Cap NISSAN 350Z 2004 Owner´s Manual

A suitable adapter should be attached to the
jack stand saddle.
5. Remove the plastic engine undercover.
a. Remove the small plastic clip at the center
point of the undercover.
b. Then remove the other bolts that hold the
undercover in place.
CAUTION
Make sure the correct lifting and sup-
port points are used to avoid vehicle
damage.
Engine oil and filter1. Place a large drain pan under the drain plug.
2. Remove the oil filler cap.
3. Remove the drain plug with a wrench and
completely drain the oil.
CAUTION
Be careful not to burn yourself, as the
engine oil is hot.

Waste oil must be disposed of properly.

Check your local regulations.4. Loosen the oil filter with an oil filter wrench.
Remove the oil filter by turning it by hand.
5. Wipe the engine oil filter mounting surface
with a clean rag.
Be sure to remove any old rubber gas-
ket remaining on the mounting surface
of the engine.
6. Coat the gasket on the new filter with clean
engine oil.
7. Screw in the oil filter clockwise until a slight
resistance is felt, then tighten additionally
more than 2/3 turn.
Oil filter tightening torque:
11 to 15 ft-lb
(14.7 to 20.5 N⋅m)
8. Clean and re-install the drain plug and a new
washer. Securely tighten the drain plug with a
wrench.
Drain plug tightening torque:
22 to 29 ft-lb
(29 to 39 N⋅m)
Do not use excessive force.
9. Refill engine with recommended oil and in-
stall the cap securely.
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CAUTION
The dipstick must be inserted in place to
prevent oil spillage from the dipstick
hole while filling the engine with oil.
See “Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants” in the “9. Technical and consumer
information” section for drain and refill capac-
ity. The drain and refill capacity depends on
the oil temperature and drain time. Use these
specifications for reference only. Always use
the dipstick to determine the proper amount
of oil in the engine.
10. Start the engine and check for leakage
around the drain plug and the oil filter.
Correct as required.
11. Turn the engine off and wait more than 10
minutes. Check the oil level with the dip-
stick. Add engine oil if necessary.After the operation1. Install the engine undercover into position as
outlined in the following steps.
a. Pull the center of the small plastic clip out.
b. Hold the engine undercover into position.
c. Insert the clip through the undercover into thehole in the frame, then push the center of the
clip in to lock the clip in place.
d. Install the other bolts that hold the under-
cover in place. Be careful not to strip the
bolts or over-tighten them.
2. Lower the vehicle carefully to the ground.
3. Dispose of waste oil and filter properly.
WARNING

Prolonged and repeated contact with
used engine oil may cause skin can-
cer.

Try to avoid direct skin contact with
used oil. If skin contact is made,
wash thoroughly with soap or hand
cleaner as soon as possible.

Keep used engine oil out of reach of
children.When checking or replacement is required, we
recommend your NISSAN dealer for servicing.
CAUTION

Use only Genuine Nissan Matic J ATF.
Do not mix with other fluids.

Using automatic transmission fluid
other than Genuine Nissan Matic J
ATF will cause deterioration in drive-
ability and automatic transmission
durability, and may damage the auto-
matic transmission, which is not cov-
ered by the NISSAN new vehicle lim-
ited warranty.
The specified automatic transmission fluid is
also described on caution labels located in the
engine compartment.AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID
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CLUTCH FLUIDCheck the fluid level in the reservoir. If the fluid
level is below the MIN. line, add Genuine
NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or
equivalentDOT 3fluid up to the MAX. line.
If fluid is added frequently, the system should be
thoroughly checked by your NISSAN dealer.
WARNING
Use only new fluid from a sealed con-
tainer. Old, inferior or contaminated
fluid may damage the clutch system.
CAUTION
Do not spill the fluid on painted sur-
faces. This will damage the paint. If fluid
is spilled, wash the surface with water.
Open the cap and add fluid when the low
washer fluid warning light comes on. Add a
washer solvent to the washer fluid for better
cleaning. In the winter season, add a windshield
washer anti-freeze. Follow the manufacturer’s
instructions for the mixture ratio.
Recommended fluid is Genuine NISSAN Wind-
shield Washer Concentrate Cleaner & Anti-
freeze Fluid or equivalent.
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WINDOW WASHER FLUID
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painted surfaces. After touching a
battery or battery cap, do not touch
or rub your eyes. Thoroughly wash
your hands. If you get acid on your
eyes, skin or clothing, immediately
flush with water for at least 15 min-
utes and seek medical attention.

