NISSAN 370Z ROADSTER 2011 Workshop Manual

Black plate (47,1)
Model "Z34-D" EDITED: 2010/ 7/ 27
SSS0007SSS0006
SSS0008SSS0009
SSS0099SSS0100
Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
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Black plate (48,1)
Model "Z34-D" EDITED: 2010/ 7/ 27
WARNING
.Never let children ride unrestrained
or extend their hands or face out of
the window. Do not attempt to hold
them in your lap or arms. Some
examples of dangerous riding posi-
tions are shown in the illustrations.
. Children may be severely injured or
killed when the front air bags, side
air bags or curtain air bags inflate if
they are not properly restrained.
. Even with the NISSAN Advanced Air
Bag System, never install a rear-
facing child restraint in the front
seat. An inflating front air bag could
seriously injure or kill your child.
See “CHILD RESTRAINTS” earlier in
this section for details.
SSS0059ASSS0162
SSS0159
WARNING
Front seat-mounted side-impact sup-
plemental air bags and roof-mounted
(Coupe models) or door-mounted
(Roadster models) curtain side-impact
supplemental air bags:
.The front seat-mounted side-impact
air bags and roof-mounted (Coupe
models) or door-mounted (Roadster
models) curtain air bags ordinarily
will not inflate in the event of a
frontal impact, rear impact, rollover
or lower severity side collision. Al-
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Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

Black plate (49,1)
Model "Z34-D" EDITED: 2010/ 7/ 27
ways wear your seat belts to help
reduce the risk or severity of injury
in various kinds of accidents.
. The seat belts, side air bags and
curtain air bags are most effective
when you are sitting well back and
upright in the seat. The side air bag
and curtain air bag inflate with great
force. Do not allow anyone to place
their hand, leg or face near the side
air bag on the side of the seatback
of the front seat or near the side
roof rails (Coupe models)/door trim
(Roadster models) . Do not allow
anyone sitting in the front seats to
extend their hand out of the window
or lean against the door. Some
examples of dangerous riding posi-
tions are shown in the previous
illustrations.
. Do not use seat covers on the front
seatbacks. They may interfere with
supplemental side air bag inflation.
SSS1012
1. Crash zone sensor
2. Supplemental front air bag modules (NISSAN
Advanced Air Bags)
3. Roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags (for Coupe models)
4. Roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bag inflators (for Coupe models) 5. Door-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental
air bag inflators (for Roadster models)
6. Door-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags (for Roadster models)
7. Front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags
8. Occupant classification sensor (pattern sensor)
Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
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Black plate (50,1)
Model "Z34-D" EDITED: 2010/ 7/ 27
9. Occupant classification system control unit
10. Air bag Control Unit (ACU)
11. Satellite sensors
12. Seat belt with pretensionerNISSAN ADVANCED AIR BAG SYS-
TEM (front seats)This vehicle is equipped with the NISSAN
Advanced Air Bag System for the driver and
front passenger seats. This system is designed
to meet certification requirements under U.S.
regulations. It is also permitted in Canada.
However, all of the information, cautions
and warnings in this manual still apply and
must be followed.
The driver supplemental front-impact air bag is
located in the center of the steering wheel. The
front passenger supplemental front-impact air
bag is mounted in the instrument panel above
the glove box. The front air bags are designed to
inflate in higher severity frontal collisions,
although they may inflate if the forces in another
type of collision are similar to those of a higher
severity frontal impact. They may not inflate in
certain frontal collisions. Vehicle damage (or lack
of it) is not always an indication of proper front
air bag operation.
The NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System has
dual stage air bag inflators. The system monitors
information from the crash zone sensor, the Air
bag Control Unit (ACU) , seat belt buckleswitches and the occupant classification sensor
(pattern sensor) . Inflator operation is based on
the severity of a collision and seat belt usage for
the driver. For the front passenger, the occupant
classification sensor is also monitored. Based
on information from the sensors, only one front
air bag may inflate in a crash, depending on the
crash severity and whether the front occupants
are belted or unbelted. Additionally, the front
passenger air bag may be automatically turned
OFF under some conditions, depending on the
information provided by the occupant classifica-
tion sensor. If the front passenger air bag is OFF,
the passenger air bag status light will be
illuminated (if the seat is unoccupied, the light
will not be illuminated, but the air bag will be off) .
