warning light NISSAN 370Z COUPE 2012 Owner's Manual

SIC3975
ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE
GAUGE
The gauge indicates the engine coolant tem-
perature.
The engine coolant temperature is within the
normal range when the gauge points within the
zone
*1shown in the illustration.
The engine coolant temperature varies with the
outside air temperature and driving conditions.
CAUTION
If the gauge indicates engine coolant
temperature near the hot (H) end of the normal range, reduce vehicle speed to
decrease temperature. If gauge is over
the normal range, stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possible. If the engine is
overheated, continued operation of the
vehicle may seriously damage the en-
gine. See “If your vehicle overheats”
(P.6-16) for immediate action required.
SIC3976
FUEL GAUGE
The gauge indicates the
approximatefuel level
in the tank.
The gauge may move slightly during braking,
turning, acceleration, or going up or down hills.
Refill the fuel tank before the gauge
registers “E” (Empty) .
The low fuel warning
appears on the vehicle
information display when the amount of fuel in
the tank is getting low. Refuel as soon as it is
convenient, preferably before the gauge reaches
“E”. There will be a small reserve of fuel in the
tank when the fuel gauge reaches “E”.
The
indicates that the fuel-filler door is
Instruments and controls2-7

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning
lightMaster warning lightRear fog light indicator light*
Seat belt warning light and chimeSecurity indicator light
Automatic transmission check warning light*Supplemental air bag warning lightSoft top indicator light (Roadster models)
Brake warning light
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) warning
lightSynchroRev Match mode (S-MODE) indi-
cator*
Cruise indicator lightTransmission position indicator*
Charge warning lightFront passenger air bag status lightTurn signal/hazard indicator lights
Engine oil pressure warning lightHigh beam indicator lightVehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) off indicator
light
Intelligent Key system warning lightLow beam indicator light*: if so equipped
Low tire pressure warning lightMalfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
Instruments and controls2-9
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS AND
AUDIBLE REMINDERS

2-10Instruments and controls
CHECKING BULBS
With all doors closed, apply the parking brake
and push the ignition switch to the ON position
without starting the engine. The following lights
will come on (if so equipped):
,or,,,
The following lights come on briefly and then go
off (if so equipped):
,or,,,,,
If any light does not come on, it may indicate a
burned-out bulb or an open circuit in the
electrical system. Have the system checked by
a NISSAN dealer.
Some indicators and warnings are also dis-
played on the vehicle information display. (See
“Vehicle information display” (P.2-17) .)
WARNING LIGHTS
orAnti-lock Braking System
(ABS) warning light
When the ignition switch is in the ON position,
the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning
light illuminates and then turns off. This indicates
the ABS is operational.
If the ABS warning light illuminates while the
engine is running, or while driving, it may
indicate the ABS is not functioning properly.
Have the system checked by a NISSAN dealer.
If an ABS malfunction occurs, the anti-lock
function is turned off. The brake system then
operates normally, but without anti-lock assis-
tance. (See “Brake system” (P.5-25).)
Automatic transmission check
warning light (if so equipped)
When the ignition switch is pushed to the ON
position, the light comes on for 2 seconds. If the
light comes on at any other time, it may indicate
the transmission is not functioning properly.
Have your NISSAN dealer check and repair
the transmission.
orBrake warning light
This light functions for both the parking brake
and the foot brake systems.
Parking brake indicator:
When the ignition switch is in the ON position,
the light comes on when the parking brake is
applied.
Low brake fluid warning light:
When the ignition switch is in the ON position,
the light warns of a low brake fluid level. If the
light comes on while the engine is running with
the parking brake not applied, stop the vehicle
and perform the following:
1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brake fluid
as necessary. (See “Brake and clutch fluid”
(P.8-14) .)
2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have the warning system checked by a NISSAN
dealer.
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning
indicator:
When the parking brake is released and the
brake fluid level is sufficient, if both the brake
warning light and the Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS) warning light illuminate, it may indicate
the ABS is not functioning properly. Have the
brake system checked, and if necessary re-

