When it comes to choosing motor oil for cars Nissan, owners are often faced with a dilemma: buy original products or trust proven analogues. This issue is especially relevant for popular viscosity 5W40, which is recommended for most modern brand engines. But who actually produces the oil? Nissan 5W40, which is sold in branded cans? Is it a unique development of the company or is it poured at third-party factories?
In this article we will analyze in detail original oil production chain, we will analyze its composition and certificates, and also compare it with popular analogues from Mobil, Castrol And Liqui Moly. You will learn how to distinguish a fake, which factories produce oil under the brand Nissan, and why the price of the original may differ by 2 times in different stores. Let’s also reveal the myth about the “proprietary formula”, which supposedly cannot be repeated.
Official manufacturer of Nissan 5W40 oil: debunking the myths
Concern Nissan does not have its own oil refineries - this is a fact. Like most automakers, the company enters into contracts with specialized chemical companies that produce oil according to its technical requirements (specifications). Main partner Nissan for the production of oils 5W40 has been a French company for more than 10 years TotalEnergies (formerly Total).
Exactly in factories Total in France and Belgium most original oils are bottled Nissan, including popular lines Nissan Motor Oil 5W40 And Nissan Strong Save X 5W40. At the same time Nissan controls the composition, packaging and logistics, and Total responsible for the production of base oil and additive package. This approach is called OEM agreement (Original Equipment Manufacturer).
- 🏭 Manufacturing plants: Gonfreville-l'Orcher (France), Feluy (Belgium)
- 📄 Certificates: API SN, ILSAC GF-5, ACEA A3/B4, Nissan Approval
- 🔬 Technology: Polysynthetic base + additive package Total
- 📦 Packing: Canisters are produced in Turkey and Poland under control Nissan
It is important to understand that Nissan does not hide information about partners. On the official website of the brand in the technical fluids section it is indicated that the oil is produced under license TotalEnergies. However, many dealers and service centers position it as a “unique development,” which misleads buyers.
- Original Nissan 5W40
- Total Quartz 5W40
- Castrol Magnatec
- Mobil 1 ESP
- Other
Composition and specifications: how does the original differ from analogues?
Original oil Nissan 5W40 belongs to the class semi-synthetic oils with improved cleaning and antioxidant properties. Its key characteristics:
| Parameter | Nissan 5W40 (original) | Total Quartz 9000 5W40 | Castrol Edge 5W40 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic basis | Hydrocracking + 15% synthetics | Hydrocracking + 20% synthetics | Full synthetic (PAO) |
| Viscosity index | 165 | 170 | 180 |
| Pour point, °C | -42 | -45 | -48 |
| Base Number (TBN) | 10.3 | 11.2 | 12.1 |
As can be seen from the table, the original oil Nissan inferior to some analogues in certain parameters (for example, base number), but fully complies with the manufacturer’s requirements. Its main advantage is guaranteed engine compatibility Nissan, including turbocharged engines HR16DE, MR20DD And VR38DETT (for GT-R).
Among the analogues the following stand out:
- 🔹 Total Quartz 9000 Energy 5W40 - virtually the same composition as the original, but without a premium for the brand
- 🔹 Mobil 1 ESP 5W40 — fully synthetic oil with improved wear protection
- 🔹 Castrol Edge Professional LL 5W40 — optimized for engines with particulate filters
- 🔹 Liqui Moly Synthoil High Tech 5W40 — high base number (12.5) for long replacement intervals
If your Nissan under warranty, the dealer has the right to require the use of only original oil. In this case, buy it from official suppliers - this way you will avoid problems with warranty service.
How to spot a fake: 5 key signs
Counterfeit oils Nissan 5W40 are more common than you might think. According to NIIAT, up to 30% of canisters on the secondary market are counterfeit. Here's how to recognize the original:
- Packing: The original canister has holographic sticker with logo Nissan, which changes color when tilted. Engraved on the bottom of the canister
batch-code(party). - Cover: On the inside of the original cover there is protective ring with the inscription "Nissan Genuine Oil". Counterfeits often use smooth, unmarked lids.
