engine NISSAN 350Z 2004 Owner´s Manual

5 Starting and drivingPrecautions when starting and driving ............................ 5-2
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ................................. 5-2
Three way catalyst .......................................................... 5-3
Low tire pressure warning system
(if so equipped) ............................................................... 5-3
Avoiding collision and rollover ..................................... 5-5
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ............................ 5-5
Ignition switch ....................................................................... 5-6
Automatic transmission ................................................. 5-6
Manual transmission ....................................................... 5-7
Key positions ................................................................... 5-7
Nissan vehicle immobilizer system (NVIS) ............... 5-7
Before starting the engine ................................................. 5-8
Starting the engine ............................................................... 5-8
Driving the vehicle ................................................................ 5-9
Automatic transmission ................................................. 5-9
Manual transmission .................................................... 5-12
Parking brake ...................................................................... 5-14
Cruise control (if so equipped) ...................................... 5-15
Precautions on cruise control ................................... 5-15Cruise control operations ........................................... 5-16
Break-in schedule .............................................................. 5-17
Increasing fuel economy .................................................. 5-17
Parking/parking on hills .................................................... 5-18
Power steering .................................................................... 5-19
Brake system ....................................................................... 5-20
Braking precautions ..................................................... 5-20
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) .................................. 5-20
Traction control system (TCS) (if so equipped) ........ 5-22
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) system
(if so equipped) .................................................................. 5-22
Cold weather driving ......................................................... 5-24
Freeing a frozen door lock ......................................... 5-24
Anti-freeze ...................................................................... 5-24
Battery ............................................................................. 5-24
Draining of coolant water ........................................... 5-24
Tire equipment .............................................................. 5-24
Special winter equipment .......................................... 5-24
Driving on snow or ice ................................................ 5-25
Engine block heater (if so equipped) ..................... 5-25


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WARNING

Do not leave children or adults who
would normally require the support
of others alone in your vehicle. Pets
should not be left alone either. They
could accidentally injure themselves
or others through inadvertent opera-
tion of the vehicle. Also, on hot,
sunny days, temperatures in a closed
vehicle could quickly become high
enough to cause severe or possibly
fatal injuries to people or animals.

Properly secure all cargo to help pre-
vent it from sliding or shifting. Do not
place cargo higher than the seat-
backs. In a sudden stop or collision,
unsecured cargo could cause per-
sonal injury. (Coupe models)

Closely supervise children when they
are around your vehicle to prevent
them from playing and becoming
locked in the trunk where they could
be seriously injured. Keep the car
locked with the trunk closed whennot in use, and prevent children’s
access to car keys. (Roadster mod-
els)
EXHAUST GAS (Carbon monoxide)
WARNING
Do not breathe exhaust gases; they con-
tain colorless and odorless carbon mon-
oxide. Carbon monoxide is dangerous.
It can cause unconsciousness or death.

If you suspect that exhaust fumes are
entering the vehicle, drive with all
windows fully open, and have the
vehicle inspected immediately.

Do not run the engine in closed
spaces such as a garage.

Do not park the vehicle with the en-
gine running for any extended length
of time.

Keep the rear hatch/trunk lid closed
while driving, otherwise exhaustgases could be drawn into the pas-
senger compartment. If you must
drive with the rear hatch/trunk lid
open, follow these precautions:
1. Open all the windows.
2. Set the air recirculation mode OFF
and the fan control at the maxi-
mum position to circulate the air.

If electrical wiring or other cable con-
nections must pass to a trailer
through the seal on the rear
hatch/trunk lid or the body, follow
the manufacturer’s recommendation
to prevent carbon monoxide entry
into the vehicle.

