The Nissan Path

From looking at the above 2006 owners manual I see that until 06 Nissan was asking for API Service SL 5W30 weight motor oil for the PF, but further goes on to say that "SAE 10W30 or SAE 10W40 viscosity oils may used if the ambient temperature is above 0°F". In the 2007 manual no grade other than API Service SM 5W30 is mentioned, however it does say that "Choosing an oil viscosity other than that recommended could cause serious engine damage", which would tend to scare any 07 owners or later from using a heavier 10W40 or a lighter than 30W oil, although the attached chart doesn't appear to give any suggestions much below about -30C. The 07 manual also recommends an 'Energy Conserving' oil which for the API SM designation 5W30 is an oil with a HTHS viscosity of between 2.9 and 3.5 ie: a lightweight 5W30.

I'm wondering if it the 'Engine Oil and Filters Recommendations' section reads any differently in the 2008 owners manual, for either the V6 or V8.

The reason I'm looking at engine oils is I was wondering if any posters here have considered or are already running some of the modern API SM 0W20 or 5W20 low friction engine oils in their PF's for light non-towing duty, low RPM driving, etc to improve fuel economy. I was surprised to read somewhere that the Toyota Tundra 5.7L engine is spec'ed for 20W oils, and that the difference between running an XW20 and an XW30 weight can be 3-5 mpg's difference if someone puts the wrong 30W weight in the Tundra by mistake.

Here's a bit of reading on some aspects of SL and SM oils;

http://www.aa1car.com/library/api_motor ... ations.htm

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5W30 is the only weight I've seen mentioned in the '08 owner's manual or '08 FSM for the V6 or V8.

08Datsun wrote:5W30 is the only weight I've seen mentioned in the '08 owner's manual or '08 FSM for the V6 or V8.

Thanks 08Datsun, I guess the 08 manual is still showing 'Energy Conserving' in the API circle at the bottom, ie: low HTHS visc 30W's and not the Euro type +3.5 HTHS oils.

If someone was to use a non-recommended 0W20 weight oil according to their light driving style, area temperature range, etc, for example something similar to the following Amsoil link they should probably spend a few bucks on oil wear metals analysis for the first while to make sure the engine was likeing that oil in my opinion.

http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/asm.aspx

Somewhere I've read that the new API Service SN / Ilsac GF-5 rated oils will be coming out in a few months, that those oil specs will be retroactive for these trucks and that the new specs will be of an even lower weight and more friction efficient lubricants. Think introduction of XW10 weight motor oils as are already being sold in Europe.

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Here's an interesting thread from a fellow running API SM straight 20W oil in a vehicle spec'ed for 10W30, so maybe it depends on which brand of XW20 is run in a vehicle as to results;

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ub ... ost1174209

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