automatic transmission NISSAN 350Z 2006 Owner´s Manual

opening the windows, switching the fan con-
trol to high and setting the temperature con-
trol to the HOT position.

Trailer towing consumes more fuel than nor-
mal circumstances.

Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles
(800 km).

Have a vehicle serviced more often than at
intervals specified in the recommended main-
tenance schedule.

When making a turn, your trailer wheels will
be closer to the inside of the turn than your
vehicle wheels. To compensate for this, make
a larger than normal turning radius during the
turn.

Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely
affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly caus-
ing vehicle sway. When being passed by
larger vehicles, be prepared for possible
changes in crosswinds that could affect ve-
hicle handling. If swaying does occur, firmly
grip the steering wheel, steer straight ahead,
and immediately (but gradually) reduce ve-
hicle speed. This combination will help stabi-
lize the vehicle. Never increase speed.

Be careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires con-
siderably more distance than normal passing.Remember the length of the trailer must also
pass the other vehicle before you can safely
change lanes.

To maintain engine braking efficiency and
electrical charging performance, do not use
6th gear (manual transmission) or 5th posi-
tion (automatic transmission).

Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the brakes
to overheat, resulting in reduced braking ef-
ficiency.

Increase your following distance to allow for
greater stopping distances while towing a
trailer. Anticipate stops and brake gradually.

Do not use cruise control while towing a
trailer.

Check your hitch, trailer wiring harness con-
nections, and trailer wheel lug nuts after 50
miles (80 km) of travel and at every break.

When stopped in traffic for long periods of
time in hot weather, put the vehicle in the P
(Park) position.
When towing a trailer, change transmis-
sion oil more frequently. For additional
information, see the “8. Maintenance and
do-it-yourself” section.Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground is sometimes called flat towing. This
method is sometimes used when towing a ve-
hicle behind a recreational vehicle, such as a
motor home.
CAUTION

Failure to follow these guidelines
can result in severe transmission
damage.

Whenever flat towing your vehicle,
always tow forward, never backward.

DO NOT tow any automatic transmis-
sion vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground (flat towing). Doing so
WILL DAMAGE internal transmission
parts due to lack of transmission lu-
brication.

For emergency towing procedures,
refer to “Towing recommended by
NISSAN” in the “6. In case of emer-
gency” section of this manual.FLAT TOWING
9-22
Technical and consumer information


06.1.17/Z33-D/V5.0


AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONTo tow a vehicle equipped with an automatic
transmission, an appropriate vehicle dollyMUST
be placed under the towed vehicle’s drive
wheels.Alwaysfollow the dolly manufacturer’s
recommendations when using their product.MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Always tow with the manual transmission in
Neutral.

After towing 500 miles, start and idle the
engine with the transmission in Neutral for
two minutes. Failure to idle the engine after
every 500 miles of towing may cause damage
to internal transmission parts.DOT (Department Of Transportation) Quality
Grades: All passenger car tires must conform to
federal safety requirements in addition to these
grades.
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
TreadwearThe treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times
as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteristics
and climate.Traction AA, A, B and CThe traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C. Those grades represent the
tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as mea-
sured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and con-crete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire
is based on straight-ahead braking trac-
tion tests, and does not include accel-
eration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.Temperature A, B and CThe temperature grades are A (the highest), B,
and C, representing the tire’s resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sus-
tained high temperature can cause the material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels
of performance on the laboratory test wheel than
the minimum required by law.
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY
GRADING
Technical and consumer information
9-23