Do not operate the vehicle if the
battery fluid is low. Low battery fluid
can cause a higher load on the bat-
tery which can generate heat, reduce
battery life, and in some cases lead
to an explosion.

When working on or near a battery,
always wear suitable eye protection
and remove all jewelry.

Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds. Wash hands after han-
dling.

Keep the battery out of the reach of
children.Check the fluid level in each cell. It should be
between the UPPER LEVEL
1
and LOWER
LEVEL
2lines.
If it is necessary to add fluid, add only distilled
water to bring the level to the indicator in each
filler opening.Do not overfill.
Vehicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe conditions require frequent checks of the
battery fluid level.
1. Remove the cell plugs
A.
2. Add distilled water up to the UPPER LEVEL
line
1.
3. Tighten cell plugs.
JUMP STARTINGIf jump starting is necessary, see “Jump starting”
in the “6. In case of emergency” section. If the
engine does not start by jump starting, the
battery may have to be replaced. Contact your
NISSAN dealer.
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TIRE PRESSURE
Tire inflation pressureCheck the pressure of the tires (including the
spare) often and always prior to long distance
trips. The recommended tire pressure specifica-
tions are shown on the Tire and Loading Infor-
mation label under the “Recommended Cold
Tire Inflation Pressure” heading. The Tire and
Loading Information label is affixed to the driver
side center pillar. Tire pressures should be
checked regularly because:

Most tires naturally lose air over time.

Tires can lose air suddenly when driven over
potholes or other objects or if the vehicle
strikes a curbwhile parking.
The tire pressures should be checked when the
tires are cold. The tires are considered COLD
after the vehicle has been parked for 3 or more
hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km) at
moderate speeds.
Incorrect tire pressure, including under in-
flation, may adversely affect tire life and
vehicle handling.
WARNING

Improperly inflated tires can fail sud-
denly and cause an accident.

The vehicle capacity weight is indi-
cated on the Tire and Loading Infor-
mation label. Do not load your ve-
hicle beyond this capacity.
Overloading your vehicle may result
in reduced tire life, unsafe operating
conditions due to premature tire mal-
function, or unfavorable handling
characteristics and could also lead to
a serious accident. Loading beyond
the specified capacity may also result
in a malfunction of other vehicle
components.

Before taking a long trip, or when-
ever you heavily load your vehicle,
use a tire pressure gauge to ensure
that the tire pressures are at the
specified level.

Do not drive your vehicle over 85
MPH (137 km/h) unless it is equipped
with high-speed rated tires. Drivingfaster than 85 MPH (137 km/h) may
result in tire failure, loss of control
and possible injury.

