NISSAN 370Z COUPE 2011 Owners Manual
Manufacturer: NISSAN, Model Year: 2011, Model line: 370Z COUPE, Model: NISSAN 370Z COUPE 2011Pages: 419, PDF Size: 3.61 MB
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For information about towing your vehicle behind
a recreational vehicle (RV) , see “FLAT TOW-
ING” in the “9. Technical and consumer
information” section of this manual.
SCE0792
TOWING RECOMMENDED BY
NISSAN (except for NISMO models)NISSAN recommends that your vehicle be
towed with the driving (rear) wheels off the
ground or place the vehicle on a flat bed truck as
illustrated.
CAUTION
.Never tow automatic transmission
models with the rear wheels on the
ground or four wheels on the
ground (forward or backward) , as
this may cause serious and expen-
sive damage to the drivetrain. If it is necessary to tow the vehicle with
the front wheels raised, always use
towing dollies under the rear
wheels.
. When towing rear wheel drive mod-
els with the front wheels on the
ground or on towing dollies: Push
the ignition switch to the ACC or ON
position, and secure the steering
wheel in a straight-ahead position
with a rope or similar device. For
models with a steering wheel lock
mechanism: Never secure the steer-
ing wheel by selecting the LOCK
In case of emergency
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Model "Z34-D" EDITED: 2010/ 7/ 27
position. This may damage the
steering lock mechanism.
. If you have to tow manual transmis-
sion models with the rear wheels on
the ground (if you do not use towing
dollies) or four wheels on the
ground:
— Push the ignition switch to the
ON position and turn off all
accessories.
— Always release the parking brake.
— Move the transmission shift le- ver to the N (Neutral) position.
— Observe the following restricted towing speeds and distances for
manual transmission models
only:
.
Rear wheels on the ground:
Speed: Below 50 MPH (80
km/h)
Distance: Less than 50 miles
(80 km)
.
Four wheels on the ground:Speed: Below 70 MPH (112
km/h)
Distance: Less than 500 miles
(800 km)
— If the speed or distance must necessarily be greater, remove
the propeller shaft before tow-
ing to prevent damage to the
drivetrain.
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In case of emergency
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TOWING RECOMMENDED BY
NISSAN (NISMO models)
CAUTION
Do not tow NISMO models with any
wheel on the ground, or with the front
or rear wheels raised, because this may
cause damage to the front bumper with
an aerodynamic splitter, rear bumper
with an aerodynamic diffuser or ex-
haust pipes.
NISSAN recommends that you place the vehicle
on a flatbed truck as illustrated.
VEHICLE RECOVERY (freeing a stuck
vehicle)
WARNING
. Stand clear of a stuck vehicle.
. Do not spin your tires at high speed.
This could cause them to explode
and result in serious injury. Parts of
your vehicle could also overheat
and be damaged.Pulling a stuck vehicleIf your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc.,
use a tow strap or other device designed
specifically for vehicle recovery. Always follow
the manufacturer’s instructions for the recovery
device.
In case of emergency
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1. Access the mounting hole for the recoveryhook.
Except for NISMO models: To remove the
cover
*A
, first unhook the claws
*1
using
a suitable tool wrapped in a cloth, and then
pull the lower side of the cover
*2. For NISMO models: When the front license
plate and bracket are installed, temporarily
remove them. (See “INSTALLING FRONT
LICENSE PLATE” in the “9. Technical and
consumer information” section for the in-
stallation procedures.) A screwdriver is
supplied with the jacking tools for removal.
2. Securely install the vehicle recovery hook
*3
(stored with jacking tools) as illustrated.
Attach the tow strap to the recovery hook.
Do not use the tie down hooks
*4
for towing or
vehicle recovery.
Make sure that the hook is properly secured in
the original place after use.
Replace the recovery hook cover (except for
NISMO models) or the front license plate (for
NISMO models) .
CAUTION
. Tow chains or cables must be at-
tached only to the vehicle recovery
hooks or main structural members
of the vehicle. Otherwise, the vehi-
cle body will be damaged.
. Do not use the vehicle tie downs to
free a vehicle stuck in sand, snow,
mud, etc. .
Never tow a vehicle using the vehi-
cle tie downs or recovery hooks.
. Always pull the cable straight out
from the front of the vehicle. Never
pull on the vehicle at an angle.
