2006 NISSAN 350Z maintenance

1. Wear indicator
2. Wear indicator location markTire wear and damage
WARNING

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

The original tires have built-in
tread wear indicators. When the
wear indicators are visible, the
tire(s) should be replaced.

Tires degrade with age and use.
Have tires, including the spare,
over 6 years old checked by a
qualified technician because
some tire damage may not be
obvious. Replace the tires as
necessary to prevent tire failure
and possible personal injury.

Improper service of the spare
tire may result in serious per-
sonal injury. If it is necessary to
repair the spare tire, contact a
NISSAN dealer.

For additional information re-
garding tires, refer to “Impor-
tant Tire Safety Information”
(US) or “Tire Safety Informa-tion” (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
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reason, always replace with wheels
which have the same off-set dimen-
sion. Wheels of a different off-set
could cause premature tire wear,
possibly degraded vehicle handling
characteristics and/or interference
with the brake discs/drums. Such in-
terference can lead to decreased
braking efficiency and/or early brake
pad/shoe wear.

When a spare tire is mounted or a
wheel is replaced, tire pressure will
not be indicated, the TPMS will not
function and the low tire pressure
warning light will flash. Contact your
NISSAN dealer as soon as possible
for tire replacement and/or system
resetting.

Replacing tires with those not origi-
nally specified by NISSAN could af-
fect the proper operation of the
TPMS.

Do not install a deformed wheel or
tire even if it has been repaired. Such
wheels or tires could have structuraldamage and could fail without warn-
ing.

The use of retread tire is not recom-
mended.

For additional information regarding
tires, refer to “Important Tire Safety
Information” (US) or “Tire Safety In-
formation” (Canada) in the Warranty
Information Booklet.
Wheel balanceUnbalanced wheels may affect vehicle handling
and tire life. Even with regular use, wheels can
get out of balance. Therefore, they should be
balanced as required.
Wheel balance service should be performed
with the wheels off the vehicle. Spin balancing
the front wheels on the vehicle could lead to
transmission damage.
For additional information regarding tires, refer to
“Important Tire Safety Information” (US) or “Tire
Safety Information” (Canada) in the Warranty
Information booklet.Care of wheels
Wash the wheels when washing the vehicleto maintain their appearance.

Clean the inner side of the wheels when the
wheel is changed or the underside of the
vehicle is washed.

Do not use abrasive cleaners when washing
the wheels.

Inspect wheel rims regularly for dents or
corrosion. Such damage may cause loss of
pressure or poor seal at the tire bead.

NISSAN recommends that the road wheels
be waxed to protect against road salt in areas
where it is used during winter.
Spare tire (T-type spare tire)Observe the following precautions if the T-type
spare tire must be used, otherwise your vehicle
could be damaged or involved in an accident.
CAUTION

The T-type spare tire should be used
for emergency use only. It should be
replaced by the standard tire at the
first opportunity.

Drive carefully while the T-type spare
tire is installed.
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Avoid sharp turns and abrupt braking
while driving.

Periodically check the T-type spare
tire inflation pressure, and always
keep it at 60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 bar).

Do not drive your vehicle at speeds
faster than 50 MPH (80 km/h).

Do not use tire chains on a T-type
spare tire. Tire chains will not fit
properly on the T-type spare tire and
may cause damage to the vehicle.

Tire tread of the T-type spare tire will
wear at a faster rate than the stan-
dard tire. Replace the T-type spare
tire as soon as the tread wear indica-
tors appear.

Because the T-type spare tire is
smaller than the original tire, ground
clearance is reduced. To avoid dam-
age to the vehicle, do not drive over
obstacles. Also, do not drive the ve-
hicle through an automatic car wash
since it may get caught.
Do not use the T-type spare tire on
other vehicles.

Do not use more than one T-type
spare tire at the same time.

Do not tow a trailer while the T-type
spare tire is installed.
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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 conditioner 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./C.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 .................................................................... 9-17
Measurement of weights ............................................. 9-17
Towing a trailer ................................................................... 9-18
Maximum load limits .................................................... 9-18
Towing safety ................................................................ 9-19
Flat towing............................................................................. 9-22
Automatic transmission ................................................ 9-23
Manual transmission ..................................................... 9-23
Uniform tire quality grading ............................................. 9-23
Emission control system warranty ................................. 9-24
Reporting safety defects (US only) ............................... 9-24
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M) test
(US only) .............................................................................. 9-25
Event data recorders ......................................................... 9-26
Owner’s manual/service manual order information ... 9-26
In the event of a collision ........................................... 9-27


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The following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be a little different. When refilling, follow the procedure
instructed in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section to determine the proper refill capacity.
Capacity (Approximate)
Recommended
specifications US
measureImp
measureLiter
Fuel 20 gal 16-5/8 gal 76 Unleaded premium gasoline with an octane rating of at least 91 AKI (RON 96)*1
Engine oil (Drain and refill)*2
With oil filter change 5 qt 4-1/8 qt 4.7
API Certification Mark*3, *4

