key NISSAN 350Z 2007 Owner´s Manual
Page 187 of 311
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 cars 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 when not in use, andprevent children’s access to car keys.
(Roadster models)
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 exhaust
gases 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, camper, or other
equipment is added for recreational
or other usage, follow the manufac-
turer’s recommendation to prevent
carbon monoxide entry into the ve-
hicle. Some recreational vehicle ap-
pliances such as stoves, refrigera-
tors, heaters, etc. may also generate
carbon monoxide.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN STARTING
AND DRIVING5-2
Starting and driving
07.2.9/Z33-D/V5.0
Page 191 of 311
system” section and also instruct your passen-
gers to do so.
Seat belts help reduce the risk of injury in
collisions and rollovers.In a rollover crash, an
unbelted or improperly belted person is
significantly more likely to be injured or
killed than a person properly wearing a
seat belt.DRINKING ALCOHOL/DRUGS AND
DRIVING
WARNING
Never drive under the influence of alco-
hol or drugs. Alcohol in the bloodstream
reduces coordination, delays reaction
time and impairs judgement. Driving af-
ter drinking alcohol increases the likeli-
hood of being involved in an accident
injuring yourself and others. Addition-
ally, if you are injured in an accident,
alcohol can increase the severity of the
injury.
NISSAN is committed to safe driving. You must
not drive under the influence of alcohol. Every
year thousands of people are injured or killed inalcohol related accidents. Although the local
laws vary on what is considered to be legally
intoxicated, the fact is that alcohol affects all
people differently and most people underesti-
mate the effects of alcohol.
Remember, drinking and driving don’t mix! And
that is true for drugs, too (over the counter,
prescription, and illegal drugs). Don’t drive if
your ability to operate your vehicle is impaired by
alcohol, drugs, or some other physical condition.
WARNING
Never remove or turn the key to the
LOCK position while driving. The steer-
ing wheel will lock. This may cause the
driver to lose control of the vehicle and
could result in serious vehicle damage
or personal injury.IGNITION SWITCH
5-6
Starting and driving
07.2.9/Z33-D/V5.0
Page 192 of 311
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONThe ignition lock is designed so the key cannot
be turned to the LOCK position and removed
until the selector lever is moved to the P (Park)
position.
When removing the key from the ignition switch,
make sure the selector lever is in the P (Park)
position.
If the selector lever is not returned to the P (Park)
position, the key cannot be moved to the LOCK
position.
When the key cannot be turned to the LOCK
position, proceed as follows to remove the key:1. Move the selector lever into the P (Park)
position.
2. Turn the ignition key slightly toward the ON
direction.
3. Turn the key to the LOCK position.
4. Remove the key.
If the key is removed from the ignition switch, the
selector lever cannot be moved from P (Park)
position.The selector lever can be moved if
the ignition switch is in the ONposition
and the foot brake pedal is depressed.
There is an OFF position
1
in between the
LOCK and ACC positions. The OFF position is
indicated by a “1” on the key cylinder. When the
ignition switch is in the OFF position, the steer-
ing wheel is not locked.
In order for the steering wheel to be locked, it
must be turned about 1/6 of a turn counterclock-
wise from the straight up position.
To lock the steering wheel, turn the key to
the 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.
MANUAL TRANSMISSIONThe ignition switch includes a device that helps
prevent accidental removal of the key while
driving.
The key can only be removed when the ignition
switch is in the LOCK position.
To turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position
from the ACC or ON position, turn the key to the
OFF position, push the key in, then turn the key
to the LOCK position.
There is an OFF position
1
in between the
LOCK and ACC positions. The OFF position is
indicated by a “1” on the key cylinder.
SSD0392
SSD0503
Starting and driving
5-7
07.2.9/Z33-D/V5.0
Page 193 of 311
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 to
the 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
SYSTEMThe NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System will not
allow the engine to start without the use of the
registered key.
If the engine fails to start using a registered key
(for example, when interference is caused by
another registered 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 steps 1 and 2.
4. Restart the engine while holding the device
(which may have caused the interference)
separate from the registered key.If this procedure allows the engine to start,
NISSAN recommends placing the registered key
on a separate key ring to avoid interference from
other devices.
5-8
Starting and driving
07.2.9/Z33-D/V5.0
Page 194 of 311
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
the ignition key is turned to the ON position.
