InfinitiJ301997Overview/infiniti/j30/1997/base/

1997 Infiniti J30

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1997 J30.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

Operating with a 4-spd Automatic transmission and EPA fuel economy estimates of 16/22/18 mpg, the 1997 Infiniti J30 requires 4.5 qt of 10W-30 / 10W-40 API SM oil for routine maintenance. While the Electrical System stands as the top complaint area among the 11 total owner complaints logged for this year, the vehicle remains clear of any recalls. This data places the 1997 model securely within the 1992-2006 model history, indicating a stabilized period between the peak complaint volume of 27 in 1994 and the lowest reported count of 1 in 2000.

Model year19971996199519941993

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 / 10W-40 API SMOEM · verified
Lug nut torque72-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/22/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24 · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520855Y0A. Note the factory front wiper blades is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. 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 24 · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215-60HR15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1520855Y0A
Engine air filter16546V0100
Fuel filter1640053J10
Spark plug2240127N67 alt 224011P116
Front wiper blades2889010Y60 discontinued · alt 2889010Y70
Serpentine beltA192M0P5SMVW alt A172M0P5SMVW
Thermostat2120042L0A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length191.3 in
Overall width69.7 in
Overall height54.3 in
Wheelbase108.7 in
Curb weight3474 lb
Track (front / rear)59.1 / 59.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 22 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume87 cu ft
Cargo volume10 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 J30 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.7–8.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.70 sec — 1993 t Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1993t Sedan 3.0L V68.70 sec16.80 sec210 hpRWD
1993Sedan 3.0L V68.90 sec16.70 sec210 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 10W-30 / 10W-40 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 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · 80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.1 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil10W-30 · 10W-40 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts29-36 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts61-69 ft-lbs
Main Bearings67-74 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0-29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/StudsM6 Bolts: 6 ft-lbs, M8 Bolts: 20 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts72-87 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)MT: 625, AT: 700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.9 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance8,000 ohms
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque14.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing15, Not adjustable degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.55-1.76 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity8.50 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature180 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)43.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)36.0 psi
Engine Compression142-185. 14 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure11 psi @ Idle, 51-65 @ 3000 rpm psi
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket31-41 ft-lbs / 72-87 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle28-38 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket72-87 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle72-87 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0028 in / 0.0008 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0028 in / 0.0059 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.024 in / 0.63 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

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
129 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
290 ft. lbs.90 ft. lbs
3loosen all bolts completely
425-33 ft. lbs.25–33 ft. lbs
590 ft. lbs.90 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.2-3.6 ft. lbs., step 2: 9-122.2–3.6 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.4-2.8 ft. lbs., step 2: 17-202.4–2.8 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 at 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.

At 7,500 miEngine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miBattery (inspect electrolyte level) · Engine 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) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
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 miActive Suspension System (drain & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 105,000 miTiming Belt (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 1997 Infiniti J30 occupies a mid-cycle position in its generation, with federal complaint data revealing a notable trend: complaints peaked in the early years (19931994 at 26–27) before declining sharply in 1996 (6) and partially rebounding in 1997 (11). Recalls were limited to the 1993–1995 model years (one per year), with none issued for 1996 or 1997, suggesting Nissan addressed major issues by the generation’s midpoint. The 1997 model’s complaints are concentrated in the electrical system and vehicle speed control (3 each), mirroring broader generational patterns but without the fire or recall risks seen earlier. Crash-related complaints (5) are slightly elevated compared to 1996 (2, per implied context) but remain below the early-generation highs. With no recalls or investigations and a moderate TSB count (31), the 1997 J30 appears to be a relatively stable choice—assuming prior owner maintenance addressed the electrical and speed-control concerns. **Takeaway: This is one of the better years to buy in the J30’s run, provided a pre-purchase inspection verifies the absence of lingering electrical or throttle-related faults.**

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
31
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
11
Owner complaints
5 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 11 complaints on record, top 7 components.

Electrical System3
Vehicle Speed Control3
Structure,Latches/Locks/Linkages1
Air Bags1
Child Seat1
Fuel System, Gasoline1
Steering,Suspension1

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 31 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
ITB13-007H2023-02-27StructureREMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See…
ITB09-039J2023-02-27VisibilityWINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last…
ITB10-067C2023-02-22WheelsWHEEL BEARING COLLISION DAMAGE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on…
ITB16-006A2021-03-24Electrical SystemINFINITI; FRONT SONAR PARKING SENSOR SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended…
ITB19-0082019-04-02EquipmentEXTERIOR CLEANING INFORMATION SERVICE INFORMATION When cleaning the exterior of an…

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 J30. 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 1997 J30 take?

4.5 qt of 10W-30 OR 10W-40 API SM-, per the factory manual.

Does the 1997 J30 have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the J30 get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpg.