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."

Pretty much what was expected.

And I agree with Nissan's explanation.

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

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.

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!!

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

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?".

:facepalm:

Oh, and I agree with your post.

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" :(

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...

:icon17:


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

:rofl2:

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.

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

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.