NISSAN GT-R 2013 R35 Owners Manual

5-8Starting and driving
.If you decide that it is not safe to return
the vehicle to the road surface based on
vehicle, road or traffic conditions, gradu-
ally slow the vehicle to a stop in a safe
place off the road.
RAPID AIR PRESSURE LOSS
Rapid air pressure loss or a “blow-out” can
occur if the tire is punctured or is damaged due
to hitting a curb or pothole. Rapid air pressure
loss can also be caused by driving on under-
inflated tires.
Rapid air pressure loss can affect the handling
and stability of the vehicle, especially at highway
speeds.
Help prevent rapid air pressure loss by main-
taining the correct air pressure and visually
inspect the tires for wear and damage.
(
“Wheels and tires” page 8-31)
If a tire rapidly loses air pressure or “blows-out”
while driving maintain control of the vehicle by
following the procedure below. Please note that
this procedure is only a general guide. The
vehicle must be driven as appropriate based on
the conditions of the vehicle, road and traffic.
WARNING
The following actions can increase the
chance of losing control of the vehicle if
there is a sudden loss of tire air
pressure. Losing control of the vehicle
may cause a collision and result in
personal injury.
. The vehicle generally moves or pulls
in the direction of the flat tire.
. Do not rapidly apply the brakes.
. Do not rapidly release the accelera-
tor pedal.
. Do not rapidly turn the steering
wheel.
1. Remain calm and do not overreact.
2. Maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel with both hands and try to hold a straight
course.
3. When appropriate, slowly release the accel- erator pedal to gradually slow the vehicle.
4. Gradually steer the vehicle to a safe location off the road and away from traffic if possible.
5. Lightly apply the brake pedal to gradually stop the vehicle. 6. Turn on the hazard warning flashers and
contact a roadside emergency service to
change the tire.
DRINKING ALCOHOL/DRUGS AND
DRIVING
WARNING
Never drive under the influence of
alcohol or drugs. Alcohol in the blood-
stream reduces coordination, delays
reaction time and impairs judgement.
Driving after drinking alcohol increases
the likelihood of being involved in an
accident injuring yourself and others.
Additionally, if you are injured in an
accident, alcohol can increase the se-
verity of the injury.
NISSAN is committed to safe driving. However,
you must choose not to drive under the influence
of alcohol. Every year thousands of people are
injured or killed in alcohol-related accidents.
Although the local laws vary on what is
considered to be legally intoxicated, the fact is
that alcohol affects all people differently and
most people underestimate the effects of
alcohol.

Remember, drinking and driving don’t mix! And
that is true for drugs, too (over-the-counter,
prescription, and illegal drugs) . Don’t drive if
your ability to operate your vehicle is impaired by
alcohol, drugs, or some other physical condition.
ALL-WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) DRIVING
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
WARNING
.Do not drive beyond the perfor-
mance capability of the tires, even
with AWD engaged. Accelerating
quickly, sharp steering maneuvers
or sudden braking may cause loss
of control.
. Always use the specified tires on all
four wheels. Install tire chains on
the rear wheels when driving on
slippery roads and drive carefully.
. This vehicle is not designed for
offroad (rough road) use. Do not
drive on sandy or muddy roads that
tires may get stuck in.
. Do not attempt to raise two wheels
off the ground and shift the trans-
mission to any
&A↔&Mor&Rposition
with the engine running. Doing so may result in drivetrain damage or
unexpected vehicle movement
which could result in serious vehicle
damage or personal injury.
. Do not attempt to test an AWD
equipped vehicle on a 2-wheel dy-
namometer, (such as the dynam-
ometers used by some states for
emissions testing) , or similar equip-
ment even if the other two wheels
are raised off the ground. Make sure
you inform test facility personnel
that your vehicle is equipped with
AWD before it is placed on a
dynamometer. Using the wrong test
equipment may result in drivetrain
damage or unexpected vehicle
movement which could result in
serious vehicle damage or personal
injury.
. When a wheel is off the ground due
to an unlevel surface, do not spin
the wheel excessively.
WARNING
Do not operate the push-button ignition
switch while driving the vehicle except
in an emergency. (The engine will stop
when the ignition switch is pushed
three consecutive times or the ignition
switch is pushed and held for more than
2 seconds.) If the engine stops while
the vehicle is being driven, this could
lead to a crash and serious injury.
Before operating the push-button ignition
switch, be sure to move the shift lever to the
&Pposition.
Starting and driving5-9
PUSH-BUTTON IGNITION SWITCH

