Response from Nissan about Oil Cooler

dthem370 · 10-21-2011, 04:32 PM

I emailed Nissan asking if they would provide the older 09-11 370Z's with an oil cooler since it obviously impacts our cars and causes high oil temps. I got an email today back from them and this is what it says:

"Thank you for contacting Nissan North America, Inc. and allowing us the opportunity to be of assistance. We would like to apologize for the delay in providing you this information regarding the oil coolers of the 370Z.

We would like to inform you that the reason the 2011 370Zs have the oil cooler and the 2012 models don’t is that it not necessary or needed for normal operation of the vehicle. The change was to enhance the engine performance, as we continually do each year with our vehicles, the oil cooler was added but not to address a problem for normal driving. As a feature, it does assist in enhancing performance when the vehicle is used for extreme “spirited” driving such as a track. It’s just a feature improvement similar to what we make in other vehicles for new model enhancements – such as making bluetooth standard or adding sun visor extensions. Nissan does not go back and add those to previous year and models, but owners have the choice to add or modify parts of their vehicle, but with the risk of affecting the terms and conditions of your warranty.

We hope this addresses your inquiry.

If you have additonal questions or comments Please feel free to contact us at 1 800 647 7261 (Nissan Consumer Affairs).

Sincerely,

Nissan North America, Inc."

Red__Zed · 10-21-2011, 04:38 PM

Pretty much what was expected.

Rui Z · 10-21-2011, 04:40 PM

And I agree with Nissan's explanation.

Pelican170 · 10-21-2011, 04:42 PM

Well i think its a load of sh*t...

Bonzo · 10-21-2011, 04:56 PM

2011 and 2012 are listed backwards.

Explanation makes sense, but it's a little self indulgent, as if they did it all on their own just to be nice. If they hadn't gotten so many complaints from people and magazines, they would have never added it.

Of course I'm glad they did since mine is a 2012.

Sometimes it pays to wait.

Cmike2780 · 10-21-2011, 05:01 PM

That's a load of crap! It's not an "enhancement", its a flaw. Adding bluetooth has ZERO effect on drivability and a very poor analogy. An oil cooler shouldn't be an "optional feature" on the sports car prone to high oil temperature. Some of Nissan's logic is valid to a small degree and I don't think Nissan needs to hand out free oil coolers for everyone. All I really want is for Nissan to recognize the addition of an oil cooler as something that "enhances performance when the vehicle is used for extreme spirited driving such as a track," without conflicting with the factory warranty. They certainly recognize it as an approved & essential upgrade for spirited driving, why not recognize it as an accessory you can purchase at a Nissan dealership and be covered under warranty. Just make it a Genuine Nissan Accessory dammit!!

somatic · 10-21-2011, 05:04 PM

im just glad my oil temp doesnt get high, even with continuous driving over 120mph

onzedge · 10-21-2011, 05:06 PM

This is not surprising. Can anyone think of examples of product enhacements that are made retroactively? I think I may bring my 71 240z into a Nissan dealer this weekend and ask if they would mind installing power wndows, a/c and heated seats. Later model Z's got this stuff.

On second thought, maybe not. Some of the Nissan guys would not know what I was driving. A few years back, I was idling through a dealer parking lot -- in one of my 240's -- scoping out 350's and a salesman approached. He told me "nice car, who makes it?".

m4a1mustang · 10-21-2011, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onzedge

This is not surprising. Can anyone think of examples of product enhacements that are made retroactively? I think I may bring my 71 240z into a Nissan dealer this weekend and ask if they would mind installing power wndows, a/c and heated seats. Later model Z's got this stuff.

On second thought, maybe not. Some of the Nissan guys would not know what I was driving. A few years back, I was idling through a dealer parking lot, scoping out 350's and a salesman approached. He told me "nice car, who makes it?".

Oh, and I agree with your post.

Cmike2780 · 10-21-2011, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onzedge

This is not surprising. Can anyone think of examples of product enhacements that are made retroactively? I think I may bring my 71 240z into a Nissan dealer this weekend and ask if they would mind installing power wndows, a/c and heated seats. Later model Z's got this stuff.

On second thought, maybe not. Some of the Nissan guys would not know what I was driving. A few years back, I was idling through a dealer parking lot, scoping out 350's and a salesman approached. He told me "nice car, who makes it?".

