First oil change / ester oil WTF?

slammiam · 05-04-2011, 08:54 AM

I purchased the 36,000 maintenance plan (and was charged extra) because I was told by the finance manager than nissan recommends ester oil for the 370z. Today, I dropped my car off for the first oil change, and they told me that ester oil was not included in my maintenance plan, and that nissan no longer recommends ester oil for the 370z because of the ecu programming. WTH? I talked to the service manager, and he told me that nissan was no longer reimbursing him if he honors the plan with ester oil. At a minimum I deserve a pro-rated reimbursement. I obtained a copy of the bulletin which is attached.

6MT · 05-04-2011, 09:54 AM

I think you got ripped off.

flashburn · 05-04-2011, 10:23 AM

Sounds like BS to me. I get Ester oil every time I bring my car in under my Nissan maintenance plan.

edit: Nevermind, I didn't notice that this is effective as of 2011 cars. Lame.

TreeSemdyZee · 05-04-2011, 11:28 AM

I'd request a refund back to the correct cost. If you were charged extra because of the ester and now they don't cover it, I'd think they are obligated to refund you the difference.
I'd definitely make an issue out of it.

c41006 · 05-04-2011, 11:39 AM

You are owed something for sure

Red__Zed · 05-04-2011, 11:40 AM

If you paid extra for ester up front, you need to be credited back for that.

DJ-of-E · 05-04-2011, 12:30 PM

I agree, have them credit you back. Otherwise, I would talk to Nissan corporate customer service about this to see if this applies to you.

I drive a 2010, but even I would be pissed if they just say "oh regular oil works just fine." >_<

slammiam · 05-04-2011, 01:13 PM

I'm getting a refund. The finance mgr was cool about it. I guess I need to decide if it's worth it to pay for ester on the next one.

6MT · 05-04-2011, 03:18 PM

You should probably find another dealer. Or do the oil changes yourself.

brian0128 · 05-04-2011, 05:37 PM

What is different with the ECU programming on the 2011 models that it doesn't require "Esther Oil"?

mikeTO · 05-04-2011, 06:29 PM

The way I read the piece above the orange highlighted area, they're saying you can use any 'regular' oil in any 370z, regardless of model year (09 through 11). That's certainly new information if I'm reading it correctly.

WShade · 05-04-2011, 08:32 PM

Nissan's lie about ester was costing them too much money so they pulled out

Jordo! · 05-04-2011, 09:45 PM

Interesting.

So is that memo from Nissan corporate or just from that dealership?

Mike · 05-04-2011, 11:33 PM

Yeah, why is it nit necessary any more in early ones? Nissan hasn't changed my ecu, only z1 has

Jordo! · 05-05-2011, 04:45 PM

^^^ I know that Nissan did a reflash on the G37. Maybe the Z's tune already has the change in there?

Either way, if that is from Nissan, then it pretty much verifies the Ester oil is NOT needed or even preferred.

05-04-2011, 09:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
6MT A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: ITU Zone 2 Posts: 22,459 Drives: Reliant Robin Rep Power: 1790	I think you got ripped off. __________________ Andrew 2009 370Z Sport/Touring 6MT sold 2013 Honda Civic Si coupe D/D

05-04-2011, 10:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
flashburn A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,884 Drives: '12 Corvette GS 6M Rep Power: 19	Sounds like BS to me. I get Ester oil every time I bring my car in under my Nissan maintenance plan. edit: Nevermind, I didn't notice that this is effective as of 2011 cars. Lame. __________________ Current Ride: 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Centennial Edition Carbon Flash 6M Previous Ride: 2009 Nissan 370Z Sport Platinum Graphite 7AT

05-04-2011, 12:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
DJ-of-E Track Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Garden Grove, CA Posts: 676 Drives: 00 Toyota Celica 040 Rep Power: 15	I agree, have them credit you back. Otherwise, I would talk to Nissan corporate customer service about this to see if this applies to you. I drive a 2010, but even I would be pissed if they just say "oh regular oil works just fine." >_< __________________

05-04-2011, 01:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
slammiam Base Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 61 Drives: jesus built hotrod Rep Power: 15	I'm getting a refund. The finance mgr was cool about it. I guess I need to decide if it's worth it to pay for ester on the next one. __________________ Huper Optik 30 \| Clearshield

05-04-2011, 03:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
6MT A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: ITU Zone 2 Posts: 22,459 Drives: Reliant Robin Rep Power: 1790	You should probably find another dealer. Or do the oil changes yourself. __________________ Andrew 2009 370Z Sport/Touring 6MT sold 2013 Honda Civic Si coupe D/D

05-04-2011, 11:28 AM	#4 (permalink)
TreeSemdyZee Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kentuck-IANA Age: 60 Posts: 4,885 Drives: '09 370 & ‘14 Juke Rep Power: 27409	I'd request a refund back to the correct cost. If you were charged extra because of the ester and now they don't cover it, I'd think they are obligated to refund you the difference. I'd definitely make an issue out of it.

05-04-2011, 11:39 AM	#5 (permalink)
c41006 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Atlanta Posts: 9,034 Drives: '10 G37 Coupe BO 7AT Rep Power: 114	You are owed something for sure

05-04-2011, 11:40 AM	#6 (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	If you paid extra for ester up front, you need to be credited back for that.

05-04-2011, 05:37 PM	#10 (permalink)
brian0128 Base Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Crofton, MD Posts: 249 Drives: 09 370Z Sport 6MT Rep Power: 14	What is different with the ECU programming on the 2011 models that it doesn't require "Esther Oil"?

05-04-2011, 06:29 PM	#11 (permalink)
mikeTO Base Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Toronto Posts: 31 Drives: '12 Mustang Boss 302 Rep Power: 15	The way I read the piece above the orange highlighted area, they're saying you can use any 'regular' oil in any 370z, regardless of model year (09 through 11). That's certainly new information if I'm reading it correctly.

05-04-2011, 08:32 PM	#12 (permalink)
WShade Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 765 Drives: 09 370Z T/S/N Rep Power: 187	Nissan's lie about ester was costing them too much money so they pulled out __________________ Q50S Q60 RS400

05-04-2011, 09:45 PM	#13 (permalink)
Jordo! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: nirvana Posts: 6,394 Drives: 2023 NATM Rep Power: 418	Interesting. So is that memo from Nissan corporate or just from that dealership? __________________ Enjoy it. Destroy it.

05-04-2011, 11:33 PM	#14 (permalink)
Mike The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Loganville, GA Posts: 5,944 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 2186	Yeah, why is it nit necessary any more in early ones? Nissan hasn't changed my ecu, only z1 has __________________ NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

05-05-2011, 04:45 PM	#15 (permalink)
Jordo! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: nirvana Posts: 6,394 Drives: 2023 NATM Rep Power: 418	^^^ I know that Nissan did a reflash on the G37. Maybe the Z's tune already has the change in there? Either way, if that is from Nissan, then it pretty much verifies the Ester oil is NOT needed or even preferred. __________________ Enjoy it. Destroy it.

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