2012 NISSAN 370Z COUPE engine

8-18Maintenance and do-it-yourself
CAUTION
.Do not ground accessories directly
to the battery terminal. Doing so will
bypass the variable voltage control
system and the vehicle battery may
not charge completely.
. Use electrical accessories with the
engine running to avoid discharging
the vehicle battery.
The variable voltage control system measures
the amount of electrical discharge from the
battery and controls voltage generated by the
generator.
SDI2119
VQ37VHR engine
1. Power steering fluid pump
2. Alternator
3. Crankshaft pulley
4. Air conditioner compressor
5. Drive belt auto-tensioner
WARNING
Be sure the ignition switch is in the OFF
or LOCK position before servicing drive
belts. The engine could rotate unex-
pectedly. 1. Visually inspect the belt for signs of unusual
wear, cuts, fraying or looseness. If the belt is
in poor condition or loose, have it replaced
or adjusted by a NISSAN dealer.
2. Have the belt condition checked regularly.
VARIABLE VOLTAGE CONTROL
SYSTEM DRIVE BELTS

WARNING
Be sure the engine and the ignition
switch are off and that the parking
brake is engaged securely.
CAUTION
Be sure to use the correct socket to
remove the spark plugs. An incorrect
socket can damage the spark plugs.
SDI2020
REPLACING SPARK PLUGS
If replacement is required, see a NISSAN dealer
for servicing.
Iridium-tipped spark plugs
It is not necessary to replace the iridium-tipped
spark plugs as frequently as the conventional
type spark plugs since they will last much longer.
Follow the maintenance schedule in “NISSAN
Service and Maintenance Guide”, but do not
reuse them by cleaning or regapping.
Always replace spark plugs with recom-
mended or equivalent ones.
SDI2350
Remove the retainers*1as illustrated and pull
out the filter element
*2.
The filter element should not be cleaned and
reused. Replace it according to the maintenance
intervals. See “NISSAN Service and Mainte-
nance Guide” for maintenance intervals. When
replacing the filter, wipe the inside of the air
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-19
SPARK PLUGS AIR CLEANER

8-20Maintenance and do-it-yourself
cleaner housing and the cover with a damp
cloth.
WARNING
.Operating the engine with the air
cleaner removed can cause you or
others 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 back-
fires, you could be burned. Do not
drive with the air cleaner removed,
and be careful when working on the
engine with the air cleaner removed.
. Never pour fuel into the throttle
body or attempt to start the engine
with the air cleaner removed. Doing
so could result in serious injury.
CLEANING
If your windshield is not clear after using the
windshield washer or if a wiper blade chatters
when running, wax or other material may be on
the blade or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with a
washer solution or a mild detergent. Your
windshield is clean if beads do not form when
rinsing with clear water.
Clean each blade by wiping it with a cloth
soaked in a washer solution or a mild detergent.
Then rinse the blade with clear water. If your
windshield is still not clear after cleaning the
blades and using the wiper, replace the blades.
CAUTION
Worn windshield wiper blades can
damage the windshield and impair
driver vision.
WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES

8-22Maintenance and do-it-yourself
If the brakes do not operate properly, have the
brakes checked by a NISSAN dealer.
SELF-ADJUSTING BRAKES
Your vehicle is equipped with self-adjusting
brakes.
The disc-type brakes self-adjust every time the
brake pedal is applied.
WARNING
See a NISSAN dealer for a brake
system check if the brake pedal height
does not return to normal.
BRAKE PAD WEAR WARNING
The disc brake pads have audible wear warn-
ings. When a brake pad requires replacement, it
will make a high pitched scraping sound when
the vehicle is in motion. This scraping sound will
first occur only when the brake pedal is
depressed. After more wear of the brake pad
the sound will always be heard even if the brake
pedal is not depressed. Have the brakes
checked as soon as possible if the wear warning
sound is heard.
Under some driving or climate conditions,
occasional brake squeak, squeal or other noise
may be heard. Occasional brake noise duringlight to moderate stops is normal and does not
affect the function or performance of the brake
system.
Proper brake inspection intervals should
be followed.
For additional information, see the
maintenance log section of your “NISSAN
Service and Maintenance Guide”.
SDI1479A
ENGINE COMPARTMENT
CAUTION
Never use a fuse of a higher or lower
amperage rating than that specified on
the fuse box cover. This could damage
the electrical system or cause a fire.
If any electrical equipment does not operate,
check for an open fuse.
1. Be sure the ignition switch is pushed to the OFF or LOCK position and the headlight
switch is turned to OFF.
BRAKES FUSES

