New GxS owner needs oil filter advice

[martinj]

Dear fellow G owners, I'm getting my first Infiniti next week, a new 2009 G37xS (sedan) with Prem, Nav & Sport pkgs and would welcome your comments and recommendation for the best oil filter to use. My previous ride was an Acura TL, but a recent test drive in an '09 TL was scary, (their new electronic steering has no feel or feedback). I've always used Mobil 1 oil and plan to use it in my new G. Is the Nissan stock filter better than a Mobil 1 filter or the Purolator Pure One premium filter? Any comments and suggestions on filters and oil change intervals, etc. will be greatly appreciated. I drive agressively, (less than 10,000 mi/year and mostly shorter trips). Any other thoughs on Infiniti ownership, also welcome. Thanks for helping, Martin Wolff

[SteveTheTech]

Hey there and Welcome to NICO! Great choice with the G37 Sedan.

I would highly recommend using the recommend ester oil and OE filter. The new VVEL technology has a new valve advancement device and the ester oil adheres the control devices, actuator assembly, and all rotating components.

EDIT- I just noticed you are in RI. Go Pats !

[martinj]

Hey Steve,

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate your help. You were the first and only reply so far. What's wrong with Mobil 1 oil and the Mobil 1 filter? I'm not familiar with "ester oil" and why do you like the OE Nissan filter? My e-mail address is [email protected]

Thanks again,Martin

[SteveTheTech]

I will post this here as I feel that this is a question that will be asked quite frequently and I feel strongly about this. If you have any questions feel to drop me an email if I happen to miss a thread.

Ester oil is made from coconut oil and has similar friction properties to conventional oils and it also has the detergents that modern engines require. The benefit of ester is that the molecular adhesion of the oil molecules to metal components.

The OE oil filter was designed for that engine not like an aftermarket one this is designed to fit it.

Check out some more info. Motul Ester

[martinj]

Thanks again Steve; I appreciate the input. I was hoping that more people would read my request and respond, but you seem to be the only one.

[SteveTheTech]

Yeah I know what you mean usually everyone is down for a good oil debate. The fact of the matter stands with the 37,FX50,and new Maxima that the ester is what they recommend.

EDIT- I think that since this thread is in the modification database that is the reason for the limited traffic, I am going to put it in the engine forum where others will throw in their two cents.

[wiseman]

Steve, I learned the hard way about the ester oil. I bought my car in dec 2008. Ive driven 20000 city miles since then. 25 quarts of mobil 1 later(car was evaporating oil) no leaks.

Well the first real cold morning in NY last week. I warmed up the car for five minutes. Then gave is gas and the engine gave out. I hear from the dealer the bearing are stripped or worn out. I need a new engine.

Listen everyone with the VWEL engine. IF you thought the 05 -07s Gs had oil consumption issues, the G37S when driven in stop and go traffic and high rpm NEEDS ESTER OIL. I just learned about the infiniti TSB from August suggesting the ester oil. Obviously there is a problem with oil adhering to the engine parts. Do it.... Especially if you own the car out right. After many hours of research I will never use Mobil 1 or any synthetic in the G37S. USE ESTER OIL.

They cant force you to use the oil or else they need to provide it for free due to the MAgnusson Moss Act on warranties. I am hoping the new engine with ester oil will do the trick. And I am having an oil consumption test as soon as I get the car back.... Any thoughts Steve the tech you seem very knowledgable on this topic.

[SteveTheTech]

The ester is no joke. This is the first case I have heard of it actually damaging a motor from long term regular use(oil that is). IDK what happened not being able to look at the car but it doesn't really surprise me that this has happened especially with severe stop and go traffic.

The ester is NOT like the Motul products that were linked a few places here, that is actually motorcycle oil and is not API certified. The Nissan oil is from a Japanese manufacturer, I still cannot find details on it, it is some specially designed to have the ideal friction modifiers required for the new 3.7.

I am sorry you have had crap luck with your first motor and I hope this experience does not sour you on the product, even if they are picky.

[tollboothwilley]

most people here use the factory oil filter...

but there are those who love the Mobile 1 EP filter.

A lot of us prefer to use Royal Purple synthetic as it has a different compound from other oils.

[SVTCOBRA]

Another vote for Nissan filters. & keep your receipts.

I recently had warranty work done and they wanted receipts.My local nissan dealer printed out three pages back to 1/2007 showing all parts including filters purchased by me.Infiniti was fine with this.I'll start keeping oil purchase receipts going forward.

Infiniti reported that my engine was clean as a pin and had no slugg.Been using M1 Syn. But, sounds like this is not the oil for you based on Steve's comments.

[SteveTheTech]

Here are some facts about ester for anyone interested. This is from the European Patent that Nissan holds for the Ester. Ester Oil

[fbpem1]

IMO dosn't matter what i own i use the factory filter now that has for the bulk of my life been Honda OE filters or the HAMP filter (green) from japan. Now its OE Mazda filters. Before it was OE Nissan Filters. On my accord hybrid i run OE honda filters still.

I believe in using OEM parts where you can you find something better for something else fine. Perfect example on my turbo street cars i had i still ran a factory gasket kit with a fully built motor. OE is where its at, thats my .02

[Jacko3]

Fbpem1:

My faith in OEM parts end in their fluids and electrical parts---nissan's fluids are very good for their cars, so I don't mess with that. I have not yet found reason to trust OE parts in the mechanical side of things. For example, the G-35 coupe i bought came with Bridgestone 225x40x19 in front, and 245x40x19 at the rear.

Well, i replaced it with 245x35x19 in front and 275x35x19 in the rear, and the difference was like night and day. My car handles better and flies through twisties the way i enjoy it.

Do you think Nissan skimps on quality mechanical parts in order to save money? I have been wondering about this for a while. For example, the Stillen True Dual Exhuast Catback, not only is better sounding, good with mPG, but it is alos lighter than the OEM exhaust. I still haven't fiigured out why Nissan allows this to happen. What do you think?

Modified by Jacko3 at 6:35 PM 11/15/2008
Modified by Jacko3 at 6:36 PM 11/15/2008

[valeram]

I always use Full Synthetic oil in all of my cars except the Honda Civic. I either user Mobil 1 or Castrol Syntec. I am ignorant about Ester oil and I always assume that synthetic oil is better than the rest, basing from studies and reviews. BMW, Porsche and Audi all recommend Synthetic oil and they also have an advance engine with similar VVEL technology. I am a first time owner of an Infiniti, G37xS Sedan and I am planning to use Mobil 1. I already asked my dealer about the synthetic oil but they didn't mention anything about Ester oil. I just have to add $20 if I want to use Mobil 1. It is good that I crossed upon this thread and I will double check with my dealer about the engine oil usage and recommendation.

[G37 Man]

Steve

as I have stated before if indeed the Ester Oil is the only oil that will prevent Engine damage to the G37 that should be disclosed up front.I cannot believe using an Oil such as Mobil 1 has caused an Engine failure.I was prepared to use Mobil 1 or Royal Purple now I will not.

I think Infiniti owes it to their customers to tell their dealerships the problem of using Non Ester Oil.

[V6 G35s]

I have not owned my G very long but learned the had way with one of my previous cars.Since then i will only use the factory filters i dont mind driving down to the dealer to get the filter.My other car which is my 2006 hyundai sonata has 2 what they call ''O'' Rings and they will leak if they are not changed with the factory filter and factory ''O'' rings i learned this the hard way and it caused major damage to my car just because i wanted to save a couple $$ on another filter so now anyone that asks about thease things i just recomend getting the factory filters