5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.

AMSOIL TRIPLED my oil consumption

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Old 09-13-2022, 07:51 AM
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AMSOIL TRIPLED my oil consumption

I did an engine flush then installed AMSOIL signature 5W30. My oil consumption when from a quart every thousand miles to a quart every 350 miles. Since I needed to make a trip to Mexico, I added Lucas oil stabilizer and it is now at a quart every 800 miles. It seems that the AMSOIL didn't cause any permanent problems. I suspect that it will get back to over 1,000 miles on a quart after going back to 10W40 conventional motor oil. AMSOIL did me no favors.
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Old 09-13-2022, 01:02 PM
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It's probably personal opinion, but I think it's a waste to put in expensive oil into a car that just burns it away. Stick with regular oil changes and keep an eye on the oil level and regular oil will keep the engine motoring along.
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Old 09-13-2022, 09:39 PM
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Bruh, the engine is toast.
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Old 11-15-2022, 10:12 AM
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Have you tried changing your PCV valve? That can eat a ton of oil I got 220,000 miles on my 03 and I don't use hardly any oil and I use Amsoil. Cam sensor O-rings can leak and your lower oil pan can leak.
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Old 11-15-2022, 11:58 AM
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Originally Posted by crazy97
Have you tried changing your PCV valve? That can eat a ton of oil I got 220,000 miles on my 03 and I don't use hardly any oil and I use Amsoil. Cam sensor O-rings can leak and your lower oil pan can leak.
I wasted about 3 grand trying to save a faulty engine: PCV, sensors, new valve covers, new coil packs, oil pan gasket, rear main seal. I decided to bite the bullet and spend $7500 on a 2019 Engine with Nisformance, including a transmission rebuild. I'm at about a total of about $28K in my 2002 Maxima.

That $28K sounds like a lot of money until you talk to people with non-functional 2022 year model cars waiting months for unavailable parts. With all the 02 Maximas in salvage yards that will not be a problem any time soon.

Last edited by 2002SEMT; 11-15-2022 at 12:06 PM.
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Old 11-15-2022, 12:33 PM
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My maxima is at 328,000 miles and I use the cheapest synthetic I can find at Walmart, lately it's Quaker State. I have no leaks what so ever but the oil consumption nuts. once i started hearing some knocking above 3,000 rpm i decided to start keeping an eye out for 7th and 8th gen engines.

I never cared for Amsoil. my dad was an Amsoil nut but now that he has a newer vehicle with free oil changes at the dealer he doesn't talk about t much. I have a coworker that will flip any conversation and start talking about Amsoil. I like that Penzoil made from natural gas and and for my bike Shell Rotella T6 5W-40....
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Old 12-15-2022, 01:27 PM
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the manufacturer designed the engine for conventional oil
then they wrote that on type the oil cap to make sure you can't go wrong
why mess with it? stick to the recommendations
change the oil often <3000miles + drive slow = engine will last
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Old 12-16-2022, 11:44 AM
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Originally Posted by wezmykat
the manufacturer designed the engine for conventional oil
then they wrote that on type the oil cap to make sure you can't go wrong
why mess with it? stick to the recommendations
change the oil often <3000miles + drive slow = engine will last
Changing the oil on any car less than 3k is a waste of money. Conventional oil can be changed every 5k and still be on on the safe side.
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Old 12-16-2022, 12:57 PM
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how about you look in your owner's manual? I just checked and it clearly says replace oil and filter every 3750 miles max
now, during those 3750 miles you would have roughly spent ~1000$ give or take on gasoline alone
4.2 quarts of oil costs less than 20$
now if you prefer to cut corners so you will not "waste" <5$ ... well, that's on you

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Old 12-16-2022, 05:28 PM
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Originally Posted by wezmykat
how about you look in your owner's manual? I just checked and it clearly says replace oil and filter every 3750 miles max
now, during those 3750 miles you would have roughly spent ~1000$ give or take on gasoline alone
4.2 quarts of oil costs less than 20$
now if you prefer to cut corners so you will not "waste" <5$ ... well, that's on you


I had no idea. I've been changing the oil in my Maxima every 5,000 miles + checking and adding for the past 10 years. once I realized how much oil it consumed I started using the cheapest synthetic. started out with Supertech and after the pandemic Quaker State seems to be the best deal. Fram Ultra has been my oil filter of choice...
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Old 12-17-2022, 06:19 AM
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I qualify all of statements, findings and opinions by stating that I drive a 4th Gen (‘99 VQ30) that does not have that crazy inherent oil consumption-thing.

