2008 NISSAN 350Z open hood

Your new NISSAN has been designed to have
minimum maintenance requirements with long
service intervals to save you both time and
money. However, some day-to-day and regular
maintenance is essential to maintain your
NISSAN’s good mechanical condition, as well
as its emission and engine performance.
It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure that
scheduled maintenance, as well as general
maintenance, is performed.
As the vehicle owner, you are the only one who
can ensure that your vehicle receives the proper
maintenance care. You are a vital link in the
maintenance chain.
Scheduled maintenance:
For your convenience, both required and op-
tional scheduled maintenance items are de-
scribed and listed in your “NISSAN Service and
Maintenance Guide”. You must refer to that
guide to ensure that necessary maintenance is
performed on your NISSAN at regular intervals.
General maintenance:
General maintenance includes those items
which should be checked during normal day-to-
day operation. They are essential for proper
vehicle operation. It is your responsibility to
perform these procedures regularly as pre-
scribed.Performing general maintenance checks re-
quires minimal mechanical skill and only a few
general automotive tools.
These checks or inspections can be done by
yourself, a qualified technician or, if you prefer, a
NISSAN dealer.
Where to go for service:
If maintenance service is required or your vehicle
appears to malfunction, have the systems
checked and tuned by a NISSAN dealer.
NISSAN technicians are well-trained specialists
and are kept up to date with the latest service
information through technical bulletins, service
tips, and in-dealership training programs. They
are completely qualified to work on NISSAN
vehiclesbeforethey work on your vehicle,
rather than after they have worked on it.
You can be confident that a NISSAN dealer’s
service department performs the best job to
meet the maintenance requirements of your ve-
hicle — in a reliable and economic way.During the normal day-to-day operation of the
vehicle, general maintenance should be per-
formed regularly as prescribed in this section. If
you detect any unusual sounds, vibrations or
smells, be sure to check for the cause or have a
NISSAN dealer do it promptly. In addition, you
should notify a NISSAN dealer if you think that
repairs are required.
When performing any checks or maintenance
work, closely observe the “Maintenance precau-
tions” later in this section.
EXPLANATION OF GENERAL
MAINTENANCE ITEMSAdditional information on the following
items with “*” is found later in this section.Outside the vehicleThe maintenance items listed here should be
performed from time to time, unless otherwise
specified.
Doors and engine hood:Check that all doors
and the engine hood operate smoothly as well as
the trunk lid or back hatch. Also make sure that
all latches lock securely. Lubricate if necessary.
Make sure that the secondary latch keeps the
hood from opening when the primary latch is
released.
When driving in areas using road salt or other
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS GENERAL MAINTENANCE8-2
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washer reservoir tank to mix the
washer fluid concentrate and water.
Keep the battery surface clean and dry. Clean
the battery with a solution of baking soda and
water.

Make certain the terminal connections are
clean and securely tightened.

If the vehicle is not to be used for 30 days or
longer, disconnect the (−) negative battery
terminal to prevent discharging it.
CAUTION
When the battery cable is removed from
the battery terminal, do not close either
of the front doors. The automatic win-
dow adjusting function will not work,
and the side roof panel/top side rail
may be damaged by doing so.
To disconnect the negative (−) battery ter-
minal, perform the procedure in the follow-
ing order. Otherwise, the window and the
side roof panel/top side rail may contact
and be damaged.
1. Close the windows.
2. Open the hood.3. Close and lock all the doors using the
key or keyfob.
4. Disconnect the negative (−) battery ter-
minal.
5. Securely close the hood.
To connect the negative (−) battery termi-
nal, perform the procedure in the following
order. Otherwise, the window and the side
roof panel/top side rail may contact and be
damaged.
1. Unlock (using the key) and open the
driver side door. Do not close the door.
2. Open the hood.
3. Connect the negative (−) battery termi-
nal. Then close the hood.
4. Fully open the driver side door window.
5. Close the driver side door and the win-
dow.
WARNING

Do not expose the battery to flames
or electrical sparks. Hydrogen gas,
generated by battery fluid, is explo-
sive. Do not allow battery fluid to
BATTERY
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CAUTION

After wiper blade replacement, return
the wiper arm to its original position.
Otherwise it may be damaged when
the engine hood is opened.

