NISSAN 370Z COUPE 2012 Owners Manual

4. Store the two air deflectors and four screwsto reinstall in the reverse order.
5. When reinstalling, make sure all six screws are firmly tightened on both air deflectors.
WARNING
.It is extremely dangerous to ride
in a cargo area inside the vehi-
cle. In a collision, people riding
in these areas are more likely to
be seriously injured or killed.
.Do not allow people to ride in
any area of vehicle that is not
equipped with seats and seat
belts.
.Be sure everyone in your vehicle
is in a seat and using a seat belt
properly.
TERMS
It is important to familiarize yourself with the
following terms before loading your vehicle:
.Curb Weight (actual weight of your
vehicle) - vehicle weight including:
standard equipment, fluids, emergency
tools, and spare tire assembly. This
weight does not include passengers
and cargo. .
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) - curb
weight plus the combined weight of
optional equipment, passengers and
cargo.
. GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
- maximum total combined weight of the
unloaded vehicle, passengers, luggage,
hitch, trailer tongue load and any other
optional equipment. This information is
located on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S.
label.
. GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) -
maximum weight (load) limit specified
for the front or rear axle. This informa-
tion is located on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.
S.S. label.
. GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rat-
ing) - The maximum total weight rating
of the vehicle, passengers, cargo, and
trailer.
. Vehicle Capacity Weight, Load limit,
Total load capacity - maximum total
weight limit specified of the load
(passengers and cargo) for the vehicle.
This is the maximum combined weight
of occupants and cargo that can be
Technical and consumer information9-17
VEHICLE LOADING INFORMATION

9-18Technical and consumer information
loaded into the vehicle. If the vehicle is
used to tow a trailer, the trailer tongue
weight must be included as part of the
cargo load. This information is located
on the Tire and Loading Information
label.
. Cargo capacity - permissible weight of
cargo, the weight of total occupants
weight subtracted from the load limit.
STI0365
VEHICLE LOAD CAPACITY
Do not exceed the load limit of your vehicle
shown as “The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo” on the Tire and Loading
Information label. Do not exceed the
number of occupants shown as “Seating
Capacity” on the Tire and Loading Informa-
tion label.
To get “the combined weight of occupants
and cargo”, add the weight of all occu-
pants, then add the total luggage weight.
Examples are shown in the illustration.
Steps for determining correct load limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined
weight of occupants and cargo should
never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs” on
your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding
in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg or
XXX lbs.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load

capacity. For example, if the XXX
amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will
be five 150 lb. passengers in your
vehicle, the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400−750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs or
640 −340 (5 x 70) = 300 kg.)
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and luggage
load capacity calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be transferred
to your vehicle. Consult this manual to
determine how this reduces the avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity
of your vehicle.
Before driving a loaded vehicle, confirm
that you do not exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) or the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR) for your vehicle.
(See “Measurement of weights” (P.9-19) .)
Also check tires for proper inflation pres-
sures. See the Tire and Loading Information
label.LOADING TIPS
. The GVW must not exceed GVWR or
GAWR as specified on the F.M.V.S.S./
C.M.V.S.S. certification label.
. Do not load the front and rear axle to
the GAWR. Doing so will exceed the
GVWR.
WARNING
.Properly secure all cargo to help
prevent it from sliding or shift-
ing. Do not place cargo higher
than the seatbacks. In a sudden
stop or collision, unsecured car-
go could cause personal injury.
. Do not load your vehicle any
heavier than the GVWR or the
maximum front and rear
GAWRs. If you do, parts of your
vehicle can break, tire damage
could occur, or it can change the
way your vehicle handles. This
could result in loss of control
and cause personal injury. .
Overloading could not only
shorten the life of your vehicle
and the tires, but also could lead
to hazardous vehicle handling
and long braking distance. This
may cause a premature tire
malfunction, which could result
in a serious accident and perso-
nal injury. Failures caused by
overloading are not covered by
the vehicle’s warranty.
MEASUREMENT OF WEIGHTS
Secure loose items to prevent weight shifts
that could affect the balance of your
vehicle. When the vehicle is loaded, drive
to a scale and weigh the front and the rear
wheels separately to determine axle loads.
Individual axle loads should not exceed
either of the gross axle weight ratings
(GAWR). The total of the axle loads should
not exceed the gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR) . These ratings are given on the
vehicle certification label. If weight ratings
are exceeded, move or remove items to
bring all weights below the ratings.
Technical and consumer information9-19

