service schedule NISSAN 350Z 2008 Z33 Owners Manual

to set the other maintenance information.
1. Reset the driving distance to the new main-
tenance schedule.
2. Set the interval (mileage) of the maintenance
schedule. To determine the recommended
maintenance interval, refer to your “NISSAN
Service and Maintenance Guide”.
3. To display the MAINTENANCE INFORMA-
TION automatically when the set trip distance
is reached, highlight the “Interval Re-
minder” key with the joystick and push the
“ENTER” button.
4. To return the display to the “Maintenance”
screen, push the “BACK” button.“Maintenance” display cannot be operated
when the vehicle is moving. Stop the vehicle in a
safe place to see the information.
SAA1291
4-4
Display screen, heater, air conditioner and audio systems


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Your new NISSAN has been designed to have
minimum maintenance requirements with long
service intervals to save you both time and
money. However, some day-to-day and regular
maintenance is essential to maintain your
NISSAN’s good mechanical condition, as well
as its emission and engine performance.
It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure that
scheduled maintenance, as well as general
maintenance, is performed.
As the vehicle owner, you are the only one who
can ensure that your vehicle receives the proper
maintenance care. You are a vital link in the
maintenance chain.
Scheduled maintenance:
For your convenience, both required and op-
tional scheduled maintenance items are de-
scribed and listed in your “NISSAN Service and
Maintenance Guide”. You must refer to that
guide to ensure that necessary maintenance is
performed on your NISSAN at regular intervals.
General maintenance:
General maintenance includes those items
which should be checked during normal day-to-
day operation. They are essential for proper
vehicle operation. It is your responsibility to
perform these procedures regularly as pre-
scribed.Performing general maintenance checks re-
quires minimal mechanical skill and only a few
general automotive tools.
These checks or inspections can be done by
yourself, a qualified technician or, if you prefer, a
NISSAN dealer.
Where to go for service:
If maintenance service is required or your vehicle
appears to malfunction, have the systems
checked and tuned by a NISSAN dealer.
NISSAN technicians are well-trained specialists
and are kept up to date with the latest service
information through technical bulletins, service
tips, and in-dealership training programs. They
are completely qualified to work on NISSAN
vehiclesbeforethey work on your vehicle,
rather than after they have worked on it.
You can be confident that a NISSAN dealer’s
service department performs the best job to
meet the maintenance requirements of your ve-
hicle — in a reliable and economic way.During the normal day-to-day operation of the
vehicle, general maintenance should be per-
formed regularly as prescribed in this section. If
you detect any unusual sounds, vibrations or
smells, be sure to check for the cause or have a
NISSAN dealer do it promptly. In addition, you
should notify a NISSAN dealer if you think that
repairs are required.
When performing any checks or maintenance
work, closely observe the “Maintenance precau-
tions” later in this section.
EXPLANATION OF GENERAL
MAINTENANCE ITEMSAdditional information on the following
items with “*” is found later in this section.Outside the vehicleThe maintenance items listed here should be
performed from time to time, unless otherwise
specified.
Doors and engine hood:Check that all doors
and the engine hood operate smoothly as well as
the trunk lid or back hatch. Also make sure that
all latches lock securely. Lubricate if necessary.
Make sure that the secondary latch keeps the
hood from opening when the primary latch is
released.
When driving in areas using road salt or other
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS GENERAL MAINTENANCE8-2
Maintenance and do-it-yourself


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oil when it was built. You do not have to change
the oil before the first recommended change
interval. Oil and filter change intervals depend
upon how you use your vehicle.
Operation under the following conditions may
require more frequent oil and filter changes:

repeated short distance driving at cold out-
side temperatures

driving in dusty conditions

extensive idling

towing a trailer

stop and go commuting
Refer to the “NISSAN Service and Maintenance
Guide” for the maintenance schedule.
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM
REFRIGERANT AND LUBRICANT
RECOMMENDATIONSThe air conditioner system in your NISSAN
vehicle must be charged with the refriger-
ant HFC-134a (R-134a) and the lubricant,
NISSAN A/C System Oil Type S or the
exact equivalents.
CAUTION
The use of any other refrigerant or lubri-
cant will cause severe damage to the air
conditioning system and will require the
replacement of all air conditioner sys-
tem components.
The refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a) in your
NISSAN vehicle will not harm the earth’s ozone
layer. Although this refrigerant does not affect
the earth’s atmosphere, certain governmental
regulations require the recovery and recycling of
any refrigerant during automotive air conditioner
system service. A NISSAN dealer has the trained
technicians and equipment needed to recover
and recycle your air conditioner system refriger-
ant.Contact a NISSAN dealer when servicing your
air conditioner system.
9-6
Technical and consumer information


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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
9-21


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10 Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ........................... 5-21
Advanced air bag system........................................ 1-35
Air bag system
Advanced Air Bag System ............................... 1-35
Front passenger air bag and status light ..... 1-36
Air bag warning labels ............................................. 1-42
Air bag warning light .................................... 1-43, 2-14
Air cleaner .................................................................. 8-18
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation ..................................... 4-9
Air conditioner service ............................. 4-9, 4-12
Air conditioner specification label .................. 9-11
Air conditioning system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations ..................... 4-12, 9-6
Heater and air conditioner (automatic)............ 4-9
Alarm, How to stop alarm (see vehicle security
system) ......................................................................... 2-19
Alcohol, drugs and driving......................................... 5-6
Anchor point location, Top tether strap .............. 1-24
Antenna ........................................................................ 4-30
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ........................... 5-21
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning
light ............................................................................... 2-11
Appearance care
Exterior appearance care .................................... 7-2
Interior appearance care ..................................... 7-5
Audible reminders ..................................................... 2-17Audio operation precautions .................................. 4-14
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)............................................................... 2-40
Automatic passenger seatback tilt
function......................................................... 1-5, 3-17
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ................ 8-12
Driving with automatic transmission ..... 5-7, 5-10
Avoiding collision and rollover .................................. 5-5
B
Battery .......................................................................... 8-15
Battery saver system ......................................... 2-25
Keyfob.................................................................... 8-24
Before starting the engine ......................................... 5-9
Belts (See drive belts) ............................................. 8-17
Booster seats ............................................................. 1-25
Bluetooth
Hands-Free Phone System with
NISSAN Voice Recognition .................................. 4-31
Brake
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) .................... 5-21
Brake and clutch fluid ....................................... 8-13
Brake fluid............................................................. 8-13Brake system ....................................................... 5-21
Parking brake operation .................................... 5-15
Warning light ....................................................... 2-12
Break-in schedule ..................................................... 5-18
Brightness control, Instrument panel ................... 2-26
Bulb check/instrument panel.................................. 2-11
Bulb replacement ...................................................... 8-26
C
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants...... 9-2
Car phone or CB radio............................................ 4-31
Cargo (See vehicle loading information)............. 2-33
Cargo net .................................................................... 2-33
Catalytic converter, Three way catalyst ................. 5-3
CD care and cleaning .............................................. 4-29
Child restraints ........................................................... 1-17
Booster seats ...................................................... 1-25
Installation on front passenger seat ............. 1-20
Precautions on child restraints........................ 1-17
Top tether strap .................................................. 1-24
Top tether strap anchor point location ......... 1-24
Child safety ................................................................. 1-12
Chimes, Audible reminders..................................... 2-17
Circuit breaker, Fusible link .................................... 8-23
Cleaning exterior and interior .......................... 7-2, 7-5
Clock ............................................................................ 2-30
Clutch fluid.................................................................. 8-13
Coat hook .................................................................. 2-38


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