Nissan Ester Oil - good news! see inside

'10Anamoly · 06-14-2010, 12:13 PM

So, after getting my first oil changed at Nissan under the Maintenance Program (for 75000 miles all oil changes, tire rotations and fluids topped off are covered, price $1052ish to car), I discovered that they did NOT use the recommended, and very expensive, Nissan Ester Oil.

I went back to the service manager and discussed that the ester oil is recommended in the owners manual and that I absolutely wanted the recommended oil put into the car. He checked the oil change history and confirmed that I had the maintenance program and said, no problem, just remind us whenever you bring the car in for an oil change and we'll use the Ester Oil. They swapped it out in about 35 min and had it right back to me.

I also got a printout confirming the Ester oil (specifically) install under maintenance program/warranty.

Apparently, Nissan Corp did not use to allow dealers to use Ester oil under the maintenance program but recently changed their minds about it. Hence, my 20 oil changes now include the pricy Ester oil at no extra charge, and I still have the tire rotations and fluid maintenance for the life of the car.

SUMMARY: Maintenance program is probably worth it on these cars. I checked under the hood too and they did a great job, no spillage, new filter is on and the fluid level is perfect.

flashburn · 06-14-2010, 12:18 PM

Yes, Ester Oil is covered under the maintenance program for the 370Z, G37, and Maxima as long as you request it. Kind of shady that it works that way, but that is the way it is.

Jesse_Hunter · 06-14-2010, 12:27 PM

I just recently got my first oil change, with ester oil. It was 80$, I didn't request ester he just automatically put it in.

jpit · 06-14-2010, 12:55 PM

You might want to ask them how they managed to rotate the tires.

'10Anamoly · 06-14-2010, 01:14 PM

They can rotate side to side as the tires are not unidirectional per my understanding, but not front to back because they are different diameters.

Azroadster · 06-14-2010, 02:46 PM

The tires on the Sport Package most certainly are directional. The only way that they could possible rotate them would be to de-mount them and remount them for the other side, which I guarantee didn't happen. Hopefully they didn't tell you they rotated the tires.

AZ Roadster

Modshack · 06-14-2010, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '10Anamoly

Maintenance Program (for 75000 miles all oil changes, tire rotations and fluids topped off are covered, price $1052ish to car),

SUMMARY: Maintenance program is probably worth it on these cars. I checked under the hood too and they did a great job, no spillage, new filter is on and the fluid level is perfect.

Wow.....(not in a good way), but if it's worth it to you, then congrats....

darrinps · 06-14-2010, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '10Anamoly

So, after getting my first oil changed at Nissan under the Maintenance Program (for 75000 miles all oil changes, tire rotations and fluids topped off are covered, price $1052ish to car), I discovered that they did NOT use the recommended, and very expensive, Nissan Ester Oil...

Two things. One, they way overcharged you. Mine was like $400 and they threw it in after some haggling and two, I am not so sure Ester based CONVENTIONAL oil is as good as a synthetic to begin with.

I know Nissan recommends it, but I have never seen any tests done to show that it performs all that great and in fact the opposite seems to be the case. I wonder if it isn't more that they have a vested interest.

I put my trust in the folks over at Bob Is The Oil Guy site. They are saying synthetic...and I tend to agree.

I'll probably just bring my own M1 or PP to them when they do the change unless they have it there at a reasonable cost.

BTW, here are a few links talking about Nissan Ester oil over at BITOG:
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...Number=1905308
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...Number=1850328
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...Number=1902356
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...Number=1848105

Pay particular attention to the last two. This oil doesn't seem to be doing all that great of a job as far as engine protection goes. In short, I would not recommend this oil if your goal is engine longevity. It MAY do what they designed it to do...increase fuel mileage and lower emissions though.

travisjb · 06-14-2010, 09:29 PM

good post, darrinps! +rep

spearfish25 · 06-14-2010, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azroadster

The tires on the Sport Package most certainly are directional. The only way that they could possible rotate them would be to de-mount them and remount them for the other side, which I guarantee didn't happen. Hopefully they didn't tell you they rotated the tires.

