2012 NISSAN 370Z COUPE service

blends may cause fuel system damage
and/or vehicle performance problems.
At this time, sufficient data is not
available to ensure that all methanol
blends are suitable for use in NISSAN
vehicles.
If any undesirable driveability problems such as
engine stalling or hard hot starting are experi-
enced after using oxygenate-blend fuels, im-
mediately change to a non-oxygenate fuel or a
fuel with a low blend of MTBE.
Take care not to spill gasoline during
refueling. Gasoline containing oxygenates
can cause paint damage.
E-85 fuel
E-85 fuel is a mixture of approximately 85% fuel
ethanol and 15% unleaded gasoline. E-85 can
only be used in a Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) . Do
not use E-85 fuel in your vehicle. U.S. govern-
ment regulations require fuel ethanol dispensing
pumps to be identified by a small, square,
orange and black label with the common
abbreviation or the appropriate percentage for
that region.
Aftermarket fuel additives
NISSAN does not recommend the use of any
aftermarket fuel additives (Example: fuel injector
cleaner, octane booster, intake valve deposit
removers, etc.) which are sold commercially.
Many of these additives intended for gum,
varnish or deposit removal may contain active
solvent or similar ingredients that can be harmful
to the fuel system and engine.
Octane rating tips
Using unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than recommended above can
cause persistent, heavy spark knock.
(Spark knock is a metallic rapping noise.)
If severe, this can lead to engine damage.
If you detect a persistent heavy spark
knock even when using gasoline of the
stated octane rating, or if you hear steady
spark knock while holding a steady speed
on level roads, have a NISSAN dealer
correct the condition. Failure to correct
the condition is misuse of the vehicle, for
which NISSAN is not responsible.
Incorrect ignition timing will result in knocking,
after-run or overheating. This in turn may cause
excessive fuel consumption or damage to the
engine. If any of the above symptoms are
encountered, have your vehicle checked at a
NISSAN dealer or other competent service facility.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is no
cause for concern, because you get the
greatest fuel benefit when there is light
spark knock for a short time under heavy
engine load.
Technical and consumer information9-5

9-6Technical and consumer information
STI0505
1. API certification mark
2. API service symbol
ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER RE-
COMMENDATION
Selecting the correct oil
It is essential to choose the correct grade,
quality, and viscosity engine oil to ensure
satisfactory engine life and performance, see
“Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants”
(P.9-2) . 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
certification 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 additives
NISSAN 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 viscosity
The 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. Choosing
an oil viscosity other than that recommended
could cause serious engine damage.
Selecting the correct oil filter
Your new vehicle is equipped with a high-quality
genuine NISSAN oil filter. When replacing, use
the genuine oil filter or its equivalent for the
reason described in change intervals.
Change intervals
The 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 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
outside temperatures,
. driving in dusty conditions,
. extensive idling,
. stop and go “rush hour” traffic,
Refer to the “NISSAN Service and Maintenance
Guide” for the maintenance schedule.
AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM RE-
FRIGERANT AND LUBRICANT RE-
COMMENDATIONS
The air conditioning system in your
NISSAN vehicle must be charged with the
refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a) and the
lubricant, NISSAN UV Luminous Oil Type
S or the exact equivalents.
CAUTION
The use of any other refrigerant or
lubricant will cause severe damage to
the air conditioning system and will
require the replacement of all air con-
ditioner system 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.
Contact a NISSAN dealer when servicing your
air conditioning system.
Technical and consumer information9-7

DOT (Department Of Transportation) Quality
Grades: All passenger car tires must conform to
federal safety requirements in addition to these
grades.
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
TREADWEAR
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-half (1
1/2) times as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative performance of
tires depends upon actual conditions of their
use, however, and may depart significantly from
the norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road char-
acteristics and climate.
TRACTION AA, A, B AND C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B and C. Those grades represent the
tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled conditions on spe-
cified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire
is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning,
or peak traction characteristics.
TEMPERATURE A, B AND C
The temperature grades A (the highest), B, and
C, representing the tire’s resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions on
a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sus-
tained high temperature can cause the material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by law.
WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, under-inflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in combi-
nation, can cause heat build-up and
possible tire failure.
Technical and consumer information9-21
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING

