That's interesting. My dealer recommended I change the oil at 1500km for the reasons mentioned above and indicated that that oil change was complimentary. I believe that also was the case with my G35.

 

Mobil 1 0W/40 since my first oil change. Purrs like a kitten and great for consistantly hot climates.

 

What is everyone paying for an oil change at the dealership? I know some of you have a maintenance package, but what's the typical charge for regular (non-synthetic) oil?

Is the dealership the only place where you can get an oil filter right now since the car/engine is so new, or does it use the same filter as a G35?

I'm struggling with all the conflicting advice here. I've always gotten my first oil changes at around 2,500 miles and gone with Mobil 1 exclusively over the past 15 years.

Is the VQ engine really that unique that is requires regular oil until 20K miles for proper break-in? I'm sure there are enough urban legends out there, and the thing to do is just follow the owners' manual conservatively. Still, there are a bunch of passionate enthusiasts on this forum, and I value your advice/opinions.

 

Very interesting. I just checked with a friend at Valvoline. I asked if I should use 5W-30 or 5W-40 full synthetic in this engine, knowing I live in Phoenix, AZ. He said that even tho I live in Phoenix and my car will be a daily driver, his discussions with Nissan engineers indicates various internal clearances and journals are not sized for 40 weight oil and I should stick with the recommended 5W-30.

 

I tried to answer earlier, but a power failure wiped out my post before I could hit "submit".

Anyway, my oil company friends tell me to watch consumption. Check it on delivery, and then every week thereafter. If you want to be conservative, and have no consumption issues, change it between 2,000 and 3,000 miles. Change to conventional oil. Then, if you still have no consumption issues, change it again after 2,000 to 3,000 miles. But, this time change to semi-synthetic. If you still have no consumption issues, repeat between 4,000 and 6,000 miles with semi-synthetic. If you still have no comsumption issues, change again after 4,000 to 6,000 miles. But, now you can go to full synthetic.

This schedule is about twice as long as recommended for an known engine with no consumption issues. Because this is a new engine, who's predecessor had some consumption issues, the above is a conservative approach.

If you have consumption issues, go longer between changes, but not more than 3,000 miles, and stick with conventional for at least one more change and then semi-synthetic for one more change. If you are not using oil, then you can quicken your switch to full synthetic. If you are using oil, stay with conventional until your dealer can make sure your engine is okay and you do not have a warrantiable consumption issue.

 

An even better choice for those living in cooler climates is 0W-30.

It's interesting about the 40 weight and doesn't surprise me. More cars even recommend 5W-20 because the bearing tolerances are so close now and the thinner oil helps fuel economy.

 

Right, the first number impacts oil flow on start up, and the second after warm up. It is okay to go lower on either, but going to higher viscosity index on either could cause internal engine problems.