What's with the low oil?
 

I have a 09 370Z and recently it just cutoff while I was driving. I took it to the dealership and they told me quite nonchalantly there was engine motor damage because the car was low on oil and it will cost me 13k to repair. Should this be happening in a car with 33k miles on it? The oil and filter change schedule has not been strictly kept over say the last 5-6months or so but the oil has been changed during that time period. And shouldn't the check oil light or engine light come on before the car just cuts off like that? I received a second opinion and was told that the car needed a MAP sensor. Honestly I'm not sure what the problem is however I have read that the Z does burn oil and Nissan is telling me that they will not repair the car under the manufactures warranty. What are my choices and what are some recommendations.

There is a tech bulletin on this. You should be totally covered. Follow the link:

http://www.the370z.com/370z-technica...level-low.html

First off if the cars oil got so low that it destroyed the engine its your own fault. The oil level should be checked often on any car to avoid a problem like you are having. Some 370's do have oil consumption issues and if you notice your Z suffering from it (by checking the oil) you bring it to Nissan they run some tests and determine if you need a new engine. As for the oil light it is just an Idiot Light. Sometimes when it goes on its to late. Good Luck with whatever happens.

I noticed a funny sound in the mornings and wondered what it was. I checked the oil and it was down one quart. About 1,000 miles since oil change. The sound only occurred after morning start up and during the first mile or two. Sort of a slow, soft whoop.

^ so what happened after that? Was your engine one of those that consumed oil permanently? Did you end up with a new engine under warranty?

After reading the TSB posted above:

"APPLIED VIN / DATE: Vehicles built before: JN1AZ4FH(*)AM303670 / 05-Apr-2010 Vehicles built before: JN1AZ4EH(*)AM503778 / 05-Apr-2010"

I guess mine falls in this category. Are there others that fall in the above category with no issues at all? I'm all paranoid now... lol... I've been checking, all seems fine.

Mine does, but i took an extra precaution and installed AAM oil pan spacer + oil cooler = No problems so far and oil consumption is very low:bowrofl:

just recently took my car to Nissan and did all the Oil Consumption work....they charged me $9.57 just because my car was too low and they had to manually lift my car up....go figure. Anyways they said it was covered by warranty....just have to go back at 500mi so they can see how much its burning :shakes head:

Good information. :tup:

Im in the process right now of trying to get the dealership to honor the warranty. According to Nissan Customer relations I would have to provide all the oil change receipts since the car has been in my possession (aug 09). The car only has about 33k miles on it.

Thanks for the info! I'm not sure however exactly how I'm supposed to interpret this TSP and what is the TSP acronym represent? Again thanks

You take it with you to the dealer. They may not know about it. At any rate, the dealer needs to perform the oil consumption test.

Now what happens if you do the oil changes yourself?!?!?!? Nissan won't honor it? That's dumb and BS. Nissan better honor the warranty. I mean I can save my old filter and old oil if that's what they need. Or do they want to see a receipt of the oil / filter purchases from walmart??? lol

When checking oil what temp do u do it? Do u check oil hot or cold or both?

You should keep your receipts for everything you buy for the car -- maintenance and modification parts/supplies alike. You should also have a log book in which you write everything you do to the vehicle -- what, when, mileage, etc.

Always check oil level when the engine has been sitting for a while. If you have an oil cooler, wait longer because it can take soem time for all of the oil to drain into the pan. Always check your oil at the same time of day/condition. To make it simple and consistent, I check oil levels in the morning, after the car has been siiting over night and before I start the engine.