2008 NISSAN 350Z oil

Maintenance noticeThe “Maintenance Notice” screen (“ENGINE
OIL” or “OIL FILTER”) will be automatically
displayed as shown when both of the following
conditions are met:

the vehicle is driven the set distance and the
ignition switch is turned OFF.

the ignition switch is turned ON the next time
the vehicle will be driven.
To return to the previous display after the
“Maintenance Notice” screen is displayed,
push the “BACK” button.The “Maintenance Notice” screen displays
each time the ignition switch is turned ON until
one of the following conditions are met:

“Reset Distance” is selected.

“Interval Reminder” is set OFF.

the maintenance interval is set again.*: Refer to the separate Navigation System
Owner’s Manual.
HOW TO USE “SETTING” BUTTONThe “Settings” screen will appear when the
“SETTING” button is pushed.
SAA1332
SAA1292
Engine Oil
1
/Oil Filter
2
SAA1293
Display screen, heater, air conditioner and audio systems
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Make sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.

Maintenance items should be checked peri-
odically, for example, each time you check
engine oil.

Check that all windows and lights are clean.

Visually inspect tires for their appearance and
condition. Also check tires for proper infla-
tion.

Lock all doors.

Position seat and adjust head restraints.

Adjust inside and outside mirrors.

Fasten seat belts and ask all passengers to
do likewise.

Check the operation of warning lights when
the ignition key is turned to the ON position.
See “Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders” in the “2. Instruments and con-
trols” section.1. Apply the parking brake.
2.Automatic transmission:
Move the selector lever to P (Park) or N
(Neutral). (P preferred.)
The starter is designed not to operate if the
selector lever is in one of the driving posi-
tions.
Manual transmission:
Move the shift lever to N (Neutral) position,
and depress the clutch pedal to the floor
while cranking the engine.
The starter is designed not to operate unless
the clutch pedal is fully depressed.
3. Crank the enginewith your foot off the
accelerator pedalby turning the ignition
key to START. Release the key when the
engine starts. If the engine starts, but fails to
run, repeat the above procedure.

If the engine is very hard to start in extremely
cold weather or when restarting, depress the
accelerator pedal a little (approximately 1/3
to the floor) and hold it then crank the engine.
Release the key and the accelerator pedal
when the engine starts.

If the engine is very hard to start because it is
flooded, depress the accelerator pedal all theway to the floor and hold it. Crank the engine
for 5 to 6 seconds. After cranking the engine,
release the accelerator pedal. Crank the en-
ginewith your foot off the accelerator
pedalby turning the ignition key to START.
Release the key when the engine starts. If the
engine starts, but fails to run, repeat the
above procedure.
CAUTION
Do not operate the starter for more than
15 seconds at a time. If the engine does
not start, turn the key off and wait 10
seconds before cranking again, other-
wise the starter could be damaged.
4.Warm-up
Allow the engine to idle for at least 30
seconds after starting. Do not race the en-
gine while warming it up. Drive at moderate
speed for a short distance first, especially in
cold weather.
In cold weather, keep the engine running for
a minimum of 2 to 3 minutes before shutting
it off. Starting and stopping the engine over a
short period of time may make the vehicle
more difficult to start.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE STARTING THE ENGINE
Starting and driving
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leave the windows closed to reduce drag.

Use the recommended viscosity engine oil.
See “Engine oil and oil filter recommenda-
tion” in the “9. Technical and consumer infor-
mation” section.
WARNING

Do not stop or park the vehicle over
flammable materials such as dry
grass, waste paper or rags. They may
ignite and cause a fire.

Never leave the engine running while
the vehicle is unattended.

Do not leave children unattended in-
side the vehicle.1. Firmly apply the parking brake.
2.Automatic transmission models:
Move the selector lever to the P (Park) posi-
tion.
Manual transmission models:
Place the shift lever in the R (Reverse) posi-
tion. When parking on an uphill grade, place
the shift lever in the 1 (Low gear) position.
MSD0002
PARKING/PARKING ON HILLS
Starting and driving
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Installing the spare tireThe spare tire is designed for emergency
use. See specific instructions under the
heading “Wheels and tires” in the “8. Main-
tenance and do-it-yourself” section.
1. Clean any mud or dirt from the surface
between the wheel and hub.
2. Carefully put the wheel on and tighten the
wheel nuts finger tight. When replacing a
front tire, make sure the hole in the spare tire
wheel is aligned with the pin on the brake
rotor.
3. With the wheel nut wrench, tighten wheelnuts alternately and evenly in the sequence
illustrated (
1
-5) until they are tight.
4. Lower the vehicle slowly until the tire touches
the ground. Then, with the wheel nut wrench,
tighten the wheel nuts securely in the se-
quence as illustrated. Lower the vehicle com-
pletely.
WARNING

Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly
tightened wheel nuts can cause the
wheel to become loose or come off.
This could cause an accident.

