2008 NISSAN 350Z wiring

The air bag system and passenger air bag status
light will take a few seconds to register a change
in the passenger seat status. However, if the
seat becomes unoccupied, the air bag status
light will remain off.
If a malfunction occurs in the front passenger air
bag system, the supplemental air bag warning
light
, located in the meter and gauges
area, will blink. Have the system checked by a
NISSAN dealer.
Other supplemental front-impact air
bag precautions
WARNING

Do not place any objects on the
steering wheel pad or on the instru-
ment panel. Also, do not place any
objects between any occupant and
the steering wheel or instrument
panel. Such objects may become
dangerous projectiles and cause in-
jury if the front air bag inflates.

Do not place objects with sharp
edges on the seat. Also, do not placeheavy objects on the seat that will
leave permanent impressions in the
seat. Such objects can damage the
seat or occupant classification sen-
sor (pattern sensor). This can affect
the operation of the air bag system
and result in serious personal injury.

Do not use water or acidic cleaners
(hot steam cleaners) on the seat. This
can damage the seat or occupant
classification sensor. This can also
affect the operation of the air bag
system and result in serious personal
injury.

Immediately after inflation, several
front air bag system components will
be hot. Do not touch them; you may
severely burn yourself.

No unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the supplemental air bag system.
This is to prevent accidental inflation
of the supplemental air bag or dam-
age to the supplemental air bag
system.
Do not make unauthorized changes
to your vehicle’s electrical system,
suspension system or front end
structure. This could affect proper
operation of the front air bag system.

Tampering with the front air bag sys-
tem may result in serious personal
injury. Tampering includes changes
to the steering wheel and the instru-
ment panel assembly by placing ma-
terial over the steering wheel pad
and above the instrument panel or by
installing additional trim material
around the air bag system.

Modifying or tampering with the front
passenger seat may result in serious
personal injury. For example, do not
change the front seats by placing
material on the seat cushion or by
installing additional trim material,
such as seat covers, on the seat that
are not specifically designed to as-
sure proper air bag operation. Addi-
tionally, do not stow any objects un-
der the front passenger seat or the1-38
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seat cushion and seatback. Such ob-
jects may interfere with the proper
operation of the occupant classifica-
tion sensor.

No unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the seat belt system. This may affect
the front air bag system. Tampering
with the seat belt system may result
in serious personal injury.

Work on and around the front air bag
system should be done by a NISSAN
dealer. Installation of electrical
equipment should also be done by a
NISSAN dealer. The Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS) wiring
should not be modified or discon-
nected. Unauthorized electrical test
equipment and probing devices
should not be used on the air bag
system.

A cracked windshield should be re-
placed immediately by a qualified re-
pair facility. A cracked windshield
could affect the function of thesupplemental air bag system.

The SRS wiring harness connectors
are yellow and orange for easy iden-
tification.
When selling your vehicle, we request that you
inform the buyer about the front air bag system
and guide the buyer to the appropriate sections
in this Owner’s Manual.
Front seat-mounted side-impact
supplemental air bag and
roof-mounted curtain side-impact
supplemental air bag systems (if so
equipped)This section includes the information about both
the side air bag system
A
and the curtain air
bag system
B. Curtain air bags are not available
on Roadster models.
The side air bags are located in the outside of
the seatback of the front seats. The curtain air
bags are located in the side roof rails. These
systems are designed to meet voluntary guide-
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lines to help reduce the risk of injury to out-of-
position occupants.However, all of the infor-
mation, cautions and warnings in this
manual still apply and must be followed.
The side air bags and curtain air bags are
designed to inflate in higher severity side colli-
sions on the side that the vehicle is impacted,
although they may inflate if the forces in another
type of collision are similar to those of a higher
severity side impact. They are designed to inflate
on the side where the vehicle is impacted. They
may not inflate in certain side collisions.
Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is not always an
indication of proper side air bag and curtain air
bag operation.
When the side air bags and curtain air bags
inflate, a fairly loud noise may be heard, followed
by release of smoke. This smoke is not harmful
and does not indicate a fire. Care should be
taken not to inhale it, as it may cause irritation
and choking. Those with a history of a breathing
condition should get fresh air promptly.
Side air bags, along with the use of seat belts,
help to cushion the impact force on the chest of
the front occupants. Curtain air bags help to
cushion the impact force to the head of occu-
pants. They can help save lives and reduce
serious injuries. However, an inflating side air
bag and curtain air bag may cause abrasions or
other injuries. Side air bags and curtain air bagsdo not provide restraint to the lower body.
The seat belts should be correctly worn and the
driver and passenger seated upright as far as
practical away from the side air bag, and seated
as far away as practical from the door finishers
and side roof rails. The side air bags and curtain
air bags inflate quickly in order to help protect
the front occupants. Because of this, the force of
the side air bags and curtain air bags inflating
can increase the risk of injury if the occupant is
too close to, or is against these air bag modules
during inflation. The side air bags and curtain air
bags will deflate quickly after the collision is
over.
The side air bags and curtain air bags
operate only when the ignition switch is in
the ON or START position.
After turning the ignition key to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The air bag warning light
will turn off after about 7 seconds if the
systems are operational.
WARNING

Do not place any objects near the
seatback of the front seats. Also, donot place any objects (an umbrella,
bag, etc.) between the front door fin-
isher and the front seat. Such objects
may become dangerous projectiles
and cause injury if a side air bag
inflates.

