NISSAN 350Z 2003 Z33 Owners Manual

Change intervalsThe oil and oil filter change intervals for your
engine are based on the use of the specified
quality oils and filters. Oil and filter other than the
specified quality, or oil and filter change intervals
longer than recommended could reduce engine
life. Damage to engines caused by improper
maintenance or use of incorrect oil and filter
quality and/or viscosity is not covered by the
new NISSAN vehicle warranties.
Your engine was filled with a high quality engine
oil when it was built. You do not have to change
the oil before the first recommended change
interval. Oil and filter change intervals depend
upon how you use your vehicle. Operation under
the following conditions may require more fre-
quent oil and filter changes.
Irepeated short distance driving at cold out-
side temperatures,
Idriving in dusty conditions,
Iextensive idling,
Itowing a trailer,
Istop and go ªrush hourº traffic.
RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY
NUMBERSAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred for all
ambient temperatures. SAE 10W-30,
10W-40 viscosity oil may be used if the
ambient temperature is above 0ÉF (þ18ÉC).
AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
REFRIGERANT AND LUBRICANT
RECOMMENDATIONSThe air conditioning system in this NISSAN
vehicle must be charged with the refriger-
ant HFC-134a (R-134a) and the lubricant,
Nissan A/C System Oil Type S or the exact
equivalents.
CAUTION
The use of any other refrigerant or lubri-
cant will cause severe damage to the air
conditioning system and will require the
replacement of all air conditioner sys-
tem components.
The refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a) in your
NISSAN vehicle will not harm the earth's ozone
layer. Although this refrigerant does not affect
the earth's atmosphere, certain governmental
regulations require the recovery and recycling of
any refrigerant during automotive air condition-
ing system service. Your NISSAN dealer has the
trained technicians and equipment needed to
recover and recycle your air conditioning system
refrigerant.
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Contact your NISSAN dealer when servicing
your air conditioning system.
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ENGINE
Model VQ35DE
Type Gasoline, 4-cycle
Cylinder arrangement 6-cylinder, V-slanted at 60É
Bore x Stroke in (mm) 3.760 x 3.205 (95.5 x 81.4)
Displacement cu in (cm
3) 213.45 (3,498)
Firing order 1-2-3-4-5-6*1
Idle speed rpm
See the emission control label on
the underside of the hood. Ignition timing (B.T.D.C.) degree/rpm
CO percentage at idle speed [No air] %
Spark plugStandard PLFR5A-11
Service option PLFR4A-11, PLFR6A-11
Spark plug gap (Normal) in (mm) 0.043 (1.1)
Camshaft operation Timing chain
The spark ignition system of this vehicle
meets all requirements of the Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment Regula-
tions.
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SPECIFICATIONS9-8
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WHEELS AND TIRESRoad wheelType Size Offset in (mm)
AluminumFront17 x 7-1/2JJ
1.18 (30)
18 x 8JJ*
Rear17 x 8JJ 1.30 (33)
18 x 8JJ* 1.18 (30)
18 x 8-1/2JJ* 1.30 (33)
TireConventionalFront225/50R17 94W
225/45R18 91W*
Rear235/50R17 96W
245/45R18 96W*
SpareT145/90D16
T155/80R17*
*: For option
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS
Coupe
Overall length in (mm) 169.6 (4,309)
Overall width in (mm) 71.5 (1,815)
Overall height in (mm) 51.9 (1,319)
Front tread in (mm) 60.4 (1,535)
Rear tread in (mm)60.6 (1,539)*1
60.8 (1,545)*2
Wheelbase in (mm) 104.3 (2,649)
Gross vehicle weight rating lb (kg)
See the F.M.V.S.S. certifica-
tion label on the driver's side
lock pillar. Gross axle weight rating
Front lb (kg)
Rear lb (kg)
*1: The wheel offset is 1.30 in (33 mm).
*2: The wheel offset is 1.18 in (30 mm).
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When planning to travel in another country,
you should first find out if the fuel available is
suitable for your vehicle's engine.
Using fuel with too low an octane rating may
cause engine damage. All gasoline vehicles
must be operated with unleaded engine gaso-
line. Therefore, avoid taking your vehicle to areas
where appropriate fuel is not available.
When transferring the registration of your
vehicle to another country, state, province
or district,it may be necessary to modify the
vehicle to meet local laws and regulations.
The laws and regulations for motor vehicle emis-
sion control and safety standards vary according
to the country, state, province or district; there-
fore, vehicle specifications may differ.
When any vehicle is to be taken into an-
other country, state, province or district
and registered, its modifications, transpor-
tation, and registration are the responsibil-
ity of the user. NISSAN is not responsible
for any inconvenience that may result.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
(VIN) PLATEThe vehicle identification number plate is at-
tached as shown. This number is the identifica-
tion for your vehicle and is used in the vehicle
registration.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
(Chassis number)The number is stamped as shown.
