use castrol edge i really like it and just change it every 6months or 10,000 miles and a wix or purolator pureone

 

[Dakota1820]

btw

this is the best site on earth

 

[aquariuscsm]

I`ve always liked synthetics. How about M1 0W30-0W40 and a good oil filter. If they`re made for your car,a Japanese Nissan OEM. VG`s specify 3000 mile oci`s. I`d look into an fsm to see what oci VQ`s require.

 

[aquariuscsm]

I`ve always liked synthetics. How about M1 0W40 and a good oil filter. If they`re made for your car,a Japanese Nissan OEM. VG`s specify 3000 mile oci`s. I`d look into an fsm to see what oci VQ`s require.

 

[beast3300]

Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
I`ve always liked synthetics. How about M1 0W30-0W40 and a good oil filter. If they`re made for your car,a Japanese Nissan OEM. VG`s specify 3000 mile oci`s. I`d look into an fsm to see what oci VQ`s require.


I thought those new ones where 3,750? At any rate 5k on a full synthetic should do you well.

 

[LeakySeals]

What up Waltham! Chelmsford here!

 

[ACoupe09]

Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
What up Waltham! Chelmsford here!


Just moved here a few months ago... Looking to move closer to the city when I get a chance.

 

[ACoupe09]

Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
I`ve always liked synthetics. How about M1 0W40 and a good oil filter. If they`re made for your car,a Japanese Nissan OEM. VG`s specify 3000 mile oci`s. I`d look into an fsm to see what oci VQ`s require.


OK, that was a lot of "acronese"... I've skimmed some articles on this stuff, so I don't have much knowledge on it.

My previous plan was to start adding 1 quart of Lucas Additive with every oil change after 60K miles. I change my oil every 4K as it is, just makes me feel better I guess.
QUESTION: Why did pennzoil win the 2010 favorite oil competition/ I was always told that valvoline and castrol were superior???

 

[bourne]

if you head over to Maxima forums, where they live breathe and race VQ35s which you have, you will find German Castrol 0w30 to be considered the holy grail. Personal experience with GC in a VQ30 was very good, so that would be my recommendation.

Alternate suggestion, stick to severe service cycle according to nissan and use VWB for 3750 miles. Alot of users are running short oci on conventional on these engines as well , as they tend to "beat" the oil up.

 

[ACoupe09]

First, where do you find German Castrol? Is is different from GTX? I'd be happy to try it... just need to know the "alternate" science behind it...


Secondly, Does the 3750 count if you use the fram "extreme" guard filters? My oil isn't coming out gunky or too dark....been using synthetic since day one. I'm not sure what else to look for that could provide warning signs???

 

[LeakySeals]

The recommended oil (5w30?) for that car is the right choice for this area. Only a few days below 0F or above 100F per year. Traffic to the city - bad. Moisture/humidity is normally on the high side from the ocean. Fair amount of temp fluctuations overnight.

A 6k OCI is about right.

I would use Pennzoil Ultra and a Purolator classic From Walmart, cost you about $32. Walmarts are everywhere around here, best place for oil.

 

[bourne]

Originally Posted By: ACoupe09

First, where do you find German Castrol? Is is different from GTX? I'd be happy to try it... just need to know the "alternate" science behind it...


Secondly, Does the 3750 count if you use the fram "extreme" guard filters? My oil isn't coming out gunky or too dark....been using synthetic since day one. I'm not sure what else to look for that could provide warning signs???


If you are using a Syn oil, then I wouldnt worry about a 3750 mile oci, id say do 5k-6k with a quality syn will work well. QSUD can be found at wally world for 20 and change. I would pair it with a quality filter like P1 or Bosch Premium. You can purchase OEM Denso filters from Rock Auto if you wish. German Castrol is now known as this product : Syntec and is made in US afaik lol. But everyone whose used it, says the results are similar. It used to be green, and now its golden. Its the 0w30 weight in particular.

 

[bourne]

This thread should provide enough information for you :

GC 0W30

 

[ACoupe09]

Incredible!!! You guys are the best... I'm far more educated and have to thank you all for your data!!!

I guess this site is as addicting as people told me??? HAHA

Later,

Jeremy

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: beast3300
I thought those new ones where 3,750?


Yep, 3750 miles for severe service (or Schedule 1 or whatever they call it). In any case, the FSM should be available online. If it cannot be found, the Nissan site will have the owner's manual and warranty manual available.

It will specify any 5w30 that is SM/GF-4 or better.

Stay away from the Lucas Additive. It's absolutely unnecessary. Pick a quality synthetic or conventional that meets the latest standards in 5w30 and you'll be fine. You'll see from my signature that I use Pennzoil conventional 5w30 in my G37.

 

[The Critic]

I've been using Valvoline SynPower 5w30 on my mom's 2010 Altima V6. Oil change intervals are about every 2,000 to 2,500 miles (or about six months) and each time the oil comes out looking like mud...no joke.

 

[bourne]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
I've been using Valvoline SynPower 5w30 on my mom's 2010 Altima V6. Oil change intervals are about every 2,000 to 2,500 miles (or about six months) and each time the oil comes out looking like mud...no joke.


I take it that it never really gets driven more than 10 miles at a time ? Its probably from fuel dilution and the oil never really getting a chance to get upto operating temps if thats the case. If i were you, id save the money on syn oil and use VWB or Valvoline next gen conventional. It has shown incredible resistance to fuel dilution in DI engines, and should work well for such short OCI during the 6 mnth interval.