The “Z” name made its return to Nissan’s lineup in 2003, in the form of the 350Z. This sharply designed sports car came fitted with a 287-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine, known as the VQ35DE to Nissan. This engine, combined with a six-speed transmission and carbon-fiber driveshaft, propelled the 350Z from zero-to-60 mph in an estimated 5.6 seconds. With a dead battery, however, the zero-to-60 time depends on how fast you can push. Removing and installing a battery in the 2003 350Z requires a special process, due to the Z-car’s automatic window system.
Open the driver and passenger side doors. Observe as the windows automatically roll down slightly. Leave the doors open throughout the battery replacement process.
Open the 350Z’s hood and locate the battery access panel at the rear corner of the engine compartment on the passenger side. Lift upward on the front of the battery access door, then lift the entire access door to remove it and expose the battery below.
Remove the five pin-style retaining clips securing the battery finishing panel – the plastic panel to which the battery cover attaches – by using a flat-head screwdriver to pry the center pin outward from each clip until it stops. Pry each clip out with the screwdriver. Pull the finishing panel from the battery.
Loosen the nut on the pinch bolt securing the negative battery cable, or black end, to the negative battery terminal labeled "-" by using a combination wrench. Pull the cable end from the negative battery terminal. Pivot the red plastic cover upward to expose the positive battery cable's red end. Loosen the pinch bolt’s nut on the positive cable end by using a combination wrench and pull the positive cable end from the positive battery terminal labeled "+."
Remove the nut on each battery tie-down post – the posts securing the metal tie-down bar spanning the battery's width – by using a ratchet and socket. Remove the tie-down bar and pull the battery from the vehicle. Use extreme caution, as the battery is especially heavy for its size.
Set a new battery on the tray in the engine compartment with the terminals toward the front of the 350Z. Reinstall the battery tie-down bar and guide the tie-down bar’s posts through the two holes in the bar. Hand-tighten the nuts onto the tie-down bar posts, then snug them by using a ratchet and socket.
Press the positive cable end onto the positive battery terminal. Tighten the pinch bolt’s nut to 8 foot-pounds by using a torque wrench and socket. Press the negative cable end onto the negative battery terminal and tighten the pinch bolt's nut to 8 foot-pounds.
Place the battery finishing panel over the battery. Insert the six pin-style retaining clips into the holes in the finishing panel. Press the center pins on the retaining clips downward until they are flush with the retaining clips to lock the clips into place.
Guide the hinges on the rear of the battery access panel into the notches on the rear of the finishing panel. Close the battery access panel and press it downward to engage its locking tab.
Close both doors on the vehicle and watch to verify that the windows roll up automatically.
