Oil Change - synthetic??

0W-20 is the main recommendation and I believe that it's only avaiable as a synthethic.

This is from Nissan Tech Bulletin NTB07-007c which was released on August 27th:

Engine Oil for the Altima Hybrid

• SAE 0W-20 is recommended.

• SAE 5W-20 OR 5W-30 engine oil may also be used. However, SAE 0W-20 is the best choice for optimum fuel economy and optimum starting in cold weather.

5W-20 and 5W-30 are available as non synthetic and the bulletin makes no distinction between synthetic and non-synthetic so I would think either could be used.

Personally, I'll stick with the 0W-20.

I just had my 2007 AH serviced (20K miles on it) at a different dealer than where I had purchased it because they had an internet oil/filter special ($44.95 for 3 oil changes, 27 point inspection and car wash). When at the dealership, the service manager said that the special will cost more for hybrids because the factory speciifies synthetic oil. The price then went to $124.95 (for 3 oil/filter changes). Without the special each oil/filter change was $80.00 (seems to be the going rate). I asked the service manager why synthetic and he said because of the high operating temps and the continuous on and off of the ICE. $80 bucks = no way but $41.65/change, I can live with. He also recommended to stay with a 3750 mileage frequency - I don't think so!!!
I don't know what the previous dealer was using as my oil/filter changes had been free up to 20K mileage.
i also looked in my owners manual and did not see any reference specifying synthetic oil. Based on the owners manual, nonsynthetic should be ok.
What have others experienced.

We have a 2010 Camry Hybrid and were on regular oil, until the Toyota technician told us that we could either stay on regular oil to be changed every 5000 miiles or move to synthetic oil to be changed every 10000 miles. Apparently the 2010 model is the first model year where the official Toyota oil change recommendation is increased to 10000 mile for synthetic oil.

The cost / mile (in our case) are actually lower.
We received a $ 25 oil change coupon from Toyota. That did include labor and parts, but no oil. Without using the coupon, the original oil change for regular oil would have costed about $ 40 including the oil and tax .
We actually paid $ 33.47 (after coupon and tax) using syntheric oil. Without the coupon the costs would have been $ 58.50 or less than twice the price for double the miles / oil change.

So, while the synthetic oil is about double the price of regular oil, costs for filter, gasget and labor stay the same, the doubling of miles between oil chsanges makes the synthetic oil lower in cost/mile.

Synthetic oil is much better since it is a spectrum of synthetic esters designed to each have the best lubricating properties and the desired viscosity profile. This spectrum of different esters is put together such that the mixture has much better lubricating properties than natural oil over the engine temperature range. Consequently, the engine will have both less wear and a slightly better energy efficiency.
In addition, you only have to go to the garage for an oil change half the time. which is both less hasle and costs less time (= money).

Hence, if Nissan "allows" a 10,000 mile oil change for synthetic oil, it is a no brainer: Go for the synthetic oil.
If not, and they force you to go for the 5,000 mile oil change or otherwise lose your warrantee, the $18.50 difference is still small enough that I would go for the synthetic oil anyhow.

Still to find out whether the theoretical lower friction due to the synthetic oil results in a measurable (I mean for us significant) improvement in gas mileage or that it all falls within the margin of error.

Vince

I bought my NAH 2010 from a dealer in Portland and they gave me the first free oil change but they used 5W-30 oil. I asked them about the 0w-20 but they said it was recommended, not required.

Thanks in advance for your cooperation with the above conditions. I hope you find it useful.It helped me with ocean of knowledge so I really believe you will do much better in the future I appreciate everything you have added to my knowledge base .Synthetic by design is less prone to breakdown, and does not need the quantity of additives necessary to make dino juice an "effective" oil. Synthetic is much less prone to coking, and less prone to varnish than conventional oil.
Regards,
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