2. Open the engine hood and remove thecover on the battery and the fuse/fusible link
holder.
3. Remove the fuse/fusible link holder cover.
4. Remove the fuse with the fuse puller located in the passenger compartment fuse box.
SDI1754
5. If the fuse is open*A, replace it with a new
fuse
*B. Spare fuses are stored in the
passenger compartment fuse box.
6. If a new fuse also opens, have the electrical system checked and repaired by a NISSAN
dealer.
Fusible links
If any electrical equipment does not operate and
fuses are in good condition, check the fusible
links. If any of these fusible links are melted,
replace only with genuine NISSAN parts.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-23

9 Technical and consumer information
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants ................... 9-2Fuel recommendation ......................................................... 9-4
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation ....................... 9-6
Air conditioning system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations ............................................... 9-7
Specifications ........................................................................\
..... 9-8
Engine ........................................................................\
............ 9-8
Wheels and tires ................................................................. 9-9
Dimensions ........................................................................\
9-10
When traveling or registering your vehicle in
another country ....................................................................... 9-11
Vehicle identification .............................................................. 9-11 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate .................. 9-11
Vehicle identification number (chassis number) ....... 9-11
Engine serial number ....................................................... 9-12
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label .................... 9-12
Emission control information label ............................... 9-12
Tire and Loading Information label .............................. 9-13
Air conditioner specification label ................................ 9-13
Installing front license plate ................................................. 9-14
Except for NISMO models ............................................. 9-14
For NISMO models .......................................................... 9-16 Removing air deflectors (except for
NISMO models) ..................................................................... 9-16
Vehicle loading information ................................................. 9-17
Terms ........................................................................\
......... 9-17
Vehicle load capacity .................................................... 9-18
Loading tips ..................................................................... 9-19
Measurement of weights .............................................. 9-19
Towing a trailer ....................................................................... 9-20
Flat towing ........................................................................\
....... 9-20 Automatic transmission ................................................ 9-20
Manual transmission ...................................................... 9-20
Uniform tire quality grading ................................................. 9-21 Treadwear ........................................................................\
9-21
Traction AA, A, B and C .............................................. 9-21
Temperature A, B and C .............................................. 9-21
Emission control system warranty ..................................... 9-22
Reporting safety defects ..................................................... 9-22
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test ......... 9-23
Event Data Recorders (EDR) ............................................. 9-23
Owner’s Manual/Service Manual order information ..... 9-24