Yes, but the question is, is the oil cooler an "enhancement" or a necessary upgrade. It's basically Nissan saying "just drive it like an Altima and you'll be fine. What's that? You thought you bought a high performance car that could be driven spiritedly on occasion? hahahaha"

phelan · 10-21-2011, 05:23 PM

Nissan's been pretty good about my options, so I can get the upgrade if I want. I dunno why I have to change the badge though...

( Click to show/hide )

Red__Zed · 10-21-2011, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phelan

Nissan's been pretty good about my options, so I can get the upgrade if I want. I dunno why I have to change the badge though...

( Click to show/hide )

They hooked me up in the same way. They must just love red z owners

phelan · 10-21-2011, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

They hooked me up in the same way. They must just love red z owners

In all seriousness, Nissan may appear to have their thumbs jammed up their arse, but the response they give is just about what is expected. The general community will not push the Z to the point where oil coolers become necessary. We have debated this time and again, and the break point for Nissan in the cost of the car just means that those seeking to really get on the throttle and push it on the track will need to seek alternative sources of cooling. So it's not worth the money for Nissan to go back and retrofit the 2009-2011 model year cars, as it is not classified as a catastrophic failure mode.

370Zsteve · 10-21-2011, 05:34 PM

I'm calling Nissan and demanding a VR38DETT in my 2009 370Z.

Pharmacist · 10-21-2011, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cmike2780

That's a load of crap! It's not an "enhancement", its a flaw. Adding bluetooth has ZERO effect on drivability and a very poor analogy. An oil cooler shouldn't be an "optional feature" on the sports car prone to high oil temperature. Some of Nissan's logic is valid to a small degree and I don't think Nissan needs to hand out free oil coolers for everyone. All I really want is for Nissan to recognize the addition of an oil cooler as something that "enhances performance when the vehicle is used for extreme spirited driving such as a track," without conflicting with the factory warranty. They certainly recognize it as an approved & essential upgrade for spirited driving, why not recognize it as an accessory you can purchase at a Nissan dealership and be covered under warranty. Just make it a Genuine Nissan Accessory dammit!!

adding an oil cooler won't void your warranty or conflict with it. it's just that warranty won't cover any engine damage that may be caused by the oil cooler failure, such as a leaking oil line leading to the engine seizing. Also, not all accessories you buy from nissan and with a nissan logo have a warranty. Parts from nissan motorsports division such as the 34 row oil cooler do not carry a warranty. R-tune parts for the 350z like camshafts did not carry any warranty either.

10-21-2011, 04:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
dthem370 Base Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 163 Drives: Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 16	Response from Nissan about Oil Cooler I emailed Nissan asking if they would provide the older 09-11 370Z's with an oil cooler since it obviously impacts our cars and causes high oil temps. I got an email today back from them and this is what it says: "Thank you for contacting Nissan North America, Inc. and allowing us the opportunity to be of assistance. We would like to apologize for the delay in providing you this information regarding the oil coolers of the 370Z. We would like to inform you that the reason the 2011 370Zs have the oil cooler and the 2012 models don’t is that it not necessary or needed for normal operation of the vehicle. The change was to enhance the engine performance, as we continually do each year with our vehicles, the oil cooler was added but not to address a problem for normal driving. As a feature, it does assist in enhancing performance when the vehicle is used for extreme “spirited” driving such as a track. It’s just a feature improvement similar to what we make in other vehicles for new model enhancements – such as making bluetooth standard or adding sun visor extensions. Nissan does not go back and add those to previous year and models, but owners have the choice to add or modify parts of their vehicle, but with the risk of affecting the terms and conditions of your warranty. We hope this addresses your inquiry. If you have additonal questions or comments Please feel free to contact us at 1 800 647 7261 (Nissan Consumer Affairs). Sincerely, Nissan North America, Inc."

