2005 NISSAN 350Z towing

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

When making a turn, your trailer wheels will
be 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.

Increase your following distance to allow for
greater stopping distances while towing a
trailer. Anticipate stops and brake gradually.

Do not use cruise control while towing a
trailer.

Check your hitch, trailer wiring harness con-
nections, and trailer wheel lug nuts after 50
miles (80 km) of travel and at every break.

When stopped in traffic for long periods of
time in hot weather, put the vehicle in the P
(Park) position.
When towing a trailer, change transmis-
sion oil more frequently. For additional
information, see the “8. Maintenance and
do-it-yourself” section.Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground is sometimes called flat towing. This
method is sometimes used when towing a ve-
hicle behind a recreational vehicle, such as a
motor home.
CAUTION

Failure to follow these guidelines
can result in severe transmission
damage.

Whenever flat towing your vehicle,
always tow forward, never backward.

DO NOT tow any automatic transmis-
sion vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground (flat towing). Doing so
WILL DAMAGE internal transmission
parts due to lack of transmission lu-
brication.

For emergency towing procedures,
refer to “Towing recommended by
NISSAN” in the “6. In case of emer-
gency” section of this manual.FLAT TOWING
9-20
Technical and consumer information


04.8.23/Z33-D/V5.0


AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONTo tow a vehicle equipped with an automatic
transmission, an appropriate vehicle dollyMUST
be placed under the towed vehicle’s drive
wheels.Alwaysfollow the dolly manufacturer’s
recommendations when using their product.MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Always tow with the manual transmission in
Neutral.

After towing 500 miles, start and idle the
engine with the transmission in Neutral for
two minutes. Failure to idle the engine after
every 500 miles of towing may cause damage
to internal transmission parts.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 A
TreadwearTreadwear grade is a comparative rating based
on tire wear rate when tested under controlled
conditions on specified government test
courses. For example, a tire graded 150 would
wear one and a half (1-1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100. How-
ever, relative tire performance depends on actual
driving conditions, and may vary 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 mea-
sured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and con-crete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to your ve-
hicle tires is based on straight-ahead
braking traction tests and does not in-
clude acceleration, cornering, hydro-
planing or peak traction characteristics.Temperature A, B and CTemperature grades are A (the highest), B, and
C. They represent a tire’s resistance to heat
build-up, and its ability to dissipate heat when
tested under controlled conditions on a speci-
fied indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause tire material to degener-
ate, reducing tire life. Excessive temperatures
can lead to sudden tire failure. Grade C corre-
sponds to a performance level which all passen-
ger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades A and
B represent higher levels of performance on
laboratory test wheels than the minimum re-
quired by law.
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY
GRADING
Technical and consumer information
9-21


04.8.23/Z33-D/V5.0


Compact Disc (CD) changer operation .............. 4-24
Compact Disc (CD) player (See audio
system) ......................................................................... 4-17
Compact spare tire ................................................... 8-38
Console box................................................................ 2-34
Control panel buttons (models with navigation
system) ........................................................................... 4-2
Controls
Control panel buttons (display with navigation
system)..................................................................... 4-2
Heater and air conditioner controls
(automatic) .............................................................. 4-8
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 ................................................................ 2-33
Curtain side-impact air bag system (See
supplemental side air bag and curtain air bag
system) ......................................................................... 1-37
D
Daytime running light system ................................. 2-25
Defroster switch, Rear window and
outside mirror defroster switch.............................. 2-23
Dimensions and weights ............................................ 9-9
Display controls (See control panel buttons),
With navigation system .............................................. 4-2
Door open warning light .......................................... 2-13
Drive belts ................................................................... 8-17Driving
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 ............ 5-2
E
Economy, Fuel............................................................ 5-17
Elapsed time ............................................................... 2-10
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 ............................... 2-6
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 ............................................... 2-7
Starting the engine ............................................... 5-8
Event data recorders ................................................ 9-24Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide).............................. 5-2
F
Filter
Air cleaner housing filter ................................... 8-18
Changing engine oil and filter ......................... 8-10
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch) ... 2-27
Flat tire............................................................................ 6-2
Flat tire, Low tire pressure warning system .......... 5-3
Flat towing .................................................................. 9-20
Floor mat cleaning ....................................................... 7-4
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ................ 8-12
Brake and clutch fluid ....................................... 8-13
Brake fluid............................................................. 8-14
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 ............................................................................ 4-15
FM-AM-SAT radio with cassette player and
Compact Disc (CD) changer ................................. 4-19
Front manual seat adjustment .................................. 1-3
Front power seat adjustment........................... 1-4, 1-5
Fuel
Average fuel consumption ................................ 2-10
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Distance to empty ................................................. 2-9
Filler cap ............................................................... 3-13


