Nissan240SX1995Overview/nissan/240sx/1995/base/

1995 Nissan 240SX

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1995 240SX.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1995 Nissan 240SX is a passenger car equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. It requires 4.2 quarts of 5W-30 API SM oil and delivers an EPA-rated 18 mpg city, 24 highway, and 20 combined. Within the 19901998 model run, this year stands out with the highest owner complaint count at 76, driven primarily by air bag issues and accompanied by a single recall, making it the most problematic year—a stark contrast to the 1998 model’s single complaint.

Model year199819971996199519941993199219911990

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 API SMOEM · verified
Lug nut torque72-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/24/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 25 · 360 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520855Y0A. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 25 · 360 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP195-60HR15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1520855Y0A
Engine air filter16546V0100
Fuel filter1640041B1A
Spark plug224011P116 alt 2240197E67
Front wiper bladesB889M52540 alt B889070F70
Serpentine beltA172026E0B alt A195053F10
Thermostat212000C82A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 24 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume71 cu ft
Cargo volume9 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the 240SX of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.30 sec — 1995 SE Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1995SE Coupe 2.4L I-48.30 sec16.10 sec155 hpRWD
1996SE Coupe 2.4L I-48.10 sec16.10 sec155 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 5W-30 API SM engine oil, 75W-90 · 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 72-87 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0-29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · 80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.2 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts105-110 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts12-14 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts28-35 ft-lbs
Main Bearings34-41 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0-29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/StudsBolts: 8-11 ft-lbs, Screws: 4-7 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts72-87 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque14-22 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing20 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.32-1.55 lbs
Oil TypeNISSAN A/C System Oil Type S or equivalent
Oil Capacity8.50 oz
Standard BCI Group Number25
Standard BCI Cranking Performance360 cca
Optional BCI Group Number24
Optional BCI Cranking Performance415 cca

Service checks

Engine Compression179-151 PSI. 14 Maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure60-70 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM2000 rpm
Intake Valve Lash0.00 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.00 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle62 ft-lbs / 33 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0004 in / 0.0008 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0028 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.787 in / 0.35 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.787 in / 0.35 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.709 in / 0.31 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17-9
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
110-12 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60-6510–12 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
259 ft. lbs.59 ft. lbs
3Loosen all bolts completely.
418-25 ft. lbs.18–25 ft. lbs
586-91 degrees.86–91 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1995 Nissan 240SX represents a stark anomaly in this generation's record. After a steady five-year decline in complaints from a peak of 47 in 1990 down to just 2 in 1994, 1995 surges to 76 complaints—the highest single-year figure across the entire 1990–1998 span, exceeding even the original launch year. This spike coincides with 1 recall, 1 investigation, and a notable jump to 40 TSBs (up from 25 the prior year), suggesting a specific quality or design issue emerged in this model year. The top complaint categories are revealing: Air Bags (17 complaints) and Fuel System, Gasoline (14 complaints) dominate, with 15 crash-related complaints and 3 fire-related complaints included in the total. By contrast, 1996 and 1997 immediately rebound to 14 complaints each, and 1998 drops to just 1—indicating the problem was contained to the 1995 model. This pattern suggests the 1995 model may have suffered from a manufacturing run or component sourcing issue, possibly related to the airbag or fuel system defects flagged, that was subsequently corrected. Compared to the surrounding model years, 1995 presents measurably higher documented risk. A prospective buyer should exercise caution and verify that any potential 1995 240SX has been inspected specifically for airbag system integrity and fuel system condition, as these were the federally documented problem areas for this year.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
40
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
76
Owner complaints
15 involved a crash · 3 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 76 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags17
Fuel System, Gasoline14
Fuel/Propulsion System8
Electrical System5
Service Brakes, Hydraulic4
Visibility4
Fuel System, Other3
Seat Belts3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

94V135000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Brake Fluid Low Warning: LampReported 25/07/1994

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER DROPS SUFFICIENTLY TO ACTIVATE THE LOW LEVEL SWITCH DUE TO AN IMPROPERLY WIRED DIODE, REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO… Remedy: DEALERS WILL CORRECT THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT FOR THE BRAKE WARNING SYSTEM SO THAT THE WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE WHEN THE LOW LEVEL SWITCH IS ACTIVATED.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 40 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
NTB08-097L2023-09-21SteeringDIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been…
NTB23-0492023-06-16Electrical System12 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service…
NTB23-0532023-06-16Electrical SystemSILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION…
NTB13-107F2023-04-27Electrical SystemVEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB16-003C2023-04-17Electrical SystemINTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific 240SX. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1995 240SX take?

4.2 qt of 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 1995 240SX have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 240SX get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined mpg.