Well I did my first oil change today. I put three quarts in and tried to check the level with the dip stick. Oil was all over it, so I put the dip stick back in and let the car sit for a few hours to give the oil a chance to settle. I took the dip stick back out to look at the level and on the side with the level meter it shows below the minumum amount. But on the other side of the dip stick it shows over the maximum amount. I was wondering if anybody knows what the deal is. How many quarts do you guys put in? 3.0, 3.5, 4.0?

 

It's a good idea to check this out before you change your oil, don't you think?

The 350Z takes 5 Quarts exactly (with an oil filter change).

 

I had the same problem, and I did my first oil and filter change this weekend. The dipstick is a weird contraption, and I had trouble reading it once I put in my new Mobil-1 Synthetic 5W30 oil. I allowed plenty of settle time, but I still could not get an accurate reading from the stupid dipstick. One side showed in the middle of L and H, and the other side was covered with oil, and not readable. Anyways, I used exactly 5 quarts, which is what was recommend in the maintenance section of the owner's manual.

 

Yeah, that dipstick isn't the greatest design. So after you put exactly 5 quarts in, where did the meter show your oil level at? I mean on the side that was in the middle of L and H before.

 

Yeah, you're right, but I thought that is what a dipstick is for. No biggy though. Thanks for the info, I appreciate it.

 

The best I could tell, the level was about 1/4" below the H on the dipstick. The other side of the dipstick was too difficult to tell where the level was...

 

Its difficult to see the oil level when you just changed it. Have to look in a different angle. Mine was slightly under full line. After 300miles since the change. My 2nd oil change I used Mobil 1 full synthetic. The engine has a quieter idle, runs smoother. Its worth the extra $.

 

I put in 4.5 quarts after first oil & filter change. Dipshit reads about in the middle of the range. I probably could get the last half quart in without going over the full mark. I would like to make the designer of that dipshit have to spend the rest of his life checking the oil level on Z's. Even though the manual says to check it hot 10 min after shutting down that does not work. I have taken to checking it cold before starting it up, much easier to get a clear reading. Impossible to do a check on a road trip unless you take a really long lunch break!

 

Yeah, a true dipshit designed the dipstick in the Z. Its close to impossible to determine the oil level, whether the engine is hot or cold, with new oil. If the oil is dirty, its easier to tell, but that doesn't help for new oil changes. I just hope the owner's manual is correct, I put 5 quarts exactly after my latest filter/oil change, and I know its not good to overfill an engine with oil. As far as I can tell, if I carefully read the dipstick several times, it looks like the level is about 1/4" to 1/8" from the H on the dipstick.

 

Where did you guys get the oil filter for the Z, what brand are you using? It's time for my first change.

 

I bought the same Nissan filter from Courtesy Parts in Texas. The owners manual recommends changing the oil drain plug washer too. I think the filter was $4-5 and the drain plug washer was $0.79. I switched to Mobil1 Sythetic too, so it costs about $30 for an oil change.

 

if you decide to go with a K&N for the Z, it's an HP-1008.
Also handy, since you can use a 1" socket on the end to install/remove it.

 

I went to Autozone to get my oil filter. Unfortunately, all they had was Fram, so I had to use that, for now.

 

you can get the K&N at Advance Auto Parts. If it's not in the store, they will have it for you within 2 days or so.

If you want to mail order, try:
http://www.performanceproducts.com/v...r=&vehicleid=0

 

What the?! They charged you for the washer?!

I know... .79 is not a huge amount... but damn, that's messed up! When I hop over with my friend to Honda, they just throw in the washer if he wants it... costs them a little more than a few pennies. Anyhow, that's my rant before bed...

 

It's not just a flat washer, it's a drawn copper part that crushes when you use it. I'm not sure that it works any better than a flat washer though.