2009 Nissan 370Z Spark Plug Replacement Guide

There’s a decent chance you will need to replace your set of spark plugs several times during your ownership of a 2009 Nissan 370Z. Spark plugs are one of the most vital parts inside your engine as they begin the entire combustion process that starts and keeps your engine running for many thousands of miles. Similar to most engine components, spark plugs experience wear over time and eventually need to be swapped out for new replacements, but fortunately this is a repair you can do on your own. Chances are, if you’ve found yourself here, you have no idea how to do that, or perhaps you’d just like to know what kind of spark plugs you need to buy. The complete process of changing your spark plugs should take approximately 20-45 minutes. This article will go over everything you should need to know about your Nissan 370Z’s spark plugs, whether you need some general information or a full, step-by-step guide to performing a spark plug change.

Correct spark plugs on a 2009 Nissan 370Z

For any 2009 Nissan 370Z, you can use NGK 90174 spark plugs. These will be an exact fit and will match the required specifications of your engine. As this 2009 Nissan 370Z features a 3.7L V6 engine, ensure you purchase 6 spark plugs. We always try to recommend the best possible spark plugs for the money, and these spark plugs are either a factory recomendation or an equivalent replacement available now at an affordable price.

How often should I change my spark plugs?

Very generally, it is advised that you replace spark plugs once every 20,000 to 40,000 miles. Of course, please make sure to check your owner’s manual to determine the specific interval determined by Nissan for the 2009 370Z. Of course, if you drive your vehicle more aggressively or own a Nissan 370Z with some modifications, you may want to consider changing your spark plugs closer to the 20,000 miles end of that spectrum.

However, there are also telltale signs of a car that may need a spark plug replacement prematurely, such as:

• Engine misfiring
• Problems starting your engine
• Rough idle

Consider that this list is certainly not comprehensive, and these problems on their own do not necessarily point to the spark plugs being the standalone culprit. However, the best way to prevent any issues with your vehicle is to take care of it with routine maintenance, and you are definitely doing so with the responsible decision to replace your 2009 Nissan 370Z’s spark plugs on a regular basis.

Changing spark plugs on a 2009 Nissan 370Z

This is a process you should be able to do on your own with some standard garage tools. Of course, consult your owner’s manual, as well as a factory service manual (FSM) or an equivalent Haynes or Chiltons manual. The video shown below does a good job of outlining the process.

Helpful Tools

As noted before, you should be able to accomplish a spark plug change with some regular tools you most likely already have. However, there are a few tools that are specific to this job that you may not have, and we also want to recommend some general tools that you should absolutely have in your toolbox if you don’t already.

• A set of spark plug sockets – These come in very handy because many standard sockets are not deep enough for spark plugs. Also, some spark plug holes are a bit smaller, so it requires a thinner wall like the one featured in the product here to fit. The linked product also features a magnet to keep a good hold of the spark plug so you do not drop it into your engine bay!
• A spark plug gap tool. This allows you to check the gap of your spark plugs and increase or decrease it if necessary. Most plugs will come pregapped, but if not, you should absolutely have one of these.
  • I also highly recommend you have a feeler gauge as it makes it a bit easier to check the exact gap, and it is helpful for quite a few other jobs.
• A spark plug tester – this is definitely a niche tool, but it can save you lots of time. Although we’ve discussed spark plug replacement being a good thing to replace regularly and not just when issues occur, you may also be replacing your spark plugs because of something going wrong. This tool can help you diagnose the exact problem.
• A torque wrench is a vital tool to have in your garage. You will want to check your FSM (factory service manual) to determine the correct torque rating to use when inserting the new spark plugs for your 2009 Nissan 370Z to be certain they are installed properly.

Tips for changing spark plugs on your 2009 Nissan 370Z

Be sure to watch the video above before you attempt to repair the spark plugs on your 2009 Nissan 370Z, as well as review your FSM (factory service manual). Also, see the tips included below here to help you as you do this repair.

• Your engine should be completely cold before you replace your spark plugs. You should wait at least 30 minutes after your engine has been running before attempting to replace the spark plugs on your 2009 Nissan 370Z
• The most important thing is to avoid overtightening the plugs or worse, cracking them due to overtightenting. Use a torque wrench capable of lower, more precise torque ratings to be sure that you don’t make this mistake.
• Before beginning, remove the negative terminal of your battery. It’s a good idea to disconnect the battery anytime you work on the electrical system of your Nissan 370Z or any other vehicle.
• You might consider using dielectric grease when installing new spark plugs. You can apply a small amount to the inside of the boot and the ceramic part of your spark plugs. It lessens the chance of voltage leak and helps avoid the misfortune of the boot fusing to the spark plug over time.
• This is not official advice as many spark plug manufacturers advise against the use of anti-seize. However, I have heard from numerous old-school mechanics that they always apply a tiny amount of anti-seize to the threads of their spark plugs, especially on older vehicles.