# Engine Oil **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** nissan, altima\ **Created:** [July 18, 2010, 4:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-oil/52062 "2010-07-18T16:09:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kamran1957](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a87d85/32.png) [@kamran1957](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kamran1957)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 4:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-oil/52062/1 "2010-07-18T16:09:29Z")
I have 2005 Nissan Altima 2.5S with about 83000 miles, I live in Arizona and I have been using 10W-30 but last time, I used 20-50 based on my friend’s recommendation. Am I using the right stuff? ---
**Author:** ![SteveRB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/edb3f5/32.png) [@SteveRB](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveRB)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 4:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-oil/52062/2 "2010-07-18T16:14:45Z")
See what your owners manual says and follow the recommendations. The 20 (low temp) may be a little thick when you first start up. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 4:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-oil/52062/3 "2010-07-18T16:15:27Z")
No. The owners manual reflects the proper oil that should be used. Not your friend. Tester ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 4:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-oil/52062/4 "2010-07-18T16:19:27Z")
Unless you’re in the Flagstaff area the 20-50 is OK. It’s best to check the owners manual for the proper grade of oil for the car. There is likely an on line link to Nissan with their recommendations regarding oil, etc. if the owners manual is not available. ---
**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 4:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-oil/52062/5 "2010-07-18T16:28:15Z")
So, you’re asking if it’s the engineers at Nissan or your friend who knows your engine better? ---
**Author:** ![kamran1957](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a87d85/32.png) [@kamran1957](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kamran1957)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 4:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-oil/52062/6 "2010-07-18T16:35:44Z")
I will check the manual, Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![kamran1957](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a87d85/32.png) [@kamran1957](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kamran1957)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 4:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-oil/52062/7 "2010-07-18T16:36:11Z")
Will do, Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![kamran1957](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a87d85/32.png) [@kamran1957](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kamran1957)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 4:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-oil/52062/8 "2010-07-18T16:37:07Z")
I live in Mesa, Thank you for your recommendation. ---
**Author:** ![kamran1957](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a87d85/32.png) [@kamran1957](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kamran1957)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 4:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-oil/52062/9 "2010-07-18T16:38:01Z")
I will check the manual, Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Goldwing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@Goldwing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Goldwing)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 4:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-oil/52062/10 "2010-07-18T16:54:10Z")
Are you using/burning oil? Is this why your friend suggested a thicker oil? ---
**Author:** ![kamran1957](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a87d85/32.png) [@kamran1957](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kamran1957)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 4:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-oil/52062/11 "2010-07-19T16:46:55Z")
No, it does not. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 6:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-oil/52062/12 "2010-07-19T18:17:43Z")
20-50 is a little thick…Even in Mesa. 15W-40 fleet oil might be a better choice for Arizona summers…Since it’s both gas and diesel rated, it’s also a superior lubricant… ---
**Author:** ![DavidKelly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e56c9b/32.png) [@DavidKelly](https://community.cartalk.com/u/DavidKelly)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 9:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-oil/52062/13 "2010-07-19T21:22:47Z")
Continue to follow the owner’s manual. Doesn’t matter how hot it is where ever you are. The engine temperature is regulated by the thermostat in the cooling system. If the car has an oil cooler then that too will have a thermostat regulating the oil temperature. It may be 120?F outside but your oil temperature will not be much more than 10?F higher than if it was 70?F outside.