tow NISSAN 350Z 2008 Z33 Owners Manual

1. Fuse/fusible link holder (P.8-21)
2. Battery (P.8-15)
3. Engine oil filler cap (P.8-9)
4. Brake fluid reservoir (P.8-13)
5. Clutch fluid reservoir (M/T models) (P.8-13)
6. Window washer fluid reservoir (P.8-14)
7. Power steering fluid reservoir (P.8-12)
8. Air cleaner (P.8-18)
9. Radiator filler cap (P.8-8)
10. Engine drive belts (P.8-17)
11. Engine coolant reservoir (P.8-8)
12. Engine oil dipstick (P.8-9)
Do not tamper with the strut tower bar
adjustment
A. The strut tower bar has
been adjusted to the most suitable posi-
tion at the factory.
SDI2050
ENGINE COMPARTMENT0-12
Illustrated table of contents


07.7.25/Z33-D/V5.0


belt and release it. Then smoothly pull
the belt out of the retractor.
3. Position the lap belt portionlow and snug
on the hipsas shown.
4. Pull the shoulder belt portion toward the
retractor to take up extra slack. Be sure the
shoulder belt is routed over your shoulder
and across your chest.
The front passenger seat belt has two modes of
operation:

Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR)

Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)The Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) mode
allows the seat belt to extend and retract to allow
the driver and passenger some freedom of
movement in the seat. The ELR locks the seat
belt when the vehicle slows down rapidly or
during certain impacts.
The Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode
(child restraint mode) locks the seat belt for child
restraint installation.
When the ALR mode is activated the seat belt
cannot be extended again until the seat belt
tongue is detached from the buckle and fully
retracted. The seat belt returns to the ELR mode
after the seat belt fully retracts. For additional
information, see “Child restraints” later in this
section.
The ALR mode should be used only for
child restraint installation. During normal
seat belt use by a passenger, the ALR
mode should not be activated. If it is acti-
vated it may cause uncomfortable seat belt
tension.
WARNING
When fastening the seat belts, be cer-
tain that the seatbacks are completelysecured in the latched position. If they
are not completely secured, passengers
may be injured in an accident or sudden
stop.
SSS0290A
Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
1-15


07.7.25/Z33-D/V5.0


PRECAUTIONS ON BOOSTER
SEATS
WARNING

Children should always be placed in
an appropriate child restraint while
riding in the vehicle. Failure to use a
child restraint or booster seat can
result in serious injury or death.

Children should never be carried on
your lap. It is not possible for eventhe strongest adult to resist the
forces of a severe accident. The child
could be crushed between the adult
and parts of the vehicle. Also, do not
put the same seat belt around both
your child and yourself.

A booster seat must only be installed
in a seating position that has a
lap/shoulder belt. Failure to use a
three-point type seat belt with a
booster seat can result in a serious
injury in sudden stop or collision.

Improper use or improper installation
of a booster seat can increase the
risk or severity of injury for both the
child and other occupants of the ve-
hicle and can lead to serious injury or
death in an accident.

Do not use towels, books, pillows or
other items in place of a booster
seat. Items such as these may move
during normal driving or a collision
and result in serious injury or death.
Booster seats are designed to be
used with a lap/shoulder belt.Booster seats are designed to prop-
erly route the lap and shoulder por-
tions of the seat belt over the stron-
gest portions of a child’s body to
provide the maximum protection dur-
ing a collision.

Follow all of the booster seat manu-
facturer’s instructions for installation
and use. When purchasing a booster
seat, be sure to select one which will
fit your child and vehicle. It may not
be possible to properly install some
types of booster seats in your ve-
hicle.

If the booster seat and seat belt are
not used properly, the risk of a child
being injured in a collision or a sud-
den stop greatly increases.

Adjustable seatbacks should be po-
sitioned to fit the booster seat, but as
upright as possible.