(See “Front passenger air bag and status light”
later in this section for further details.) One front
air bag inflating does not indicate improper
performance of the system.
If you have any questions about your air bag
system, contact a NISSAN dealer. If you are
considering modification of your vehicle due to a
disability, you may also contact a NISSAN
dealer. Contact information is contained in the
front of this Owner’s Manual.
When a front air bag inflates, a fairly loud noise
may be heard, followed by release of smoke.
This smoke is not harmful and does not indicate
a fire. Care should be taken not to inhale it, as it
may cause irritation and choking. Those with a
history of a breathing condition should get fresh
air promptly.
Front air bags, along with the use of seat belts,
help to cushion the impact force on the head
and chest of the front occupants. They can help
save lives and reduce serious injuries. However,
an inflating front air bag may cause facial
abrasions or other injuries. Front air bags do
not provide restraint to the lower body.
Even with NISSAN advanced air bags, seat
belts should be correctly worn and the driver
and passenger seated upright as far as practical
away from the steering wheel or instrument
panel. The front air bags inflate quickly in order
to help protect the front occupants. Because of
this, the force of the front air bag inflating can
increase the risk of injury if the occupant is too
close to, or is against, the air bag module during
inflation.
The front air bags deflate quickly after a collision.
The supplemental front air bags operate
only when the ignition switch is in the ON
position.
After pushing the ignition switch to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The supplemental air bag
warning light will turn off after about 7
seconds if the system is operational.1-32
Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

Black plate (51,1)
Model "Z34-D" EDITED: 2010/ 7/ 27
SSS0988
Front passenger air bag status light
Front passenger air bag and status light
WARNING
The front passenger air bag is designed
to automatically turn OFF under some
conditions. Read this section carefully
to learn how it operates. Proper use of
the seat, seat belt and child restraints is
necessary for most effective protection.
Failure to follow all instructions in this
manual concerning the use of seats,
seat belts and child restraints can
increase the risk or severity of injury in
an accident.Status light:
The front passenger air bag status light
is
located on the instrument panel. After the
ignition switch is placed in the ON position,
the front passenger air bag status light illumi-
nates for about 7 seconds and then turns off or
illuminates depending on the front passenger
occupied status. The light operates as follows:
. Unoccupied passenger seat: Theis
OFF and the front passenger air bag is OFF
and will not inflate in a crash.
. Passenger seat occupied by a small adult,
child or child restraint as outlined in this
section: The
illuminates to indicate that
the front passenger air bag is OFF and will
not inflate in a crash.
. Occupied passenger seat and the passen-
ger meets the conditions outlined in this
section: The light
is OFF to indicate
that the front passenger air bag is opera-
tional.
Front passenger air bag:
The front passenger air bag is designed to
automatically turn OFF when the vehicle is
operated under some conditions as described
below as permitted by U.S. regulations. If the
front passenger air bag is OFF, it will not inflate
in a crash. The driver air bag and other air bags
in your vehicle are not part of this system. The purpose of the regulation is to help reduce
the risk of injury or death from an inflating air bag
to certain front passenger seat occupants, such
as children, by requiring the air bag to be
automatically turned OFF.
The occupant classification sensor (pattern
sensor) is in the front passenger seat cushion
and is designed to detect an occupant and
objects on the seat. For example, if a child is in
the front passenger seat, the Advanced Air Bag
System is designed to turn the passenger air
bag OFF in accordance with the regulations.
Also, if a child restraint of the type specified in
the regulations is on the seat, the occupant
classification sensor can detect it and cause the
air bag to turn OFF.
Front passenger seat adult occupants who are
properly seated and using the seat belt as
outlined in this manual should not cause the
passenger air bag to be automatically turned
OFF. For small adults it may be turned OFF,
however, if the occupant does not sit in the seat
properly (for example, by not sitting upright, by
sitting on an edge of the seat, or by otherwise
being out of position) , this could cause the
sensor to turn the air bag OFF. Always be sure
to be seated and wearing the seat belt properly
for the most effective protection by the seat belt
and supplemental air bag.