See “Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders” in the “2. Instruments and con-
trols” 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 ENGINE
Starting and driving
5-9
07.2.9/Z33-D/V5.0
Page 195 of 311
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 shifting 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 the
key 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
brake should be used for this purpose.
DRIVING THE VEHICLE5-10
Starting and driving
07.2.9/Z33-D/V5.0
Page 196 of 311
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 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, first depress the foot
brake pedal, apply the parking brake, then shift
into 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
Starting and driving
5-11
07.2.9/Z33-D/V5.0
Page 197 of 311
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):
Use this position when driving up long slopes, or
for engine braking when driving down long
slopes.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 tothe + (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 fail-safe operation occurs, the automatic
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 a NISSAN dealer
check the transmission and repair if neces-
sary.
5-12
Starting and driving
07.2.9/Z33-D/V5.0
Page 205 of 311
WARNING
Safe parking procedures require that
both the parking brake be set and the
transmission placed into P (Park) for
automatic transmission models or in
an appropriate gear for manual
transmission models. Failure to do
so could cause the vehicle to move
unexpectedly or roll away and result
in an accident.
Make sure the automatic transmis-
sion selector lever has been pushed
as far forward as it can go and cannot
be moved without depressing the
button at the end of the lever.
3. To help prevent the vehicle from rolling into
the street when parked on a sloping drive
way, it is a good practice to turn the wheels
as illustrated.
HEADED DOWNHILL WITH CURB:
1
Turn the wheels into the curband move the
vehicle forward until the curbside wheel
gently touches the curb.HEADED UPHILL WITH CURB:
2
Turn the wheels away from the curband
move the vehicle back until the curb side
wheel gently touches the curb.
HEADED UPHILL OR DOWNHILL, NO
CURB:
3
Turn the wheels toward the side of the road
so the vehicle will move away from the center
of the road if it moves.
4. Turn the ignition key to the LOCK position
and remove the key.The power assisted steering uses a hydraulic
pump, driven by the engine, to assist steering.
If the engine stops or drive belt breaks, you will
still have control of the vehicle. However, much
greater steering effort is needed, especially in
sharp turns or at low speeds.
WARNING
If the engine is not running or is turned
off while driving, the power assist for
the steering will not work. Steering will
be much harder to operate.POWER STEERING
5-20
Starting and driving
07.2.9/Z33-D/V5.0
Page 210 of 311
tem may not operate properly and the
“VDC OFF” indicator or “SLIP” indi-
cator or both indicator lights may
illuminate.
The VDC system is not a substitute
for winter tires or tire chains on a
snow-covered road.
FREEING A FROZEN DOOR LOCKTo prevent a door lock from freezing, apply
deicer or glycerin to it through the key hole. If the
lock becomes frozen, heat the key before insert-
ing it into the key hole.ANTI-FREEZEIn the winter when it is anticipated that the
temperature will drop below 32°F (0°C), check
anti-freeze to assure proper winter protection.
For additional information, see “Engine Cooling
System” in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-
yourself” section.BATTERYIf the battery is not fully charged during extremely
cold weather conditions, the battery fluid may
freeze and damage the battery. To maintain
maximum efficiency, the battery should be
checked regularly. For additional information,
see “Battery” in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-
yourself” section.DRAINING OF COOLANT WATERIf the vehicle is to be left outside without anti-
freeze, drain the cooling system by opening the
drain plug located under the radiator. Refill
before operating the vehicle. See “Engine cool-
ing system” in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-
yourself” section for changing engine coolant.
TIRE EQUIPMENT1. SUMMER tires are of a tread design to
provide superior performance on dry pave-
ment. However, the performance of these
tires will be substantially reduced in snowy
and icy conditions. If you operate your vehicle
on snowy or icy roads, NISSAN recommends
the use of MUD & SNOW or ALL SEASON
tires on all four wheels. Consult a NISSAN
dealer for the tire type, size, speed rating and
availability information.
2. For additional traction on icy roads, studded
tires may be used. However, some provinces
and states prohibit their use. Check local,
state and provincial laws before installing
studded tires.
Skid and traction capabilities of stud-
ded snow tires, on wet or dry surfaces,
may be poorer than that of non-studded
snow tires.
3. Tire chains may be used. For details, see
“Tire chains” in the “8. Maintenance and
do-it-yourself” section of this manual.
COLD WEATHER DRIVING
Starting and driving
5-25
07.2.9/Z33-D/V5.0