| lawbroker |
A while back I read a post about taking a new Murano on a long trip . . . and that this would eat oil like crazy.
I have a month old MO with 400 miles on it and in two weeks will be driving it 2000 miles in 2 1/2 days from Atlanta to Phoenix.
What's the deal with this? Thanks! |
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| Gonzo |
I never had an issue with my MO eating oil during the break in. I wouldn't worry about it. Just check it while filling up with gas and **IF** you need some pick up a quart at the station.
Enjoy the drive! |
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| jpalm |
I don't have a Murano (yet), but I do know about oil consumption because my current Nissan consumes oil (02' SE-R Spec V).
You can really only lose oil 2 ways:
1. Leak
2. Comsumption (burning it or with blow-by)
My car is know to have crappy rings on the piston and is known not to seat correctly during the break-in period. Thus I have to ad about a quart of oil every 2-3 weeks depending on my driving conditions or "style". I don't worry about it too much, I'm just sure to check it regularly and make SURE it doesn't go dry (VERY BAD!)
I haven't read up alot on the Murano, but from what I have I woulnd'nt think it would burn any oil, etc. Haven't seen that sort of trend. That is a pretty bulletproof engine for Nissan as well. Just be sure to check it on your trip every few times you fill up at a gas station.
I also always run synthetics in my car (specifically Mobil 1 10w-30) with a Nissan filter and change religiously every 5K miles. I see you are in Atlanta. BJ's has a 6-pack of Mobil 1 synthetic for like around $23, best deal out there. |
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| MOpar |
| Also per manual, best not to hold steady speed. |
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| lawbroker |
I used synthetic oil in my Audi S4 . . . and liked it.
You can't mix real oil and synthetic oil, correct? |
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| GripperDon |
| Same engine in my G35 never burned a drop in 3 years of ownership. Just more nonsense. |
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| MOpar |
You can mix, but you should break in the engine first before using
syn. |
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| jpalm |
quote:
Originally posted by lawbroker
I used synthetic oil in my Audi S4 . . . and liked it.
You can't mix real oil and synthetic oil, correct?
Incorrect. Pretty much all modern day synthetics are compatible with conventional oil. Just double check the label.
I know Mobil 1 Synthetic is. |
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| jpalm |
quote:
Originally posted by MOpar
You can mix, but you should break in the engine first before using
syn.
Also not necessarily true. Lots of cars nowadays come straight from the factory filled with synthetics. |
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| MOpar |
Jpalm I think your agreeing with me on the mixxing part,but
read elsewhere in forum to break in first. |
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| jpalm |
quote:
Originally posted by MOpar
Jpalm I think your agreeing with me on the mixxing part,but
read elsewhere in forum to break in first.
I don't know if the Murano has a specific break-in procedure but generally a break-in would consist of just changing the oil (what came in the new car from factory) at 1K miles and refilling with your pick of the liter (syn or conventional).
...then again I've never had a "brand new" car. :p 8K miles is the lowest miles I've had on a car I purchased. |
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| lawbroker |
that brings up another question. I'll have approximately 500 miles on the car when I embark on my trip . . and 2500 miles on it 3 days later.
Would I be better off just waiting until after my trip to change the oil for the first time; or is there a reason to do it before the trip.
thanks for everyone's input! |
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| zebelkhan |
I had 3,750 miles on mine for the first oil change, as recommended by Nissan. IMO, go ahead and enjoy your trip and change oil after you get there. Just remember this important point:
Do not drive using your cruise control. Vary your speed and engine RPM every chance you get. It will help break the engine in the right way.
Have a safe trip! |
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| jpalm |
quote:
Originally posted by zebelkhan
I had 3,750 miles on mine for the first oil change, as recommended by Nissan. IMO, go ahead and enjoy your trip and change oil after you get there. Just remember this important point:
Do not drive using your cruise control. Vary your speed and engine RPM every chance you get. It will help break the engine in the right way.
Have a safe trip!
I would echo his statements. |
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| dklanecky1 |
quote:
Originally posted by zebelkhan
Just remember this important point:
Do not drive using your cruise control. Vary your speed and engine RPM every chance you get. It will help break the engine in the right way.
Have a safe trip!
I took mine on a 1500 mile road trip when it had only 900 miles on the odometer. Here's what I did to try and follow the break in instructions as close as possible.
Out on the highway and for the first couple of hundred miles (until I hit 1,100) I did vary both the engine speed (rpms from 1200-4000) and the vehicle speed (from 45-70 mph) by using the CVT's "gears" and the cruise control.
