gas NISSAN 350Z 2007 Owner´s Manual

The seats are warmed by built-in heaters. The
switches are located on the center console.
1. Start the engine.
2. Select heat range.
1For high heat, push the
(High) side
of the switch.
2For low heat, push the
(Low) side of
the switch.
3For no heat, the switch has a center OFF
position between low and high.
The indicator light
A
in the switch will
illuminate when low or high is selected.The heater is controlled by a thermostat,
automatically turning the heater on and off.
The indicator light will remain on as long as
the switch is on.
3. When the vehicle’s interior is warmed, or
before you leave the vehicle, be sure to turn
the switch to the OFF position
3.
An optional ventilated net seat has this built-in
heater only in the seat cushion part, not in the
seatback.
CAUTION

The battery could be discharged if
the seat heater is operated while the
engine is not running.

Do not use the seat heater for ex-
tended periods or when no one is
using the seat.

Do not put anything on the seat
which insulates heat, such as a blan-
ket, cushion, seat cover, etc. Other-
wise, the seat may become over-
heated.

Do not place anything hard or heavyon the seat or pierce it with a pin or
similar object. This may result in
damage to the heater.

Any liquid spilled on the heated seat
should be removed immediately with
a dry cloth.

When cleaning the seat, never use
gasoline, benzine, thinner, or any
similar materials.

If any abnormalities are found or the
heated seat does not operate, turn
the switch off and have the system
checked by a NISSAN dealer.
SIC3002
HEATED SEATS (if so equipped)2-28
Instruments and controls


07.2.9/Z33-D/V5.0


WARNING
Do not drive with the rear hatch open.
This could allow dangerous exhaust
gases to be drawn into the vehicle. See
“Precautions when starting and driving”
in the “5. Starting and driving” section
for exhaust gas.
OPENER OPERATIONThe rear hatch release switch is located be-
tween the license plate lights.
To open the rear hatch, unlock it with one of the
following operations then push the release
switch:

Push the UNLOCK
button on the key-
fobonce. (Pushing the HATCH/TRUNK
button on the keyfob can open the rear
hatch at once without pushing the release
switch.)

Insert the key into the door key cylinder and
turn the door key counterclockwise once.
Push the power door lock switch to the
UNLOCK side.
The rear hatch employs a spring component
which enables you to lift up the hatch by one
hand. Because of this, sometimes the rear hatch
may clatter when the lock is released, but it is not
a malfunction.
To close, push the rear hatch down securely.
The rear hatch release switch is linked with the
driver side door lock. To open the rear hatch,
unlock the driver side door.
SPA1507
REAR HATCH (Coupe models)
Pre-driving checks and adjustments
3-9


07.2.9/Z33-D/V5.0


SECONDARY REAR HATCH
RELEASEThe secondary rear hatch release mechanism
allows opening the rear hatch in the event of
discharged battery or emergency.
The release (string) handle is located under the
strut tower bar inside the luggage compartment.
To open the rear hatch from the inside,
firmly pull the release handle to the direc-
tion shown above until the lock releases.
WARNING

Do not drive with the trunk lid open.
This could allow dangerous exhaust
gases to be drawn into the vehicle.
See “Precautions when starting and
driving” in the “5. Starting and driv-
ing” section for exhaust gas.

Closely supervise children when they
are around cars to prevent them from
playing and becoming locked in the
trunk where they could be seriously
injured. Keep the car locked, with the
trunk closed when not in use, and
prevent children’s access to car keys.
OPENER OPERATIONThe trunk lid release switch is located between
the license plate lights.
To open the trunk lid, unlock it with one of the
following operations then push the release
switch:

Push the UNLOCK
button on the key-
fobonce. (Pushing the HATCH/TRUNK
button on the keyfob can open the
trunk lid at once without pushing the release
switch.)

