i'm waiting for 3,750 b/c the oil change will be free at the stealership and b/c I'm lazy. I don't know if it's worse to change it more frequently, I just figure when my engine starts to burn oil from blow-by it'll probably be the year 2010 at the earliest and I'll probably be ready to turn it into a 5.9L by then. I'm sure edelbrock will make heads and an intake manifold for the titan by then.

 

Most folks ( including me) that have changed their oil at 500 miles did it only once or twice while the truck was new to drain minute pieces of metal out that new engines frequently cast off. After about 1000 miles most people go to a 3,000 mi. or greater change interval.

 

I changed mine at 3,500 and used Mobil 1. I change it every 6,000 now.

 

I have been poking aroung this forum for a few weeks now, and have noticed that many of you have been changing your oil after the first 500 miles, 1000 miles, 1500 miles etc.... We all know the first recommended oil change is at 3,750 miles. Then I see some of you who are SO PICKY with staying within the factory specs of the truck. Discussing torque specs for the diff plugs, using Nissan oil filters, only using 75w-90 oil in the 04's but using 75w-140 in the 05's... Blah Blah Blah.

So I ask all of you who torque your diff drain plug to 23.54 foot pounds, why did you change your oil at 500 miles when the owners manual clearly states 3,750 miles?? And before you come back with "Well, you can never change your oil too much!", I say bull $ hit!! In order for your engine to properly break in, eg. seat the rings, seals, valves, cams, there must be some friction to help that process along. By changing your oil in a new engine every 1000 miles or whatever you have been doing, you are doing more damage than good. Let your engine get situated.

Man, you better hold on to your hat, cause your going to get flamed for that post, but not by me!!
I usually go by the maintenance schedule in the manual. I changed my oil at 3000 miles the first time and will change it every 3000 miles hereafter. If it goes a couple of hundred of miles past that I'm not going to loose any sleep over it.
There have been a few Titans that had rear differential problems and a lot of people freaked out and drained and refilled their diff's with synthetic oil, I'm sure it won't hurt anything and if it gives them peace of mind so be it. As for me I again went by the book and inspected mine at the recomended number of miles and found it to be about a half qt. low. I topped it off at that time.
As far as replacing the diff fluid the manual recomends to replace at 30k and that's what I will be doing.
I've never used a torque wrench, I just go by experience. Usually if it's a drain plug I just snug it up good and tight. Never had a problem in almost 40 years of doing my own maintenance. A torque wrench would come in handy for tightening head bolts or somthing that needed to have all of the bolts tightened exactly the same.
I say whatever makes you feel good do it!!!

 

I have been poking aroung this forum for a few weeks now, and have noticed that many of you have been changing your oil after the first 500 miles, 1000 miles, 1500 miles etc.... We all know the first recommended oil change is at 3,750 miles. Then I see some of you who are SO PICKY with staying within the factory specs of the truck. Discussing torque specs for the diff plugs, using Nissan oil filters, only using 75w-90 oil in the 04's but using 75w-140 in the 05's... Blah Blah Blah.

So I ask all of you who torque your diff drain plug to 23.54 foot pounds, why did you change your oil at 500 miles when the owners manual clearly states 3,750 miles?? And before you come back with "Well, you can never change your oil too much!", I say bull $ hit!! In order for your engine to properly break in, eg. seat the rings, seals, valves, cams, there must be some friction to help that process along. By changing your oil in a new engine every 1000 miles or whatever you have been doing, you are doing more damage than good. Let your engine get situated.

Not sure where that info came from but.....changing your oil at 500 or 1000 miles will do nothing to hamper break-in. All it does is rid the oil of any possible metal shavings from manufacturing (although I'm sure that's a think of the past) and rid the oil of combustion by-products...in short, it simply gives your engine cleaner oil.
Now I also don't think waiting until 3750 miles will do any harm whatsoever, but claiming it'll do more damage to change your oil sooner is not only misleading to some who may not know any better but, out and out wrong.
It's also been said in the past that switching over to syntheyic before "break-in" will hamper break-in. Not in ANY way true! Your engine will still break-in using synthetic oil.
So if you feel better waiting, then by all means, do so. But others wanting to do a little extra for their engines know better than to believe what you're pushing. :cheers:

 

I have been poking aroung this forum for a few weeks now, and have noticed that many of you have been changing your oil after the first 500 miles, 1000 miles, 1500 miles etc.... We all know the first recommended oil change is at 3,750 miles.