After placing the child in the booster
seat and fastening the seat belt,
make sure the shoulder portion of
SSS0099
BOOSTER SEATS
Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
1-25


07.7.25/Z33-D/V5.0


3. The booster seat should be positioned on the
vehicle seat so that it is stable. If necessary,
adjust or remove the head restraint to obtain
the correct booster seat fit. See “Head re-
straint adjustment” earlier in this section. If
the head restraint is removed, store it in a
secure place. Be sure to install the head
restraint when the booster seat is removed. If
the seating position does not have an adjust-
able head restraint and it is interfering with
the proper booster seat fit, try a different
booster seat.
4. Position the lap portion of the seat belt low
and snug on the child’s hips. Be sure to
follow the booster seat manufacturer’s in-structions for adjusting the belt routing.
5. Pull the shoulder belt portion of the seat belt
toward the retractor to take up extra slack. Be
sure the shoulder belt is positioned across
the top, middle portion of the child’s shoul-
der. Be sure to follow the booster seat manu-
facturer’s instructions for adjusting the belt
routing.
6. Follow the warnings, cautions and instruc-
tions for properly fastening a seat belt shown
in the “Three-point type seat belt with retrac-
tor” earlier in this section.
7. If the booster seat is installed in the front
passenger seat, turn the ignition switch to the
ON position. The front passenger air bag
status light
may or may not illuminate
depending on the size of the child and the
type of booster seat used. See “Front pas-
senger air bag and status light” later in this
section.
PRECAUTIONS ON
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEMThis Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) sec-
tion contains important information concerning
the following systems:

Driver and passenger supplemental front-
impact air bag (NISSAN Advanced Air Bag
System)

Front seat-mounted side-impact supplemen-
tal air bag (if so equipped)

Roof-mounted curtain side-impact supple-
mental air bag (if so equipped for Coupe
models)

Seat belt pretensioner
Supplemental front-impact air bag system:
NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System can help
cushion the impact force to the head and chest
of the driver and front passenger in certain
frontal collisions.
Front seat-mounted side-impact supple-
mental air bag system (if so equipped):This
system can help cushion the impact force to the
chest area of the driver and front passenger in
certain side impact collisions. The side air bags
are designed to inflate on the side where the
vehicle is impacted.
LRS0454
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM
1-28
Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system


07.7.25/Z33-D/V5.0


The air bag system and passenger air bag status
light will take a few seconds to register a change
in the passenger seat status. However, if the
seat becomes unoccupied, the air bag status
light will remain off.
If a malfunction occurs in the front passenger air
bag system, the supplemental air bag warning
light
, located in the meter and gauges
area, will blink. Have the system checked by a
NISSAN dealer.
Other supplemental front-impact air
bag precautions
WARNING

Do not place any objects on the
steering wheel pad or on the instru-
ment panel. Also, do not place any
objects between any occupant and
the steering wheel or instrument
panel. Such objects may become
dangerous projectiles and cause in-
jury if the front air bag inflates.

Do not place objects with sharp
edges on the seat. Also, do not placeheavy objects on the seat that will
leave permanent impressions in the
seat. Such objects can damage the
seat or occupant classification sen-
sor (pattern sensor). This can affect
the operation of the air bag system
and result in serious personal injury.

Do not use water or acidic cleaners
(hot steam cleaners) on the seat. This
can damage the seat or occupant
classification sensor. This can also
affect the operation of the air bag
system and result in serious personal
injury.

Immediately after inflation, several
front air bag system components will
be hot. Do not touch them; you may
severely burn yourself.

No unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the supplemental air bag system.
This is to prevent accidental inflation
of the supplemental air bag or dam-
age to the supplemental air bag
system.
Do not make unauthorized changes
to your vehicle’s electrical system,
suspension system or front end
structure. This could affect proper
operation of the front air bag system.

Tampering with the front air bag sys-
tem may result in serious personal
injury. Tampering includes changes
to the steering wheel and the instru-
ment panel assembly by placing ma-
terial over the steering wheel pad
and above the instrument panel or by
installing additional trim material
around the air bag system.

Modifying or tampering with the front
passenger seat may result in serious
personal injury. For example, do not
change the front seats by placing
material on the seat cushion or by
installing additional trim material,
such as seat covers, on the seat that
are not specifically designed to as-
sure proper air bag operation. Addi-
tionally, do not stow any objects un-
der the front passenger seat or the1-38
Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system