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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
G
Garage door opener, HomeLink
Universal
Transceiver .................................................................. 2-42
Gas cap ....................................................................... 3-13
Gauge ............................................................................. 2-3
Engine coolant temperature gauge .................. 2-6
Engine oil pressure gauge .................................. 2-7
Fuel gauge .............................................................. 2-6
Odometer ................................................................ 2-4
Speedometer .......................................................... 2-4
Tachometer ............................................................. 2-5
Trip computer ......................................................... 2-8
Volt meter ................................................................ 2-8
General maintenance .................................................. 8-2
Golf bag stowing....................................................... 2-36
H
Hatch, Rear hatch........................................................ 3-9
Hazard warning flasher switch............................... 2-27
Head restraints ............................................................. 1-9
Headlights
Bulbreplacement ............................................... 8-27
Headlight switch ................................................. 2-24Xenon headlights ................................................ 2-24
Heated seats .............................................................. 2-28
Heater
Engine coolant heater ....................................... 5-25
Heater and air conditioner (automatic)............ 4-8
HomeLink
Universal Transceiver ......................... 2-42
Hood release ................................................................ 3-9
Horn .............................................................................. 2-27
How to stop alarm, Vehicle security .................... 2-20
I
Ignition switch ............................................................... 5-6
Automatic transmission models................ 5-6, 5-9
Key positions .......................................................... 5-7
Manual transmission models .................. 5-7, 5-12
Immobilizer system .................................................... 2-20
Indicator lights............................................................ 2-16
Inside
Automatic anti-glare mirror............................... 3-17
Mirror...................................................................... 3-16
Inspection/maintenance (I/M) test ........................ 9-23
Instrument brightness control ................................ 2-26
Instrument panel........................................................... 2-2
Interior light replacement......................................... 8-28
Interior lights ............................................................... 2-40
Interior trunk lid release ........................................... 3-12
J
Jump starting................................................................. 6-7K
Keyless entry (See remote keyless entry
system) ........................................................................... 3-4
Keys................................................................................. 3-2
L
Labels
Air bag warning labels ...................................... 1-40
Air conditioner specification label .................. 9-12
Emission control information label ................. 9-11
Engine serial number ......................................... 9-11
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label ...... 9-11
Tire and loading information label ...... 8-32, 9-12
Vehicle identification number (VIN)................ 9-10
License plate, Installing front license plate......... 9-13
Light
Air bag warning light ......................................... 1-40
Bulbreplacement ............................................... 8-26
Headlight switch ................................................. 2-24
Headlights Bulbreplacement .......................... 8-27
Interior lights ........................................................ 2-40
Replacement ........................................................ 8-26
Vanity mirror light ................................................ 2-41
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders .................................................. 2-12, 2-16
Xenon headlights ................................................ 2-24
Lights, Exterior and interior light replacement ... 8-28
Loading information (See vehicle loading
information) ................................................................. 9-14
Lock
Door locks ............................................................... 3-2


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10-3

Rear parcel box ......................................................... 2-36
Rear power point....................................................... 2-31
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch ........................................................................... 2-23
Registering your vehicle in another country ....... 9-10
Remote keyless entry system ................................... 3-4
Reporting safety defects (US only) ...................... 9-22
Rollover........................................................................... 5-5
S
Safety
Child seat belts ................................................... 1-12
Reporting safety defects (US only)................ 9-22
Towing safety....................................................... 9-17
Satellite (SAT) radio ................................................. 4-12
Seat
Belt warning light .................................... 1-10, 2-15
Lever, Tilting passenger’s seat .......................... 1-7
Seat adjustment
Front manual seat adjustment............................ 1-3
Front power seat adjustment .................... 1-4, 1-5
Seatback tilt cancel switch ....................................... 1-9
Seat belt(s)
Child safety .......................................................... 1-12
Injured persons.................................................... 1-14
Larger children .................................................... 1-13
Pre-tensioner seat belt system ....................... 1-39
Precautions on seat belt usage ...................... 1-10
Pregnant women ................................................. 1-14
Seat belt cleaning ................................................. 7-5
Seat belt extenders ............................................ 1-16
Seat belt maintenance ...................................... 1-16
Seat belts ............................................................. 1-10Three-point type with retractor ....................... 1-14
Seat(s)
Heated seats........................................................ 2-28
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 ........... 2-19
Security systems (NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer
System), Engine start ............................................... 2-20
Servicing air conditioner................................. 4-8, 4-11
Shift lock release ....................................................... 5-12
Shifting
Automatic 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) .................................... 1-37
Soft top
Soft top care and cleaning ................................. 7-2
Soft top indicator light ........................... 2-17, 3-23
Soft top operation .............................................. 3-19
Care of the soft top and the vehicle body... 3-28
If the top does not open or close
electrically ............................................................. 3-25
Spark plugs................................................................. 8-17
Speed, Average speed ............................................ 2-10
Speed, Speed indicator ............................................. 2-9
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 ............................................... 5-8Steering
Power steering fluid ........................................... 8-13
Power steering system ...................................... 5-19
Tilting steering wheel......................................... 3-15
Stopwatch ................................................................... 2-10
Storage ........................................................................ 2-32
Stowing golf bags ..................................................... 2-36
Sun visor, Extension ................................................. 3-16
Sunglasses holder .................................................... 2-32
Supplemental air bag warning labels................... 1-40
Supplemental air bag warning light .......... 1-40, 2-15
Supplemental restraint system............................... 1-29
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system.................................................................... 1-29
Supplemental side and curtain air bag
system .......................................................................... 1-37
Switch
Hazard warning flasher switch ........................ 2-27
Headlight switch ................................................. 2-24
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..................................................................... 2-23
Traction control system (TCS) off switch .... 2-29
Turn signal switch .............................................. 2-26
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch ... 2-29
T
Tachometer.................................................................... 2-5


