It's possible Penzoil is phasing out Ultra. It's also possible that Penzoil is micromanaging regional distribution based on sales metrics, coupled with reduced production. Whatever, man. Use Platinum, and call it a day.

I'm curious why Soundwavefd would put the effort into researching oil, but pass on filter research and assume the OEM filter was best.

 

I had trouble finding Pennzoil Ultra as well. My local small time Wal-Mart and also my local Advanced Auto Parts only had Platinum (Which would have been fine), but I was able to track down some Ultra at my nearest huge super center Wal-Mart when I was visiting my sister 20 minutes away. I was able to pick up a 5qt jug and a 1 qt bottle for the extra 1/8 and topping off.

Rochester, I do not assume the OEM filter is best at all. I have seen the thread where it was cut open exposing no metal innards, just cardboard. I am not too worried because I also own a Subaru and Mazda and both Subaru USA and Mazda USA in the past few years have phased out the good Toki Roki black (Made in Japan) filters (With metal innards) and have gone to Honeywell (Fram) manufactured filters with the cardboard innards.

I must admit I was timid after seeing similar "Filter cutting" threads on NASIOC so I stocked up on the Roki's for both cars, but they have run out (At least for my Subaru) and I have done a few changes with the new Honeywell filters and have not experienced any problems as of yet.

Plus with the OEM's you do not have to worry about finding (And trusting) correct bypass valve pressures and anti-drainback valve issues.

What OCI's are you guys using with the Platinum and Ultra (In terms of mileage AND timeframe)? Would 3750-7500 be a good point to go with? I have a lightly driven 2011 G37X Sedan and might have to go with timeframe rather than mileage. Also assuming OEM Nissan filters which I know are not extended drain filters by any means.

 

I think the only right answer to that question would be to go through a few oil changes while having the oil analyzed. Certainly there's a whole community of like-minded people who go through the analysis effort, and I don't fault them that hobby. It's kind of interesting, actually, being that thorough.

Baring that, the only other measure is to establish a personal opinion based on research and interpreted consensus. Blah blah blah...

That said, I just double the typical 3K mile oil change, and change my synthetic at 6K miles. Granted, I've only gone one 6K interval so far, but I'm pretty comfortable with that. Unless or until something changes my mind, which could happen, too.

 

Rochester, thank you for the advice! I will try some intervals myself and see how it goes.

Also I totally agree with you that the OEM filters are not too hot. It is sad to see Nissan, Mazda, Subaru, Honda, etc. moving away from "Made in Japan" filters with metal innards to lower quality alternatives.

I have a few OEMs left and might have to move to Purolator, Bosch, etc. for better quality after they run out. But, then again my Mom is the G37x owner and the car does not see many miles or crazy driving so I bet the OEMs are OK/safe for general usage.

Thanks,
Drew

 

The correct answer is it depends on your driving style and a UOI is the scientific way to tell.

However, ive been running every 6 months or 7500 miles since I bought the car. The first 20,000 mile, I ran redline to help with engine break in. My UOA's are in this thread. Redline was fantastic and performed great, no knocking, no problems at all. Its pricey, but the UOAs show it doesnt break down.

Once the engine was broken in, Ive run Pennzoil Ultra again every 6 months or 7500 miles, whichever came first.

I follow schedule 2 maintenance as most of my driving is highway. In addition, even if was in stop and go traffic, with redline or ultra, I still would use every 6 months or 7500 miles as I dont believe either would break down that soon.

Once my warranty expires, I will probably run a longer OCI as my most recent UOA's showed I could get 10k miles based on the oil's specs at 7500 miles. However, I would only recommend this to people who have a UOA and are using a good oil to back that assumption.

 

What is the SUS Viscosity @ 210 degrees on Ultra after 7,500 miles? Mobil 1 5-30 EP has been at or below the recommended value in my (6) oil changes at 6,000 miles each. I am going to try the Ultra the next oil change.

 

Thanks Philter 25! I need to do a UOA next time I change out the Pennzoil Ultra/OEM filter. This was the first change I did on the 2011 G37x (We bought it a few months back).

I might go 4k/5k miles this time to be safe and run a UOA, although as you said the PU should be able to last 7.5k/10k miles! It seems to be the general consensus that PU/PP is a good oil for this car with UOAs to back it up!

 

I did UOA's on Redline every oil change and posted them on the forums. I did 1 UOA on Ultra when I first started using it, but the oil change was done at 6 months and a lower mileage.

I think there are a few UOA's posted here for Ultra from other members with higher mileages.

https://www.myg37.com/forums/engine-...s-reports.html

BB posted an ultra UOA in this thread at 6,2XX miles with a viscosity of 56.7.
https://www.myg37.com/forums/engine-...oil-ultra.html

My viscosity on redline never dipped below 58 with approximately 5k intervals. The viscosity on Ultra was slightly lower than redline so if viscosity is your concern, redline is thicker.

 

Just for clarification, for my driving style and mileage, REDLINE showed it could run up to 10k miles. UOA's for Ultra are showing ~ 7,500 miles. Redline is a little thicker oil and showed. But again, thats based on driving styles. For highway driving, 10k miles is achievable with a good oil and a UOA to support that assumption. BUT when you are looking at 10k intervals, just because someone on the internet with a different driving style and different mileage is able to do it, doesnt mean everyone should.

Im sure my UOA's wouldnt be as favorable if I didnt do 95% highway driving.

For a different type of driving, the oil might not last as long. I would start with 4-5k intervals, have it tested based on your driving style, and go from there.

 

Gotcha. The car would actually hit 6 months before even 5k miles, so I will likely do a UOA at that time. Even with mainly type 1 stop and go driving I would think the PU oil should be able to hold to the 6month mark?

 

Yup. Should be in good shape.

Plus, if the car is under warranty, you wouldnt want to go longer than 6 months in between oil changes (schedule 2 maintenance) in the event you needed a warranty claim, so even if the UOA shows it could go 7500 miles, you might be constricted by the 6 month interval.

 

We bought this 2011 G37x pre-owned from an Infiniti dealer a few months back. It does have some of its original warranty left. Where can I find info on what I have to do to maintain the warranty? (Stuff like what I need to keep in terms of receipts for oil and filters, etc?).

Hopefully the record keeping warranty requirements start fresh with us because we have no maintenance paperwork from the original owners.

 

You should have a 4 year 48,000 mile warranty. I would suggest you read the maintenance manual.

For me, when i'm under warranty, I follow at a minimum the minimum maintenance requirements for the car and keep all my receipts. Therefore, if there is ever a significant issue (like engine replacement), I have all my receipts showing that I followed their maintenance requirements to defend having the engine replaced under warranty.

Personally, I think the premium maintenance is way overkill, so based on your driving habits, I would follow schedule 1 or at a minimum schedule 2.

 

This thread hasn't been bumped in a while, and needs a little more funny.

 

LMFAO, just ran across this thread. That is truly hilarious rochester. Good one.