07.7.25/Z33-D/V5.0


2 Instruments and controlsInstrument panel ................................................................... 2-2
Meters and gauges .............................................................. 2-3
Speedometer and odometer ........................................ 2-4
Tachometer ....................................................................... 2-5
Engine coolant temperature gauge ............................ 2-5
Fuel gauge ........................................................................ 2-6
Engine oil pressure gauge ........................................... 2-7
Volt meter ......................................................................... 2-8
Trip computer .................................................................. 2-8
Warning/indicator lights and audible reminders ........ 2-11
Checking bulbs ............................................................. 2-11
Warning lights ............................................................... 2-11
Indicator lights ............................................................... 2-15
Audible reminders ........................................................ 2-17
Security systems ................................................................ 2-18
Vehicle security system .............................................. 2-18
NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System ...................... 2-19
Windshield wiper and washer switch ........................... 2-21
Rear window wiper and washer switch
(Coupe models) .................................................................. 2-22
Rear window and outside mirror defroster switch .... 2-23
Headlight and turn signal switch ................................... 2-24
Xenon headlights .......................................................... 2-24
Headlight switch ........................................................... 2-24Daytime running light system (Canada only) ........ 2-25
Turn signal switch ........................................................ 2-26
Instrument brightness control ................................... 2-26
Hazard warning flasher switch ....................................... 2-27
Horn ....................................................................................... 2-27
Heated seats (if so equipped) ........................................ 2-28
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) off switch
(if so equipped) .................................................................. 2-29
Traction Control System (TCS) off switch
(if so equipped) .................................................................. 2-29
Clock ..................................................................................... 2-30
Adjusting the time ........................................................ 2-30
Power outlet ........................................................................ 2-31
Storage ................................................................................. 2-32
Instrument pocket (except for navigation system
equipped models) ........................................................ 2-32
Sunglasses holder (Coupe models) ........................ 2-32
Cargo net......................................................................... 2-33
Cup holders ................................................................... 2-33
Console box .................................................................. 2-35
Rear floor box ................................................................ 2-35
Rear parcel box ............................................................ 2-37
Stowing golf bags ......................................................... 2-37
Coat hook (Coupe models) ........................................ 2-38


07.7.25/Z33-D/V5.0


Automatic transmission check
warning light (A/T models)
When the ignition switch is turned to the ON
position, the automatic transmission check
warning light comes on and then turns off. This
indicates that the automatic transmission system
is operational.
If the light comes on while the engine is running
or while driving, it may indicate that the auto-
matic transmission system is not functioning
properly. Have a NISSAN dealer check and
repair the transmission.
or
Brake warning light
This light functions for both the parking brake
and the foot brake systems.
Parking brake indicator:
When the ignition switch is in the ON position,
the light comes on when the parking brake is
applied.
Low brake fluid warning light:
The light warns of a low brake fluid level. If the
light comes on while the engine is running with
the parking brake not applied, stop the vehicle
and perform the following:
1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brake fluid as
necessary. See “Brake and clutch fluid” in the
“8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section.
WARNING

Your brake system may not be work-
ing properly if the warning light is on.
Driving could be dangerous. If you
judge it to be safe, drive carefully to
the nearest service station for re-
pairs. Otherwise, have your vehicle
towed because driving it could be
dangerous.

Pressing the brake pedal with the
engine stopped and/or a low brake
fluid level may increase your stop-
ping distance and braking will re-
quire greater pedal effort as well as
pedal travel.

If the brake fluid level is below the
MINIMUM or MIN mark on the brake
fluid reservoir, do not drive until the
brake system has been checked at a
NISSAN dealer.
2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have the
warning system checked by a NISSAN
dealer.Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning
indicator:
When the parking brake is released and the
brake fluid level is sufficient, if both the brake
warning light and the ABS warning light illumi-
nate, it may indicate the ABS is not functioning
properly. Have the brake system checked by a
NISSAN dealer. See “Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS) warning light” earlier in this section.
Charge warning light
If the light comes on while the engine is running,
it may indicate that the charging system is not
functioning properly. Turn the engine off and
check the alternator belt. If the belt is loose,
broken, missing or if the light remains on, see a
NISSAN dealer immediately.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving if the belt is
loose, broken or missing.
Door open warning light
This light comes on when any of the doors
and/or rear hatch are not closed securely while
the ignition switch is in the ON position.
2-12
Instruments and controls


07.7.25/Z33-D/V5.0


tion” section of this manual.
Operation
The malfunction indicator light will come on in
one of two ways:

Malfunction indicator light on steady — An
emission control system malfunction has
been detected. Check the fuel-filler cap. If the
fuel-filler cap is loose or missing, tighten or
install the cap and continue to drive the
vehicle. The
light should turn off after a
few driving trips. If the
light does not
turn off after a few driving trips, have the
vehicle inspected by a NISSAN dealer. You
do not need to have your vehicle towed to the
dealer.