So I ask all of you who torque your diff drain plug to 23.54 foot pounds, why did you change your oil at 500 miles when the owners manual clearly states 3,750 miles?? And before you come back with "Well, you can never change your oil too much!", I say bull $ hit!! In order for your engine to properly break in, eg. seat the rings, seals, valves, cams, there must be some friction to help that process along.

The friction needed for break-in comes from the metal parts rubbing together. You don't need worn out oil to acheive this process.

By changing your oil in a new engine every 1000 miles or whatever you have been doing, you are doing more damage than good

.

That is absolutely false. Before you make such blanket statements, be sure you have proof to back them up.

The engine will still break-in regardless if the oil is new or "well used". I have seen plenty of Used Oil Analysis results that cleary show an engine breaking-in after it's oil was changed. Even engines that were switched to synthetic oil at an early age 500 to 3000 miles, continued the break-in process. I do recommend sticking with petroleum oil for the first 500 to 3000 miles before switching to synthetic oil.

 

..... why did you change your oil at 500 miles when the owners manual clearly states 3,750 miles?? ...I say bull $ hit!! In order for your engine to properly break in, eg. seat the rings, seals, valves, cams, there must be some friction to help that process along.....

I changed at about 1700 or so. I figured that 1700 would do those things you mentioned and then I could get the particles out that Bayou mentioned. I will change my oil at the recomended intervals with synthetic from now on but I believe that the initial oil should be removed within the first 2000. Just my opinion. It's your truck do what YOU want. I'm going to do what I THINK IS BEST, NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE else says!! I'll listen to opinions and factual based statements, but it all boils down to the fact that it's my truck and I decide which work will be done and at what intervals.

You really can't fault the oil guys that change frequently, because it's THEIR truck. They are doing what they think is best.

 

Particle article

I agree with BayouTitan. He explained it best. In any machining operation there are going to be minute displaced metal particles that are going to be picked up by the oil. These particles may or may not be trapped in the oil filter. It just makes economical sense to flush these out before they can do any damage to bearings and cylinder walls. How does the cost of a oil change compare to the cost of reduced engine life?

Oil is a friction reducer and it transfers heat away from critical parts. I don't care what kind of super lubricant you choose, there will always be some amount of friction while your engine is running.

I recommend changing the oil on any new vehicle at 1000 miles with a mineral-based oil. Follow this with another mineral-based change at 3000.
At 6000 miles switch to a blended or full synthetic oil.

This method has never failed me.

 

I changed at about 1700 or so. I figured that 1700 would do those things you mentioned and then I could get the particles out that Bayou mentioned. I will change my oil at the recomended intervals with synthetic from now on but I believe that the initial oil should be removed within the first 2000. Just my opinion. It's your truck do what YOU want. I'm going to do what I THINK IS BEST, NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE else says!! I'll listen to opinions and factual based statements, but it all boils down to the fact that it's my truck and I decide which work will be done and at what intervals.

You really can't fault the oil guys that change frequently, because it's THEIR truck. They are doing what they think is best.

and if anyone uses anything other than Royal Purple for oil they are just wrong ... tellem ICE

 

and if anyone uses anything other than Royal Purple for oil they are just wrong ... tellem ICE

:jester: :jester: :jester: YEAH, what I said!! I mean what he said :jester: :jester: :jester:

:cheers: Finn

LATER ICE

 

Here's the deal. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, engine's came with "break-in oil" Those engines had to be run for X miles and then have the oil changed. The oil was designed to suspend the metal particles so when you flush the oil, you take any particles with it.

Not any more. Engines are initially broken in before delivery. The rings will still be seating but nothing will benefit from changing the oil at 500 miles. There is no longer any need for break-in oil. The first "500 mile" oil change is a thing of the past. With todays engines (like the Titans) you can quite safely wait till 3750.

If changing the oil at 500 miles makes you feel better, then go ahead and do it. It won't hurt anything. Oil changes are cheap.

