NISSAN GT-R 2013 R35 Owners Manual

5-28Starting and driving
&Mposition:
Set up modeFeatures
.This mode allows you to shift gears quickly and directly..This mode will not allow the transmission to automatically upshift even when the
engine speed reaches the red zone. Do not rev the engine into the red zone.
.With the VDC switch in R mode, the R mode start function can be used. (“R
mode start function” page 5-32)
Normal (light is off)
.For everyday and performance driving, any gear position can be selected..This mode will allow the transmission to automatically upshift even when the engine
speed is about to reach the red zone.
.For long distance highway driving, this mode improves fuel economy by reducing
engine output compared to the normal mode.
.The engine response to accelerator operation changes to be less sensitive to pedal
movement than the normal mode. The engine speed does not change as quickly for
small accelerator pedal position changes.
.This mode controls powertrain torque on snowy roads and slippery surfaces making
starting and driving easier.
.This mode allows the transmission to automatically upshift even when the engine
speed is about to reach the red zone.
.When the SAVE mode is selected, the maximum speed is lower than the one in the
normal mode.
NOTICE
. When the engine speed approaches
the red zone, shift to a higher gear
or reduce the engine speed. Operat-
ing the engine in the red zone may
cause serious engine damage.
. Quickest shifting in the R mode with
the transmission in the
&Mposition
is available when the engine speed
is high. However, the transmission
may shift more slowly when the
engine speed is low.

Suspension
Set up modeFeatures
.The damping force of the shock absorbers is set for maximum vehicle performance..Riding comfort becomes harder.
Normal (light is off)
.The damping force of the shock absorbers is variably adjusted for everyday driving
or maximum vehicle performance.
.The damping force of the shock absorbers is variably adjusted for more comfortable
driving. Movement of the vehicle body is larger than the normal and R modes.
NOTICE
While maximizing vehicle performance,
shock absorber control may automati-
cally be returned to the normal mode. If
the R mode or the COMF mode is
selected in the case above, the suspen-
sion setup switch indicator may turn off.
Operate the suspension setup switch to
the R mode or the COMF mode and
check to make sure the indicator illu-
minates. If the indicator does not illu-
minate, have the system checked by a
GT-R certified NISSAN dealer.
Starting and driving5-29

5-30Starting and driving
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
Set up modeFeatures
.In addition to the normal mode function, this mode adjusts front and rear wheel
power distribution to improve handling.
.With the transmission switch in R mode, the R mode start function can be used.
(“R mode start function” page 5-32)
Normal (light is off)
.This mode is for use in a broad range of driving conditions, for routine driving during
fair to rainy weather, as well as for driving on road surfaces that are slippery due to
snow or ice.
Make sure to use this mode for everyday driving.
.Temporary mode that can be used to free if it is stuck in snow or mud
(With the transmission switch in SAVE mode, freeing the vehicle become easier.)
NOTE:
Always make sure the VDC is ON before driving the vehicle by checking that the VDC OFF
indicator lights on the meter and the VDC set-up switch are not illuminated. The GT-R is a
high performance vehicle and the VDC must be on/activated to provide proper powertrain
operation and intended drivability.
WARNING
. The VDC OFF mode should ONLY be
used briefly to help free the vehicle
if stuck in snow or mud by tempora-
rily stopping operation of the VDC
to maintain wheel torque.
. Driving the GT-R with the VDC off
may lead to handling issues related
to steering maneuvers, acceleration,
or deceleration. Moreover, driving
with the VDC off can result in an
inoperative vehicle by causing ser-
ious damage to the powertrain,
including damage to the Transaxle
Assembly including Transfer, Clutch,
Gears, Transaxle case and all of its
components and other drivetrain
component(s) by overheating or ex-
cessive force.
. Damage to the powertrain or any
drivetrain component(s) that occurs
when there is a record in the Vehicle
Status Data Recorder (VSDR) that
the vehicle was driven with VDC off
during the period when the damage
was incurred is excluded from war-
ranty coverage.

