Engine Nissan VQ35DE volume 3.5 liters, installed on crossovers Murano (Z50/Z51), is renowned for its reliability and durability - but only with proper maintenance. One of the key aspects of care is the selection and timely replacement of engine oil. An error in choosing the viscosity or type of lubricant can lead to accelerated wear of the timing chain, problems with hydraulic compensators or even to engine overheating at high speeds.

In this article we will analyze exact amount of oil to change (including filter), official recommendations Nissan by viscosity and standards (API/ILSAC), as well as alternative options from Mobil, Liqui Moly, Motul and other brands. Let us separately dwell on the nuances of replacement for cars with a mileage of over 150 thousand km - when the standard requirements are no longer relevant.

VQ35DE engine specifications and oil requirements

Engine VQ35DE (series VQ) is a 6-cylinder V-shaped engine with an aluminum block, which was installed on Nissan Murano from 2002 to 2015. Its key features:

  • 🔧 Volume: 3.5 l (3498 cm³)
  • 🔥 Power: 234–265 hp (depending on year and market)
  • ⚙️ Variable valve timing system: CVTCS on the intake shaft
  • 🛢️ Recommended oil change interval: every 10,000 km or 1 year (for Russia and CIS countries - every 7,500 km under severe operating conditions)

The manufacturer places strict requirements on engine oil for VQ35DE:

  • 📜 Compliance with the standard API SM/SN or ILSAC GF-4/GF-5
  • 🌡️ Viscosity: 5W-30 (basic recommendation) or 5W-40 (for hot climates or high loads)
  • 🔬 Type: semi-synthetic or synthetic (mineral oil is absolutely not suitable)
  • 🚗 Replacement volume: 4.8–5.1 l (depending on the year of manufacture and type of oil filter)
📊 What oil do you use in Nissan Murano 3.5?
  • Original Nissan 5W-30
  • Mobil 1 5W-30
  • Liqui Moly 5W-40
  • Motul 8100 5W-30
  • Other

How much oil does it take to change a Nissan Murano 3.5?

Engine oil capacity VQ35DE depends on several factors: year of manufacture, type of oil filter and replacement method (with or without removing the pan). Official data from Nissan:

Year of manufacture Model (body) Oil volume (without filter) Oil volume (with filter) Filter type
2002–2007 Z50 4.5 l 4.8 l 15208-9F600
2008–2014 Z51 4.6 l 5.0 l 15208-9F60A
2015 Z52 (facelift) 4.7 l 5.1 l 15208-9F60B

⚠️ Attention: When changing the oil in Nissan Murano 3.5 with a mileage of more than 200 thousand km, it is recommended to fill in 200–300 ml more the specified volume. This is due to natural wear of the piston rings and increased clearances. However, exceed the total volume by more than 500 ml it's impossible - this will lead to increased pressure in the system and the risk of squeezing out the seals.

If you change the oil yourself, keep in mind that there is always 0.3–0.5 l old oil (in the pan, lines, filter). Therefore, a complete replacement will require 5.3–5.5 l fresh oil - some will be used for washing.

What kind of oil to fill: original vs analogues

Official oil from Nissan - this is Nissan Motor Oil 5W-30 (article KLE52-00004). It fully meets the requirements ILSAC GF-5 and optimized for series engines VQ. However, it is difficult to find in retail, and the price is often inflated. Let's look at proven analogues:

  • 🔹 Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30 - synthetics with low sulfur and phosphorus content, ideal for cars with a catalyst. Suitable for Murano 2008+.
  • 🔹 Liqui Moly Top Tec 4200 5W-30 — German oil with improved cleaning properties. Recommended for engines with mileage up to 150 thousand km.
  • 🔹 Motul 8100 X-clean 5W-30 — synthetics with an extended replacement interval (up to 15 thousand km with gentle operation). Excellent protection against carbon deposits.
  • 🔹 Castrol Edge 5W-40 — the optimal choice for hot climates or aggressive driving styles. Resistant to oxidation at high temperatures.

For used cars over 200 thousand km It’s better to switch to oil with a higher viscosity - 5W-40 or even 10W-40 (in summer). This compensates for the increased gaps in the friction pairs. For example:

  • 🔧 Valvoline MaxLife 10W-40 — contains additives to restore the elasticity of oil seals.
  • 🔧 ZIC X7 10W-40 — Korean oil with good cleaning properties, suitable for worn-out engines.
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Before purchasing oil, check its authenticity! The canister should have holographic sign, and the lid is tamper evident. Fake oils (especially Mobil 1 And Motul) are often sold at reduced prices.

Step-by-step instructions for changing the oil

Changing the oil in Nissan Murano 3.5 does not require special skills, but there are several critical points. For example, incorrect removal of the oil filter may damage the oil pressure sensor, and tightening the drain plug - to failure of the thread in the pan.

What you will need:

Buy oil (5.5 l) and a new filter (see the article number in the table above) |

Lift, trestle or jack with stops|

14mm wrench for drain plug|

Oil filter puller (chain or cup)|

New drain plug gasket (part number 11026-01M02)|

Funnel and waste container (minimum 6 l)|

Rags and gloves

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⚠️ Attention: Never use re-gasket the drain plug - even if it looks intact. The copper gasket deforms when tightened and does not provide a seal when reused. The cost of a new gasket is only ~50 rubles, but its absence can lead to oil leakage and oil starvation.

