Good afternoon,
After much research, am I correct that ester oil is just a fancy term for synthetic?
After much research, am I correct that ester oil is just a fancy term for synthetic?
Nissan Esther Oil
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Ester is just one type of synthetic oil. So to answer your question yes.....and no.
Originally Posted By: MotoTribologist
Ester is just one type of synthetic oil. So to answer your question yes.....and no.
Thank you, I was just making sure I was reading correctly.
Ester is just one type of synthetic oil. So to answer your question yes.....and no.
Thank you, I was just making sure I was reading correctly.
synthetic oils come in 3 flavors, group III highly refined CRUDE oil legally synthetic since a law revision. group IV or PAO is a real synthesised synthetic oil, + the top of the oil chain is Ester oils + there are many but only a few suited to lubrication, simply put Ester oils are synthesised from various acids + alcohols to whatever purpose is desired. most all oils blend different types to get a desired result + price point. a search will go into more detail if your interested
Originally Posted By: benjy
synthetic oils come in 3 flavors, group III highly refined CRUDE oil legally synthetic since a law revision. group IV or PAO is a real synthesised synthetic oil, + the top of the oil chain is Ester oils + there are many but only a few suited to lubrication, simply put Ester oils are synthesised from various acids + alcohols to whatever purpose is desired. most all oils blend different types to get a desired result + price point. a search will go into more detail if your interested
Group III isn't really just "refined", it consists of chemically modified elements of crude oil. It is different from esters in that the starting stock is refined from crude (olefins can be made from crude or natural gas), but it is still synthesized in that it is chemically modified into a different substance. Saying that something is refined implies that the end product was present in the base stock, just mixed in with other substances that were removed.
We can argue until the end of time about whether group IIIs are "true synthetics", but they are not produced by simply distilling crude oil.
synthetic oils come in 3 flavors, group III highly refined CRUDE oil legally synthetic since a law revision. group IV or PAO is a real synthesised synthetic oil, + the top of the oil chain is Ester oils + there are many but only a few suited to lubrication, simply put Ester oils are synthesised from various acids + alcohols to whatever purpose is desired. most all oils blend different types to get a desired result + price point. a search will go into more detail if your interested
Group III isn't really just "refined", it consists of chemically modified elements of crude oil. It is different from esters in that the starting stock is refined from crude (olefins can be made from crude or natural gas), but it is still synthesized in that it is chemically modified into a different substance. Saying that something is refined implies that the end product was present in the base stock, just mixed in with other substances that were removed.
We can argue until the end of time about whether group IIIs are "true synthetics", but they are not produced by simply distilling crude oil.
That's been explained to him multiple times in multiple different ways. This is a case of someone who just likes to repeatedly make incorrect posts either because they won't listen, won't learn or can't do either one.
Either that or they think they have special knowledge no one else knows.
Originally Posted By: Virtus_Probi
Originally Posted By: benjy
synthetic oils come in 3 flavors, group III highly refined CRUDE oil legally synthetic since a law revision. group IV or PAO is a real synthesised synthetic oil, + the top of the oil chain is Ester oils + there are many but only a few suited to lubrication, simply put Ester oils are synthesised from various acids + alcohols to whatever purpose is desired. most all oils blend different types to get a desired result + price point. a search will go into more detail if your interested
Group III isn't really just "refined", it consists of chemically modified elements of crude oil. It is different from esters in that the starting stock is refined from crude (olefins can be made from crude or natural gas), but it is still synthesized in that it is chemically modified into a different substance. Saying that something is refined implies that the end product was present in the base stock, just mixed in with other substances that were removed.
We can argue until the end of time about whether group IIIs are "true synthetics", but they are not produced by simply distilling crude oil.
Either that or they think they have special knowledge no one else knows.
Originally Posted By: Virtus_Probi
Originally Posted By: benjy
synthetic oils come in 3 flavors, group III highly refined CRUDE oil legally synthetic since a law revision. group IV or PAO is a real synthesised synthetic oil, + the top of the oil chain is Ester oils + there are many but only a few suited to lubrication, simply put Ester oils are synthesised from various acids + alcohols to whatever purpose is desired. most all oils blend different types to get a desired result + price point. a search will go into more detail if your interested
Group III isn't really just "refined", it consists of chemically modified elements of crude oil. It is different from esters in that the starting stock is refined from crude (olefins can be made from crude or natural gas), but it is still synthesized in that it is chemically modified into a different substance. Saying that something is refined implies that the end product was present in the base stock, just mixed in with other substances that were removed.
We can argue until the end of time about whether group IIIs are "true synthetics", but they are not produced by simply distilling crude oil.
