2004 NISSAN 350Z check engine light

2 Instruments and controlsInstrument panel ..................................................................... 2-2
Meters and gauges ............................................................... 2-3
Speedometer and odometer ......................................... 2-4
Tachometer ........................................................................ 2-5
Engine coolant temperature gauge ............................. 2-5
Fuel gauge ......................................................................... 2-6
Engine oil pressure gauge ............................................. 2-6
Volt meter ......................................................................... 2-7
Trip computer .................................................................. 2-8
Warning/indicator lights and audible reminders ......... 2-11
Checking bulbs .............................................................. 2-11
Warning lights ................................................................ 2-11
Indicator lights ................................................................ 2-14
Audible reminders.......................................................... 2-17
Security systems.................................................................. 2-17
Vehicle security system................................................ 2-17
Nissan vehicle immobilizer system (NVIS) ............. 2-18
Windshield wiper and washer switch ............................ 2-20
Rear window wiper and washer switch
(Coupe models) .................................................................. 2-21
Rear window and outside mirror (if so equipped)
defroster switch .................................................................. 2-21Headlight and turn signal switch ................................... 2-22
Xenon headlights (if so equipped) .......................... 2-22
Headlight switch ........................................................... 2-23
Daytime running light system (Canada only) ........ 2-23
Turn signal switch ........................................................ 2-24
Instrument brightness control ................................... 2-24
Hazard warning flasher switch ....................................... 2-25
Horn ....................................................................................... 2-25
Heated seats (if so equipped) ........................................ 2-26
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch
(if so equipped) .................................................................. 2-27
Traction control system (TCS) off switch
(if so equipped) .................................................................. 2-27
Clock ..................................................................................... 2-28
Adjusting the time ........................................................ 2-28
Power outlet ........................................................................ 2-28
Storage ................................................................................. 2-29
Instrument pocket (except for navigation system
equipped models) ........................................................ 2-29
Sunglasses holder (Coupe models) ........................ 2-30
Tray .................................................................................. 2-31
Cup holders ................................................................... 2-31


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or
Anti-lock brake warning light
Low washer fluid warning light
Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL)
Automatic transmission check warning
light (A/T models)
Seat belt warning light
Slip indicator light
or
Brake warning light
Supplemental air bag warning light
Traction control system (TCS) off indica-
tor light (if so equipped)
Charge warning light
Automatic transmission position indicator
light (A/T models)
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off indica-
tor light (if so equipped)
Door open warning light
Cruise main switch indicator light
(if so equipped)
Soft top indicator light (Roadster models)
Engine oil pressure warning light
Cruise set switch indicator light
(if so equipped)
Turn signal/hazard indicator lights
Low tire pressure warning light
(if so equipped)
High beam indicator light (Blue)
CHECKING BULBSApply the parking brake and turn the ignition key
to ON without starting the engine. The following
lights will come on:
,
or
,
,
The following lights come on briefly and then go
off:
,
or
,
,
,
,
,
If any light fails to come on, it may indicate a
burned-out bulb or an open circuit in the elec-trical system. Have the system repaired
promptly.
WARNING LIGHTS
or
Anti-lock brake
warning light
When the ignition switch is turned to the ON
position, the anti-lock brake warning light will
illuminate and then turn off. This indicates the
anti-lock brake system (ABS) is operational.
If the light comes on while the engine is running,it may indicate the anti-lock brake system is not
functioning properly. Have the system checked
by your NISSAN dealer.
If a malfunction occurs in the system, the anti-
lock function of the brake will cease operation
but the ordinary brakes will continue to operate.
See “Anti-lock brake system (ABS)” in the “5.
Starting and driving” section for further details.
If the light comes on while you are driving,
contact your NISSAN dealer for repair.
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS
AND AUDIBLE REMINDERS
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2-11