Step by step process:

  1. Warm up the engine to operating temperature (5–7 minutes at idle). Hot oil drains better and carries away more contaminants.
  2. Raise the car on a lift or drive it onto an overpass. If you are using a jack - Be sure to secure the machine with stops!
  3. Drain the old oil:
    • Unscrew the drain plug with a 14 mm wrench.
    • Place the container - the oil will flow out under pressure!
    • Wait until it drains completely (at least 10 minutes).
  4. Replace the oil filter:
    • Remove the old filter using a puller (located to the right of the drain plug).
    • Lubricate the rubber ring of the new filter with fresh oil.
    • Screw the filter by hand until it stops, then tighten it 3/4 of a turn (do not overtighten!).
  • Screw in the drain plug with a new gasket. Tightening torque - 35–40 Nm.
  • Take oil through the filler neck (4.8–5.1 l).
  • Check level with a dipstick 5 minutes after filling. The level should be between the marks MIN And MAX.
  • Start the engine for 1-2 minutes, then check the level again and inspect the filter/plug for leaks.
    • What to do if you overfilled the oil?

    If the oil level is above the mark MAX on the dipstick, it needs to be pumped out. For this you can use:

    1. Syringe with tube (pump out through the filler neck).
    2. Drain some of the oil through the drain plug (if the overflow is significant).
    You cannot drive with overfilled oil! This leads to oil foaming, loss of pressure and accelerated engine wear.

    Common mistakes when changing oil and their consequences

    Even experienced car owners sometimes make mistakes that reduce engine life. VQ35DE. Let's look at the most common ones:

    • ❌ Use of mineral oil - leads to sludge formation in the channels and accelerated wear of the timing chain. Engine VQ35DE designed only for synthetics or semi-synthetics.
    • ❌ Saving on oil filter - cheap filters (for example, Framm or SCT) often have a poor-quality idle reverse valve, which leads to oil starvation at startup.
    • ❌ Underfilling or overfilling of oil - in the first case, the risk rotation of the liners, in the second - damage to crankshaft seals.
    • ❌ Ignoring flushing when switching to another type of oil - mixing different additives can cause oil coagulation and blockage of canals.

    Particularly dangerous oil change without filter change. The filter accumulates up to 200–300 g of dirt, which immediately enter the lubrication system the next time the engine is started. This is the equivalent of pouring fresh oil into a dirty bathtub.

    • Insufficient oil level (check dipstick).
    • Faulty oil pump or clogged filter.
    • Problems with the pressure sensor (part number 25580-3M200).

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    Features of oil change for Nissan Murano with high mileage

    For Murano 3.5 with mileage over 150–200 thousand km standard oil recommendations are no longer suitable. Here's what to consider:

    • 🔧 Increased viscosity - go to 5W-40 or 10W-40 (in summer). This compensates for wear on the piston rings and reduces oil consumption due to waste.
    • 🔧 Oil with molybdenum — molybdenum-based additives (for example, Liqui Moly MoS2) reduce friction in worn pairs.
    • 🔧 Shortened replacement interval - change the oil every 5,000–7,000 km, since a worn-out engine more actively pollutes the oil with combustion products.
    • 🔧 Engine flushing - before changing the oil, use soft rinsing (For example, Wynns Engine Flush), but not aggressive agents like "5 minutes" - they can wash away deposits that have clogged the oil channels.

    If your Murano "eats" oil (consumption more than 1 liter per 10,000 km), this may indicate:

    • 🔥 Wear of valve stem seals (symptom: blue smoke when re-gasping).
    • 🔥 Seizure of piston rings (symptom: oil in spark plug wells).
    • 🔥 Leak through the crankshaft or camshaft seal.

    In such cases, a regular oil change will not help - it requires engine repair or the use of special additives (for example, Liqui Moly Oil-Verschleiss-Schutz). However, this is a temporary solution - in case of critical wear, you will need major renovation.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about oil in Nissan Murano 3.5

    Can I use 0W-20 oil in Nissan Murano 3.5?

    No, 0W-20 too liquid for the engine VQ35DE. It will not provide sufficient protection under high loads and temperatures, especially in hot climates. Exception: cars after 2014 with the system Direct Injection, but also for them 5W-30 preferable.

    How often should you check the oil level?

    In the engine VQ35DE The oil level should be checked every 1,000 km or before a long trip. This is especially true for cars with mileage over 150 thousand km - they are prone to increased oil consumption (up to 0.5–1 l per 10,000 km).

    What happens if you mix different oils?

    Mixing oils different manufacturers (but with the same viscosity and standard) is acceptable in emergency cases. However:

    • Don't mix mineral water with synthetics - this will lead to precipitation.
    • Avoid mixing oils with different additives (e.g. Mobil 1 And Castrol Edge).
    • At the first opportunity, do complete oil change with flushing.

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

    Flushing is necessary in the following cases:

    • When switching from mineral oil to synthetic oil.
    • If the previous oil was of poor quality or fake.
    • If metal particles or sludge are found in the oil.

    For VQ35DE recommended soft rinsing (For example, Liqui Moly Pro-Line Motorspulung). Aggressive type washes "5 minutes" may damage the seals.

    What kind of oil should I fill in Nissan Murano 3.5 for winter?

    For cold climates (below -25°C) the optimal choice is semi-synthetic 5W-30 with a low pour point. Best options:

    • Mobil Super 3000 X1 5W-30 — holds pressure well when cold.
    • Shell Helix Ultra 5W-30 — synthetics with improved low-temperature properties.
    • Total Quartz 9000 5W-30 — suitable for extremely low temperatures (down to -35°C).