paired, by a NISSAN dealer promptly. (See
“Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning light”
(P.2-10) .)
WARNING
.Your brake system may not be
working properly if the warning light
is on. Driving could be dangerous. If
you judge it to be safe, drive care-
fully to the nearest service station
for repairs. Otherwise, have your
vehicle towed because driving it
could be dangerous.
. Pressing the brake pedal with the
engine stopped and/or low brake
fluid level may increase your stop-
ping distance and braking will re-
quire greater pedal effort as well as
pedal travel.
. If the brake fluid level is below the
minimum or MIN mark on the brake
fluid reservoir, do not drive until the
brake system has been checked at a
NISSAN dealer.
Charge warning light
If the light comes on while the engine is running,
it may indicate the charging system is not
functioning properly. Turn the engine off and
check the alternator belt. If the belt is loose,
broken, missing or if the light remains on, see a
NISSAN dealer immediately.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving if the alternator
belt is loose, broken or missing.
Engine oil pressure warning light
This light warns of low engine oil pressure. If the
light flickers or comes on during normal driving,
pull off the road in a safe area, stop the engine
immediately and call a NISSAN dealer or other
authorized repair shop.
The engine oil pressure warning light is
not designed to indicate a low oil level.
Use the dipstick to check the oil level. (See
“Engine oil” (P.8-11) .)
CAUTION
Running the engine with the engine oil
pressure warning light on could cause
serious damage to the engine almost
immediately. Such damage is not cov-
ered by warranty. Turn off the engine as
soon as it is safe to do so.
Intelligent Key system warning light
After the ignition switch is pushed to the ON
position, this light comes on for about 2 seconds
and then turns off.
This light warns of a malfunction with the
Intelligent Key system.
If the light comes on while the engine is
stopped, it may be impossible to start the
engine. If the light comes on while the engine
is running, you can drive the vehicle. However in
these cases, contact a NISSAN dealer for repair
as soon as possible.
Instruments and controls2-11

2-12Instruments and controls
Low tire pressure warning light
Your vehicle is equipped with a Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS) that monitors the tire
pressure of all tires except the spare.
The low tire pressure warning light warns of low
tire pressure or indicates that the TPMS is not
functioning properly.
After the ignition switch is pushed ON, this light
illuminates for about 1 second and turns off.
Low tire pressure warning:
If the vehicle is being driven with low tire
pressure, the warning light will illuminate.
When the low tire pressure warning light
illuminates, you should stop and adjust the tire
pressure to the recommended COLD tire
pressure shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label. The low tire pressure warning
light does not automatically turn off when the tire
pressure is adjusted. After the tire is inflated to
the recommended pressure, the vehicle must be
driven at speeds above 16 MPH (25 km/h) to
activate the TPMS and turn off the low tire
pressure warning light. Use a tire pressure
gauge to check the tire pressure.
For additional information, see “Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS)” (P.5-3) and “Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)” (P.6-2) .TPMS malfunction:
If the TPMS is not functioning properly, the low
tire pressure warning light will flash for approxi-
mately 1 minute when the ignition switch is
pushed ON. The light will remain on after the 1
minute. Have the system checked by a NISSAN
dealer.
For additional information, see “Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS)” (P.5-3) .
WARNING
. If the light does not illuminate with
the ignition switch pushed ON, have
the vehicle checked by a NISSAN
dealer as soon as possible.
. If the light illuminates while driving,
avoid sudden steering maneuvers or
abrupt braking, reduce vehicle
speed, pull off the road to a safe
location and stop the vehicle as
soon as possible. Driving with un-
der-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 pressure 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 driv-
ing 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 the 1 minute. Con-
tact 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.

