[HudsonValleyTitan]

I haven't yet made it to 1000 miles yet but figured I'd get some opinions. I usually do the change over to Mobil 1 5W/30 at the 1k mile mark. Should I wait until 3k and then change it to synthetic? Should I change it at 1k using conventional oil and wait until 3k miles or so to go over to synthetic?
I'm wondering if maybe I should let it break in more before the change since you won't be doing much break in after the change. Opinions ?

 

[Justintoxicated]

I think you would be ok switching to synthetic at 1k, but 3k is fine too. I doubt it take that many miles for the rings to seat.

 

[Blavis]

Stick with what works for you. I did the same...Synthetic switch at 1K.

 

[Arachnid]

The service advisor when I purchased my Titan recommended waiting until 10k miles before switching to synthetic. His opinion was that the engine needed time to break in properly. Not sure if he had any real facts to back up his opinion, but they do offer synthetic oil changes so he must feel strongly about it.

 

[bbomar]

Hudson, I would use Mobil1 0-40. I think you will like the results.
Comes recommended by several people on here.

 

[HudsonValleyTitan]

Hudson, I would use Mobil1 0-40. I think you will like the results.
Comes recommended by several people on here.

Yes I've used that before. Problem is...it's not easy to find so I just went back to the 5W/30.

 

[AF-Medic]

The truck is 90% broke in by bench testing. You probably could switch at 1k, but most have waited till 5k to make the switch. I would change at 1k with a conventional to get rid of any break in residue. My thinking is the other 10 percent or so probably will occur up till 5k. The extra slipperiness if the synthetic might inhibit that and seal leaching could occur. I know the 350 x and Maxima guys don't recommend switching the 3.5 till 15k because of oil consumption due to seal leaching. I say wait till 5k HVT. I'm sure others will chime in. Plenty of folks on here have waited till 5k to make the switch.

If you wait till 5 k you might be able to get 20mpg lol.

 

[sudden urge]

Keep the factory dino in it for at least 3000, then replace with new dino. I would switch to 5-30 syn. at 10,000.

 

[Bama334]

Several manufactures put syn in straight from the factory. No break in needed.

From Mobil 1 website

Myth: You should break in your engine with conventional oil, then switch to a synthetic oil like Mobil 1
Reality: You can start using Mobil 1® in new vehicles at any time, even in brand new vehicles. In fact, Mobil 1 is original equipment (it is installed at the factory) in:
Mobil 1 is factory fill in:

Acura RDX

Aston Martin

All Bentley Vehicles

All Cadillac Vehicles

Chevrolet Corvette C6 and Z06

Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS

Chrysler 300C SRT-8

Cobalt SS S/C Coupe

Dodge Caliber SRT-4, Charger SRT-8, and Magnum SRT-8

Jeep Cherokee SRT-8

Mercedes-Benz AMG Vehicles

Mercedes SLR

Mitsubishi Evolution

Pontiac Solstice GXP

All Porsche Vehicles

Saturn Ion Red Line and Saturn Sky Red Line

Viper SRT-10

One of the myths surrounding synthetic oils is that new engines require a break-in period with conventional oil. The fact is, current engine manufacturing technology does not require this break-in period. As indicated by the decisions of the engineers who design the high-performance cars listed above, Mobil 1 can be used starting the day you drive the car off the showroom floor.

 

[bbomar]

Yes I've used that before. Problem is...it's not easy to find so I just went back to the 5W/30.

Really? I found it at Walmart!!

 

[GoFast33]

Hey HVT, did they give you the first oil change for free (in addition to your free hat)? I got the free oil change, but not the hat. Wonder if I can get them use Mobil 1 (at add'l cost, prolly)? This may be a newbie question but what exactly are the benefits of using synthetic? Longer engine life, longer interval between oil changes (how long?), better performance, better fuel mileage? Inquiring minds (and stupid people like me) want to know!

 

[HudsonValleyTitan]

Several manufactures put syn in straight from the factory. No break in needed.

From Mobil 1 website

Myth: You should break in your engine with conventional oil, then switch to a synthetic oil like Mobil 1
Reality: You can start using Mobil 1® in new vehicles at any time, even in brand new vehicles. In fact, Mobil 1 is original equipment (it is installed at the factory) in:
Mobil 1 is factory fill in:

Acura RDX

Aston Martin

All Bentley Vehicles

All Cadillac Vehicles

Chevrolet Corvette C6 and Z06

Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS

Chrysler 300C SRT-8

Cobalt SS S/C Coupe

Dodge Caliber SRT-4, Charger SRT-8, and Magnum SRT-8

Jeep Cherokee SRT-8

Mercedes-Benz AMG Vehicles

Mercedes SLR

Mitsubishi Evolution

Pontiac Solstice GXP

All Porsche Vehicles

Saturn Ion Red Line and Saturn Sky Red Line

Viper SRT-10

One of the myths surrounding synthetic oils is that new engines require a break-in period with conventional oil. The fact is, current engine manufacturing technology does not require this break-in period. As indicated by the decisions of the engineers who design the high-performance cars listed above, Mobil 1 can be used starting the day you drive the car off the showroom floor.