If a special body or other equipment
is added for recreational or other
usage, follow the manufacturer’s rec-
ommendation to prevent carbon
monoxide entry into the vehicle.
(Some recreational vehicle appli-
ances such as stoves, refrigerator,
heaters, etc. may also generate car-
bon monoxide.)
PRECAUTIONS WHEN STARTING
AND DRIVING5-2
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The exhaust system and body should
be inspected by a qualified mechanic
whenever:
•The vehicle is raised for service.
•You suspect that exhaust fumes
are entering into the passenger
compartment.
•You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust system.
•You have had an accident involv-
ing damage to the exhaust system,
underbody, or rear of the vehicle.THREE WAY CATALYSTThe three way catalyst is an emission control
device installed in the exhaust system. Exhaust
gases in the converter are burned at high tem-
peratures to help reduce pollutants.
WARNING

The exhaust gas and the exhaust sys-
tem are very hot. Keep people, ani-mals or flammable materials away
from the exhaust system compo-
nents.

Do not stop or park the vehicle over
flammable materials such as dry
grass, waste paper or rags. They may
ignite and cause a fire.
CAUTION

Do not use leaded gasoline. Deposits
from leaded gasoline seriously re-
duce the three way catalyst’s ability
to help reduce exhaust pollutants.

Keep your engine tuned up. Malfunc-
tions in the ignition, fuel injection, or
electrical systems can cause overrich
fuel flow into the three way catalyst,
causing it to overheat. Do not keep
driving if the engine misfires, or if
noticeable loss of performance or
other unusual operating conditions
are detected. Have the vehicle in-
spected promptly by a NISSAN
dealer.
Avoid driving with an extremely low
fuel level. Running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, damag-
ing the three way catalyst.

Do not race the engine while warm-
ing it up.

Do not push or tow your vehicle to
start the engine.
LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING
SYSTEM (if so equipped)The low tire pressure warning system displays
pressure of all tires (except the spare tire) on the
trip computer by sending a signal from a sensor
that is installed in each wheel.
The low tire pressure warning system will acti-
vate only when the vehicle is driven at speeds
above 20 MPH (32 km/h). This system may not
detect a sudden drop in tire pressure (for ex-
ample, a flat tire by catching something while
driving).
Tire pressure rises and falls depending on the
heat caused by the vehicle’s operation and the
outside temperature. Low outside temperature
can lower the temperature of the air inside the
tire which can cause a lower tire inflation pres-
Starting and driving
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MANUAL TRANSMISSIONThe switch includes an anti-theft steering lock
device.
The ignition key can only be removed when the
switch is in the LOCK position.
On manual transmission models, to turn the
ignition key to LOCK from ACC or ON, first turn
the key to OFF and turn the key to LOCK while
pushing the key in.
In order for the steering wheel to be locked, it
must be turned about 1/6 of a turn clockwise
from the straight up position.
To lock the steering wheel, turn the key tothe LOCK position. Remove the key. To
unlock the steering wheel, insert the key
and turn it gently while rotating the steer-
ing wheel slightly right and left.
KEY POSITIONSThe switch includes an anti-theft steering lock
device.
LOCK (Normal parking position) (0)
The ignition key can only be removed when the
switch is in this position.
OFF (1)
The engine can be turned off without locking the
steering wheel.
The ignition lock is designed so that the key
cannot be turned to LOCK and removed until the
selector lever is moved to the P (Park) position.
ACC (Accessories) (2)
This position activates electrical accessories
such as the radio when the engine is not running.
ON (Normal operating position) (3)
This position turns on the ignition system and the
electrical accessories.START (4)
This position activates the starter motor, starting
the engine.
NISSAN VEHICLE IMMOBILIZER
SYSTEM (NVIS)The Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System (NVIS)
will not allow the engine to start without the use
of the registered NVIS key.
If the engine fails to start using the registered
NVIS key, it may be due to interference caused
by another NVIS key, an automated toll road
device or automated payment device on the key
ring. Restart the engine using the following
procedures:
1. Leave the ignition switch in the ON position
for approximately 5 seconds.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF or LOCK
position and wait approximately 10 seconds.
3. Repeat step 1 and 2 again.
4. Restart the engine while holding the device
(which may have caused the interference)
separate from the registered NVIS key.
If this procedure allows the engine to start,
NISSAN recommends placing the registered
NVIS key on a separate key ring to avoid inter-
ference from other devices.
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Starting and driving
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Make sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.

