Choosing engine oil for Nissan Murano Z50 (2008–2014) is a task that requires taking into account several factors at once: climatic conditions, driving style, vehicle mileage and even fuel quality. This crossover is equipped with gasoline engines VQ35DE (3.5 l) or VQ25DE (2.5 l, for some markets), imposes strict requirements on lubricants. An error in choosing oil can lead to accelerated wear. timing chains, the formation of deposits on valves or even to problems with the variable valve timing system (CVTC).

In this article we will look at the official recommendations Nissan, alternative options from leading manufacturers, as well as nuances that are often overlooked - such as why 5W-30 viscosity is not always optimal for Russian winters or how to correctly interpret tolerances API SN And ILSAC GF-5. We will separately focus on oil volumes for different types of replacement (partial or complete) and common mistakes that reduce engine life.

Official Nissan recommendations for the Murano Z50

The manufacturer clearly regulates the oil parameters for Murano Z50 in the service documentation. For engine VQ35DE (basic for this generation) the following characteristics are prescribed:

  • 🔹 Viscosity: 5W-30 (priority choice) or 0W-30 for extremely low temperatures (below -30°C).
  • 🔹 Tolerances: API SN (or higher) and ILSAC GF-5 These are the minimum requirements for warranty service.
  • 🔹 Volume: 4.8 l with a complete replacement (including oil filter), 4.5 l with a partial replacement.
  • 🔹 Type: only synthetic or semi-synthetic high quality oil.

Important: Nissan does not recommend using oils with a viscosity 10W-40 or 5W-40 for Murano Z50, despite their popularity. These oils may cause problems with hydraulic compensators and the system CVTC due to insufficient fluidity during cold start. An exception is regions with constant heat above +40°C, where it is allowed 5W-40 with approval Nissan.

⚠️ Attention: If in your Murano Z50 engine installed VQ25DE (2.5 l), the oil volume is reduced to 4.3 l with a complete change. This engine is more sensitive to oil quality due to its smaller displacement and increased loads per unit area.

Suitable brands and models of oils: original vs analogues

Original oil Nissan Motor Oil 5W-30 (article KE900-90030) is the optimal choice for warranty service, but its high price (from 3,500 rubles for 5 liters) forces many owners to look for alternatives. Below are proven analogues that meet the requirements Nissan:

Brand Oil model Viscosity Tolerances Approximate price (5 l)
Mobil 1 ESP Formula 5W-30 5W-30 API SN, ILSAC GF-5 2,800 rub.
Idemitsu Zepro Eco Medalist 5W-30 5W-30 API SN, ILSAC GF-5 3,200 rub.
Liqui Moly Special Tec AA 5W-30 5W-30 API SN, ILSAC GF-5 3,500 rub.
Castrol Edge 5W-30 A3/B4 5W-30 API SN, ACEA A3/B4 3,000 rub.

Among the owners Murano Z50 is especially popular Idemitsu Zepro - it is often filled at dealerships Nissan in Japan. This oil has stable viscosity at high temperatures and low ash content, which is important for engines with indirect injection (as in VQ35DE).

📊 What oil do you use in your Murano Z50?
  • Original Nissan
  • Mobil 1
  • Idemitsu
  • Liqui Moly
  • Castrol
  • Other

If you prefer semi-synthetics, pay attention to Shell Helix HX8 5W-30 (API SN). However, remember: semi-synthetic oils require more frequent changes - every 7,000–8,000 km versus 10,000–12,000 km for synthetics.

Oil viscosity: 5W-30 vs 0W-30 vs 5W-40

The choice of viscosity depends on climatic conditions and vehicle mileage. Let's consider three main options:

  • ❄️ 0W-30: Ideal for regions with frosts below -30°C (for example, Siberia, Far East). Provides easy engine starting, but may be too “liquid” at high temperatures (above +35°C).
  • 🌡️ 5W-30: Universal choice for most regions of Russia. Optimal for temperatures from -25°C to +35°C. Recommended Nissan as the main option.
  • 🔥 5W-40: Suitable for hot climates (southern Russia) or vehicles with mileage >150,000 km where thicker oil is required to compensate for wear. Not recommended for new engines!

Critical moment: if your Murano Z50 used in a city with frequent traffic jams, oil 5W-30 may oxidize faster due to high temperatures. In this case, it is worth reducing the replacement interval to 8,000 km or switching to oil with improved cleaning properties (for example, Liqui Moly Special Tec AA).

What happens if you add 10W-40 oil?

When using 10W-40 oil in Murano Z50, the following problems may occur:

- Increased wear on the timing chain during cold starts (due to high viscosity at low temperatures).

- Increased pressure in the lubrication system, which can lead to seal leakage.

- Deterioration of the CVTC (variable valve timing) system due to insufficient oil fluidity.

- Reduced fuel efficiency by 2–5% due to increased frictional resistance.

Oil volume and replacement details

Official oil volume for Murano Z50 with engine VQ35DE — 4.8 l upon complete replacement (including filter). However, in practice this indicator may vary:

  • 🔧 Partial replacement (without rinsing): 4.2–4.5 l. The remaining old oil in the system can reach 0.3–0.5 liters.
  • 🔄 Complete replacement with flushing: up to 5.0 l. Use flushing oil (eg Liqui Moly Oil-Schlamm-Spulung) or shorten the interval until the next replacement.
  • ⚠️ Overflow: Dangerous for VQ35DE - may cause oil to foam and damage oil pump.

Oil change procedure Murano Z50 has its own characteristics:

Warm up the engine to 60–70°C (the oil will become less viscous)

Prepare a container with a volume of at least 6 liters (in case of washing)

Use a filter Nissan 15208-9F600 or analogues (Mann W712/94, Framm PH7317)

Check the condition of the drain plug (thread M14×1.5, tightening torque 35 Nm)-->

After changing the oil, be sure to reset the maintenance counter through the on-board computer menu: Settings → Maintenance → Oil Change → Reset.