Insert the key into the door key cylinder and
turn it counterclockwise once.
SPA1556
SPA1685
TRUNK LID (Roadster models)
3-10
Pre-driving checks and adjustments


07.2.9/Z33-D/V5.0


OPENER OPERATIONTo open the fuel-filler door, push the opener
switch located below the instrument panel. To
lock, close the fuel-filler door securely.
FUEL-FILLER CAP
1To remove the fuel-filler cap, turn it counter-
clockwise.
2Hang the string of the cap on the hook
Aas
shown while refueling.
The fuel-filler cap is a ratcheting type. Tighten
the cap clockwise until ratcheting clicks are
heard.
WARNING

Gasoline is extremely flammable andhighly explosive under certain condi-
tions. You could be burned or seri-
ously injured if it is misused or mis-
handled. Always stop the engine and
do not smoke or allow open flames
or sparks near the vehicle when refu-
eling.

Fuel may be under pressure. Turn the
cap a third of a turn, and wait for any
“hissing” sound to stop to prevent
fuel from spraying out and possibly
causing personal injury. Then remove
SPA1508
SPA1509A
FUEL-FILLER DOOR
Pre-driving checks and adjustments
3-23


07.2.9/Z33-D/V5.0


the cap.

Do not attempt to top off the fuel
tank after the fuel pump nozzle shuts
off automatically. Continued refuel-
ing may cause fuel overflow, result-
ing in fuel spray and possibly a fire.

Use only an original equipment type
fuel-filler cap as a replacement. It has
a built-in safety valve needed for
proper operation of the fuel system
and emission control system. An in-
correct cap can result in a serious
malfunction and possible injury. It
could also cause the malfunction in-
dicator light to come on.

Do not fill a portable fuel container in
the vehicle or trailer. Static electricity
can cause an explosion of flammable
liquid, vapor or gas in any vehicle or
trailer. To reduce the risk of serious
injury or death when filling portable
fuel containers:
— Always place the container on the
ground when filling.
— Do not use electronic deviceswhen filling.
— Keep the pump nozzle in contact
with the container while you are fill-
ing it.
— Use only approved portable fuel con-
tainers for flammable liquid.

Never pour fuel into the throttle body
to attempt to start your vehicle.
CAUTION

If fuel is spilled on the vehicle body,
flush it away with water to avoid
paint damage.

Tighten until the fuel-filler cap clicks.
Failure to tighten the fuel-filler cap
properly may cause the
mal-
function indicator light (MIL) to illu-
minate. If the
light illuminates
because 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 doesnot turn off after a few driving trips,
have the vehicle inspected by a
NISSAN dealer.

For additional information, see the
“Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)” in
the “2. Instruments and controls”
section.
3-24
Pre-driving checks and adjustments


07.2.9/Z33-D/V5.0


5 Starting and drivingPrecautions when starting and driving ............................ 5-2
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ................................. 5-2
Three-way catalyst .......................................................... 5-3
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) ................. 5-3
Avoiding collision and rollover ..................................... 5-5
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ............................ 5-6
Ignition switch ....................................................................... 5-6
Automatic transmission ................................................. 5-7
Manual transmission ....................................................... 5-7
Key positions ................................................................... 5-8
NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System ........................ 5-8
Before starting the engine ................................................. 5-9
Starting the engine ............................................................... 5-9
Driving the vehicle ............................................................. 5-10
Automatic transmission ............................................... 5-10
Manual transmission .................................................... 5-13
Parking brake ...................................................................... 5-15
Cruise control (if so equipped) ...................................... 5-16
Precautions on cruise control ................................... 5-16
Cruise control operations ........................................... 5-17Break-in schedule .............................................................. 5-18
Increasing fuel economy .................................................. 5-18
Parking/parking on hills .................................................... 5-19
Power steering .................................................................... 5-20
Brake system ....................................................................... 5-21
Braking precautions ..................................................... 5-21
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ............................... 5-21
Traction Control System (TCS) (if so equipped) ...... 5-23
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system
(if so equipped) .................................................................. 5-23
Cold weather driving ......................................................... 5-25
Freeing a frozen door lock ......................................... 5-25
Anti-freeze ...................................................................... 5-25
Battery ............................................................................. 5-25
Draining of coolant water ........................................... 5-25
Tire equipment .............................................................. 5-25
Special winter equipment .......................................... 5-26
Driving on snow or ice ................................................ 5-26
Engine block heater (if so equipped) ....................... 5-26


07.2.9/Z33-D/V5.0


WARNING

Do not leave children or adults who
would normally require the support
of others alone in your vehicle. Pets
should not be left alone either. They
could accidentally injure themselves
or others through inadvertent opera-
tion of the vehicle. Also, on hot,
sunny days, temperatures in a closed
vehicle could quickly become high
enough to cause severe or possibly
fatal injuries to people or animals.

