Oil Recommendation please. 2016 370Z 7AT

[Denali33]

Hello looking for expert opinion for my 2016 370Z 7AT. Well aware of Nissan's "recommendation" for utilizing their Ester Based oils. Upon research on various sites I see that people just stay stick with the Nissan recommendation and running their oil, but seeing used oil analysis it show's otherwise.

Please advise other quality product's for the VQ37VHR powerplant , was looking at these oils..

http://www.eneos.us/products/eneos-fully-synthetic-motor-oil/eneos-5w30/

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Castrol Edge 0w30 is popular in the Nissan community.

 

[Garak]

What oil change interval do you plan on using? Eneos is fine, but as always, watch pricing. Any ordinary conventional or synthetic 5w30 will do. If you want thicker, Castrol C3 5w30 is suitable, according to Castrol, since your car calls for an SN 5w30, not necessarily SN/GF-5. So, you could go for a C3 5w30 like the Castrol, Mobil, or Pennzoil versions. An E6, E7, E9 CJ-4/SN 5w30 would also work.

Of course, you can grab any off the shelf synthetic or conventional SN/GF-5 5w30 and be fine. Sticking to the 5w30 SN is best for warranty documentation purposes. As you see, I venture off the reservation a little further with my choice, with Delvac 1 ESP 5w-40, but that was my choice and my own warranty liability, which, of course, never amounted to a hill of beans.

 

[Denali33]

I will be sticking to around 5k intervals. Going to do my first change at 3k and send off to blackstone. Have you strictly been sticking with your 5w-40..any issues? Quiet?

 

[vronline]

Why send the factory fill for a used oil analysis?

 

[Garak]

It's quiet, as quiet as these engines get, that is. Avoid the ester stuff, for price alone. They don't even push it in Canada; we spend enough on oil up here without adding something outlandish. Nissan/Infiniti seems to address noise complaints by whatever shuts the owner up fastest, be it a reflash or expensive oil. I find that it's an electronic issue of some sort, only having seen it once on my vehicle. After an extended period of idle, it was very rattly. I shut it off, and immediately restarted it, and the clatter was gone, never to return.

The path of least resistance and most sense would be to grab something that meets OEM requirements, particularly for warranty. It's never a problem, of course, until it is. If you want something thicker than an ordinary ILSAC 5w30, just get Delvac 1 LE 5w30, which is an SN 5w30 with elevated HTHS. But, you're not looking to go long on your OCIs, so there's really no need to be hunting for anything out of the ordinary.

For the longest time, I ran ordinary Pennzoil conventional in 5w30, and was very happy with it. It just happened I had some leftover Delvac 1 ESP 5w-40 from a previous vehicle, I also get it at a price that nearly rivals conventional here, and I checked with a certain esteemed expert on the matter. The engine doesn't burn oil, and it and I seemed equally happy on either oil. I don't like jumping around, though, so once I started on Delvac 1, I've stuck with it for a rather long time.

 

[sir1900]

used oil analysis have shown that the Nissan-based ester oil isn't worth the money.

I have a VQ37VHR and my plan for now is to use conventional during the summer and synthetic in the winter. The reason for this plan is to get rid of the excess conventional I have in my stash more than anything else. I only have 11,000 miles (17,000 km) on the clock in the year and a half I've had my Q50 and while bitterly cold in recent weeks, she is always garage parked. Oil gets warmed up quickly when I take her out.

Unless you plan to take your car to the track, there is no need to spend extra money on oil. Even the off the shelf stuff you can find at Walmart will more than suffice. The key is to change it regularly as these engines are hard on oil.

I like Garak's plan though he has no warranty left on his G37 so he is free to do whatever he chooses.

As for a used oil analysis on the factory fill, I wouldn't recommend it. There is next to nothing that can be gleaned from it. I would wait until at least the second oil change before pulling a sample for analysis.

 

[Denali33]

Understood about the used oil analysis on Factory Fill..what Oil Filters are we using?

 

[sir1900]

I am using Hastings-made Federated I bought from RockAuto.

I also have a stash of Purolator/Carquest, Wix/Microgard and FRAM filters. All are decent. At this time, I cannot recommend Mobil 1 filters as some of the louvers in those filters aren't opened entirely. Definitely poor QC on their part.

Hastings and Purolator's louvers are pretty good as the ones I have are all opened up nicely for good flow.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: sir1900
Oil gets warmed up quickly when I take her out.