Do not use oil or grease on the wheel
studs or nuts. This could cause the
nuts to become loose.

Retighten the wheel nuts when the
vehicle has been driven for 600 miles
(1,000 km) (also in cases of a flat tire,
etc.).
As soon as possible tighten the wheel nuts
to the specified torque with a torque
wrench.Wheel nut tightening torque:
80 ft-lb (108 N⋅m)
The wheel nuts must be kept tightened to
specification at all times. It is recom-
mended that wheel nuts be tightened to
specification at each lubrication interval.
Adjust tire pressure to the COLD pressure.
COLD pressure:
After vehicle has been parked for three
hours or more or driven less than 1 mile
(1.6 km).
COLD tire pressures are shown on the Tire
and Loading Information label affixed to
the driver’s side center pillar.
Stowing the damaged tire and toolsSecurely store the spare tire and jacking equip-
ment in the vehicle.
WARNING

Always make sure that the spare tire
and jacking equipment are properly
secured after use. Such items can
become dangerous projectiles in an
SCE0039
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07.7.25/Z33-D/V5.0


Soft top care and cleaning (Roadster
models)Proper care and handling should be observed to
maintain a good appearance of the soft top.
Improper care may cause the top cloth’s surface
to stiffen, stain, or mat. Follow the instructions
shown in this section.
It is not necessary to wash the soft top every
time you wash the vehicle body, but clean the
top regularly before it becomes quite dirty. Leav-
ing the soft top dirty or soiled for a long period
will cause deterioration to the quality of the top
material.
Remove dust or dirt on the soft top with a soft
brush or sponge, then rinse it with plenty of
clean water. When the top is quite dirty, wash
using a mild detergent, such as a general
cleaner especially made for a cloth top or a
general purpose dish-washing liquid, mixed with
clean, lukewarm (never hot) water. Rinse the top
again with plenty of clean water to remove all
traces of soap.
CAUTION

Do not use strong household soap,
strong chemical detergents, gasolineor solvents.

If glass cleaner gets on the soft top,
immediately wash it off with clean
water.

Do not apply direct water pressure,
such as high pressured water from
household hoses, on the lining of the
soft top and vehicle body, as this may
cause water to leak into the inside of
your vehicle.
After cleaning, always be sure the top and its
storage are completelydrybefore opening the
top. Opening the top while it is wet or damp may
cause interior water damage, water stains or
mildew on the top.
WAXINGRegular waxing protects the paint surface and
helps retain new vehicle appearance. Polishing
is recommended to remove built-up wax residue
and to avoid a weathered appearance before
reapplying wax.
A NISSAN dealer can assist you in choosing the
proper product.

Wax your vehicle only after a thorough wash-ing. Follow the instructions supplied with the
wax.

Do not use a wax containing any abrasives,
cutting compounds or cleaners that may
damage the vehicle finish.
Machine compounding or aggressive polishing
on a base coat/clear coat paint finish may dull
the finish or leave swirl marks.
REMOVING SPOTSRemove tar and oil spots, industrial dust, insects,
and tree sap as quickly as possible from the
surface of the paint to avoid lasting damage or
staining. Special cleaning products are available
at a NISSAN dealer or any automotive accessory
store.UNDERBODYIn areas where road salt is used in winter, the
underbody must be cleaned regularly. This will
prevent dirt and salt from building up and caus-
ing underbody and suspension corrosion. Be-
fore the winter period and again in the spring, the
underseal must be checked and, if necessary,
re-treated.GLASSUse glass cleaner to remove smoke and dust film
from the glass surfaces. It is normal for glass to
Appearance and care
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07.7.25/Z33-D/V5.0


become coated with a film after the vehicle is
parked in the hot sun. Glass cleaner and a soft
cloth will easily remove this film.
CAUTION

When cleaning the inside of the win-
dows, do not use sharp-edged tools,
abrasive cleaners or chlorine-based
disinfectant cleaners. They could
damage the electrical conductors or
rear window defroster elements.

If glass cleaner gets on the soft top,
immediately wash it off with clean
water. (Roadster models)ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEELSWash regularly with a sponge dampened in a
mild soap solution, especially during winter
months in areas where road salt is used. Salt
could discolor the wheels if not removed.
CAUTION
Follow the directions below to avoidstaining or discoloring the wheels:

Do not use a cleaner that uses strong
acid or alkali contents to clean the
wheels.

Do not apply wheel cleaners to the
wheels when they are hot. The wheel
temperature should be the same as
ambient temperature.

