NISSAN 350Z 2008 Z33 Owners Manual

SECONDARY REAR HATCH
RELEASEThe secondary rear hatch release mechanism
allows opening the rear hatch in the event of
discharged battery or emergency.
The release (string) handle is located under the
strut tower bar inside the luggage compartment.
To open the rear hatch from the inside,
firmly pull the release handle to the direc-
tion shown above until the lock releases.
WARNING

Do not drive with the trunk lid open.
This could allow dangerous exhaust
gases to be drawn into the vehicle.
See “Precautions when starting and
driving” in the “5. Starting and driv-
ing” section for exhaust gas.

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, and
prevent children’s access to car keys.
OPENER OPERATIONThe trunk lid release switch is located between
the license plate lights.
To open the trunk lid, unlock it with one of the
following operations then push the release
switch:

Push the UNLOCK
button on the key-
fob once. (Pushing the HATCH/TRUNK
button on the keyfob can open the
trunk lid at once without pushing the release
switch.)

Insert the key into the door key cylinder and
turn it counterclockwise once.
SPA1556
SPA1685
TRUNK LID (Roadster models)
3-10
Pre-driving checks and adjustments


07.7.25/Z33-D/V5.0


Push the power door lock switch to the
UNLOCK side. (After locking the doors with a
keyfob, this switch is not available due to the
security system.)
To close, push the trunk lid down securely.
The trunk lid release switch is linked with the
driver side door lock. To open the trunk lid,
unlock the driver side door.
Cancel switchWhen the cancel switch (located inside the rear
floor box) is OFF, the trunk lid cannot be opened
with the release switch. It can be opened only by
pushing the HATCH/TRUNK
button on
the keyfob.
INTERIOR TRUNK LID RELEASE
WARNING
Closely supervise children when they
are around cars to prevent them from
playing and becoming locked in the
trunk where they could be seriously in-
jured. Keep the car locked, with the
trunk closed when not in use, and pre-
vent children’s access to car keys.
SPA1686
SPA1687
Pre-driving checks and adjustments
3-11


07.7.25/Z33-D/V5.0


The interior trunk lid release mechanism pro-
vides a means of escape for children and adults
in the event they become locked inside the trunk.
The handle
A
is located inside the trunk com-
partment as illustrated.
To open the trunk lid from the inside, pull
the release handle towards you until the
lock releases and push up on the trunk lid.
The release lever is made of a material that
glows in the dark after a brief exposure to
ambient light.
SECONDARY TRUNK LID RELEASEThe secondary trunk lid release mechanism al-
lows opening the trunk lid in the event of dis-
charged battery or emergency.
Remove the cover
1
(located inside of the rear
floor box) using a suitable tool
2
as shown.
Access the release (string) handle3.
To open the trunk lid from the inside, firmly
pull the release handle to the direction
shown above until the lock releases.SPA1688
3-12
Pre-driving checks and adjustments


07.7.25/Z33-D/V5.0


1. Soft top operating switch
2. Soft top indicator light (on the combination
meter)
3. Top side rail
4. Top latch lever
5. Soft top
6. Top storage lid
7. Trunk lid
8. Rear window
9. Rear section of the top
BEFORE OPERATING THE TOPThe soft top of your 350Z Roadster is electrically
operated. You can fully open or close the top
only by pressing the operating switch (on the
lower side of the instrument panel).
The soft top operating switch must be operated
under all of the following conditions:

When the foot brake pedal is depressed.

When the vehicle is stopped.

When the engine is running.
CAUTION
Always keep the engine running while
operating the soft top. The top will also
operate when the ignition switch is in
the ON position, but run the engine to
prevent a discharged battery.
Be sure to follow the operating instructions, and
all the warnings and cautions in this section.
Improper operation of the top could cause
a system malfunction, damage, or deterio-
ration of the top material and related parts.
WARNING

Park the vehicle in a safe and level
place and apply the parking brake.

Make sure the area is clear of ob-
stacles and there is enough clear-
ance over the top (for example, in a
garage or a covered area). More than
approximately 6.6 ft (2 m) from the
ground is required to open or close
the top safely. Otherwise, the top
may damage any objects above it
SPA2339
Interior/exterior view
SOFT TOP (Roadster models)
Pre-driving checks and adjustments
3-13


07.7.25/Z33-D/V5.0


while moving. The top operating sys-
tem could also be damaged.

Do not operate the top in a strong
wind. It could be blown by the wind,
striking someone or damage the top.

Do not allow anyone to stand up or
extend any portion of their body out
of the opening while the vehicle is in
motion or while the top is being op-
erated.

