3rd gen Nissan Frontier 3.8l What oil??

[steve c]

What weight oil would would ypu run in this engine? Spec'd for 0w-20, but I tow frequently.

 

[Gladiator007]

5 or 0w30

 

[JavierH19]

Mobil 1 ESP 0w-30 would be a great oil for it.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mobil-1-ESP-Full-Synthetic-Motor-Oil-0W-30-5-Quart/1756386056

 

[mitsuman47]

Mobil 1 ESP 0w-30 would be a great oil for it.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mobil-1-ESP-Full-Synthetic-Motor-Oil-0W-30-5-Quart/1756386056

This is what I’m currently using in my 3rd gen.

Should be a great choice if you’re towing.

 

[steve c]

Is there a thicker vicoscity 0w-20 available, or one more suitable for a tow vehicle? I'd like to stay in the recommended grade of 0w-20 due to having an 80k powertrain warranty. The owners manual clearly states 0w-20. I bought it as a dealer demo with 2000 miles on it. They offered it as a Nissan "certified" used vehicle with the extended warranty.

 

[Glenda W.]

Is there a thicker vicoscity 0w-20 available, or one more suitable for a tow vehicle? I'd like to stay in the recommended grade of 0w-20 due to having an 80k powertrain warranty. The owners manual clearly states 0w-20. I bought it as a dealer demo with 2000 miles on it. They offered it as a Nissan "certified" used vehicle with the extended warranty.

Mobil 1 Truck & SUV 0W-20
Castrol Edge EP 0W-20
Mobil 1 ESP 0W-20
Valvoline Restore and Protect 0W-20

 

[mitsuman47]

Mobil 1 Truck & SUV 0W-20
Castrol Edge EP 0W-20
Mobil 1 ESP 0W-20
Valvoline Restore and Protect 0W-20

Solid list if one is stuck on 0w-20.

Many manufacturers don’t give out HTHS info. But, for a 20 grade oil, it’ll usually be between 2.6 and 2.9. Very similar for all of them, especially when you start to consider blending variances, and changes to the formula. Not all companies are good about updating their product data sheets.

If you were to guess whether an oil’s HTHS falls near the top of that range by looking at the 100c KV, I think M1 EP 0w-20 would be a good choice with a reported cst of 8.8. Some of those in Glenda’s list may be the same or even higher.

Red Line may be the highest of the bunch at 9.0, and has an HTHS of 2.9.

 

[THORROMIG]

QSUP 0W20 is a solid choice also.

 

[jtwrace]

The universal oil Mobil 1 FS 0W-40.

 

[Plumb Bob]

The universal oil Mobil 1 FS 0W-40.

Times have changed: M1 ESP 0W-30.

 

[Zee09]

QSUP 5w30
Using it in my Mitsubishi
Great oil

 

[Gladiator007]

I noticed the correct KV100 of ESP 0w20 is in the SDS, and that's 8.2 like most of its Mobil 1 0w20 siblings.

 

[Gladiator007]

Solid list if one is stuck on 0w-20.

Many manufacturers don’t give out HTHS info. But, for a 20 grade oil, it’ll usually be between 2.6 and 2.9. Very similar for all of them, especially when you start to consider blending variances, and changes to the formula. Not all companies are good about updating their product data sheets.

If you were to guess whether an oil’s HTHS falls near the top of that range by looking at the 100c KV, I think M1 EP 0w-20 would be a good choice with a reported cst of 8.8. Some of those in Glenda’s list may be the same or even higher.

Red Line may be the highest of the bunch at 9.0, and has an HTHS of 2.9.

Real Red Line nectar now comes in 5w30, 0w40, 5w40, and 5w50 only. The lower ones are a waste of money.

 

[Nessism1]

Nobody is going to make you prove that you used 0w-20 oil. Use what you want. I'd use 5W-30.

 

[Gladiator007]

Nobody is going to make you prove that you used 0w-20 oil. Use what you want. I'd use 5W-30.

If they tear the engine apart and find it as clean as they come, with Amsoil 0w40, will they complain?

 

[steve c]

I've been told by the dealership service department that in the case of a warranty claim, nissan has been known to ask for maintenance records.

 

[mitsuman47]

Real Red Line nectar now comes in 5w30, 0w40, 5w40, and 5w50 only. The lower ones are a waste of money.

Can you provide a reputable source for this?

Does not appear to be the case to me.

Solid dose of Moly, Boron, and ZDDP. Oxidation is 78 indicating a strong dose of ester. About double the next highest I’ve seen. OP is also wanting the highest viscosity he can with a 20 grade. This appears to have that too.

 

[Gladiator007]

Can you provide a reputable source for this?

Does not appear to be the case to me.

Solid dose of Moly, Boron, and ZDDP. Oxidation is 78 indicating a strong dose of ester. About double the next highest I’ve seen. OP is also wanting the highest viscosity he can with a 20 grade. This appears to have that too.

View attachment 296568

It used to have over 1200 ZDDP, 500+ Moly and 3000+ Calcium. And way more PAO.

 

[mitsuman47]

It used to have over 1200 ZDDP, 500+ Moly and 3000+ Calcium. And way more PAO.

You still haven’t shown how it’s a waste of money.

 

[tired]

I've been told by the dealership service department that in the case of a warranty claim, nissan has been known to ask for maintenance records.

Yeah so go buy whatever 0W-20 you want. Buy enough for a few years. Then immediately return it. Keep the receipt. Use whatever xx-30 you want. Rinse and repeat until you're >80k miles.

I would recommend Valvoline Restore and Protect.