9-20Technical and consumer information
Do not tow a trailer with your vehicle.Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground is sometimes called flat towing. This
method is sometimes used when towing a
vehicle 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 back-
ward.
. DO NOT tow any automatic trans-
mission vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground (flat towing) . Doing
so WILL DAMAGE internal transmis-
sion parts due to lack of transmis-
sion lubrication.
. For emergency towing procedures
refer to “Towing recommended by
NISSAN (except for NISMO mod-
els)” (P.6-19) of this manual.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
To tow a vehicle equipped with an automatic
transmission, an appropriate vehicle dolly MUST
be placed under the towed vehicle’s drive
wheels. Always follow the dolly manufacturer’s
recommendations when using their product.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
. Always tow with the manual transmission in
Neutral.
. Your vehicle speed should never exceed 70
MPH (112 km/h) when flat towing your
vehicle.
. 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 the transmission’s internal parts.
TOWING A TRAILER FLAT TOWING

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
TREADWEAR
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified
government 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 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 char-
acteristics and climate.
TRACTION AA, A, B AND C
The 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
measured under controlled conditions on spe-
cified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire
is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning,
or peak traction characteristics.
TEMPERATURE A, B AND C
The temperature grades 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 Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by law.
WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, under-inflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in combi-
nation, can cause heat build-up and
possible tire failure.
Technical and consumer information9-21
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING

9-22Technical and consumer information
Your NISSAN is covered by the following
emission warranties.
For US:
.Emission Defects Warranty
. Emissions Performance Warranty
Details of these warranties may be found with
other vehicle warranties in your Warranty In-
formation Booklet which comes with your
NISSAN. If you did not receive a Warranty
Information Booklet, or it is lost, you may obtain a
replacement by writing to:
. Nissan North America, Inc.
Consumer Affairs Department
P.O. Box 685003
Franklin, TN 37068-5003
For Canada:
Emission Control System Warranty
Details of this warranty may be found with other
vehicle warranties in your Warranty Information
Booklet which comes with your NISSAN. If you
did not receive a Warranty Information Booklet,
or it is lost, you may obtain a replacement by
writing to:
. Nissan Canada Inc.
5290 Orbitor Drive
Mississauga, Ontario,
L4W 4Z5For USA
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect
which could cause a crash or could cause
injury or death, you should immediately
inform the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) in addition to
notifying NISSAN.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it
may open an investigation, and if it finds
that a safety defect exists in a group of
vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot be-
come involved in individual problems be-
tween you, your dealer, or NISSAN.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the
Vehicle Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-888-
327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go to
http://www.safercar.gov; or write to: Ad-
ministrator, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street,
SW., Washington, D.C. 20590. You can
also obtain other information about motor
vehicle safety from
http://www.safercar.gov.
You may notify NISSAN by contacting our
Consumer Affairs Department, toll-free, at
1-800-NISSAN-1. For Canada
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect
which could cause a crash or could cause
injury or death, you should immediately
inform Transport Canada in addition to
notifying NISSAN.
If Transport Canada receives complaints, it
may open an investigation, and if it finds
that a safety defect exists in a group of
vehicles, it may request that NISSAN
conduct a recall campaign. However,
Transport Canada cannot become involved
in individual problems between you, your
dealer, or NISSAN.
You may contact Transport Canada’s De-
fect Investigations and Recalls Division toll
free at 1-800-333-0510. You may also
report safety defects online at:
https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/7/
PCDB-BDPP/Index.aspx.
Additional information concerning motor
vehicle safety may be obtained from Trans-
port Canada’s Road Safety Information
Centre at 1-800-333-0371 or online at
www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety (English speak-
ers) or www.tc.gc.ca/securiteroutiere
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
WARRANTY
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS

(French speakers).
To notify NISSAN of any safety concerns
please contact our Consumer Information
Centre toll free at 1-800-387-0122.Due to legal requirements in some states and
Canadian Provinces, your vehicle may be
required to be in what is called the “ready
condition” for an Inspection/Maintenance (I/M)
test of the emission control system.
The vehicle is set to the “ready condition” when
it is driven through certain driving patterns.
Usually, the “ready condition” can be obtained
by ordinary usage of the vehicle.
If a powertrain system component is repaired or
the battery is disconnected, the vehicle may be
reset to a “not ready condition”. Before taking
the I/M test, check the vehicle’s inspection/
maintenance test readiness condition. Place the
ignition switch in the ON position without
starting the engine. If the Malfunction Indicator
Light (MIL) comes on steady for 20 seconds and
then blinks for 10 seconds, the I/M test
condition is “not ready”. If the MIL does not
blink after 20 seconds, the I/M test condition is
“ready”.
Contact a NISSAN dealer to set “ready condi-
tion” or to prepare the vehicle for testing.This vehicle is equipped with an Event
Data Recorder (EDR) . The main purpose of
an EDR is to record, in certain crash or near
crash-like situations, such as an air bag
deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data
that will assist in understanding how a
vehicle’s systems performed. The EDR is
designed to record data related to vehicle
dynamics and safety systems for a short
period of time, typically 30 seconds or less.
The EDR in this vehicle is designed to
record such data as:
.
How various systems in your vehicle
were operating;
. Whether or not the driver and passen-
ger safety belts were buckled/fas-
tened;
. How far (if at all) the driver was
depressing the accelerator and/or
brake pedal; and,
. How fast the vehicle was traveling.
. Sounds are not recorded.
These data can help provide a better
understanding of the circumstances in
which crashes and injuries occur. NOTE:
EDR data are recorded by your vehicle only
if a nontrivial crash situation occurs; no
data are recorded by the EDR under
normal driving conditions and no personal
Technical and consumer information9-23
READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST EVENT DATA RECORDERS (EDR)

9-24Technical and consumer information
data (e.g. name, gender, age and crash
location) are recorded. However, other
parties, such as law enforcement, could
combine the EDR data with the type of
personally identifying data routinely ac-
quired during a crash investigation.
To read data recorded by an EDR, special
equipment is required and access to the
vehicle or the EDR is needed. In addition to
the vehicle manufacturer and NISSAN
dealer, other parties, such as law enforce-
ment, that have the special equipment, can
read the information if they have access to
the vehicle or the EDR.Genuine NISSAN Service Manuals for this
model year and prior can be purchased. A
genuine NISSAN Service Manual is the best
source of service and repair information for your
vehicle. This manual is the same one used by the
factory trained technicians working at a NISSAN
dealer. Genuine NISSAN Owner’s Manuals can
also be purchased.
In the USA:
For current pricing and availability of genuine
NISSAN Service Manuals
contact:
1-800-450-9491
www.nissan-techinfo.com
For current pricing and availability of genuine
NISSAN Owner’s Manuals contact:
1-800-247-5321
In Canada:
To purchase a copy of a genuine NISSAN
Service Manual or Owner’s Manual for this
model year and prior please contact a NISSAN
dealer. For the phone number and location of a
NISSAN dealer in your area call the NISSAN
Information Center at 1-800-387-0122 and a
bilingual NISSAN representative will assist you.
OWNER’S MANUAL/SERVICE
MANUAL ORDER INFORMATION