In an accident you could be thrown
from the vehicle with an open top.
Always use seat belts and proper
child restraints.
CAUTION

Do not operate the top when the
temperature is below 32°F (0°C). This
may result in damage to the top ma-
terial or operating system.

Remove water drops, snow, ice or
sand from the top, and dry the sur-face of the top completely before
opening it.

Do not open the top when it is wet or
damp. This may cause interior water
damage, stains or mildew on the top
material.

Be sure to turn off the rear window
defroster switch. Never turn it on
while the top is being operated or
fully opened. The heat may damage
the top material.
CAUTION

Do not place any objects between the
top cloth and the structure. Doing so
could interfere with top operation
and cause damage to the top operat-
ing system or the objects.

Do not place anything on the top and
the storage lid. Even small items may
interfere with the top operation and
could cause damage to the top or the
SPA1701
3-14
Pre-driving checks and adjustments


07.7.25/Z33-D/V5.0


vehicle body.

Do not place anything in the top stor-
age area. The top will not fit there
properly, and this could damage the
top and/or the vehicle body.

Do not sit or place excessive weight
on the top and the storage lid, espe-
cially when the top is being operated.
The top may be damaged.

Do not drive the vehicle with the top
partially opened. Always make sure
the top is either fully opened or
closed before driving.

Secure items so that they cannot be
blown from the vehicle while driving
with the top open.

When a child restraint is installed in
the passenger seat, be sure to turn
the seatback tilt cancel switch (lo-
cated on the passenger seatback) to
the CANCEL position, or the child
restraint may be damaged.
Make sure the trunk lid is securely closed before
operating the top.
WHEN OPERATING THE TOP
WARNING
Keep hands and other parts of the body
away from moving parts such as the top,
storage lid and power windows.
CAUTION
Keep all parts of the top linkage clear of
obstructions, or the top latch may not be
securely locked.NOTE:

In case of low battery or low tempera-
ture, the top may temporarily stop mov-
ing during the operation. This functions
to protect the top control mechanism,
and it is not a malfunction.

If the top is opened and closed repeat-
edly in a short period of time, it may
stop moving to protect the top motor.
Wait for a few minutes before operating
the top again.
Pre-driving checks and adjustments
3-15


07.7.25/Z33-D/V5.0


Top latch leverThe soft top has three locking points to engage
the front edge of the top to the vehicle body.
Operating the top latch lever enables you to lock
or unlock all three locking points at the same
time.
CAUTION
Before opening the top, be sure to
release the top latch. After closing,
securely engage the top to the vehicle
body.
To release the latch (before opening the
top):1Push the safety switch
A
.
2The latch lever
B
is lowered.
3Swing the lever forward until the latch is
released.
To engage the latch (after closing the top):
Check that the top is in the fully closed position.
1Push the safety switch
A
.
2The latch lever
B
is lowered.
3Rotate the lever forward until the front edge
of the top is completely joined to the vehicle
body.
4Rotate the lever toward you and push it up
into the stored position. Make sure the top is
securely engaged to the vehicle body.
The soft top indicator light will flash with the
ignition switch ON when the top is not en-
gaged. See “Soft top indicator light” later in
this section.
When releasing or engaging the top latch,
you may hear the latch operating. This is
normal and not a malfunction.
SPA1690
3-16
Pre-driving checks and adjustments


07.7.25/Z33-D/V5.0


Soft top indicator lightThe soft top indicator light in the instrument
panel shows the conditions of top operation. The
light illuminates when the soft top is being
operated or if it is stopped before reaching the
fully opened or closed position. When the top is
fully opened, the light will turn off. When the top
is fully closed, the light will flash.
When the soft top is in motion, and any of the
following conditions occur, the top will stop
moving:

The vehicle is moved.

The ignition switch is turned to OFF.
The foot brake pedal is released.

The passenger power seat switch (on the
cushion or the seatback) is operated.
Remove your hand from the soft top operating
switch, and push the switch again to move the
top to the fully opened or closed position. The
soft top indicator light will turn off when the top
open operation is completely finished. When
closing the top, the light, which is illuminated,
will begin to flash when the top close operation
is completely finished. Securely engage the top
to the vehicle body by operating the top latch
lever. The light will turn off.
If the soft top indicator light flashes with the
ignition switch ON (whether the top is operated
or not, and when the top is engaged), it may
indicate the top operating system is not func-
tioning properly. Have your vehicle checked by a
NISSAN dealer as soon as possible.
Automatic passenger seatback tilt
functionThe passenger seatback will automatically tilt
forward when the soft top is operated. This
function is designed to draw your passenger’s
attention to the rear section of the top, which will
come into the passenger compartment from
behind during the top operation. The seatback
will return to the original position when the entiretop operation is completed.
This automatic seatback movement will be
stopped:

When the passenger seat sliding or reclining
switch (on the seat cushion) is operated.

