What Have You Done For Your 350Z Today? (2)

[JohnFK]

New thread from previous one located at: http://forums.nissansportz.com/topic/24492-what-have-you-done-for-your-350z-today/page-74

 

Enjoy!

[A Pair Of Flabby Wings]

Here goes then.

 

After another good waxing a few days ago, today the Zed received a bit more TLC in a few other areas.

 

All the exterior glass received a clean, not so much so as to remove the bugs more to remove the dust, as did the lights for the same reason. Then all the interior plastics from the dashboard to the underside of the bootlid and everything in between were dusted, before being given another coat of Vinyl & Rubber Care. The seats, steering wheel and gearknob received another coat of Leather Care Cream (I'm just trying to use it up, before I buy some Protex cleaner and repairer). After that, I used an interior glass wipe that I'd had a pack of for a while on the, erm, interior glass. And now the interior smells better than a new car's, or even a new Zed's probably. I'm just pleased I don't smoke, as it would probably get even hotter than the Iberian peninsula at the moment if I did.

[A Pair Of Flabby Wings]

Today, I cleaned the CD player and it doesn't seem to have made any difference. On recent evidence, it appears the Zed prefers Roxy Music to New Order; The Bunnymen to both of them; and has an odd relationship with The Fall, but that might be due to the first song on today's CD being very short. My conclusion is that the first CD into the player needs to be one that takes at least three songs to really get going. That could be a challenge.

 

Otherwise today the engine and brakes got a good workout, which is going to be my focus for the next three or four weeks, as I'm hoping to get the MOT out of the way in that period. The gearbox/shift still irritates me at times - I think I'd rather have a DE's heavy clutch and light-ish shift rather than a light clutch and a bucket of coal to stir - but otherwise things are mostly happiness and light/night . . .

 

[Chubbs]

Today, I cleaned the CD player and it doesn't seem to have made any difference. On recent evidence, it appears the Zed prefers Roxy Music to New Order; The Bunnymen to both of them; and has an odd relationship with The Fall, but that might be due to the first song on today's CD being very short. My conclusion is that the first CD into the player needs to be one that takes at least three songs to really get going. That could be a challenge.

 

It's a feature of the system.

[JohnFK]

Polished out the layer of paint left on my nearside front wing by a generous donor. I've moved from being angry to despairing acceptance...

[A Pair Of Flabby Wings]

Polished out the layer of paint left on my nearside front wing by a generous donor. I've moved from being angry to despairing acceptance...

Oh dear? Was there much in the way of paint left? And hopefully no other damage?

 

I had the same happen to the rear bumper of my last Celica about three years ago. There was a line of white paint about three inches wide and half an inch high. I was borderline apoplectic, but fortunately with a lot of elbow grease it polished out without leaving any sort of mark you could notice, and so did the paint . . .

[JohnFK]

Thankfully it was all surface residue and hand polishing did the job, albeit a lot of rubbing. It was over half the circumference of the wheel arch but just a thin line, max of 5mm depth. I was begiining to despair of getting rid of the worst when a neighbour wandered over to talk and by the time we'd finished i looked down and it was all gone with no residual marks to the original paint. Thankfully. I wouldnt mind but it only goes out once or twice a week with my weekly mileage averaging just under 20.

[A Pair Of Flabby Wings]

I know what you mean, but I'm pleased to hear all's well that ends well.

[A Pair Of Flabby Wings]

I treated mine to just over half a tankful of Tesco Momentum today.

 

It also received a few spots of rain, which were much less welcome, but fortunately only for a moment or two about fifteen miles from home. I was briefly mesmerised by the odd spot hitting the bonnet, beading, and sliding up the bonnet before quickly disappearing off the edge. So I quick detailed the wheels to apologise, and have sworn to clean the windscreen tomorrow as the combination of a bit of moisture, a bit of dust and a few bugs have left it looking a little manky. The wipers work well though, which is hopefully another MOT box ticked.

[A Pair Of Flabby Wings]

[. . .] (I) have sworn to clean the windscreen tomorrow [. . .]

 

Done. Ah, the delights of completely clean windows, lights, mirrors and numberplates. Must remember there's an odd bit of something or other embedded into the windscreen, and get the clay onto it . . .

