A couple weeks ago I posted a question regarding the use of synthetic oil. I decided to send Nissan a question asking whether or not synthetic could be used and how that would affect the warranty. Here was their response:

Thank you for contacting Nissan North America, Inc. and allowing us the
opportunity to be of assistance.

Nissan recommends mineral based oils. We do not recommend synthetic oils due
to possible engine damage.

If you have any further questions or comments, please feel free to e-mail
us.

Sincerely,


National Consumer Affairs


I'm not sure whether or not I should use synthetic after receiving this response from Nissan. Any thoughts?

 

WTF?!!!!

I think you should ask them why? Does not make any sense at all!

 

Like Fat Bastard would say : " WHAT A PIECE OF CRRRRAP!!"

 

The manual actually says something similar.

Screw 'em. Just like I don't think 1200 miles is the right amount of time to break in a car, I don't believe them on synthetic.

Let them point to a study or something where synthetic is inferior, then I'll be interested. I've seen tons of studies showing it being better.

Most people would never have a problem with either, but I'll take the added protection and better flow at low temps.

 

If a synthetic oil has the same rating by the Society of American Engineers(SAE) as the mineral-based oil, there should not be any reason for saying it might cause engine damage.

If Nissan is afraid of synthetic oil use is for exceeding their 7500 mile change interval, we need to get a specific statement from Nissan saying that is why they do not recommend synthetic oil.

I have never exceeded the change oil intervals of any manufacturer's recommendations, but I have always used the dealer and have kept my receipts so it would be plain that I always changed my oil more often than they recommend. Therefore, if engine damage did occur, it could not be called neglecting the manufacturer's maintenance schedule.

The pronouncements from Nissan's Consumer Affairs division have not been the final word on anything, in my experience, and I would like to hear from someone who makes the decisions at NNA, not their PR Division.

WHY DOES NISSAN THINK THIS? FOR WHAT REASON? WHAT RESEARCH SUPPORTS THIS DECISION?

Boomer--why don't we have anyone at NNA's Consumer Affairs division know anything about cars?

 

I E-mailed NNA a very claer and specific question on what oil you shoukd use in the transmission and the dumb *** looked it up and said "10w/30".
So I called NNA same question, same answer "use 10w/30".
I asked, "Are you sure your not looking at the motor oil, I am asking about the TRANSMISSION".
5 min. on hold ...........
"Oh, I read it wrong. It uses 75w/85"

Just goes to prove that NNA doesn't know jackshit and can't read!

 

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe it has to do with liability. All the seals were designed to be used and broken in with dino juice, so any deviation would be discouraged. It should be fine. Personally, I went with Mobil 1 full synth at 1200 mi. I plan to change at 5000 and every 5000 after.

 

Vettes along with several other cars come from the factory with Mobil 1, so I'm not sure how much truth that holds. I've always heard the same thing, but that doesn't mean it is true I suppose.

 

Personally, I always try to read into statements like this from manufacturers. My thinking is no this: Why would a car company shy away from synthetic oil?? My rationale: they are in bed with oil companies!! They don't promote synthetic cuz they make cars and cars still need oil. One hand rubs the other. I know- Mobil makes synthetic and organic oil, like most other companies. I dunno- I guess I think there is usually some back door reason for silly positions like not using synthetic when it is clearly superior. I would just use the organic for several K miles so that the engine internals are well seated- then switch to synthetic-- My .02 again!
Rizz

 

If you want to get all black helicopters, maybe they WANT your engine to wear out faster! Yeah, that's it! Then you'll buy more cars

 

I agree with Boomer 100%.

 

ya that is weird. I think they just want more business for the service department.

When I brought my mother in law's camry into Toyota for a regular oil change. The main service dude told me that synthetic doesn't make a difference, it's better to stick with regular oil .

I don't know if it's mental but I always felt a difference with just using Castro half syntec. that stuff was great. I used that everytime in my civic, sold her at 89k and still runs like new. the car was raced so hard and heavilly modified too.

 

My dealer makes me bring my syn in for changes.

 

What is the obsession with synthetic oil? Its an honest question...not a flame thing.

I've got a 90 Acura Legend around here with 230,000 miles on it that runs like the day I bought it. It had average care and has had nothing but old fashion oil in it. Point is why not just follow factory advise?

 

Just an added level of security. I have a vehicle that required it for warranty, though. It was a turbo, though, with higher heat.

Additionally, especially in cold weather, synthetic will flow better and oil the cold engine much faster. Cold engines are where most of the wear occurs, before the oil gets flowing and working fully.

It is also pretty impressive when you take the valve covers off a sythetic motor after a lot of miles vs a mineral oil engine. Much less coked on oil.

 

I went to take advantage of my free oil change w/ the dealer right before I got my presilencer taken off, they said not to use synthetic until at least 10,000 miles, and they said that is just a maybe, they are still didn't recomend using it. I was going to even pay extra for them to put in synthetic, so I don't think it is for business. Just my 2cents.

 

The 10,000 ring seat stuff is so out of date...

I've switched my last three vehicles over at first oil change, and none of them have burned oil (two kept to close to 90,000 miles, Syclone has low miles).

So many myths.

 

I e-mailed NNA's Consumer Affairs Division and asked for an engineering opinion, not a PR answer, within 3 working days. I want to know and, as usual, I was not very nice and told them not to quote the Owner's Manual, I have a copy.

It makes me unhappy to have to deal with employees who know nothing about their own product. I'm usually a polite person, unless provoked, and then I usually have to eat my own words, but I believe a Multi-National, Worldwide Corporation should train their employees to know their product line when consumers ask a simple question. Am I wrong, or just asking the wrong people?

 

just what he said, I took it for that, and only that.

 

I wasn't trying to argue. Just picture me shaking my head

If they'll ship Z06s, Porsches, or MB AMGs from the factories with synthetics, I think it is good enough for my lowly cars and their piston rings...