STI0320
STI0321
WHEN TRAVELING OR
REGISTERING YOUR VEHICLE IN
ANOTHER COUNTRYVEHICLE IDENTIFICATION9-10
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ENGINE SERIAL NUMBERThe number is stamped on the engine as shown.
F.M.V.S.S. CERTIFICATION LABELThe Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
(F.M.V.S.S.) certification label is affixed as
shown. This label contains valuable vehicle in-
formation, such as: Gross Vehicle Weight Rat-
ings (GVWR), Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR), month and year of manufacture, Ve-
hicle Identification Number (VIN), etc. Review it
carefully.
EMISSION CONTROL
INFORMATION LABELThe emission control information label is at-
tached as shown.
STI0303
STI0322
STI0323
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TIRE PLACARDThe cold tire pressure is shown on the tire
placard affixed to the inside of the console box
lid.
AIR CONDITIONER SPECIFICATION
LABELThe air conditioner specification label is affixed
inside of the hood as shown.
STI0324
STI0325
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Use the following steps to mount the license
plate:
Before mounting the license plate, confirm that
the following parts are enclosed in the vinyl bag.
ILicense plate bracket
IJ-nut x 2
IScrew x 2
IScrew grommet x 2
1. Temporarily place the license plate bracket
while aligning points
qA
of the front bumper
fascia with holes
qB
in the license plate
bracket.
2. Remove the license plate bracket.
3. Carefully drill two shallow pilot holes
qAusing
a 0.39 in (10 mm) drill bit at the marked
locations.(Be sure that the drill only goes
through the fascia, or damage to the nut
may occur.)
4. Insert grommets into the hole on the fascia.
5. Insert a flat-blade screwdriver into the grom-
met hole to add 90É turn onto the partqC.
6. Insert a J-nut into the license plate bracket
before placing the license plate bracket on
the fascia.
7. Install the license plate bracket with screws.
STI0326
INSTALLING FRONT LICENSE
PLATE
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8. Install the license plate with bolts that are no
longer than 0.55 in (14 mm).
WARNING
IIt is extremely dangerous to ride in a
cargo area inside of a vehicle. In a
collision, people riding in these areas
are more likely to be seriously in-
jured or killed
IDo not allow people to ride in any
area of your vehicle that is not
equipped with seats and seat belts.
IBe sure everyone in your vehicle is in
a seat and using a seat belt properly.TERMSIt is important to familiarize yourself with the
following terms before loading your vehicle:
ICurb Weight (actual weight of your vehicle) -
vehicle weight including: standard and op-
tional equipment, fluids, emergency tools,
and spare tire assembly. This weightdoes
notinclude passengers and cargo.
IGVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) - curb weight
plus the combined weight of passengers and
cargo.IGVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) -
maximum total weight (load) limit specified for
the vehicle.
IGAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) - maxi-
mum weight (load) limit specified for the front
or rear axle.
DETERMINING VEHICLE LOAD
CAPACITYThe load capacity of this vehicle is determined
by weight, not by available cargo space. For
example, a luggage rack, bike carrier, cartop
carrier or similar equipment does not increase
load carrying capacity of your vehicle.
To determine vehicle load capacity:
Vehicle weight can be determined by using a
commercial-grade scale, found at places such
as a truck stop, gravel quarry, grain elevator, or a
scrap metal recycling facility.
1. Determine the curb weight of your vehicle.
2. Compare the curb weight amount to the
GVWR specified for your vehicle to deter-
mine how much more weight your vehicle can
carry.
3. After loading (cargo and passengers), re-
weigh your vehicle to determine if either
GVWR or GAWR for your vehicle is ex-
VEHICLE LOADING
INFORMATION
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ceeded. If GVWR is exceeded, remove cargo
as necessary. If either the front or rear GAWR
is exceeded, shift the load or remove cargo
as necessary.
LOADING TIPSIThe GVW must not exceed GVWR or
GAWR as specified on the F.M.V.S.S. certi-
fication label.
IDo not load the front and rear axle to the
GAWR. Doing so will exceed the GVWR.
WARNING
IProperly secure all cargo to help pre-
vent it from sliding or shifting. Do not
place cargo higher than the seat-
backs. In a sudden stop or collision,
unsecured cargo could cause per-
sonal injury.
IDo not load your vehicle any heavier
than the GVWR or the maximum front
and rear GAWRs. If you do, parts on
your vehicle can break, or it can
change the way your vehicle handles.
This could result in loss of controland cause personal injury.
IOverloading can shorten the life of
your vehicle. Failures caused by over-
loading are not covered by your war-
ranty.
Your new vehicle was designed to be used
primarily to carry passengers and cargo. Re-
member that towing a trailer will place additional
loads on your vehicle's engine, drive train, steer-
ing, braking and other systems.
Information on trailer towing ability and the spe-
cial equipment required should be obtained from
your NISSAN dealer. He can obtain aNISSAN
Trailer Towing Guide(US only) for you.
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