CAUTION
.The TPMS is not a substitute for the
regular tire pressure check. Be sure
to check the tire pressure regularly.
. If the vehicle is being driven at
speeds of less than 16 MPH (25
km/h) , the TPMS may not operate
correctly.
. Be sure to install the specified size
of tires to the four wheels correctly.
Master warning light
When the ignition switch is in the ON position,
the master warning light illuminates if any of the
following are displayed on the vehicle informa-
tion display:
.No key warning
. Low fuel warning
. Low washer fluid warning
. Parking brake release warning
. Door/rear hatch open warning
. Loose fuel cap warning
See “Vehicle information display” (P.2-17) .
Seat belt warning light and chime
The light and chime remind you to fasten seat
belts. The light illuminates whenever the ignition
switch is pushed to the ON position, and will
remain illuminated until the driver’s seat belt is
fastened. At the same time, the chime will sound
for about 6 seconds unless the driver’s seat belt
is securely fastened.
The seat belt warning light for the front
passenger will illuminate if the seat belt is not
fastened when the front passenger’s seat is
occupied. For 5 seconds after the ignition
switch is in the ON position, the system does
not activate the warning light for the front
passenger.
See “Seat belts” (P.1-9) for precautions on seat
belt usage.
Supplemental air bag warning light
After pushing the ignition switch to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning light
will illuminate. The air bag warning light will turn
off after about 7 seconds if the front air bag, side
air bag and curtain air bag systems and/or
pretensioner system are operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the front
air bag, side air bag and curtain air bag systems
and/or pretensioner system need servicing, and
your vehicle must be taken to your nearest NISSAN dealer.
.
The supplemental air bag warning light
remains on after approximately 7 seconds.
. The supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently.
. The supplemental air bag warning light does
not come on at all.
Unless checked and repaired, the Supplemental
Restraint Systems and/or the pretensioner seat
belt may not function properly.
For additional information, see “Supplemental
restraint system” (P.1-28) .
WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning
light is on, it could mean that the front
air bag, side air bag and curtain air bag
systems and/or pretensioner system
will not operate in an accident. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others, have
your vehicle checked by a dealer as
soon as possible.
Instruments and controls2-13

2-14Instruments and controls
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
warning light
The light will blink when the VDC system or the
traction control system is operating, thus alerting
the driver that the vehicle is nearing its traction
limits. The road surface may be slippery.
When the vehicle dynamic control warning light
illuminates when the vehicle dynamic control
system is turned on, this light alerts the driver to
the fact that the vehicle dynamic control
system’s fail-safe mode is operating, for example
the vehicle dynamic control system may not be
functioning properly. Have the system checked
by a NISSAN dealer. If a malfunction occurs in
the system, the vehicle dynamic control system
function will be canceled but the vehicle is still
driveable. For additional information, see “Vehi-
cle Dynamic Control (VDC) system” (P.5-28) of
this manual.
INDICATOR LIGHTS
Cruise indicator light
Cruise main switch indicator:
This light illuminates when the cruise control
main switch is pushed. The light turns off when
the main switch is pushed again. When the
cruise main switch indicator light illuminates, the
cruise control system is operational. (See
“Cruise control” (P.5-21).)
Cruise malfunction:
If the cruise indicator light blinks while the
engine is running, it may indicate the cruise
control system is not functioning properly. Have
the system checked by a NISSAN dealer. (See
“Cruise control” (P.5-21).)
Front passenger air bag status light
The front passenger air bag status light (),
located on the center of the instrument panel,
will be lit and the passenger front air bag will be
OFF depending on how the front passenger
seat is being used.
For front passenger air bag status light opera-
tion, see “NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System
(front seats)” (P.1-33) of this manual.
High beam indicator light
This light comes on when the headlight high
beam is on and goes out when the low beam is
selected.
Low beam indicator light
The light illuminates when the headlight switch is
turned to the
position.
Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
If the malfunction indicator light comes on
steady or blinks while the engine is running, it
may indicate a potential emission control mal-
function.
The malfunction indicator light may also come on
steady if the fuel-filler cap is loose or missing, or
if the vehicle runs out of fuel. Check to make
sure the fuel-filler cap is installed and closed
tightly, and that the vehicle has at least 3 US
gallons (14 liters) of fuel in the fuel tank.
After a few driving trips, the
light should
turn off if no other potential emission control
system malfunction exists.
If this indicator light remains on for 20 seconds
and then blinks for 10 seconds when the engine
is not running, it indicates that the vehicle is not
ready for an emission control system inspection/
maintenance test. (See “Readiness for Inspec-
tion/Maintenance (I/M) test” (P.9-23) .)