Cheers,
...Colin

 

OMG where are these people coming from today...oh thats right Xmas break. I agree your intitled to your own opinion, but this is not the old days of break-in oil....Think you have been spending way to much time on the honda boards. Now I know why some complain about the whiners and such, but maybe you could have waited until your 2nd post to make such a honda troll comment.

 

How would you explain the break-in process with vehicles that came from the factory with synthetics?? For example Corvettes, 02 F-body's (previous years came with dino oil from the factory, yet it is the same engine), BMWs, etc.

Answer, the engine breaks in regardless of what kind of oil is in it.

 

I have been poking aroung this forum for a few weeks now, and have noticed that many of you have been changing your oil after the first 500 miles, 1000 miles, 1500 miles etc.... We all know the first recommended oil change is at 3,750 miles. Then I see some of you who are SO PICKY with staying within the factory specs of the truck. Discussing torque specs for the diff plugs, using Nissan oil filters, only using 75w-90 oil in the 04's but using 75w-140 in the 05's... Blah Blah Blah.

So I ask all of you who torque your diff drain plug to 23.54 foot pounds, why did you change your oil at 500 miles when the owners manual clearly states 3,750 miles?? And before you come back with "Well, you can never change your oil too much!", I say bull $ hit!! In order for your engine to properly break in, eg. seat the rings, seals, valves, cams, there must be some friction to help that process along. By changing your oil in a new engine every 1000 miles or whatever you have been doing, you are doing more damage than good. Let your engine get situated.

That's a helluv'a introduction there, seems like your some type of genius or something? You sure your'e not trolling?

 

The friction needed for break-in comes from the metal parts rubbing together. You don't need worn out oil to acheive this process.

.

That is absolutely false. Before you make such blanket statements, be sure you have proof to back them up.

The engine will still break-in regardless if the oil is new or "well used". I have seen plenty of Used Oil Analysis results that cleary show an engine breaking-in after it's oil was changed. Even engines that were switched to synthetic oil at an early age 500 to 3000 miles, continued the break-in process. I do recommend sticking with petroleum oil for the first 500 to 3000 miles before switching to synthetic oil.

Blanket statements?? Proof to back them up?? Well listen, I am not an "expert" engineer. However, I have been a mechanic for 12 years, and a cop for 4. My father was a mechanic, and so is my brother. I've had a few engines apart my friend. Metal shavings in a new engine....hummm yes there are metal shavings in a new engine. All new mechanical devices will shed pieces of metal when they are being broken in. And will continue to do so for the rest of thier mechanically useful life. However, this is what an oil FILTER is for.

It just drives me nuts that some people in this forum treat thier trucks like a delicate swiss watch. It's not rocket science. Simple physics, engineering, and common sense will keep your truck running great.


No I am not a troll. I know that was my first post, but I couldn't take it any more. Reading through these forums, I just picture a bunch of "Mary's" running around losing sleep over wether or not they screwed on thier oil filter tight enough.

It's a truck. Nothing magical. Just like the other vehicles you had.

P.S. 1700 miles and not a single problem. And I don't expect to see any either.

Go ahead and flame me, i'm a big boy and can take it.

 

OMG where are these people coming from today...oh thats right Xmas break. I agree your intitled to your own opinion, but this is not the old days of break-in oil....Think you have been spending way to much time on the honda boards. Now I know why some complain about the whiners and such, but maybe you could have waited until your 2nd post to make such a honda troll comment.

uuhhhh :crying:

 

It just drives me nuts that some people in this forum treat thier trucks like a delicate swiss watch. It's not rocket science. Simple physics, engineering, and common sense will keep your truck running great.

Reading through these forums, I just picture a bunch of "Mary's" running around losing sleep over wether or not they screwed on thier oil filter tight enough.
Go ahead and flame me, i'm a big boy and can take it.

No flames from me. Welcome to TT and COOL OFF A LITTLE. People here are passionate about their trucks and have different opinions on such thing like oil and SH!T. Chill out a little, from cop to cop, RELAX. It's just a truck and an oil change.

ICE

 

ALSO, like I said before do what YOU WANT it's your freaking truck. And I am NOT a F#&*^$ING Mary, just for your info :jester: :jester: :jester:

LATER :cheers:

 

LOL....check out this tuff cop. :jester:

http://glocktalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=260106

 

How would you explain the break-in process with vehicles that came from the factory with synthetics?? For example Corvettes, 02 F-body's (previous years came with dino oil from the factory, yet it is the same engine), BMWs, etc.