API grade SG/SH, Energy ConservingI&IIorAPIgradeSJorSL,Energy Conserving*3, *4

ILSAC grade GF-I, GF-II & GF-III*2, *3 Without oil filter change 4-5/8 qt 3-7/8 qt 4.4
Cooling system
With reservoir 9-1/4 qt 7-5/8 qt 8.7
Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant or equivalent
Reservoir 7/8 qt 3/5 qt 0.8
Automatic transmission fluid — — — Genuine NISSAN Matic J ATF*5
Manual transmission gear oil — — —Genuine NISSAN Manual Transmission Fluid (MTF) HQ Multi 75W-85 or API GL-4, Viscosity
SAE 75W-85 or 75W-90
Differential gear oil — — — API GL-5, Viscosity SAE 80W-90*6
Power steering fluid (PSF)
Refill to the proper fluid level according to the instructions in
the “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section.Genuine NISSAN PSF or equivalent*7
Brake and clutch fluidGenuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid*8 or equivalent DOT 3 (U.S. FMVSS No. 116)
Multi-purpose grease — — — NLGI No. 2 (Lithium soap base)
Air conditioning system refrigerant — — — HFC-134a (R-134a)*9
Air conditioning system lubricants — — — NISSAN A/C System Oil Type S or exact equivalent
Windshield washer fluid — — — Genuine NISSAN Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner & Anti-freeze or equivalent
*1: For additional information, see “Fuel recommendation” later in this section.
*2: For additional information, see “Engine oil” in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section for changing engine oil.
*3: For additional information, see “Engine oil and oil filter recommendation” later in this section.
*4: For additional information, see “Recommended SAE viscosity number” later in this section.
*5:Using automatic transmission fluid other than Genuine NISSAN Matic J ATF will cause deterioration in driveability and automatic transmission
durability, and may damage the automatic transmission, which is not covered by the NISSAN new vehicle limited warranty.
*6: For hot areas, viscosity SAE 90 is suitable for ambient temperatures above 32°F (0°C).
*7: For Canada, Nissan Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF), DEXRON
TMIII/MERCON
TMor equivalent ATF may also be used.
*8: Available in mainland US through a NISSAN dealer.
*9: For additional information, see “Vehicle identification” in this section for air conditioner specification label.
CAPACITIES AND
RECOMMENDED FUEL/
LUBRICANTS9-2
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1
API certification mark
2
API service symbol
ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER
RECOMMENDATION
Selecting the correct oilIt is essential to choose the correct grade,
quality and viscosity engine oil to ensure satis-
factory engine life and performance. See “Ca-
pacities and recommended fuel/lubircants” ear-
lier in this section. NISSAN recommends the use
of an energy conserving oil in order to improve
fuel economy.Select only engine oils that meet the American
Petroleum Institute (API) certification or Interna-
tional Lubricant Standardization and Approval
Committee (ILSAC) certification and SAE vis-
cosity standard. These oils have the API certifi-
cation mark on the front of the container. Oils
which do not have the specified quality label
should not be used as they could cause engine
damage.
Oil additivesNISSAN does not recommend the use of oil
additives. The use of an oil additive is not
necessary when the proper oil type is used and
maintenance intervals are followed.Oil which may contain foreign matter or has
been previously used should not be used.
Oil viscosityThe engine oil viscosity or thickness changes
with temperature. Because of this, it is important
that the engine oil viscosity be selected based
on the temperatures at which the vehicle will be
operated before the next oil change. The “Rec-
ommended SAE viscosity number” chart (on the
next page) shows the recommended oil viscosi-
ties for the expected ambient temperatures.
Choosing an oil viscosity other than that recom-
mended could cause serious engine damage.Selecting the correct oil filterYour new NISSAN vehicle is equipped with a
high-quality genuine NISSAN oil filter. When
replacing, use a genuine NISSAN oil filter or its
equivalent for the reason described in “Change
intervals”.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
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quality and/or viscosity is not covered by the
new NISSAN vehicle limited 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 frequent oil and filter changes:

repeated short distance driving at cold out-
side temperatures

driving in dusty conditions

extensive idling

towing a trailer

stop and go commuting
Refer to the “NISSAN Service and Maintenance
Guide” for the maintenance schedule.
RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY
NUMBERSAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred for all
ambient temperatures. SAE 10W-30 or
10W-40 viscosity oil may be used if the
ambient temperature is above 0°F (−18°C).
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM
REFRIGERANT AND LUBRICANT
RECOMMENDATIONSThe air conditioner system in your 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 conditioner
system service. A NISSAN dealer has the trained
technicians and equipment needed to recover
and recycle your air conditioner system refriger-
ant.
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opening the windows, switching the fan con-
trol to high and setting the temperature con-
trol to the HOT position.

Trailer towing consumes more fuel than nor-
mal circumstances.

Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles
(800 km).

Have a vehicle serviced more often than at
intervals specified in the recommended main-
tenance schedule.

When making a turn, your trailer wheels will
be closer to the inside of the turn than your
vehicle wheels. To compensate for this, make
a larger than normal turning radius during the
turn.

Crosswinds 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.

Be 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.

To maintain engine braking efficiency and
electrical charging performance, do not use
6th gear (manual transmission) or 5th posi-
tion (automatic transmission).

Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the brakes
to overheat, resulting in reduced braking ef-
ficiency.

Increase your following distance to allow for
greater stopping distances while towing a
trailer. Anticipate stops and brake gradually.

Do not use cruise control while towing a
trailer.

Check your hitch, trailer wiring harness con-
nections, and trailer wheel lug nuts after 50
miles (80 km) of travel and at every break.

When stopped in traffic for long periods of
time in hot weather, put the vehicle in the P
(Park) position.
When towing a trailer, change transmis-
sion oil more frequently. For additional
information, see the “8. Maintenance and
do-it-yourself” section.Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground is sometimes called flat towing. This
method is sometimes used when towing a ve-
hicle behind a recreational vehicle, such as a
motor home.
CAUTION

Failure to follow these guidelines
can result in severe transmission
damage.

Whenever flat towing your vehicle,
always tow forward, never backward.

DO NOT tow any automatic transmis-
sion vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground (flat towing). Doing so
WILL DAMAGE internal transmission
parts due to lack of transmission lu-
brication.

For emergency towing procedures,
refer to “Towing recommended by
NISSAN” in the “6. In case of emer-
gency” section of this manual.FLAT TOWING
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