Oil Change - synthetic??
Created September 12, 2007, at 9:36 pm by jojo2007
I have the new altima hybrid. I love it. I took it for the first oil change at 3750 miles. The dealer told me that you can only use synthetic oil not the regular oil. Does anyone know if this is true? It is about $80 every change which is very expensive. I called a different dealer and they told me the regular oil if fine. One other question is if they used synthetic oil, can I switch back to regular oil? I called Nissan corporate and they never called me back.
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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.
If it calls for 0W-20 then its only available as a synthetic. Why? Because of the naturally higher viscosity index of synthetic oil. Oils thin when heated and thicken when chilled. The less the oil's viscosity changes with changing temperature, the higher its viscosity index. The 0W designation denotes cold weather pumpability while the 20 is the viscosity at operating temp.
If the owner's manual says you can use 5W-20 or 5W-30, go ahead, but they will not give the best fuel economy and engine protection as say Amsoil ASM 0W-20 which also allows for extended oil drain intervals.
Mike www.number1synthetic.com
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.
I talkled with my service manager. I found I can get the 0W20 mobile 1 at walmarts for about $6/qt, the dealer charged $10/qt. I asked if I could provide the oil and the service manager said that was fine so I've been getting my mobile 1 at walmart and saving about $4/qt (or $20/change).
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