Yes. Two winters ago, when it was -34 C, I went to change the oil. It had only run for about 10 minutes on the Ring Road and less than 5 minutes of city driving. I darn near burned my hands, even with gloves on and a wad of paper towels when gripping the filter. I used to change the taxis' oil in the summer, with them running all day, and never had a problem without gloves.

Denali33: For filters, I often use the Wix 51358, the specified one, but had the louver issue once and had to do an exchange; there are some threads on the topic here, including one I started, in the filter section. So, if you happen to use it or the Mobil 1 filter, check the louvers to ensure they're open, which negates online purchases. I've also used a number of Hastings and have a Baldwin on deck (same as Hastings). I used a lot of Bosch Premiums before Purolator quality control went down the toilet. OEM or the Fram Ultra would be other decent options, though I've tried neither of them.

With filters, I play a few games with using non-specified filters, but it's the same deal, it's all on me if something goes wrong. The Wix 57357, 51365, and 51356 all fit the engine, and have a few advantages (like silicone ADBVs and occasionally pricing). The 51365 used to be the specified filter, but that changed a few years back. It's a safer bet to stick with what's specified. Baldwin/Hastings seem to be a little more flexible with choosing an upsize, but most companies warn that they don't cover damages if you use an unspecified filter or oil. Since I'm using an oil out of grade, it won't matter what filter I use if something goes wrong anyhow.

 

[1JZ_E46]

Hard to go wrong with an A3/B4 "euro" oil, if you prefer overall durability/protection over fuel economy. Any A3/B4 oil with 229.5, A40, and LL-01 approvals is top notch. Castrol EDGE 0w30 and Castrol EDGE 0W-40 are very popular.

 

[Denali33]

Went ahead and ordered Pennzoil Platinum Euro L 5w30 and K@N Oil Filter.

 

[THafeez]

I would stay away from K&N. if you want another high flow oil filter go with royal purple. They are built better. Fram ultra is just as good. Most K&Ns are built in Mexico or china and aren't made like they used to.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: Denali33
Went ahead and ordered Pennzoil Platinum Euro L 5w30 and K@N Oil Filter.

There's nothing wrong with the K&N oil filter. It's not my first choice, but we pay through the nose up here for filters. There may be better options for the money, but you got something reputable and serviceable enough. The Pennzoil Euro L will be fine, since that is SN as per the manual requirements (lacking GF-5 is fine), and has the higher HTHS.

 

[1JZ_E46]

Euro L. Interesting. That's a low SAPS oil for diesels. Less anti-wear additives. At least it's not a thin GF-5.

 

[Denali33]

Correct, it meet's the API SN spec and the weight so I am covered. I plan on doing a VOA on this as I received an extra quart. Gonna start with a 3k interval run a used oil analysis and proceed from there.

 

[1JZ_E46]

Originally Posted By: Denali33
Correct, it meet's the API SN spec and the weight so I am covered. I plan on doing a VOA on this as I received an extra quart. Gonna start with a 3k interval run a used oil analysis and proceed from there.


Very nice. Interested in the VOA.

 

[Denali33]

Pic's of said object

 

[Denali33]

Most I can gather from the Shell Rep..

"Jonathan,
Meets ACEA C3-12 specifications, you can find information on those specifications online if that is useful. Also MBW LL-4, Chrysler MS-11106, GM Dexos2, MB 229.51. These specifications are comprehensive in performance and go beyond API SN. That is all I can offer"

"Jonathan,
Same oil we use for Mercedes Benz diesels used in Sprinter Vans for example. I don’t have the TBN available to me now.
Keith"

"Hi Johathan,
Yes, Pennzoil Platinum Euro L 5w30 does meet the API SN requirements. Data sheet attached."

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: 1JZ_E46
Euro L. Interesting. That's a low SAPS oil for diesels. Less anti-wear additives. At least it's not a thin GF-5.

No, it's a C3 product, which is for gas or diesel, depending upon what the vehicle specifies. Castrol Elixion is a low SAPS oil for diesels, because it's CJ-4 and E6, with no gasoline specs. Nissan/Infiniti calls for a 5w30 with the current API S spec, with ILSAC certification being optional. So, a 5w30 in SN and C3 is acceptable.

Castrol's lube finder recommends their C3 5w30 as a suitable choice for the 370Z and G37, as well. If it were me, I'd lean towards the new Shell 5w30 CK-4 HDEO or Mobil Delvac 1 LE 5w30, due to costs. Or, I could go A3/B4, because I'm out of warranty and it's my problem.