light NISSAN 370Z COUPE 2012 Owners Manual

5-22Starting and driving
SSD0833
1. ACCEL/RES switch
2. COAST/SET switch
3. CANCEL switch
4. MAIN (ON·OFF) switch
CRUISE CONTROL OPERATIONS
The cruise control allows driving at a speed
between 25 to 89 MPH (40 to 144 km/h)
without keeping your foot on the accelerator
pedal.
To turn on the cruise control,push the MAIN
switch on. The CRUISE indicator light will
illuminate.
To set cruising speed, accelerate the vehicle
to the desired speed, push the COAST/SET
switch and release it. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal. Your vehicle will maintain the
set speed.
.
To pass another vehicle, depress the
accelerator pedal. When you release the
pedal, the vehicle will return to the previously
set speed.
. The vehicle may not maintain the set speed
on winding or hilly roads. If this happens,
drive without the cruise control.
To cancel the preset speed, use one of the
following methods:
. Push the CANCEL switch.
. Tap the brake pedal.
. Turn the MAIN switch off. The CRUISE light
will turn off.
— If you depress the brake pedal while
pushing the ACCEL/RES or COAST/
SET switch and reset at the cruising
speed, the cruise control will disengage.
Turn the MAIN switch off once and then
turn it on again.
— The cruise control will automatically cancel if the vehicle slows more than 8
MPH (13 km/h) below the set speed.
— If you move the selector lever to the N (Neutral) position (Automatic Transmis-
sion models) or depress the clutch pedal
(Manual Transmission models) , the cruise
control will be canceled. To reset at a faster cruising speed,
use one
of the following methods:
. Depress the accelerator pedal. When the
vehicle attains the desired speed, push and
release the COAST/SET switch.
. Push and hold the ACCEL/RES switch.
When the vehicle attains the desired speed,
release the switch.
. Push, then quickly release the ACCEL/RES
switch. Each time you do this, the set speed
will increase by about 1 MPH (1.6 km/h).
To reset at a slower cruising speed, use one
of the following methods:
. Lightly tap the brake pedal. When the
vehicle attains the desired speed, push the
COAST/SET switch and release it.
. Push and hold the COAST/SET switch.
Release the switch when the vehicle slows
down to the desired speed.
. Push, then quickly release the COAST/
SETT switch. Each time you do this, the
set speed will decrease by about 1 MPH
(1.6 km/h).
To resume the preset speed, push and
release the ACCEL/RES switch. The vehicle
will resume the last set cruising speed when the
vehicle speed is over 25 MPH (40 km/h).

4. Push the ignition switch to the OFF position.
WARNING
If the engine is not running or is turned
off while driving, the power assist for
the steering will not work. Steering will
be harder to operate.
The power assisted steering uses a hydraulic
pump, driven by the engine, to assist steering.
If the engine stops or the drive belt breaks, you
will still have control of the vehicle. However,
much greater steering effort is needed, espe-
cially in sharp turns and at low speeds.
BRAKING PRECAUTIONS
The brake system has two separate hydraulic
circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you will still
have braking at two wheels.
Vacuum assisted brakes
The 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.
When the brake pedal is depressed slowly and
firmly, you may hear a clicking noise and feel a
slight pulsation. This is normal and indicates that
the Brake Assist System is operating.
Wet brakes
When 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 tapping 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.
Starting and driving5-25
POWER STEERING BRAKE SYSTEM

5-26Starting and driving
PARKING BRAKE BREAK-IN
Break in the parking brake shoes whenever the
stopping 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
service manual and can be performed by a
NISSAN dealer.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal while
driving. This will cause overheating of the
brakes, wearing out the brake and pads faster
and reduce 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 accident.
. 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.
BRAKE ASSIST
When the force applied to the brake pedal
exceeds a certain level, the Brake Assist is
activated generating greater braking force than a
conventional brake booster even with light pedal
force.
WARNING
The Brake Assist is only an aid to assist
braking operation and is not a collision
warning or avoidance device. It is the
driver’s responsibility to stay alert, drive
safely and be in control of the vehicle at
all times.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS)
WARNING
.The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
is a sophisticated device, but it
cannot prevent accidents resulting
from careless or dangerous driving
techniques. It can help maintain
vehicle control during braking on
slippery surfaces. Remember that
stopping distances on slippery sur-
faces will be longer than on normal
BRAKE ASSIST

