A&Q about 350Z
Q:
I assume it would be wise to have my oil change done at the dealer service station?
There is a place nearby called Crawford's Z Car Service, they specialize in only Nissan and Datsun Z platforms. The guy told me to bring it in and he would be able to offer me far better prices for better service. I am torn because it seems like a Z "specialist" would be able to offer better service even than the mechanics at a dealer. I know a dealer mechanic who did not know half the stuff I DO about the Z car, and I am by no means an engine expert. I am working to fix that.
Anyway. I just eclipsed 2,000 miles and want to take it in and have the oil and transmission fluid changed, (I took a long 500 mile road trip just after I broke it in at about 1300 miles). I know its not in the manual but I am concerned that the long road trip might have shot out the first dose of oil in the car. Plus I heard it is good to always change your oil after extended periods of driving at relatively the same speed. I always vary my speed at least five mph every ten to fifteen minutes or so on long highway driving.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I just want to take care of my precious Z.
Previously owned: 2005 Z Enthusiast, Super Black, 6 spd.
Currently lease: 2006 Pathfinder S, Silver, Auto
"She is (and always will be) my little deuce coupe, you don't know what I got!"
A:
I would take it to the dealer. I wont let anybody touch my car unless is a trained nissan mechanic, and I know if they screw up something nissan will take care of it.
zcrazi
A:
If I lived close to Doug and the guys a Crawford Z Service I wouldn't take my Z anywhere else unless I had to for warranty work. Doug is the Z guru. He and his shop specialize in Z cars. Doug has a 350Z of his own as do some of his employees. Doug is always working on developing new products and testing them on his Z and other employee's Zs.
Doug has developed aftermarket parts for the 350Z which enhance its performance. These include an upper intake plenum, high flow cats and headers. These are some of the best aftermarket products for the 350Z on the market. I have all three of these on my car along with the Crawford strut bar and the Crawford ECU reflash done through Technosquare, Inc.
03 Daytona Blue MT
Injen CAI
Borla TD Exhaust
Crawford Plenum, Cats, Headers and Strut Bar
Nismo Suspension, LMGT4 wheels, clutch and flywheel and cams
StopTech BBK, 332mm front and 328mm rear
Technosquare ECU Reflash
3.9 FD
Emerald City Z Club
Post Edited (Sep 21, 6:11pm)
A:
Ive never been but i dont think you could go to a better place than Crawford. I second what Zpirate said, if you go to my350Z.com theres probably thousands of posts about Crawford and their products. As long as you live close by youd be crazy if you didnt go there.
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03 CS Touring
VIN #189
A:
the funny thing is the dealerships try to scare you into thinking that you have to go to them for service.thats not true any master machanic who's got significant training can do the warranty work on your car.my buddy owns a G35 he's a mechanic at a mobil.infinity tried the scare tactic on him not realizing he's a certified master mechanic.they shut up pretty quick when he let them know.so if this shop has a great rep go to them for your basic tune up and maintenance stuff.not a big deal just keep all your records of everything done.unless specified in writing by nissan you can go to anyone you want.they always try to use the line take it to us because other shop mechanics not certified with us may not know how to fix certain things.or be able to read codes.i've heard that before it's just plain silly and then you pay there jacked prices.do what you think is right i take my car to the dealer until the warranty runs out.peace of mind but i would'nt have a problem with my friend doing oil changes.good luck!
mike
Z's are like woman maintenance,maintenance,maintenance!
1971 240Z gunmetal metalic 5sp 4:11 gears in the rear
illuminas and purchased from the original owner w/136k original miles
A:
going to the dealer just for oil changing ? do you know how much you need to spend ? I went to quick lube with extra special oil of my choice, and still cost less.
A:
I did not realize Doug and the guys at Crawford were so highly recognized throughout the Z community. I better start studying!
Thats all I needed. i am definitely taking my car there. Thanks so much for the help!
Previously owned: 2005 Z Enthusiast, Super Black, 6 spd.
Currently lease: 2006 Pathfinder S, Silver, Auto
"She is (and always will be) my little deuce coupe, you don't know what I got!"
