2004 NISSAN 350Z steering

transmission, first apply the parking brake
and block the wheels, and then move the
transmission selector lever into the P (Park)
position. If you move the selector lever to the
P (Park) position before blocking the wheels
and applying the parking brake, the transmis-
sion may get damaged.

When going down a hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine braking effect.
When ascending on a long grade, downshift
the transmission to a lower gear and reduce
speed to reduce chances of engine overload-
ing and/or overheating.

If the engine coolant rises to an extremely
high temperature when the air conditioning
system is on, turn off the air conditioner.
Coolant heat can be additionally vented by
opening the windows, switching the fan con-
trol to high and setting the temperature con-
trol to the HOT position.

Trailer towing consumes more fuel than nor-
mal circumstances.

Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles
(800 km).

Have your vehicle serviced more often than at
intervals specified in the recommended main-
tenance schedule.

When making a turn, your trailer wheels willbe closer to the inside of the turn than your
vehicle wheels. To compensate for this, make
a larger than normal turning radius during the
turn.

Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely
affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly caus-
ing vehicle sway. When being passed by
larger vehicles, be prepared for possible
changes in crosswinds that could affect ve-
hicle handling. If swaying does occur, firmly
grip the steering wheel, steer straight ahead,
and immediately (but gradually) reduce ve-
hicle speed. This combination will help stabi-
lize the vehicle. Never increase speed.

Be careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires con-
siderably more distance than normal passing.
Remember the length of the trailer must also
pass the other vehicle before you can safely
change lanes.

To maintain engine braking efficiency and
electrical charging performance, do not use
6th gear (manual transmission) or 5th posi-
tion (automatic transmission).

Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the brakes
to overheat, resulting in reduced braking ef-
ficiency.When towing a trailer, change transmis-
sion oil more frequently. For additional
information, see the “8. Maintenance and
do-it-yourself” section.
Technical and consumer information
9-19


04.5.17/Z33-D/V5.0


Compact Disc (CD) player (See audio
system) ......................................................................... 4-11
Compact spare tire ................................................... 8-36
Console box................................................................ 2-32
Controls, Heater and air conditioner controls
(automatic) ..................................................................... 4-3
Coolant
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Changing engine coolant .................................... 8-9
Checking engine coolant level........................... 8-8
Corrosion protection ................................................... 7-5
Cruise control............................................................. 5-15
Cup holders ................................................................ 2-31
Curtain side-impact air bag system (See
supplemental side air bag and curtain air bag
system) ......................................................................... 1-17
D
Daytime running light system ................................. 2-23
Defroster switch, Rear window and outside mirror
defroster switch ......................................................... 2-21
Dimensions and weights ............................................ 9-9
Door open warning light .......................................... 2-12
Drive belts ................................................................... 8-17
Driving
Cold weather driving ......................................... 5-24
Driving with automatic transmission........ 5-6, 5-9
Driving with manual transmission .......... 5-7, 5-12
Precautions when starting and driving ............ 5-2E
Economy, Fuel............................................................ 5-17
Elapsed time ................................................................. 2-9
Emission control information label ........................ 9-11
Emission control system warranty......................... 9-22
Engine
Before starting the engine .................................. 5-8
Break-in schedule............................................... 5-17
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Changing engine coolant .................................... 8-9
Changing engine oil and filter ......................... 8-10
Checking engine coolant level........................... 8-8
Checking engine oil level ................................. 8-10
Coolant temperature gauge ............................... 2-5
Engine block heater ........................................... 5-25
Engine compartment check locations.............. 8-7
Engine cooling system ......................................... 8-8
Engine oil .............................................................. 8-10
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation......... 9-5
Engine oil viscosity ............................................... 9-5
Engine serial number ......................................... 9-11
Engine specifications ........................................... 9-8
If your vehicle overheats ...................................... 6-9
Oil pressure gauge ............................................... 2-6
Starting the engine ............................................... 5-8
Event data recorders ................................................ 9-23
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide).............................. 5-2
F
F.M.V.S.S. certification label................................... 9-11Filter
Air cleaner housing filter ................................... 8-18
Changing engine oil and filter ......................... 8-10
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch) ... 2-25
Flat tire............................................................................ 6-2
Flat tire, Low tire pressure warning system .......... 5-3
Floor mat cleaning ....................................................... 7-4
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ................ 8-12
Brake and clutch fluid ....................................... 8-13
Brake fluid............................................................. 8-13
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Engine coolant ....................................................... 8-8
Engine oil .............................................................. 8-10
Power steering fluid ........................................... 8-13
Window washer fluid ......................................... 8-14
FM-AM radio with Compact Disc (CD) player .... 4-9
FM-AM-SAT radio with cassette player and
Compact Disc (CD) changer ................................. 4-13
Fuel
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Distance to empty ................................................. 2-9
filler cap................................................................. 3-13
filler lid ................................................................... 3-13
Fuel economy ...................................................... 5-17
Fuel octane rating ................................................. 9-3
Fuel recommendation ........................................... 9-3
Gauge ...................................................................... 2-6
Fuses ............................................................................ 8-22
Fusible links ................................................................ 8-23