For additional information regarding
tires, refer to “Important Tire Safety
Information” (US) or “Tire Safety In-
formation” (Canada) in the Warranty
Information Booklet.
Low tire pressure warning system (if
so equipped)The low tire pressure warning system displays
the tire pressure of all tires (except the spare tire)
on the trip computer by sending a signal from a
sensor that is installed in each wheel. For more
details, refer to “Trip computer” and “Low tire
pressure warning light” in the “2. Instruments
and controls” section, “Low tire pressure warn-
ing system” in the “5. Starting and driving”
section, and “Flat tire” in the “6. In case of
emergency” section. If the tire pressure dis-
played on the trip computer is lower than the
COLD tire pressure shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label, check the pressure of
all four tires and adjust them to the COLD tire
pressure. The low tire pressure warning system
will activate only when the vehicle is driven at
speeds above 20 MPH (32 km/h).
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Tire and loading information label
1Seating capacity: The maximum number of
occupants that can be seated in the vehicle.
2Vehicle load limit: See loading information in
the “9. Technical and consumer information”
section.
3Original tire size: The size of the tires origi-
nally installed on the vehicle at the factory.
4Recommended cold tire inflation pressure:
Inflate the tires to this pressure when the tires
are cold. Tires are considered COLD after
the vehicle has been parked for 3 or more
hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km) at
moderate speeds. The recommended cold
tire inflation is set by the manufacturer to
provide the best balance of tire wear, vehicle
handling, driveability, tire noise, etc., up to the
vehicles GVWR.
5Tire size — refer to “Tire labeling” later in this
section.
6and
7
Spare tire size or compact spare tire
size (if so equipped)
Checking the tire pressure1. Remove the valve stem cap from the tire.
2. Press the pressure gauge squarely onto the
valve stem. Do not press too hard or force the
valve stem sideways, or air will escape. If the
hissing sound of air escaping from the tire is
heard while checking the pressure, reposition
the gauge to eliminate this leakage.
3. Remove the gauge.
4. Read the tire pressure on the gauge stem
and compare it to the specification shown on
the Tire and Loading Information label.
5. Add air to the tire as needed. If too much air
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is added, press the core of the valve stem
briefly with the tip of the gauge stem to
release pressure. Recheck the pressure and
add or release air as needed.
6. Install the valve stem cap.
7. Check the pressure of all other tires, includ-
ing the spare.
TIRE LABELINGFederal law requires tire manufacturers to place
standardized information on the sidewall of all
tires. This information identifies and describes
the fundamental characteristics of the tire and
also provides the tire identification number (TIN)
for safety standard certification. The TIN can be
used to identify the tire in case of a recall.
1Tire size (example: P215/60R16 94H)
P: The “P” indicates the tire is designed for
passenger vehicles. (Not all tires have this
information.)
Three-digit number (215): This number gives
the width in millimeters of the tire from side-
wall edge to sidewall edge.
1st two-digit number (60): This number,
known as the aspect ratio, gives the tire’s
ratio of height to width.
R: The “R” stands for radial.
2nd two-digit number (16): This number is
the wheel or rim diameter in inches.3rd two- or three-digit number (94): This
number is the tire’s load index. It is a mea-
surement of how much weight each tire can
support. (You may not find this information on
all tires because it is not required by law.)
H: Tire Speed Rating. The speed rating de-
notes the speed at which a tire is designed to
be driven for extended periods of time. The
ratings range from 98 MPH (miles per hour)
to 186 MPH. (You may not find this informa-
tion on all tires because it is not required by
law.)
2TIN (Tire Identification Number) for new tire
(example: DOT XX XX XXX XXXX)
DOT: Abbreviation for the “Department of
Transportation”. The symbol can be
placed above, below or to the left or
right of the Tire Identification Number.
1st two-digit code: Manufacturer’s identifica-
tion mark
2nd two-digit code: Tire size
3rd three-digit code: Tire type code (Op-
tional)
4th three-digit code: Date of Manufacture
Four numbers represent the week and year
the tire was built. For example, the numbers
3103 means the 31st week of 2003.
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EXAMPLE
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Snow tiresIf snow tires are needed, it is necessary to select
tires equivalent in size and load rating to the
original equipment tires. If you do not, it can
adversely affect the safety and handling of your
vehicle.
Generally, snow tires will have lower speed
ratings than factory equipped tires and may not
match the potential maximum vehicle speed.
Never exceed the maximum speed rating of the
tire.
If you operate your vehicle in snowy or icy
conditions, NISSAN recommends the use of
snow or all season tires on all four wheels.
For additional traction on icy roads, studded tires
may be used. However, some provinces and
states prohibit their use. Check local, state and
provincial laws before installing studded tires.
Skid and traction capabilities of studded snow
tires, on wet or dry surfaces, may be poorer than
that of non-studded snow tires.TIRE CHAINSUse of tire chains may be prohibited according
to location. Check the local laws before installing
tire chains. When installing tire chains, make
sure they are of proper size for the tires on your
vehicle and are installed according to the chainmanufacturer’s suggestions.Use only SAE
class “S” chains.Class “S” chains are used on
vehicles with restricted tire to vehicle clearance.
Vehicles that can use Class “S” chains are
designed to meet the SAE standard minimum
clearances between the tire and the closest
vehicle suspension or body component required
to accommodate the use of a winter traction
device (tire chains or cables). The minimum
clearances are determined using the factory
equipped tire size. Other types may damage
your vehicle. Use chain tensioners when recom-
mended by the tire chain manufacturer to ensure
a tight fit. Loose end links of the tire chain must
be secured or removed to prevent the possibility
of whipping action damage to the fenders or
undercarriage. If possible, avoid fully loading
your vehicle when using tire chains. In addition,
drive at a reduced speed. Otherwise, your ve-
hicle may be damaged and/or vehicle handling
and performance may be adversely affected.