A:
CantZmee,
Im in Nashville and Crawford Z Car is the ONLY place that I will even let look at my Z. They do good work there and you can trust them.
that being said.... change your own damn oil!;) haha. ;)
A:
I am ashamed to say that I am not sure how to change my own oil. Any guidance
Previously owned: 2005 Z Enthusiast, Super Black, 6 spd.
Currently lease: 2006 Pathfinder S, Silver, Auto
"She is (and always will be) my little deuce coupe, you don't know what I got!"
A:
don't feel bad, I don't change my own oil either. I figure I'll support the service industry by letting them do my work for me :)
A:
Thanks Zazu...now a few questions.
One, where is the drain plug...think you could post a pic?
Two, how I do get under the car?
Three, What type of oil do I use?
Four, (and this is the dumbest question) how to I measure torque when replacing the plug? Is there a tool for that?
Five, what size washer will I need?
Six, I know you are in the Nashville area. So am I. What are used oil disposal regulations?
The list probably goes on...sorry I want to know exactly what I am doing when it comes to this car. I am probably complicating a very simple process.
Previously owned: 2005 Z Enthusiast, Super Black, 6 spd.
Currently lease: 2006 Pathfinder S, Silver, Auto
"She is (and always will be) my little deuce coupe, you don't know what I got!"
A:
1. Here's a pic with the drain plug and filter removed.
2. Jack it up and rest it on jack stands, or drive up on ramps. The ramps can be tricky with sports cars that have a low ground clearance. I believe these are Rhino Ramps...
3. The owner's manual says 5w-30. Many different schools of thought on synthetic vs. mineral.
4. Torque wrench. It is not imperative to torque the bolt. You obviously want it tight enough so the oil doesn't leak, but you also don't want to strip the threads of that aluminum pan.
5. You can get the washer from the dealer, or here...
Same for the filter...
6. Collect the used oil and take it to an auto parts store, most of them will take it. Your county government might also provide a collection service. Don't throw it in the trash, or dump it, that is bad.
I recommend you have someone with more experience help you the first time. It isn't difficult, but you can do serious damage to your engine if you really screw up.
This post has more too...
"Smokey, this is not Nam, this is bowling. There are rules."
-Walter Sobchak
A:
CantZmee,
1. What JtotheH said.
2. What JtotheH said.
3. What JtotheH said.
4. What JtotheH said.
5. What JtotheH said.
6. Any quick lube place is required by law to take it. Just put it in an old milk container.
This is a very simple process. Its slightly more complicated than putting gas in the tank. Dont worry. You'll do it fine. Just follow the steps.
p.s. Use latex gloves if you can get some. They keep the hot oil off your hands (kinda) and let you grip the filter much better.
A:
haha, thats a funny pic.
04.5 silver Touring, JWT-filter, Maya Gr-5's, Fusion/audio, StrosekAeroKit.
A:
If this dealer is typical, he will have a huge list of items on his maintenance schedule that are (pick one or more): (1) simple look-under-the-hood checks that you can do in the driveway, (2) "installation" of fuel or oil additives that are in fact specifically not recommended in your manual, or (3) operations that are nowhere to be found either in your owner manual or in the Nissan tech manual. These overblown schedules usually come with a high price. If you check the tech manual for the REQUIRED maintenance, you will see that it's not much, typically and oil and filter change. If you're changing the oil yourself, go to the dealer and buy some filters and keep the receipt.
Many dealer shops are quite competent--not all, but many. They are all driven by the bottom line, and that can encourage padding of the maintenance schedules. You'll notice that your owner manual really does not contain a schedule of required maintenance and refers you to your dealer for his recommended schedule.
A:
Thanks all for the great advice. It will save me $$$ in the future.
This weekend I am going to set about changing my OWN oil for the first time.
Should be fun, let ya'll know how it goes.
Previously owned: 2005 Z Enthusiast, Super Black, 6 spd.
Currently lease: 2006 Pathfinder S, Silver, Auto
"She is (and always will be) my little deuce coupe, you don't know what I got!"