I'm no expert by any means but all thats contrary to everything I've ever read. And I'm not sure, being that that came from the Mobil company, that I believe them. I was always told that dino oil is needed to properly seat and break certain parts in. What I think they're not telling you about those cars sold with synthetics from the factory is that unlike regular bench testing, they're bench broken in first. If anyone knows for sure that's wrong, please show us.

As for finding the 0-40 Mobil1 one, I'm never about to find anything at out superWalmart other than the 5W/30 or 10W/30. I'll kep my eyes open but I think I'm leaning toward a dino chnage at 1k and a swap to synthetic at about 5k.

 

[Clancy]

I worked in aviation (light a/c) 15 years ago (so I admit this is dated knowledge on primitive engines). However, when we replaced any moving parts or jugs (cylinders) we had to run the engine on dino juice for the first 50 hours (regular oil -areoshell- was still only a blend, not fully syn). We did oil analysis every 50hrs too - you could predict engine issues with the analysis results. There was always a lot of chromium (??) in the break-in samples from simple ring and cylinder wear.

So anyway - yes these engines are tighter, better engineered and probably better materials, but I would still expect a fair amount of break-in. I'd say that the first 1000k mile change makes sense (lot's of crap in that oil), then 2 or 3 dino intervals before going syn...

YMMV

 

[SemperFiTitan]

Hey HVT, did they give you the first oil change for free (in addition to your free hat)? I got the free oil change, but not the hat. Wonder if I can get them use Mobil 1 (at add'l cost, prolly)? This may be a newbie question but what exactly are the benefits of using synthetic? Longer engine life, longer interval between oil changes (how long?), better performance, better fuel mileage? Inquiring minds (and stupid people like me) want to know!

My dealer gives free oil changes for the life of vehicle ownership. They dont use synthetic, however. They use regular Mobile 5-30. However, if I want the synthetic, I can buy it wherever I want, bring it in to them, and they will provide the Nissan filter and put the synthetic oil in for free.

In other words, its a free oil change for life, except for synthetic oil if I choose to go that route.

 

[Clancy]

My dealer gives free oil changes for the life of vehicle ownership. They dont use synthetic, however. They use regular Mobile 5-30. However, if I want the synthetic, I can buy it wherever I want, bring it in to them, and they will provide the Nissan filter and put the synthetic oil in for free.

In other words, its a free oil change for life, except for synthetic oil if I choose to go that route.

Me too - that's why I'm still on dino juice...

 

[SemperFiTitan]

I'm no expert by any means but all thats contrary to everything I've ever read. And I'm not sure, being that that came from the Mobil company, that I believe them. I was always told that dino oil is needed to properly seat and break certain parts in. What I think they're not telling you about those cars sold with synthetics from the factory is that unlike regular bench testing, they're bench broken in first. If anyone knows for sure that's wrong, please show us.

As for finding the 0-40 Mobil1 one, I'm never about to find anything at out superWalmart other than the 5W/30 or 10W/30. I'll kep my eyes open but I think I'm leaning toward a dino chnage at 1k and a swap to synthetic at about 5k.

An engine will break in with synthetic or regular oil. Most people think that synthetic oil is not crude based. This is not true. Even synthetic oil is formulated from crude base stock. Its the refinement process and the additives/detergents that make it a "synthetic oil".

You will have no detriments by switching to synthetic oil from the day you bring your newborn home.

Hell, if your really not a believer....use a synthetic blend for a while. Blends claim part "crude base" / part "synthetic", when in reality, it is the same as any other oil, but has less of the additives and detergents than a full synthetic. This makes it cheaper to make and therefore the manufacturers are able to appeal to a larger customer base that dont find a fully synthetic oil cost effective for them. :grimrippe

 

[Geezus_Aach]

fwiw, MOST, if not all nissan dealerships in my area (wash dc area) use a synthetic blend. just ask them!

i recommend you stick to what the dealer uses for the first few oil changes, then switch to mobil1 full synthetic 5w- or 0w.

just my 2 cent.

 

[HudsonValleyTitan]

My dealer gives free oil changes for the life of vehicle ownership. They dont use synthetic, however. They use regular Mobile 5-30. However, if I want the synthetic, I can buy it wherever I want, bring it in to them, and they will provide the Nissan filter and put the synthetic oil in for free.

In other words, its a free oil change for life, except for synthetic oil if I choose to go that route.

My dealer only offers the first oil change for free but a lifetime powertrain warranty if the work is done there. They also offer a mobil 1 synthetic oil change.

 

[AF-Medic]

I know Amsoil recommends you wait until the first scheduled manufactures change before you make the switch.

 

[guls]

When I asked the stealership about this during my 1st oil change at 1700 miles, they looked at me like I was crazy and told me that I should save my money and changeover around 20k miles. Because this will help the valves and stuff sit perfectly.