5-10Starting and driving
OPERATING RANGE FOR ENGINE
START
The operating range for starting the engine
inside the vehicle is shown in the illustration.
.If the Intelligent Key is on the instrument
panel, rear parcel shelf, inside the glove box,
door pocket, cup holders or console box, or
the corner of the passenger compartment, it
may not be possible to start the engine.
Carry the Intelligent-Key and try to start the
engine again.
. If the Intelligent Key is near the door or door
glass outside the vehicle, it may be possible
to start the engine.
IGNITION SWITCH OPERATION
When the Intelligent Key is carried with you and
the ignition switch is pushed without depressing
the brake pedal, the ignition switch position will
change as follows:
.Push center once to change to ACC.
. Push center two times to change to ON.
. Push center three times to change to OFF.
(No position illuminates.)
. Push center four times to return to ACC.
. Open or close any door to return to LOCK
during the OFF position.
IGNITION SWITCH POSITIONS
LOCK (Normal parking position)
The ignition switch can only be locked in this
position.
The ignition switch will be unlocked when it is
pushed to the ACC position while carrying the
Intelligent Key or with the Intelligent Key inserted
in the port.
ACC (Accessories)
This position activates electrical accessories
such as the radio, when the engine is not
running.
ON (Normal operating position)
This position turns on the ignition system and
electrical accessories.
OFF
The engine can be turned off without locking the
steering wheel.
The ignition lock is designed so that the ignition
switch cannot be switched to the LOCK position
until the shift lever is moved to the
&Pposition.

NOTE:
.If the steering lock release malfunction
indicator appears on the vehicle infor-
mation display when the ignition
switch is pressed, press the ignition
switch again while gently turning the
steering wheel left and right.
(
“Steering lock release malfunc-
tion indicator” page 2-42)
. If the shift
&Pwarning appears on the
vehicle information display when the
ignition switch is pushed, the shift lever
is in any position except the
&Pposi-
tion. Move the shift lever to the&Pposition. (“Shift “P” warning”
page 2-42)
. If the Intelligent Key battery discharge
indicator appears on the vehicle infor-
mation display, the Intelligent Key
battery is discharged and the ignition
switch will not operate. Insert the
Intelligent Key into the key port to
operate the ignition switch.
(
“Intelligent Key battery discharge
indicator” page 2-43)
. When all of the following conditions
are met for 60 minutes, the battery
saver system will cut off the power
supply to prevent battery discharge. —
The ignition switch is in the ACC
position, and
— All doors are closed, and
— The shift lever is in the
&Pposition.
. Do not leave the vehicle with the
ignition switch in the ACC or ON
position when the engine is not run-
ning for an extended period of time.
This can discharge the battery.
EMERGENCY ENGINE SHUT OFF
To shut off the engine in an emergency situation
while driving, perform the following procedure:
.Rapidly push the push-button ignition switch
3 consecutive times in less than 1.5
seconds, or
. Push and hold the push button ignition
switch for more than 2 seconds.
INTELLIGENT KEY BATTERY DIS-
CHARGE
If the battery of the Intelligent Key is almost
discharged, the guide light
*1of the Intelligent
Key port blinks and the indicator appears on the
vehicle information display. (
“Intelligent Key
insertion indicator” page 2-43)
In this case, inserting the Intelligent Key into the
port allows you to start the engine. Make sure
that the mechanical key side faces backward as
illustrated. Insert the Intelligent Key in the port
until it is latched and secured.
To remove the Intelligent Key from the port, push
the ignition switch to the OFF position and pull
Starting and driving5-11

5-12Starting and driving
the Intelligent Key out of the port.
NOTICE
Never place anything except the Intelli-
gent Key in the Intelligent Key port.
Doing so may cause damage to the
equipment.
NOTE:
.Make sure the Intelligent Key is in the
correct direction when inserting it into
the Intelligent Key port. The engine
may not start if it is in the incorrect
direction.
. Remove the Intelligent Key from the
Intelligent Key port after the ignition
switch is pushed to the OFF position.
. The Intelligent Key port does not
charge the Intelligent Key battery. If
you see the low battery indicator in the
vehicle information display, replace the
battery as soon as possible. (
“Intelligent Key battery replace-
ment” page 8-26)