- Label: The barcode must begin with
4902605(Japan) or352850(France). Check it through the app CheckMark. - Color and consistency: The original oil has golden amber hue and moderate fluidity at +20°C. Fakes are often darker and thicker.
- Price: Average price of an original 4-liter canister - 2800–3500 rubles. Discounts of more than 20% should alert you.
⚠️ Attention: Counterfeit oil may contain cheap mineral bases instead of synthetics, resulting in accelerated turbine wear (relevant for Nissan Qashqai J11 And X-Trail T32). Signs of using a fake: increased oil consumption (more than 500 ml per 1000 km) and knocking of hydraulic compensators after 2000 km.
☑️ Checking the originality of Nissan 5W40 oil
Where and how is oil produced for different regions?
Interesting fact: oil composition Nissan 5W40 may vary slightly depending on the market. This is due to climatic conditions and local fuel standards. For example:
- 🌍 Europe: Produced at the factory Total in France. Has a high alkalinity number (10.5–11.0) to neutralize sulfur in European diesel fuel.
- 🌏 Asia (Japan, Thailand): Bottled by the company Idemitsu Kosan under license Nissan. Contains additional antioxidant additives for hot climates.
- 🌎 Russia and CIS: Supplied from Belgium, but with an adapted package of additives for operation on fuel with an octane rating of 92–95.
- 🌍 North America: Produced ExxonMobil under the brand Nissan. Has a certificate
API SP(most recent standard).
Official distributor of oils on the Russian market Nissan is a company Nissan Manufacturing Rus, which supplies products from a warehouse in St. Petersburg. However, up to 40% of the oil on the shelves is “gray” import from the UAE and Turkey, where quality control requirements are lower.
Why is oil from the UAE cheaper?
The main reason is the lack of excise taxes and customs duties. However, such oil is often stored in unsuitable conditions (in open warehouses at +50°C), which leads to premature oxidation of additives. We recommend avoiding purchases from unofficial suppliers.
Is it worth paying extra for the original? Comparison of price and quality
Price difference between original oil Nissan 5W40 and analogues can reach 100–150%. Let's see if the overpayment is justified:
| Parameter | Nissan 5W40 (original) | Total Quartz 9000 5W40 | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price for 4 l, ₽ | 3200 | 2400 | 800 ₽ (25%) |
| Replacement interval, km | 10 000 | 10 000 | 0 |
| Wear protection (ASTM D6891 test) | 92% | 94% | +2% |
| DPF compatible | Low SAPS | Low SAPS | Same |
Critical Fact: Original Oil Nissan 5W40 for the Russian market it has a reduced package of detergent additives compared to the European version. This is due to the low quality of fuel in the regions. Thus, the overpayment is not for improved characteristics, but for the logo on the canister.
When to choose the original:
- ✅ Car is under warranty (dealer requirement)
- ✅ Engine with mileage over 200,000 km (verified compatibility required)
- ✅ Turbocharged engines VR38DETT (for GT-R) - here the original is required
When you can save:
- ❌ Atmospheric engines (HR16DE, MR20DE) - any high-quality analogue will do
- ❌ Regions with cold climates - it’s better to take Mobil 1 with a lower pour point
- ❌ Cars older than 2010 - original oil will not provide noticeable benefits
For 90% of Nissan cars (except GT-R and diesel engines with particulate filters), Total Quartz 9000 5W40 oil is a complete analogue of the original, but 25–30% cheaper.
Alternative brands: what to choose instead of the original?
If you decide to save money or the original oil is not available, here are proven alternatives with similar characteristics:
- Total Quartz 9000 Energy 5W40 - the same manufacturer as the original, but without a markup for the brand. Suitable for all petrol engines Nissan.
- Mobil 1 ESP 5W40 — fully synthetic oil with improved turbine protection. Recommended for Qashqai J11 And X-Trail T32.
- Castrol Edge Professional LL 5W40 — optimized for direct injection engines. Good choice for Juke And Note.
