I just got my Coupe (ordered Nov. 2002); the salesman told me that the car was factory filled with Mobile 1 oil. I have not heard or read this elsewhere. True? Anyone aware of documentation to verify this? Thanks!

 

wow, brave statement by your salesman...im looking at my ESM (electronic service manual) right now...

<font color=green>-Ramb0</font color=green>

 

This is all i can find in my documentation:
basically what nissan recommends.....

Oil specification and viscosity:
- API Certification Mark
- API grade SG/SH, Energy Conserving I & II or API grade SJ or SL, Energy Conserving
- ILSAC grade GF-I, GF-II & GF-III

I dont know what any of that means though.


<font color=green>-Ramb0</font color=green>

 

the API certification mark is the starburst symbol. In the center, it lists the service classification, basically you'll find SJ or SL (SL supercedes SJ, SJ supercedes SH, etc). Towards the bottom, it it meets the "Energy Conserving" critera, it will say that.

ILSAC is a separate organization on lubrication which also has its standards.

We've have already scanned in the page 10-5 for both the sedan and the coupe. (the 350z is I think 9-5), in the technical forum.

The coupe, Infinti recommends using mineral based oils for the motor oil.

Mobil 1 is PAO based, "true" synthetic oil.

 

Aren't those mineral based oils more expensive? What brands use a mineral base? Can't see why you can't use a synthetic.

<font color=blue>Merlin</font color=blue>

 

Usually less expensive than synthetic.

The exception is Castrol Syntec which is hydrocracked mineral oil, but is considered "synthetic".

 

So would Castrol Syntec probably be the best Motor Oil for the G (from a performance and reliability standpoint)?

 

I've been in for two oil changes already...going on a third in a week or so...the dealership I take it to has put Mobil 1 in each time...but I think this time I'm going to buy it at a store and bring it in myself since they like to poke me on the dealer markup for the Mobil 1.

 

I'd say Castrol Syntec would be best for the coupe (and 350Z) from a warranty standpoint. It's still a mineral oil based. And it has nearly similar properties as PAO....though base stock for base stock, PAO is still better.

Plus the oil change interval is about 4,000 miles anyway.