Ok so changed the engine oil & filter in my new Frontera earlier in week and just had to post about it on here...
I don't think this little Fronty has seen much TLC in a while...
Seems to be a few minor oil leaks that look to have been present for a long time - will deal with them at a later stage (any of those stop leak additives actually work???)
Oil filter casing was a pig - didn't have a socket to fit - ending up teasing it open with an adjustable wrench. I think it was on too tight to begin with.
When I removed the sump plug, it all but disintegrated (somebody had been trying to wrench it off - all chewed up). It was a torx fitment so replaced with a hex (bolt head style) as I find these much easier to deal with on sump plugs - I really hate the torx and allen head ones. Got the sump plug from Halfords at 8.45pm! As luck would have it they had various sump plugs on sale so bought the whole lot (13 of them) as they were 50p each including the washers etc. (I have needed replacement sump plugs on numerous occasions and always at the worst possible moment!!!).
Rather than 10w/40 I replaced with 5w/40 Fully Synthetic from Halfords as have the trade card which makes it very cost effective and it is good oil despite the brand name.
There is an incredible difference in performance since doing so...
Its no quieter or anything like that, but the actual engines performance is instantly better and noticeably so ie - better take off from standing, less delay in acceleration at low revs etc.
I have never ever noticed any noticeable difference in a vehicles actual performance after a basic oil change. In fact I didn't think it was even feasible to experience such performance increase via an oil change?
Anyway - just had to share this with you guys as I am pretty shocked!!!






