Another "Which oil for what type of use" thread

[Thefunk]

I've seen various discussions about which oil to use 0w-20 or 5w-30. My question for my Z which has intakes and exhaust and I tend to drive it in manual mode a lot on the highway and sometimes on the streets, I tend to be in the upper rpm range more often. I was thinking to try a different oil because I'm pretty sure I'm wearing out the oil quicker by running the engine in higher rpms more frequently. Thoughts?

 

[D2M]

I use 5W40 M1, I takes longer to warm up but I don't drive my Z in the winter anyway.

 

[Thefunk]

I use 5W40 M1, I takes longer to warm up but I don't drive my Z in the winter anyway.

How much longer does it take generally?

 

[D2M]

Depends on the ambient temp. My threshold is 160° and to get it above that on a 45° day it takes a good 15min of driving, on a 35° day its hard to get it above 160° at all. I'm sure it also has a downside on mpg but I would argue it has better protection at higher RPM and higher oil temps. I also heard these engines are known for oil consumption, Im sure the heavier oil will help minimize that.

 

[Thefunk]

@D2M I've noticed that since I've been driving at higher rpms but not necessarily full or heavy throttle all the time, the oil got real thin and dark. I still have another 2k miles left for an oil change using 0w20. I could also use/try 0w30 or 0w40 right?

 

[D2M]

I don't see why not, if you aren't getting the oil temps really high its not an issue. I also use the 5w40 in my Veloster and I track that car all the time so I always have it on hand. Its really the temperature that thins oil and breaks it down. I am due for oil service in about 1500 miles, I will see exactly how much oil I lost and how much is in the catch can at 5000 interval.

 

[Mugzilla]

This thread:
https://www.nissanzclub.com/forum/threads/engine-oil-best-viscosity.2606/

Has a post by @Bert which has a great video at the bottom of pg 1.

 

[Ray74]

I had my service done here in North Queensland Australia and the lead service technician recommended 5w30 gf6 fully synthetic so that's what they put in found engine to be a lot quieter even though it's direct injection and oil temp and pressure was identical I get my service done every 6,000 kilometers anyhow. He has been running that in all his cars since his own them his new Nismo z also runs 5W 30 and he's got close to 40,000 kilometers with no issue and pushes the car extremely hard regularly tracking every weekend.

 

[Thefunk]

This thread:
https://www.nissanzclub.com/forum/threads/engine-oil-best-viscosity.2606/

Has a post by @Bert which has a great video at the bottom of pg 1.

Ok so considering that I live on the north east coast of the US, I can safely use 0w30 or 0w40?

 

[Thefunk]

I don't see why not, if you aren't getting the oil temps really high its not an issue. I also use the 5w40 in my Veloster and I track that car all the time so I always have it on hand. Its really the temperature that thins oil and breaks it down. I am due for oil service in about 1500 miles, I will see exactly how much oil I lost and how much is in the catch can at 5000 interval.

The highest I've seen my oil get was 251F on a track day last summer, ambient temp was 101F. I believe winter here on the NE coast of the US is over so a thicker oil shouldn't be an issue.

 

[splatrd]

I don't understand why everyone seems to intent on using oil viscosities other than what the factory specifies. The engineers went to great lengths to specify oil for the engine, there is no need to second guess. It is likely that you will cause more harm than good. Bearing tolerances are much tighter now and that is one of the critical factors for viscosity. Unless you are going to thrash it on the track, I would stick with factory recommendations. Not to mention risk of warranty claims being denied.

 

[Thefunk]

I don't understand why everyone seems to intent on using oil viscosities other than what the factory specifies. The engineers went to great lengths to specify oil for the engine, there is no need to second guess. It is likely that you will cause more harm than good. Bearing tolerances are much tighter now and that is one of the critical factors for viscosity. Unless you are going to thrash it on the track, I would stick with factory recommendations. Not to mention risk of warranty claims being denied.

Because the manufacturer has standards to follow and must sell the car to the masses. They didn't engineer the oil for hard use and modifications.

 

[SavedByFaith_]

Maybe a little off topic, but relevant.

I'm preparing my car for the summer season (Canadian) and i checked the oil.
This is "Stock" Nissan Dealership Oil - got it changed at 1400km / 870mi (after break-in).

I'm sitting at roughly 6000km / 3730mi and my oil is quite dark....
Nothing overly bad, still has typical shades of brown as you'd find in oil - but definitely a little more "darker" then anticipated.

My driving style is spirited, striving to find the best roads in ride in the high rev range.

I'm taking my NISMO to my performance mechanic in early April.
Will be swapping in some LiquiMoly (unsure on 5w30 or 5w40).