Nissan›300ZX›1996›Overview/nissan/300zx/1996/base/

1996 Nissan 300ZX

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1996 300ZX.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1996 Nissan 300ZX features a 4-speed automatic transmission and an EPA rating of 16/22/18 mpg, requiring 3.8 quarts of 10W-30 API engine oil. Positioned at the end of the 1990-1996 model run, the 1996 year recorded the lowest number of owner complaints at two, a sharp contrast to the 20 complaints logged in 1990. This model year maintains a clean record with zero recalls, though the few reported owner complaints focused specifically on steering.

Model year1996 1995 1994 1993 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity3.8 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type10W-30 APIOEM · 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 24F · 575 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 24F · 575 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP225-50VR16OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7.5JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	1520855Y0A
Engine air filter	1654630P00 alt 1485830P00
Fuel filter	16400Q0805
Spark plug	2240140P65 alt 224011P116
Front wiper blades	B889051P00 alt 288901M200
Serpentine belt	A1950F650A alt A172067A0M
Thermostat	2120042L01

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	169.7 in
Overall width	70.5 in
Overall height	49.6 in
Wheelbase	96.5 in
Curb weight	3446 lb
Track (front / rear)	59.1 / 60.2 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	16 / 22 / 18 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

Independent road tests for the 300ZX of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.40 sec — 1996 Turbo Coupe

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1996	Turbo Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6	5.40 sec	13.90 sec	300 hp	RWD
1996	Turbo Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6	5.40 sec	13.80 sec	300 hp	RWD
1995	Turbo Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6	5.50 sec	13.90 sec	300 hp	RWD
1993	Turbo Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6	5.60 sec	14.20 sec	300 hp	RWD
1991	Turbo Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6	5.00 sec	13.70 sec	300 hp	RWD
1990	Turbo Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6	5.50 sec	14.10 sec	300 hp	RWD
1990	Turbo Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6	5.70 sec	14.40 sec	300 hp	RWD
1990	Turbo Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6	5.90 sec	14.50 sec	300 hp	RWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 3.8 qt of 10W-30 API engine oil, 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. 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 Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	2.7 Pints
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	3.8 Pints
Engine Oil	10W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	3.8 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	7-9 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	159-174 DOHC ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	62-68 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	17-20 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	22-24 ft-lbs
Main Bearings	67-74 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	22.0-29.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	22.0-29.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

72-87 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	MT: 700, AT: 770 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	0.9 approx. ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	8000 approx. ohms
Spark Plug Manufacturer	NGK
Spark Plug Gap	0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	14-22 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.20-1.45 lbs
Oil Type	NISSAN A/C System Oil Type R or equivalent
Oil Capacity	6.80 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	575 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	35 CONV.
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	550 CONV. cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)	43.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	36.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	10-14 ohms
Injector Primary Resistance	10-14 ohms
Engine Compression	171-128 PSI. 14 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Compression	186-142 PSI. 14 Maximum variation PSI.
Intake Valve Lash	0.00 in
Exhaust Valve Lash	0.00 in

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle	33 ft-lbs / 72-87 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket	80 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.0019 in / 0.0028 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.181 in / 0.709 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.181 in / 0.709 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	1.102 in / 0.63 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

10-12 ft. lbs., Step 2: 43-47

10–12 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	29 ft. lbs.	29 ft. lbs
2	90 ft. lbs..	90 ft. lbs
3	Loosen all bolts completely.
4	25-33 ft. lbs.	25–33 ft. lbs
5	90

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

Prep Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.

1	29.0 ft. lbs.	29 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	Loosen bolts 360 degrees in reverse order	360 degrees
4	25.0-33.0 ft. lbs.	25–33 ft. lbs
5	90 degrees	90 degrees
6	65 degrees-70 degrees	65 degrees

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

2.2-3.6 ft. lbs., step 2: 9-12

2.2–3.6 ft. lbs

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

4-7 ft. lbs., step 2: 20-23

4–7 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 every 30,000 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 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 105,000 mi	Timing 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 1996 Nissan 300ZX represents the final model year in this generation and shows a clear downward trend in consumer complaints from the early 1990s—when the model received 20 complaints in 1990 and 16 in 1991, including one NHTSA investigation—down to just 2 complaints in 1996, the lowest count across the entire dataset. Notably, there were zero recalls throughout the generation, indicating no widespread safety defects requiring manufacturer action. The 1996 model year had 24 TSBs (technical service bulletins), which is moderate compared to the peak of 31 in 1992, suggesting the vehicle had matured but Nissan still issued routine service guidance. The single crash complaint and the absence of fire complaints are encouraging, though the two complaint areas—steering and vehicle speed control—warrant verification during pre-purchase inspection. Given that 1996 sits at the low point of the complaint trend with no recalls and represents the newest example available within this generation, it is the most favorable model year to consider for a used purchase.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

1 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95’96

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 2 complaints on record, top 2 components.

Steering1

Vehicle Speed Control1

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 24 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
NTB08-097L	2023-09-21	Steering	DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been…
NTB23-049	2023-06-16	Electrical System	12 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service…
NTB23-053	2023-06-16	Electrical System	SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION…
NTB13-107F	2023-04-27	Electrical System	VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB16-003C	2023-04-17	Electrical System	INTELLIGENT 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 300ZX. 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.

Group 24F battery Vehicles taking 3.8 qt Engine oil filter 1520855Y0A Engine air filter 1654630P00 Fuel filter 16400Q0805 Spark plug 2240140P65

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1996 300ZX take?

3.8 qt of 10W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1996 300ZX have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the 300ZX get?

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