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Temperature display .................................................... 2-9
Temperature gauge, Engine coolant
temperature gauge ...................................................... 2-6
Theft (NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System),
Engine start................................................................. 2-20
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 ... 2-14
Uniform tire quality grading .............................. 9-21
Tires
Spare tire .............................................................. 8-38
Tire and loading information label ...... 8-32, 9-12
Tire chains ............................................................ 8-35
Tire pressure ........................................................ 8-31
Tire rotation .......................................................... 8-36
Types of tires ....................................................... 8-35
Wheel/tire size ....................................................... 9-9
Wheels and tires ................................................ 8-31
Top
If the top does not open or close
electrically ............................................................. 3-25
Soft top operation .............................................. 3-19
Top latch lever ..................................................... 3-22
Top tether strap child restraint........................ 1-24
Towing
Flat towing ............................................................ 9-20
Tow truck towing ................................................ 6-10
Towing a trailer.................................................... 9-16
Towing load/specification chart ...................... 9-16Towing safety....................................................... 9-17
Traction control system (TCS)............................... 5-22
Traction control system (TCS) off switch ........... 2-29
Trailer towing .............................................................. 9-16
Transceiver, HomeLink
Universal
Transceiver .................................................................. 2-42
Transmission
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ................ 8-12
Driving with automatic transmission........ 5-6, 5-9
Driving with manual transmission .......... 5-7, 5-12
Transmission selector lever lock release ...... 5-12
Transmitter (See remote keyless entry system) ... 3-4
Traveling or registering your vehicle in another
country ......................................................................... 9-10
Trip computer ............................................................... 2-8
Trip odometer ............................................................. 2-10
Trunk
Light ....................................................................... 2-41
Interior trunk lid release .................................... 3-12
Secondary trunk lid release ............................. 3-13
Turn signal switch ..................................................... 2-26
U
Underbody cleaning .................................................... 7-3
Uniform tire quality grading .................................... 9-21
Up-shift indicator (M/T models) ............................ 5-13
Up-shift indicator setting (rpm) (M/T models) ... 2-11
V
Vanity mirror light ...................................................... 2-41Vehicle
Dimensions and weights ..................................... 9-9
Identification number (VIN)............................... 9-10
Loading information............................................ 9-14
Recovery (freeing a stuck vehicle) ................. 6-12
Security system ................................................... 2-19
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch ... 2-29
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) system ........ 5-22
Ventilated net seats..................................................... 1-6
Ventilators ...................................................................... 4-7
Volt meter ...................................................................... 2-8
W
Warning labels, Air bag warning labels .............. 1-40
Warning light
Air bag warning light .............................. 1-40, 2-15
Anti-lock brake warning light ........................... 2-12
Brake warning light ............................................ 2-13
Door open warning light ................................... 2-13
Low tire pressure warning light ...................... 2-14
Warning lights ............................................................ 2-12
Warning, Hazard warning flasher switch ............ 2-27
Warning, Low tire pressure warning system ........ 5-3
Warning, Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ..................................................................... 2-12
Warranty, Emission control system warranty ..... 9-22
Washer switch
Rear window wiper and washer switch........ 2-22
Windshield wiper and washer switch ........... 2-22
Washing ......................................................................... 7-2
Waxing............................................................................ 7-3
Weights (See dimensions and weights) ............... 9-9
Wheel/tire size.............................................................. 9-9


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10-6