traction control NISSAN GT-R 2009 Owners Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: NISSAN, Model Year: 2009, Model line: GT-R, Model: NISSAN GT-R 2009Pages: 311, PDF Size: 6.68 MB
Page 106 of 311
Black plate (101,1)
Model "R35-D" EDITED: 2008/ 5/ 20
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. (
“READINESS FOR
INSPECTION/MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST (US
only)” page 9-16)
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 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 GT-R certified
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:
a) Do not drive at speeds above 45 MPH (72 km/h) .
b) Avoid hard acceleration or deceleration.
c) Avoid steep uphill grades.
d) 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 GT-R
certified NISSAN dealer. You do not need
to have your vehicle towed to the dealer.
NOTICE
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.
Slip indicator light
This indicator will blink when the VDC system is
operating, thus alerting the driver to the fact that
the road surface is slippery and the vehicle is
nearing its traction limits.
Turn signal/hazard indicator
lights
The light flashes when the turn signal switch
lever or hazard switch is turned on.
Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) off indicator light
The light comes on when the Vehicle Dynamic
Control (VDC) set up switch is pushed to OFF
for more than 1 second. (
“VDC, TRANS-
MISSION AND SUSPENSION SETUP
SWITCHES” page 5-21)
This indicates that the VDC system is not
operating. When the VDC off indicator light
and slip indicator light come on with the VDC
system turned on, this light alerts the driver to
the fact that the fail-safe mode is operating, for
example the VDC system or the hill start assist
system may not be functioning properly. Have
the system checked by a GT-R certified NISSAN
dealer. If a malfunction occurs in the system, the
VDC system function will be canceled but the
vehicle is still driveable. (“VEHICLE DY-
NAMIC CONTROL (VDC) SYSTEM” page 5-
40)
Instruments and controls
2-29
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Page 201 of 311
Black plate (196,1)
Model "R35-D" EDITED: 2008/ 5/ 20
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
Set up modeFeatures
.
In addition to the normal mode function, this mode adjusts front and rear wheel power
distribution to improve handling.
Normal (light is off)
.
This mode enhances handling by brake control and engine output control when
oversteer or understeer is detected.
.
All VDC functions including Traction Control System (TCS) are deactivated. ABS is
still active.
NOTE:Make sure VDC is on before driving the vehicle. The VDC OFF mode is an emergency
mode to help free a vehicle stuck in mud or snow by temporarily stopping VDC operation
to allow more power to the wheels.
The turbocharger system uses engine oil for
lubrication and cooling of its rotating compo-
nents. The turbocharger turbine turns at extre-
mely high speeds and it can get very hot. It is
essential to maintain a supply of oil flowing
through the turbocharger system. Therefore, a
sudden interruption of oil supply may cause a
malfunction in the turbocharger.
To ensure prolonged life and performance of the
turbocharger, it is essential to perform the
following maintenance procedure:
. Change your engine oil according to the
recommended intervals shown in the sepa-
rate Service and Maintenance Guide. Use
only the recommended engine oil.
. If the engine had been operating at high
engine speed for an extended period of time,
let it idle for a few minutes prior to shut-
down.
. Do not accelerate your engine to high
engine speed immediately after start.
NOTICE
This vehicle includes spark plugs that
are designed for high performance. For
this reason, if the engine is repeatedly
started and stopped over a short time,
the spark plugs may become fouled,
making the engine difficult to start. To
5-26
Starting and driving
TURBOCHARGER SYSTEM
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Page 210 of 311
Black plate (205,1)
Model "R35-D" EDITED: 2008/ 5/ 20
vehicle checked by a GT-R certified
NISSAN dealer as soon as possible.
. The power train may be damaged if
you continue driving with the warn-
ing light blinking rapidly.
TIGHT CORNER BRAKING PHE-
NOMENONWhen driving on dry pavement in AWD mode, or
immediately after starting the engine in cold
conditions, when the steering wheel is turned all
the way, the vehicle may behave as if the brakes
had been applied. This phenomenon is known
as the “tight corner braking phenomenon”.
This phenomenon is unique to AWD vehicles,
and occurs due to a difference in speeds
between the front and rear wheels while the
vehicle is turning. This does not indicate that
there is a malfunction. If this phenomenon
occurs, more force will be required to operate
the steering wheel.NOTE:.If the tight corner braking phenomenon
occurs, a slipping sound may be heard
from the tires, or a squeaking sound
may be heard from the drive system.
. If excessive operation continues when
a wheel has come off the road or at
other times when the operation causes a large difference in speed between the
front and rear wheels (the wheels are
spinning) , the oil temperature in the
drive system parts will increase.
In this case, to protect the drive system
parts, the AWD warning light blinks
rapidly and the system switches to
RWD mode or low AWD mode. Keep
the vehicle stopped and idling for a
short time. When the warning light
stops blinking, the vehicle returns from
RWD mode to normal driving mode.