06.1.17/Z33-D/V5.0


10 Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock brake system)................................ 5-21
Air bag ON/OFF switch .......................................... 1-13
Air bag system
Front (See supplemental front air bag
system) .................................................................. 1-35
Side and curtain (See supplemental side
air bag and curtain side-impact air bag
system) .................................................................. 1-37
Air bag warning labels ............................................. 1-40
Air bag warning light .................................... 1-41, 2-15
Air cleaner housing filter.......................................... 8-18
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation ..................................... 4-9
Air conditioner service ............................. 4-9, 4-12
Air conditioner specification label .................. 9-12
Air conditioning system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations ..................... 4-12, 9-6
Heater and air conditioner (automatic)............ 4-9
Alcohol, drugs and driving......................................... 5-5
Anchor point location, Top tether strap .............. 1-26
Antenna ........................................................................ 4-30
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) .............................. 5-21
Anti-lock brake warning light.................................. 2-12
Appearance care
Exterior appearance care .................................... 7-2
Interior appearance care ..................................... 7-4
Audible reminders ..................................................... 2-18Audio operation precautions .................................. 4-13
Audio system .............................................................. 4-12
Steering wheel audio controls ........................ 4-29
Autochanger
Compact Disc (CD) ........................................... 4-26
Automatic
Anti-glare inside mirror ...................................... 3-26
Automatic adjusting function (front
windows)............................................................... 2-41
Automatic passenger seatback tilt
function......................................................... 1-5, 3-17
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ................ 8-12
Driving with automatic transmission........ 5-6, 5-9
Transmission selector lever lock release ...... 5-12
Avoiding collision and rollover .................................. 5-5
B
Battery .......................................................................... 8-15
Battery saver system ......................................... 2-26
Before starting the engine ......................................... 5-8
Belts (See drive belts) ............................................. 8-17
Booster seats ............................................................. 1-26
Brake
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ......................... 5-21
Brake and clutch fluid ....................................... 8-13
Brake booster ...................................................... 8-22
Brake fluid............................................................. 8-14
Brake pedal .......................................................... 8-21Brake pedal check ............................................. 8-21
Brake system ....................................................... 5-20
Parking brake check............................... 5-15, 8-21
Parking brake operation .................................... 5-15
Warning light ....................................................... 2-13
Break-in schedule ..................................................... 5-18
Brightness control, Instrument panel ................... 2-27
Bulbcheck/instrument panel.................................. 2-12
Bulbreplacement ...................................................... 8-26
C
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants...... 9-2
Car phone or CB radio............................................ 4-30
Card holder ................................................................. 2-34
Cargo (See vehicle loading information)............. 2-34
Cargo net .................................................................... 2-34
Catalytic converter, Three way catalyst ................. 5-3
CD care and cleaning .............................................. 4-29
Child restraints ........................................................... 1-17
Booster seats ...................................................... 1-26
Installation on front passenger seat............... 1-20
Precautions on child restraints........................ 1-17
Top tether strap anchor point location ......... 1-26
Child safety ................................................................. 1-12
Chimes, Audible reminders..................................... 2-18
Circuit breaker, Fusible link .................................... 8-23
Cleaning exterior and interior .......................... 7-2, 7-4
Clock ............................................................................ 2-31