Then I pretty much set the cruise control at 78 and forgot about it for the next 1300 miles. I would occasionally (maybe once every half hour) let it drop down to 60 mph or so and then kick it in to Ds for a minute, then back to D and back up to 78mph.
I did change oil at 900 miles before we left on our trip, then again at 2,500 miles, then at 5,000, again at 7,500 and went to Mobile one at the 10,000 mile change.
Now I change both filter and Mobile One at every 5,000 miles which splits the service levels from Nissan and matches the 15-30-45-60k service intervals as well.
I'm up to 33,xxx miles and have no drive train issues of any kind. |
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| Eric L. |
quote:
Originally posted by lawbroker
I used synthetic oil in my Audi S4 . . . and liked it.
You can't mix real oil and synthetic oil, correct?
Every synthetic oil I've used (Mobil One, Valvoline, and Pennzoil) says they are "compatible with conventional oils" which I think means they can be mixed.
I waited until 5000 miles to switch to syn.
I also took a cross country trip in my Murano with about 1500 miles at the start of the trip. No problems with oil consumption. |
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| Michael-Dallas |
My track buddy ultimately traded-in his pre-order 350z in for a Subaru WRX STi because his engine consumed oil. Ironically enough, his STi is burning oil now.
And there are a few owners on my350z.com that have had their engines replaced under warranty for oil consumption. I drive the piss out of mine (it sees the track one weekend every month) and it does not burn one drop.
FWIW, I'm running M1 15W-50. If you want my advice, then bring a bottle or two of 10W-40 or 20W-50 if you plan on a long trip. I'd also bring along a gallon of distilled water.
Michael. |
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| jpalm |
quote:
Originally posted by Michael-Dallas
My track buddy ultimately traded-in his pre-order 350z in for a Subaru WRX STi because his engine consumed oil. Ironically enough, his STi is burning oil now.
And there are a few owners on my350z.com that have had their engines replaced under warranty for oil consumption. I drive the piss out of mine (it sees the track one weekend every month) and it does not burn one drop.
FWIW, I'm running M1 15W-50. If you want my advice, then bring a bottle or two of 10W-40 or 20W-50 if you plan on a long trip. I'd also bring along a gallon of distilled water.
Michael.
Ah, sweet I see you have a b13 as well. I have the b15 (02' SE-R Spec V). Mine burns oil:mad: but I'm over it, just check it and add as necessary. |
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| Kris |
I have never ever needed to add oil to any of my cars. Even when they had 200k on them. And Murano is no diffrent......
I change oil every 5k miles and do not see any oil consumption.... |
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| GripperDon |
| Exactly what I said in the 5th post of the thread. It's just not a problem. Enjoy the trip. :D |
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| Eric L. |
quote:
Originally posted by Michael-Dallas
My track buddy ultimately traded-in his pre-order 350z in for a Subaru WRX STi because his engine consumed oil. Ironically enough, his STi is burning oil now.
And there are a few owners on my350z.com that have had their engines replaced under warranty for oil consumption. I drive the piss out of mine (it sees the track one weekend every month) and it does not burn one drop.
FWIW, I'm running M1 15W-50. If you want my advice, then bring a bottle or two of 10W-40 or 20W-50 if you plan on a long trip. I'd also bring along a gallon of distilled water.
Michael.
The recommended grade of oil for the Murano is 5w30 or 10w30. If you need to use 15w50 to prevent oil consumption, then I think its a warranty issue. |
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| Michael-Dallas |
5W-30 is an energy conserving oil as indicated by the starburst label. And as such, it is a recommendation and not a requirement:
quote:
ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER
RECOMMENDATION
Selecting the correct oil
It is essential to choose the correct quality, and
viscosity oil to ensure satisfactory engine life and
performance. NISSAN recommends the use of a
low friction oil (energy conserving oil) in order to
improve fuel economy and conserve energy. Oils
which do not have the specified quality label
should not be used as they could cause engine
damage.
Only those engine oils with the American Petroleum
Institute (API) certification mark on the front
of the container should be used. This type of oil
supersedes the existing API SG, SH, or SJ and
Energy Conserving I & II categories.
If you cannot find engine oil with the API certification
mark, use an API grade SG/SH, Energy
Conserving I & II or API grade SJ or SL, Energy
conserving oil. An oil with a single designation
SG or SH, or in combination with other categories
(for example, SG/CC or SG/CD) may also
be used if one with the API certification mark
cannot be found. An ILSAC grade GF-I, GF-II or
GF-III oil can also be used.