9-24Technical and consumer information
data (e.g. name, gender, age and crash
location) are recorded. However, other
parties, such as law enforcement, could
combine the EDR data with the type of
personally identifying data routinely ac-
quired during a crash investigation.
To read data recorded by an EDR, special
equipment is required and access to the
vehicle or the EDR is needed. In addition to
the vehicle manufacturer and NISSAN
dealer, other parties, such as law enforce-
ment, that have the special equipment, can
read the information if they have access to
the vehicle or the EDR.Genuine NISSAN Service Manuals for this
model year and prior can be purchased. A
genuine NISSAN Service Manual is the best
source of service and repair information for your
vehicle. This manual is the same one used by the
factory trained technicians working at a NISSAN
dealer. Genuine NISSAN Owner’s Manuals can
also be purchased.
In the USA:
For current pricing and availability of genuine
NISSAN Service Manuals
contact:
1-800-450-9491
www.nissan-techinfo.com
For current pricing and availability of genuine
NISSAN Owner’s Manuals contact:
1-800-247-5321
In Canada:
To purchase a copy of a genuine NISSAN
Service Manual or Owner’s Manual for this
model year and prior please contact a NISSAN
dealer. For the phone number and location of a
NISSAN dealer in your area call the NISSAN
Information Center at 1-800-387-0122 and a
bilingual NISSAN representative will assist you.
OWNER’S MANUAL/SERVICE
MANUAL ORDER INFORMATION

10 Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ............................ 5-26
Advanced air bag system ......................................... 1-33
Air bag systemAdvanced air bag system .................................. 1-33
Front passenger air bag and status light....... 1-35
Front-seat mounted side-impact
supplemental air bag system ............................ 1-38
Roof-mounted curtain side-impact
supplemental air bag system ............................ 1-38
Air bag warning labels............................................... 1-40
Air bag warning light...................................... 1-41, 2-13
Air cleaner housing filter ........................................... 8-19
Air conditioner Air conditioner operation.................................... 4-24
Air conditioner service ........................................ 4-30
Air conditioner specification label.................... 9-13
Air conditioning system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations....................... 4-30, 9-7
In-cabin microfilter ............................................... 4-30
Air deflectors................................................................ 9-16
Alarm, How to stop alarm (see vehicle
security system)........................................................... 2-28
Alcohol, drugs and driving.......................................... 5-7
Antenna.......................................................................... 4-79
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ............................ 5-26
Anti-lock braking system (ABS) warning light..... 2-10
Appearance care Exterior appearance care ...................................... 7-2
Interior appearance care ....................................... 7-5
Audible reminders....................................................... 2-16
Audio operation precautions.................................... 4-31
Audio system................................................................ 4-31 Steering wheel audio controls.......................... 4-77 Autochanger
Compact Disc (CD) ............................................ 4-49
Autolight system.......................................................... 2-32
Automatic Air conditioner (Type A) ..................................... 4-25
Air conditioner (Type B) ..................................... 4-28
Automatic adjusting function
(front windows)..................................................... 2-46
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF).................. 8-13
Door locks................................................................. 3-5
Driving with automatic transmission................ 5-12
AUX (Auxiliary) button.................................... 4-46, 4-51
Auxiliary input jacks .................................................... 4-75
Avoiding collision and rollover ................................... 5-6
B
Battery............................................................................ 8-16 Battery saver system........................................... 2-34
Intelligent Key........................................................ 8-25
Variable voltage control system........................ 8-18
Before starting the engine........................................ 5-11
Belts (See drive belts)............................................... 8-18
Bluetooth
®hands-free phone system
(models with navigation system)............................. 4-81
Bluetooth
®hands-free phone system
(models without navigation system) ....................... 4-91
Bluetooth
®streaming audio ..................................... 4-63
Booster seats............................................................... 1-24
Brake Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ..................... 5-26
Brake and clutch fluid......................................... 8-14
Brake fluid.............................................................. 8-14
Brake system......................................................... 5-25
Parking brake operation ..................................... 5-20
Warning light......................................................... 2-10 Break-in schedule ....................................................... 5-23
Brightness control......................................................... 4-7 Display ON/OFF button ........................................ 4-7
Instrument panel................................................... 2-34
Bulb check/instrument panel ................................... 2-10
Bulb replacement........................................................ 8-27
C
Cabin air filter............................................................... 4-30
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants ....... 9-2
Car phone or CB radio ............................................. 4-80
Cargo cover.................................................................. 2-43
Catalytic converter, Three way catalyst................... 5-3
CD/CF/USB memory care and cleaning .............. 4-76
Center multi-function control panel
(models with navigation system)............................... 4-3
Child restraints............................................................. 1-18 Booster seats........................................................ 1-24
Precautions on child restraints......................... 1-18
Top tether strap.................................................... 1-19
Child safety................................................................... 1-15
Chimes Audible reminders................................................ 2-16
Seat belt warning light and chime................... 2-13
Circuit breaker, Fusible link...................................... 8-23
Cleaning exterior and interior............................ 7-2, 7-5
Clock..................................................................... 2-8, 2-25
Clutch fluid.................................................................... 8-14
Cockpit ............................................................................ 2-3
Cold weather driving.................................................. 5-31
Compact Disc (CD) changer (See
audio system)............................................................... 4-49
Compact Disc (CD) player (See
audio system)................................................... 4-45, 4-54
Compact spare tire..................................................... 8-40

