check engine light NISSAN 350Z 2003 Z33 Owner's Manual

Aftermarket fuel additivesNISSAN does not recommend the use of any
fuel additives (that is, fuel injector cleaner, oc-
tane booster, intake valve deposit removers,
etc.) which are sold commercially. Many of these
additives intended for gum, varnish or deposit
removal may contain active solvent or similar
ingredients that can be harmful to the fuel sys-
tem and engine.Octane rating tipsIn most parts of North America, you should use
unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of at
least 87 or 91 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) number.
However, you may use unleaded gasoline with
an octane rating as low as 85 AKI number in
these high altitude areas [over 4,000 ft (1,219
m)] such as: Colorado, Montana, New Mexico,
Utah, Wyoming, northeastern Nevada, southern
Idaho, western South Dakota, western Ne-
braska, and that part of Texas which is directly
south of New Mexico.
Using unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than stated above can cause
persistent, heavy spark knock. (Spark
knock is a metallic rapping noise.) If se-
vere, this can lead to engine damage. If you
detect a persistent heavy spark knock even
when using gasoline of the above stated
octane rating, or if you hear steady sparkknock while holding a steady speed on
level roads, have your dealer correct the
condition. Failure to correct the condition
is misuse of the vehicle, for which NISSAN
is not responsible.
Incorrect ignition timing will result in knocking,
after-run or overheating. This in turn may cause
excessive fuel consumption or damage to the
engine. If any of the above symptoms are en-
countered, have your vehicle checked at a
NISSAN dealer or other competent service fa-
cility.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is no
cause for concern, because you get the
greatest fuel benefit when there is light
spark knock for a short time under heavy
engine load.9-4
Technical and consumer information
Z
02.9.13/Z33-D/V5.0
X

10 Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock brake system)................................ 5-20
Air bag ON/OFF switch .......................................... 1-21
Air bag system
Front (See supplemental front air bag
system) .................................................................. 1-11
Side and curtain (See supplemental side air bag
and curtain side-impact air bag system) ...... 1-13
Air bag warning labels ............................................. 1-16
Air bag warning light .................................... 1-16, 2-14
Air cleaner housing filter.......................................... 8-18
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation ..................................... 4-3
Air conditioner service ................................ 4-3, 4-6
Air conditioner specification label .................. 9-12
Air conditioning system refrigerant and lubricant
recommendations ......................................... 4-6, 9-6
Heater and air conditioner (automatic)............ 4-3
Alcohol, drugs and driving......................................... 5-5
Anchor point location, Top tether strap ............. 1-27
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) .............................. 5-20
Anti-lock brake warning light.................................. 2-11
Appearance care
Exterior appearance care .................................... 7-2
Interior appearance care ..................................... 7-4
Ashtrays (See cigarette lighter and ashtray)...... 2-28
Audible reminders ..................................................... 2-16
Audio operation precautions ..................................... 4-7Audio system ................................................................ 4-6
Autochanger
Compact Disc (CD) ........................................... 4-17
Automatic
Anti-glare inside mirror ...................................... 3-13
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ................ 8-12
Driving with automatic transmission........ 5-5, 5-9
Transmission selector lever lock release ...... 5-12
Avoiding collision and rollover .................................. 5-4
B
Battery .......................................................................... 8-15
Battery saver system ......................................... 2-22
Battery replacement, (See remote keyless entry
system) ........................................................................... 3-7
Before starting the engine ......................................... 5-8
Belts (See drive belts) ............................................. 8-17
Brake
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ......................... 5-20
Brake and clutch fluid ....................................... 8-13
Brake booster ...................................................... 8-22
Brake fluid............................................................. 8-13
Brake pedal .......................................................... 8-21
Brake pedal check ............................................. 8-21
Brake system ....................................................... 5-20
Parking brake check............................... 5-14, 8-21
Parking brake operation .................................... 5-14
Warning light ....................................................... 2-12Break-in schedule ..................................................... 5-17
Bulb check/instrument panel.................................. 2-11
Bulb replacement ...................................................... 8-25
C
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants...... 9-2
Car phone or CB radio............................................ 4-19
Cassette player (See audio system) .................... 4-16
Catalytic converter, Three way catalyst ................. 5-3
CD care and cleaning .............................................. 4-19
Child restraints ........................................................... 1-25
