Oil Changes

[mrSHEiK124]

Chime in ATOT! Should I be using synthetic oil or dino oil, how often should I change my oil, and how the hell do I change it myself? Owner's manual says every 3,750 miles.

 

[shortspanishguy]

I use mobil 1 syn. in my hybrid. I drive mainly highway and change around 8k with an extended life filter.

Changing oil is very easy you just need to get access to the underside of the car.

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Originally posted by: shortspanishguy
I use mobil 1 syn. in my hybrid. I drive mainly highway and change around 8k with an extended life filter.

Changing oil is very easy you just need to get access to the underside of the car.

Hmm, how's 2 jacks sound? I can just buy Mobil 1 locally at Wally World or Target, right? Where do I go with the old oil; can't be safe for the drain...

 

[bobdelt]

do what your car manual tells you to do, most say 5,000 now days, not the 3,000 jiffy lube wants you to think

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Originally posted by: bobdelt
do what your car manual tells you to do, most say 5,000 now days, not the 3,000 jiffy lube wants you to think

Manual says 3,750; will I harm my car by putting synthetic in it? I keep hearing that it's good stuff.

 

[shortspanishguy]

Originally posted by: mrSHEiK124

Originally posted by: shortspanishguy
I use mobil 1 syn. in my hybrid. I drive mainly highway and change around 8k with an extended life filter.

Changing oil is very easy you just need to get access to the underside of the car.

Hmm, how's 2 jacks sound? I can just buy Mobil 1 locally at Wally World or Target, right? Where do I go with the old oil; can't be safe for the drain...

You can have it recycled at Autozone, advance auto parts, etc.

Wally is the only place I can find 0-w20 oil for my car and its priced well.

I use ramps.

 

[amdskip]

Pick one or the other and stick with it. What car do you have and how many miles are on it?

 

[shortspanishguy]

Originally posted by: mrSHEiK124

Originally posted by: bobdelt
do what your car manual tells you to do, most say 5,000 now days, not the 3,000 jiffy lube wants you to think

Manual says 3,750; will I harm my car by putting synthetic in it? I keep hearing that it's good stuff.

The only thing it will harm is your wallet.

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Originally posted by: amdskip
Pick one or the other and stick with it. What car do you have and how many miles are on it?

07 Altima 3.5SE, it's got a little less than 2,000 miles on it.

 

[Icepick]

I always use the basic least expensive oil.

Take the oil to a repair shop that will recycle. Places like Valvoline and QuickLube will accept used oil for recycling. NEVER pour it down the drain.

 

[doze]

Once you start using synthetic oil you pretty much have to keep on using it.

Most places auto parts stores and auto shops are required to dispose of oil for free.

 

[TheSlamma]

Search function, this has been debated hundreds of times.

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Originally posted by: doze
Once you start using synthetic oil you pretty much have to keep on using it.

Most places auto parts stores and auto shops are required to dispose of oil for free.

Should I go for it?

 

[shortspanishguy]

Originally posted by: mrSHEiK124

Originally posted by: doze
Once you start using synthetic oil you pretty much have to keep on using it.

Most places auto parts stores and auto shops are required to dispose of oil for free.

Should I go for it?

why not?

 

[her209]

You're supposed to change the oil?

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: doze
Once you start using synthetic oil you pretty much have to keep on using it.

This isn't true, and hasn't been true for at least a decade, probably two.

For a street-driven, naturally aspirated car that has its oil changed on the manufacturer's interval, there's no reason to use synthetic. Any regular oil will be fine and will not cause problems for the reasonable expected life of the vehicle (300,000 miles+).

Use the basic oil, change it as the manual recommends. Just make sure that you are using the correct weight and that you do not use FRAM filters.

ZV

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: doze
Once you start using synthetic oil you pretty much have to keep on using it.

This isn't true, and hasn't been true for at least a decade, probably two.

For a street-driven, naturally aspirated car that has its oil changed on the manufacturer's interval, there's no reason to use synthetic. Any regular oil will be fine and will not cause problems for the reasonable expected life of the vehicle (300,000 miles+).

Use the basic oil, change it as the manual recommends. Just make sure that you are using the correct weight and that you do not use FRAM filters.

