NISSAN 350Z 2004 Z33 Owners Manual

Foldable outside mirrorsFold the outside mirror by pushing it toward the
rear of the vehicle.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.
IC0565
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Interior/exterior view
SOFT TOP OPERATION(Roadster
models)
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CAUTION
Always keep the engine running while
operating the soft top. The top will also
operate when the ignition switch is in
the ONposition, 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 itwhile 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.
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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 thevehicle 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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
When releasing or engaging the top latch,
you may hear the latch operating. This is
normal and not a malfunction.
Soft top indicator lightThe soft top indicator light in the instrument
panel shows the conditions of top operation.
This light comes and stays on when the soft top
is being operated or if it is stopped before it is
fully opened or closed. The light will go off when
the top is fully opened or closed.
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 press the switch again to move the
top to the fully opened or closed position. The
indicator light will go off when the top
open/close operation is completely finished.
If the soft top indicator light flashes with the
ignition switch ON (whether the top is operated
or not), it may indicate the top operating system
is not functioning properly. Have your vehicle
checked by a NISSAN dealer as soon as pos-
sible.
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 entire
top operation is completed.
This automatic seatback movement will be
stopped:

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

When the power seatback tilt switch is op-
erated.

When the seatback tilt cancel switch is
turned to the CANCEL position.
Remove your hand from the soft top operating
switch, and press 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-
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. Press OPEN on the soft top operating switch
and hold it until the top is fully opened.
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•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 goes 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 goes 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.
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. Press 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 finish
and the indicator light goes 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.)
5. Release the switch when the top is fully
closed. (The indicator light goes off.)
6. Securely engage the front edge of the top to
the vehicle body with the top latch lever.
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
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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 your NISSAN dealer as soon
as possible to have your vehicle
checked.1. Open the trunk lid. In the event of discharged
battery, you need to open the trunk lid as
follows:
a. Open the rear floor box behind the passenger
seat.
b. Remove the cap
A
using a suitable tool
B.
c. Pull the string handle (secondary trunk lid
release)
Cuntil the trunk lid lock is released.
d. Lift up the trunk lid.2. Open the top storage lid
a. Remove floorboard inside of the trunk.
b. Remove the harness connector
D
of the
storage lid motor installed on the back right
side of the trunk by pulling in a downward
direction.
c. Pull down the lock release cable (right and
left)
E.
d. Listen for a clicking sound of the lock releas-
ing.
e. Pull up the storage lid from the left and right
side of vehicle by hand.
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CAUTION
The storage lid is extremely heavy. Pull-
ing it up should be done by two people.
3. Close the soft top.
a. Remove the harness connectors of the top
motor,
F
(right side of the vehicle) and
H
(left side).
CAUTION
Two harness connectors are installed on
the right side and three on the left side
as shown. Only the harness connectorsF
and
H
should be removed. (Do not
remove the other harness connectors
G,I
and
J.)b. A person on each side of the vehicle should
slowly pull the top to the closed position.
c. Latch the front edge of the top to the vehicle
body with the top latch lever.
4. Push the storage lid down to the vehicle body
panel and close it. (Listen for locking sounds
from both right and left sides of the lid.)
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Right side
SPA1708
Left side
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5. Lower the rear section of the top.
a. Remove the shock absorber
K
which sup-
ports the rear section of the top from the
vehicle body. (Both the left and right side
must be removed — the figure above shows
the left side.) To remove the shock absorber,
remove the holder
L
on the terminal part
using a flat-bladed screwdriver
M.
CAUTION
When the shock absorber is removed,
the rear section of the top loses supportand falls simultaneously. Support the
top by hand so it does not strike the
body.
b. Lower the rear part of the top and push it
onto the top storage lid. The top is locked to
the storage lid, but the bottom of the rear part
is not closed tightly.
CAUTION

After closing the top manually, have
the system checked and/or repaired
by a NISSAN dealer as soon as pos-
sible.

Avoid leaving the vehicle outside for
long periods or driving at high
speeds. The rear of the top is not
locked completely, and this may al-
low wind and rain to get into your
vehicle.CARE OF THE SOFT TOP AND THE
VEHICLE BODYTo use your Roadster safely and comfortably,you need to observe all the warnings and cau-
tions shown in the previous pages. Also, to
maintain a good appearance of the soft top and
the vehicle body, you need to care for them by
cleaning and/or washing properly.
CAUTION

Do not use an automatic car wash or
a high-pressure car wash to clean
your vehicle. The top may be dam-
aged and water may leak into the
inside of the vehicle.

Store the vehicle with the top closed
if it is not to be used for long periods.
Keeping the top stowed for long pe-
riods may cause wrinkles on the sur-
face of the top.
See “Cleaning exterior” in the “7. Appearance
and care” section for detailed instructions.

A protective clear tape is applied to the top
storage lid painted surface where the soft top
contacts the surface. When the top is fully
closed, the tape may transmit some light,
visible from the inside of the vehicle. This
does not affect the water and air tightness of
the seal.
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