Hello! Trying to choose the better oil for my VQ35HR engine (I believe, it is similar in oil requirements):

- Motul Eco-Clean 5w30 C2 - "ACEA A5 / B5 / C2 - APPROVALS API SM / CF
RECOMMENDATIONS: Peugeot and Citroen HDi engines with or w/o Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). ACEA developed ACEA C2 standard for lubricants with low friction, low HTHS (< 3.5 mPa.s), reduced Sulphated Ash, Phosphorus and Sulphur content (Mid SAPS). Do not mix with lubricants not ACEA C2 compliants."

- Motul X-Max 0w40 - "STANDARDS API SM/CF - ILSAC GF-4
APPROVALS FORD M2C WSS 937 A (FORD FOCUS RS 2.5 Duratec)
RECOMMENDATIONS NISSAN, JAGUAR, LAND-ROVER, FORD. Numerous OEMs such as NISSAN, JAGUAR, LAND-ROVER, etc… recommend to use a lubricant with 0W-40 viscosity grade and API SM for most of their sporty vehicles like for example the NISSAN GT-R, 370Z, 350Z,… MOTUL 8100 X-max 0W-40 formulation is the perfect balance between fuel economy linked to its
viscosity grade and outstanding lubrication (high HTHS > 3.5 mPa.s)."

There's explanation of HTHS here: Welcome to Motul , but the main question is which is better for our engines - low HTHS (< 3.5 mPa.s) - Eco-Clean or high HTHS ( > 3.5 mPa.s) - X-Max?

 

Anyway, I'm leaning towards Motul X-Max 0w40 - hope this viscosity would be good for our engine, but feel free to comment my choice!

 

Do you have many cold starts? What does you manual say and is there any warranty concerns? What is your driving style?

Due to warranty, I stick to Xw30 preferring ones with hths around 3.

 

no warranty and my style is spirited driving, with some track fun (btw, I often got "limp" mode)

Motul states on their site, that this oil (X-Max 0w40) is good for GT-R, 370Z, 350Z (i inserted the quote above).

i was hoping, this 0w40 will make it easier to warm up engine and will help me with the "limp" and "pre-limp" modes (is this hths number connected with this issue?)

 

What oil were you using when you went into limp mode? When it comes to tracking, knowing what the oil pressure is helps a lot. If the pump goes into bypass all the time at high RPMs, your oil is too think. The higher hths, the higher the oil pressure will be. In all likelihood, either oil will be fine. If you want to go techno-geek on it, check out bob is the oil guy. There is a wealth of information there that isn't so easy to impart in a short post.

 

I've been using Motul 8100 Eco-Energy 5w30 for last 40000 miles:

Viscosity grade SAE J 300 5W-30
Density at 20°C (68°F) ASTM D1298 0.848
Viscosity at 40°C (104°F) ASTM D445 57 mm²/s
Viscosity at 100°C (212°F) ASTM D445 10 mm²/s
HTHS viscosity at 150°C (302°F) ASTM D4741 3.4 mPa.s
Viscosity index ASTM D2270 163
Pour point ASTM D97 -36°C / -33°F
Flash point ASTM D92 226°C / 439°F
Sulfated ash ASTM D874 0.98% weight
TBN ASTM D2896 10.3 mg KOH/g

I can't say this Eco-Energy oil goes to the "limp" mode too often, but I feel I need something more prone to overheat. And i choose only between these oils (or maybe some other Motul's):

Motul 8100 Eco-Clean 5w30 C2 (this is recommended oil for my car by Motul site):
Viscosity grade SAE J 300 5W-30
Density at 20°C (68°F) ASTM D1298 0.845
Viscosity at 40°C (104°F) ASTM D445 57.9 mm²/s
Viscosity at 100°C (212°F) ASTM D445 10.4 mm²/s
HTHS viscosity at 150°C (302°F) ASTM D4741 3.0 mPa.s
Viscosity index ASTM D2270 171
Pour point ASTM D97 -42°C / -43.6°
Flash point ASTM D92 232°C / 449.6°
Sulfated ash ASTM D874 0.80% weight
TBN ASTM D2896 8.0 mg KOH/g

and Motul 8100 X-Max 0w40 (this oil is recommended in the Motul technical annotation, as they say it is good for GT-R, 370z, 350z):
Viscosity grade SAE J 300 0W-40
Density at 20°C (68°F) ASTM D1298 0.842
Viscosity at 40°C (104°F) ASTM D445 74.9 mm²/s
Viscosity at 100°C (212°F) ASTM D445 13.3 mm²/s
HTHS viscosity at 150°C (302°F) ASTM D4741 3.6 mPa.s
Viscosity index ASTM D2270 182
Pour point ASTM D97 -45°C / -49°F
Flash point ASTM D92 222°C / 431.6°F
Sulfated ash ASTM D874 0.80% weight
TBN ASTM D2896 7.0 mg KOH/g

So, which oil will help me with the "limp" mode more - with the HTHS 3.6 (0w40) or HTHS 3.0 (5w30)?

 

If I were picking, I would go with the Eco-Clean. This question would get many answers to choose from over at bobistheoilguy.

 

Do you guys replace the drain plug washer after every oil change? If so can you get them at any auto store. If you can't, what's the part number? Based on the oil results, I'm going to change my oil this time around with Pennzoil ultra, for my usual 7,500 oil change intervals. Thanks for the help!

 

I do, but not everyone does. They are a dollar or less at any nissan or infiniti dealer. If you ask nicely they may give you one for free.

Another option is to use a MityVac and suck all the oil out through the dipstick tube. Never opened = never needs replacement. It also eliminates a lot of those oops moments.

 

That's cool, my friend that works at a Volkswagon dealer does the service for free, that's why I was wondering, hopefully they have a MityVac reference I don't live to close to an Infiniti dealer.

 

I started the discussion there: Which Motul oil to choose for VQ35HR (Nissan)? - Bob Is The Oil Guy , so feel free to comment

 

Harpoon,

If limp mode is an issue for you, i think you should consider getting an oil cooler.

 

I have been following a few threads on this forum and my 2012 G37 is about ready for it's first oil change. Does anybody know what the car comes with from the factory?

With so many oils to choose from, not sure which one to go with. Should I go with ester based one like Redline or Nissan due to the tick that some people are talking about or would Penzoil Ultra, Amsoil, or Royal Purple be okay?

 

The oil from the factory has an additive in it for breaking it in. There are a million threads and recommendations, but Pennzoil Ultra has had a great analysis with the 3.7

 

There is no need to get any ester related oil for a 2012. The ticking is related to a limited number of the original 3.7 with vvel back in '08 or so. Go with whatever 0w30 or 5w30 API certified oil that makes your day. Be sure to change at least every 6 months or 7500 to maintain warranty. Factory fill is Nissan Oil with Ester additives fwiw.

I will be using Pennzoil Ultra 5w30 API SN at the end of the month.