. If you feel an unusual vibration in the
vehicle, even if the warning lights are
not illuminated, have the vehicle in-
spected by a GT-R certified NISSAN
dealer.
TIRESThis vehicle is equipped with special tires. When
changing the tires, install the designated special
tires. Replacing tires as a set of four with new
ones is recommended. However, if a tire is
punctured or damaged, it may be possible to
replace only the damaged tire. Determining
whether one tire or a complete set of tires
should be replaced is based on a number of
factors including tire wear and condition. Con-
tact your GT-R certified NISSAN dealer. They
can recommend if an individual tire or a complete set should be replaced.
NOTICE
If tires other than the designated tires,
tires with large differences in wear or
tires of different sizes are installed, the
AWD performance will be degraded and
the drive mechanism may be damaged.AWD SYSTEM CHARACTERISTICSThe AWD system automatically distributes the
optimal torque to the front and rear wheels. This
provides both the superior turning performance
of a front wheel drive vehicle and the traction of
a AWD vehicle.
Electronic control continuously distributes tor-
que to the front and rear wheels in the range
from 0:100 (rear-wheel drive mode) to 50:50
(all-wheel drive mode) to match the driving
conditions and road conditions. This allows the
engine output (torque) to be effectively trans-
mitted to the road surface.
Starting and driving
5-35
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Page 215 of 311
Black plate (210,1)
Model "R35-D" EDITED: 2008/ 5/ 20
the ABS warning light on the instrument panel.
The brake system then operates 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 GT-R certified NISSAN dealer.Normal operationThe ABS operates at speeds above 3 to 6 MPH
(5 to 10 km/h) . The speed varies according to
road conditions.
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.
The Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system
uses various sensors to monitor driver inputs
and vehicle motion. Under certain driving situa-
tions, the system will control braking and engine
output to help keep the vehicle on its steered
path.
.The VDC mode can be changed using the
VDC setup switch. (
“VDC, TRANS-
MISSION AND SUSPENSION SETUP
SWITCHES” page 5-21)
. When the VDC system is operating, the
indicator in the instrument panel blinks.
. If the
indicator blinks, the road condi-
tions may be slippery. Be sure to adjust your
speed and driving to these conditions. Be
sure to drive carefully. (
“Slip indicator
light” page 2-29) (
“Vehicle Dynamic
Control (VDC) off indicator light” page 2-
29)
. Indicator light
If a malfunction occurs in the system, the
and
indicator lights illuminate in
the instrument panel. As long as these
indicators are illuminated, the VDC system
function is canceled.
The VDC system uses an Active Brake Limited
Slip (ABLS) function to improve vehicle traction.
The ABLS system works when one of the driving
wheels is spinning on a slippery surface. The ABLS system brakes the spinning wheel, which
distributes the driving power to the other drive
wheel. If the vehicle is operated with the VDC
setup switch pushed and the VDC system
turned off, all VDC systems will be turned off.
The ABLS system and ABS will still operate with
the VDC system off.
While the VDC system is operating, you may feel
a pulsation in the brake pedal and hear a noise
or feel a vibration from under the hood. This is
normal and indicates that the VDC system is
working properly.
The VDC system 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 forward or backward. When the
self-test occurs, you may hear a “clunk” noise
and/or feel a pulsation in the brake pedal. This
does not indicate that there is a malfunction.
WARNING
.
The VDC system is designed to help
improve driving stability but does
not prevent accidents due to abrupt
steering operation at high speeds or
due to careless or dangerous driv-
ing techniques. Reduce vehicle
speed and be especially careful
when driving and cornering on slip-
pery surfaces and always drive care-
5-40
Starting and driving
VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC)
SYSTEM
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Black plate (211,1)
Model "R35-D" EDITED: 2008/ 5/ 20
fully.
. If engine related parts such as
muffler are not standard equipment
or are extremely deteriorated, the
indicator or
indicator or
both indicator lights may illuminate.
. Do not modify the vehicle’s suspen-
sion. If suspension parts such as
shock absorbers, struts, springs,
stabilizer bars and bushings are
not NISSAN approved or are extre-
mely deteriorated the VDC system
may not operate properly. This could
adversely affect vehicle handling
performance, and the
indicator
or
indicator or both indicator
lights may illuminate.
. If brake related parts such as brake
pads, rotors and calipers are not
standard equipment or are extre-
mely deteriorated, the
indicator
or
indicator or both indicator
lights may illuminate.
. When driving on extremely inclined
surfaces such as higher banked
corners, the VDC system may not
operate properly and the
in-
dicator or
indicator or both indicator lights may illuminate. Do
not drive on these types of roads.
. When driving on unstable surfaces
such as a turntable, ferry, elevator
or ramp, the
indicator or
indicator or both indicator lights
may illuminate. This does not indi-
cate that there is a malfunction.
