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Break in Oil Change, 10,000 Miles?

2874 Views 25 Replies 14 Participants Last post by  tmg1958
What is everyone doing for their first oil change?
The 2023 PF calls for oil changes every 10k miles and there is no break in oil change period.
Does anyone know if the factory fill is good until 10k?
I personally will be doing the first change at 5K miles and will continue 5K intervals due to engine sludge concerns with our engines (VQ35DD)

Given the R52 has cases of sludge on the exact same engine why would Nissan knowingly bump up the interval to 10k miles? There would be a ton of sludged R53s at the dealers for warranty.
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It’s going to be interesting to see if the pinched PCV tube is causing most of the problems.
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I never waited 10K miles for an oil change on any of my many vehicles I have owned. I plan on getting my first dealer service at 4-5k miles on my 23 SL, no longer than that..
I wouldn't run the factory oil that long, that's just me. Oil and filter cheap insurance
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My dealer told me to bring it in at 6k. I had asked about changing the oil after the 1200 mile break-in period, as some mechanics recommend, and was told absolutely not. He says Nissan uses a special oil from the factory and expects it to be there for the first 6k.

That said, I'm kind of doubting that, because why would the manual say 10k for the first oil change?
Will it self destruct? No, but always good to get the factory stuff out after awhile.
My dealer told me to bring it in at 6k. I had asked about changing the oil after the 1200 mile break-in period, as some mechanics recommend, and was told absolutely not. He says Nissan uses a special oil from the factory and expects it to be there for the first 6k.

That said, I'm kind of doubting that, because why would the manual say 10k for the first oil change?
They all say that.

The further you stretch it to 6K or beyond, the easier it is for them to sell you a new cabin air filter, engine air filter, etc.. etc. You can't blame them. An oil change alone is a money looser for them.
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Stick to 5K miles [or 4750] to avoid sludging the engine, and if you are a DIY'er Nissan filters can be had on Amazon for a very fair price. Use a new crush washer every time [also cheap] and torque the drain bolt to 25 ft-lbs.
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I alway do oil change at home by myself because I don't trust anyone else for this job.
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Fully right who change a oil +filter each 5k !!
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I’m doing mine every 5k (give or take a few hundred miles) even though the manual says 10k. I prefer to rotate the tires every 5k so may as well do the oil at the same time.

I had a 2013 Pathfinder and changed the oil about every 5k. The manual said 7500 for light duty or 3750 for heavy duty. Went 100,000 miles with no sludge issues.



22 SL Premium AWD
Build date 6/22
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I find 10k for a first oil change concerning. I did get a mtce plan just to keep life simple, and it seemed like a reasonable deal at the time. I didn't really click in that the intervals were so far apart, so I probably paid more that I should have (though I do like that I only paid once and won't be annoyed shelling out for oil changes every year).

My plan is to double the oil changes, and all the odd ones myself. This will keep the warranty in tact and give me peace of mind. Sound reasonable?

I was told that all my oil changes HAD to be done by any mechanic so I would have a receipt. Doing it myself, even with oil/washer/filter receipt, would be grounds for denying a warranty claim, as there is no proof it was actually done.

Next time I pop next door to the US I'll have to pick up some filters. Here is my local dealers price for four filters/washers compared to just across the border. Even when you factor in the exchange we get bent over up here.

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Can anyone confirm these are the right ones for a 2023? I'm just assuming they are as they fit the 2022, but when I select 2023 on the Nissan Parts site, nothing shows up. Same engine, but why has the oil changes gone from 5k to 10k considering the sludge problems?
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I was told that all my oil changes HAD to be done by any mechanic so I would have a receipt. Doing it myself, even with oil/washer/filter receipt, would be grounds for denying a warranty claim, as there is no proof it was actually done.
You can make up your own receipts from anywhere if you're shady enough, but any shop affiliated with CarFax will automatically upload your oil change record to the vehicle's CarFax report, so you should be covered that way.

I do my own and if still under warranty I upload a pic of the odometer and the oil and filter receipts to the Carfax app.

I've never really been concerned with this type of record keeping until I read of all the sludged up VQ35DD engines.
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I’m changing the oil every 5k in my 2022 regardless of what the maintenance schedule says.

I’ve not had any sludge problems with Nissan’s V6:

07 Altima 7 years 117k
13 Pathfinder 9 years 100k
14 Maxima still owned 104k

I’ve always at least followed the manufacturer service internals but obviously I haven’t put real high mileage on any of these.



22 SL Premium AWD
Build date 6/22
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I’m changing the oil every 5k in my 2022 regardless of what the maintenance schedule says.

I’ve not had any sludge problems with Nissan’s V6:

07 Altima 7 years 117k
13 Pathfinder 9 years 100k
14 Maxima still owned 104k

I’ve always at least followed the manufacturer service internals but obviously I haven’t put real high mileage on any of these.
22 SL Premium AWD
Build date 6/22
I agree, I’ll be doing mine every 5,000 miles as well. Just to be clear though, none of your previous Nissans had the EXACT same engine as your pathfinder…

You had (3) VQ35DE’s and you now have the VQ35DD which is more prone to the engine sludge issue. Nissan redesigned a bulletproof engine to be even more fuel efficient, with its DPI (Direct Port Injection). This comes at a cost. The fuel is not being sprayed onto the valves, which cleans them, causing build up of carbon and a list of other issues…
I agree, I’ll be doing mine every 5,000 miles as well. Just to be clear though, none of your previous Nissans had the EXACT same engine as your pathfinder…

You had (3) VQ35DE’s and you now have the VQ35DD which is more prone to the engine sludge issue. Nissan redesigned a bulletproof engine to be even more fuel efficient, with its DPI (Direct Port Injection). This comes at a cost. The fuel is not being sprayed onto the valves, which cleans them, causing build up of carbon and a list of other issues…
If y'all are worried about sludge, use about 8 oz of seafoam in oil like hundred miles before your oil change, drive it for a good amount, then change oil. I've done this on every car, truck, SUV I've ever owned. And don't use OEM Nissan oil. I think their fluids are crap anyway. Use a good full synthetic as well. Do that every other oil change. Won't hurt a thing.
I agree, I’ll be doing mine every 5,000 miles as well. Just to be clear though, none of your previous Nissans had the EXACT same engine as your pathfinder…

You had (3) VQ35DE’s and you now have the VQ35DD which is more prone to the engine sludge issue. Nissan redesigned a bulletproof engine to be even more fuel efficient, with its DPI (Direct Port Injection). This comes at a cost. The fuel is not being sprayed onto the valves, which cleans them, causing build up of carbon and a list of other issues…
Thanks for that information, I wasn’t aware of that. It seems strange that Nissan would employ an engine more prone to sludge problems yet lengthen the oil change interval.



22 SL Premium AWD
Build date 6/22
Thanks for that information, I wasn’t aware of that. It seems strange that Nissan would employ an engine more prone to sludge problems yet lengthen the oil change interval.



22 SL Premium AWD
Build date 6/22
When I first bought a 2014 Tundra they all said the oils good for 10,000 miles too!! I said screw that and did it earlier than that. Even that Mobil One 15,000 mile oil. I wouldn't go that long with it either.
A good oil filter and oil is like 50$ total. Rock it out every 5000 youll be fine and have piece of mind.
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A good oil filter and oil is like 50$ total. Rock it out every 5000 youll be fine and have piece of mind.
That’s exactly what I plan to do.



22 SL Premium AWD
Build date 6/22
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