tow NISSAN 350Z 2008 Z33 Service Manual

the proper equipment and to have it
installed.
Trailer lights should comply with federal and/or
local regulations. When wiring the vehicle for
towing, connect the stop and tail light pickup
into the vehicle electrical circuit at a point be-
tween the sensor and stop light or light switch.Trailer brakesIf your trailer is equipped with a braking system,
make sure it conforms to federal and/or local
regulations and that it is properly installed.
WARNING
Never connect a trailer brake system
directly to the vehicle brake system.Pre-towing tips
Be certain a vehicle maintains a level position
when a loaded and/or unloaded trailer is
hitched. Do not drive the vehicle if it has an
unusual nose-up or nose-down condition;
check for improper tongue load, overload,
worn suspension or other possible causes of
these conditions.
Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shifts while driving.

Load the trailer so approximately 60% of the
trailer load is in the front half and 40% is in
the back half.

Check your hitch, trailer tire pressure, vehicle
tire pressure, trailer light operation, and trailer
wheel lug nuts every time you attach a trailer
to the vehicle.

Be certain your rear view mirrors conform to
all federal, state and/or local regulations. If
not, install any mirrors required for towing
before driving the vehicle.
Trailer towing tipsIn order to gain skill and an understanding of the
vehicle’s behavior, you should practice turning,
stopping and backing up in an area which is free
from traffic. Steering stability, and braking per-
formance will be somewhat different than under
normal driving conditions.

Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.

Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.

Avoid sharp turns or lane changes.

Always drive a vehicle at a moderate speed.
Some states or provinces have specificspeed limits for vehicles that are towing
trailers. Obey the local speed limits.

When backing up, hold the bottom of the
steering wheel with one hand. Move your
hand in the direction in which you want the
trailer to go. Make small corrections and back
up slowly. If possible, have someone guide
you when you are backing up.

Always block the wheels on both vehicle and
trailer when parking. Parking on a slope is not
recommended; however, if you must do so,
and if a vehicle is equipped with automatic
transmission, first apply the parking brake
and block the wheels, and then move the
transmission selector lever into the P (Park)
position. If you move the selector lever to the
P (Park) position before blocking the wheels
and applying the parking brake, the transmis-
sion may get damaged.

When going down a hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine braking effect.
When going up a long grade, downshift the
transmission to a lower gear and reduce
speed to reduce chances of engine overload-
ing and/or overheating.

If the engine coolant rises to an extremely
high temperature when the air conditioning
system is on, turn off the air conditioner.
Coolant heat can be additionally vented by
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07.7.25/Z33-D/V5.0


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 TOWINGTechnical and consumer information
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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
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07.7.25/Z33-D/V5.0


Cold weather driving ................................................ 5-25
Command (See Bluetooth
Hands-Free
Phone System)........................................................... 4-37
Compact Disc (CD) changer (See audio
system) ......................................................................... 4-26
Compact Disc (CD) player (See audio
system) ......................................................................... 4-21
Compact spare tire ................................................... 8-40
Console box................................................................ 2-35
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 ................................................................ 2-33
D
Daytime running light system ................................. 2-25
Defroster switch, Rear window and outside
mirror defroster switch ............................................. 2-23
Dimensions and weights ............................................ 9-8
Display controls (See control panel buttons),
With navigation system .............................................. 4-2Door open warning light .......................................... 2-12
Drive belts ................................................................... 8-17
Driving
Cold weather driving ......................................... 5-25
Driving with automatic transmission ..... 5-7, 5-10
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 ........................ 9-10
Emission control system warranty......................... 9-23
Engine
Before starting the engine .................................. 5-9
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 .................................... 8-9
Coolant temperature gauge ............................... 2-5
Engine block heater ........................................... 5-26
Engine compartment check locations.............. 8-7
Engine cooling system ......................................... 8-8
Engine oil................................................................. 8-9
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation......... 9-5
Engine oil viscosity ............................................... 9-5
Engine serial number ......................................... 9-10
Engine specifications ........................................... 9-7
If your vehicle overheats ...................................... 6-9
Oil pressure gauge ............................................... 2-7Starting the engine ............................................... 5-9
Event data recorders ................................................ 9-25
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide).............................. 5-2
F
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label ............. 9-10
Filter, Changing engine oil and filter .................... 8-10
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch) ... 2-27
Flat tire............................................................................ 6-2
Flat towing .................................................................. 9-21
Floor mat cleaning ....................................................... 7-5
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ................ 8-12
Brake and clutch fluid ....................................... 8-13
Brake fluid............................................................. 8-13
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Engine coolant ....................................................... 8-8
Engine oil................................................................. 8-9
Power steering fluid ........................................... 8-12
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 .................................. 1-3
Front passenger air bag and status light ............ 1-36
Front power seat adjustment .................................... 1-4
Front seat active head restraints ......................... 1-10
Fuel
Average fuel consumption .................................. 2-9