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Clutch fluid.................................................................. 8-13
Coat hook.................................................................... 2-39
Cold weather driving ................................................ 5-25
Compact Disc (CD) changer operation .............. 4-26
Compact Disc (CD) player (See audio
system) ......................................................................... 4-21
Compact spare tire ................................................... 8-39
Console box................................................................ 2-36
Control panel buttons (models with navigation
system) ........................................................................... 4-2
Controls
Control panel buttons (display with
navigation system) ................................................ 4-2
Heater and air conditioner controls
(automatic) .............................................................. 4-9
Steering wheel audio controls ........................ 4-29
Coolant
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Changing engine coolant .................................... 8-9
Checking engine coolant level........................... 8-8
Corrosion protection ................................................... 7-6
Cruise control............................................................. 5-16
Cup holders ................................................................ 2-35
Curtain side-impact air bag system (See
supplemental side air bag and curtain air bag
system) ......................................................................... 1-37
D
Daytime running light system ................................. 2-26
Defroster switch, Rear window and outside
mirror defroster switch ............................................. 2-24
Dimensions and weights ............................................ 9-9Display controls (See control panel buttons),
With navigation system .............................................. 4-2
Door open warning light .......................................... 2-13
Drive belts ................................................................... 8-17
Driving
Cold weather driving ......................................... 5-25
Driving with automatic transmission........ 5-6, 5-9
Driving with manual transmission .......... 5-7, 5-13
Precautions when starting and driving ............ 5-2
E
Economy, Fuel............................................................ 5-18
Elapsed time ............................................................... 2-10
Emission control information label ........................ 9-11
Emission control system warranty......................... 9-24
Engine
Before starting the engine .................................. 5-8
Break-in schedule............................................... 5-18
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 ............................... 2-6
Engine block heater ........................................... 5-26
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 ........................................... 9-8If your vehicle overheats ...................................... 6-9
Oil pressure gauge ............................................... 2-7
Starting the engine ............................................... 5-9
Event data recorders ................................................ 9-26
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide).............................. 5-2
F
Filter
Air cleaner housing filter ................................... 8-18
Changing engine oil and filter ......................... 8-10
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch) ... 2-27
Flat tire............................................................................ 6-2
Flat tire, Tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) .......................................................................... 5-3
Flat towing .................................................................. 9-22
Floor mat cleaning ....................................................... 7-5
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ................ 8-12
Brake and clutch fluid ....................................... 8-13
Brake fluid............................................................. 8-14
Capacities 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 Compact Disc (CD)
player ............................................................................ 4-19
FM-AM-SAT radio with Compact Disc (CD)
changer ........................................................................ 4-23
Front manual seat adjustment .................................. 1-3
Front power seat adjustment........................... 1-4, 1-5


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10-2

Fuel
Average fuel consumption ................................ 2-10
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Distance to empty ................................................. 2-9
Fuel-filler cap ....................................................... 3-23
Fuel-filler door...................................................... 3-23
Fuel economy ...................................................... 5-18
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 .................................................................. 2-43
Gas cap ....................................................................... 3-23
Gauge ............................................................................. 2-3
Engine coolant temperature gauge .................. 2-6
Engine oil pressure gauge .................................. 2-7
Fuel gauge .............................................................. 2-6
Odometer ................................................................ 2-4
Speedometer .......................................................... 2-4
Tachometer ............................................................. 2-5
Trip computer ......................................................... 2-8
Volt meter ................................................................ 2-8
General maintenance .................................................. 8-2
Golf bag stowing....................................................... 2-37H
Hatch, Rear hatch........................................................ 3-9
Hazard warning flasher switch............................... 2-27
Head restraints ............................................................. 1-9
Headlights
Bulbreplacement ............................................... 8-27
Headlight switch ................................................. 2-25
Xenon headlights ................................................ 2-24
Heated seats .............................................................. 2-28
Heater
Engine coolant heater ....................................... 5-26
Heater and air conditioner (automatic)............ 4-9
HomeLink
Universal Transceiver ......................... 2-43
Hood release ................................................................ 3-8
Horn .............................................................................. 2-28
How to stop alarm, Vehicle security .................... 2-20
I
Ignition switch ............................................................... 5-6
Automatic transmission models................ 5-6, 5-9
Key positions .......................................................... 5-7
Manual transmission models .................. 5-7, 5-13
Immobilizer system .................................................... 2-20
Indicator lights............................................................ 2-16
Inside
Automatic anti-glare mirror............................... 3-26
Mirror...................................................................... 3-26
Inspection/maintenance (I/M) test ........................ 9-25
Instrument brightness control ................................ 2-27
Instrument panel........................................................... 2-2
Instrument pocket...................................................... 2-33Interior light replacement......................................... 8-28
Interior lights ............................................................... 2-41
Interior trunk lid release ........................................... 3-11
J
Jump starting................................................................. 6-7
K
Keyless entry (See remote keyless entry
system) ........................................................................... 3-5
Keys................................................................................. 3-2
L
Labels
Air bag warning labels ...................................... 1-40
Air conditioner specification label .................. 9-12
Emission control information label ................. 9-11
Engine serial number ......................................... 9-11
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label ...... 9-11
Tire and loading information label ...... 8-32, 9-12
Vehicle identification number (VIN)................ 9-10
License plate, Installing front license plate......... 9-13
Light
Air bag warning light ......................................... 1-41
Bulbreplacement ............................................... 8-26
Headlight switch ................................................. 2-25
Headlights Bulbreplacement .......................... 8-27
Interior lights ........................................................ 2-41
Luggage compartment light ............................. 2-42
Replacement ........................................................ 8-26