Top tether strap anchor point location ......... 1-27
Installation on front passenger seat............... 1-28
Precautions on child restraints........................ 1-25
With top tether strap ......................................... 1-27
Child safety ................................................................. 1-20
Chimes, Audible reminders..................................... 2-16
Cigarette lighter and ashtray .................................. 2-28
Circuit breaker, Fusible link .................................... 8-23
Cleaning exterior and interior .......................... 7-2, 7-4
Clock ............................................................................ 2-27
Clutch fluid.................................................................. 8-14
Cold weather driving ................................................ 5-24
Compact Disc (CD) changer operation .............. 4-17
Compact Disc (CD) player (See audio
system) ......................................................................... 4-11
Compact spare tire ................................................... 8-33
Console box................................................................ 2-31
Z
02.9.13/Z33-D/V5.0
X

Controls, Heater and air conditioner controls
(automatic) ..................................................................... 4-3
Coolant
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Changing engine coolant .................................... 8-9
Checking engine coolant level........................... 8-8
Corrosion protection ................................................... 7-5
Cruise control............................................................. 5-15
Cup holders ................................................................ 2-30
Curtain side-impact air bag system (See
supplemental side air bag and curtain side-impact
air bag system) .......................................................... 1-13
D
Daytime running light system ................................. 2-23
Defroster switch, Rear window and outside mirror
defroster switch ......................................................... 2-21
Dimensions and weights ............................................ 9-9
Door open warning light .......................................... 2-12
Drive belts ................................................................... 8-17
Driving
Cold weather driving ......................................... 5-24
Driving with automatic transmission........ 5-5, 5-9
Driving with manual transmission .......... 5-6, 5-12
Precautions when starting and driving ............ 5-2
E
Economy, Fuel............................................................ 5-17
Emission control information label ........................ 9-11
Emission control system warranty......................... 9-20Engine
Before starting the engine .................................. 5-8
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Changing engine coolant .................................... 8-9
Changing engine oil and filter ......................... 8-10
Checking engine coolant level........................... 8-8
Checking engine oil level ................................. 8-10
Coolant temperature gauge ............................... 2-5
Engine block heater ........................................... 5-25
Engine compartment check locations.............. 8-7
Engine cooling system ......................................... 8-8
Engine oil .............................................................. 8-10
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation......... 9-5
Engine oil viscosity ............................................... 9-5
Engine serial number ......................................... 9-11
Engine specifications ........................................... 9-8
If your vehicle overheats ...................................... 6-9
Starting the engine ............................................... 5-8
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide).............................. 5-2
F
F.M.V.S.S. certification label................................... 9-11
Filter, Air cleaner housing filter .............................. 8-18
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch) ... 2-24
Flat tire............................................................................ 6-2
Low tire pressure warning system .................... 5-3
Floor mat cleaning ....................................................... 7-4
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ................ 8-12
Brake and clutch fluid ....................................... 8-13
Brake fluid............................................................. 8-13Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Engine coolant ....................................................... 8-8
Engine oil .............................................................. 8-10
Power steering fluid ........................................... 8-13
Window washer fluid ......................................... 8-14
FM-AM radio with cassette player and Compact
Disc (CD) changer.................................................... 4-13
Front air bag system (See supplemental restraint
system) ......................................................................... 1-11
Front manual seat adjustment .................................. 1-3
Front power seat adjustment .................................... 1-4
Fuel
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
filler cap................................................................. 3-10
filler lid ................................................................... 3-10
Fuel economy ...................................................... 5-17
Fuel octane rating ................................................. 9-3
Fuel recommendation ........................................... 9-3
Gauge ...................................................................... 2-6
Fuses ............................................................................ 8-22
