2012 NISSAN 370Z COUPE octane

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

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

If you plan to travel in another country,you
should first find out if the fuel available is suitable
for your vehicle’s engine.
Using fuel with too low an octane rating may
cause engine damage. All gasoline vehicles
must be operated with unleaded gasoline.
Therefore, avoid taking your vehicle to areas
where appropriate fuel is not available.
When transferring the registration of your
vehicle to another country, state, province
or district, it may be necessary to modify the
vehicle to meet local laws and regulations.
The laws and regulations for motor vehicle
emission control and safety standards vary
according to the country, state, province or
district; therefore, vehicle specifications may
differ.
When any vehicle is to be taken into
another country, state, province or district
and registered, its modifications, transpor-
tation, and registration are the responsi-
bility of the user. NISSAN is not
responsible for any inconvenience that
may result.
STI0612
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
(VIN) PLATE
The vehicle identification number plate is at-
tached as shown. This number is the identifica-
tion for your vehicle and is used in the vehicle
registration.
STI0613
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
(chassis number)
The number is stamped as shown in the engine
compartment.
Technical and consumer information9-11
WHEN TRAVELING OR
REGISTERING YOUR VEHICLE IN
ANOTHER COUNTRY VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION

10-2
Console box ................................................................. 2-42
CoolantCapacities and
recommended fuel/lubricants............................... 9-2
Changing engine coolant................................... 8-10
Checking engine coolant level.......................... 8-10
Corrosion protection .................................................... 7-8
Cover, Cargo cover.................................................... 2-43
Cruise control............................................................... 5-21
Cup holders.................................................................. 2-40
D
Dampers, Performance dampers ............................ 5-30
Daytime running light system................................... 2-34
Defroster switch, Rear window
defroster switch........................................................... 2-31
Dimensions ................................................................... 9-10
Drive belts..................................................................... 8-18
Driving Cold weather driving........................................... 5-31
Driving with automatic transmission................ 5-12
Driving with manual transmission..................... 5-16
Precautions when starting and driving .............. 5-2
DVD player operation................................................. 4-56
E
Economy, Fuel.............................................................. 5-23
Elapsed time................................................................. 2-23
Emergency tire puncture repair kit ........................... 6-8
Emission control information label.......................... 9-12
Emission control system warranty........................... 9-22
Engine Before starting the engine................................. 5-11
Break-in schedule ................................................ 5-23 Capacities and
recommended fuel/lubricants............................... 9-2
Changing engine coolant................................... 8-10
Changing engine oil and filter........................... 8-11
Checking engine coolant level.......................... 8-10
Checking engine oil level................................... 8-11
Coolant temperature gauge ................................. 2-7
Emergency engine shut off................................ 5-10
Engine block heater............................................. 5-32
Engine compartment check locations................ 8-8
Engine cooling system........................................... 8-9
Engine oil................................................................ 8-11
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation........... 9-6
Engine oil replacement indicator...................... 2-21
Engine oil temperature gauge.............................. 2-8
Engine oil viscosity.................................................. 9-6
Engine serial number........................................... 9-12
Engine specifications ............................................. 9-8
Engine start operation indicator ....................... 2-18
Engine start operation indicator (Manual
Transmission models) ......................................... 2-19
If your vehicle overheats..................................... 6-16
Starting the engine .............................................. 5-11
Event Data Recorders (EDR)................................... 9-23
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide)................................ 5-2
F
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label ............... 9-12
Filter Air cleaner housing filter .................................... 8-19
Changing engine oil and filter........................... 8-11
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch)..... 2-35
Flat tire............................................................................. 6-2 Repairing flat tire (with emergency tire
puncture repair kit) ................................................. 6-8 Flat towing .................................................................... 9-20
Floor mat cleaning ........................................................ 7-6
Fluid Automatic transmission fluid (ATF).................. 8-13
Brake and clutch fluid......................................... 8-14
Brake fluid.............................................................. 8-14
Capacities and
recommended fuel/lubricants............................... 9-2
Engine coolant......................................................... 8-9
Engine oil................................................................ 8-11
Power steering fluid............................................. 8-13
Window washer fluid .......................................... 8-15
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
FM-AM-SAT radio with compact disc (CD)
player (models with navigation system) ................ 4-52
Fog light switch........................................................... 2-35
Front manual seat adjustment.................................... 1-4
Front passenger air bag and status light.............. 1-35
Front power seat adjustment ..................................... 1-2
Front seat, Front seat adjustment............................. 1-2
Fuel Capacities and
recommended fuel/lubricants............................... 9-2
Fuel economy........................................................ 5-23
Fuel economy information (display).................... 4-9
Fuel octane rating ................................................... 9-4
Fuel recommendation............................................. 9-4
Fuel-filler cap......................................................... 3-34
Fuel-filler door....................................................... 3-34
Gauge ........................................................................ 2-7
LOOSE FUEL CAP warning ............................. 3-35
Fuses.............................................................................. 8-22
Fusible links.................................................................. 8-23

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 systems, and may also
affect warranty coverage. .
Under no circumstances should a
leaded gasoline be used, since this
will damage the three way catalyst.
. 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.
For additional information, see “Capacities and
recommended fuel/lubricants” (P.9-2) .
ENGINE OIL RECOMMENDATION:
. Engine oil with API Certification Mark
. Viscosity SAE 5W-30
See “Capacities and recommended fuel/lubri-
cants” (P.9-2) for engine oil and oil filter
recommendation.
COLD TIRE PRESSURES:
The label is typically located on the driver side
center pillar or on the driver’s door. For
additional information, see “Wheels and tires”
(P.8-31) .
NEW VEHICLE BREAK-IN PROCE-
DURES RECOMMENDATION:
During the first 1,200 miles (2,000 km) of
vehicle use, follow the recommendations out-
lined in the “Break-in schedule” (P.5-23) of this
Owner’s Manual. Follow these recommenda-
tions for the future reliability and economy of
your new vehicle.
GAS STATION INFORMATION