AZ Roadster

If you look at the Bridgestones, you'll actually see that they are NOT directional. You can swap left and right, just not front and rear. The confusion is that they ARE asymmetrical meaning the tire has to be mounted on the rim with the correct side 'out'. Once an asymmetric tire is correctly mounted on the rim, it doesn't matter which side of the car you put it on.

efuseakay · 06-16-2010, 12:25 AM

Ester oil is just a gimmick. Absolutely no need for it.

SkyDancer · 06-16-2010, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

If you look at the Bridgestones, you'll actually see that they are NOT directional. You can swap left and right, just not front and rear. The confusion is that they ARE asymmetrical meaning the tire has to be mounted on the rim with the correct side 'out'. Once an asymmetric tire is correctly mounted on the rim, it doesn't matter which side of the car you put it on.

Are you sure about this? You are correct the tire has to be mounted on the rim with the correct side 'out'. However when I took my Z (touring / sport) in to Discount Tires (who I consider to be top notch in their business niche) to rotate them (rear to rear; front to front) they said the tires should not be swapped to the other side because the tread pattern for channeling water becomes reversed which affects the tire handling on water surfaces.

SkyDancer · 06-16-2010, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by efuseakay

Ester oil is just a gimmick. Absolutely no need for it.

Though I have switched from Ester to Full Synth I don't believe that the Ester is just a gimmick.

Ester oil has certain molecular characteristics absent in mineral and synth oils that:

1. Stays bonded better to the engine internals when the engine is started in very cold temperatures, paerticularlly the winter weather.

2. Maintains exacting tolerances between parts to a greater degree.

Nick911sc · 06-16-2010, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darrinps

Two things. One, they way overcharged you. Mine was like $400 and they threw it in after some haggling and two, I am not so sure Ester based CONVENTIONAL oil is as good as a synthetic to begin with.

I know Nissan recommends it, but I have never seen any tests done to show that it performs all that great and in fact the opposite seems to be the case. I wonder if it isn't more that they have a vested interest.

I put my trust in the folks over at Bob Is The Oil Guy site. They are saying synthetic...and I tend to agree.

I'll probably just bring my own M1 or PP to them when they do the change unless they have it there at a reasonable cost.

BTW, here are a few links talking about Nissan Ester oil over at BITOG:
Nissan Ester OIL 5W-30 - Bob Is The Oil Guy
VOA - Nissan Ester 5W-30 - Bob Is The Oil Guy
Nissan Ester 5W30-'08 Infiniti G37, 1.5k mi - Bob Is The Oil Guy
Nissan Ester Oil 5W-30; 09 Maxima; 14,300 Miles - Bob Is The Oil Guy

Pay particular attention to the last two. This oil doesn't seem to be doing all that great of a job as far as engine protection goes. In short, I would not recommend this oil if your goal is engine longevity. It MAY do what they designed it to do...increase fuel mileage and lower emissions though.

Great information

I searched all over BITOG when I was deciding if I should go with the ester.

To make a long story short I did not. I have Agip full synthetic in my Z. And my gf is running mobil 1 in her G37. Car runs much better than it did with the oil from the factory. Couldn't be happier!

'10Anamoly · 06-16-2010, 09:34 AM

It's not a gimmick. I know because since they swapped it out, the engine is much quieter, especially the valvetrain. Cold starts have no more chatter noise from the valvetrain that used to be there.

I'm pretty sure that even if Ester oil is not the most advanced stuff out there, Nissan would not have produced it if it did not do anything and wore your engine out faster.