- Liqui Moly Synthoil High Tech 5W40 — high alkaline number (12.5) is suitable for regions with poor fuel.
- Motul 8100 X-cess 5W40 - ester base provides better protection under extreme loads (for example, for Patrol).
When choosing an analogue, pay attention to manufacturer's approvals. For Nissan critical:
- 🔧
API SNorSP(for new models) - 🔧
ACEA A3/B4orA5/B5 - 🔧
Nissan Approval(if indicated on the canister)
⚠️ Attention: Oils with markings ACEA C2/C3 (low SAPS) not suitable for most petrol engines Nissan, except for models with a particulate filter (for example, X-Trail Hybrid). Their use may lead to accelerated wear of the timing chain due to insufficient amounts of anti-wear additives.
Owner reviews: real experience of use
Analysis of reviews on forums (Drive2, Nissan-Club.ru) shows that opinions about the oil Nissan 5W40 are divided:
- ✔️ Pros (according to reviews):
- 👍 Stable operation of hydraulic compensators (especially important for Almera G15)
- 👍 Low waste (less than 300 ml per 10,000 km)
- 👍 Good fluidity at -30°C (confirmed by owners from Siberia)
- ❌ Cons (according to reviews):
- 👎 High price (up to 4000 ₽ for 4 liters in some regions)
- 👎 Rapid darkening (after 3000 km) - associated with active detergent additives
- 👎 There are fakes (especially in online stores)
Interesting case: owners Nissan Teana J32 with motor VQ35DE note that when switching from original oil to Mobil 1 ESP 5W40 oil consumption decreased from 800 ml to 400 ml per 10,000 km. This is due to a more stable viscosity Mobil 1 at high temperatures.
On YouTube there is a test from the channel "Autochemistry Pro"where the original oil was compared Nissan 5W40 And Total Quartz 9000 in laboratory conditions. The results showed that the difference in wear protection was less than 3%, and in anti-oxidation properties Total even surpasses the original.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Nissan 5W40 oil
Is it possible to mix original Nissan 5W40 oil with analogues?
Yes, but only in emergency cases (for example, when topping up on the road). For continuous use, mixing is not recommended as different additive packages may react. If you have to mix, change the oil as soon as possible. The best option for topping up is oil of the same brand and viscosity (for example, Total Quartz 9000 5W40).
What is the real oil change interval for Nissan 5W40?
The official regulations are 15,000 km or 1 year, but in Russian conditions (bad fuel, traffic jams, dust) it is recommended to reduce the interval to 8,000–10,000 km. For turbocharged engines (Qashqai 1.3 DIG-T) and gas vehicles replacement interval - 7,000 km. You can check the condition of the oil using test strips (For example, Liqui Moly Oil Check).
Is Nissan 5W40 suitable for diesel engines?
Yes, but only for diesels without particulate filter (DPF). For engines with DPF (e.g. Nissan Navara 2.3 dCi) marked oil required Low SAPS (For example, Nissan Diesel DPF 5W30 or Total Quartz INEO ECS 5W30). Using a regular 5W40 in a diesel engine with a particulate filter will lead to its clogging and failure.
Which is better: Nissan 5W40 or Nissan Strong Save X 5W40?
Strong Save X is an updated version of the standard oil with improved energy-saving properties (corresponds to ILSAC GF-6). It is suitable for new engines (Ariya, Qashqai J12) and provides fuel savings of up to 1.5%. However, for older engines (QR25DE, VQ35DE) the difference will be unnoticeable, and the price will be 15–20% higher. If your car was released before 2018, you can stay on standard 5W40.
Where to buy original Nissan 5W40 oil without the risk of running into a fake?
The most reliable options:
- Official dealers Nissan (guaranteed originality, but the price is 10–15% higher)
- Brand stores TotalEnergies (they sell the same oil under their own brand)
- Large chain stores: Tape, OK, Castorama (there is protection against counterfeiting)
- Online: official store Nissan Russia on Wildberries or Ozon (check reviews and seller ratings)
Avoid shopping on Avito, in small car shops and resellers.