Never install tire chains on a T-type
spare tire.

Do not use the chains on dry roads.

Tire chains must be installed only on the
rear wheels and not on the front wheels.
CHANGING WHEELS AND TIRES
Tire rotationTires cannot be rotated in this vehicle, as front
tires are different size from rear tires and the
direction of wheel rotation is fixed in each tire.
A pin is on the front brake rotor to prevent the
rear wheels from being installed in place of the
front wheels. The spare tire can be installed in
place of the front and rear wheels. When install-
ing the spare tire in the front wheel, the hole in
the spare tire wheel must be aligned with the pin
on the brake rotor.
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Tire wear and damage
WARNING

Tires should be periodically in-
spected for wear, cracking, bulging,
or objects caught in the tread. If ex-
cessive wear, cracks, bulging, or
deep cuts are found, the tire should
be replaced.

The original tires have a built-in tread
wear indicator. When the wearindicator is visible, the tire should be
replaced.

Improper service for a spare tire may
result in serious personal injury. If it
is necessary to repair the spare tire,
contact your NISSAN dealer.

For additional information regarding
tires, refer to “Important Tire Safety
Information” (US) or “Tire Safety In-
formation” (Canada) in the Warranty
Information Booklet.
Replacing wheels and tiresWhen replacing a tire, use the same size, speed
rating and load carrying capacity as originally
equipped. See “Specifications” in the “9. Tech-
nical and consumer information” section for rec-
ommended types and sizes of tires and wheels.
WARNING

The use of tires other than those
recommended or the mixed use of
tires of different brands, construction(bias, bias-belted or radial), or tread
patterns can adversely affect the ride,
braking, handling, ground clearance,
body-to-tire clearance, tire chain
clearance, speedometer calibration,
headlight aim and bumper height.
Some of these effects may lead to
accidents and could result in serious
personal injury.

If the wheels are changed for any
reason, always replace with wheels
which have the same offset dimen-
sion. Wheels of a different offset
could cause early tire wear, possibly
degraded vehicle handling character-
istics and/or interference with the
brake discs. Such interference can
lead to decreased braking efficiency
and/or early brake pad wear.

When a spare tire is mounted or a
wheel is replaced, tire pressure will
not be indicated and the low tire
pressure warning system will not
function. Contact your NISSAN
dealer as soon as possible for tire
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9 Technical and consumer informationCapacities and recommended fuel/lubricants .............. 9-2
Fuel recommendation .................................................... 9-3
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation .................. 9-5
Recommended SAE viscosity number ...................... 9-6
Air conditioning system refrigerant and lubricant
recommendations ........................................................... 9-6
Specifications ........................................................................ 9-8
Engine ................................................................................ 9-8
Wheels and tires ............................................................. 9-9
Dimensions and weights ............................................... 9-9
When traveling or registering your vehicle in another
country .................................................................................. 9-10
Vehicle identification ......................................................... 9-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate ............... 9-10
Vehicle identification number (chassis number) .... 9-10
Engine serial number ................................................... 9-11
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ...................................... 9-11
Emission control information label ........................... 9-11
Tire and Loading Information label .......................... 9-12
Air conditioner specification label ............................ 9-12Installing front license plate ............................................. 9-13
Vehicle loading information ............................................. 9-14
Terms ............................................................................... 9-14
Vehicle load capacity.................................................... 9-15
Loading tips ................................................................... 9-15
Towing a trailer ................................................................... 9-16
Maximum load limits ...................................................... 9-16
Towing safety.................................................................. 9-17
Flat towing .......................................................................... 9-20
Automatic transmission ............................................. 9-20
Manual transmission .................................................... 9-20
Uniform tire quality grading ............................................. 9-21
Emission control system warranty ................................. 9-22
Reporting safety defects (US only) ............................... 9-22
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M) test
(US only) .............................................................................. 9-22
Event data recorders ......................................................... 9-23
Owner’s Manual/Service Manual order
information ........................................................................... 9-24
In the event of a collision ........................................... 9-24


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