.Make sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
. Check fluid levels such as engine oil, cool-
ant, brake fluid and window washer fluid as
frequently as possible, or at least whenever
you refuel.
. Check that all windows and lights are clean.
. Visually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
. Lock all doors.
. Position seat.
. Adjust inside and outside mirrors.
. Fasten seat belts and ask all passengers to
do likewise.
. Check the operation of warning lights when
the ignition switch is pushed to the ON
position. (
“Warning/indicator lights
and audible reminders” page 2-24)
NOTE:
. This vehicle includes spark plugs that
are designed for maximum perfor-
mance. If the start time becomes long-
er, the plugs may be fouled, making the
engine difficult to start. If this occurs,
start the engine using the procedure
described in this section.
. A click sound may be heard when the
brake pedal is depressed and released.
This is normal.
. A low rattling operating sound may
occur when the engine is started or
stopped. This is because of the trans-
mission gear design, light flywheel and
dry sump lubrication system used in
this transmission. This does not indi-
cate that there is a malfunction. This
sound is likely to occur in particular if
the engine is stopped when the tem-
perature of the transmission oil is high.
1. Check the positions of the accelerator pedal
*1and brake pedal*2. Adjust the steering
wheel and seat positions so that the correct
driving posture is achieved. (
“Front
seats” page 1-3)
2. Check that the parking brake is engaged.
3. Check that the shift lever is in the
&Por&Nposition. (&Pis recommended.)
4. Firmly depress the brake pedal. Without depressing the accelerator pedal, push the
ignition switch once to start the engine.
5. To stop the engine, move the shift lever to the
&Pposition, and push the ignition switch
to the OFF position.
Starting and driving5-13
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE STARTING THE ENGINE

5-14Starting and driving
NOTE:
.If the engine is difficult to start, de-
press the accelerator pedal all the way
to the floor and hold it. Push the
ignition switch with the brake pedal
depressed to start cranking the engine.
After 5 or 6 seconds, stop cranking by
pushing the ignition switch to the OFF
position, and then release the accel-
erator pedal. Then perform steps 1 to 5
to start the engine. If the engine starts,
but fails to run, repeat this procedure.
. Starting and stopping the engine over a
short period of time may make the
vehicle more difficult to start. If this
occurs, wait for more than 3 minutes,
and then push the ignition switch again
to start the engine.
. To maintain high performance over a
long period of time, the engine speed is
limited to 5,000 rpm when the engine is
revved with the shift lever in the
&Nor
&Pposition, and to 4,000 rpm when the
engine oil or coolant temperature is
low or higher than normal.
. If the ignition switch is pushed before
the shift lever is moved to the
&Pposition, the ignition switch will not change to the OFF position. If this
occurs, the SHIFT
&Pwarning display
appears on the vehicle information
display. When stopping the engine, be
sure to move the shift lever to the
&Pposition and then push the ignition
switch. Failure to do so may result in
discharge of the battery. (
“Shift
“P” warning” page 2-42)
. If the shift lever was in the
&A↔&Mor&Rposition when the engine was stopped,
then be sure to move the shift lever to
the
&Pposition before starting the
engine the next time. If the engine is
started with the shift lever in the
&Nposition, then it may not be possible to
drive the vehicle even when the shift
lever is moved to the
&A↔&Mor&Rposition. If this occurs, the SHIFT&Pwarning appears on the vehicle infor-
mation display. (“Shift “P” warn-
ing” page 2-42)
CAUTION
If the engine was stopped soon when
the engine is hot, the cooling fan may
operate for approximately 2 minutes
after the engine was stopped to cool the components in the engine compart-
ment. When the cooling fan is operat-
ing, be sure that hands or other items
do not get caught in it.

DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION
The GT-R dual clutch transmission is a newly-
developed system that uses an electronically
controlled multiple-disc wet clutch attached to
the highly efficient manual transmission. This
transmission has two driving modes.
.
&Aposition (Automatic gearshift):
allows automatic shifting of the manual
transmission.
.
&Mposition (Manual gearshift):
allows quick shifting of the manual transmis-
sion.
NOTE:
When starting or driving on a steep uphill
grade, shift to the
&Mposition and operate
the paddle shifter to shift down to 1st gear
similar to a manual transmission vehicle.
The GT-R dual clutch transmission was devel-
oped specifically to maximize vehicle perfor-
mance and driving enjoyment. The GT-R
transmission components were designed using
different engineering standards than typical
passenger car transmissions. Because of this,
the GT-R has different operating characteristics,
and various rattle noises may be heard during
some driving conditions because of the follow-
ing items: .
Gear clearances
. Ultralight flywheel
. Dry sump lubrication
These noises do not indicate that there is a
malfunction.
WARNING
. Do not depress the accelerator
pedal while shifting from the&Por
&Nposition to the&Ror&A↔&Mposition. Always depress the brake
pedal until shifting is completed.
Failure to do so could cause loss
of control and an accident.
. Cold engine idle speed is high, so
use caution when shifting into a
forward or reverse gear before the
engine has warmed up.
. Never shift to the
&Por&Rposition
while the vehicle is moving forward.
Never shift to the
&Por&A↔&Mposition while the vehicle is moving
rearward. Doing so could cause loss
of control and an accident.
. The shift lever contains a powerful
magnet. Do not place electronic medical devices or other electronic
products that are susceptible to
magnetic force close to the shift
lever.
. Do not downshift abruptly on slip-
pery roads. This may cause a loss of
control.
. If the shift lever is moved from
&Rto
&A↔&Mposition, or&A↔&Mto&Rposition before the vehicle stops,
you may not be able to shift gear or
it may take longer to shift gear.
Make sure to depress the brake
pedal and check that the vehicle
has stopped before shifting.
CAUTION
.Because the vehicle includes a dual
clutch transmission that automati-
cally controls the clutch and shifting
operation of the manual transmis-
sion, whenever the shift lever is in a
position other then
&Por&N, the
vehicle will begin to move slowly, in
the same way as when the clutch in
a manual transmission vehicle is
Starting and driving5-15
DRIVING THE VEHICLE

5-16Starting and driving
partially engaged. Keep the brake
pedal firmly depressed when the
vehicle is stopped. In some circum-
stances the vehicle may not start
moving on its own, however this
does not indicate that there is a
malfunction.
NOTICE
.When the vehicle is stopped on a
hill, do not hold the vehicle in place
by depressing the accelerator pedal.
Doing so may cause the clutch to
overheat and result in transmission
damage. Use the brakes to prevent
the vehicle from moving.
. The GT-R dual clutch transmission is
provided with a dry sump lubrication
system that improves efficiency and
ensures reliability under high g-
force conditions. When oil viscosity
is high at low temperatures, it takes
longer for all components to be
sufficiently lubricated. Thus, when
the transmission temperature is low
(approximately 104 8F (408C) , do not
accelerate rapidly or run the engine faster than 4,000 rpm.
Operating the shift lever
After starting the engine, fully depress the brake
pedal and move the shift lever from the&Pposition to the&R,&N,or&A↔&Mposition. Push
the button to shift into the&Por&Rposition. All
other positions can be selected without pushing
the button.

Shift lever operation
Push the button while depressing the
brake pedal.
Push the button.
Just move the shift lever.
Automatically returns.
&Pposition:
Use this position for parking and starting the
engine. The ignition switch will be changed to
the OFF or LOCK position.
CAUTION
Use the&Pposition only when the
vehicle is completely stopped.
&Rposition:
Use this position for driving in reverse. A chime
will sound inside the vehicle to remind the driver
that the shift lever is in the
&Rposition.
&Nposition:
Neither forward nor reverse gear is engaged.
&A↔&Mposition:
Use this position for all normal forward driving.
The shift lever can be moved between
&Aand
&Mto alternately change each other. The
position indicator indicates the gear position
with the indication of “A” or “M”.
.
&Aposition: Use this position for ordinary
driving, with the gears shifted automatically
from first gear to sixth gear according to the
speed and driving conditions.
.
&Mposition: Operate the paddle shifter to
drive in first gear to sixth gear as desired.
. The position indicator blinks if it is not
possible to shift the gear.
(
“Transmission position indicator”
page 2-8)CAUTION
. Grip the shift lever correctly when
operating it. Failure to do so may
cause a finger or other items to be
trapped between the lever and gate,
possibly causing an accident.
. Because rolling resistance is re-
duced in the GT-R, the vehicle can
move when on a road with a slight
gradient, even when in the
&Nposi-
tion. Be sure to depress the brake
pedal.
Starting and driving5-17