Maintenance items should be checked peri-
odically, for example, each time you check
engine oil.

Check that all windows and lights are clean.

Visually inspect tires for their appearance and
condition. Also check tires for proper infla-
tion.

Lock all doors.

Position seat and adjust head restraints.

Adjust inside and outside mirrors.

Fasten seat belts and ask all passengers to
do likewise.

Check the operation of warning lights when
key is turned to the ON (3) position. See
“Warning/indicator lights and audible re-
minders” in the “2. Instruments and controls”
section.1. Apply the parking brake.
2.Automatic transmission:
Move the selector lever to P (Park) or N
(Neutral). (P preferred.)
The starter is designed not to operate if the
selector lever is in one of the driving posi-
tions.
Manual transmission:
Move the shift lever to N (Neutral) position,
and depress the clutch pedal to the floor
while cranking the engine.
The starter is designed not to operate unless
the clutch pedal is fully depressed.
3. Crank the enginewith your foot off the
accelerator pedalby turning the ignition
key to START. Release the key when the
engine starts. If the engine starts, but fails to
run, repeat the above procedure.

If the engine is very hard to start in extremely
cold weather or when restarting, depress the
accelerator pedal a little (approximately 1/3
to the floor) and hold it then crank the engine.
Release the key and the accelerator pedal
when the engine starts.

If the engine is very hard to start because it is
flooded, depress the accelerator pedal all theway to the floor and hold it. Crank the engine
for 5 to 6 seconds. After cranking the engine,
release the accelerator pedal. Crank the en-
ginewith your foot off the accelerator
pedalby turning the ignition key to START.
Release the key when the engine starts. If the
engine starts, but fails to run, repeat the
above procedure.
CAUTION
Do not operate the starter for more than
15 seconds at a time. If the engine does
not start, turn the key off and wait 10
seconds before cranking again, other-
wise the starter could be damaged.
4.Warm-up
Allow the engine to idle for at least 30
seconds after starting. Do not race the en-
gine while warming it up. Drive at moderate
speed for a short distance first, especially in
cold weather.
In cold weather, keep the engine running for
a minimum of 2 to 3 minutes before shutting
it off. Starting and stopping the engine over a
short period of time may make the vehicle
more difficult to start.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE STARTING THE ENGINE5-8
Starting and driving


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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
5-speed automatic transmissionThe automatic transmission in your vehicle is
electronically controlled by a transmission con-
trol module to produce maximum power and
smooth operation.
Shown on the following pages are the recom-
mended operating procedures for this transmis-
sion. Follow these procedures for maximum ve-
hicle performance and driving enjoyment.Starting the vehicleAfter starting the engine, fully depress the foot
brake pedal and push the selector lever button
before shifting the selector lever to the R (Re-
verse), N (Neutral), D (Drive) or Manual shift
mode position. Be sure the vehicle is fully
stopped before attempting to shift the selector
lever.
This automatic transmission model is de-
signed so that the foot brake pedal must
be depressed before shifting from P (Park)
to any drive position while the ignition
switch is ON.
The selector lever cannot be moved out of
P (Park) position and into any of the other
gear positions if the ignition key is turned
to the LOCK, OFF or ACC position or if thekey is removed from the ignition switch.
1. Keep the foot brake pedal depressed and
push the selector lever button to shift into a
driving gear.
2. Release the parking brake and foot brake,
then gradually start the vehicle in motion.
WARNING

Do not depress the accelerator pedal
while shifting from P (Park) or N
(Neutral) to R (Reverse), D (Drive) or
manual shift mode. Always depress
the brake pedal until shifting is com-
pleted. Failure to do so could cause
you to lose control and have an acci-
dent.

Cold engine idle speed is high, so use
caution when shifting into a forward
or reverse gear before the engine has
warmed up.

On slippery roads, do not downshift.
This may cause a loss of control.