NISSAN recommends mineral based oils. These
oils must however, meet the API quality and SAE
viscosity ratings specified for your vehicle.
Oil additives
NISSAN does not recommend the use of oil
additives. The use of an oil additive is not
necessary when the proper oil type is used and
maintenance intervals are followed.
Oil which may contain foreign matter or has
been previously used should not be used.
Oil viscosity
The engine oil viscosity or thickness changes
with temperature. Because of this, it is important
that the engine oil viscosity be selected based
on the temperatures at which the vehicle will be
operated before the next oil change. The recommended
SAE viscosity number chart shows the
recommended oil viscosities for the expected
ambient temperatures. Choosing an oil viscosity
other than that recommended could cause serious
engine damage.
Selecting the correct oil filter
Your new vehicle is equipped with a high-quality
genuine NISSAN oil filter. When replacing, use
the genuine oil filter or its equivalent for the
reason described in change intervals.
On the next page:
quote:
SAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred for all
ambient temperatures. SAE 10W-30,
10W-40 viscosity oil may be used if the
ambient temperature is above 0°F (−18°C).
15W-50 is ok for use year-round in TX as temps rarely get below 30 degrees in the winter time (if it wasn't, then it would be pulled from the shelves). The thickness coats and seals better, resists thermal breakdown better, and resists viscosity breakdown better. I lose about 1 mpg and a few horsepower using it, but I gain peace of mind that my engine won't develop rod knock or throw a rod one day at the track. (Mobil-1 advertises the 15W-50 flavor as their high performance viscosity and BMW requires M3 owners to use Castrol 10W-60, BTW)
My g/f has the Nissan maintenance plan for the MO so she'll use whatever oil the dealer uses, which is probably 5W-30.
jpalm, from what I have read on thevboard.com, quite a bit of speculation places the QR oil consumption issue on the location of the pre-cats. This appears to be a similar problem on the MR-2 Spyder as well. If your B15 is still under warranty, then I'd have the dealer replace the engine (after doing an oil consumption log, of course).
I thought about getting a B15 to replace my B13, but my B13 just keeps on ticking (I use Castrol GTX 10W-40 on it, BTW). :-)
Michael. |
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| jpalm |
quote:
Originally posted by Michael-Dallas
jpalm, from what I have read on thevboard.com, quite a bit of speculation places the QR oil consumption issue on the location of the pre-cats. This appears to be a similar problem on the MR-2 Spyder as well. If your B15 is still under warranty, then I'd have the dealer replace the engine (after doing an oil consumption log, of course).
Michael.
Well, there is speculation that it could be a few things:
1. Precat breakup
2. Bad rings not seating correctly
3. Injested butterfly screw(s) into engine (you would KNOW if this was it)
Nissan wouldn't touch my car or warrant anything at this point. I'm heavily modded (Intake, Header, Catback, Pulley, SAFC-II, Solid Motor Mounts, Nismo suspension, Nismo LTB, etc). They did warrant my blown head gasket after I gave got them to understand how an engine works. I do alot of AutoX and track days as well. At this point its not worth dealing with Nissan for a problem that may or may not be there and then haggle with them over my mods. Its out of warranty in 1500 miles anyway.
I suspect its my rings, my precat has been gone for over a year and when I did the recall for the precat it still looked fine (I still have it in my garage). Unless I tear the engine down, we'll never know for sure. I've had the car coming up on 3 years and I'll get rid of it in the next year or two anyway......thinking of a older M3! |
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| Michael-Dallas |
Thread hijack!
quote:
Originally posted by jpalm
I suspect its my rings, my precat has been gone for over a year and when I did the recall for the precat it still looked fine (I still have it in my garage). Unless I tear the engine down, we'll never know for sure.
I read that bit about Nissan sourcing "faulty" rings for the QA. If you suspect it's rings, then you oughta do a compression test on it. Lemme ask you this: during the break-in period, was the majority of your deceleration done by engine braking or coasting in neutral?
quote:
I've had the car coming up on 3 years and I'll get rid of it in the next year or two anyway......thinking of a older M3!
I know that feeling. I test drove an E46 M3 yesterday. And I'm a diehard Z guy, but damn, I've got that glitter in my eyes for an E46 now. However, from what I have read, slight oil consumption is normal operating procedure on M3's.
Michael. |
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