Fusible links ................................................................ 8-23
G
Garage door opener, HomeLink
Universal
Transceiver .................................................................. 2-36
Gas cap ....................................................................... 3-10
Gauge ............................................................................. 2-3
Engine coolant temperature gauge .................. 2-5
Fuel gauge .............................................................. 2-6
Odometer ................................................................ 2-4
Speedometer .......................................................... 2-4
Z
02.9.13/Z33-D/V5.0
X
10-2

N
New vehicle break-in ................................................ 5-17
Nissan vehicle Immobilizer System....................... 2-16
Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System, Engine
start.................................................................................. 5-7
O
Obtaining an air bag ON/OFF switch ................. 1-21
Odometer ....................................................................... 2-4
Oil
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Changing engine oil and filter ......................... 8-10
Checking engine oil level ................................. 8-10
Engine oil .............................................................. 8-10
Engine oil viscosity ............................................... 9-5
Outside mirror control .............................................. 3-14
Outside mirrors .......................................................... 3-14
Overheat, If your vehicle overheats ......................... 6-9
P
Parking
Brake check ......................................................... 8-21
Parking brake check .......................................... 5-14
Parking brake operation .................................... 5-14
Parking on hills .................................................... 5-14
Parking/parking on hills ........................................... 5-18
Phone, Car phone or CB radio ............................. 4-19Power
Power door lock .................................................... 3-2
Power outlet ......................................................... 2-27
Power steering fluid ........................................... 8-13
Power steering system ...................................... 5-19
Power windows................................................... 2-33
Power front seat adjustment .............................. 1-4
Precautions
Audio operation precautions .............................. 4-7
Braking precautions ........................................... 5-20
Cruise control precautions ............................... 5-15
Maintenance precautions .................................... 8-5
On child restraints .............................................. 1-25
On seat belt usage ............................................ 1-18
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ...................................................................... 1-6
Precautions when starting and driving ............ 5-2
Pre-tensioner seat belt system .............................. 1-15
Push starting ................................................................. 6-8
R
Radio, Car phone or CB radio .............................. 4-19
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M) test (US
only) .............................................................................. 9-21
Rear floor box ............................................................. 2-32
Rear hatch .................................................................... 3-9
Rear hatch opener ....................................................... 3-9
Rear parcel box ......................................................... 2-32
Rear power point....................................................... 2-27
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch ........................................................................... 2-21
Rear window wiper and washer switch .............. 2-20
Registering your vehicle in another country ....... 9-10Remote keyless entry system ................................... 3-4
Reporting safety defects (US only) ...................... 9-20
Rollover........................................................................... 5-4
S
Safety
Child seat belts ................................................... 1-20
Reporting safety defects (US only)................ 9-20
Towing safety....................................................... 9-17
Seat
Belt warning light................................................ 1-18
Belt warning light and chime ........................... 2-14
Seat adjustment
Front manual seat adjustment............................ 1-3
Front power seat adjustment ............................. 1-4
Seat belt(s)
Child safety .......................................................... 1-20
Infants and small children ................................. 1-21
Injured persons.................................................... 1-22
Larger children .................................................... 1-21
Precautions on seat belt usage ...................... 1-18
Pregnant women ................................................. 1-21
Pre-tensioner seat belt system ....................... 1-15
Seat belt cleaning ................................................. 7-5
Seat belt extenders ............................................ 1-24
Seat belt maintenance ...................................... 1-24
Seat belts ............................................................. 1-18
Three-point type.................................................. 1-22
Seat(s)
Heated seats........................................................ 2-25
Seats ........................................................................ 1-2
Secondary rear hatch release ................................ 3-10
Security system, vehicle security system ............ 2-17
Z
02.9.13/Z33-D/V5.0
X
10-4