Never shift to P (Park) or R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving forward.Never shift to P (Park) or D (Drive)
while vehicle is moving backward.
These could cause an accident.
CAUTION
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill
grade, do not hold the vehicle by de-
pressing the accelerator pedal. The foot
brakes should be used for this purpose.
DRIVING THE VEHICLE
Starting and driving
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To move the selector lever,
: Push the button while depressing the
brake pedal,: Push the button,: Just move the selector lever.
ShiftingAfter starting the engine, fully depress the brake
pedal and shift the selector lever from P (Park) to
R (Reverse), N (Neutral), D (Drive), or Manual
shift mode position.
Push the button to shift into P (Park) or R
(Reverse). All other positions can be selected
without pushing the button.
WARNING
Apply the parking brake if the selector
lever is in any position while the engine
is not running. Failure to do so could
cause the vehicle to move unexpectedly
or roll away and result in serious per-
sonal injury and/or property damage.
If the key is turned to OFF or ACC for any reason
while the vehicle is in R (Reverse), N (Neutral), or
any D (Drive) position, the key cannot be turned
to LOCK and be removed from the ignition
switch. Move the selector lever to the P (Park)
position, then the key can be turned to LOCK.
P (Park):
Use this selector position when the vehicle is
parked or when starting the engine. Make sure
the vehicle is completely stopped.The brake
pedal must be depressed and the selector
lever button pushed in to move the selec-
tor lever from N(Neutral) or any drive
position to P (Park).Apply the parking brake.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake
first, then move the lever to the P (Park) position.
CAUTION
Use this position only when the vehicle
is completely stopped.
R (Reverse):
Use this position to back up. Always be sure the
vehicle is completely stopped before selecting R
(Reverse).The brake pedal must be de-
pressed and the selector lever button
pushed in to move the selector lever from
P (Park), N(Neutral) or any drive position
to R (Reverse).
N (Neutral):
Neither forward nor reverse gear is engaged.
The engine can be started in this position. You
may shift to N (Neutral) and restart a stalled
engine while the vehicle is moving.
D (Drive):
Use this position for all normal forward driving.Manual shift modeWhen the selector lever is shifted from D to the
manual shift gate with the vehicle stopped or
while driving, the transmission enters the manual
SSD0346
5-10
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04.5.17/Z33-D/V5.0


shift mode. Shift range can be selected manu-
ally.
In the manual shift mode, the shift range is
displayed on the position indicator in the meter.
Shift ranges up or down one by one as follows:M1→
←
M2→
←
M3→
←
M4→
←
M5
M5 (5th):
Use this position for all normal forward driving.M4 (4th):
For driving up or down long slopes where engine
braking would be advantageous.M3 (3rd) and
M2 (2nd):
Use for hill climbing or engine braking on down-
hill grades.
M1 (1st):
Use this position when climbing steep hills
slowly or driving slowly through deep snow,
sand or mud, or for maximum engine braking on
steep downhill grades.

Remember not to drive at high speeds for
extended periods of time in lower than
M4
range. This reduces fuel economy.

When shifting up, move the selector lever to
the + (up) side. (Shifts to higher range.)
When shifting down, move the selector lever
to the − (down) side. (Shifts to lower range.)

Moving the selector lever to the same side
twice will shift the ranges in succession.
However, if this motion is rapidly done, the
second shifting may not be completed prop-
erly.

In the manual shift mode, the transmis-
sion automatically shifts down to 1st
gear before the vehicle comes to a stop.
When accelerating again, it is necessary
to shift up to the desired range.

When canceling the manual shift mode, re-
turn the selector lever to the D position. The
transmission returns to the normal driving
mode.

