Synthetic or Non Synthetic? What do the dealers usually use?
 

I always had them put ester oil in my 370z but i recently had a bunch of work done and an oil leak and they had to put oil in. The problem is that lookuing at the printout ester was not used as it just says:

5w30 Oil, Motor

The problem is the oil level is a little low. I have a feeling its cause they only put 5 qts in when it should be atleast 5.5 because I have an oil cooler. Its almost down to the L. It is also possible its still leaking or burning oil. I want to put more oil in it to test that theory (I just got my car back a day or two ago).

Anyone know what the dealer would normally put in a 370? Regular non-synthetic or synthetic? I am guessing they would just put regular non-synthetic in to save money in warranty repair things like this?

If I add synthetic to it is that a problem (mixing the types)? I tried calling the dealer a bit ago but I can't reach anyone in the service department. I called yesterday too but it was kind of unclear. They said they use mobile 1 and he verified it wasn't ester if it doesn't say that on the printout but he couldn't give me a strait answer on synthetic vs non-synthetic.

Most will put crap oil instead of what's recommended. Mine puts Terrible Herbst oil in it. F that.

Never trusted the stealership to do any work in my Z unless they will allow me to physically present while they do the job.

Given the fact that your oil is that low it doesn't matter whether you put in a synthetic or non-synthetic what is more important now is to top it up immediately to the required level otherwise suffer the consequences of a blown engine.

I personally use a synthetic oil. Never had my oil go down that much I do have an oil cooler and I drive the Z hard most of the time.

I have mixed synthetic with regular oil when i was stuck (different car) it was fine but i wouldn't make it a habit. I'd be interested in knowing what synthetic the dealer uses...

I personally use Royal Purple HPS

My neighborhood Nissan Stealship told me that they use Valvoline 5W-30.

Like every other oil thread...you've over-thinking it. Just make sure to check the oil least once a week and keep it topped off. Pick your favorite 5W-30 oil and bring it with you to the dealer if you're that picky. The dealer is not going to stock every damn oil out there to satisfy every person that cannot change their own oil.


Mobile 1 is synthetic and it's fine for the Z
Regular Valvoline is non-synthetic and it's still fine for the Z
If Walmart doesn't have it...you don't need it.

This isnt soo much about me being picky and I think you missed some stuff. The oil was low and the dealer did not put ester (like normal) and were closed so I was just trying to get an idea of what they usually would use so I can put some more in (top it off) and see if its burning oil. Considering I had a massive oil leak and lost almost all my oil I think thats a pretty valid concern.

Anyway I read online that as its safe to mix synthetic/non-synthetic oils but mixing regular with synthetic will lower the quality of the synthetic. I know the dealer said if synthetic they use mobil one so I went ahead and got some of that and topped it off. The car was almost 1qt low. This is a day or two after having major work done at the dealer (replacing the upper oil pan and valves that go with it). I need to know if the car is burning oil like crazy (possible) or the dealer just f*cked up and put too little oil in (like a bit less than 5qt even though I have an oil cooler which means at least 5.5 qt).

I guess I will know in a few days...

The oil being low is on you, not them, you out a cooler, not them (not trying to argue btw)

And it's 5.125 quarts, lol, so 5 usually covers it because all the oil isn't drained


And it depends what they charge you for...

Oh, and mixing types is 100% A-OK

In a pinch, yes. But there isn't any good reason why you'd mix oils at an oil change.

Who cares? And they sell blends for a reason.
Synthetic is supposed to offer better HP, conventional, better torque

Old school thinking says "oh make sure they're miscible" which they are, so no issue there either

A few oil geeks do. Those that are seriously into the right blend for *their* application will mix and match to find their ideal cocktail and be happy. For example someone who wants more moly or other anti-wear additive in their oil may blend 1 qt of HDEO with 4 of another synthetic and then grab a UOA to check out the performance.

This isn't to suggest doing it: but to echo what others have stated in that you can mix away, don't over think it...its a blend of oil that has a blend of additive packages.

Bottom line is you want to replace it *before* your additive packages have run their course.

To the OP: you may just need to re-iterate you need more oil as your car is non-standard each and every time you get service. Yes sounds like they may have goofed as unless directed, using Ester is not SOP for most dealers.