. Pulling devices should be routed so
they do not touch any part of the
suspension, steering, brake or cool-
ing systems.
. Pulling devices such as ropes or
canvas straps are not recommended
for use in vehicle towing or recov-
ery.
Rocking a stuck vehicleIf your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc.,
use the following procedure:
1. Turn off the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
system.
2. Make sure the area in front and behind the vehicle is clear of obstructions.
3. Turn the steering wheel right and left to clear an area around the front tires.
4. Slowly rock the vehicle forward and back- ward.
.Shift back and forth between R (Re-
verse) and D (Drive) (automatic trans-
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mission models) or 1st and R (Reverse)
(manual transmission models) .
. Apply the accelerator as little as possi-
ble to maintain the rocking motion.
. Release the accelerator pedal before
shifting between R (Reverse) and D
(Drive) (automatic transmission models)
or 1st and R (Reverse) (manual trans-
mission models) .
. Do not spin the tires above 35 MPH (55
km/h) .
5. If the vehicle cannot be freed after a few tries, contact a professional towing service
to remove the vehicle.
In case of emergency
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MEMO6-22
In case of emergency
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7 Appearance and care
Model "Z34-D" EDITED: 2010/ 7/ 28
Cleaning exterior................................................ 7-2
Washing ...................................................... 7-2
Waxing ........................................................ 7-3
Removing spots ............................................. 7-4
Underbody ................................................... 7-4
Glass .......................................................... 7-4
Wheels ........................................................ 7-4
Chrome parts ................................................ 7-5
Tire dressing ................................................. 7-5 Cleaning interior
................................................ 7-5
Air fresheners ................................................ 7-6
Floor mats .................................................... 7-6
Seat belts .................................................... 7-7
Corrosion protection ........................................... 7-7
Most common factors contributing to vehicle
corrosion ...................................................... 7-7
Environmental factors influence the rate of
corrosion ...................................................... 7-7
To protect your vehicle from corrosion ................. 7-8
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In order to maintain the appearance of your
vehicle, it is important to take proper care of it.
To protect the paint surface, wash your vehicle
as soon as you can:
.after a rainfall to prevent possible damage
from acid rain
. after driving on coastal roads
. when contaminants such as soot, bird
droppings, tree sap, metal particles or bugs
get on the paint surface
. when dust or mud builds up on the surface
Whenever possible, store or park your vehicle
inside a garage or in a covered area.
When it is necessary to park outside, park in a
shady area or protect the vehicle with a body
cover.
Be careful not to scratch the paint surface
when putting on or removing the body
cover.WASHINGWash dirt off the vehicle with a wet sponge and
plenty of water. Clean the vehicle thoroughly
using a mild soap, a special vehicle soap or
general purpose dishwashing liquid mixed with
clean, lukewarm (never hot) water.
CAUTION
. Do not use car washes that use acid
in the detergent. Some car washes,
especially brushless ones, use some
acid for cleaning. The acid may react
with some plastic vehicle compo-
nents, causing them to crack. This
could affect their appearance, and
also could cause them not to func-
tion properly. Always check with
your car wash to confirm that acid
is not used.
. Do not wash the vehicle with strong
household soap, strong chemical
detergents, gasoline or solvents.
. Do not wash the vehicle in direct
sunlight or while the vehicle body is
hot, as the surface may become
water-spotted.
. Avoid using tight-napped or rough
cloths, such as washing mitts. Care
must be taken when removing
caked-on dirt or other foreign sub-
stances so the paint surface is not
scratched or damaged. .
For Roadster models, observe the
following:
.
Do not use an automatic car wash
or a high pressure car wash. The
soft top may be damaged.
.
Avoid applying direct water pres-sure,suchashighpressured
water from household hoses, on
the lining of the soft top and
vehicle body. Avoid applying con-
tinuous water on the parts around
the soft top and the windows.
These may cause water to leak
into the inside of your vehicle.
Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with plenty of clean
water.
Inside flanges, seams and folds on the doors,
hatches and hood are particularly vulnerable to
the effects of road salt. Therefore, these areas
must be regularly cleaned. Make sure that the
drain holes in the lower edge of the door are
open. Spray water under the body and in the
wheel wells to loosen the dirt and wash away
road salt.
