My Z has about 950 miles on it so far and aside from some of the quirks I've heard and know about before I bought the car, which I was ok with, I think I may have found one other quirk.

Maybe it's just me but it seems like when the RPM's are raised "engine reved" (most noticably about 3,500 RPM or higher) that it seems like the RPM's take quite a bit of time before they drop back down to where they were before I blipped the throttle.

It kind of acts like the return spring is not snapping the throttle back (off) anywhere near as quick as it should or something.

Example:

I'm driving down the freeway, push the clutch in and gas it to about 4,000-5,000 RPM and take my foot completly off the gas. After I take my foot off, The RPM's hesitate at that higher RPM and don't imediatly drop back down like any other car I have owned.

Also does the same thing when shifting at the same RPM ranges. Makes it sound like I don't know how to shift because the RPM's hesitate to drop and stay high longer than any other car I've owned.



On another note, So far in 950 miles I have ground 3rd gear twice a little at higher RPM's but both times were my fault. I really need to get that engagement point adjusted. I seem to have a bit of trouble finding 4th when double down shifting straight from 6th into 4th or when shifting from 3rd to 4th at higher RPM's. Probably just need to get a bit more familular with the shift guides.

But I was curious about why the RPM's seem to be reluctant to fall back off when the throttle is closed?

 

you only have 950 miles on it? you should still do break-in procedures...

 

I'm trying but I'm not perfect

I feel that after 900+ miles it should be ok to bring the RPM's up beyond 4,000 once in a while. It's not like I'm running it up to redline 24/7

Due to where I bought the car, the first 250 miles were freeway miles mostly, so I'm making up for those miles

 

Yeah my thoughts as well. ECU might be limitting you as this point. You need to get at least 1200 miles on it before you start to do such things. Keep it under 4K for the shifts. Like I was able to do that too, not. You might be spending extra gas right now during break in that would cause the ECU to keep the rev's up like that for emissions until the rings are broken in completely. I didn't really start to rev it up until 5K had passed. I started to rev it to the redline then. I burn less than a half quart between oil changes in my car. I was able to achieve 29mpg yesterday and I wasn't trying to get good mileage, just driving.

 

With only 950 miles, you are just getting used to the car. The RPM stays high between shifts is a result of several functions including the weight of the flywheel.

Members who have light weight flywheels may comment.

 

What were you driving before the Z?

 

I experienced the same thing before i got my lightweight flywheel. But now the rpms drop really fast in between shifts, so i think its normal for all 350z's.

 

Break-in period instructions should be respected as the engine oil used in this period is a special light/thin type, not the regular oil. In addition to any deposits that might be in the oil from the new green engine. Over reving at this period will harm your engine.

 

There are very little deposits in the engine oil unless you don't have an oil filter.

The break-in period is not as much for the engine (already ran at the factory) as for the tranny. Your gears and gearshift mecanism need to wear evenly.

Power shifting, forcing gears, missing rev matches will just shorten the life of your tranny.

 

if youre talking about the throttle body, we dont have a hard wired setup, drive by wire i belive it is called.

 

As long as we're on the subject. The manual says first service and oild change is due at 3,750 miles. Shouldn't the oil be changed out before that, like say about the 1,200 mile mark due to possible shavings and such that are more prominent in the begging?

 

I followed the recommendation in the manual: first oil change at 3,750 miles.

 

I must be a dweeb. When I first got my Z I drove straight home from the dealership. I brought the manual inside with me and read it front to back.

If you are too lazy or too stupid to do that you deserve what you get. You also deserve what you get if you go against the advice of the people who made the car.

 

Chad, I had a similar experience with my Z when I first got it. I noticed that the revs seemed to stay high during shifts too. I'm not sure if things have just broken in now or if I've adjusted my driving but all seems normal now. I added a PopCharger a couple weeks ago and that significantly improved throttle response both accelerating and decelerating as well. Give it a little time. BTW I did my first oil change at 1200, basically because I wanted any potential break-in lube/metal shavings etc.. out of the motor before I started reving hard.

 

It's probably the ECU's way of saying RTFM.

 

Synthetic oil will help this a bit. But then after a while it will seem slow again. It's just time for a lightweight flywheel and clutch now...

 

Yes, all used z's come with the manual. All of them.

 

Kinda makes you whish Nissan made them availlable online doesn't it?

Ho wait ! They are !

www.nissanusa.com, in the "owner" section...

 

Don't jump to conclusions. Can you please show me the 2003 Z owner's manual on their site? They only have 2005/2006 listed.

 

I admit there were a MAJOR model changes to the Z since it's apperance in 2003...

Okay, try and type "350z 2003 owner manual" in google then...

First link...


Am I the only one able to find stuff on the web by myself????