Right after inflation, several side air
bag and curtain air bag system com-
ponents will be hot. Do not touch
them; you may severely burn your-
self.

No unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the side air bag and curtain air bag
systems. This is to prevent accidental
inflation of the side air bags and
curtain air bags or damage to the
side air bag and curtain air bag sys-
tems.

Do not make unauthorized changes
to your vehicle’s electrical system,
suspension system or side panel.
This could affect proper operation of
the side air bag and curtain air bag
systems.
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Tampering with the side air bag sys-
tem may result in serious personal
injury. For example, do not change
the front seats by placing material
near the seatback or by installing
additional trim material, such as seat
covers, around the side air bag.

Work around and on the side air bag
and curtain air bag systems should
be done by a NISSAN dealer. Instal-
lation of electrical equipment should
also be done by a NISSAN dealer.
The SRS wiring harnesses* should
not be modified or disconnected. Un-
authorized electrical test equipment
and probing devices should not be
used on the side air bag system.
* The SRS wiring harness connectors
are yellow and orange for easy iden-
tification.
When selling your vehicle, we request that you
inform the buyer about the side air bag and
curtain air bag systems and guide the buyer to
the appropriate sections in this Owner’s Manual.
Seat belts with pretensioners
WARNING

The pretensioners cannot be reused
after activation. They must be re-
placed together with the retractor
and buckle as a unit.

If the vehicle becomes involved in a
frontal collision but a pretensioner is
not activated, be sure to have the
pretensioner system checked and, if
necessary, replaced by a NISSAN
dealer.

No unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the pretensioner system.
This is to prevent damage to or acci-
dental activation of the pretension-
ers. Tampering with the pretensioner
system may result in serious per-
sonal injury.

Work around and on the preten-
sioner system should be done by aNISSAN dealer. Installation of elec-
trical equipment should also be done
by a NISSAN dealer. Unauthorized
electrical test equipment and probing
devices should not be used on the
pretensioner system.

If you need to dispose of a pre-
tensioner or scrap the vehicle, con-
tact a NISSAN dealer. Correct pre-
tensioner disposal procedures are
set forth in the appropriate NISSAN
Service Manual. Incorrect disposal
procedures could cause personal
injury.
The pretensioner system activates in conjunction
with the front air bag system. Working with the
seat belt retractor, it helps tighten the seat belt
when the vehicle becomes involved in certain
types of collisions, helping to restrain front seat
occupants.
The pretensioner is encased with the seat belt
retractor. These seat belts are used the same
way as conventional seat belts.
When a pretensioner activates, smoke is re-
leased and a loud noise may be heard. The
smoke is not harmful and does not indicate a fire.
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SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LIGHTThe supplemental air bag warning light, display-
ing
in the instrument panel, monitors the
circuits of the supplemental front-impact air bag,
front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air
bag (if so equipped), roof-mounted curtain side-
impact supplemental air bag (if so equipped for
Coupe models) and seat belt pretensioner sys-
tems. The monitored circuits include the Air bag
Control Unit (ACU), crash zone sensor, satellite
sensors, front air bag modules, side air bag
modules, curtain air bag modules, pretensioners
and all related wiring.After turning the ignition key to the ON position,
the supplemental air bag warning light illumi-
nates. The supplemental air bag warning light
will turn off after about 7 seconds if the system is
operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the front
air bag, side air bag and curtain air bag, and
pretensioner systems need servicing:

The supplemental air bag warning light re-
mains on after approximately 7 seconds.

The supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently.