04.5.17/Z33-D/V5.0

10-2

Luggage compartment light.................................... 2-39
M
Maintenance
Battery ................................................................... 8-15
General maintenance ........................................... 8-2
Inside the vehicle................................................... 8-3
Maintenance precautions .................................... 8-5
Maintenance requirements.................................. 8-2
Outside the vehicle............................................... 8-2
Seat belt maintenance ...................................... 1-29
Under the hood and vehicle ............................... 8-4
Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) ........................... 2-15
Meters and gauges ..................................................... 2-3
Meters and gauges, Instrument brightness
control .......................................................................... 2-24
Mirror
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror .................. 3-17
Inside mirror ......................................................... 3-16
Outside mirror control ....................................... 3-17
Outside mirrors ................................................... 3-17
N
Net, Ventilated net seats ........................................... 1-6
New vehicle break-in ................................................ 5-17
Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System ...................... 2-17
Engine start............................................................. 5-7
O
Obtaining an air bag ON/OFF switch ................. 1-25Odometer ....................................................................... 2-4
Oil
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Changing engine oil and filter ......................... 8-10
Checking engine oil level ................................. 8-10
Engine oil .............................................................. 8-10
Engine oil pressure gauge .................................. 2-6
Engine oil viscosity ............................................... 9-5
Opening the top ........................................................ 3-23
Outside mirror control .............................................. 3-17
Outside mirrors .......................................................... 3-17
Overheat, If your vehicle overheats ......................... 6-9
Owner’s Manual/Service Manual order
information................................................................... 9-24
P
Parking
Brake check ......................................................... 8-21
Parking brake check .......................................... 5-14
Parking brake operation .................................... 5-14
Parking on hills .................................................... 5-14
Parking/parking on hills ........................................... 5-18
Phone, Car phone or CB radio ............................. 4-20
Power
Power door lock .................................................... 3-2
Power outlet ......................................................... 2-28
Power steering fluid ........................................... 8-13
Power steering system ...................................... 5-19
Power windows................................................... 2-35
Pre-tensioner seat belt system .............................. 1-19
Precautions
Audio operation ..................................................... 4-7Braking precautions ........................................... 5-20
Child restraints .................................................... 1-29
Cruise control ...................................................... 5-15
Maintenance ........................................................... 8-5
Seat belt usage ................................................... 1-23
Supplemental restraint system ........................ 1-10
When starting and driving .................................. 5-2
Push starting ................................................................. 6-9
R
Radio ............................................................................... 4-6
Car phone or CB radio ..................................... 4-20
FM-AM radio with cassette player and Compact
Disc (CD) changer ............................................. 4-13
FM-AM radio with Compact Disc (CD)
player ........................................................................ 4-9
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M) test
(US only)...................................................................... 9-22
Rear floor box ............................................................. 2-33
Rear hatch ..................................................................... 3-9
Rear parcel box ......................................................... 2-33
Rear power point....................................................... 2-28
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch ........................................................................... 2-21
Recorders, Event data ............................................. 9-23
Registering your vehicle in another country ....... 9-10
Remote keyless entry system ................................... 3-4
Reporting safety defects (US only) ...................... 9-22
Rollover........................................................................... 5-5


