Just spoke with the parts manager at my local. He said that Nissans ester dino oil doesn't really contain ester...it contains "ester oil qualities". He also said that Valvoline reps came into the dealership and showed them the breakdown between the ester oil and the 5W30 valvoline synpower, full synthetic. He said that the Synpower showed the same "properties" as the Nissan ester oil, and they said they would guarantee the motor for 250,000. My dealership now offers/stocks the synpower as a option for the Maxima.

I am at 1500 miles and will use the ester oil for this, my first change, but my next will have Valvoline Synpower 5W30

Take this all with a grain of salt, I did not SEE the paperwork showing that formula match, but it could be the real deal......ANYONE?

 

hmmm good post, i know my dealer said to me if i use anything but ester oil, they will not warranty any engine work, but this is interesting to know

 

LOL - no formula match as Nissan Ester oil is conventional oil with ester additive(s). Most major label conventional, and synthetic/synthetic blend, oils have ester additives. Valvoline has been targeting Nissan dealerships a lot in my area nothing wrong with it but they didn't tell you the facts...

Weird that the dealer would push Valvoline obviously they make more margin with it than the Ester oil. Anyway Synpower is a PAO Synthetic and exceeds Nissan's requirements so either way you'll be fine.

 

That is completely false and you should notify the service manager of your dealer that his Service Advisers are misinformed.

 

I hate it when companies place Trojan Horses in the Owners Manual for the purposes of revenue enhancement. It is a fact that the required oil is 5W-30, API mark "SM." Ester oil is not a requirement and not using it will not void the warranty. Some Nissan techs depend on the buying public's doubt to sell $12. per quart oil.

The Owners Manual is a legal document and the only binding oil requirement is stated above. The use of Nissan ester oil is suggested. They also suggest using Nissan oil filters.

To compare and contrast, the Owner's Manual clearly states the requirement of Nissan NS-2 fluid for the CVT. It clearly states that use of any other fluid in the CVT will damage the CVT and void the warranty.

 

Now, now; let's don't dampen this mystery by bringing facts here.

Of course you are correct about the owner's manual and there is NO requirement for ester oil. Both the Nissan dealers I frequent use plain old Shell 5W-30 dino oil, and it meets all warranty requirements. But the dealers have to make their money somewhere.

Many of us posters here are fairly **** about our cars, and I sort of fall into that category. I may switch to synthetic whenever I am convinced I am switching to a synthetic that bypasses the molybdenium situation.

 

My dad says in his day, he'd get any old used oil he could find. The older and thicker the better. 'Seal up those rings good'. If he used new oil, it'd run thru the engine like a 'sh*% thru a goose'.

So i'm just 'wasting my money' worrying about all this.

"I can haz used oil?"

 

uppet: LOL