In the manual shift mode, the transmis-
sion may not shift to the selected gear.
This helps maintain driving performance
and reduces the chance of vehicle dam-
age or loss of control.
Accelerator downshift
— In D position —For passing or hill climbing, fully depress the
accelerator pedal to the floor. This shifts the
transmission down into the lower gear, depend-
ing on the vehicle speed.
Fail-safeWhen the fail-safe operation occurs, the next
time the key is turned to the ON position, the
warning light will blink for approximately 8
seconds after coming on for 2 seconds. While
the vehicle can be driven under these circum-
stances please note that the gears in the auto-
matic transmission will be locked in 4th gear.
If the vehicle is driven under extreme con-
ditions, such as excessive wheel spinning
and subsequent hard braking, the fail-safe
system may be activated. This will occur
even if all electrical circuits are functioning
properly. In this case, turn the ignition key
OFF and wait for 3 seconds. Then turn the
key back to the ONposition. The vehicle
should return to its normal operating con-
dition. If it does not return to its normal
operating condition, have your NISSAN
dealer check the transmission and repair if
necessary.
Starting and driving
5-11


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Shift lock releaseIf the battery charge is low or discharged, the
select lever may not be moved from the P (Park)
position even with the brake pedal depressed.
To move the selector lever, depress the brake
pedal, apply the parking brake, and push the
shift lock release button by using a suitable tool
as shown. Push the selector lever button, then
the selector lever can be moved to N (Neutral).
This allows the vehicle to be moved if the battery
is discharged.
If the lever cannot be moved out of P (Park), have
your NISSAN dealer check the automatic trans-
mission system as soon as possible.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
ShiftingTo change gears, or when upshifting or down-
shifting, fully depress the clutch pedal, shift into
the appropriate gear then slowly and smoothly
release the clutch.
This vehicle is equipped with a short throw
shifter manual transmission. To ensure smooth
gear changes, fully depress the clutch pedal
before operating the shift lever. If the clutch
pedal is not fully depressed before the transmis-
sion is shifted, a gear noise may be heard.
Transmission damage could occur.Start the vehicle in 1st gear and shift to 2nd, 3rd,
4th and 5th up to 6th gear in sequence accord-
ing to the vehicle speed.
To back up, depress the shift lever and then
move it to the R (Reverse) position after stop-
ping the vehicle completely.
If it is difficult to move the shift lever into R
(Reverse) or 1 (Low gear), shift to N (Neutral),
then release the clutch pedal. Fully depress the
clutch pedal again and shift into R or 1.
WARNING

Do not downshift abruptly on slip-
pery roads. This may cause a loss of
control.

Do not over-rev the engine when
shifting to a lower gear. This may
cause a loss of control or engine
damage.
CAUTION

Do not rest your foot on the clutch
pedal while driving. This may damage
the clutch.
SSD0347
SSD0287
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Fully depress the clutch pedal before
shifting to help prevent transmission
damage.

Stop your vehicle completely before
shifting into R (Reverse).

When the vehicle is stopped for a
period of time, for example at a stop
light, shift to N(Neutral) and release
the clutch pedal with the foot brake
applied.
Up-shift indicatorThe manual transmission up-shift indicator is
situated in the tachometer and shows the driver
the time to shift into a higher gear by illuminating.
The engine speed in revolutions per minute
(rpm) for upshifting can be set on the trip
computer display. (See “Trip computer” in the
“2. Instruments and controls” section for the
display setting information.) The use of the up-
shift indicator will help you to upshift at a
constant engine speed (rpm) from any gear.
The up-shift indicator will start flashing when the
engine speed is within about 500 rpm of the set
figure while driving, and then illuminate after theengine speed reaches the set figure.
For example, you can use the up-shift indicator
when driving as follows:

If the maximum engine speed is desired, set
the figure at 6,600 rpm. (The indicator starts
flashing from about 6,100 rpm and comes on
steady at 6,600 rpm.)

If the maximum engine torque is desired, set
the figure at 4,800 rpm. (The indicator starts
flashing from about 4,300 rpm and comes on
steady at 4,800 rpm.)

If you want to break in your vehicle, use of the
up-shift indicator with a rather low figure will
help you to avoid the high engine speed.
To make the up-shift indicator not come on, set
the figure at above 7,200 rpm.
There may be a slight difference between
the timing of the up-shift indicator illumi-
nation and the tachometer indication.
SSD0278
Starting and driving
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