[A Pair Of Flabby Wings]

This morning, I brushed the Zed's mats and swept its garage out too. So much dust.

 

Then, this afternoon, I took the fairly-freshly cleaned Zed out for another trip. The CD player was still obstinately difficult. However, the gearbox was almost agreeable from beginning to end. I'll take that, I think.

[A Pair Of Flabby Wings]

MOT time is rapidly appoaching, so the Zed had another little trip out today to keep things ticking over. Apart from the inside faces of the brake discs looking a little ropey - I assume, and I have an old school plan to eradicate some of that in the next week - and the exhaust not being 100% watertight (or airtight), I'm not too worried about the mechanicals. I even tested the lights this evening, and they all seemed to be behaving themselves too.

 

The only real issue going forward - and it's not an MOT problem, but it ought to be - is the Bose's continued misbehaviour. It turns out it likes Morrissey about as much as Morrissey (in his former band) likes "the disco". So swapping it out over the Winter is looking like it might be a job worth doing. But before I bludgeon it in its bed I want to make sure I can keep the steering wheel controls.

[A Pair Of Flabby Wings]

I polished the Zed's exhaust this afternoon. Ostensibly it was to protect it from the rain. Then, on watching the forecast this evening, it looks like the rain we were forecast to get overnight and tomorrow is going to bypass us, so it looks like it might have worked. On reflection, I polished the Zed's exhaust several times over in early May. I wonder . . .

[LESmo]

I think that's wise. I will definitely be looking after my next one better than I did the Nismo one. Do you use metal polish?

[JohnFK]

FWIW I use Autosol then RimWax. On the GT-R too. RimWax really helps later to wipe the soot away...

[LESmo]

Haven't thought of using RimWax - that makes sense

[A Pair Of Flabby Wings]

I might try some Rimwax too. Otherwise I just tend to use Autosol - if I can find it - or more usually the dregs of any ordinary polish I'm close to finishing off. Super Resin Polish is quite good as a protectant, and the shine really comes out an hour or so after you've finished, which is always a nice little bonus.

[A Pair Of Flabby Wings]

The Zed is booked in for a service and MOT next week. The only thing I think I have to do - or can do - now is to put all (well, perhaps most) of my weight through the brake pedal a few times between now and then . . .

[A Pair Of Flabby Wings]

Further to my above post, yesterday marked five weeks to the anniversay of last year's service, etc. From mid-morning onwards the Zed's sat nav kept kindly beeping and reminding me of the following every time the engine was started . . .

 

 

Is this usual? If so, I'm pleased it's due in next week. Otherwise, I'm going to struggle for original and appropriate responses each time it happens, and even more so if I'm not travelling alone . . .

 

[Chubbs]

Further to my above post, yesterday marked five weeks to the anniversay of last year's service, etc. From mid-morning onwards the Zed's sat nav kept kindly beeping and reminding me of the following every time the engine was started . . .

 

IMG_20180822_152240483.jpg

 

Is this usual? If so, I'm pleased it's due in next week. Otherwise, I'm going to struggle for original and appropriate responses each time it happens, and even more so if I'm not travelling alone . . .

 

 

I've never seen that on a 350 or a 370. Unsolicited reminders are hugely annoying, aren't they? Can it be disabled without a code reader and app, somewhere in the set-up system? What a pain in the a***.

[JohnFK]

It happens on the GT-R too but you can change the parameters in the settings.

[A Pair Of Flabby Wings]

When I get a moment I might have a play with the "Info" button, and see what I can find. Or have a look through the sat nav manual.

 

Otherwise, I always thought the list of things that a/the Zed has that I could really live without was very short (and only comprised the electric seats), but it's grown.

[A Pair Of Flabby Wings]

I know a Zed with a year and a bit's MOT. I know it quite well.

 

 

It's funny how a four-letter word beginning with 'P' and ending 'double-ess' can bring so much pleasure and relief. It must be an age thing . . .

[Chubbs]

It's funny how a four-letter word beginning with 'P' and ending 'double-ess' can bring so much pleasure and relief. It must be an age thing . . .

 

Enlarged prostate? Pop along to your GP if you're have trouble. He should be able to help.

 

 

Edit - congratulations on the MOT.

[A Pair Of Flabby Wings]

 

Thank you. I'll pass, again. It's much more enjoyable.