2016 Nissan Frontier Oil Question

[laughingbadger]

Hello all,
Long time lurker here. It seems the general consensus is that brand is subjective as long as its API SN. And from what i gather is Conventional Vs Synthetic is based on how often i want to change my oil.
My question is this : Does a Nissan Frontier with the QR25 4-cyl engine, manual transmission, somewhat spirited driving. Driven 2-10 miles a day, and used for work on the weekends, warrant buying the high end full synthetic oils and filters? Or would a good conventional oil be just fine? Location is in the valley, in Oregon. So, not really hot, but not really cold either.

Thank you very much!

 

[gizzsdad]

Depending on your OCI, the you wouldn't "need" a premium oil or filter. Any SN and GF-5 oil (and usually Dexos) will be all you "need."

By shopping carefully, I am able to find full syn oils for $3 - 4/quart, and buy Fram Ultra filters for $7 or less shipped. But this is a "feel good" play only for me.

BTW, my wife drives an 07 Frontier with 74K miles.

 

[laughingbadger]

Thanks for replying!
My OCI has been 5k to 7.5k as per the manual. I called the service department at my dealer, guy said it "It does not matter, run whatever you want"

 

[CharBaby]

Well, I've had 2-QR25DE engines(2004 & 2015 both Altima's). They seem to like 5W30 oil for me. Maybe 0W30 for you. 0W20/5W20 makes the engine too audible but, that's just me!

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Mine seems to like magnetec 5w30 , but I may go to "conventional"

I think there are better OIL FILTERS than the factory stuff.

 

[FowVay]

I have the 2017 version of your truck and I use the lowest priced Dexos-1 rated 5W-30 that Wal-mart sells. I use OEM filters and Quaker State Synthetic blend 5w-30. My manuals specifies a 5,000 mile interval.

 

[NormanBuntz]

I change the oil in my neighbor's 2010 Frontier 4 cylinder. He gets 5K mile oil changes using Valvoline or Havoline 5w-30 conventional and a Nippon oil filter. Truck has about 65,000 miles. His vehicle usage is comparable to yours.

 

[ksp7498]

Nissan is a little weird weird in that many (but not all) of their engines still call for plain SN-rated 5w-30 dino at 5k intervals. They don't even have their own oil spec. Just SN. I just got a 2017 Versa and it says the same. Literally any SN 5w-30 will handle 5k intervals without breaking a sweat. There's no point in buying high-end synthetic if you're going to stick to the 5k interval, which you should for warranty reasons. I plan on using whatever SN dino I can find the cheapest in my Versa.

EDIT: also I think it's hilarious that the HR16DE in the Versa only holds like 3.5 quarts including the filter.

 

[fenixguy]

As stated above, pick which color bottle/jug you like the best in 5w-30 SN and call it a day. Nissan has no specific requirements for oil, which is great. Personally, I run whatever is the cheapest name-brand synthetic I can find at the time with a Fram TG for my 6 cylinder Frontier just for the "warm and fuzzies" I guess. I really wouldn't have any reservations about running a conventional if that's what I had in the stash at the time of my oil change. Right now I have 4.5 quarts of Pennzoil Platinum and topped off with Pennzoil conventional (had to use up some open jugs) in a truck with 14,000 miles.

Oh yeah, enjoy that truck!