2003 NISSAN 350Z service schedule

Your new NISSAN has been designed to have
minimum maintenance requirements with longer
service intervals to save you both time and
money. However, some day-to-day and regular
maintenance is essential to maintain your
NISSAN's good mechanical condition, as well
as its emission and engine performance.
It is the owner's responsibility to make sure that
scheduled maintenance, as well as general
maintenance, is performed.
As the vehicle owner, you are the only one who
can ensure that your vehicle receives the proper
maintenance care. You are a vital link in the
maintenance chain.
Scheduled maintenance:
For your convenience, both required and op-
tional scheduled maintenance items are de-
scribed and listed in your ªService and Mainte-
nance Guideº. You must refer to that guide to
ensure that necessary maintenance is performed
on your NISSAN at regular intervals.
General maintenance:
General maintenance includes those items
which should be checked during normal day-to-
day operation of the vehicle. They are essential if
your vehicle is to continue to operate properly. It
is your responsibility to perform these proce-
dures regularly as prescribed.Performing general maintenance checks require
minimal mechanical skill and only a few general
automotive tools.
These checks or inspections can be done by
yourself, a qualified technician or, if you prefer,
your NISSAN dealer.
Where to go for service:
If maintenance service is required or your vehicle
appears to malfunction, have the systems
checked and tuned by an authorized NISSAN
dealer.
NISSAN technicians are well-trained specialists
and are kept up to date with the latest service
information through technical bulletins, service
tips, and in-dealership training programs. They
are completely qualified to work on NISSAN
vehiclesbeforethey work on your vehicle,
rather than after they have worked on it.
You can be confident that your NISSAN dealer's
service department performs the best job to
meet the maintenance requirements of your ve-
hicle Ð in a reliable and economic way.During the normal day-to-day operation of the
vehicle, general maintenance should be per-
formed regularly as prescribed in this section. If
you detect any unusual sounds, vibrations or
smell, be sure to check for the cause or have
your NISSAN dealer check it promptly. In addi-
tion, you should notify your NISSAN dealer if you
think that repairs are required.
When performing any checks or maintenance
work, closely observe the ªMaintenance precau-
tionsº later in this section.
EXPLANATION OF GENERAL
MAINTENANCE ITEMSAdditional information on the following
items with ª*º is found later in this section.Outside the vehicleThe maintenance items listed here should be
performed from time to time, unless otherwise
specified.
Tires*:Check the pressure with a gauge at least
once a month and always prior to long distance
trips. Adjust the pressure in all tires, including
the spare, to the pressure specified. Check
carefully for damage, cuts or excessive wear.
Wheel nuts*:When checking the tires, make
sure no nuts are missing, and check for any
loose nuts. Tighten if necessary.
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS GENERAL MAINTENANCE8-2
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Platinum-tipped spark plugsIt is not necessary to replace the platinum-tipped
spark plugs as frequently as the conventional
type spark plugs since they will last much longer.
Follow the maintenance schedule but, do not
reuse them by cleaning or regapping.
Always replace with recommended
platinum-tipped spark plugs.To remove the filter from the air cleaner, pull off
the lock pins
q1
and pull the unit upward
q2.
The filter element should not be cleaned and
reused. Replace it according to the maintenance
log shown in the Service and Maintenance
Guide. When replacing the filter, wipe the inside
of the air cleaner housing and the cover with a
damp cloth.
WARNING
IOperating the engine with the air
cleaner removed can cause you orothers to be burned. The air cleaner
not only cleans the air, it stops flame
if the engine backfires. If it is not
there, and the engine backfires, you
could be burned. Do not drive with
the air cleaner removed and be care-
ful when working on the engine with
the air cleaner removed.
INever pour fuel into the throttle body
or attempt to start the engine with
the air cleaner removed. Doing so
could result in serious injury.
SDI0145
SDI1446
AIR CLEANER
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load, worn suspension or other possible
causes of either condition.
IAlways secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shifts while driving.
IBe certain your rear view mirrors conform to
all federal, state or local regulations. If not,
install any mirrors required for towing before
driving the vehicle.
Trailer towing tipsIn order to gain skill and an understanding of the
vehicle's behavior, you should practice turning,
stopping and backing up in an area which is free
from traffic. Steering stability, and braking per-
formance will be somewhat different than under
normal driving conditions.
IAlways secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
IAvoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.
IAvoid sharp turns or lane changes.
IAlways drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed.
IAlways block the wheels on both vehicle and
trailer when parking. Parking on a slope is not
recommended; however, if you must do so,
and if your vehicle is equipped with automatic
transmission, first apply the parking brakeand block the wheels, and then move the
transmission selector lever into the P (Park)
position. If you move the selector lever to the
P (Park) position before blocking the wheels
and applying the parking brake, the transmis-
sion may get damaged.
IWhen going down a hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine braking effect.