ZV

Hmm, are there any benefits to synthetic though? If I'm changing my oil myself, I'll guess I'll be on the lookout not to get fram filters, how can I be sure JiffyLube or wherever doesn't do that?

 

[dartworth]

Originally posted by: doze
Once you start using synthetic oil you pretty much have to keep on using it.

That is a myth...an old one too...

 

[Insane3D]

The MS6 comes with a syn blend from the factory. I'm having the dealership do the first change @ 1k miles to get all those break in metals out of there, then @ 3k I'm switching to Mobil 1 5w-30 and doing them myself. The interval in the manual is 5k miles because I meet some of the harsh driving conditions...short drives and I live in an environment where salt is in use. I'll probably just change it every 2500-3500 miles since it's a turbo car, and the peace of mind is cheap IMO. It's like $25 for 6 quarts of Mobil 1, and another $6 for a Mazda cartridge filter...

I keep my cars for 10-15 years, so it's worth it to me...

 

[shortspanishguy]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
do not use FRAM filters.

I second this.

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: doze
Once you start using synthetic oil you pretty much have to keep on using it.

This isn't true, and hasn't been true for at least a decade, probably two.

For a street-driven, naturally aspirated car that has its oil changed on the manufacturer's interval, there's no reason to use synthetic. Any regular oil will be fine and will not cause problems for the reasonable expected life of the vehicle (300,000 miles+).

Use the basic oil, change it as the manual recommends. Just make sure that you are using the correct weight and that you do not use FRAM filters.

ZV

While it may not be needed, that's not to say there aren't benefits to it, nor will it hurt anything.

 

[her209]

Originally posted by: shortspanishguy

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
do not use FRAM filters.

I second this.

What's wrong with Fram?

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: her209

Originally posted by: shortspanishguy

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
do not use FRAM filters.

I second this.

What's wrong with Fram?

Well, to start with...their filters are junk. Cut open an OEM one from the manufacturer, then cut open a similar Fram you get at Wal-Mart...you will see the lack of element material...

 

[giantpinkbunnyhead]

I only use synthetic myself. Sure it's more expensive, but when it comes down to it, it only works out to maybe $50/year extra. That's pretty damn cheap to give your engine the good stuff, and it's certainly cheap enough that I'm not going to waste my time doing an extensive cost/benefit analysis on it. All I know is that when it's -30 outside, my truck runs much better on synth.

As far as how to change oil, it's pretty easy...

1) Place front of car on ramps or jack stands (never never crawl under the car if supported only by a jack! too risky) Ramps are safest.

2) Undo drain plug on bottom of oil pan. Oil can be hot and make sure you have a big catch pan ready. Most drain plugs use 17mm or 19mm wrench size, but I dunno about Altimas.

3) Let oil drain out; plug drain hole.

4) Remove old filter, screw on new filter. I prefer OEM filters, not that cardboard Fram crap. They're usually only like $2 more anyway.

5) Pour in one quart of oil; check for leaks.

6) If no leaks, pour in rest of oil up to mfr's recommended quantity and put oil cap back on.

7) Verify oil level with dipstick; check once more for leaks (around drain plug, around filter, etc.)

8) Clean up any spilled oil and take used oil to recycling center / waste center / Kragen / whatever.

9) Take money saved by not having jiffy lube jockeys do that work and buy beer.

 

[BoomerD]

Avoid Jiffy Lube...they have a terrible reputation for doing things wrong. Find a BETTER oil chance facility, or even your dealer. I have the oil changed in my 05 Espedition at the dealership, and it rarely costs more than any other oil change place, PLUS, they use factory filters, and the proper oil...I never have to tell them what to use, like you will in some places, nor do they use whatever filter they can buy the cheapest.
Otherwise, doing it yourself is pretty easy, although I wouldn't recommend crawling under any car supported ONLY by jacks. Too dangerous. Get a pair of jackstands or ranps. Mobil 1 is very good oil. Is it necessary for daily driving? Nope. ANY GOOD QUALITY "Top-Tier" brand of oil will suffice for proper lubrication, as long as you are mindful of the proper oil change interval and use a QUALITY filter...whcih does NOT (unfortunately) include Fram...Purolator is one of the better filters IIRC, followed by Wix and a couple other brands. Keep in mind, that there are actually only a few filter manufacturers, who make filters for many companies with their branding, logos, and paint color...gotta be attentive to what you buy.