I thought this would be useful info. My buddy has a 04 Maxima and he send me this over from Maxima.org. Im not sure if this has been posted here yet, I did a search with no result.


Recommended oils and Filters


Dino and "Blend" oils:

Castrol GTX 5W/30
Mobil 1 Drive Clean 5W/30
Mobil 1 Drive Clean Plus 5W/30
Pennzoil PureBase 5W/30
ULX-110 5W/30

Drain Interval: Up to 5k

Synthetic oil:

Amsoil TSO Series 2000 0W/30 Synthetic
Mobil 1 SuperSyn 5W/30
Amsoil ASF 5W/30 Synthetic
Redline 5W/30

Drain interval: Up to 10k with oil filter change halfway through chosen interval (i.e. 8k drain interval -> 4k oil filter change)

NOTE: For hot climates (i.e. south), 10W/30 can be substituted and in colder climates (i.e. north), 0W/30 can be substituted.

Oils to stay away from IF going over 3,000 mile intervals:

Any Valvoline Oil (consistent sub-par analysis results, all tend to shear down real quickly; additive packages are inferior to other brands)
Castrol Syntec Blend Castrol Syntec Full Synthetic Oil [NOT GTX] (consistent so-so to sup-part analyses results and shady marketing practices)
Royal Purple Oil (too expensive considering there are other better synthetic oil choices)


NOTE: These oils will protect fine up to 3,000 miles, they just don't represent a good value based upon their additive package and/or their oil analysis reports for Maxima-specific engines. It does not mean they "suck".

Recommended Oil Filters for VQ engines, ranked in order of preference based upon my own observations:

Mobil 1 M1-105 (fits VQ35DE only)
Nissan OEM 15208-9E000 ONLY (for all VQ30DE and VQ35DE engines)
Mobil 1 M1-110 (fits both VQ engines, but bypass valve isn't as good as M1-105 filter)
Amsoil SDF-20 (fits both VQ engines)

Oil Filters to avoid:

Nissan OEM 15208-65F00 (specified for VQ35DE by Nissan dealer; refuse to purchase this filter as it has cardboard endcaps like low quality Fram filters; insist on the dealer using the 15208-9E000 oil filter as it has a better overall construction quality)
STP S6941 (Production change in mid-2003 to Mexico has created inferior quality; Some fitment issues on VQ35DE engines, so only VQ30DE engines should use this one)
Bosch 3323 (Production change in mid-2003 to Mexico has created inferior quality; for all VQ30DE and VQ35DE engines)
Any SuperTech filter (Due to production change in mid-2003 to Mexico that has resulted in inferior quality)
Any filter made by Fram (consistently poor construction quality)
Amsoil SDF-13 (pricier than SDF-20 and smaller)
Mobil 1 M1-108 (pricier than M1-110 and smaller)

 

"Royal Purple Oil (too expensive considering there are other better synthetic oil choices)"

I would have to disagree with your buddy on this. The only oil I feel is even in the same ball park is the amsoil. And the price is about the same depending on where you buy it.

 

what does your buddy reccomend for manual transmission oil?

 

For easy of purchase and widespread availbilty, you cant beat Mobil 1 synth. I use 5-30 in my engine, and 75-90 synth in my tranny and differential. Safe, easy, and very effective. Why overcomplicate it? )

 

i agree. royal purple oil is pretty well priced. u can get a case, 12 quarts, for 55 dollars. you do the math. i think last time i checked, shipping was free also.

 

What id like to know is where can we get the Mobil 1 M1-105/110 oil filters for cheaper then 11.95 at Autozone? Id buy a case if i had to.

 

gq_626 - did you put GL-4 in your tranny? i used 75-90 mobil 1 in my rear diff (gl-5).

i thought it only came in gl-5

 

have you guys tried Torco or Neo ?