Beckman

Hey guys,

I got my 05 Frontier with about 9500 miles on it. I'm just about at my first oil change and I'm considering going synthetic. Kinda nervous about this. I guess I need some assurance that I'm not doing something that's not totally proven. Here's my issues...

Will it void my warranty?

What is considered the top brand?

How long do you go between oil changes with synth?

I assume that you use the same oil filter with synth as you do real oil?

Does it really increase your gas mileage?

Anyone out there have any negative experience with synth?

I appreciate any input on this....

Thanks, Beck

 

Triffid

I first changed my oil (dino) & filter at 1000 miles to get rid of any contaminates... I then switched to synth. at 3750 miles... It will not void your warranty... I use Mobil One mainly because they use it at the Nissan dealer that I go to... I still change it every 3750 miles... I still use Nissan filters... I've used synth. in all my vehicles & race cars... It just plain works better and I think makes the engine last longer... It should also help with gas mileage; however slightly... Works in all temperature ranges better than dino oil... Better performance... There are a lot of good brands out there... Hope this helps.........Triffid

__________________
2005 NISSAN SE OFFROAD PATHFINDER
VIEW MY ALBUM/MODS

Bror Jace

"Will it void my warranty?"

No.

"What is considered the top brand?"

Opinions vary. I think Mobil 1 is about the best going right now ... especially considering the price.

"How long do you go between oil changes with synth?"

Don't exceed the longest interval in your owners' manual.

"I assume that you use the same oil filter with synth as you do real oil?"

Yes.

"Does it really increase your gas mileage?"

Yes .. a bit. But unless you keep meticulous records, you'll likely never see a difference. Mobil 1 starts out a bit thinner in each weight ... and it's mostly this reduced drag on the motor that saves some fuel and frees-up some power ... but it's tiny ... 1-2% or so.

"Anyone out there have any negative experience with synth?"

Leaks in high mileage were common decades ago but problems with newer synthetic oils are almost unheard of thanks to more careful blending.

__________________
--- Bror Jace

deathtorice

That is good to know. That's the only reason I have yet to start running synthetic in my '94...cuz it has 118k on the clock. Now that you have cleared that up, in goes some synthetic. Is the same true for synthetic gear oil? My friend said never run synthetic is the transmission, because he used it and smelled it burning...went away when he drained it and put regular back in. Is he full of shit? I want to increase my mileage. 1-2% may not sound like much, but I get 24.5 now...that will be 24.7 if I gain 1%, or about 3.18 extra miles out of a tank. It adds up, even more now than ever, with prices over $3 a gallon.

__________________
'94 hardbody ka24e 5spd

avenger

I'll be changing to redline synthetics in the engine and entire drivetrain at the first oil change interval...

 

Frontin05

You should have changed your oil twice already, short blocks are expensive, but that is a whole other topic.

Syntetic won't harm your engine and you cannot void your warrenty by using something that exceeds factory specs.

avenger

i only wish that was true with forced induction exceeding factory spec

jerryp58

[quote=Frontin05]You should have changed your oil twice already, short blocks are expensive, but that is a whole other topic. [quote]

If I'm reading his first sentence correctly, the truck had 9500 mi. on it when he bought it.

__________________

Jerry
2004 Frontier, King Cab, XE, 4x1, 4-cyl, 5-spd
My Frontier Page

Frontin05

I think you are right, I misread it....

Bror Jace

Yes, the same principle about synthetics and leaking applies to gearboxes

But what are you talking about .. a manual or auto tranny?

I'm not sure synthetic ATFs are worth it because you can't really (easily) get a full drain and refill.

When choosing a synthetic gear oil, be sure to match the weight of the oil you choose with the weight of the gear oil recommended in your manual. For example, don't replace a 90 weight gear oil with Royal Purple Synchromesh which is as thin as ATF.

Yes, every few percent of fuel economy counts ... and there are a number of ways you can 'tweak' your ride and get a bit better mileage.

Do a search of this forum using terms like "mpg" and "mileage" to find more discussion on this topic alone.

__________________
--- Bror Jace

 

msubullyfan

You'll probably get about 0.5-1.0 mpg improvement at most. I have seen it with 2 different cars.

deathtorice

Yeah, I was referring to the 5spd in my '94. I know not to put gl5 in it too....stick with gl4.

__________________
'94 hardbody ka24e 5spd