Nissan370Z2012Overview/nissan/370z/2012/base/

2012 Nissan 370Z

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 370Z.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S7)

The 2012 Nissan 370Z is a passenger car built around a 5.2-quart, 5W-30 lubrication specification and a seven-speed automatic (S7) transmission, returning EPA fuel-economy figures of 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. Its documented reliability record is unusually lean — only 16 total owner complaints are catalogued for the model year, the power train is the most-cited area, and no recalls have been issued. Within the 2009-2019 production span, where complaints peaked at 153 in the launch-year 2009 and dropped to a single report by 2019, the 2012 sits firmly on the low-complaint side of that curve. For researchers tracking the model's mechanical maturation, that positions it as a representative snapshot of a 370Z that had largely moved past its early issues.

Model year202020192018201720162015201420132012

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque72-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy19/26/22 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520865F0E. 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 35 · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245-45R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim9 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1520865F0E
Engine air filter16546JK20A
Spark plug22401JK01D
Front wiper blades288901EA5B alt 288901MA1B
Serpentine belt11720EY00A
Thermostat1305031U00 alt 2120031U03
Cabin air filterB72771EA0B

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S7)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length166.9 in
Overall width72.4 in
Overall height52 in
Wheelbase100.4 in
Curb weight3280 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 61.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)54/46

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 26 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
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 370Z of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.80 sec — 2012 Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2012Coupe 3.7L V64.80 sec13.40 sec332 hpRWD
2011Touring Coupe 3.7L V64.90 sec13.40 sec332 hpRWD
2010Coupe 3.7L V64.80 sec13.40 sec332 hpRWD
2010Touring Roadster 3.7L V64.80 sec13.40 sec332 hpRWD
2010Touring Roadster 3.7L V64.90 sec13.60 sec332 hpRWD
2010Touring Roadster 3.7L V65.00 sec13.50 sec332 hpRWD
2010Touring Roadster 3.7L V65.10 sec13.70 sec332 hpRWD
2010Touring Roadster 3.7L V65.40 sec13.60 sec332 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.2 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 72-87 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. 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

Automatic Transmission FluidNissan Matic-S
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity9.7
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.2 qt
Manual Transmission Fluid75W-85
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity6

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts65 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts72-87 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub74-77 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Ignition Coil Primary ResistanceExcept 0 or Between terminals 1 and 2 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary ResistanceExcept 0 Between terminals 1 and 3
Ignition Timing10, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance5 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.10 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.07 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca

Service checks

Radiator Cap Pressure ReliefRadiator leak pressure testing, 5 psi.
Injector Primary Resistance11.1-14.3 ohms
Engine Compression242-341 psi. 14 maximum variation psi.
Engine Oil Pressure14 psi @ Idle, 43 psi @ 2000 rpm psi
Intake Valve Lash0.012-0.016 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.012-0.017 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs / 32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle98 ft-lbs / 62 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0014 in / 0.0022 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in / 0.787 in / 1.26 in / 0.63 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 0.787 in / 1.26 in / 0.63 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.024 in / 0.709 in / 1.181 in / 0.551 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
11.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4.3 ft. lbs., Step 3: 7.01.4 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
121 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 360 degrees, Step 3: 18 ft. lbs., Step 4: 9021 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
133 ft. lbs., step 2: 9033 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
177 ft. lbs.77 ft. lbs
2Completely loosen all cylinder head bolts in reverse order0 ft. lbs
330 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
4Check the tightening angle using the angle wrench95 degrees
595 degrees; Check diameter of bolts at two points, 11 mm and 48 mm from the end. Whenever the difference between these two points exceeds the limit of 0.18 mm, replace bolts.95 degrees
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
15 ft. lbs., step 2: 19 ft. lbs., step 3: intake collector: 85 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 17-2618 ft. lbs

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 at 105,000 mi; coolant at 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 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)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 30,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 30,000 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 105,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 180,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

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 2012 model sits at the low‑point of the 370Z’s complaint curve, dropping to just 16 complaints after a high of 153 in 2009 and a steady decline through 2011 (40 complaints). Both recalls and investigations hit zero in 2012, and the number of Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) remains steady at 125, matching the previous year’s level. After 2012 the pattern stays flat‑to‑downward, with complaints falling to single digits and only two recalls recorded across the entire 2009‑2019 span, indicating no emerging systemic issue. The top complaint categories for 2012 are concentrated in Power Train (11) and Air Bags (3), but the data provides no root‑cause details. **Takeaway:** 2012 shows the cleanest federal record of the generation, making it a strong candidate year for a used purchase.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
125
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
16
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 16 complaints on record, top 4 components.

Power Train11
Air Bags3
Engine1
Power Train,Unknown Or Other,Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 125 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB13-107G2024-05-20Electrical SystemVEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB13-027D2024-05-20Electrical SystemCAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See…
NTB10-066C2024-05-20Electrical SystemCAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES 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 370Z. 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 2012 370Z take?

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

Does the 2012 370Z have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 370Z get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined mpg.