Originally Posted By: benjy
synthetic oils come in 3 flavors, group III highly refined CRUDE oil legally synthetic since a law revision. group IV or PAO is a real synthesised synthetic oil, + the top of the oil chain is Ester oils + there are many but only a few suited to lubrication, simply put Ester oils are synthesised from various acids + alcohols to whatever purpose is desired. most all oils blend different types to get a desired result + price point. a search will go into more detail if your interested
What spurred my curiosity is a lot of the references of my Google search mentioned ester oil being used refrigerator and A/C compressors.
synthetic oils come in 3 flavors, group III highly refined CRUDE oil legally synthetic since a law revision. group IV or PAO is a real synthesised synthetic oil, + the top of the oil chain is Ester oils + there are many but only a few suited to lubrication, simply put Ester oils are synthesised from various acids + alcohols to whatever purpose is desired. most all oils blend different types to get a desired result + price point. a search will go into more detail if your interested
What spurred my curiosity is a lot of the references of my Google search mentioned ester oil being used refrigerator and A/C compressors.
Tom NJ
$100 Site Donor 2026
The "Nissan Ester Oil" is not based on esters. It contains a small percentage of an ester friction modifier.
For more on esters used in synthetic lubricants, see:
Esters in Synthetic Lubricants
Tom NJ/VA
For more on esters used in synthetic lubricants, see:
Esters in Synthetic Lubricants
Tom NJ/VA
I've been wondering this myself, as I just bought a 2016 Frontier. The wording in the manual is very ambiguous. For both the 6 and 4 cylinder engines it says use Genuine Nissan Ester oil or "Engine oil with API Certification Mark, Viscosity SAE 5w30." For the 4 cylinder model only, it says "As an alternative to this recommended oil, SAE 5w30 or SAE 10w30 conventional petroleum based oils may be used and meet all specifications and requirements necessary to maintain the NISSAN New Vehicle Limited Warranty."
I have to assume from that sentence they're wanting us to use a synthetic.
I have to assume from that sentence they're wanting us to use a synthetic.
A used oil analysis I saw here showed Nissan Ester as a largely unremarkable oil. Even some dealerships don't use this stuff unless you specifically ask for it.
Go with whatever meets spec and enjoy your Frontier.
Go with whatever meets spec and enjoy your Frontier.
Originally Posted By: kschachn
That's been explained to him multiple times in multiple different ways. This is a case of someone who just likes to repeatedly make incorrect posts either because they won't listen, won't learn or can't do either one.
Either that or they think they have special knowledge no one else knows.
Originally Posted By: Virtus_Probi
Originally Posted By: benjy
synthetic oils come in 3 flavors, group III highly refined CRUDE oil legally synthetic since a law revision. group IV or PAO is a real synthesised synthetic oil, + the top of the oil chain is Ester oils + there are many but only a few suited to lubrication, simply put Ester oils are synthesised from various acids + alcohols to whatever purpose is desired. most all oils blend different types to get a desired result + price point. a search will go into more detail if your interested
Group III isn't really just "refined", it consists of chemically modified elements of crude oil. It is different from esters in that the starting stock is refined from crude (olefins can be made from crude or natural gas), but it is still synthesized in that it is chemically modified into a different substance. Saying that something is refined implies that the end product was present in the base stock, just mixed in with other substances that were removed.
We can argue until the end of time about whether group IIIs are "true synthetics", but they are not produced by simply distilling crude oil.
Give him a break, some people just like answering questions that no one asked and
That's been explained to him multiple times in multiple different ways. This is a case of someone who just likes to repeatedly make incorrect posts either because they won't listen, won't learn or can't do either one.
Either that or they think they have special knowledge no one else knows.
Originally Posted By: Virtus_Probi
Originally Posted By: benjy
synthetic oils come in 3 flavors, group III highly refined CRUDE oil legally synthetic since a law revision. group IV or PAO is a real synthesised synthetic oil, + the top of the oil chain is Ester oils + there are many but only a few suited to lubrication, simply put Ester oils are synthesised from various acids + alcohols to whatever purpose is desired. most all oils blend different types to get a desired result + price point. a search will go into more detail if your interested
Group III isn't really just "refined", it consists of chemically modified elements of crude oil. It is different from esters in that the starting stock is refined from crude (olefins can be made from crude or natural gas), but it is still synthesized in that it is chemically modified into a different substance. Saying that something is refined implies that the end product was present in the base stock, just mixed in with other substances that were removed.
We can argue until the end of time about whether group IIIs are "true synthetics", but they are not produced by simply distilling crude oil.