Make sure the wiper blades contact
the glass; otherwise the arms may be
damaged from wind pressure.

Worn windshield wiper blades can
damage the windshield and impair
driver vision.CLEANINGIf your windshield is not clear after using the
windshield washer or if a wiper blade chatters
when running, wax or other material may be on
the blade or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with a
washer solution or a mild detergent. Your wind-
shield is clean if beads do not form when rinsing
with clear water.
Clean the blade by wiping it with a cloth soaked
in a washer solution or a mild detergent. Thenrinse the blade with clear water. If your wind-
shield is still not clear after cleaning the blades
and using the wiper, replace the blades.WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES
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If a type
A
fuse is used to replace a type
B
fuse, the type
A
fuse will not be level with the
fuse pocket as shown in the illustration. This will
not affect the performance of the fuse. Make
sure the fuse is installed in the fuse box securely.
Type
B
fuses cannot be installed in the under-
hood fuse boxes. Only use type
A
fuses in the
underhood fuse boxes.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT
CAUTION
Never use a fuse of a higher or lower
amperage rating than that specified on
the fuse box cover. This could damage
the electrical system or cause a fire.
If any electrical equipment does not operate,
check for an open fuse.
1. Be sure the ignition switch and headlight
switch are OFF.2. Open the engine hood and remove the cover
on the battery and the fuse/fusible link holder.
3. Remove the fuse/fusible link holder cover by
pushing the tabs
1
and lifting the cover
2.
4. Remove the fuse with the fuse puller. The
fuse puller is located in the passenger com-
partment fuse box.
5. If the fuse is open
A, replace it with a new
fuse
B. Spare fuses are stored in the pas-
senger compartment fuse box.
6. If a new fuse also opens, have the electrical
system checked and repaired by a NISSAN
dealer.
SDI1752
SDI1479B
SDI1753
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Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Distance to empty ................................................. 2-9
Fuel economy ...................................................... 5-18
Fuel octane rating ................................................. 9-3
Fuel recommendation ........................................... 9-3
Fuel-filler cap ....................................................... 3-23
Fuel-filler door...................................................... 3-23
Gauge ...................................................................... 2-6
Fuses ............................................................................ 8-21
Fusible links ................................................................ 8-23
G
Garage door opener, HomeLink
Universal
Transceiver .................................................................. 2-43
Gas cap ....................................................................... 3-23
Gauge ............................................................................. 2-3
Engine coolant temperature gauge .................. 2-5
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....................................................... 2-37
H
Hatch, Rear hatch........................................................ 3-9
Hazard warning flasher switch............................... 2-27Head restraints ............................................................. 1-9
Headlights
Bulb replacement ............................................... 8-27
Headlight switch ................................................. 2-24
Xenon headlights ................................................ 2-24
Heated seats .............................................................. 2-28
Heater
Engine block heater ........................................... 5-26
Heater and air conditioner (automatic)............ 4-9
HomeLink
Universal Transceiver ......................... 2-43
Hood release ................................................................ 3-8
Hook, Coat hook ....................................................... 2-38
Horn .............................................................................. 2-27
I
Ignition switch ............................................................... 5-6
Automatic transmission models ............. 5-7, 5-10
Key positions .......................................................... 5-8
Manual transmission models .................. 5-7, 5-13
Immobilizer system .................................................... 2-19
Indicator lights............................................................ 2-15
Inside
Automatic anti-glare mirror............................... 3-26
Mirror...................................................................... 3-26
Inspection/maintenance (I/M) test ........................ 9-24
Instrument brightness control ................................ 2-26
Instrument panel........................................................... 2-2
Instrument pocket...................................................... 2-32
Interior light replacement......................................... 8-28
Interior lights ............................................................... 2-41
Interior trunk lid release ........................................... 3-11J
Jump starting................................................................. 6-7
K
Keyfob battery replacement.................................... 8-24
Keyless entry (See remote keyless entry
system) ........................................................................... 3-5
Keys................................................................................. 3-2
L
Labels
Air bag warning labels ...................................... 1-42
Air conditioner specification label .................. 9-11
Emission control information label ................. 9-10
Engine serial number ......................................... 9-10
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label ...... 9-10
Tire and Loading Information label ..... 8-32, 9-11
Vehicle identification number (VIN) .................. 9-9
License plate, Installing front license plate......... 9-12
Light
Air bag warning light ......................................... 1-43
Bulb replacement ............................................... 8-26
Headlight switch ................................................. 2-24
Headlights bulb replacement........................... 8-27
Indicator lights ..................................................... 2-15
Interior lights ........................................................ 2-41
Luggage compartment light ............................. 2-42
Map lights ............................................................. 2-41
Replacement ........................................................ 8-26
Room light ............................................................ 2-41