Having said that, I’ve owned my car since it sat on the dealer’s showroom floor and, subsequent to the expiration it’s manufacturer warranty, have done all of its maintenance and the vast, vast majority of its repairs and upgrades.

Over the decades, I’ve tried multitudes of motor viscosities, formulations and brands.

Knowing my car as well as I do, and even at 178,000 miles, I’ve personally found that my car clearly prefers a quality conventional 10W-30 changed at 3,000 mile intervals … precisely what’s called out in the owner’s manual.

Just sayin …
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Old 12-17-2022, 09:29 AM
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Originally Posted by uptownsamcv
I had no idea. I've been changing the oil in my Maxima every 5,000 miles + checking and adding for the past 10 years. once I realized how much oil it consumed I started using the cheapest synthetic. started out with Supertech and after the pandemic Quaker State seems to be the best deal. Fram Ultra has been my oil filter of choice...
Doesn't oil consumption also foul spark plugs and sensors complete with frequent check engine lights? I am getting the idea that using Amsoil with conventional oil change intervals is overkill. That's especially true with a 2019 engine.
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Old 12-17-2022, 09:57 AM
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Interesting.
My car (2000 Maxima, 176K miles) does not use a drop of oil. I mean, I can't tell - the oil level does not change at all (I change oil every 5K miles). Using Mobile1 0W-40.

Last edited by maxiiiboy; 12-17-2022 at 10:03 AM. Reason: adding oil type
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Old 12-17-2022, 12:47 PM
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Originally Posted by 2002SEMT
Doesn't oil consumption also foul spark plugs and sensors complete with frequent check engine lights? I am getting the idea that using Amsoil with conventional oil change intervals is overkill. That's especially true with a 2019 engine.
you will get an engine light if the oil gets so low that the came phasers can't work properly, as for spark plus I've never had an issue. I changed the plugs when I first got the car in Dec of 2012 and when I installed new valve covers 4 years ago. whenever a rear bank coil went out and I had to remove the intake manifold I would change the back 3 plugs. I also changed the plugs when I got my ECU flashed last December. I ended up wiring in new coil connectors last year also cause the connectors turned to $h!t on that last plug change.....

I've had good luck with these eBay coils that came in this Nissan/Infiniti box. I highly doubt they are real but so far they have been good.



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Old 12-17-2022, 12:57 PM
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here's a good video that relates to your issue:
do everything he says and if you find the worst, then just keep driving it and adding oil, it's the cheapest option
in my experience with these VG and VQ engines, every time they burned oil bad it's because someone was constantly flooring it / racing and just overall poor maintenance, that will destroy any engine
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Old 12-30-2023, 09:41 AM
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Amsoil products are over-rated and over priced. Their oil filters are sourced from Fram.
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Old 01-14-2024, 02:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Bob Basshead
Amsoil products are over-rated and over priced. Their oil filters are sourced from Fram.
Do you have any proof to back that up?
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Old 01-15-2024, 10:47 AM
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Originally Posted by Bob Basshead
Amsoil products are over-rated and over priced. Their oil filters are sourced from Fram.
Ridiculous opinion.
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Old 01-16-2024, 07:02 AM
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nothing wrong with fram oil filters, I use the Fram Ultra o n everything. XG7317 for the Max and XG6607 for the CBR1000RR... I always liked how they have a lot of holes on the base for better oil flow..


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Old 01-16-2024, 06:26 PM
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Originally Posted by uptownsamcv
nothing wrong with fram oil filters, I use the Fram Ultra o n everything. XG7317 for the Max and XG6607 for the CBR1000RR... I always liked how they have a lot of holes on the base for better oil flow..

Everything fram is trash EXCEPT the synthetic filters. Their plain oil filters have killed many engines (bypass doesn't work at idle).
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