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Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Distance to empty ................................................. 2-9
Fuel economy ...................................................... 5-18
Fuel octane rating ................................................. 9-3
Fuel recommendation ........................................... 9-3
Fuel-filler cap ....................................................... 3-23
Fuel-filler door...................................................... 3-23
Gauge ...................................................................... 2-6
Fuses ............................................................................ 8-21
Fusible links ................................................................ 8-23
G
Garage door opener, HomeLink
Universal
Transceiver .................................................................. 2-43
Gas cap ....................................................................... 3-23
Gauge ............................................................................. 2-3
Engine coolant temperature gauge .................. 2-5
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....................................................... 2-37
H
Hatch, Rear hatch........................................................ 3-9
Hazard warning flasher switch............................... 2-27Head restraints ............................................................. 1-9
Headlights
Bulb replacement ............................................... 8-27
Headlight switch ................................................. 2-24
Xenon headlights ................................................ 2-24
Heated seats .............................................................. 2-28
Heater
Engine block heater ........................................... 5-26
Heater and air conditioner (automatic)............ 4-9
HomeLink
Universal Transceiver ......................... 2-43
Hood release ................................................................ 3-8
Hook, Coat hook ....................................................... 2-38
Horn .............................................................................. 2-27
I
Ignition switch ............................................................... 5-6
Automatic transmission models ............. 5-7, 5-10
Key positions .......................................................... 5-8
Manual transmission models .................. 5-7, 5-13
Immobilizer system .................................................... 2-19
Indicator lights............................................................ 2-15
Inside
Automatic anti-glare mirror............................... 3-26
Mirror...................................................................... 3-26
Inspection/maintenance (I/M) test ........................ 9-24
Instrument brightness control ................................ 2-26
Instrument panel........................................................... 2-2
Instrument pocket...................................................... 2-32
Interior light replacement......................................... 8-28
Interior lights ............................................................... 2-41
Interior trunk lid release ........................................... 3-11J
Jump starting................................................................. 6-7
K
Keyfob battery replacement.................................... 8-24
Keyless entry (See remote keyless entry
system) ........................................................................... 3-5
Keys................................................................................. 3-2
L
Labels
Air bag warning labels ...................................... 1-42
Air conditioner specification label .................. 9-11
Emission control information label ................. 9-10
Engine serial number ......................................... 9-10
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label ...... 9-10
Tire and Loading Information label ..... 8-32, 9-11
Vehicle identification number (VIN) .................. 9-9
License plate, Installing front license plate......... 9-12
Light
Air bag warning light ......................................... 1-43
Bulb replacement ............................................... 8-26
Headlight switch ................................................. 2-24
Headlights bulb replacement........................... 8-27
Indicator lights ..................................................... 2-15
Interior lights ........................................................ 2-41
Luggage compartment light ............................. 2-42
Map lights ............................................................. 2-41
Replacement ........................................................ 8-26
Room light ............................................................ 2-41


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10-3

FM-AM 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) ............................................................. 9-24
Rear floor box ............................................................. 2-35
Rear hatch ..................................................................... 3-9
Rear hatch opener ....................................................... 3-9
Rear parcel box ......................................................... 2-37
Rear power point....................................................... 2-31
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch ........................................................................... 2-23
Rear window wiper and washer switch .............. 2-22
Recorders, Event data ............................................. 9-25
Registering your vehicle in another country.......... 9-9
Remote keyless entry system ................................... 3-5
Reporting safety defects (US only) ...................... 9-23
Rollover........................................................................... 5-5
Roof, Soft top............................................................. 3-13
Room light ................................................................... 2-41
S
Safety
Child seat belts ................................................... 1-12
Reporting safety defects (US only)................ 9-23
Towing safety....................................................... 9-18
Seat adjustment, Front power seat
adjustment ..................................................................... 1-4
Seat belt(s)
Child safety .......................................................... 1-12
Infants .................................................................... 1-13Injured persons.................................................... 1-14
Larger children .................................................... 1-13
Precautions on seat belt usage ...................... 1-10
Pregnant women ................................................. 1-13
Seat belt cleaning ................................................. 7-6
Seat belt extenders ............................................ 1-16
Seat belt maintenance ...................................... 1-17
Seat belt warning light ...................................... 2-14
Seat belts ............................................................. 1-10
Seat belts with pretensioners ........................ 1-41
Shoulder belt arm ............................................... 1-16
Small children ...................................................... 1-13
Three-point type with retractor ....................... 1-14
Seat lever, Tilting passenger’s seat ........................ 1-7
Seat(s)
Heated seats........................................................ 2-28
Seats ........................................................................ 1-2
Ventilated net seats .............................................. 1-6
Seatback tilt cancel switch ....................................... 1-8
Secondary rear hatch release ................................ 3-10
Secondary trunk lid release .................................... 3-12
Security system (NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer
System), Engine start ............................................... 2-19
Security system, Vehicle security system ........... 2-18
Selector lever, Shift lock release .......................... 5-13
Servicing air conditioner................................. 4-9, 4-12
Shift lock release, Transmission ............................ 5-13
Shifting
Automatic transmission ............................ 5-7, 5-10
Manual transmission ................................. 5-7, 5-13
Shoulder belt arm...................................................... 1-16
Soft top, Care and cleaning ..................................... 7-3
Soft top, If the top does not open or close ....... 3-19
Soft top, Soft top indicator light................ 2-17, 3-17Soft top, Soft top operation ................................... 3-13
Spare tire ....................................................................... 9-8
Spark plugs................................................................. 8-17
Speed, Speed indicator ............................................. 2-9
Speedometer ................................................................ 2-4
Starting
Before starting the engine .................................. 5-9
Jump starting .......................................................... 6-7
Precautions when starting and driving ............ 5-2
Push starting .......................................................... 6-9
Starting the engine ............................................... 5-9
Status light, Front passenger air bag .................. 1-36
Steering
Power steering fluid ........................................... 8-12
Power steering system ...................................... 5-20
Steering wheel switch for audio controls..... 4-29
Tilting steering wheel......................................... 3-25
Stopwatch ................................................................... 2-10
Storage ........................................................................ 2-32
Stowing golf bags ..................................................... 2-37
Sun visors ................................................................... 3-25
Sunglasses holder .................................................... 2-32
Supplemental air bag warning labels................... 1-42
Supplemental air bag warning light .......... 1-43, 2-14
Supplemental restraint system............................... 1-28
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system.................................................................... 1-28
Switch
Audio control steering wheel switch ............. 4-29
Hazard warning flasher switch ........................ 2-27
Headlight switch ................................................. 2-24
Ignition switch ........................................................ 5-6
Ignition switch automatic transmission
models .......................................................... 5-7, 5-10


