Are dealerships allowed to use penzoil?
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Santa Barbara, CA.
Are dealerships allowed to use penzoil?
Hi. I just got a oil change on wed. and I noticed when I read my copy of the service that was done they used Pennzoil ester oil instead of Nissan ester oil. I was wondering if Nissan would void my engine warranty by not using the oem brand?
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 273
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From: Council Bluffs Iowa
The reality is a dealership will sell what they want to sell.....and I emphasize the
word SELL, as in persuade, convince, or even coerce a customer into buying
their product. Some dealers will provide many alternatives such as Mobil, Motul,
and/or Kendall, while others will only carry what they can get from their
supplier at the lowest price. I would argue with anyone that most dealers
operate from the latter, lowest cost modus operandi and will look you in the
eye and say "we only recommend and use xxxxxxx here", which also happens
to be the cheapest chit they can get....ie, they sell you bulk spec' M1 they
buy for as little as $2.50/quart and sell it to you for high retail which could
be $8 or more per quart. The Nissan Ester is a perfect example of this.
Nissan cannot make it's dealers purchase or stock their oil, although most
dealers will, simply because of customer demand, but the reality is dealerships
don't make as much profit on the Nissan Ester (or other expensive/premium/designer)
so they either don't make them available or, more often than not they
SELL us what makes them the most profit. This is ONE reason for the
disparity and confusion between dealers and customers concerning
which oil/oils really work best in our cars. Best advice is be
a savy and informed customer.
There is a reason we've all used the term "he should be a car salesman"
and those same sales tactics and mentality are used in the service deparment,
and very successfully. Not long ago, Service Managers were mechanics
that moved-up into Service Manager positions. Now, more often than
not they are "customer service reps" that come from supplier sales
positions or middle management positions in customer service jobs and
go though a factory service rep' class.
word SELL, as in persuade, convince, or even coerce a customer into buying
their product. Some dealers will provide many alternatives such as Mobil, Motul,
and/or Kendall, while others will only carry what they can get from their
supplier at the lowest price. I would argue with anyone that most dealers
operate from the latter, lowest cost modus operandi and will look you in the
eye and say "we only recommend and use xxxxxxx here", which also happens
to be the cheapest chit they can get....ie, they sell you bulk spec' M1 they
buy for as little as $2.50/quart and sell it to you for high retail which could
be $8 or more per quart. The Nissan Ester is a perfect example of this.
Nissan cannot make it's dealers purchase or stock their oil, although most
dealers will, simply because of customer demand, but the reality is dealerships
don't make as much profit on the Nissan Ester (or other expensive/premium/designer)
so they either don't make them available or, more often than not they
SELL us what makes them the most profit. This is ONE reason for the
disparity and confusion between dealers and customers concerning
which oil/oils really work best in our cars. Best advice is be
a savy and informed customer.
There is a reason we've all used the term "he should be a car salesman"
and those same sales tactics and mentality are used in the service deparment,
and very successfully. Not long ago, Service Managers were mechanics
that moved-up into Service Manager positions. Now, more often than
not they are "customer service reps" that come from supplier sales
positions or middle management positions in customer service jobs and
go though a factory service rep' class.
Last edited by JonfromCB; Mar 6, 2010 at 10:39 AM.
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Well, i completely agree with what everyone says, but wanted to add my two cents.
One of the best answers to the question "Will doing (blank) to my car void my warranty?" is to explain that the only way to truly void a warranty is for the dealership to prove that the addition or subtractiong of (blank) part directly caused the failure that you are trying to get covered under warranty.
Hypothetical example: Dealership says that because you have a cold air intake, they will not warranty out the seat-leather bubble that most of us experience. This should be challenged because the intake clearly did not cause the seat leather to fail.
So...Will using pennzoil ester oil cause them to void my warranty? No, they would need to prove that because you used Pennzoil instead of Nissan parts, the engine failed.
One of the best answers to the question "Will doing (blank) to my car void my warranty?" is to explain that the only way to truly void a warranty is for the dealership to prove that the addition or subtractiong of (blank) part directly caused the failure that you are trying to get covered under warranty.
Hypothetical example: Dealership says that because you have a cold air intake, they will not warranty out the seat-leather bubble that most of us experience. This should be challenged because the intake clearly did not cause the seat leather to fail.
So...Will using pennzoil ester oil cause them to void my warranty? No, they would need to prove that because you used Pennzoil instead of Nissan parts, the engine failed.
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,335
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From: Metro Detroit, MI [Sterling Hts.]
OP, when you say "Pennzoil Ester Oil" which oil exactly are you talking about? The new Pennzoil Ultra that uses esters in it? That's the only Pennzoil oil with esters that I've heard of.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 103
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From: Santa Barbara, CA.
I'll look again at the service invoice. I did ask the service writer if they used the ester oil when changing my oil and he assured me that they did. Sometimes I think service writers really don't care about our cars and just say anything to get us out quick.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 797
Likes: 3
From: Maryland
Even if the Pennzoil did cause your engine to fail they probably could not void your warranty. The only requirement (as opposed to recommendation) in the owner's manual is that you use an API certified 5W-30 oil. If you use Pennzoil Ultra, PP, or even Pennzoil Plain-Old-Dino oil you are fulfilling your maintenance requirement.
Doesn't Pennzoil Platinum have ester additives as well? I'm confused since I've read one thread on NissanClub saying it does, and other forums saying it doesn't.