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10-3

R
Radio ............................................................................ 4-12
Car phone or CB radio ..................................... 4-30
FM-AM-SAT radio with Compact Disc
(CD) changer ....................................................... 4-23
FM-AM radio with Compact Disc (CD)
player ..................................................................... 4-19
Steering wheel audio controls ........................ 4-29
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M)
test (US only) ............................................................. 9-25
Rear floor box ............................................................. 2-36
Rear hatch ..................................................................... 3-9
Rear parcel box ......................................................... 2-37
Rear power point....................................................... 2-32
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch ........................................................................... 2-24
Recorders, Event data ............................................. 9-26
Registering your vehicle in another country ....... 9-10
Remote keyless entry system ................................... 3-5
Reporting safety defects (US only) ...................... 9-24
Rollover........................................................................... 5-5
Roof, Soft top............................................................. 3-13
S
Safety
Child seat belts ................................................... 1-12
Reporting safety defects (US only)................ 9-24
Towing safety....................................................... 9-19
Satellite (SAT) radio ................................................. 4-13
Seat
Lever, Tilting passenger’s seat .......................... 1-7Seat adjustment
Front manual seat adjustment............................ 1-3
Front power seat adjustment .................... 1-4, 1-5
Seatback tilt cancel switch ....................................... 1-9
Seat belt(s)
Child safety .......................................................... 1-12
Infants .................................................................... 1-13
Injured persons.................................................... 1-14
Larger children .................................................... 1-13
Pre-tensioner seat belt system ....................... 1-39
Precautions on seat belt usage ...................... 1-10
Pregnant women ................................................. 1-14
Seat belt cleaning ................................................. 7-5
Seat belt extenders ............................................ 1-16
Seat belt maintenance ...................................... 1-17
Seat belts ............................................................. 1-10
Shoulder belt arm ............................................... 1-16
Small children ...................................................... 1-13
Seat belt warning light ...................................... 2-15
Three-point type with retractor ....................... 1-14
Seat(s)
Heated seats........................................................ 2-28
Seats ........................................................................ 1-2
Ventilated net seats .............................................. 1-6
Secondary rear hatch release ................................ 3-10
Secondary trunk lid release .................................... 3-12
Security system, Vehicle security system ........... 2-19
Security systems (NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer
System), Engine start ............................................... 2-20
Security systems (See vehicle security
system) ......................................................................... 2-19
Servicing air conditioner................................. 4-9, 4-12
Shift lock release ....................................................... 5-12Shifting
Automatic transmission .............................. 5-6, 5-9
Manual transmission ................................. 5-7, 5-13
Shoulder belt arm...................................................... 1-16
Side air bag system (See supplemental side
air bag and curtain air bag system) ..................... 1-37
Soft top
Care and cleaning ............................................... 7-2
If the top does not open or close ................. 3-19
Soft top care and cleaning ................................. 7-2
Soft top indicator light ........................... 2-17, 3-17
Soft top operation .............................................. 3-13
Spark plugs................................................................. 8-18
Speed, Average speed ............................................ 2-10
Speed, Speed indicator ............................................. 2-9
Speedometer ................................................................ 2-4
Starting
Before starting the engine .................................. 5-8
Jump starting .......................................................... 6-7
Precautions when starting and driving ............ 5-2
Push starting .......................................................... 6-9
Starting the engine ............................................... 5-9
Steering
Power steering fluid ........................................... 8-13
Power steering system ...................................... 5-20
Steering wheel switch for audio controls..... 4-29
Tilting steering wheel......................................... 3-25
Stopwatch ................................................................... 2-10
Storage ........................................................................ 2-33
Stowing golf bags ..................................................... 2-37
Sun visors ................................................................... 3-25
Sunglasses holder .................................................... 2-33
Supplemental air bag warning labels................... 1-40
Supplemental air bag warning light .......... 1-41, 2-15