10-21-2011, 04:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rui Z Track Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: (.)(.) Posts: 931 Drives: 8====D Rep Power: 16	And I agree with Nissan's explanation. __________________

10-21-2011, 04:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
Pelican170 Track Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sandy Hook, CT Posts: 972 Drives: Nissan 370z Nismo Rep Power: 16	Well i think its a load of sh*t... __________________ Fast Intentions CF Exhaust - Fast Intentions HFC's - HPS Tubes w/ AFE Dry Flow Filter's

10-21-2011, 04:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
Bonzo Track Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 690 Drives: Finally, a 370Z!!! Rep Power: 3372	2011 and 2012 are listed backwards. Explanation makes sense, but it's a little self indulgent, as if they did it all on their own just to be nice. If they hadn't gotten so many complaints from people and magazines, they would have never added it. Of course I'm glad they did since mine is a 2012. Sometimes it pays to wait. __________________ Finally Able To Order 2012 Model 8/24/2011 Delivered Tuesday November 15, 9:57 am!!! 2012, Auto, White, Sport, Kick Plates

10-21-2011, 05:01 PM	#6 (permalink)
Cmike2780 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 5,059 Drives: slowwww Rep Power: 29	That's a load of crap! It's not an "enhancement", its a flaw. Adding bluetooth has ZERO effect on drivability and a very poor analogy. An oil cooler shouldn't be an "optional feature" on the sports car prone to high oil temperature. Some of Nissan's logic is valid to a small degree and I don't think Nissan needs to hand out free oil coolers for everyone. All I really want is for Nissan to recognize the addition of an oil cooler as something that "enhances performance when the vehicle is used for extreme spirited driving such as a track," without conflicting with the factory warranty. They certainly recognize it as an approved & essential upgrade for spirited driving, why not recognize it as an accessory you can purchase at a Nissan dealership and be covered under warranty. Just make it a Genuine Nissan Accessory dammit!! __________________ [09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R] [ArchitTEK Photography] Last edited by Cmike2780; 10-21-2011 at 05:05 PM.

10-21-2011, 04:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
Red__Zed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: window seat Posts: 28,940 Drives: Mostly on two wheels Rep Power: 120	Pretty much what was expected.

10-21-2011, 05:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
somatic A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Grapevine, TX Posts: 1,767 Drives: 2013 GS350 Rep Power: 17	im just glad my oil temp doesnt get high, even with continuous driving over 120mph __________________ Passport 9500i HW\|Short Tail Exhaust\|Evo-r CF Fangs & Fog\|Blacked Out Roof\|Status Elite Intake 19/22\|AUTO Shift Boot DIY\|GTR Button\|Rear Limo Tint\|S2carbonworks hood dampeners\|Falken Rt-7m 20"s w/Jade Project Mu Tuner Lugs\|P:JDM Oil Cap\|Tow Hook\|SOLD

10-21-2011, 05:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
onzedge A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Battle Lake MN Age: 64 Posts: 183,964 Drives: 370Z 240Z Rep Power: 2684736	This is not surprising. Can anyone think of examples of product enhacements that are made retroactively? I think I may bring my 71 240z into a Nissan dealer this weekend and ask if they would mind installing power wndows, a/c and heated seats. Later model Z's got this stuff. On second thought, maybe not. Some of the Nissan guys would not know what I was driving. A few years back, I was idling through a dealer parking lot -- in one of my 240's -- scoping out 350's and a salesman approached. He told me "nice car, who makes it?". __________________ Koni\|Swift\|Michelin\|Motordyne\|Berk\|RJM Performance\|Gates\|SPL\|Motul\|Technafit\|Ate Super Blue\|Hawk Tommy Kaira\|Momo\|Optima\|Hella\|Hotchkis\|Red Line\|ZSpeed\|Stillen\|B&M\|H&R Last edited by onzedge; 10-21-2011 at 05:11 PM.

10-21-2011, 05:23 PM	#11 (permalink)
phelan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: CA Age: 38 Posts: 9,513 Drives: Scoobaroo Rep Power: 3406	Nissan's been pretty good about my options, so I can get the upgrade if I want. I dunno why I have to change the badge though... ( Click to show/hide ) i love you red_zed __________________ 凛 ('Rin') - 2009 Nissan 370Z With silence comes peace. With peace comes freedom. With freedom comes silence.

10-21-2011, 05:34 PM	#14 (permalink)
370Zsteve A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Gold Coast CT Posts: 10,599 Drives: 2019 Corvette G.S. Rep Power: 43	I'm calling Nissan and demanding a VR38DETT in my 2009 370Z. __________________ SOLD MY Z MARCH 2018 - another Core OG moves on - new ride 2019 Z Corvette Grand Sport - no mods necessary but already have eyes on HFC and intakes LOL IT NEVER ENDS.

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