10 Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ............................ 5-26
Advanced air bag system ......................................... 1-33
Air bag systemAdvanced air bag system .................................. 1-33
Front passenger air bag and status light....... 1-35
Front-seat mounted side-impact
supplemental air bag system ............................ 1-38
Roof-mounted curtain side-impact
supplemental air bag system ............................ 1-38
Air bag warning labels............................................... 1-40
Air bag warning light...................................... 1-41, 2-13
Air cleaner housing filter ........................................... 8-19
Air conditioner Air conditioner operation.................................... 4-24
Air conditioner service ........................................ 4-30
Air conditioner specification label.................... 9-13
Air conditioning system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations....................... 4-30, 9-7
In-cabin microfilter ............................................... 4-30
Air deflectors................................................................ 9-16
Alarm, How to stop alarm (see vehicle
security system)........................................................... 2-28
Alcohol, drugs and driving.......................................... 5-7
Antenna.......................................................................... 4-79
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ............................ 5-26
Anti-lock braking system (ABS) warning light..... 2-10
Appearance care Exterior appearance care ...................................... 7-2
Interior appearance care ....................................... 7-5
Audible reminders....................................................... 2-16
Audio operation precautions.................................... 4-31
Audio system................................................................ 4-31 Steering wheel audio controls.......................... 4-77 Autochanger
Compact Disc (CD) ............................................ 4-49
Autolight system.......................................................... 2-32
Automatic Air conditioner (Type A) ..................................... 4-25
Air conditioner (Type B) ..................................... 4-28
Automatic adjusting function
(front windows)..................................................... 2-46
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF).................. 8-13
Door locks................................................................. 3-5
Driving with automatic transmission................ 5-12
AUX (Auxiliary) button.................................... 4-46, 4-51
Auxiliary input jacks .................................................... 4-75
Avoiding collision and rollover ................................... 5-6
B
Battery............................................................................ 8-16 Battery saver system........................................... 2-34
Intelligent Key........................................................ 8-25
Variable voltage control system........................ 8-18
Before starting the engine........................................ 5-11
Belts (See drive belts)............................................... 8-18
Bluetooth
®hands-free phone system
(models with navigation system)............................. 4-81
Bluetooth
®hands-free phone system
(models without navigation system) ....................... 4-91
Bluetooth
®streaming audio ..................................... 4-63
Booster seats............................................................... 1-24
Brake Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ..................... 5-26
Brake and clutch fluid......................................... 8-14
Brake fluid.............................................................. 8-14
Brake system......................................................... 5-25
Parking brake operation ..................................... 5-20
Warning light......................................................... 2-10 Break-in schedule ....................................................... 5-23
Brightness control......................................................... 4-7 Display ON/OFF button ........................................ 4-7
Instrument panel................................................... 2-34
Bulb check/instrument panel ................................... 2-10
Bulb replacement........................................................ 8-27
C
Cabin air filter............................................................... 4-30
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants ....... 9-2
Car phone or CB radio ............................................. 4-80
Cargo cover.................................................................. 2-43
Catalytic converter, Three way catalyst................... 5-3
CD/CF/USB memory care and cleaning .............. 4-76
Center multi-function control panel
(models with navigation system)............................... 4-3
Child restraints............................................................. 1-18 Booster seats........................................................ 1-24
Precautions on child restraints......................... 1-18
Top tether strap.................................................... 1-19
Child safety................................................................... 1-15
Chimes Audible reminders................................................ 2-16
Seat belt warning light and chime................... 2-13
Circuit breaker, Fusible link...................................... 8-23
Cleaning exterior and interior............................ 7-2, 7-5
Clock..................................................................... 2-8, 2-25
Clutch fluid.................................................................... 8-14
Cockpit ............................................................................ 2-3
Cold weather driving.................................................. 5-31
Compact Disc (CD) changer (See
audio system)............................................................... 4-49
Compact Disc (CD) player (See
audio system)................................................... 4-45, 4-54
Compact spare tire..................................................... 8-40