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10-5

Supplemental restraint system............................... 1-30
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system.................................................................... 1-30
Supplemental side and curtain air bag
system .......................................................................... 1-37
Switch
Audio control steering wheel switch ............. 4-29
Hazard warning flasher switch ........................ 2-27
Headlight switch ................................................. 2-25
Ignition switch ........................................................ 5-6
Ignition switch automatic transmission
models ............................................................ 5-6, 5-9
Ignition switch manual transmission
models .......................................................... 5-7, 5-13
Power door lock switch....................................... 3-4
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch..................................................................... 2-24
Traction control system (TCS) off switch .... 2-30
Turn signal switch .............................................. 2-27
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch ... 2-29
T
Tachometer.................................................................... 2-5
Temperature gauge, Engine coolant
temperature gauge ...................................................... 2-6
Theft (NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System),
Engine start................................................................. 2-20
Three way catalyst ....................................................... 5-3
Tilting passenger’s seat ............................................. 1-7
Tilting steering wheel ............................................... 3-25
Tire
Flat tire ..................................................................... 6-2
Pressure indicator............................................... 2-10Pressure, Low tire pressure warning light ... 2-14
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) ....... 5-3
Uniform tire quality grading .............................. 9-23
Tires
Spare tire .............................................................. 8-39
Tire and loading information label ...... 8-32, 9-12
Tire chains ............................................................ 8-37
Tire dressing ........................................................... 7-4
Tire pressure ........................................................ 8-30
Tire rotation .......................................................... 8-37
Types of tires ....................................................... 8-36
Wheel/tire size ....................................................... 9-9
Wheels and tires ................................................ 8-30
Top
If the top does not open or close ................. 3-19
Soft top operation .............................................. 3-13
Top latch lever ..................................................... 3-16
Top tether strap child restraint........................ 1-25
Towing
Flat towing ............................................................ 9-22
Tow truck towing ................................................ 6-10
Towing a trailer.................................................... 9-18
Towing load/specification chart ...................... 9-18
Towing safety....................................................... 9-19
TPMS, Tire pressure monitoring system................ 5-3
Traction control system (TCS)............................... 5-22
Traction control system (TCS) off switch ........... 2-30
Trailer towing .............................................................. 9-18
Transceiver, HomeLink
Universal
Transceiver .................................................................. 2-43
Transmission
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ................ 8-12
Driving with automatic transmission........ 5-6, 5-9
Driving with manual transmission .......... 5-7, 5-13Transmission selector lever lock release ...... 5-12
Transmitter (See remote keyless entry system) ... 3-5
Traveling or registering your vehicle in another
country ......................................................................... 9-10
Trip computer ............................................................... 2-8
Trunk
Trunk lid................................................................. 3-10
Trunk light ............................................................. 2-43
Interior trunk lid release .................................... 3-11
Secondary trunk lid release ............................. 3-12
Turn signal switch ..................................................... 2-27
U
Underbody cleaning .................................................... 7-3
Uniform tire quality grading .................................... 9-23
Up-shift indicator (M/T models) ............................ 5-14
Up-shift indicator setting (rpm) (M/T models) ... 2-11
V
Vanity mirror light ...................................................... 2-42
Vehicle
Dimensions and weights ..................................... 9-9
Identification number (VIN)............................... 9-10
Loading information............................................ 9-14
Recovery (freeing a stuck vehicle) ................. 6-12
Security system ................................................... 2-19
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch ... 2-29
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) system ........ 5-23
Ventilated net seats..................................................... 1-6
Ventilators ...................................................................... 4-8
Volt meter ...................................................................... 2-8


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10-6