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Automatic transmission check
warning light (A/T models)
When the ignition switch is turned ON, the light
comes on for 2 seconds. If the light blinks for
approximately 8 seconds, it may indicate the
automatic transmission system is not functioning
properly. Have your NISSAN dealer check and
repair the transmission. See “Driving the vehicle”
(automatic transmission) in the “5. Starting and
driving” section.
or
Brake warning light
This light functions for both the parking brake
and the foot brake systems.
Parking brake indicator:
When the ignition key is in the ON position, the
light comes on when the parking brake is ap-
plied.
Low brake fluid warning light:
The light warns of a low brake fluid level. If the
light comes on while the engine is running with
the parking brake not applied, stop the vehicle
and perform the following:
1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brake fluid as
necessary. See “Brake and clutch fluid” in the
“8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section.
WARNING

Your brake system may not be work-
ing properly if the warning light is on.
Driving could be dangerous. If you
judge it to be safe, drive carefully to
the nearest service station for re-
pairs. Otherwise, have your vehicle
towed because driving it could be
dangerous.

Pressing the brake pedal with the
engine stopped and/or low brake
fluid level may increase your stop-
ping distance and braking will re-
quire greater pedal effort as well as
greater pedal travel.

If the brake fluid level is below the
MINmark on the brake fluid reser-
voir, do not drive until the brake sys-
tem has been checked at a NISSAN
dealer.
2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have the
warning system checked by a NISSAN
dealer. Avoid high speed driving and abrupt
braking.
If both the brake warning light and the anti-lock brake warning light come on simulta-
neously, it may indicate the anti-lock brake
system is not functioning properly. See “Anti-
lock brake warning light” earlier in this sec-
tion.
Charge warning light
If the light comes on while the engine is running,
it may indicate that the charging system is not
functioning properly. Turn the engine off and
check the alternator belt. If the belt is loose,
broken, missing or if the light remains on, see
your NISSAN dealer immediately.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving if the belt is
loose, broken or missing.
Door open warning light
This light comes on when any of the doors
and/or rear hatch are not closed securely while
the ignition key is ON.
Engine oil pressure warning
light
This light warns of low engine oil pressure. If the
light flickers or comes on during normal driving,
pull off the road in a safe area, stop the engine
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04.5.17/Z33-D/V5.0


immediatelyand call a NISSAN dealer or other
authorized repair shop.
The engine oil pressure warning light is not
designed to indicate a low oil level. Use the
dipstick to check the oil level.See “Engine
oil” in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself”
section.
CAUTION
Running the engine with the engine oil
pressure warning light on could cause
serious damage to the engine almost
immediately. Turn off the engine as
soon as it is safe to do so.
Low tire pressure warning light
(if so equipped)
The light comes on for about 1 second when the
ignition switch is turned ON, and then it turns off.
NISSAN’s low tire pressure warning system is a
tire pressure monitoring system. It monitors tire
pressure of all tires except the spare. When the
tire pressure monitoring system warning light is
lit, one or more of your tires is significantly
under-inflated. You should stop and check your
tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to theproper pressure as indicated on the vehicle’s tire
information placard. Driving on a significantly
under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat
and can lead to tire malfunction. Under-inflation
also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life,
and may affect the vehicle’s handling and stop-
ping ability. Each tire, including the spare, should
be checked monthly when cold and set to the
recommended inflation pressure as specified in
the vehicle placard and Owner’s Manual.
The recommended inflation pressure may also
be found on the Tire and Loading Information
label.
If the vehicle is being driven with very low tire
pressure (lower than 28 psi), the light will illumi-
nate and the chime will sound for about 10
seconds.
For additional information, see “Low tire pres-
sure warning system” in the “5. Starting and
driving” section and “Flat tire” in the “6. In case
of emergency” section. You can check the tire
pressure of all 4 tires on the trip computer
display. See “Trip computer” earlier in this sec-
tion.
WARNING

If the light does not come on with theignition switch turned ON, have the
vehicle checked by a NISSAN dealer
as soon as possible.

If the light comes on while driving,
avoid sudden steering maneuvers or
abrupt braking, reduce vehicle speed,
pull off the road to a safe location
and stop the vehicle as soon as pos-
sible. Serious vehicle damage could
occur and may lead to an accident
and could result in serious personal
injury. Check the pressure for all four
tires. Adjust the tire pressure to the
recommended COLD tire pressure
shown on the Tire and Loading Infor-
mation label to turn the low tire pres-
sure warning light OFF. If the light
still comes on while driving after ad-
justing the tire pressure, a tire may
be flat. If you have a flat tire, replace
it with a spare tire as soon as pos-
sible.