The occupant classification sensor is designed
to operate as described above to turn the frontSafety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
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Black plate (52,1)
Model "Z34-D" EDITED: 2010/ 7/ 27
passenger air bag OFF for specified child
restraints. Failing to properly secure child
restrains and to use the ALR mode (child
restraint mode) may allow the restraint to tip or
move in an accident or sudden stop. This can
also result in the passenger air bag inflating in a
crash instead of being OFF. (See “CHILD
RESTRAINTS” earlier in this section for proper
use and installation.)
If the front passenger seat is not occupied, the
passenger air bag is designed not to inflate in a
crash. However, heavy objects placed on the
seat could result in air bag inflation, because of
the object being detected by the occupant
classification sensor. Other conditions could
also result in air bag inflation, such as if a child is
standing on the seat, or if two children are on the
seat, contrary to the instructions in this manual.
Always be sure that you and all vehicle
occupants are seated and restrained properly.
Using the passenger air bag status light, you can
monitor when the front passenger air bag is
automatically turned OFF with the seat occu-
pied. The light will not illuminate when the front
passenger seat is unoccupied.
If an adult occupant is in the seat but the
passenger air bag status light is illuminated
(indicating that the air bag is OFF) , it could be
that the person is a small adult, or is not sitting
on the seat properly.If a child restraint must be used in the front seat,
the passenger air bag status light may or may
not be illuminated, depending on the size of the
child and the type of child restraint being used. If
the passenger air bag status light is not
illuminated (indicating that the air bag might
inflate in a crash) , it could be that the child
restraint or seat belt is not being used properly.
Make sure that the child restraint is installed
properly, the seat belt is used properly and the
occupant is positioned properly. If the passen-
ger air bag status light is still not illuminated, try
a different child restraint.
If the passenger air bag status light will not
illuminate even though you believe that the child
restraint, the seat belts and the occupant are
properly positioned, the system may be sensing
an unoccupied seat (in which case the air bag is
OFF) . Your NISSAN dealer can check that the
system is OFF by using a special tool. However,
until you have confirmed with your dealer that
your air bag is working properly, do not transport
a child in this vehicle.
The NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System and
passenger air bag status light will take a few
seconds to register a change in the passenger
seat status. However, if the seat becomes
unoccupied, the air bag status light will remain
off.
If a malfunction occurs in the front passenger air
bag system, the supplemental air bag warninglight
, located in the meter and gauges area
will blink. Have the system checked by a
NISSAN dealer.
Other supplemental front-impact air bag
precautions
WARNING
. Do not place any objects on the
steering wheel pad or on the instru-
ment panel. Also, do not place any
objects between any occupant and
the steering wheel or instrument
panel. Such objects may become
dangerous projectiles and cause
injury if the front air bag inflates.
. Do not place objects with sharp
edges on the seat. Also, do not
place heavy objects on the seat that
will leave permanent impressions in
the seat. Such objects can damage
the seat or occupant classification
sensor (pattern sensor) . This can
affect the operation of the air bag
system and result in serious perso-
nal injury.
. Do not use water or acidic cleaners
(hot steam cleaners) on the seat.
This can damage the seat or occu-
1-34
Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

Black plate (53,1)
Model "Z34-D" EDITED: 2010/ 7/ 27
pant classification sensor. This can
also affect the operation of the air
bag system and result in serious
personal injury.
. Immediately after inflation, several
front air bag system components
will be hot. Do not touch them; you
may severely burn yourself.
. No unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring
of the air bag system. This is to
prevent accidental inflation of the
supplemental air bag or damage to
the supplemental air bag system.
. Do not make unauthorized changes
to your vehicle’s electrical system,
suspension system or front end
structure. This could affect proper
operation of the front air bag sys-
tem.
. Tampering with the front air bag
system may result in serious perso-
nal injury. Tampering includes
changes to the steering wheel and
the instrument panel assembly by
placing material over the steering
wheel pad and above the instrument
panel or by installing additional trim material around the air bag system.
