Nissan Micra (old style)

BeerSteakBirds

An oil and oil filter change is well overdue .

I believe 10w/40 is recommended for my engine. Maybe a gallon of it.

However I have (from Tesco bargain corner squirreled away) a 2 Litre can of 10w/40 and a 4 Litre can of 5w30.

Do I have to go out and buy some more 10w/40 or can I use the 5w30 with no issues ?

I also wonder if its possible to mix the oils or would that result in a disaster of some kind ?

jimgoose

You can mix them yes, giving a resulting brew with a viscosity somewhere in the middle. If I were you though, I'd go and get a gallon of 10W-40 semi.

BeerSteakBirds

jimgoose wrote: »

You can mix them yes, giving a resulting brew with a viscosity somewhere in the middle. If I were you though, I'd go and get a gallon of 10W-40 semi.

Thanks.The bargain corner oil I have was reduced from 13.30 to 3.99 euro. It's labelled 2 litres Mineral Motor Oil 10w/40

is this different from 10w-40 semi ?


The 5w30 I have is labelled semi-synthetic

jimgoose

BeerSteakBirds wrote: »

Thanks.The bargain corner oil I have was reduced from 13.30 to 3.99 euro. It's labelled 2 litres Mineral Motor Oil 10w/40

is this different from 10w-40 semi ?

Yes it is. Either dispose of it properly, or use it for door-hinges and whatnot.

BeerSteakBirds

jimgoose wrote: »

Yes it is. Either dispose of it properly, or use it for door-hinges and whatnot.

I shouldnt use it for my car ? it says on the bottle ''suitable for older petrol engines''

I guess there was a reason it was in bargain corner ?

jimgoose

BeerSteakBirds wrote: »

I shouldnt use it for my car ? it says on the bottle ''suitable for older petrol engines''

I personally wouldn't put mineral oil from Tesco in a lawnmower. Do what you wish.

JohnBoy26

What's old style? There are three generations of previous Micra's

BeerSteakBirds

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

What's old style? There are three generations of previous Micra's

Micra 'Vibe' 2000. I was hoping I could save a bit of money by using the oil I already have or part of it but since I intend to drive it for at least another year or two, I guess I'll have to just get a gallon brand new.

porsche boy

It's in no way a performance engine. Put your combination of oils in and run it. It will be fine. The rating numbers refer to the viscosity and weight of the oil but they will blend together fine.
Working a s a mechanic I have put many blended combinations into my car, leftovers. Saves me spending money!!!! My cars an old Nissan too as it happens and with over 175k miles she still purrs like a kitten.

BeerSteakBirds

porsche boy wrote: »

It's in no way a performance engine. Put your combination of oils in and run it. It will be fine. The rating numbers refer to the viscosity and weight of the oil but they will blend together fine.
Working a s a mechanic I have put many blended combinations into my car, leftovers. Saves me spending money!!!! My cars an old Nissan too as it happens and with over 175k miles she still purrs like a kitten.

good to have another view. moneys tighter right now than I ever thought it would be and I'm not spending anything on myself either lol

Renegade Mechanic

I dont know if its quite old enough to warrant mineral oil! And I wouldn't mix mineral oil with anything either. Mineral and synthetic fluids tend to react and turn into snot.

Preferably, Id get a gallon of 10w. You get them at their cheapest in autofactors at around 20 quid. However 10w and 5w though should be fine in your engine.

jimgoose

Renegade Mechanic wrote: »

I dont know if its quite old enough to warrant mineral oil! And I wouldn't mix mineral oil with anything either. Mineral and synthetic fluids tend to react and turn into snot.

Preferably, Id get a gallon of 10w. You get them at their cheapest in autofactors at around 20 quid. However 10w and 5w though should be fine in your engine.

Semi-synth is already a mix of synthetic base-stock and mineral, but most semis are already about 70% mineral, at least. And 'tisn't the "W" number that'd bother me, 'tis the second one, which is carrying your shell bearings at temperature.

JohnBoy26

BeerSteakBirds wrote: »

Micra 'Vibe' 2000. I was hoping I could save a bit of money by using the oil I already have or part of it but since I intend to drive it for at least another year or two, I guess I'll have to just get a gallon brand new.

I wouldn't like mixing two different oil personally but I wouldn't be too worried about it on a Micra of that vintage. But Seeing as you have 4l of 5w 30 why not use that instead of mixing two oils together. I'd rather do that personally and 5w 30 will work fine in your engine.

Renegade Mechanic

jimgoose wrote: »

Semi-synth is already a mix of synthetic base-stock and mineral, but most semis are already about 70% mineral, at least. And 'tisn't the "W" number that'd bother me, 'tis the second one, which is carrying your shell bearings at temperature.

Just seen he has 4ltrs of 5w30. Reckon thatd be fine alone. Would a factor of 10 be enough difference to cause damage? I ask now because ive often used it in old turbo diesels for an Nct:o

jimgoose

Renegade Mechanic wrote: »

Just seen he has 4ltrs of 5w30. Reckon thatd be fine alone. Would a factor of 10 be enough difference to cause damage? I ask now because ive often used it in old turbo diesels for an Nct:o

Should be alright, I suppose - that yoke won't be getting overly hot.

JohnBoy26

Renegade Mechanic wrote: »

Just seen he has 4ltrs of 5w30. Reckon thatd be fine alone. Would a factor of 10 be enough difference to cause damage? I ask now because ive often used it in old turbo diesels for an Nct:o

5w30 is an alternative recommended oil for these so it should be fine

jimgoose

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

5w30 is an alternative recommended oil for these so it should be fine

5W-30 is given as an alternative for most engines that like 10W-40. In Alaska. :pac:

JohnBoy26

jimgoose wrote: »

5W-30 is given as an alternative for most engines that like 10W-40. In Alaska. :pac:

It's recommend in temperatures ranging from - 30 to + 15

I know that's well off the + 40 on 10w 40 but it's an old Micra and it's being used in Ireland and and not in the Sahara desert. I think it will be fine anyway. I certainly would rather use it than mixing two oils together.

Of the op wants to go the right way about it 10w 40 can be got for not much money at any motor factors.

Stella Virgo

BeerSteakBirds wrote: »

An oil and oil filter change is well overdue .

I believe 10w/40 is recommended for my engine. Maybe a gallon of it.

However I have (from Tesco bargain corner squirreled away) a 2 Litre can of 10w/40 and a 4 Litre can of 5w30.

Do I have to go out and buy some more 10w/40 or can I use the 5w30 with no issues ?

I also wonder if its possible to mix the oils or would that result in a disaster of some kind ?

you do realize that a gallon contains 8 PINTS of oil.....:D might be not be wise to pour in a gallon.....;)

BeerSteakBirds

Stella Virgo wrote: »

you do realize that a gallon contains 8 PINTS of oil.....:D might be not be wise to pour in a gallon.....;)

well how many Litres do I need ? the last time the oil was changed the mechanic said he put a gallon in. I dont know why he didnt just say Litres....all the containers of Oil I see have Litres written on them.

jimgoose

BeerSteakBirds wrote: »

well how many Litres do I need ? the last time the oil was changed the mechanic said he put a gallon in. I dont know why he didnt just say Litres....all the containers of Oil I see have Litres written on them.

An Imperial gallon is 4.54 litres. IIRC those old-ish Micras take 3 litres - just be careful and watch the dipstick.