See your 2013 Warranty Information Booklet for
important related information and warranty
coverage exclusions. See also section 2 (page
2-29) and section 5 (page 5-49) of this Owner’s
Manual, “Transmission Clutch Temperature
High” and “Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
System” for important additional related informa-
tion.The turbocharger system uses engine oil for
lubrication and cooling of its rotating compo-
nents. The turbocharger turbine turns at extre-
mely high speeds and it can get very hot. It is
essential to maintain a supply of oil flowing
through the turbocharger system. Therefore, a
sudden interruption of oil supply may cause a
malfunction in the turbocharger.
To ensure prolonged life and performance of the
turbocharger, it is essential to perform the
following maintenance procedure:
.Change your engine oil according to the
recommended intervals shown in the sepa-
rate Service and Maintenance Guide. Use
only the recommended engine oil.
. If the engine had been operating at high
engine speed for an extended period of time,
let it idle for a few minutes prior to shut-
down.
. Do not accelerate your engine to high
engine speed immediately after start.
NOTICE
.This vehicle includes spark plugs
that are designed for high perfor-
mance. For this reason, if the engine
is repeatedly started and stopped over a short time, the spark plugs
may become fouled, making the
engine difficult to start. To prevent
diminished starting performance,
avoid starting and stopping the
engine repeatedly during a short
period of time.
NOTE:
. When the vehicle is delivered, the
engine oil level is 0.39 in (10 mm)
below the H mark on the engine oil
dipstick for optimum high performance
driving. The engine oil can be filled up
to the H mark if not engaging in
performance driving.
. Because of the high performance char-
acteristics of the GT-R engine, more
frequent oil level inspections are ne-
cessary. Check the oil level every 1,800
miles (3,000km) and adjust as neces-
sary. Also, change the engine oil based
on the driving conditions. For the
information regarding oil replacement
intervals, refer to the 2013 NISSAN
GT-R Service and Maintenance Guide.
. Some amount of oil is consumed by
your engine under normal operating
Starting and driving5-31
TURBOCHARGER SYSTEM

5-32Starting and driving
conditions, and oil consumption by
itself does not necessarily indicate
any malfunction. If your rate of oil
consumption increases suddenly or
without explanation, NISSAN recom-
mends that you have your vehicle
inspected by a GT-R certified NISSAN
dealer.This function enables the driver to start accel-
eration from a stop by selecting R mode with the
VDC and transmission setup switch. The engine
output will be maintained at approximately 4,000
rpm. When using the R mode or the R mode
start function, always use proper seating posi-
tion and follow the safety instructions in Section
1 of this manual.
WARNING
.Failure to follow the warnings and
instruction for the use of this fea-
ture may cause a loss of vehicle
control or a collision which may lead
to serious personal injury or death:
. Make sure to drive carefully within
legal limits.
. Only use this function when you can
guarantee that it is safe to do so,
based on the surrounding traffic
conditions.
. Do not use this function on slippery
or wet roads. This may cause loss of
vehicle control and could result in
an accident.
. The R mode start function has been
developed not only for controlling the engine, transmission and VDC
system, but also the settings of the
suspension and tires. Therefore, any
modification of the vehicle may
disrupt the vehicle’s balance. This
will not only reduce the optimum
performance of the vehicle but may
also cause damage to powertrain
components, including the trans-
mission.
NOTICE
.
When the temperature of the engine
coolant and transmission oil is high
or low, the function cannot be used.
The temperature range in which the
R mode start function can be used:
— Engine coolant: 1408F - 2128F
(608C - 1008C)
— Transmission oil: 1408F - 2668F (608C - 1308C)
. If the R mode start function is used
4 times consecutively, the function
may be disabled and cannot be
turned on to protect the vehicle
system. While the function is dis-
R MODE START FUNCTION

abled, the warning light illuminates.
When the warning light illuminates,
perform cool down driving.
(
“Cool down” page GTR-13)
When the warning light turns off,
the function can be used again.
. The performance of start may vary
depending on the amount of wheel
spin ,or increase and decrease of
the engine output in response to the
outside temperature. (This vehicle
was set up according to the road
surface conditions of the straight
sections of the Sendai Highland
Raceway course in Japan at 598F
(158C) .)
. For safety reasons, VDC control may
activate automatically when driving
on a slippery road surface, such as a
wet road, in order to apply the
brakes or limit the engine output.
. Frequent use of the R mode start
function increases the load on the
powertrain related parts such as the
clutch and transmission compared
to normal driving. In particular, the
clutch will wear out more quickly.
HOW TO USE R MODE START
FUNCTION
1. Move the shift lever to the&Aor&Mposition.
2. Select the R mode with the transmission setup switch. (
“VDC, transmission and
suspension setup switches” page 5-24)
3. Select the R mode with the VDC setup switch.
4. Depress the brake pedal firmly with your left foot and keep depressing the brake pedal.
5. Depress the accelerator pedal quickly to the floor with your right foot while the brake
pedal is depressed. The engine speed will
increase to approximately 4,000 rpm and
will be maintained.
6. Within 3 seconds after depressing the accelerator pedal, release the brake pedal.
WARNING
.Be sure the parking brake is fully
released before driving. Failure to
do so can cause brake failure and
lead to an accident.
. Do not release the parking brake
from outside the vehicle.
. Do not use the gear shift in place of
the parking brake. When parking, be
sure the parking brake is fully
engaged.
. Do not leave children unattended in
Starting and driving5-33
PARKING BRAKE