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 front of you.
Ultimately, the driver is responsible
for safety.
. Tire type and condition may also
affect braking effectiveness.
— When replacing tires, install the
specified size of tires on all four
wheels.
— When installing a spare tire, make sure that it is the proper
size and type as specified on the
Tire and Loading Information
label. See “Tire and Loading
Information label” (P.9-13) of
this manual.
— For detailed information, see “Wheels and tires” (P.8-31) of
this manual.
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) controls
the brakes so the wheels do not lock during hard
braking or when braking on slippery surfaces.
The system detects the rotation speed at each wheel and varies the brake fluid pressure to
prevent each wheel from locking and sliding. By
preventing each wheel from locking, the system
helps the driver maintain steering control and
helps to minimize swerving and spinning on
slippery surfaces.
Using the system
Depress the brake pedal and hold it down.
Depress the brake pedal with firm steady
pressure, but do not pump the brakes. The
ABS will operate to prevent the wheels from
locking up. Steer the vehicle to avoid obstacles.
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
may result in increased stopping dis-
tances.
Self-test feature
The ABS includes electronic sensors, electric
pumps, hydraulic solenoids and a computer. The
computer has a built-in diagnostic feature that
tests the system each time you start the engine
and move the vehicle at a low speed in forward
or reverse. When the self-test occurs, you may
hear a “clunk” noise and/or feel a pulsation in the
brake pedal. This is normal and does notindicate a malfunction. If the computer senses
a malfunction, it switches the ABS off and
illuminates the ABS warning light on the
instrument panel. The brake system then oper-
ates normally, but without anti-lock assistance.
If the ABS warning light illuminates during the
self-test or while driving, have the vehicle
checked by a NISSAN dealer.
Normal operation
The ABS operates at speeds above 3 to 6 MPH
(5 to 10 km/h).
When the ABS senses that one or more wheels
are close to locking up, the actuator rapidly
applies and releases hydraulic pressure. This
action is similar to pumping the brakes very
quickly. You may feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal and hear a noise from under the hood or
feel a vibration from the actuator when it is
operating. This is normal and indicates that the
ABS is operating properly. However, the pulsa-
tion may indicate that road conditions are
hazardous and extra care is required while
driving.
Starting and driving5-27

5-28Starting and driving
The Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system
uses various sensors to monitor driver inputs
and vehicle motion. Under certain driving con-
ditions, the VDC system helps to perform the
following functions.
.Controls brake pressure to reduce wheel
slip on one slipping drive wheel so power is
transferred to a non slipping drive wheel on
the same axle.
. Controls brake pressure and engine output
to reduce drive wheel slip based on vehicle
speed (traction control function) .
. Controls brake pressure at individual wheels
and engine output to help the driver maintain
control of the vehicle in the following
conditions:
— understeer (vehicle tends to not follow
the steered path despite increased
steering input)
— oversteer (vehicle tends to spin due to certain road or driving conditions) .
The VDC system can help the driver to maintain
control of the vehicle, but it cannot prevent loss
of vehicle control in all driving situations.
When the VDC system operates, the VDC
warning light
in the instrument panel flashes
so note the following:
. The road may be slippery or the system may
determine some action is required to help keep the vehicle on the steered path.
. You may feel a pulsation in the brake pedal
and hear a noise or vibration from under the
hood. This is normal and indicates that the
VDC system is working properly.
. Adjust your speed and driving to the road
conditions.
See “Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) warning
light” (P.2-14).
If a malfunction occurs in the system, the VDC
warning light
illuminates in the instrument
panel. The VDC system automatically turns off.
The VDC OFF switch is used to turn off the VDC
system. The VDC off indicator
illuminates to
indicate the VDC system is off. When the VDC
switch is used to turn off the system, the VDC
system still operates to prevent one drive wheel
from slipping by transferring power to a non
slipping drive wheel. The VDC warning light
flashes if this occurs. All other VDC functions
are off, and the VDC warning light
will not
flash. The VDC system is automatically reset to
on when the ignition switch is placed in the off
position then back to the on position.
See “Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) warning
light” (P.2-14) and “Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) off indicator light” (P.2-16).
The computer has a built-in diagnostic feature
that tests the system each time you start the engine and move the vehicle forward or in
reverse at a slow speed. When the self-test
occurs, you may hear a “clunk” noise and/or feel
a pulsation in the brake pedal. This is normal and
is not an indication of a malfunction.
WARNING
.
The VDC system is designed to help
the driver maintain stability but
does not prevent accidents due to
abrupt steering operation at high
speeds or by careless or dangerous
driving techniques. Reduce vehicle
speed and be especially careful
when driving and cornering on slip-
pery surfaces and always drive care-
fully.
. Do not modify the vehicle’s suspen-
sion. If suspension parts such as
shock absorbers, struts, springs,
stabilizer bars, bushings and
wheels are not NISSAN recom-
mended for your vehicle or are
extremely deteriorated, the VDC
system may not operate properly.
This could adversely affect vehicle
handling performance, and the VDC
warning light
may illuminate.
VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC)
SYSTEM