06-14-2010, 12:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
'10Anamoly Track Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: GA Posts: 882 Drives: 2010 370Z BS M6 Rep Power: 15	Nissan Ester Oil - good news! see inside So, after getting my first oil changed at Nissan under the Maintenance Program (for 75000 miles all oil changes, tire rotations and fluids topped off are covered, price $1052ish to car), I discovered that they did NOT use the recommended, and very expensive, Nissan Ester Oil. I went back to the service manager and discussed that the ester oil is recommended in the owners manual and that I absolutely wanted the recommended oil put into the car. He checked the oil change history and confirmed that I had the maintenance program and said, no problem, just remind us whenever you bring the car in for an oil change and we'll use the Ester Oil. They swapped it out in about 35 min and had it right back to me. I also got a printout confirming the Ester oil (specifically) install under maintenance program/warranty. Apparently, Nissan Corp did not use to allow dealers to use Ester oil under the maintenance program but recently changed their minds about it. Hence, my 20 oil changes now include the pricy Ester oil at no extra charge, and I still have the tire rotations and fluid maintenance for the life of the car. SUMMARY: Maintenance program is probably worth it on these cars. I checked under the hood too and they did a great job, no spillage, new filter is on and the fluid level is perfect. __________________ 2013 Ford Mustang GT 374rwhp, 360rwtq SAE / GT500 Axle-Backs / Brembo Pack / Track Pack / Recaros / 6spd

06-14-2010, 12:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jesse_Hunter Track Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Denton,TX Age: 37 Posts: 738 Drives: 07' Sky Redline Rep Power: 365	I just recently got my first oil change, with ester oil. It was 80$, I didn't request ester he just automatically put it in. __________________ Check out my digital art/photo art!

06-14-2010, 12:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
jpit Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Washington State Posts: 440 Drives: 370Z Tour MT w/Spt Rep Power: 16	You might want to ask them how they managed to rotate the tires. Last edited by jpit; 06-14-2010 at 04:17 PM.

06-14-2010, 01:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
'10Anamoly Track Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: GA Posts: 882 Drives: 2010 370Z BS M6 Rep Power: 15	They can rotate side to side as the tires are not unidirectional per my understanding, but not front to back because they are different diameters. __________________ 2013 Ford Mustang GT 374rwhp, 360rwtq SAE / GT500 Axle-Backs / Brembo Pack / Track Pack / Recaros / 6spd

06-14-2010, 09:29 PM	#9 (permalink)
travisjb A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: GSO Posts: 2,803 Drives: VIR Rep Power: 188	good post, darrinps! +rep __________________ 2009 370Z #104 For Sale

06-14-2010, 12:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
flashburn A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,884 Drives: '12 Corvette GS 6M Rep Power: 18	Yes, Ester Oil is covered under the maintenance program for the 370Z, G37, and Maxima as long as you request it. Kind of shady that it works that way, but that is the way it is.

06-14-2010, 02:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
Azroadster Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 195 Drives: 2009 370Z Yellow 7sp Rep Power: 15	The tires on the Sport Package most certainly are directional. The only way that they could possible rotate them would be to de-mount them and remount them for the other side, which I guarantee didn't happen. Hopefully they didn't tell you they rotated the tires. AZ Roadster

06-16-2010, 12:25 AM	#11 (permalink)
efuseakay Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: The DAYNGA ZONE! Posts: 404 Drives: 2010 G37xS Sedan Rep Power: 15	Ester oil is just a gimmick. Absolutely no need for it.

06-16-2010, 09:34 AM	#15 (permalink)
'10Anamoly Track Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: GA Posts: 882 Drives: 2010 370Z BS M6 Rep Power: 15	It's not a gimmick. I know because since they swapped it out, the engine is much quieter, especially the valvetrain. Cold starts have no more chatter noise from the valvetrain that used to be there. I'm pretty sure that even if Ester oil is not the most advanced stuff out there, Nissan would not have produced it if it did not do anything and wore your engine out faster. __________________ 2013 Ford Mustang GT 374rwhp, 360rwtq SAE / GT500 Axle-Backs / Brembo Pack / Track Pack / Recaros / 6spd

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