Give him a break, some people just like answering questions that no one asked and
Originally Posted By: benjy
synthetic oils come in 3 flavors, group III highly refined CRUDE oil legally synthetic since a law revision. group IV or PAO is a real synthesised synthetic oil, + the top of the oil chain is Ester oils + there are many but only a few suited to lubrication, simply put Ester oils are synthesised from various acids + alcohols to whatever purpose is desired. most all oils blend different types to get a desired result + price point. a search will go into more detail if your interested
Plus another one... GTL synthetic... It is gr. III+
synthetic oils come in 3 flavors, group III highly refined CRUDE oil legally synthetic since a law revision. group IV or PAO is a real synthesised synthetic oil, + the top of the oil chain is Ester oils + there are many but only a few suited to lubrication, simply put Ester oils are synthesised from various acids + alcohols to whatever purpose is desired. most all oils blend different types to get a desired result + price point. a search will go into more detail if your interested
Plus another one... GTL synthetic... It is gr. III+
Originally Posted By: Virtus_Probi
Originally Posted By: benjy
synthetic oils come in 3 flavors, group III highly refined CRUDE oil legally synthetic since a law revision. group IV or PAO is a real synthesised synthetic oil, + the top of the oil chain is Ester oils + there are many but only a few suited to lubrication, simply put Ester oils are synthesised from various acids + alcohols to whatever purpose is desired. most all oils blend different types to get a desired result + price point. a search will go into more detail if your interested
Group III isn't really just "refined", it consists of chemically modified elements of crude oil. It is different from esters in that the starting stock is refined from crude (olefins can be made from crude or natural gas), but it is still synthesized in that it is chemically modified into a different substance. Saying that something is refined implies that the end product was present in the base stock, just mixed in with other substances that were removed.
We can argue until the end of time about whether group IIIs are "true synthetics", but they are not produced by simply distilling crude oil.
But then again, where is the cut-off point? Group II oils are chemically modified to be saturated hydrocarbons through the hydrotreating process. Since those are chemically "different" than natural crude components through non physical means, wouldn't that qualify them as being synthetic as well?
Originally Posted By: benjy
synthetic oils come in 3 flavors, group III highly refined CRUDE oil legally synthetic since a law revision. group IV or PAO is a real synthesised synthetic oil, + the top of the oil chain is Ester oils + there are many but only a few suited to lubrication, simply put Ester oils are synthesised from various acids + alcohols to whatever purpose is desired. most all oils blend different types to get a desired result + price point. a search will go into more detail if your interested
Group III isn't really just "refined", it consists of chemically modified elements of crude oil. It is different from esters in that the starting stock is refined from crude (olefins can be made from crude or natural gas), but it is still synthesized in that it is chemically modified into a different substance. Saying that something is refined implies that the end product was present in the base stock, just mixed in with other substances that were removed.
We can argue until the end of time about whether group IIIs are "true synthetics", but they are not produced by simply distilling crude oil.
But then again, where is the cut-off point? Group II oils are chemically modified to be saturated hydrocarbons through the hydrotreating process. Since those are chemically "different" than natural crude components through non physical means, wouldn't that qualify them as being synthetic as well?
Originally Posted By: MotoTribologist
But then again, where is the cut-off point? Group II oils are chemically modified to be saturated hydrocarbons through the hydrotreating process. Since those are chemically "different" than natural crude components through non physical means, wouldn't that qualify them as being synthetic as well?
Quite right about Group II...again, what we want to call "synthetic" is an argument in which I'm sure not knowledgeable enough to contribute much, but I just wanted to point out that Group III is not simply refined/filtered/distilled/whatever crude. I suspect that very little of what happens in a modern refinery is old fashioned "refining" by the strict meaning of the word...
But then again, where is the cut-off point? Group II oils are chemically modified to be saturated hydrocarbons through the hydrotreating process. Since those are chemically "different" than natural crude components through non physical means, wouldn't that qualify them as being synthetic as well?
Quite right about Group II...again, what we want to call "synthetic" is an argument in which I'm sure not knowledgeable enough to contribute much, but I just wanted to point out that Group III is not simply refined/filtered/distilled/whatever crude. I suspect that very little of what happens in a modern refinery is old fashioned "refining" by the strict meaning of the word...
Originally Posted By: Kamele0N
Plus another one... GTL synthetic... It is gr. III+
Except that there is no such thing, GTL synthetics are Group III just like the rest of them.
Plus another one... GTL synthetic... It is gr. III+
Except that there is no such thing, GTL synthetics are Group III just like the rest of them.
Originally Posted By: Tom NJ
The "Nissan Ester Oil" is not based on esters. It contains a small percentage of an ester friction modifier.
This, completely. And, it's highly expensive, too.
fenixguy: No, an ordinary conventional is fine, particularly since there is no "synthetic" spec you can easily enforce. An oil is 5w30 in SN, or it is not. You will see that the dealer will offer Mobil Super 1000 5w30, which is a conventional. There's nothing wrong with that, particularly with the relatively short OEM intervals. I suspect your dealer doesn't even push or list the Nissan Ester Oil. They sure don't here. An oil change at an Infiniti dealer is expensive enough with synthetic as it is, much less adding another ultra-expensive option.
The "Nissan Ester Oil" is not based on esters. It contains a small percentage of an ester friction modifier.
This, completely. And, it's highly expensive, too.
fenixguy: No, an ordinary conventional is fine, particularly since there is no "synthetic" spec you can easily enforce. An oil is 5w30 in SN, or it is not. You will see that the dealer will offer Mobil Super 1000 5w30, which is a conventional. There's nothing wrong with that, particularly with the relatively short OEM intervals. I suspect your dealer doesn't even push or list the Nissan Ester Oil. They sure don't here. An oil change at an Infiniti dealer is expensive enough with synthetic as it is, much less adding another ultra-expensive option.
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