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Can someone go 23,000 miles between oil changes in a 2019 Nissan Altima?
That’s what Gaby Cuyler (@gabycuyler) says she did in her TikTok video clip. The mileage on the last oil change sticker shows 103,801 miles on the Firestone Auto Center windshield sticker when the next oil change is due. She has 127,033 miles on her 2019 Nissan Altima, and the tech says she needs to change the oil as soon as possible.
She says, “This car is so amazing for girls who know nothing about cars because any other car would’ve broken down immediately.”
Before we hear from Gaby, imagine driving a crazy amount of miles for your job. She puts about 24,000 miles per year on her Nissan Altima, which is twice the average for most car owners.
Gaby lives in Ohio and drives to see her parents and her boyfriend, and they live in opposite directions. She spends a lot of time behind the wheel of her car. 2,000 miles per month.
Her Nissan Altima has been a great car for her. It’s good on gas, hasn’t needed any major repairs, and has no issues with the sedan.
However, she has just quit her job because she has to drive all over Ohio to see customers. She’s tired of driving, as you can imagine.
Now, she has to pay rent but doesn’t have a paycheck until she gets another job and decides if she should pay for an oil change. The oil change at Firestone Auto Center will cost about $50, but she doesn’t have the money.
Resourceful and determined, Gaby decides to prioritize her rent over the oil change. With 23,000 miles since the last oil change, she takes matters into her own hands. Adding a quart of oil herself, she ensures her 2019 Nissan Altima is running smoothly. So, she has her boyfriend add oil to her car. He puts in a quart of oil, and the dipstick still shows the oil is low.
Gaby heads to the auto parts store and buys another quart of Valvoline High Mileage 0W-20 oil for her car. She adds the oil and keeps driving because her car is running fine.
Let’s pick up Gaby’s story
“My car is driving great, lol. I love my Nissan Altima despite driving 120,000 miles in only 5 years. I’ve never needed major work, and small repairs are cheap.”
Gaby Just Quit Her Job
“I just quit, but my old job had me driving like an hour out to different cities every day, plus my parents and boyfriend all live 40 minutes from me in opposite directions.”
“So, I’m constantly driving and putting miles on my car.”
Gaby Can’t Afford To Change Her Oil
Reflecting on her experience, Gaby shares, “I’m going to the shop for an oil change right after I pay my rent in a few weeks! This was a lesson learned. I definitely need to educate myself more about cars,” she chuckles.
“My Altima is now at 130,000 miles, and it’s not under warranty,” she explains.
“My car doesn’t tell me when I need an oil change, which is crazy because it’s a 2019. I don’t expect it to last more than two years, and once it goes out, I’ll buy another bigger one anyway because this sedan feels unsafe in Ohio winters.”
Gaby Adds Oil To Her Car and Keeps Driving
“My boyfriend helped me put oil in yesterday, but it wasn’t enough, which is why I got more.”
How Often Should Gaby Change Her Oil?
The Firestone tech is correct in telling Gaby she needs to change her oil every 5,000 miles (using non-synthetic oil).
What Does Nissan Say?
Nissan says that for a 2019 Altima, the recommended oil change interval is every 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first when using synthetic oil. If using conventional oil, changing it more frequently is recommended every 5,000-7,500 miles.
How Can Gaby Go 23,000 Miles Between Oil Changes?
Because Gaby was driving all over Ohio for her job and traveling 40 miles each time she saw her parents and boyfriend, she was driving all highway miles in her Nissan Altima.
If she were driving in city traffic, she would not have been able to put that many miles between oil changes without seriously damaging the engine. She likely used synthetic oil on her last oil change, which will last longer than conventional oil.
How Far Can You Go Between Oil Changes Using Synthetic Oil?
AAA says that for a car like Gaby’s 2019 Nissan Altima, primarily driven on the highway, oil changes can often be extended to every 7,000 to 10,000 miles, especially if using synthetic oil. However, following the manufacturer’s recommendations and checking your oil level regularly is crucial.
Additional Oil Change Information
- Extended Intervals: Highway driving puts less strain on the engine, as it operates at a consistent speed and RPM, leading to less wear and tear on the engine oil.
- Synthetic Oil: Synthetic oil offers better protection and can last longer than conventional oil, allowing for extended oil change intervals.
- Manufacturer’s Recommendations: Always refer to your car’s owner’s manual for specific oil change intervals, as they vary depending on the vehicle model and year.
- Oil Level Check: You should check your oil level once a month using the dipstick, as even with synthetic oil, some engines may consume oil over time.
- Annual Oil Change: Regardless of mileage, changing your oil at least once a year is generally recommended, even if you haven’t reached the recommended mileage interval.
Conclusion:
The 2019 Nissan Altima that Gaby owns has not had a problem with oil consumption issues. That’s another reason she could go 23,000 miles between an oil change and not have problems.
However, going that long between oil changes in any vehicle is not recommended. Failing to change the oil at the recommended intervals can lead to engine damage, and reduced fuel efficiency, regardless if it’s primary highway miles you are driving.
Reddit user AutoModerator says,
Follow the manual unless you have a specific reason for doing otherwise. Oil and engine technology has improved significantly over the past few decades, and most drivers can go much longer than 3000 (or even 5,000 miles) between changes.
Examples of when you should change more frequently:
- Cars that are not driven often should have an oil change at least annually due to the oil becoming acidic in contact with air and metals in the engine.
- Cars driven harshly, such as off-road or for short trips only, may need more frequent changes than cars used for highway miles.
- If your car has a known issue, you may need to monitor it more closely. Recently, Hyundai and Kia engines have had serious problems with their oil consumption.
“I’ll have to start doing it (adding oil) every two months, probably because I drive a lot! I’m learning so much. I thought 8-10 months adding oil was fine,” Gaby concludes.
It’s Your Turn. What Would You Do?
Do you own a Nissan Altima? Would you keep doing the car, or was Gaby lucky? Is the Nissan Altima a highly reliable car? What would you do in Gaby’s situation? Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.
Check out my Toyota Camry oil change story: I Got a Free Oil Change on My Toyota Camry, But I Would Have Rather Paid $100, It Took Over 3 Hrs, I Will Never Get My Oil Changed at Toyota Again
I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you’ll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.
Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Gaby
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Source: torquenews.com