When a spare tire is mounted or a
wheel is replaced, tire pressure will
not be indicated and the low tire
pressure warning system will not
Instruments and controls
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04.5.17/Z33-D/V5.0


tion. See “Driving the vehicle” (automatic trans-
mission) in the “5. Starting and driving” section.
Cruise main switch indicator
light (if so equipped)
The light comes on when the cruise control main
switch is pushed. The light goes out when the
main switch is pushed again. When the cruise
main switch indicator light comes on, the cruise
control system is operational.
Cruise set switch indicator
light (if so equipped)
The light comes on while the vehicle speed is
controlled by the cruise control system. If the
light blinks while the engine is running, it may
indicate the cruise control system is not func-
tioning properly. Have the system checked by
your NISSAN dealer.
High beam indicator light
(Blue)
This light comes on when the headlight high
beam is on and goes out when the low beam is
selected.
Malfunction indicator lamp
(MIL)
If the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) comes onsteady or blinks while the engine is running, it
may indicate a potential emission control mal-
function.
The malfunction indicator lamp 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
lamp should
turn off if no other potential emission control
system malfunction exists.
Operation
The malfunction indicator lamp will come on in
one of two ways:

Malfunction indicator lamp 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
lamp should turn off after a
few driving trips. If the
lamp does not
turn off after a few driving trips, have the
vehicle inspected by a NISSAN dealer. You
do not need to have your vehicle towed to the
dealer.

Malfunction indicator lamp blinking — An
engine misfire has been detected which maydamage the emission control system. To re-
duce or avoid emission control system dam-
age:
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 lamp may stop
blinking and come on steady.
Have the vehicle inspected by a NISSAN
dealer. You do not need to have your vehicle
towed to the dealer.
CAUTION
Continued vehicle operation without
having the emission control system
checked and repaired as necessary
could lead to poor driveability, reduced
fuel economy, and possible damage to
the emission control system.
Slip indicator light
The light will blink when the vehicle dynamic
control (VDC) system or the traction control
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system (TCS) is operating, thus alerting the
driver to the fact that the road surface is slippery
and the vehicle is nearing its traction limits.
This light also comes on when the ignition switch
is turned to the ON position. The light will turn off
if the VDC or TCS is operational.
Traction control system (TCS)
off indicator light (if so
equipped)
The light comes on when the traction control
system (TCS) off switch is pushed to OFF. This
indicates the traction control system is not op-
erating.
This light also comes on when the ignition key is
turned to the ON position. The light will turn off
if the traction control system (TCS) is opera-
tional.
When the traction control system off indicator
light and slip indicator light come on with the
traction control system turned on, this light alerts
the driver to the fact that the traction control
system’s fail-safe mode is operating, that is the
system may not be functioning properly. Have
the system checked by your NISSAN dealer. If a
malfunction occurs in the system, the traction
control function will be canceled but the vehicle
is still driveable. For additional information, see
“Traction control system (TCS)” in the “5. Start-ing and driving” section of this manual.
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC)
off indicator light (if so
equipped)
The light comes on when the vehicle dynamic
control (VDC) off switch is pushed to OFF. This
indicates the vehicle dynamic control system
and traction control system are not operating.
This light also comes on when the ignition key is
turned to the ON position. The light will turn off
if the vehicle dynamic control (VDC) system is
operational.
When the vehicle dynamic control off indicator
light and slip indicator light come on with the
vehicle dynamic control system turned on, this
light alerts the driver to the fact that the vehicle
dynamic control system’s fail-safe mode is op-
erating, that is the system may not be functioning
properly. Have the system checked by your
NISSAN dealer. If a malfunction occurs in the
system, the vehicle dynamic control system
function will be canceled but the vehicle is still
driveable. For additional information, see “Ve-
hicle dynamic control (VDC) system” in the “5.
Starting and driving” section of this manual.
Soft top indicator light
(Roadster models)
This light comes and stays on when the soft top
is being operated or it is stopped before reach-
ing a full open/close state. The light will turn off
when the top is fully opened or closed.
The soft top can be moved with the soft top
operating switch only under all of the following
conditions:

When the vehicle is stopped.

