370Z - Lessons Learned; Tips and Advice from Forum Members

[Gaiiden]

Originally Posted by Forrest

dont ever park near a shopping cart, it will end up magicly running into the side of your car leaving a dent.

Heck, if you're downhill also be sure to check uphill for any loose carts that could roll towards you on a windy day.

Or just do this

My old 350Z - no one's parking next to me!

Originally Posted by BanningZ

If you attempt to park at the back of of a parking lot where it is empty, there will no doubt be a Civic and a hammer pounded Corolla parked on wither side of your car when you return. And thats the truth.

Yes. Yes. Yes. This annoys the hell out of me It's like they want to be in the cool club. See the solution above.

[BrianUSMC]

All great advice...

[zZSportZz]

Make sure to turn off the VDC if you are going to try and show off by burning out in front of friends.

[RCZ]

You know what, this might be a really good thread. Why don't people keep posting tips? we might all be able to benefit from some info.

Here's one more:

Don't pull on the gas filler cap too hard since the clip that attaches to the car is pretty weak and you might bend it open. Mine is kinda weak now

[Gaiiden]

Originally Posted by RCZ

Don't pull on the gas filler cap too hard since the clip that attaches to the car is pretty weak and you might bend it open. Mine is kinda weak now

Also cause the plastic wire connecting it to the car is pretty short, and the snap of it going taut can yank the gas cap out of your hand to fall on your car. Did that once.

[rednek01]

Originally Posted by BrianUSMC

There have been a lot of individual threads popping up with bits of info related to Lessons Learned and Tips/Advice with regard to driving/owning the Z. I figure it might be better served to have a single consolidated thread to put out this good advice!

1. Kannibul - (After car wash) - Let the soap and other crap leave the tires before gassing it a bit with the TRS turned off - lol...
2. Mike - I am having a real bitch getting the front [eibach] springs compressed enough to reinstall them. I wound up breaking my spring compressor, so tomorrow I am off to find a suspension shop with a press.
3. Imag - Spin cycles and floor mats don't mix.
4. RCZ - No replacement for a little practice. Get a good feel for the clutch and for how many revs you can give it for the perfect launch. Also remember you dont go on green, you go on the last yellow.
5. Josh@Stillen - Do not do a burnout on your street tires.. slicks can benefit from the additional heat.. just completely avoid the burnout box.. don't get anything on your tires..
6. Fly_yellow – (at the strip) The clutch pedal literally stuck to the floor. I had to stick my toe under it to pry it off the floor. It smelled like it burned the clutch up pretty bad, but the car seems to be running fine now.
7. ..

r/
Brian

+ + +

Correction on Tip number 5 you do want to spin the tires a bit even if they are street tires to clean them off, however we are talking a 2-5 second burn out not even enough to create smoke!

If you do use the water box, BACK INTO IT if you drive through it with street tires on the front they can some times retain drops of water which will be dropped in front of your back wheels while launching and going down the track!

[JB1]

put some RainX on your rear window, good alternative to the (non existent) rear wiper

[Blown32]

Originally Posted by JB1

put some RainX on your rear window, good alternative to the (non existent) rear wiper

Just passing on about Rain-ex.Don't use on the clear front plastic lights.It says don't use on Lexan because it will ruin the lexan by smearing it.Not sure about plastic but I would check first.Have heard of someone using and it did effect the plastic.

[Baddriver]

watch out for LOW CEILINGS/AIR DUCTS when opening the giant hatch back!!!!!

hehe... The first time I opened it, I hit the air duct in my parking area. very tiny pencil point chip.... still sucks.

[trent1331]

never lean on the key in your pocket, because i tend to roll my windows down from inside my house from time to time..

[VCuomo]

Originally Posted by trent1331

never lean on the key in your pocket, because i tend to roll my windows down from inside my house from time to time..

And it can set off the emergency horn/lights (ask me how I know)!

[ZeeRay]

Originally Posted by trent1331

never lean on the key in your pocket, because i tend to roll my windows down from inside my house from time to time..

DAMN THANK YOU!!! I'm not alone! AND WHY THE HELL CAN WE NOT ROLL THEM UP REMOTE!!!! AHHHH!

[trent1331]

Originally Posted by ZeeRay

DAMN THANK YOU!!! I'm not alone! AND WHY THE HELL CAN WE NOT ROLL THEM UP REMOTE!!!! AHHHH!

lol, because that would make sense..

[Lone Wolf 75]

If you happen to park in a grassy field at a large event, it rains all day, and when it comes time to leave and you have a nice, rutted, muddy hill to traverse:

Make sure you have a few friends to help you get the car back on to pavement. It took three to push me up the hill.

Putting the car in 2nd gear and trying to get it out of the mud is much more effective than 1st gear.

[schrute]

These two tips will most likely get a "duh" from most members here but may come in handy for brand new Z owners...

1- The noise from the dash after you turn off the car then open the door is the steering wheel locking (took me a couple of days to figure out what the loud noise was).

2- Each click of the temperature control knob = 1 degree (took me another couple days to realize that one).

Then again, maybe I'm the only one who didn't figure out ^^ immediately