Operation:
The malfunction indicator light will come on in
one of two ways:
.Malfunction indicator light on steady — An
emission control system malfunction has
been detected. Check the fuel-filler cap if
the LOOSE FUEL CAP warning appears in
the vehicle information display. If 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 does not turn off
after a few driving trips, have the vehicle
inspected by a NISSAN dealer. You do not
need to have your vehicle towed to the
dealer.
. Malfunction indicator light blinking — An
engine misfire has been detected which may
damage the emission control system.
To reduce or avoid emission control system
damage:
— Do not drive at speeds above 45 MPH
(72 km/h).
— Avoid hard acceleration or deceleration.
— Avoid steep uphill grades.
— If possible, reduce the amount of cargo being hauled or towed.
The malfunction indicator light may stop
blinking and remain on. Have the vehicle inspected by a NISSAN
dealer. You do not need to have your vehicle
towed to the dealer.
CAUTION
Continued vehicle operation without
having the emission control system
checked and repaired as necessary
could lead to poor driveability, reduced
fuel economy, and possible damage to
the emission control system.
Rear fog light indicator light (if so
equipped)
The rear fog light indicator light illuminates when
the rear fog light is on. (See “Fog light switch”
(P.2-35) .)
Security indicator light
The light blinks when the ignition switch is in the
ACC, OFF or LOCK position. This function
indicates the security system equipped on the
vehicle is operational.
If the security system is malfunctioning, this light
will remain on while the ignition switch is in the
ON position. For additional information, see
“Security systems” (P.2-27) .
Soft top indicator light (Roadster
models)
This light illuminates when the soft top is being
operated or it is stopped before reaching a full
open/close state. When the top is fully opened
or closed, the light will turn off.
The light blinks while the soft top is not fully
opened or closed under the following condi-
tions:
. When the vehicle is driven.
. When the selector lever or shift lever is in
the R (Reverse) position.
Be sure to fully open or close the soft top when
driving the vehicle.
The soft top can be moved with the soft top
operating switch only under all of the following
conditions:
. When the vehicle is stopped.
. When the ignition switch is ON.
. When the trunk is closed.
. When the selector lever or shift lever is in a
position other than the R (Reverse) position.
CAUTION
Operate the soft top with the engine
running to prevent a discharged battery.
Instruments and controls2-15

SIC2045
Security indicator light
The security indicator light is located on the
meter panel. It indicates the status of the
NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System.
The light blinks after the ignition switch is in the
LOCK, ACC or OFF position. This function
indicates the security systems equipped on the
vehicle are operational.
If the NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System is
malfunctioning, this light will remain on while the
ignition switch is in the ON position.
If the light still remains on and/or the
engine will not start, see a NISSAN dealer
for NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer Systemservice as soon as possible. Please bring
all Intelligent Keys that you have when
visiting a NISSAN dealer for service.
WARNING
In freezing temperatures the washer
solution may freeze on the windshield
and obscure your vision which may lead
to an accident. Warm windshield with
the defroster before you wash the
windshield.
CAUTION
.
Do not operate the washer continu-
ously for more than 30 seconds.
. Do not operate the washer if the
reservoir tank is empty.
. Do not fill the window washer
reservoir tank with washer fluid
concentrates at full strength. Some
methyl alcohol based washer fluid
concentrates may permanently stain
the grille if spilled while filling the
window washer reservoir tank.
. Pre-mix washer fluid concentrates
with water to the manufacturer’s
recommended levels before pouring
the fluid into the window washer
Instruments and controls2-29
WINDSHIELD WIPER AND WASHER
SWITCH

SIC3980
Type A
SIC3979
Type B
To defog/defrost the rear window glass and
outside mirrors, start the engine and push the
switch
*1on. The indicator light*2will come
on. Push the switch again to turn the defroster
off.
It will automatically turn off in approximately 15
minutes.
CAUTION
. When cleaning the inner side of the
rear window, be careful not to
scratch or damage the rear window
defroster.
. Do not use the rear window defros-
ter switch while the soft top is being
operated or fully opened. The heat
may damage the top material and/
or components (for Roadster mod-
els) .
XENON HEADLIGHTS
WARNING
HIGH VOLTAGE
. When xenon headlights are on, they
produce a high voltage. To prevent
an electric shock, never attempt to
modify or disassemble. Always have
your xenon headlights replaced at a
NISSAN dealer.
. Xenon headlights provide consider-
ably more light than conventional
headlights. If they are not correctly
aimed, they might temporarily blind
an oncoming driver or the driver
ahead of you and cause a serious
accident. If headlights are not aimed
correctly, immediately take your ve-
hicle to a NISSAN dealer and have
the headlights adjusted correctly.
When the xenon headlight is initially turned on,
its brightness or color varies slightly. However,
the color and brightness will soon stabilize.
. The life of xenon headlights will be
shortened by frequent on-off opera-
tion. It is generally desirable not to turn
Instruments and controls2-31
REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER
SWITCH HEADLIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL
SWITCH