When the foot brake pedal is depressed.

When the ignition switch is ON.
CAUTION
Operate the soft top with the engine
running to prevent a discharged battery.
When the soft top is in motion, and any of the
above conditions are discontinued or the pas-
senger power seat switches (on the cushion or
the seatback) are operated, the top will stop
moving. Remove your hand from the operating
switch, and press it again under the above
conditions until the top is fully opened or closed.
The indicator light will go off when the top
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Security indicator lightThis light blinks whenever the ignition switch is in
the LOCK, OFF or ACC position. This is normal.How to arm the vehicle security
system1. Close all windows.
The system can be activated even if the
windows are open.
2. Remove the key from the ignition switch.
3. Close and lock all doors and rear hatch/trunk
lid.Lock all doors by pressing the LOCK button
on the keyfob. When using the keyfob, the
hazard indicators flash twice to indicate all
doors are locked.
4. Confirm that the security indicator light
comes on. The security indicator light glows
for about 30 seconds and then blinks. The
system is now activated. If, during this 30
second time period, the door is unlocked by
the key or the keyfob, or the ignition key is
turned to ACC or ON, the system will not
activate.
Even when the driver and/or passengers
are in the vehicle, the system will activate
with all doors and rear hatch/trunk lid
locked and ignition key off. Turn the igni-
tion key to ACC to turn the system off.
Vehicle security system activationThe security system will give the following alarm:

The headlights blink and the horn sounds
intermittently.

The alarm automatically turns off after ap-
proximately 50 seconds. However, the alarm
reactivates if the vehicle is tampered with
again. The alarm can be shut off by unlocking
a door with the key, or by pressing the
UNLOCK button on the keyfob.The alarm is activated by:

Opening the door without using the key or
keyfob.

Opening the rear hatch or the trunk lid with-
out using the release switch or keyfob.
How to stop an activated alarmThe alarm will stop only by unlocking a door with
the key, or by pressing the UNLOCK button on
keyfob. The alarm will not stop if the ignition
switch is turned to ACC or ON.
If the system does not operate as de-
scribed above, have it checked by your
NISSAN dealer.NISSAN VEHICLE IMMOBILIZER
SYSTEM (NVIS)The Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System (NVIS)
will not allow the engine to start without the use
of the registered NVIS key.
If the engine fails to start using the registered
NVIS key, it may be due to interference caused
by another NVIS key, an automated toll road
device or automated payment device on the key
ring. Restart the engine using the following
procedures:
1. Leave the ignition switch in the ON position
for approximately 5 seconds.
SIC1699
2-18
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04.5.17/Z33-D/V5.0


The front seats are warmed by built-in heaters.
The switches located on the center console can
be operated independently of each other.
1. Start the engine.
2. Select heat range.

For low heat, press the
(Low) side
of the switch.

For high heat, press the(High) side
of the switch.

For no heat, the switch has a center OFF
position between low and high.
The indicator light in the switch will illuminatewhen low or high is selected.
The heater is controlled by a thermostat,
automatically turning the heater on and off.
The indicator light will remain on as long as
the switch is on.
3. When the vehicle’s interior is warmed, or
before you leave the vehicle, be sure to turn
the switch to the OFF position (center).
An optional ventilated net seat has this built-in
heater only in the seat cushion part, not in the
seatback.
CAUTION

The battery could run down if the
seat heater is operated while the en-
gine is not running.

Do not use the seat heater for ex-
tended periods or when no one is
using the seat.

Do not put anything on the seat
which insulates heat, such as a blan-
ket, cushion, seat cover, etc. Other-
wise, the seat may become
overheated.
Do not place anything hard or heavy
on the seat or pierce it with a pin or
similar object. This may result in
damage to the heater.

Any liquid spilled on the heated seat
should be removed immediately with
a dry cloth.

When cleaning the seat, never use
gasoline, thinner, or any similar ma-
terials.

If any abnormalities are found or the
heated seat does not operate, turn
the switch off and have the system
checked by your NISSAN dealer.
SIC2321
HEATED SEATS (if so equipped)2-26
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