. Modifying or tampering with the
front passenger seat may result in
serious personal injury. For exam-
ple, do not change the front seats by
placing material on the seat cushion
or by installing additional trim ma-
terial, such as seat covers, on the
seat that is not specifically designed
to assure proper air bag operation.
Additionally, do not stow any ob-
jects under the front passenger seat
or the seat cushion and seatback.
Such objects may interfere with the
proper operation of the occupant
classification sensor.
. No unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring
of the seat belt system. This may
affect the front air bag system.
Tampering with the seat belt system
may result in serious personal in-
jury.
. Work on and around the front air
bag system should be done by a
NISSAN dealer. Installation of elec-
trical equipment should also be
done by a NISSAN dealer. The
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) wiring harnesses* should not
be modified or disconnected. Un-
authorized electrical test equipment
and probing devices should not be
used on the air bag system.
. A cracked windshield should be
replaced immediately by a qualified
repair facility. A cracked windshield
could affect the function of the
supplemental air bag system.
* The SRS wiring harness connectors are
yellow and orange for easy identifica-
tion.
When selling your vehicle, we request that you
inform the buyer about the front air bag system
and guide the buyer to the appropriate sections
in this Owner’s Manual.
Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
1-35

Black plate (54,1)
Model "Z34-D" EDITED: 2010/ 7/ 27
SSS0982
FRONT SEAT-MOUNTED SIDE-IM-
PACT AND ROOF/DOOR-MOUNTED
CURTAIN SIDE-IMPACT SUPPLEMEN-
TAL AIR BAG SYSTEMSThe side air bags are located in the outside of
the seatback of the front seats. The curtain air
bags are located in the side roof rails (Coupe) or
upper side of the door trim (Roadster) . These
systems are designed to meet voluntary guide-
lines to help reduce the risk of injury to out-of-
position occupants.However, all of the
information, cautions and warnings in this
manual still apply and must be followed.
The side air bags and curtain air bags are
designed to inflate in higher severity side
collisions, although they may inflate if the forces in another type of collision are similar to those of
a higher severity side impact. They are designed
to inflate on the side where the vehicle is
impacted. They may not inflate in certain side
collisions on the side where the vehicle is
impacted.
Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is not always an
indication of proper supplemental side air bag
and curtain air bag operation.
When side air bags and curtain air bags inflate, a
fairly loud noise may be heard, followed by
release of smoke. This smoke is not harmful and
does not indicate a fire. Care should be taken
not to inhale it, as it may cause irritation and
choking. Those with a history of a breathing
condition should get fresh air promptly.
Side air bags, along with the use of seat belts,
help to cushion the impact force on the chest
and pelvis of the front occupants. Curtain air
bags help to cushion the impact force to the
head of occupants. They can help save lives and
reduce serious injuries. However, an inflating
side air bags and curtain air bags may cause
abrasions or other injuries. Side air bags and
curtain air bags do not provide restraint to the
lower body.
The seat belts should be correctly worn and the
driver and passenger seated upright as far as
practical away from the side air bag, and seated
as far away as practical from the door finishers
and side roof rails. The side air bags and curtain
air bags inflate quickly in order to help protect
the out-of-position occupants. Because of this,
the force of the side air bags and curtain air
bags inflating can increase the risk of injury if the
occupant is too close to, or is against, these air
bag modules during inflation. The side air bags
and curtain air bags will deflate quickly after the
collision is over.
The side air bags and curtain air bags operate
only when the ignition switch is in the ON
position.
After pushing the ignition switch to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The air bag warning light
will turn off after about 7 seconds if the
systems are operational.
WARNING
.
Do not place any objects near the
seatback of the front seats. Also, do
not place any objects (an umbrella,
bag, etc.) between the front door
finisher and the front seat. Such
objects may become dangerous
projectiles and cause injury if a side
air bag inflates.
. Right after inflation, several side air
bags and curtain air bag system
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Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

Black plate (55,1)
Model "Z34-D" EDITED: 2010/ 7/ 27
components will be hot. Do not
touch them; you may severely burn
yourself.