Properly secure all cargo to help pre-
vent it from sliding or shifting. Do not
place cargo higher than the seat-
backs. In a sudden stop or collision,
unsecured cargo could cause per-
sonal injury. (Coupe models)

Closely supervise children when they
are around cars to prevent them from
playing and becoming locked in the
trunk where they could be seriously
injured. Keep the car locked with the
trunk closed when not in use, andprevent children’s access to car keys.
(Roadster models)
EXHAUST GAS (Carbon monoxide)
WARNING
Do not breathe exhaust gases; they con-
tain colorless and odorless carbon mon-
oxide. Carbon monoxide is dangerous.
It can cause unconsciousness or death.

If you suspect that exhaust fumes are
entering the vehicle, drive with all
windows fully open, and have the
vehicle inspected immediately.

Do not run the engine in closed
spaces such as a garage.

Do not park the vehicle with the en-
gine running for any extended length
of time.

Keep the rear hatch/trunk lid closed
while driving, otherwise exhaust
gases could be drawn into the pas-senger compartment. If you must
drive with the rear hatch/trunk lid
open, follow these precautions:
1. Open all the windows.
2. Set the air recirculation mode OFF
and the fan control at the maxi-
mum position to circulate the air.

If electrical wiring or other cable con-
nections must pass to a trailer
through the seal on the rear
hatch/trunk lid or the body, follow
the manufacturer’s recommendation
to prevent carbon monoxide entry
into the vehicle.

If a special body, camper, or other
equipment is added for recreational
or other usage, follow the manufac-
turer’s recommendation to prevent
carbon monoxide entry into the ve-
hicle. Some recreational vehicle ap-
pliances such as stoves, refrigera-
tors, heaters, etc. may also generate
carbon monoxide.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN STARTING
AND DRIVING5-2
Starting and driving


07.2.9/Z33-D/V5.0


The exhaust system and body should
be inspected by a qualified mechanic
whenever:
•The vehicle is raised for service.
•You suspect that exhaust fumes
are entering into the passenger
compartment.
•You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust system.
•You have had an accident involv-
ing damage to the exhaust system,
underbody, or rear of the vehicle.THREE-WAY CATALYSTThe three-way catalyst is an emission control
device installed in the exhaust system. Exhaust
gases in the converter are burned at high tem-
peratures to help reduce pollutants.
WARNING

The exhaust gas and the exhaust sys-
tem are very hot. Keep people, ani-mals or flammable materials away
from the exhaust system compo-
nents.

Do not stop or park the vehicle over
flammable materials such as dry
grass, waste paper or rags. They may
ignite and cause a fire.
CAUTION

Do not use leaded gasoline. Deposits
from leaded gasoline will seriously
reduce the three-way catalyst’s abil-
ity to help reduce exhaust pollutants.

Keep your engine tuned up. Malfunc-
tions in the ignition, fuel injection, or
electrical systems can cause overrich
fuel flow into the three-way catalyst,
causing it to overheat. Do not keep
driving if the engine misfires, or if
noticeable loss of performance or
other unusual operating conditions
are detected. Have the vehicle in-
spected promptly by a NISSAN
dealer.
Avoid driving with an extremely low
fuel level. Running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, damag-
ing the three-way catalyst.

Do not race the engine while warm-
ing it up.