04.5.17/Z33-D/V5.0

10-4

S
Safety
Child seat belts ................................................... 1-25
Reporting safety defects (US only)................ 9-22
Towing safety....................................................... 9-17
Seat
Belt warning light................................................ 1-23
Lever, Tilting passenger’s seat .......................... 1-7
Seat belt(s)
Child safety .......................................................... 1-25
Infants and small children ................................. 1-25
Injured persons.................................................... 1-26
Larger children .................................................... 1-26
Pre-tensioner seat belt system ....................... 1-19
Precautions on seat belt usage ...................... 1-23
Pregnant women ................................................. 1-26
Seat belt cleaning ................................................. 7-5
Seat belt extenders ............................................ 1-28
Seat belt maintenance ...................................... 1-29
Seat belts ............................................................. 1-23
Three-point type.................................................. 1-26
Seat(s)
Heated seats........................................................ 2-26
Seats ........................................................................ 1-2
Ventilated net seats .............................................. 1-6
Secondary rear hatch release ................................ 3-10
Secondary trunk lid release .................................... 3-13
Security system, Vehicle security system ........... 2-17
Security systems (Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer
System), Engine start ............................................... 2-18
Servicing air conditioner ................................... 4-3, 4-6
Shift lock release ....................................................... 5-12
ShiftingAutomatic transmission .............................. 5-6, 5-9
Manual transmission ................................. 5-7, 5-12
Side air bag system (See supplemental side air bag
and curtain air bag system) .................................... 1-17
Soft top
Soft top care and cleaning ................................. 7-2
Soft top indicator light ........................... 2-16, 3-22
Soft top operation .............................................. 3-18
Care of the soft top and the vehicle body... 3-27
If the top does not open or close
electrically ............................................................. 3-24
Spark plugs................................................................. 8-17
Speed, Average speed............................................... 2-9
Speed, Speed indicator ............................................. 2-8
Speedometer ................................................................ 2-4
Starting
Before starting the engine .................................. 5-8
Jump starting .......................................................... 6-7
Precautions when starting and driving ............ 5-2
Push starting .......................................................... 6-9
Starting the engine ............................................... 5-8
Steering
Power steering fluid ........................................... 8-13
Power steering system ...................................... 5-19
Tilting steering wheel......................................... 3-15
Stopwatch ..................................................................... 2-9
Storage ........................................................................ 2-29
Stowing golf bags ..................................................... 2-34
Sun visor, Extension ................................................. 3-16
Sunglasses holder .................................................... 2-30
Supplemental air bag warning labels................... 1-20
Supplemental air bag warning light .......... 1-21, 2-14
Supplemental restraint system............................... 1-10Precautions on supplemental restraint
system.................................................................... 1-10
Supplemental side and curtain air bag
system .......................................................................... 1-17
Switch
Hazard warning flasher switch ........................ 2-25
Headlight switch ................................................. 2-23
Ignition switch ........................................................ 5-6
Ignition switch automatic transmission
models ............................................................ 5-6, 5-9
Ignition switch manual transmission
models .......................................................... 5-7, 5-12
Power door lock switch....................................... 3-4
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch..................................................................... 2-21
Traction control system (TCS) off switch .... 2-27
Turn signal switch .............................................. 2-24
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch ... 2-27
T
Tachometer.................................................................... 2-5
Temperature gauge, Engine coolant temperature
gauge .............................................................................. 2-5
Theft (Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System), Engine
start ............................................................................... 2-18
Three way catalyst ....................................................... 5-3
Tilting passenger’s seat ............................................. 1-7
Tilting steering wheel ............................................... 3-15
Tire
Flat tire ..................................................................... 6-2
Low tire pressure warning system........... 5-3, 6-2
Pressure indicator............................................... 2-10
Pressure, Low tire pressure warning light ... 2-13


04.5.17/Z33-D/V5.0

10-5

QUICK REFERENCE1. Engine oil (P.8-10)
2. Brake fluid (P.8-13)
3. Meters and gauges (P.2-3)
4. Fuel filler lid release (P.3-13)
5. Hood release (P.3-9)
6. Seat belt (P.1-23)
7. Door lock/key (P.3-2)
8. Rear hatch release (Coupe) (P.3-10) or
Trunk lid release (Roadster) (P.3-11)
9. Engine coolant (P.8-8)
10. Windshield washer fluid (P.8-14)
11. Power steering fluid (P.8-13)
12. Battery (P.8-15)
13. Audio system (P.4-6)/
Heater and air conditioner (P.4-3)
14. Soft top (Roadster models) (P.3-18)
15. Fuel (P.3-13, P.9-3)
16. Spare tire (P.6-3, P.8-36)
STI0364

04.5.17/Z33-D/V5.0