.If brake related parts such as brake
pads, rotors and calipers are not
NISSAN recommended or are extre-
mely deteriorated, the VDC system
may not operate properly and the
VDC warning light
may illumi-
nate.
. If engine control related parts are
not NISSAN recommended or are
extremely deteriorated, the VDC
warning light
may illuminate.
. When driving on extremely inclined
surfaces such as higher banked
corners, the VDC system may not
operate properly and the VDC warn-
ing light
may illuminate. Do not
drive on these types of roads.
. When driving on an unstable sur-
face such as a turntable, ferry,
elevator or ramp, the VDC warning
light
may illuminate. This is not
a malfunction. Restart the engine
after driving onto a stable surface.
. If wheels or tires other than the
NISSAN recommended ones are
used, the VDC system may not
operate properly and the VDC warn-
ing light
may illuminate. .
The VDC system is not a substitute
for winter tires or tire chains on a
snow covered road.
Starting and driving5-29

6-2In case of emergency
To shut off the engine in an emergency situation
while driving, perform the following procedure:
.Rapidly push the push-button ignition switch
3 consecutive times, or
. Push and hold the push-button ignition
switch for more than 2 seconds.TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYS-
TEM (TPMS)
This vehicle is equipped with the Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS) . It monitors tire
pressure of all tires except the spare. When
the low tire pressure warning light is lit, one or
more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
If the vehicle is being driven with low tire
pressure, the TPMS will activate and warn you
of it by the low tire pressure warning light. This
system will activate only when the vehicle is
driven at speeds above 16 MPH (25 km/h). For
more details, see “Warning/indicator lights and
audible reminders” (P.2-9) and “Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS)” (P.5-3) .
WARNING
.If the low tire pressure warning light
illuminates while driving, avoid sud-
den steering maneuvers or abrupt
braking, reduce vehicle speed, pull
off the road to a safe location and
stop the vehicle as soon as possi-
ble. Driving with under-inflated tires
may permanently damage the tires
and increase the likelihood of tire
failure. Serious vehicle damage
could occur and may lead to an accident and could result in serious
personal injury. Check the tire pres-
sure for all four tires. Adjust the tire
pressure to the recommended COLD
tire pressure shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label to turn
the low tire pressure warning light
OFF. If the light still illuminates
while driving after adjusting the tire
pressure, a tire may be flat. If you
have a flat tire, replace it with a
spare tire as soon as possible.
. When a spare tire is mounted or a
wheel is replaced, the TPMS will not
function and the low tire pressure
warning light will flash for approxi-
mately 1 minute. The light will
remain on after 1 minute. Contact
your NISSAN dealer as soon as
possible for tire replacement and/
or system resetting.
. Replacing tires with those not ori-
ginally specified by NISSAN could
affect the proper operation of the
TPMS.
. Do not inject any tire liquid or
aerosol tire sealant into the tires,
as this may cause a malfunction of
the tire pressure sensors (for mod-
EMERGENCY ENGINE SHUT OFF FLAT TIRE