When the power seatback tilt switch (on the
seatback) is operated.

When the seatback tilt cancel switch is
turned to the CANCEL position.
Remove your hand from the soft top operating
switch, and push it again to resume operation.
The passenger seatback will start tilting forward
again from the present position, and the soft top
will start opening or closing. If the top movement
is interrupted at this time, the next time you
resume top operation, the seatback will first tilt
forward from the present position, then the top
will start moving again.
If you need to cancel this function or when a
child restraint is installed in the passenger seat,
push the seatback tilt cancel switch to the
CANCEL position. For the seatback tilt cancel
switch, see “Tilting and reclining passenger’s
seat from driver’s seat” in the “1. Safety —
Seats, seat belts and supplemental restrain sys-
tem” section.
If the seatback tilt cancel switch is in the CAN-
SPA1691
Pre-driving checks and adjustments
3-17


07.7.25/Z33-D/V5.0


CEL position and the passenger seat is occu-
pied, ask the passenger to sit forward when the
top is being opened or closed.Automatic window loweringWhen the soft top operating switch is pressed,
the power windows will automatically be low-
ered completely. The windows do not rise auto-
matically after the top operation is completed.
Use the power window switches to raise them.
OPENING THE TOP1. Apply the parking brake and move the selec-
tor lever to the P (Park) position (for the
automatic transmission model) or the shift
lever to the N (Neutral) position (for the
manual transmission model).
2. Start the engine.
3. Depress the foot brake pedal.
4. Release the front edge of the top from the
vehicle body with the top latch lever.
5. Push OPEN on the soft top operating switch
and hold it until the top is fully opened.•The soft top indicator light will illuminate
while the top is in motion. (In about 20
seconds, the opening movement will finish
and the indicator light turns off.)
•Windows will automatically be fully
opened.
•The passenger seatback will automatically
move forward, unless the seatback tilt
cancel switch is in the CANCEL position.
It will return to the original position after
the top operation. (See “Automatic pas-
senger seatback tilt function” shown on
the previous page of this section.)
6. Release the switch when the top is fully
opened. (The indicator light turns off.)
NOTE:
If you release the switch and press it again
while the top is being opened, the top will
slightly move to the closing direction, then
start moving to the opening direction
again. The top is designed to move in this
way. It is not a malfunction.
SPA1692
3-18
Pre-driving checks and adjustments


07.7.25/Z33-D/V5.0


CLOSING THE TOP1. Apply the parking brake and move the selec-
tor lever to the P (Park) position (for the
automatic transmission model) or the shift
lever to the N (Neutral) position (for the
manual transmission model).
2. Start the engine.
3. Depress the foot brake pedal.
4. Push CLOSE on the soft top operating
switch and hold it until the top is fully closed.
•The soft top indicator light will illuminate
while the top is in motion. (In about 20seconds, the closing movement will fin-
ish.)
•Windows will automatically be fully
opened.
•The passenger seatback will automatically
move forward, unless the seatback tilt
cancel switch is in the CANCEL position.
It will return to the original position after
the top operation. (See “Automatic pas-
senger seatback tilt function” shown on
the previous page of this section.)
5. Release the switch when the top is fully
closed. (The indicator light, which is illumi-
nated, will begin to flash.)
6. Securely engage the front edge of the top to
the vehicle body with the top latch lever. (The
indicator light turns off.)
IF THE TOP DOES NOT OPEN OR
CLOSE ELECTRICALLYIf you cannot operate the soft top with the
operating switch, first check whether all the
following operating conditions are completed:

foot brake pedal is depressed

vehicle is stopped

ignition switch is ON (Run the engine when
operating the top.)If the top still does not move under the above
conditions or has any system malfunction, see a
NISSAN dealer as soon as possible. When you
must close the top by yourself, in the event of
emergency or when an immediate dealer service
is not available, close the top manually according
to the procedures shown in this section.
When closing the soft top manually:

Move the vehicle to a safe place, away from
traffic.

Two people should perform this procedure,
as some of the top parts are extremely heavy.
The top cannot be opened manually.
WARNING

Do not drive with the top partially
opened.

If the top cannot be operated prop-
erly, see a NISSAN dealer as soon as
possible to have your vehicle
checked.
SPA1693
Pre-driving checks and adjustments
3-19


07.7.25/Z33-D/V5.0