10-2
Console box ................................................................. 2-42
CoolantCapacities and
recommended fuel/lubricants............................... 9-2
Changing engine coolant................................... 8-10
Checking engine coolant level.......................... 8-10
Corrosion protection .................................................... 7-8
Cover, Cargo cover.................................................... 2-43
Cruise control............................................................... 5-21
Cup holders.................................................................. 2-40
D
Dampers, Performance dampers ............................ 5-30
Daytime running light system................................... 2-34
Defroster switch, Rear window
defroster switch........................................................... 2-31
Dimensions ................................................................... 9-10
Drive belts..................................................................... 8-18
Driving Cold weather driving........................................... 5-31
Driving with automatic transmission................ 5-12
Driving with manual transmission..................... 5-16
Precautions when starting and driving .............. 5-2
DVD player operation................................................. 4-56
E
Economy, Fuel.............................................................. 5-23
Elapsed time................................................................. 2-23
Emergency tire puncture repair kit ........................... 6-8
Emission control information label.......................... 9-12
Emission control system warranty........................... 9-22
Engine Before starting the engine................................. 5-11
Break-in schedule ................................................ 5-23 Capacities and
recommended fuel/lubricants............................... 9-2
Changing engine coolant................................... 8-10
Changing engine oil and filter........................... 8-11
Checking engine coolant level.......................... 8-10
Checking engine oil level................................... 8-11
Coolant temperature gauge ................................. 2-7
Emergency engine shut off................................ 5-10
Engine block heater............................................. 5-32
Engine compartment check locations................ 8-8
Engine cooling system........................................... 8-9
Engine oil................................................................ 8-11
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation........... 9-6
Engine oil replacement indicator...................... 2-21
Engine oil temperature gauge.............................. 2-8
Engine oil viscosity.................................................. 9-6
Engine serial number........................................... 9-12
Engine specifications ............................................. 9-8
Engine start operation indicator ....................... 2-18
Engine start operation indicator (Manual
Transmission models) ......................................... 2-19
If your vehicle overheats..................................... 6-16
Starting the engine .............................................. 5-11
Event Data Recorders (EDR)................................... 9-23
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide)................................ 5-2
F
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label ............... 9-12
Filter Air cleaner housing filter .................................... 8-19
Changing engine oil and filter........................... 8-11
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch)..... 2-35
Flat tire............................................................................. 6-2 Repairing flat tire (with emergency tire
puncture repair kit) ................................................. 6-8 Flat towing .................................................................... 9-20
Floor mat cleaning ........................................................ 7-6
Fluid Automatic transmission fluid (ATF).................. 8-13
Brake and clutch fluid......................................... 8-14
Brake fluid.............................................................. 8-14
Capacities and
recommended fuel/lubricants............................... 9-2
Engine coolant......................................................... 8-9
Engine oil................................................................ 8-11
Power steering fluid............................................. 8-13
Window washer fluid .......................................... 8-15
FM-AM radio with Compact Disc (CD) player.... 4-43
FM-AM-SAT radio with compact disc (CD)
changer (models without navigation system) ...... 4-47
FM-AM-SAT radio with compact disc (CD)
player (models with navigation system) ................ 4-52
Fog light switch........................................................... 2-35
Front manual seat adjustment.................................... 1-4
Front passenger air bag and status light.............. 1-35
Front power seat adjustment ..................................... 1-2
Front seat, Front seat adjustment............................. 1-2
Fuel Capacities and
recommended fuel/lubricants............................... 9-2
Fuel economy........................................................ 5-23
Fuel economy information (display).................... 4-9
Fuel octane rating ................................................... 9-4
Fuel recommendation............................................. 9-4
Fuel-filler cap......................................................... 3-34
Fuel-filler door....................................................... 3-34
Gauge ........................................................................ 2-7
LOOSE FUEL CAP warning ............................. 3-35
Fuses.............................................................................. 8-22
Fusible links.................................................................. 8-23