Answer, the engine breaks in regardless of what kind of oil is in it.

This is exactly the question I posted on another oil thread here. I was told that these motors (newer Vettes, specifically) are engineered to use full synthetic. Maybe comes down to metal alloy types, etc. True?? I don't know.

I was told by the dealer when I picked up my truck that you should use dino oil for at least the first oil change period because dino oil has qualities that allow better absorbtion/conditioning that syn can't provide initially. After that, he said it's ok to run full syn. Full of crap...... I dunno.....not an oil expert.

I think oil sampling/analysis is the ONLY way to know for sure of what oil change interval to use, regardless of oil type. You also should probably factor in whether or not you're using a paper air filter or performance (cotton or foam) type, but again, oil analysis will give invaluable info.

 

It just drives me nuts that some people in this forum treat their trucks like a delicate swiss watch. It's not rocket science. Simple physics, engineering, and common sense will keep your truck running great.

I am sure you have some tendencies that drive others nuts, although I can't imagine what those could be. Sit back relax your not on the beat. Believe it or not some people may have a different opinion than you.
:cheers:

 

P.S. 1700 miles and not a single problem. And I don't expect to see any either.

Now that's bold! Mechanic or not, you WILL have problems......just wait. I thought by buying a later build (9/04) that I would bypass most of the problems others have seen. 3600mi later, I'm going in for the brake and window TSB's. Good luck, though on your great expectations.

P.S. Still love my truck.....problems and all. :cheers:

 

Blanket statements?? Proof to back them up?? Well listen, I am not an "expert" engineer. However, I have been a mechanic for 12 years, and a cop for 4. My father was a mechanic, and so is my brother. I've had a few engines apart my friend.

Interesting career switch. We can do what we want w/ our trucks and you may believe that changing the oil earlier could be damaging but in truth it's not. Now, I'm not saying it was never true but given today's engineering standards and performance specifications you are going to be hard pressed to mess up a motor by changing the oil inside of 1000 miles.

No I am not a troll. I know that was my first post, but I couldn't take it any more. Reading through these forums, I just picture a bunch of "Mary's" running around losing sleep over wether or not they screwed on thier oil filter tight enough.

Good, next time no matter what your idea is, make a suggestion instead of tearing a new a$$hole for anyone that clicks to read YOUR thread. :eh:

It's a truck. Nothing magical. Just like the other vehicles you had.

Wow, that is probably the best way to explain it to other Titan owners who cry about what is wrong with their truck or think is wrong. They all are going to be imperfect and have problems and problems have solutions so, they should get them fixed but need to voice their concerns and do so HERE. If it ain't broke, don't fix it comes to mind...but that's why we have this site, to figure out if it's broke.

Go ahead and flame me, i'm a big boy and can take it.

Somebody's wearing their big boy pants today. Good...
Do you just sit at home on Saturday nights watching Cops and beating 0ff to it? :flamed: Nah, I'm just kidding. :jester: I have a friend that just went into the academy here and starts on the force full time in March. Keep the peace...

 

.....Do you just sit at home on Saturday nights watching Cops and beating 0ff to it? :flamed: Nah, I'm just kidding. :jester: ....

:jester: :jester: :jester: :jester: :jester: That was funny at least I got a good laugh out of it.

:cheers: ICE

 

This is exactly the question I posted on another oil thread here. I was told that these motors (newer Vettes, specifically) are engineered to use full synthetic. Maybe comes down to metal alloy types, etc. True?? I don't know.

The LS1 engine has been in vehicles other than the Vette and they received dino oil from the factory. I dont buy the "made specifically for sythetics" theory, or all LS1's would have come with synthetics from the factory. It wasnt until 2002 (5 years after the first LS1 F-body) that they started coming with synthetics from the factory. The Endurance engine is pretty very similar to the LS1 in the materials used; all alum engine/heads, molydebnum coated pistons, etc.

Guys, it is just oil. Change it out as often as you like, it is your truck and your $$$.

Like others, I always do my first oil change at 1000 miles with synthetics and every 5K miles after that. What is the big deal?