Do not push or tow your vehicle to
start the engine.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING
SYSTEM (TPMS)Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle plac-
ard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle
has tires of a different size than the size indicated
on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure
label, you should determine the proper tire infla-
tion pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pres-
sure telltale when one or more of your tires is
significantly under-inflated. Accordingly, when
the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as soon as
Starting and driving
5-3


07.2.9/Z33-D/V5.0


BRAKING PRECAUTIONSThe brake system has two separate hydraulic
circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you will still
have braking at two wheels.Vacuum assisted brakesThe brake booster aids braking by using engine
vacuum. If the engine stops, you can stop the
vehicle by depressing the brake pedal. However,
greater foot pressure on the brake pedal will be
required to stop the vehicle and the stopping
distance will be longer.Using the brakesAvoid resting your foot on the brake pedal while
driving. This overheats the brakes, increases
wear on the brakes and pads, and reduces gas
mileage.
To help save the brakes and to prevent the
brakes from overheating, reduce speed and
downshift to a lower gear before going down a
slope or long grade. Overheated brakes may
reduce braking performance and could result in
loss of vehicle control.
WARNING

While driving on a slippery surface,
be careful when braking, accelerat-
ing or downshifting. Abrupt braking
or accelerating could cause the
wheels to skid and result in an acci-
dent.

If the engine is not running or is
turned off while driving, the power
assist for the brakes will not work.
Braking will be harder.Wet brakesWhen the vehicle is washed or driven through
water, the brakes may get wet. As a result, your
braking distance will be longer and the vehicle
may pull to one side during braking.
To dry brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe speed
while lightly pressing the brake pedal to heat-up
the brakes. Do this until the brakes return to
normal. Avoid driving the vehicle at high speeds
until the brakes function correctly.Parking brake break-inBreak in the parking brake shoes whenever thestopping effect of the parking brake is weakened
or whenever the parking brake shoes and/or
drums/rotors are replaced, in order to assure the
best braking performance.
This procedure is described in the vehicle ser-
vice manual and can be performed by a NISSAN
dealer.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM
(ABS)
WARNING

The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
is a sophisticated device, but it can-
not prevent accidents resulting from
careless or dangerous driving tech-
niques. It can help maintain vehicle
control during braking on slippery
surfaces. Remember that stopping
distances on slippery surfaces will be
longer than on normal surfaces even
with ABS. Stopping distances may
also be longer on rough, gravel or
snow covered roads, or if you are
using tire chains. Always maintain a
safe distance from the vehicle in
BRAKE SYSTEM
Starting and driving
5-21


07.2.9/Z33-D/V5.0


SPECIAL WINTER EQUIPMENTIt is recommended that the following items be
carried in the vehicle during winter:

a scraper and stiff-bristled brush to remove
ice and snow from the windows and wiper
blades.

a sturdy, flat board to be placed under the
jack to give it firm support.

a shovel to dig the vehicle out of snow-drifts.

extra window washer fluid to refill the reser-
voir tank.DRIVING ON SNOW OR ICE
WARNING

Wet ice (32°F, 0°C and freezing rain),
very cold snow or ice can be slick and
very hard to drive on. The vehicle will
have much less traction or “grip” un-
der these conditions. Try to avoid
driving on wet ice until the road is
salted or sanded.

Whatever the condition, drive with
caution. Accelerate and slow downwith care. If accelerating or down-
shifting too fast, the drive wheels will
lose even more traction.

Allow more stopping distance under
these conditions. Braking should be
started sooner than on dry pavement.

Allow greater following distances on
slippery roads.

Watch for slippery spots (glare ice).
These may appear on an otherwise
clear road in shaded areas. If a patch
of ice is seen ahead, brake before
reaching it. Try not to brake while on
the ice, and avoid any sudden steer-
ing maneuvers.

Do not use cruise control on slippery
roads.

Snow can trap dangerous exhaust
gases under your vehicle. Keep snow
clear of the exhaust pipe and from
around your vehicle.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (if so
equipped)Engine block heaters are available through
NISSAN dealers to assist in cold temperature
starting. The engine block heater should be used
when the outside temperature is 20°F (−7°C) or
lower.
To use the engine block heater:
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the engine block
heater cord.
3. Plug the engine block heater cord into a
grounded 3-wire, 3-pronged extension cord.
4. Plug the extension cord into a Ground Fault
Interrupt (GFI) protected, grounded 110-volt
AC (VAC) outlet.
5. The engine block heater must be plugged in
for at least2-4hours, depending on outside
temperatures, to properly warm the engine
coolant. Use an appropriate timer to turn the
engine block heater on.
6. Before starting the engine, unplug and prop-
erly store the cord to keep it away from
moving parts.
5-26
Starting and driving


07.2.9/Z33-D/V5.0