Avoid leaving water spots on the paint surface
by using a damp chamois to dry the vehicle.
CLEANING EXTERIOR7-2
Appearance and care
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Soft top care and cleaning (Roadster
models)Proper care and handling should be observed to
maintain a good appearance of the soft top.
Improper care may cause the top cloth’s surface
to stiffen, stain, or mat. Follow the instructions
shown in this section.
It is not necessary to wash the soft top every
time you wash the vehicle body, but clean the
top regularly before it becomes quite dirty.
Leaving the soft top dirty or soiled for a long
period will cause deterioration to the quality of
the top material.
Remove dust or dirt on the soft top with a soft
brush or sponge, then rinse it with plenty of
clean water. When the top is quite dirty, wash
using a mild detergent, such as a general
cleaner especially made for a cloth top or a
general purpose dish-washing liquid, mixed with
clean, lukewarm (never hot) water. Rinse the top
again with plenty of clean water to remove all
traces of soap.
CAUTION
.Do not use strong household soap,
strong chemical detergents, gaso-
line or solvents.
. If glass cleaner gets on the soft top,
immediately wash it off with clean water.
. Do not apply direct water pressure,
such as high pressured water from
household hoses, on the lining of
the soft top and vehicle body, as this
may cause water to leak into the
inside of your vehicle.
After cleaning, always be sure the top and its
storage are completely drybefore opening the
top. Opening the top while it is wet or damp may
cause interior water damage, water stains or
mildew on the top.
SAI0046
NISMO models
CAUTION
Do not use an automatic car wash for
NISMO models. The rear spoiler may be
damaged.WAXINGRegular waxing protects the paint surface and
helps retain new vehicle appearance. Polishing
is recommended to remove built-up wax residue
and to avoid a weathered appearance before
reapplying wax.
A NISSAN dealer can assist you in choosing the
Appearance and care
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proper product.
.Wax your vehicle only after a thorough
washing. Follow the instructions supplied
with the wax.
. Do not use a wax containing any abrasives,
cutting compounds or cleaners that may
damage the vehicle finish.
Machine compound or aggressive polishing on a
base coat/clear coat paint finish may dull the
finish or leave swirl marks.REMOVING SPOTSRemove tar and oil spots, industrial dust,
insects, and tree sap as quickly as possible
from the paint surface to avoid lasting damage
or staining. Special cleaning products are
available at a NISSAN dealer or any automotive
accessory stores.UNDERBODYIn areas where road salt is used in winter, the
underbody must be cleaned regularly. This will
prevent dirt and salt from building up and
causing the acceleration of corrosion on the
underbody and suspension. Before the winter
period and again in the spring, the underseal
must be checked and, if necessary, re-treated.
GLASSUse glass cleaner to remove smoke and dust
film from the glass surfaces. It is normal for glass
to become coated with a film after the vehicle is
parked in the hot sun. Glass cleaner and a soft
cloth will easily remove this film.
CAUTION
. When cleaning the inside of the
windows, do not use sharp-edged
tools, abrasive cleaners or chlorine-
based disinfectant cleaners. They
could damage the electrical conduc-
tors, radio antenna elements or rear
window defroster elements.
. If glass cleaner gets on the soft top,
immediately wash it off with clean
water (Roadster models) .WHEELSWash the wheels when washing the vehicle to
maintain their appearance.
.Clean the inner side of the wheels when the
wheel is changed or the underside of the
vehicle is washed.
. Inspect wheel rims regularly for dents or
corrosion. Such damage may cause loss of pressure or poor seal at the tire bead.
. NISSAN recommends that the road wheels
be waxed to protect against road salt in
areas where it is used during winter.
CAUTION
Do not use abrasive cleaners when
washing the wheels.Aluminum alloy wheelsWash regularly with a sponge dampened in a
mild soap solution, especially during winter
months in areas where road salt is used. Salt
could discolor the wheels if not removed.
CAUTION
Follow the directions below to avoid
staining or discoloring the wheels:
.Do not use a cleaner that uses
strong acid or alkali contents to
clean the wheels.
. Do not apply wheel cleaners to the
wheels when they are hot. The
wheel temperature should be the
same as ambient temperature.
. Rinse the wheel to completely re-
move the cleaner within 15 minutes
7-4
Appearance and care