6-8In case of emergency
WARNING
.Always make sure that the spare tire
and jacking equipment are properly
secured after use. Such items can
become dangerous projectiles in an
accident or sudden stop.
. The spare tire is designed for emer-
gency use. See specific instructions
under the heading “Wheels and
tires” (P.8-31) .
REPAIRING FLAT TIRE (for models with
emergency tire puncture repair kit)
WARNING
.After using Emergency Tire Sealant
to repair a minor tire puncture, do
not drive the vehicle at speeds
faster than 50 MPH (80 km/h) .
. Immediately after using the Emer-
gency Tire Sealant to repair a minor
tire puncture, take your vehicle to a
NISSAN dealer to inspect, and re-
pair or replace the tire. The Emer-
gency Tire Sealant cannot
permanently seal a punctured tire. Continuing operation of the vehicle
without a permanent tire repair can
lead to a crash.
. If you used the Emergency Tire
Sealant to repair a minor tire punc-
ture, your NISSAN dealer will also
need to replace the TPMS sensor in
addition to repairing or replacing
the tire.
. NISSAN recommends using only
NISSAN Genuine Emergency Tire
Sealant provided with your vehicle.
Other tire sealants may damage the
valve stem seal which can cause the
tire to lose air pressure.
This vehicle does not have a spare tire. The
emergency tire puncture repair kit (Emergency
Tire Sealant) is supplied with the vehicle instead
of a spare tire. It can be used to temporarily
repair minor tire punctures.
If possible, have the vehicle towed to a facility
that can repair or replace the flat tire. Using the
emergency tire puncture repair kit may cause a
malfunction of the tire pressure sensor and
cause the low tire pressure warning light to
illuminate.
If you have a flat tire, follow the instructions
below.
CAUTION
. To avoid the emergency tire punc-
ture kit being damaged during sto-
rage or use:
— Only use the emergency tire
puncture repair kit on your ve-
hicle. Do not use it on other
vehicles.
— Only use the kit to inflate the tires of your vehicle and to
check the vehicle’s tire pressure.
— Only plug the compressor into a 12V DC car power point.
— Keep the kit free of water and dirt.
— Do not disassemble or modify the kit.
— Do not drop the kit or allow hard impacts to the kit.
. Do not use the emergency tire
puncture repair kit under the follow-
ing conditions. Contact a NISSAN
dealer or professional road assis-
tance.

6-10In case of emergency
ging a flat tire (for models with spare tire)”
(P.6-3) for usage of jacking tools and tire
replacement.
Before using emergency tire puncture
repair kit
.If any foreign object (for example, a screw or
nail) is embedded in the tire, do not remove
it.
. Check the expiration date of the sealant
(shown on the label attached to the bottle) .
Never use a sealant whose expiration date
has passed.
Repairing tire
WARNING
Observe the following precautions
when using the tire repair compound.
.Swallowing the compound is dan-
gerous. Immediately drink as much
water as possible and seek prompt
medical assistance.
. Rinse well with lots of water if the
compound comes into contact with
skin or eyes. If irritation persists,
seek prompt medical attention. .
Keep the repair compound out of
the reach of children.
. The emergency repair compound
may cause a malfunction of the tire
pressure sensors and cause the low
tire pressure warning light to illumi-
nate. Have the tire pressure sensor
replaced as soon as possible.
NOTE:
Do not remove any nails or screws that
have penetrated the tire when performing
repairs.
SCE0867
1. Open the lid of the air compressor and take out the speed restriction sticker, then put it
in a location where the driver can see it while
driving.
CAUTION
Do not put the speed restriction label
on the steering wheel pad, the speed-
ometer or the warning light locations.

SCE0791
WARNING
Always follow the instructions below.
Failure to do so could result in damage
to the charging system and cause
personal injury.
1. If the booster battery is in another vehicle
*A, position the two vehicles (*Aand*B)
to bring their batteries into close proximity to
each other.
Do not allow the two vehicles to touch. 2. Apply parking brake. Move the selector lever
to the P (Park) position (Automatic transmis-
sion models). Move the shift lever to the N
(Neutral) position (Manual transmission
models) . Switch off all unnecessary elec-
trical systems (light, heater, air conditioner,
etc.).
3. Remove vent caps on the battery (if so equipped) . Cover the battery with a firmly
wrung out moist cloth*Cto reduce
explosion hazard.
4. Connect jumper cables in the sequence as illustrated (
*1?*2?*3?*4).
CAUTION
.Always connect positive (+) to posi-
tive (+) and negative (−) to body
ground (as illustrated) — not to the
battery.
. Make sure the jumper cables do not
touch moving parts in the engine
compartment and that clamps do
not contact any other metal.
5. Start the engine of the booster vehicle
*A
and let it run for a few minutes.
6. Keep the engine speed of the booster vehicle
*Aat about 2,000 rpm, and start
the engine of the vehicle being jump started
*B.
CAUTION
Do not keep the starter motor engaged
for more than 10 seconds. If the engine
does not start right away, push the
ignition switch to the OFF position
and wait 10 seconds before trying
again.
In case of emergency6-15