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Ignition switch manual transmission
models .......................................................... 5-7, 5-13
Power door lock switch....................................... 3-4
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch..................................................................... 2-23
Traction control system (TCS) off switch .... 2-29
Turn signal switch .............................................. 2-26
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch ... 2-29
T
Tachometer.................................................................... 2-5
Temperature display .................................................... 2-9
Temperature gauge, Engine coolant
temperature gauge ...................................................... 2-5
Theft (NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System),
Engine start................................................................. 2-19
Three-way catalyst....................................................... 5-3
Tilting passenger’s seat ............................................. 1-7
Tilting steering wheel ............................................... 3-25
Tire pressure, Low tire pressure warning
light ............................................................................... 2-13
Tires
Flat tire ..................................................................... 6-2
Low tire pressure warning system .................... 5-3
Spare tire .............................................................. 8-40
Tire and Loading information label ................. 8-32
Tire and Loading Information label................. 9-11
Tire chains ............................................................ 8-37
Tire dressing ........................................................... 7-4
Tire pressure ........................................................ 8-30
Tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS)............................................................ 5-3, 6-2
Tire rotation .......................................................... 8-37Types of tires ....................................................... 8-36
Uniform tire quality grading .............................. 9-22
Wheel/tire size ....................................................... 9-8
Wheels and tires ................................................ 8-30
Top tether strap child restraints ............................ 1-24
Top, Soft top .............................................................. 3-13
Towing
Flat towing ............................................................ 9-21
Tow truck towing ................................................ 6-10
Towing a trailer.................................................... 9-17
Towing load/specification chart ...................... 9-17
Towing safety....................................................... 9-18
TPMS, Tire pressure monitoring system................ 5-3
TPMS, Tire pressure warning system..................... 6-2
Traction control system (TCS)............................... 5-23
Traction control system (TCS) off switch ........... 2-29
Trailer towing .............................................................. 9-17
Transceiver, HomeLink
Universal
Transceiver .................................................................. 2-43
Transmission
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ................ 8-12
Driving with automatic transmission ..... 5-7, 5-10
Driving with manual transmission .......... 5-7, 5-13
Transmission selector lever lock release ...... 5-13
Transmitter (See remote keyless entry system) ... 3-5
Traveling or registering your vehicle in another
country ............................................................................ 9-9
Trip computer ............................................................... 2-8
Trip odometer ............................................................. 2-10
Trunk
Interior trunk lid release .................................... 3-11
Light ....................................................................... 2-42
Secondary trunk lid release ............................. 3-12
Trunk lid................................................................. 3-10Turn signal switch ..................................................... 2-26
U
Underbody cleaning .................................................... 7-3
Uniform tire quality grading .................................... 9-22
Up-shift indicator (M/T models) ............................ 5-14
Up-shift indicator setting (rpm) (M/T models) ... 2-10
V
Vanity mirror light ...................................................... 2-42
Vehicle
Dimensions and weights ..................................... 9-8
Identification number (VIN) ................................. 9-9
Loading information............................................ 9-13
Recovery (freeing a stuck vehicle) ................. 6-12
Security system ................................................... 2-18
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch ... 2-29
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) system ........ 5-23
Ventilated net seats..................................................... 1-6
Ventilators ...................................................................... 4-8
Voice command (See Bluetooth
Hands-Free
Phone System)........................................................... 4-37
Volt meter ...................................................................... 2-8
W
Warning labels, Air bag warning labels .............. 1-42
Warning light
Air bag warning light .............................. 1-43, 2-14
Anti-lock braking system (ABS) warning
light......................................................................... 2-11


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