💡

If the indicator on the dashboard lights up after changing the oil Check Engine, check the oil level and condition of the oil filter. Often the reason is underfilling or a defective filter that does not hold pressure.

Change intervals: when to change the oil in a Murano Z50

Official regulations Nissan for Murano Z50 — oil change every 15,000 km or once a year. However, these figures are relevant only for ideal operating conditions (European roads, high-quality fuel, moderate climate). In the realities of Russia, the intervals should be adjusted:

Operating conditions Recommended interval Notes
City (traffic jams, frequent starts) 8,000–10,000 km High loads on the oil due to low speeds and frequent warm-ups.
Difficult conditions (dust, off-road) 7,000–8,000 km Dust and dirt accelerate oil oxidation.
Long highway trips 12,000–15,000 km The optimal mode for oil is stable temperature and load.
Operation on gas (GBO) 6,000–7,000 km The gas burns at a higher temperature, accelerating oil degradation.

How to determine when it is time to change the oil ahead of schedule? Please note:

  • 🔍 Oil color: if it is dark on the dipstick with visible particles - urgent replacement.
  • 🔊 Engine noise: increased knocking of hydraulic compensators after warming up.
  • 📉 Oil pressure drop (controlled via OBD-II scanner).
⚠️ Attention: If you are using an approved oil API SP (the latest standard), it can be changed less frequently - up to 12,000–15,000 km, even in urban conditions. However, such oil costs 20–30% more.

Common mistakes when choosing and changing oil

Even experienced owners Murano Z50 Sometimes they make mistakes that shorten the engine's life. Here are the most critical ones:

  1. 🚫 Ignoring Viscosity: Fill 10W-40 or 5W-40 without taking into account climate. This leads to accelerated wear of the timing chain by 20–30% when operating in cold weather.
  2. 🛢️ Mixing oils: Adding oil of a different brand or viscosity without completely replacing it. Risk of sediment formation and clogging of oil passages.
  3. 🔧 Saving on filter: Using cheap filters (e.g. FRAM Extra Guard) instead of the original Nissan 15208-9F600. This may lead to oil starvation at high speeds.
  4. ⏳ Neglecting flushing: If you change the oil type (for example, from 5W-30 on 0W-30), rinsing is required! Otherwise, the remnants of the old oil will worsen the properties of the new one.

Another common mistake is ignoring the state oil pan. B Murano Z50 The tray has magnets for collecting metal shavings. If they are not cleaned when changing the oil, particles can circulate through the system, accelerating wear. crankshaft And camshafts.

💡

If you're buying a used Murano Z50, the first step is to change the oil and filter, even if the seller claims it was done recently. Old oil can hide engine problems (such as antifreeze or fuel getting into the crankcase).

What to do if there is no recommended oil?

Situations when you urgently need to add oil, but you don’t have it at hand 5W-30 API SN, happen often. Here is the algorithm of actions:

  1. Topping up in case of emergency:

    - You can use oil 5W-30 API SM (previous standard) or 0W-20 ILSAC GF-5 in a volume of no more than 0.5 l.

    - Prohibited mix with oils 10W-40 or mineral.

  2. After topping up:

    - Perform a complete oil and filter change as soon as possible.

    - If you added more than 1 liter of “foreign” oil, reduce the interval to 3,000–5,000 km.

If you are in a region where there is no suitable oil, pay attention to the universal options:

- Total Quartz 9000 Future NFC 5W-30 (corresponds to API SN And ILSAC GF-5).

- Motul 8100 Eco-lite 5W-30 (suitable for hybrid systems, but also compatible with VQ35DE).

⚠️ Attention: Never use oils labeled Energy Conserving II - they have a reduced viscosity at high temperatures and are not suitable for Murano Z50 with its highly loaded engine.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about oil for Nissan Murano Z50

Can I use 0W-20 oil in Murano Z50?

Technically yes, but only if it meets the tolerance ILSAC GF-5 or higher. However Nissan does not recommend 0W-20 for Murano Z50 due to the risk of oil starvation under high loads (for example, towing a trailer). Optimal choice - 5W-30.

Which oil filter is better - original or analogue?

Original filter Nissan 15208-9F600 preferable, but high-quality analogues (Mann W712/94, Bosch 0451103336) are also suitable. The main thing is to check the presence of a check valve (it prevents oil from draining from the system after the engine is stopped).

Do I need to flush the engine when changing the oil?

Flushing is required in three cases:

1) When changing the type of oil (for example, from semi-synthetic to synthetic).

2) If the previous oil was of poor quality or heavily contaminated.

3) When buying a used car with an unknown service history.

For washing, use special compounds (Liqui Moly Pro-Line) or reduce the interval until the next replacement to 5,000 km.

What happens if you exceed the oil change interval?

The consequences depend on the mileage:

- 15,000–20,000 km: increased wear of hydraulic compensators, formation of varnish deposits on valves.

- 20,000+ km: risk of ring sticking, decreased compression, increased oil consumption (up to 1 liter per 1,000 km).

- 30,000+ km: critical wear of the timing chain, possible breakage with subsequent engine repair (cost from 150,000 rubles).

Is it possible to use API SP approved oil in Murano Z50?

Yes, API SP is a new standard (introduced in 2020), fully compatible with API SN. Such oils (for example, Pennzoil Platinum 5W-30) have improved cleaning properties and protection against LSPI (low-speed pre-detonation combustion), which is important for engines with direct injection. However, their price is 25–30% higher than that of oils API SN.