When ascending on a long grade, downshift
the transmission to a lower gear and reduce
speed to reduce chances of engine overload-
ing and/or overheating.
IIf the engine coolant rises to an extremely
high temperature when the air conditioning
system is on, turn off the air conditioner.
Coolant heat can be additionally vented by
opening the windows, switching the fan con-
trol to high and setting the temperature con-
trol to the HOT position.
ITrailer towing consumes more fuel than nor-
mal circumstances.
IAvoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles
(800 km).
IHave your vehicle serviced more often than at
intervals specified in the recommended main-
tenance schedule.
IWhen making a turn, your trailer wheels will
be closer to the inside of the turn than yourvehicle wheels. To compensate for this, make
a larger than normal turning radius during the
turn.
ICrosswinds and rough roads will adversely
affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly caus-
ing vehicle sway. When being passed by
larger vehicles, be prepared for possible
changes in crosswinds that could affect ve-
hicle handling. If swaying does occur, firmly
grip the steering wheel, steer straight ahead,
and immediately (but gradually) reduce ve-
hicle speed. This combination will help stabi-
lize the vehicle. Never increase speed.
IBe careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires con-
siderably more distance than normal passing.
Remember the length of the trailer must also
pass the other vehicle before you can safely
change lanes.
ITo maintain engine braking efficiency and
electrical charging performance, do not use
6th gear (manual transmission) or 5th posi-
tion (automatic transmission).
IAvoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the brakes
to overheat, resulting in reduced braking ef-
ficiency.
When towing a trailer, change transmis-9-18
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10 Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock brake system)................................ 5-20
Air bag ON/OFF switch .......................................... 1-21
Air bag system
Front (See supplemental front air bag
system) .................................................................. 1-11
Side and curtain (See supplemental side air bag
and curtain side-impact air bag system) ...... 1-13
Air bag warning labels ............................................. 1-16
Air bag warning light .................................... 1-16, 2-14
Air cleaner housing filter.......................................... 8-18
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation ..................................... 4-3
Air conditioner service ................................ 4-3, 4-6
Air conditioner specification label .................. 9-12
Air conditioning system refrigerant and lubricant
recommendations ......................................... 4-6, 9-6
Heater and air conditioner (automatic)............ 4-3
Alcohol, drugs and driving......................................... 5-5
Anchor point location, Top tether strap ............. 1-27
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) .............................. 5-20
Anti-lock brake warning light.................................. 2-11
Appearance care
Exterior appearance care .................................... 7-2
Interior appearance care ..................................... 7-4
Ashtrays (See cigarette lighter and ashtray)...... 2-28
Audible reminders ..................................................... 2-16
Audio operation precautions ..................................... 4-7Audio system ................................................................ 4-6
Autochanger
Compact Disc (CD) ........................................... 4-17
Automatic
Anti-glare inside mirror ...................................... 3-13
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ................ 8-12
Driving with automatic transmission........ 5-5, 5-9
Transmission selector lever lock release ...... 5-12
Avoiding collision and rollover .................................. 5-4
B
Battery .......................................................................... 8-15
Battery saver system ......................................... 2-22
Battery replacement, (See remote keyless entry
system) ........................................................................... 3-7
Before starting the engine ......................................... 5-8
Belts (See drive belts) ............................................. 8-17
Brake
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ......................... 5-20
Brake and clutch fluid ....................................... 8-13
Brake booster ...................................................... 8-22
Brake fluid............................................................. 8-13
Brake pedal .......................................................... 8-21
Brake pedal check ............................................. 8-21
Brake system ....................................................... 5-20
Parking brake check............................... 5-14, 8-21
Parking brake operation .................................... 5-14
Warning light ....................................................... 2-12Break-in schedule ..................................................... 5-17
Bulb check/instrument panel.................................. 2-11
Bulb replacement ...................................................... 8-25
C
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants...... 9-2
Car phone or CB radio............................................ 4-19
Cassette player (See audio system) .................... 4-16
Catalytic converter, Three way catalyst ................. 5-3
CD care and cleaning .............................................. 4-19
Child restraints ........................................................... 1-25
Top tether strap anchor point location ......... 1-27
Installation on front passenger seat............... 1-28
Precautions on child restraints........................ 1-25
With top tether strap ......................................... 1-27
Child safety ................................................................. 1-20
Chimes, Audible reminders..................................... 2-16
Cigarette lighter and ashtray .................................. 2-28
Circuit breaker, Fusible link .................................... 8-23
Cleaning exterior and interior .......................... 7-2, 7-4
Clock ............................................................................ 2-27
Clutch fluid.................................................................. 8-14
Cold weather driving ................................................ 5-24
Compact Disc (CD) changer operation .............. 4-17
Compact Disc (CD) player (See audio
system) ......................................................................... 4-11
Compact spare tire ................................................... 8-33
Console box................................................................ 2-31
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