5-34Starting and driving
a vehicle. They could release the
parking brake and cause an acci-
dent.
To apply: Pull the parking brake lever up.
To release:
1. Firmly apply the foot brake.
2. While pulling up on the parking brake lever slightly, push the button
*Aand lower the
lever completely.
3. Before driving, be sure the brake warning light goes out.
The cruise control allows driving at speeds
above 25 MPH (40 km/h) without keeping your
foot on the accelerator pedal.
WARNING
Do not use the cruise control when
driving under the following conditions.
Doing so could cause a loss of vehicle
control and result in an accident.
.When it is not possible to keep the
vehicle at a set speed.
. In heavy traffic or in traffic that
varies in speed.
. On winding or hilly roads.
. On slippery roads (rain, snow, ice,
etc.) .
. In very windy areas.
NOTE:
. When the SAVE mode is selected with
the transmission setup switch, the
acceleration and deceleration can be
controlled smoothly. When the SAVE
mode is selected, the maximum setting
speed is lower than the one in the
normal mode. When the vehicle ap- proaches a gentle uphill, there may be
a slight delay as the vehicle returns to
the preset speed. However, the vehicle
will gradually accelerate and return to
the preset speed.
CRUISE CONTROL

PRECAUTIONS ON CRUISE CON-
TROL
.If the cruise control system malfunctions, it
will cancel automatically. The SET indicator
will blink and the cruise control system
warning will appear to warn the driver.
(
“Cruise control system warning” page
2-39)
. If the engine coolant temperature becomes
excessively high, the cruise control system
will be canceled automatically.
. If the SET indicator blinks, turn the cruise
control main switch off and contact a GT-R certified NISSAN dealer.
. The SET indicator may sometimes blink
when the cruise control main switch is
turned on while pushing the RESUME/
ACCELERATE, SET/COAST or CANCEL
switch. To properly set the cruise control
system, perform the steps below in the order
indicated.
STEERING-WHEEL-MOUNTED
CONTROLS
1. MAIN switch
Turns cruise control ON/OFF.
2. SET/COAST switch (pressed down) Lowers the set vehicle speed.
3. RESUME/ACCELERATE switch (pressed up) Raises the set vehicle speed.
4. CANCEL switch
Cancels cruise control.
Starting and driving5-35

5-36Starting and driving
INDICATORS AND DISPLAY
1. CRUISE displayDisplays the set vehicle speed.
2. CRUISE indicator
Informs the driver that the MAIN switch is ON.
3. SET indicator Informs the driver that the vehicle is driving at the
set speed.
CRUISE CONTROL OPERATIONS
Constant-speed driving
To set the cruising speed, perform the following
procedure.
1. Push the MAIN switch on. The CRUISEindicator will come on.
2. Accelerate your vehicle to the desiredspeed, push the SET/COAST switch and
release it. (The SET indicator will illuminate
in the instrument panel.) Take your foot off
the accelerator pedal. Your vehicle will
maintain the set speed.
NOTE:
If the vehicle speed reaches approximately
3 MPH (5 km/h) over the set speed, the set
speed on the vehicle information display
blinks.

Passing another vehicle
To pass another vehicle, depress the accelerator
pedal. When you release the pedal, the vehicle
will return to the previously set speed.
Increasing the set vehicle speed
To reset at a faster cruising speed, use one of
the following methods:
.Depress the accelerator pedal. When the
vehicle attains the desired speed, push and
release the SET/COAST switch.
. Push and hold the RESUME/ACCELERATE
switch. When the vehicle attains the speed
you desire, release the switch.
. Push and then quickly release the RESUME/
ACCELERATE switch. Each time you do
this, the set speed will increase by about 1
MPH or 1 km/h.
Decreasing the set vehicle speed
To reset at a slower cruising speed, use one of
the following methods:
.Lightly tap the brake pedal. When the
vehicle attains the desired speed, push
and release the SET/COAST switch.
. Push and hold the SET/COAST switch.
Release the switch when the vehicle slows down to the desired speed.
. Push and then quickly release the SET/
COAST switch. Each time you do this, the
set speed will decrease by about 1 MPH or
1 km/h.
Resuming the preset speed
To resume the preset speed, push and release
the RESUME/ACCELERATE switch. The vehicle
will resume the last set cruising speed when the
vehicle speed is over 25 MPH (40 km/h).
Canceling the preset speed
To cancel the preset speed, use one of the
following methods:
.Push the CANCEL switch
*1. The SET
indicator will turn off.
. Tap the brake pedal
*3. The SET indicator
will turn off.
. Turn the MAIN switch
*2off. Both the
CRUISE indicator and SET indicator will turn
off.
Starting and driving5-37