@Patient957 wrote:
@Horseshoez wrote:I'm an engineer and I've worked for three of the world's auto manufacturers and while I'm just some schmuck on the internet, if one takes their new car back to the dealership where they bought it, its an odds on bet they will strongly advise one to wait until the recommended time for the first oil change.
Yes, of course they will. But they will also tell you the automatic transmission fluid is a "lifetime fluid" and shouldn't be changed for the lifetime of the vehicle.
As an engineer with automotive experience, are you going to take the dealership/manufacturer's word on that too?
Not to side track here but, my hardware store told me I never needed to change the oil on the Toro Lawn Mower I bought. Read the printed materials and stll changed it. Cannot believe this lifetime thing? I am not an engineer just someone who has lived a lot of life 
@Patient957 wrote:
@Horseshoez wrote:I'm an engineer and I've worked for three of the world's auto manufacturers and while I'm just some schmuck on the internet, if one takes their new car back to the dealership where they bought it, its an odds on bet they will strongly advise one to wait until the recommended time for the first oil change.
Yes, of course they will. But they will also tell you the automatic transmission fluid is a "lifetime fluid" and shouldn't be changed for the lifetime of the vehicle.
As an engineer with automotive experience, are you going to take the dealership/manufacturer's word on that too?
In the case of our cars, not a single one of them has an automatic transmission, so I don't need to take their word for it. That said, the last car we bought with an automatic was our 2003 minivan; from the day we drove it off the showroom floor until the day we traded it in on my wife's 2013 VW GTI, we put just over 200,000 miles on it, and yeah, it had the factory fill of ATF in the transmission, and the tranny still worked perfectly.
@pinkandgrey wrote:
Actually, while I have you car pros on the line here, I do have another small question.
Obviously the brakes are brand new (the truck currently has 213 miles). When I push on the brakes, I hear a small release of air. It's not a prolonged hissing noise or anything; it's just a quick little "whoosh" like if you were exhaling and closed your lips really fast. It seems to happen every time I hit the brake pedal. It's not loud either; I can't decide if anyone besides me would notice it or care lol.
But I want to make sure it's not a problem? No, I don't slam on the brakes, or ride the brakes, or do any of the things you're not supposed to do lol.
Is this normal? Par for the course for a brand new vehicle?
Thank you!!
Whether it is normal or not depends upon how the power assist is engineered in your truck. By your description I am assuming your truck uses vacuum assist to help apply the brakes without significant force on the brake pedal. Most vehicles I've heard which make the small whoosh when one presses the brake pedal make the noise such that you only hear it when at idle and have the windows open; either that or you have the hood open with your head near the brake booster and have someone else pressing the brake pedal. Either way, I believe this should be considered normal for your vehicle.
I am not familiar with the Frontier but I wouldn't be at all surprised if Nissan uses a vacuum assist for the brakes.
@pinkandgrey wrote:
@Horseshoez wrote:
@pinkandgrey wrote:Alright, I'm back with another ridiculous car question for the "car guys" among you.
Don't worry--I already know not to start the car more than once a day! (an inside joke)
Anyway, the manual says that during the break-in period of 1200 miles, one shouldn't drive at constant speeds or RPMs for long periods of time."
Naturally, that kind of vague language drives (ha) me crazy. What is a "long" period of time?? 30 seconds? Five minutes? An hour?
Where I live, I have to get on the highway to go anywhere. That means I'm going to be driving roughly 70mph give or take for at least 10 minutes.
I want to do the break-in period "right" in order to help preserve future reliability.
Chuckle away and share your thoughts lol
Thank you!
Best way, stay off the highway for the first 1,200 miles. Yeah, it'll take longer to get anywhere, but you'll be complying with the instructions in your Owner's Manual.
I actually CAN'T do that lol; that's the problem. I live in a small town outside of another small town. There are no side roads.
I know I'm late to this. I get much of my knowledge from YouTube car enthusiasts. Breaking in your car properly is very important, and it would be recommended to get on the highway and do various speeds until you get off. 55-75 MPH etc.
it would be recommended to change the oil at the 1200 mile mark, yes, despite the dealer yelling at you and saying you don't have to. Wear metals get shaved off in the engine and into the oil. Only way to get it out is change the oil. Don't believe me? YT motor oil geek.
i know i am late, so maybe change your oil now. 
@Patient957 wrote:
@Patient957 wrote:
@Horseshoez wrote:I would strongly argue against changing the oil before the recommended first change; engine design and technology has improved a lot since 1956 when an initial 500 mile oil change and then subsequent 3,000 mile oil changes were advisable. These days auto makers use a very specific assembly lube while building the engine; said assembly lube then mixes with the oil and acts to aid breaking engine in; by changing the oil early you flush most of the assembly lube out and can actually **bleep** the break in cycle.
Assembly lube is just for the first dry start. After that it plays no role.
You don't need to do a 500 mile oil change, but I would, and it's certainly not going to **bleep** anything up. Changing the oil is not going to **bleep** up your car. Not changing it will.
Take a look at what's going on with recent engines, where reliability has gone way down, across the board. Look at Toyota Tundra engine problems caused by "metal shavings" and tell me again how engine technologies are improving.
Mercedes and other manufacturers are recommending 15,000 oil change intervals on some vehicles. Go ahead, follow the mfg rec and see where that gets you. Back into the show room fast, buying another car.
And don't just take it from me; take it from a certified oil expert who loves his daughter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6nWCQ_70J0
I know exactly what video you linked, and that is EXACTLY WHAT I was thinking of when I made my comment. I'm so glad we're twins LMAO.