The supplemental air bag warning light does
not come on at all.
Under these conditions, the front air bag, side air
bag, curtain air bag and/or pretensioner systems
may not operate properly. They must be checked
and repaired. Take your vehicle to a NISSAN
dealer.
WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning
light is on, it could mean that the front
air bag, side air bag, curtain air bag,
and/or pretensioner systems will notoperate in an accident. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your
vehicle checked by a NISSAN dealer as
soon as possible.
Repair and replacement procedureThe front air bags, side air bags (if so equipped),
curtain air bags (if so equipped for Coupe
models) and pretensioners are designed to in-
flate on a one-time-only basis. As a reminder,
unless it is damaged, the supplemental air bag
warning light will remain illuminated after inflation
has occurred. Repair and replacement of these
systems should be done only by a NISSAN
dealer.
When maintenance work is required on the
vehicle, the front air bags, side air bags, curtain
air bags, pretensioners and related parts should
be pointed out to the person conducting the
maintenance. The ignition key should always be
in the LOCK position when working under the
hood or inside the vehicle.
WARNING

Once a front air bag, side air bag or
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WARNING

Do not leave children or adults who
would normally require the support
of others alone in your vehicle. Pets
should not be left alone either. They
could accidentally injure themselves
or others through inadvertent opera-
tion of the vehicle. Also, on hot,
sunny days, temperatures in a closed
vehicle could quickly become high
enough to cause severe or possibly
fatal injuries to people or animals.

Properly secure all cargo to help pre-
vent it from sliding or shifting. Do not
place cargo higher than the seat-
backs. In a sudden stop or collision,
unsecured cargo could cause per-
sonal injury. (Coupe models)

Closely supervise children when they
are around cars to prevent them from
playing and becoming locked in the
trunk where they could be seriously
injured. Keep the car locked with the
trunk closed when not in use, andprevent children’s access to car keys.
(Roadster models)
EXHAUST GAS (Carbon monoxide)
WARNING
Do not breathe exhaust gases; they con-
tain colorless and odorless carbon mon-
oxide. Carbon monoxide is dangerous.
It can cause unconsciousness or death.

If you suspect that exhaust fumes are
entering the vehicle, drive with all
windows fully open, and have the
vehicle inspected immediately.

Do not run the engine in closed
spaces such as a garage.

Do not park the vehicle with the en-
gine running for any extended length
of time.

Keep the rear hatch/trunk lid closed
while driving, otherwise exhaust
gases could be drawn into the pas-senger compartment. If you must
drive with the rear hatch/trunk lid
open, follow these precautions:
1. Open all the windows.
2. Set the air recirculation mode OFF
and the fan control at the maxi-
mum position to circulate the air.

If electrical wiring or other cable con-
nections must pass to a trailer
through the seal on the rear
hatch/trunk lid or the body, follow
the manufacturer’s recommendation
to prevent carbon monoxide entry
into the vehicle.

If a special body, camper, or other
equipment is added for recreational
or other usage, follow the manufac-
turer’s recommendation to prevent
carbon monoxide entry into the ve-
hicle. Some recreational vehicle ap-
pliances such as stoves, refrigera-
tors, heaters, etc. may also generate
carbon monoxide.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN STARTING
AND DRIVING5-2
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the proper equipment and to have it
installed.
Trailer lights should comply with federal and/or
local regulations. When wiring the vehicle for
towing, connect the stop and tail light pickup
into the vehicle electrical circuit at a point be-
tween the sensor and stop light or light switch.Trailer brakesIf your trailer is equipped with a braking system,
make sure it conforms to federal and/or local
regulations and that it is properly installed.
WARNING
Never connect a trailer brake system
directly to the vehicle brake system.Pre-towing tips
Be certain a vehicle maintains a level position
when a loaded and/or unloaded trailer is
hitched. Do not drive the vehicle if it has an
unusual nose-up or nose-down condition;
check for improper tongue load, overload,
worn suspension or other possible causes of
these conditions.
Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shifts while driving.

Load the trailer so approximately 60% of the
trailer load is in the front half and 40% is in
the back half.

Check your hitch, trailer tire pressure, vehicle
tire pressure, trailer light operation, and trailer
wheel lug nuts every time you attach a trailer
to the vehicle.

Be certain your rear view mirrors conform to
all federal, state and/or local regulations. If
not, install any mirrors required for towing
before driving the vehicle.
Trailer towing tipsIn order to gain skill and an understanding of the
vehicle’s behavior, you should practice turning,
stopping and backing up in an area which is free
from traffic. Steering stability, and braking per-
formance will be somewhat different than under
normal driving conditions.

Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.

Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.

Avoid sharp turns or lane changes.

Always drive a vehicle at a moderate speed.
Some states or provinces have specificspeed limits for vehicles that are towing
trailers. Obey the local speed limits.

When backing up, hold the bottom of the
steering wheel with one hand. Move your
hand in the direction in which you want the
trailer to go. Make small corrections and back
up slowly. If possible, have someone guide
you when you are backing up.

Always block the wheels on both vehicle and
trailer when parking. Parking on a slope is not
recommended; however, if you must do so,
and if a vehicle is equipped with automatic
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 going up 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
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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 TOWINGTechnical and consumer information
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