Restart the engine after driving onto
a stable surface.
. If wheels or tires other than those
recommended are used, the VDC
system may not operate properly
and the
indicator or
in-
dicator or both indicator lights may
illuminate.
. The VDC system is not a substitute
for winter tires or tire chains on a
snow covered road.
NOTE:.Make sure VDC is on before driving the
vehicle. The VDC OFF mode is an
emergency mode to help free a vehicle
stuck in mud or snow by temporarily
stopping VDC operation and keeping
torque on the wheels.
. When attempting to free the vehicle
from mud or fresh snow, the VDC will detect the tire slipping, and the engine
speed may not increase even when the
accelerator pedal is depressed. To raise
the engine speed, use the VDC set up
switch to turn the VDC system OFF.
. When the VDC system is turned OFF,
all VDC functions (including traction
control) , except for the ABS functions,
are deactivated.
Starting and driving
5-41
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Page 217 of 311
Black plate (212,1)
Model "R35-D" EDITED: 2008/ 5/ 20
FREEING A FROZEN DOOR LOCKTo prevent a door lock from freezing, apply
deicer through the key hole. If the lock becomes
frozen, heat the key before inserting it into the
key hole or use the Intelligent Key system.ANTI-FREEZEIn the winter when it is anticipated that the
outside temperature will drop below 328F(0 8C) ,
check antifreeze to assure proper winter protec-
tion. (
“ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM”
page 8-9)
BATTERYIf the battery is not fully charged during
extremely cold weather conditions, the battery
fluid may freeze and damage the battery. To
maintain maximum efficiency, the battery should
be checked regularly. (
“BATTERY” page 8-
15)
DRAINING OF COOLANT WATERIf the vehicle is to be left outside without
antifreeze, drain the cooling system, including
the engine block. Refill before operating the
vehicle. For details, contact a GT-R certified
NISSAN dealer.TIRE EQUIPMENTThe GT-R summer tires are made from a
specially formulated rubber to maximize the
vehicle’s performance capabilities. Performance of summer tires is substantially reduced when
temperatures are less than 32
8F(0 8C) so you
must drive carefully. NISSAN recommends the
use of winter or all-season tires on all four
wheels if you plan to operate your vehicle in
snowy or icy conditions when temperatures are
less than 32 8F(0 8C) .
WARNING
Never use summer tires when the
temperature is below 48 F( 20 8C) to
prevent permanent tread deformation
which may cause tire damage or tire
failure. This may cause a loss of vehicle
control which can result in serious
personal injury or death.
Tire chains may be used. (
“TIRE CHAINS”
page 8-36)
If you install tires, they must also be the specified
size, brand, construction and tread pattern on all
four wheels.
SPECIAL WINTER EQUIPMENTIt is recommended that the following items be
carried in the vehicle during winter:
. A scraper and stiff-bristled brush to remove
ice and snow from the windows and wiper
blades. .
A sturdy, flat board to be placed under the
jack to give it firm support.
. A shovel to dig the vehicle out of snowdrifts.
. Extra window washer fluid to refill the
reservoir tank.
DRIVING ON SNOW OR ICE
WARNING
.Wet ice (32 8F, 0 8C and freezing rain) ,
very cold snow or ice can be slick
and very hard to drive on. The
vehicle will have much less traction
or “grip” under these conditions. Try
to avoid driving on wet ice until the
road is salted or sanded.
. Whatever the condition, drive with
caution. Accelerate and slow down
with care. If accelerating or down-
shifting too fast, the drive wheels
will lose even more traction.
. Allow more stopping distance under
these conditions. Braking should be
started sooner than on dry pave-
ment.
. Allow greater following distances
on slippery roads.
. Watch for slippery spots (glare ice) .
5-42
Starting and driving
COLD WEATHER DRIVING
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Black plate (270,1)
Model "R35-D" EDITED: 2008/ 5/ 20
dealer.
If the low tire pressure and the run-flat tire
warning appears on the vehicle information
display:
.Do not exceed 50 MPH (80 km/h) .
. Increase your following distance to allow for
increased stopping distances.
. Avoid sudden maneuvers, hard cornering
and hard braking.
WARNING
.Although you can continue driving
with a punctured run-flat tire, re-
member that vehicle handling sta-
bility is reduced, which could lead to
an accident and personal injury.
Also, driving a long distance at high
speeds may damage the tire.
. Do not drive at speeds above 50
MPH (80 km/h) and do not drive
more than 50 miles (80 km) with a
punctured run-flat tire. The actual
distance the vehicle can be driven
on a flat tire depends on outside
temperature, vehicle load, road con-
ditions and other factors.
. Drive safely at reduced speeds. Avoid hard cornering or braking,
which may cause you to lose control
of the vehicle.