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Trunk light ............................................................. 2-42
Vanity mirror light ................................................ 2-42
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders .............................................................. 2-11
Xenon headlights ................................................ 2-24
Lights, Exterior and interior light replacement ... 8-28
Loading information (See vehicle loading
information) ................................................................. 9-13
Lock
Door locks ............................................................... 3-3
Power door lock .................................................... 3-3
Rear floor box ...................................................... 2-35
Rear hatch lock...................................................... 3-9
Top latch lever ..................................................... 3-16
Trunk lid................................................................. 3-10
Low tire pressure warning light ............................. 2-13
Low tire pressure warning system (See tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS)) ..................... 5-3
Luggage compartment light.................................... 2-42
M
Maintenance
Battery ................................................................... 8-15
General maintenance ........................................... 8-2
Inside the vehicle................................................... 8-3
Maintenance information (display) .................... 4-3
Maintenance precautions .................................... 8-5
Maintenance requirements.................................. 8-2
Outside the vehicle............................................... 8-2
Seat belt maintenance ...................................... 1-17
Under the hood and vehicle ............................... 8-4
Malfunction indicator light (MIL) ............................ 2-15
Map lights.................................................................... 2-41Meter, Trip computer .................................................. 2-8
Meters and gauges ..................................................... 2-3
Meters and gauges, Instrument brightness
control .......................................................................... 2-26
Mirror
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror .................. 3-26
Inside mirror ......................................................... 3-26
Outside mirrors ................................................... 3-27
N
Net
Cargo net.............................................................. 2-33
Ventilated net seats .............................................. 1-6
New vehicle break-in ................................................ 5-18
NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System ................... 2-19
NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System, Engine
start.................................................................................. 5-8
O
Odometer ....................................................................... 2-4
Oil
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Changing engine oil and filter ......................... 8-10
Checking engine oil level .................................... 8-9
Engine oil................................................................. 8-9
Engine oil pressure gauge .................................. 2-7
Engine oil viscosity ............................................... 9-5
Opening the soft top ................................................ 3-13
Outside air temperature display ............................... 2-9
Outside mirrors .......................................................... 3-27
Overheat, If your vehicle overheats ......................... 6-9Owner’s Manual/Service Manual order
information................................................................... 9-26
P
Parking
Brake break-in ..................................................... 5-21
Parking brake operation .................................... 5-15
Parking on hills .................................................... 5-19
Phone, Car phone or CB radio ............................. 4-31
Power
Front seat adjustment .......................................... 1-4
Power door lock .................................................... 3-3
Power outlet ......................................................... 2-31
Power steering fluid ........................................... 8-12
Power steering system ...................................... 5-20
Power windows................................................... 2-39
Precautions
Audio operation ................................................... 4-14
Braking precautions ........................................... 5-21
Child restraints .................................................... 1-17
Cruise control ...................................................... 5-16
Maintenance ........................................................... 8-5
Seat belt usage ................................................... 1-10
Supplemental restraint system ........................ 1-28
When starting and driving .................................. 5-2
Push starting ................................................................. 6-9
R
Radio ............................................................................ 4-12
Car phone or CB radio ..................................... 4-31


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