Malfunction indicator light blinking — An en-
gine misfire has been detected which may
damage the emission control system. To re-
duce or avoid emission control system dam-
age:
a) Do not drive at speeds above 45 MPH
(72 km/h).
b) Avoid hard acceleration or deceleration.
c) Avoid steep uphill grades.
d) If possible, reduce the amount of cargo
being hauled or towed.
The malfunction indicator light may stop
blinking and come on steady.Have the vehicle inspected by a NISSAN
dealer. You do not need to have your vehicle
towed to the dealer.
CAUTION
Continued vehicle operation without
having the emission control system
checked and repaired as necessary
could lead to poor driveability, reduced
fuel economy, and possible damage to
the emission control system.
Slip indicator light
The light will blink when the Vehicle Dynamic
Control (VDC) system or the Traction Control
System (TCS) is operating, thus alerting the
driver to the fact that the road surface is slippery
and the vehicle is nearing its traction limits.
This light also comes on when the ignition switch
is turned to the ON position. The light will turn off
if the VDC or TCS is operational.
Traction Control System (TCS)
off indicator light (if so
equipped)
The light comes on when the Traction Control
System (TCS) off switch is pushed to OFF. This
indicates the TCS is not operating.
This light also comes on when the ignition switch
is turned to the ON position. The light will turn off
if the TCS is operational.
When the TCS off indicator light and slip indi-
cator light come on with the TCS turned on, this
light alerts the driver to the fact that the system’s
fail-safe mode is operating, that is the TCS may
not be functioning properly. Have the system
checked by a NISSAN dealer. If a malfunction
occurs in the system, the traction control func-
tion will be canceled but the vehicle is still
driveable. For additional information, see “Trac-
tion Control System (TCS)” in the “5. Starting
and driving” section of this manual.
Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) off indicator light (if so
equipped)
The light comes on when the Vehicle Dynamic
Control (VDC) off switch is pushed to OFF. This
indicates the VDC system and Traction Control
System (TCS) are not operating.
2-16
Instruments and controls


07.7.25/Z33-D/V5.0


NISSAN dealer for service.
The windshield wiper and washer operates
when the ignition switch is in the ON position.
Push the lever down to operate the wiper at the
following speed:
1Intermittent (INT) — intermittent operation
can be adjusted by turning the knob towardA
(Slower) or
B
(Faster).
2Low (LO) — continuous low speed operation
3High (HI) — continuous high speed operation
Push the lever up
4
to have one sweep
operation (MIST) of the wiper.
Pull the lever toward you5
to operate thewasher. Then the wiper will also operate several
times.
WARNING
In freezing temperatures the washer so-
lution may freeze on the windshield and
obscure your vision which may lead to
an accident. Warm the windshield with
the defroster before you wash the wind-
shield.
CAUTION

Do not operate the washer continu-
ously for more than 30 seconds.

Do not operate the washer if the
reservoir tank is empty.

Do not fill the window washer reser-
voir tank with washer fluid concen-
trates at full strength. Some methyl
alcohol based washer fluid concen-
trates may permanently stain the
grille if spilled while filling the win-
dow washer reservoir tank.
SIC2998
WINDSHIELD WIPER AND
WASHER SWITCH
Instruments and controls
2-21


07.7.25/Z33-D/V5.0


CAUTION
Use the headlights with the engine run-
ning to avoid discharging the vehicle
battery.
Headlight beam select
1To select the high beam, push the lever
forward. The high beam lights come on and
the high beam indicator light
illumi-
nates.
2Pull the lever back to select the low beam.
3Pulling the lever toward you will flash the
headlight high beam.
Battery saver system
When the headlight switch is in the
or
position while the ignition switch is in
the ON position, the lights will automaticallyturn off 5 minutes after the ignition switch has
been turned to the OFF position.

After the headlights automatically turn off with
the headlight switch in the
or
po-
sition, the headlights will illuminate again for 5
minutes if the headlight switch is turned to
the OFF position and then turned to the
or
position.CAUTION
Even though the battery saver feature
automatically turns off the headlights
after a period of time, you should turn
the headlight switch to the OFF position
when the engine is not running to avoid
discharging the vehicle battery.DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT SYSTEM
(Canada only)The headlights (low beam) automatically illumi-
nate when the engine is started with the parking
brake released. The daytime running lights op-
erate with the headlight switch in the OFF
position or in the
position.
If the parking brake is applied before the engine
is started, the daytime running lights do not
SIC3315
Instruments and controls
2-25


07.7.25/Z33-D/V5.0