Rinse the wheel to completely re-
move the cleaner within 15 minutes
after the cleaner is applied.
CHROME PARTSClean all chrome parts regularly with a non-
abrasive chrome polish to maintain the finish.TIRE DRESSINGNISSAN does not recommend the use of tire
dressings. Tire manufacturers apply a coating to
the tires to help reduce discoloration of the
rubber. If a tire dressing is applied to the tires, it
may react with the coating and form a com-
pound. This compound may come off the tire
while driving and stain the vehicle paint.If you choose to use a tire dressing, take the
following precautions:

Use a water-based tire dressing. The coating
on the tire dissolves more easily with an
oil-based tire dressing.

Apply a light coat of tire dressing to help
prevent it from entering the tire tread/grooves
(where it would be difficult to remove).

Wipe off excess tire dressing using a dry
towel. Make sure the tire dressing is com-
pletely removed from the tire tread/grooves.

Allow the tire dressing to dry as recom-
mended by tire dressing manufacturer.
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Appearance and care


07.7.25/Z33-D/V5.0


Occasionally remove loose dust from the interior
trim, plastic parts and seats using a vacuum
cleaner or soft bristled brush. Wipe the vinyl and
leather surfaces with a clean, soft cloth damp-
ened in mild soap solution, then wipe clean with
a dry soft cloth.
Regular care and cleaning is required in order to
maintain the appearance of the leather.
Before using any fabric protector, read the
manufacturer’s recommendations. Some fabric
protectors contain chemicals that may stain or
bleach the seat material.
Use a cloth dampened only with water, to clean
the meter and gauge lens.
CAUTION

Never use benzine, thinner or any
similar material.

Small dirt particles can be abrasive
and damaging to leather surfaces
and should be removed promptly. Do
not use saddle soap, car waxes, pol-
ishes, oils, cleaning fluids, solvents,
detergents or ammonia-based clean-
ers as they may damage the leathernatural finish.

Never use fabric protectors unless
recommended by the manufacturer.

Do not use glass or plastic cleaner on
meter or gauge lens covers. It may
damage the lens cover.
FLOOR MATSThe use of genuine NISSAN floor mats can
extend the life of your vehicle carpet and make it
easier to clean the interior.No matter what
mats are used, be sure they are fitted for
your vehicle and are properly positioned in
the footwell to prevent interference with
pedal operation.Mats should be maintained
with regular cleaning and replaced if they be-
come excessively worn.
Floor mat positioning aid
(driver’s side only)This model includes a front floor mat bracket to
act as a floor mat positioning aid. NISSAN floor
mats have been specially designed for your
vehicle model. The driver’s side floor mat has a
grommet hole incorporated in it. Simply position
the mat by placing the floor mat bracket through
the floor mat grommet hole while centering the
mat in the floorpan contour.
Periodically check to make certain that the mats
are properly positioned.
SAI0012
CLEANING INTERIOR
Appearance and care
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8 Maintenance and do-it-yourselfMaintenance requirements ................................................. 8-2
General maintenance ........................................................... 8-2
Explanation of general maintenance items ............... 8-2
Maintenance precautions ................................................... 8-5
Engine compartment check locations ............................. 8-7
Engine cooling system ........................................................ 8-8
Checking engine coolant level .................................... 8-8
Changing engine coolant ............................................. 8-9
Engine oil ................................................................................ 8-9
Checking engine oil level .............................................. 8-9
Changing engine oil and filter ................................... 8-10
Automatic transmission fluid ........................................... 8-12
Power steering fluid .......................................................... 8-12
Brake and clutch fluid ....................................................... 8-13
Brake fluid ....................................................................... 8-13
Clutch fluid ..................................................................... 8-14
Window washer fluid ........................................................ 8-14
Battery ................................................................................... 8-15
Jump starting ................................................................. 8-16
Drive belts ............................................................................ 8-17
Spark plugs ......................................................................... 8-17Replacing spark plugs ................................................ 8-17
Air cleaners .......................................................................... 8-18
Windshield wiper blades ................................................. 8-19
Cleaning ......................................................................... 8-19
Replacing ....................................................................... 8-20
Brakes ................................................................................... 8-21
Self-adjusting brakes .................................................. 8-21
Brake pad wear indicators ......................................... 8-21
Fuses ..................................................................................... 8-21
Engine compartment ................................................... 8-22
Passenger compartment ............................................ 8-23
Keyfob battery replacement .............................................. 8-24
Lights ..................................................................................... 8-26
Headlights ...................................................................... 8-27
Exterior and interior lights .......................................... 8-28
Wheels and tires ................................................................ 8-30
Tire pressure ................................................................. 8-30
Tire labeling ..................................................................... 8-34
Types of tires ................................................................. 8-36
Tire chains ...................................................................... 8-37
Changing wheels and tires ........................................ 8-37


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