2005 NISSAN 350Z brake pads

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
open/close operation is completely finished.
If the soft top indicator light flashes with the
ignition switch ON (whether the top is operated
or not), it may indicate the electric soft top
control unit is not functioning properly. Have
your vehicle checked by a NISSAN dealer as
soon as possible.
For more details about the electric soft topoperation, see “Soft top” in the “3. Pre-driving
checks and adjustments” section.
Turn signal/hazard indicator
lights
The light flashes when the turn signal switch
lever or hazard switch is turned on.AUDIBLE REMINDERS
Key reminder chimeThe chime will sound if the driver’s side door is
opened while the key is left in the ignition switch
(ignition switch is turned off). Remove the key
and take it with you when leaving the vehicle.Light reminder chimeThe chime will sound when the driver’s door is
opened with the headlight switch on unless the
key is in the ignition switch. Make sure to turn the
light switch off when you leave the vehicle.Seat belt warning chimeThe chime will sound for about 6 seconds unless
the driver’s seat belt is securely fastened.Brake pad wear warningThe disc brake pads have audible wear warn-
ings. When a brake pad requires replacement, it
will make a high pitched scraping sound whenthe vehicle is in motion. Have the brakes
checked as soon as possible if the warning
sound is heard.
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Instruments and controls


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BRAKING PRECAUTIONSThe brake system has two separate hydraulic
circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you will still
have braking at two wheels.Vacuum assisted brakesThe brake booster aids braking by using engine
vacuum. If the engine stops, you can stop the
vehicle by depressing the brake pedal. However,
greater foot pressure on the brake pedal will be
required to stop the vehicle and the stopping
distance will be longer.Using the brakesAvoid resting your foot on the brake pedal while
driving. This overheats the brakes, increases
wear on the brakes and pads, and reduces gas
mileage.
To help save the brakes and to prevent the
brakes from overheating, reduce speed and
downshift to a lower gear before going down a
slope or long grade. Overheated brakes may
reduce braking performance and could result in
loss of vehicle control.
WARNING

While driving on a slippery surface,
be careful when braking, accelerat-
ing or downshifting. Abrupt braking
or accelerating could cause the
wheels to skid and result in an acci-
dent.

If the engine is not running or is
turned off while driving, the power
assist for the brakes will not work.
Braking will be harder.Wet brakesWhen the vehicle is washed or driven through
water, the brakes may get wet. As a result, your
braking distance will be longer and the vehicle
may pull to one side during braking.
To dry brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe speed
while lightly pressing the brake pedal to heat-up
the brakes. Do this until the brakes return to
normal. Avoid driving the vehicle at high speeds
until the brakes function correctly.ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)The anti-lock brake system controls the brakesso the wheels will not lock when braking abruptly
or when braking on slippery surfaces. The sys-
tem detects the rotation speed at each wheel
and varies the brake fluid pressure to prevent
each wheel from locking and sliding. By prevent-
ing wheel lockup, the system helps the driver
maintain steering control and helps to minimize
swerving and spinning on slippery surfaces.
Using the systemDepress the brake pedal and hold it down.
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
may result in increased stopping dis-
tances.Normal operationThe anti-lock brake system will not operate at
speeds below 3 to 6 MPH (5 to 10 km/h) to
completely stop the vehicle. (The speeds will
vary according to road conditions.) When the
anti-lock system senses that one or more wheels
are close to locking up, the actuator (under the
hood) rapidly applies and releases hydraulic
pressure (like pumping the brakes very quickly).
While the actuator is working, you may feel a
BRAKE SYSTEM5-20
Starting and driving


04.8.23/Z33-D/V5.0


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 driving
wheel. If the vehicle is operated with the VDC
system turned off, all VDC system functions and
TCS functions will be turned off. The ABLS
system and ABS will still operate with the VDC
system off. When the ABLS system is activated,
the “SLIP” indicator light will blink and you may
hear a clunk noise and/or feel a pulsation in the
brake pedal. This is normal and is not an indica-
tion of a malfunction.
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 diag-
nostic feature that tests the system each time
you start the engine and move the vehicle for-
ward or backward. When the self-test occurs,
you may hear a clunk noise and/or feel a pulsa-
tion in the brake pedal. This is normal and is not
an indication of 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 driving
techniques. Reduce vehicle speed
and be especially careful when driv-
ing and cornering on slippery sur-
faces and always drive carefully.

If engine related parts such as a muf-
fler are not standard equipment or
are extremely deteriorated, the “VDC
OFF” indicator or “SLIP” indicator or
both indicator lights may illuminate.

Do not modify the vehicle’s suspen-
sion. If suspension parts such as
shock absorbers, struts, springs, sta-
bilizer bars and bushings are not
NISSAN-approved or are extremely
deteriorated the VDC system may not
operate properly. This could ad-
versely affect vehicle handling per-
formance, and the “VDC OFF” indica-tor or “SLIP” indicator or both indica-
tor lights may illuminate.

If brake related parts such as brake
pads, rotors and calipers are not
standard equipment or are extremely
deteriorated, the “VDC OFF” indica-
tor or “SLIP” indicator or both indica-
tor lights may illuminate.

When driving on extremely inclined
surfaces such as higher banked cor-
ners, the VDC system may not oper-
ate properly and the “VDC OFF” indi-
cator or “SLIP” indicator or both
indicator lights may illuminate. Do
not drive on these types of roads.

When driving on an unstable surface
such as a turntable, ferry, elevator or
ramp, the “VDC OFF” indicator or
“SLIP” indicator or both indicator
lights may illuminate. This is not a
malfunction. Restart the engine after
driving onto a stable surface.

If wheels or tires other than those
recommended are used, the VDC sys-
Starting and driving
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04.8.23/Z33-D/V5.0


CHECKING PARKING BRAKEFrom the released position, pull the parking
brake lever up slowly and firmly. If the number of
clicks is out of the range listed below, see a
NISSAN dealer.

6 - 7 clicks under pulling force of 45 lb(200
N)
CHECKING BRAKE PEDALWith the engine running, check the distance
A
between the upper surface of the pedal and the
metal floor. If it is out of the range shown below,
see a NISSAN dealer.
Distance
A: Under depressing force of 110 lb
(490 N)
Automatic
Transmission modelManual
Transmission model
3.74 in (95 mm) or more 3.54 in (90 mm) or more
Self-adjusting brakesYour vehicle is equipped with self-adjusting
brakes.
The disc-type brakes self-adjust every time the
brake pedal is applied.
WARNING
See a NISSAN dealer for a brake system
check if the brake pedal height does not
return to normal.Brake pad wear indicatorsThe disc brake pads on your vehicle have au-
dible wear indicators. When a brake pad re-
quires replacement, it will make a high pitched
scraping or screeching sound when the vehicle
is in motion whether or not the brake pedal is
depressed. Have the brakes checked as soon as
possible if the wear indicator sound is heard.
Under some driving or climate conditions, occa-
sional brake squeak, squeal or other noise may
be heard. Occasional brake noise during light to
moderate stops is normal and does not affect
the function or performance of the brake system.
Proper brake inspection intervals should
SDI1447A
DI1020MO
PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE
PEDAL
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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