10-4
Lights, Exterior and interior light replacement ..... 8-29
Loading information (See vehicle
loading information) .................................................... 9-17
LockAutomatic door locks ............................................. 3-5
Door locks................................................................. 3-4
Power door lock...................................................... 3-4
Rear hatch lock..................................................... 3-16
Trunk lid .................................................................. 3-18
Locking with mechanical key...................................... 3-4
Low tire pressure warning light............................... 2-12
Low tire pressure warning system
(See tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)) .... 5-3
M
Maintenance Battery..................................................................... 8-16
General maintenance ............................................. 8-3
Inside the vehicle .................................................... 8-4
Maintenance indicators....................................... 2-21
Maintenance precautions...................................... 8-6
Maintenance requirements.................................... 8-3
Outside the vehicle................................................. 8-3
Seat belt maintenance........................................ 1-14
Malfunction indicator light (MIL).............................. 2-14
Manual front seat adjustment..................................... 1-4
Map lights ..................................................................... 2-46
Master warning light................................................... 2-13
Mechanical key (Intelligent Key system) ................. 3-3
Meter Trip computer........................................................ 2-22
Meters and gauges....................................................... 2-5 Instrument brightness control ........................... 2-34
Mirror Inside mirror........................................................... 3-37
Outside mirrors..................................................... 3-38 Vanity mirror........................................................... 3-39
Multi-function controller............................................... 4-4
N
New vehicle break-in.................................................. 5-23
NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System..................... 2-28
NISSAN voice recognition system ...................... 4-103
No key warning............................................................ 2-18
O
Odometer........................................................................ 2-6
Off-road recovery.......................................................... 5-6
Oil Capacities and
recommended fuel/lubricants............................... 9-2
Changing engine oil and filter........................... 8-11
Checking engine oil level................................... 8-11
Engine oil................................................................ 8-11
Engine oil viscosity.................................................. 9-6
Oil filter replacement indicator ......................... 2-21
Opening the soft top.................................................. 3-21
Operation, Operational indicators........................... 2-18
Outside mirrors............................................................ 3-38
Overheat, If your vehicle overheats ........................ 6-16
Owner’s Manual/Service Manual
order information ......................................................... 9-24
P
Panic alarm................................................................... 3-14
Parking Brake break-in....................................................... 5-26
Parking brake operation ..................................... 5-20
Parking on hills ..................................................... 5-24
Performance dampers................................................ 5-30 Phone
Bluetooth
®hands-free phone system
(models with navigation system)...................... 4-81
Bluetooth
®hands-free phone system
(models without navigation system) ................ 4-91
Car phone or CB radio ...................................... 4-80
Power Front seat adjustment ............................................ 1-2
Power door lock...................................................... 3-4
Power outlet .......................................................... 2-39
Power steering fluid............................................. 8-13
Power steering system ....................................... 5-25
Power windows .................................................... 2-44
Precautions................................................................... 5-21 Audio operation .................................................... 4-31
Braking precautions............................................. 5-25
Child restraints...................................................... 1-18
Cruise control operations................................... 5-17
Maintenance ............................................................. 8-6
Seat belt usage ....................................................... 1-9
Supplemental restraint system.......................... 1-28
When starting and driving .................................... 5-2
Push starting ................................................................ 6-16
Push warning (Automatic
Transmission models) ................................................ 2-19
Push-button ignition switch............................... 5-8, 5-9
R
Radio.............................................................................. 4-31 Car phone or CB radio ...................................... 4-80
FM-AM radio with Compact Disc
(CD) player ............................................................ 4-43
FM-AM-SAT radio with compact disc (CD)
changer (models without
navigation system) ............................................... 4-47