. No unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring
of side air bag and curtain air bag
systems. This is to prevent acciden-
tal inflation of the side air bag and
curtain air bag or damage to side air
bag and curtain air bag systems.
. Do not make unauthorized changes
to your vehicle’s electrical system,
suspension system or side panel.
This could affect proper operation
of the side air bag and curtain air
bag systems.
. Tampering with the air bag system
may result in serious personal in-
jury. For example, do not change the
front seats by placing material near
the seatback or by installing addi-
tional trim material, such as seat
covers, around the side air bags.
. Work around and on the side air bag
and curtain air bag systems should
be done by a NISSAN dealer. In-
stallation of electrical equipment
should also be done by a NISSAN dealer. The SRS wiring harnesses*
should not be modified or discon-
nected. Unauthorized electrical test
equipment and probing devices
should not be used on the side-
impact air bag system.
* The SRS wiring harness connectors are
yellow and orange for easy identifica-
tion.
When selling your vehicle, we request that you
inform the buyer about the side air bag and
curtain air bag systems and guide the buyer to
the appropriate sections in this Owner’s Manual.
SEAT BELTS WITH PRETENSIONERS
(front seats)
WARNING
. The pretensioners cannot be reused
after activation. They must be re-
placed together with the retractor
and buckle as a unit.
. If the vehicle becomes involved in a
collision but a pretensioner is not
activated, be sure to have the pre-
tensioner system checked and, if
necessary, replaced by a NISSAN
dealer. .
No unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring
of the pretensioner system. This is
to prevent damage to or accidental
activation of the pretensioners.
Tampering with the pretensioner
system may result in serious perso-
nal injury.
. Work around and on the preten-
sioner system should be done by a
NISSAN dealer. Installation of elec-
trical equipment should also be
done by a NISSAN dealer. Un-
authorized electrical test equipment
and probing devices should not be
used on the pretensioner system.
. If you need to dispose of the
pretensioner or scrap the vehicle,
contact a NISSAN dealer. Correct
pretensioner disposal procedures
are set forth in the appropriate
NISSAN Service Manual. Incorrect
disposal procedures could cause
personal injury.
The pretensioner system may activate with the
supplemental air bag system in certain types of
collisions. Working with the seat belt retractor, it
helps tighten the seat belt when the vehicle
Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
1-37

Black plate (56,1)
Model "Z34-D" EDITED: 2010/ 7/ 27
becomes involved in certain types of collisions,
helping to restrain front seat occupants.
The pretensioner is encased with the seat belt
retractor. These seat belts are used the same
way as conventional seat belts.
When a pretensioner seat belt activates, smoke
is released and a loud noise may be heard. The
smoke is not harmful, and it does not indicate a
fire. Care should be taken not to inhale it as it
may cause irritation and choking. Those with a
history of a breathing condition should get fresh
air promptly.
After pretensioner activation, load limiters allow
the seat belt to release webbing (if necessary) to
reduce forces against the chest.
The supplemental air bag warning light
is
used to indicate malfunctions in the pretensioner
system. (See “SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LIGHT” later in this section for more
details.) If the supplemental air bag warning light
indicates there is a malfunction, have the system
checked by a NISSAN dealer.
When selling your vehicle, we request that you
inform the buyer about the seat belt preten-
sioners and guide the buyer to the appropriate
sections in this Owner’s Manual.
SSS1016
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG WARNING
LABELSWarning labels about the supplemental front-
impact air bag are placed in the vehicle as
shown in the illustration.*1
SRS air bag
The warning labels are located on the surface of
the sun visors.
SPA1097
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG WARNING
LIGHTThe supplemental air bag warning light, display-
ing
in the instrument panel, monitors the
circuits of the supplemental front-impact air bag,
front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental
air bag, roof-mounted (Coupe models) or door-
mounted (Roadster models) curtain side-impact
supplemental air bag, and seat belt pretensioner
systems. The monitored circuits include the air
bag systems, pretensioners and all related
wiring.
When the ignition switch is in the ON position,
the supplemental air bag warning light illumi-
nates for about 7 seconds and then turns off.
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Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system