Switching to Synthetic in new Truck

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Just got myself a new 2015 Nissan Frontier (Crew Cab, SV 4x4, VQ40DE 4.0L V6) after my old 06' Tacoma died out at ~320k miles. I ran Valvoline conventional (OCI 4500 miles religiously) and Purolator One then upon release, the Purolator BOSS filters (changed with every oil change) the entire life of the Tacoma.
I do a lot of 4000lb+ towing and want a stronger oil and to extend my OCI to 6000. I've whittled down my choices to Valvoline SynPower, Castrol Edge with Titanium, and Pennzoil Platinum.
I plan to keep the Purolator Boss filters for life. Never had an issue and my used oil looked noticeably less dark once I started using them.
Looking for other opinions, I have experience with Valvoline products but feel that it wasn't as up to the job as I thought it was with my old truck. I opened up the engine and the cams, cylinders, and bearings were more worn expected considering how much I babied the truck

 

[SwampDweller]

I dropped the factory fill at 2800mi. in my F150 a couple weeks ago. Went with Valvoline Synpower(8 quarts in the 5.0).

 

[OptOut]

I've got 800mi on the factory fill, gonna drop it at 3000 and go with one of the prev. mentioned oils. Just cant decide which ones. How's the SynPower do for you?

 

[barkingspider]

If I had to pick one of the 3 oils you listed, I would go with penz plat

 

[hemitom]

I wouldn't consider towing 4000 pounds babying a tacoma.
320K is pretty good i would think !
i would suggest doing a few uoa to get a baseline for oil change intervals on your new truck..

wonder if you can get 320K out of the Nissan.
Good luck and welcome to the forum.

 

[OptOut]

My preventative maintenance was thorough which is why i called it babying lol
New timing belt every 100k, OCI 4500mi, New air filter every 10k mi, full block coolant flush every 100k mi, did full transmission change w/ torque converter flush at 200k, water pump at 150k, and needed AC compressor at 170k

 

[Scum_Frog]

Any of your three options will get the job done.....I am running PP in my truck, thus that is my choice.

 

[Ryeboy]

I have a 2011 Ford F150XLT with a 5 liter V8 with 38,000 miles. Been using RK synthetic 5W20 (found at Rural King store)since the first couple of oil changes when the dealer used Motorcraft oil. For $2.79 per quart (takes 7.7 quarts) I find this oil hard to beat. It's the same as it better known twin, Lubrigold. I called Warren Oil in West Memphis,AR a few years ago and the engineer's reply was "that I used to work for Mobil and the RK synthetic is very close to the same formula that Mobil uses". He also said that this oil is the same as Lubrigold, "although I'm not supposed to say that." He was not aware of what Rural King sells his product for and when I informed him $2.79 per quart, he said, "that is a great buy." Although I'm sure I could use it up to 7,500 to 10,000 miles before changes, I change at 5000 miles and use a Fram filter 10575 that's made to use up to 15,000 miles. Also I tow a 5th wheel trailer (dry weight 7,140 lbs.) with my F150. With 3.55 rear end, my truck is capable of towing up to 9500 lbs.

 

[Delta]

While it's still under warranty, any name brand synthetic in the 5w30 flavor. After warranty M1 0w40 or Edge 0w40; why you say? Many owners report that motor is hard on oil, and with that much weight your towing, a little extra protection wouldn't hurt. I owned an 07' with the same motor till the timing chain guide decided it didn't want to play nicely anymore. Had I known what I know now, I'da run a 0w40. I ran that thing hard, maybe it would have helped. I ran Purolator filters in it for a while, but they caused a nasty startup clatter. Went with a Mobil 1 filter and all was well.

 

[JC1]

Originally Posted By: barkingspider
If I had to pick one of the 3 oils you listed, I would go with penz plat


+1. I'm running PP in my 2015 Grand Caravan.

 

[dave123]

Originally Posted By: NissanHauler
My preventative maintenance was thorough which is why i called it babying lol
New timing belt every 100k, OCI 4500mi, New air filter every 10k mi, full block coolant flush every 100k mi, did full transmission change w/ torque converter flush at 200k, water pump at 150k, and needed AC compressor at 170k

Timing belt in a 4.0l nope

 

[OptOut]

timing chain* pardon me

 

[wemay]

Valvoline Synpower. Just because

. Really, any of them will be fine.

 

[NormanBuntz]

Originally Posted By: Ryeboy
I have a 2011 Ford F150XLT with a 5 liter V8 with 38,000 miles. Been using RK synthetic 5W20 (found at Rural King store)since the first couple of oil changes when the dealer used Motorcraft oil. For $2.79 per quart (takes 7.7 quarts) I find this oil hard to beat. It's the same as it better known twin, Lubrigold. I called Warren Oil in West Memphis,AR a few years ago and the engineer's reply was "that I used to work for Mobil and the RK synthetic is very close to the same formula that Mobil uses". He also said that this oil is the same as Lubrigold, "although I'm not supposed to say that." He was not aware of what Rural King sells his product for and when I informed him $2.79 per quart, he said, "that is a great buy." Although I'm sure I could use it up to 7,500 to 10,000 miles before changes, I change at 5000 miles and use a Fram filter 10575 that's made to use up to 15,000 miles. Also I tow a 5th wheel trailer (dry weight 7,140 lbs.) with my F150. With 3.55 rear end, my truck is capable of towing up to 9500 lbs.


Did you stock up during last week's sale: $2.29 a quart? I use both RK and Lubrigold synthetic myself, but not for extended changes.

 

[tig1]

You might consider M1. Between me and my son we put 354K on a Ford Ranger 3.0. When sold the engine still performed very well.

 

[BigD1]

You used the Valvoline conventional for a long time, so might as well use the Synpower. NAPA full synthetic Dexos rated on sale this month for $2.99 a quart, and it's made by Valvoline.

 

[Camprunner]

I have the same motor in my 2012 Nissan Pathfinder the VQ40 DE V6 is a good solid motor. The early models had timing chain issues the chain would wear out the plastic chain guides this was more of an issue up to 2010 model year. And no your oil choice would not have made them last longer.

I have mostly used M1 and did a recent run of M1 0w40 that a friend gave me for free and I must say my motor seems to really like it it runs real smooth on this oil. My current fill is Castrol GTX Magnatec 5w30 and this oil seems to lessen the typical VQ40 start up noise. I am sure any of the oils you mentioned will work fine.

As for oil filters you will prob find that some filters will give you less start up noise then others. Actually the factory Nissan filter is quite good and I find I get less noise at start with the factory filter.

 

[OptOut]

I'm liking the truck a lot so far. motor definitely has more getup n' go then my old tacoma ever did. Is the OEM filter paper or synthetic media? What is the efficiency in the OEM filter as well? My driving environment with my truck is real dusty (concrete plant/quarry) so I really have to have a high efficiency air/oil filter.

 

[Alex_V]

I hate to say it, but 4,500 mi OCI's on a high-mileage engine used for towing, on conventional oil, yes 320K is good but I'm not surprised stuff had started to wear. I think the Synpower will do much better, but any of those should protect well.

 

[pbm]

Your Tacoma had 320K in 10 years which works out to 32K a year @ 4500mi OCI means you were changing your oil about 7 times a year. I'm very surprised that Valvoline didn't do so well at that rate and I'm wondering if something else caused your 'wear'?.....