From the FSM a normal oil change is 5 1/8 qt as is, and likely most folks just toss in 5qt and call it a day as 1/8th is hard to read on a stick :)

Me, I bring my own 5qt container of synthetic to the dealer for my oil change...and I put 1/8th qt in myself afterwards when I measure it. :driving:

- b

Bring the car back to the dealer and ask them to inspect for leaks. Inform them that you have an aftermarket oil cooler which makes your Z require more than the standard 5.1 qts. Do not leave the dealer until the oil is topped off. Check for leaks as needed.

I really don't understand your logic on how the oil being low is on me?

My car has been 95% at the dealer for the last 3 weeks due to an oil leak. They know I have an oil cooler. Also the dealer is far (23 miles away). Don't really want to go back just to have them add some oil. If it looks like its burning or leaking again then I will definitely bring it back but for now its looking like its 1) burning oil or 2) they didn't put enough in. Does not appear to be leaking.

The dealerships aren't going to be consistent. I always used to instruct them to go full synthetic and the cost was about $125. One of the times they charged only $40 and it was because they but in regular oil. I made them change it and they didn't charge me because of the hassle. That was the last time I let them do an oil change.

Their is nothing "special" about changing the oil for the Z so you have to instruct them on specifically what you want done. I would recommend that you call the service department and have them tell you what to do for the consumption issue. Document who you talked to and what they told you to do in case the engine goes during the observation period or during your trek of 23 miles.

I always instruct them that it needs atleast 5.5 qts because of the oil cooler but in this case they were dealing with an oil leek that was where the oil pan cracked where the oil cooler line comes in and they knewI have an oil coolers. Also it was the foreman doing the work. Its not like it was just a regular oil change. I was a bit annoyed because I always get ester oil and this time they didn't put ester oil in but I have never gotten my car back that low. It was basically 1.5 qts low. I suspect it might be burning oil but I hope not.. It never did in the past.

I have a feeling we're missing a part of this picture... What are you getting CHARGED for? (If you're getting charged for 5.5-6 quarts of Ester oil and they're not doing it, skip the next paragraph)

The car NEEDS 5.125 quarts... Since you put an aftermarket oil cooler yours NEEDS more, but since that's not their monkey, why is it THEIR job?

So, if you're paying for Ester, and the amount you tell them, and they're not doing it, go into the dealer and have them change it. All my dealers know that if they don't put Ester I'm brining it back, which I had to once

My Dealershit put the WRONG oil in my car.. They put in 0W-20 and i bitched and moaned and they TOLD me that they replaced it with the correct synthetic oil. In a few thousand miles i am going to do my own oil change and send it off to be analyzed to see if they really did change it... DONT TRUST THEM!!!

After finding out the crap my dealer puts in their cars, I bring in all the materials needed no matter where I go.

OP Redline!! :driving:

I guess you missed where the part where I said this is a special case where they were dealing with an oil leak (cracked upper oil pan) where they had to replace the oil as part of the repair. This was not a regular oil change. Everytime I have ever gone in for an oil changes its been ester oil and I have been charged as such. There was no charge for this because it was all warranty work but they did not use ester oil like I normally would have.

Basically the next day after warranty repair I see that my oil is super low so I posted this thread to try to figure out what I should do to get the oil level to a normal level because I had no clue what they put in. It just said 5w30 which means I knew it wasn't Ester...

And to answer your other question when I have a Nismo oil cooler which was installed *by this dealer* and the oil cooler was only installed because it was recommended *by this dealer* and the crack at the oil pan was where the oil cooler connected to the oil pan and they even had to order parts for the cooler connector then yes I expect the oil put in the car *by this dealer* to be the proper amount.

I don't think that is unreasonable. Also it was way low.. 1.5qt. They obviously did not even fill it to 5.125 qts or the car is burning oil like crazy (to burn through 1+ qt in a 200 miles).

Before doing anything with the oil at this point I am first just going to verify it is not burning through its oil.

my local dealer jujst changed the oil in mine but I took them alll the supplies... amsol 5w30 and amsol filter....changed it for 12 bucks labor which was a very reasonable deal IMO. The cool thing was the service writer actually asked me if I used Ester oil. First time using Amsol have been a Mobil 1 user for 10+ years and will continue to use it in my pahtfinder. Have heard about Amsol for years so figured I would finally give it a try.