Due for my first oil change...any tips!!!

902 Views 14 Replies 11 Participants Last post by looking, Dec 12, 2007

looking

Discussion Starter · Dec 10, 2007

Well my warning light came on for my first oil change. Any tips when changing the oil? Easiest access? I have a new 08 pro4x.

Also what do you guy's think is proper breakin milage before switching to full synthetic? How many quarts will I need. I am pretty much a mobil1 oil guy; who else is using this? Anything better in your opinion. An does anyone know the mobil1 oil filter number.

Thanks
Frank

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Blackbeauty

· #2 · Dec 10, 2007

Easiest access? I recommend draining the oil from underneath the truck....

Seriously, if you have the front skid plate, there's a panel with 4 allenhead screws that you remove to get to the oil filter.

The oil is easy. The pan and drain plug are obvious.

I switched to Mobil1 around 20,000 miles since the dealer was changing it free before that. Some change at 3000, some 10,000. Just depends on who you trust, who you believe, and what you're comfortable with. I will not attempt to decide the fate of your vehicle as I would not hold anyone else responsible for my maintenance decisions.

As far as better oils? Well I think that Mobil1 and Royal Purple are the most popular around these parts. There are countless extensive threads on here if you do a search where members discuss the tests they've had done on their used oil samples and why they think "Brand X" is the best. Maybe you should check some of them out and see if anything strikes you.

Good luck and keep on wrenching! :thumbsup:

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chunko

· #3 · Dec 10, 2007

looking said:
Well my warning light came on for my first oil change. Any tips when changing the oil? Easiest access? I have a new 08 pro4x.

Also what do you guy's think is proper breakin milage before switching to full synthetic? How many quarts will I need. I am pretty much a mobil1 oil guy; who else is using this? Anything better in your opinion. An does anyone know the mobil1 oil filter number.

Thanks
Frank

I like mobil 1 too. go with 5w30. Make sure you have a filter wrench that will work with the oil filter...it's tiny.

Also...King Kong was putting on the oil filters back in '05...so prepare yourself for a fight getting that SOB off.

Other than that...it's an easy change. If you have an offroad pkg...you may need to do something with the skid plate...but I don't...so look elsewhere for advice on that.

-AD

chunko

· #4 · Dec 10, 2007

Blackbeauty said:
Easiest access? I recommend draining the oil from underneath the truck....

Seriously, if you have the front skid plate, there's a panel with 4 allenhead screws that you remove to get to the oil filter.

The oil is easy. The pan and drain plug are obvious.

I switched to Mobil1 around 20,000 miles since the dealer was changing it free before that. Some change at 3000, some 10,000. Just depends on who you trust, who you believe, and what you're comfortable with. I will not attempt to decide the fate of your vehicle as I would not hold anyone else responsible for my maintenance decisions.

As far as better oils? Well I think that Mobil1 and Royal Purple are the most popular around these parts. There are countless extensive threads on here if you do a search where members discuss the tests they've had done on their used oil samples and why they think "Brand X" is the best. Maybe you should check some of them out and see if anything strikes you.

Good luck and keep on wrenching! :thumbsup:

beat me to it... #$%@@.

-AD

Riverratt

· #5 · Dec 10, 2007

I plan to change to Mobil 1 at 18 to 20K miles.

looking

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 10, 2007

Thanks fellas. I just spoke with local service dealer. They said it would be easier ti drop the skid plate..Thank god for impact wrench. He also said most breakin happens in first 3500 miles so should be good th switch to synthetic.

Anyone know the filter number for mobil1. I have had autozone loosers give me the wrong number for my old ford.

Thanks
Frank

DRTYAZN

· #7 · Dec 10, 2007

looking said:
Thanks fellas. I just spoke with local service dealer. They said it would be easier ti drop the skid plate..Thank god for impact wrench. He also said most breakin happens in first 3500 miles so should be good th switch to synthetic.

Anyone know the filter number for mobil1. I have had autozone loosers give me the wrong number for my old ford.

Thanks
Frank

make sure you tell them to be cautious about dropping the skid plate... those bolts aren't meant to be torqued out and back in often, so if they end up snapping one or stripping threads, it's gonna suck... not to say that your service guys aren't careful, but the oil filter access panel on the skid plate and drip ramp below the filter works just fine... my own preference is to not mess with the skid plate at all... easier to spray and clean up stray oil drips on the skid plate then to have to drill and re-tap new mounting bolts for a skid plate...

Walrus

· #8 · Dec 10, 2007

I think the first oil change is free if you take it to a Nissan dealer.

looking

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 10, 2007

I think the first is free too, but the dealer I bought it from is 100 miles away and not worth the savings.

Rhino404

· #10 · Dec 10, 2007

I say just remove the oil filter access plate and skip dropping the entire skid plate. It's a bit tough to gain the neccassary leverage (through the access plate) to twist the filter off by hand, but a filter wrench or a screwdriver stuck through the filter should work fine.

BTW - I have a Pro-4X, and it took almost 7 quarts...

sudden urge

· #11 · Dec 10, 2007

Oil change indicator light? Is that someting new, or am I missing something?

guls

· #12 · Dec 10, 2007

Not all dealers have free oil change, only few. One where I live won't do it.

BayStateSuks

· #13 · Dec 10, 2007

sudden urge said:
Oil change indicator light? Is that someting new, or am I missing something?

On the new information center, you can set a reminder to change the oil at specified mileage intervals.

I put in synthetic at 3k - Royal Amsoil or Ampurple - see my website.

Krodad

· #14 · Dec 11, 2007

Like blackbeauty, I won't try to tell you what oil is best, but by most accounts, Mobil 1, Royal Purple, and Pennzoil Platinum all seem to show VERY good used oil analyses on our engines.

I, for one, like to switch to 0w40 mobil 1 this time of year, but I'm in Iowa where it gets cold. Otherwise, 5w40 in the others is great.

Of course, I'm speaking only of synthetic. I have no opinions on dino oil as I use it in nothing with a spark plug.

Mobil 1 filters are great, but I have found that the KN filters with the formed nut on the end make installation and removal much easier given the placement and restricted range of motion that the filter allows for tools.

5k changes with a good synthetic has worked well for me, but what you do is up to what you feel comfortable with. (3k seems a little soon for synthetic, however)

looking

Discussion Starter · #15 · Dec 12, 2007

Well after taking my time on the oil change last night I figure this was the easiest oil change I have done in a while. Everything was very accessable. The oil filter is just right there when you remove the skidplate cover. The hex bolts were pretty snug for the skidplate cover, and the oil filter was on there pretty good. All in all it was way easier than my old ford were you could barely get you hand in there to turn the oil filter and much easier than my wifes Xterra that

On a side note I found out last night that the Titan takes the same oil filter as the Xterra. Which is pretty convenient considering my wife drives an 05 Xterra.

Thanks
Frank

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