9-2Technical and consumer information
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 measure Imp measure Liter
Fuel 19 gal 15-7/8 gal 71.9 See “Fuel recommendation” (P.9-4).
Engine oil*1
Drain and refill With oil filter change 5-1/8 qt 4-3/8 qt 4.9 .Engine oil with API Certification Mark*2, *3
. Viscosity SAE 5W-30*2, *3
Without oil filter change 4-7/8 qt 4 qt 4.6
Cooling system
Automatic transmission model With reservoir
9-5/8 qt8 qt 9.1
Pre-diluted Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or
equivalent
Reservoir
7/8 qt3/4 qt 0.8
Manual transmission model With reservoir
9-3/4 qt8-1/8 qt 9.2
Reservoir 7/8 qt3/4 qt 0.8
Automatic transmission fluid —— —Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF*4
Manual transmission gear oil —— —Genuine NISSAN Manual Transmission Fluid (MTF)
HQ Multi 75W-85 or API GL-4, Viscosity SAE 75W-85
Differential gear oil —— —For AT models:
API GL-5 Synthetic Gear Oil, Viscosity SAE 75W-90*5
For MT models:
Genuine NISSAN Differential Oil Hypoid Super GL-5 80W-90 or API GL-5,
Viscosity SAE 80W-90*9
Power steering fluid (PSF) Refill to the proper oil level according to the instructions in the “8.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section.Genuine NISSAN PSF or equivalent*6
Brake and clutch fluid Genuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid*7 or equivalent DOT 3
Multi-purpose grease NLGI No. 2 (Lithium soap base)
Air conditioning system refrigerant —— —HFC-134a (R-134a)*8
Air conditioning system lubricants —— —NISSAN UV Luminous Oil Type S or exact equivalent
Window washer fluid 4-3/444.5Genuine NISSAN Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner & Antifreeze or
equivalent
*1: For additional information, see “Engine oil” (P.8-11) for changing engine oil.
*2: For additional information, see “Engine oil and oil filter recommendation” (P.9-6).
*3: NISSAN recommends Genuine NISSAN Ester Oil available at a NISSAN dealer.
*4: Using automatic transmission fluid other than Genuine NISSAN Matic S 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.
*5: See a NISSAN dealer for service for synthetic oil.
CAPACITIES AND RECOMMENDED
FUEL/LUBRICANTS

9-4Technical and consumer information
FUEL RECOMMENDATION
VQ37VHR engine
Use unleaded premium gasoline with an octane
rating of at least 91 AKI (Anti-Knock Index)
number (Research octane number 96).
If premium gasoline is not available, unleaded
regular gasoline with an octane rating of 87 AKI
number (Research octane number 91) may be
temporarily used, but only under the following
precautions:
.Have the fuel tank filled only partially with
unleaded regular gasoline, and fill up with
unleaded premium gasoline as soon as
possible.
. Avoid full throttle driving and abrupt accel-
eration.
However, for maximum vehicle perfor-
mance, the use of unleaded premium
gasoline is recommended.
CAUTION
. Using a fuel other than that speci-
fied could adversely affect the emis-
sion control system, and may also
affect warranty coverage. .
Under no circumstances should a
leaded gasoline be used, because
this will damage the three-way cat-
alyst.
. Do not use E-85 fuel in your vehicle.
Your vehicle is not designed to run
on E-85 fuel. Using E-85 fuel can
damage the fuel system compo-
nents and is not covered by the
NISSAN vehicle limited warranty.
Gasoline specifications
NISSAN recommends using gasoline that meets
the World-Wide Fuel Charter (WWFC) speci-
fications where it is available. Many of the
automobile manufacturers developed this spe-
cification to improve emission system and
vehicle performance. Ask your service station
manager if the gasoline meets the World-Wide
Fuel Charter (WWFC) specifications.
Reformulated gasoline
Some fuel suppliers are now producing refor-
mulated gasolines. These gasolines are specially
designed to reduce vehicle emissions. NISSAN
supports efforts towards cleaner air and sug-
gests that you use reformulated gasoline when
available.
Gasoline containing oxygenates
Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing
oxygenates such as ethanol, MTBE and metha-
nol with or without advertising their presence.
NISSAN does not recommend the use of fuels
of which the oxygenate content and the fuel
compatibility for your NISSAN cannot be readily
determined. If in doubt, ask your service station
manager.
If you use oxygenate-blend gasoline, please take
the following precautions as the usage of such
fuels may cause vehicle performance problems
and/or fuel system damage.
.The fuel should be unleaded and have
an octane rating no lower than that
recommended for unleaded gasoline.
. If an oxygenate-blend, excepting a
methanol blend, is used, it should
contain no more than 10% oxygenate.
(MTBE may, however, be added up to
15%.)
. If a methanol blend is used, it should
contain no more than 5% methanol
(methyl alcohol, wood alcohol) . It
should also contain a suitable amount
of appropriate cosolvents and corro-
sion inhibitors. If not properly formu-
lated with appropriate cosolvents and
corrosion inhibitors, such methanol