NOTICE
.
Never install tire chains on a punc-
tured run-flat tire, as this could
damage your vehicle.
. Avoid driving over any projection or
pothole, as the clearance between
the vehicle and the ground is smal-
ler than normal.
. Do not enter an automated car wash
with a punctured run-flat tire.
. Have the punctured tire replaced by
a GT-R certified NISSAN dealer as
soon as possible, as the tire’s
performance capability is reduced.Tires for All-Wheel Drive (AWD)If excessive tire wear is found, it is recom-
mended that all four tires be replaced with tires
of the specified size, brand, construction and
tread pattern. The tire pressure and wheel
alignment should also be checked and cor-
rected as necessary. Contact a GT-R certified
NISSAN dealer.
TIRE CHAINSUse of tire chains may be prohibited according
to location. Check the local laws before instal-
ling tire chains. When installing tire chains, make
sure they are of proper size for the tires on your
vehicle and are installed according to the chain
manufacturer instructions. Use only SAE class
S chains. Class “S” chains are used on vehicles
with restricted tire to vehicle clearance. Vehicles
that can use Class “S” chains are designed to
meet the SAE standard minimum clearances
between the tire and the closest vehicle
suspension or body component required to
accommodate the use of a winter traction device
(tire chains or cables) . The minimum clearances
are determined using the factory equipped tire
size. Other types may damage your vehicle. Use
chain tensioners when recommended by the tire
chain manufacturer to ensure a tight fit. Loose
end links of the tire chain must be secured or
removed to prevent the possibility of whipping
action damage to the fenders or undercarriage.
If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle when
using tire chains. In addition, drive at a reduced
speed. Otherwise, your vehicle may be da-
maged and/or vehicle handling and performance
may be adversely affected.NOTE:Tire chains must be installed only on the
rear wheels and not on the front wheels.
8-36
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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Black plate (31,1)
9 Technical and consumer information
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants............ 9-2
Fuel recommendation ...................................... 9-3
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation ............... 9-4
Air conditioning system refrigerant and lubricant
recommendations ........................................... 9-5
Specifications. ................................................... 9-6
Engine ......................................................... 9-6
Wheels and tires ............................................ 9-7
Dimensions ................................................... 9-8
When traveling or registering your vehicle in another
country ............................................................ 9-8
Vehicle identification ........................................... 9-8
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate .............. 9-8
Vehicle identification number (Chassis number) ..... 9-9
Engine serial number ...................................... 9-9
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label ............... 9-9
Emission control information label .................... 9-10
Tire and loading information label ..................... 9-10
Air conditioner specification label ..................... 9-10
Installing front license plate ................................ 9-11
Vehicle loading information ................................. 9-11 Terms
........................................................ 9-11
Vehicle load capacity .................................... 9-12
Loading tips ................................................ 9-13
Measurement of weights ................................ 9-13
Towing a trailer ................................................ 9-14
Flat towing ..................................................... 9-14
Uniform tire quality grading ................................. 9-14
Treadwear .................................................. 9-14
Traction AA, A, B and C ................................ 9-14
Temperature A, B and C ................................ 9-15
Emission control system warranty ......................... 9-15
Reporting safety defects (US only) ....................... 9-16
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test
(US only) ....................................................... 9-16
Event data recorders (EDR) ................................ 9-17
Vehicle status data recorder (VSDR) ..................... 9-18
Handling of data .......................................... 9-18
Owner’s Manual/Service Manual order information . . . 9-18 In the event of a collision ............................... 9-19
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Black plate (292,1)
Model "R35-D" EDITED: 2008/ 5/ 20
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.
DO NOT tow the GT-R with all four wheels on
the ground (flat towing). Doing so WILL
DAMAGE internal transmission parts. Tow the
GT-R with all four wheels off the ground.
(
“TOWING YOUR VEHICLE” page 6-7)
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 ATREADWEARThe 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 CThe 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.
9-14
Technical and consumer information
TOWING A TRAILERFLAT TOWINGUNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
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Black plate (293,1)
Model "R35-D" EDITED: 2008/ 5/ 20
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 CThe 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.
Your NISSAN is covered by specific emission
warranties:
For the United States, see the 2009 NISSAN
GT-R Warranty Information Booklet.
For Canada, see the Warranty and Roadside
Assistance Information Booklet.
If you did not receive a Warranty Information
Booklet (Warranty and Roadside Assistance
Information (Canada only)) , or it has become
lost, you may obtain a replacement by writing to:
.
NISSAN Division
NISSAN North America, Inc.
Consumer Affairs Department
P.O. Box 685003
Franklin, TN 37068-5003
. NISSAN Canada Inc.
5290 Orbitor Drive
Mississauga, Ontario,
L4W 4Z5Technical and consumer information
9-15
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
WARRANTY
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