Black plate (2,1)
Model "R35-D" EDITED: 2008/ 4/ 18
The legend of the GT-R began in May of 1964 in Japan when the affectionately termed “boxy” Skyline passed a Porsche 904 at a hairpin curve on the
Suzuka Circuit.
The GT-R legend continued on the Japanese racing circuits and in the sports car world when the GT-R was equipped with a powerful engine and state-of-
the-art all-wheel drive system in August of 1989.
A new legend is in the making for the 21st century. The “NISSAN GT-R” is now available worldwide.
During development, the NISSAN GT-R was taken to the Nurburgring in Germany, a racetrack used for performance evaluation benchmarking of
supercars. While being driven by a professional driver, the GT-R set a record time of 7 minutes 38 seconds even though the road surface of the most
difficult high-speed corner, the “kesselchen” was wet. The GT-R also handled an endurance test totaling approximately 3,000 miles (5,000 km) , setting
the world’s fastest continuous driving lap time of 7 minutes 55 seconds. Additionally, to make sure the GT-R performs off the track as well as it does on the
track, the vehicle was designed to perform on many types of roads from a scorching freeway to snow swept country roads.
A new legend is born.The NISSAN GT-R, introducing you
to a new genre of supercars
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Black plate (6,1)
Model "R35-D" EDITED: 2008/ 4/ 18
*C2008 NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
All rights reserved. No part of this Owner’s
Manual may be reproduced or stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or
by any means, electronic, mechanical, photo-
copying, recording or otherwise, without the
prior written permission of NISSAN Motor Co.,
Ltd.
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Black plate (5,1)
Model "R35-D" EDITED: 2008/ 5/ 20
mance of the LSD. Also use the same oil for the
front differential.The use of additives is
prohibited.BRAKE FLUIDGenuine NISSAN Brake Fluid R35 Special
DOT4
Genuine NISSAN Brake Fluid R35 Special
DOT4 is the factory fill brake fluid. The Vehicle
Dynamic Control (VDC) unit and other related
parts were specially designed for this brake
fluid. NISSAN cannot ensure the best perfor-
mance and proper operation of the vehicle if
other brake fluid is used.TIRES AND ROAD WHEELSGenuine GT-R tires and road wheels or
equivalent
Use only genuine GT-R tires and road wheels or
equivalent. Proper use of NISSAN recom-
mended tires provides the greatest potential
for maximum performance.
. Genuine GT-R tires and road wheels or an
equivalent help achieve maximum cornering
performance.
. Genuine GT-R tires and road wheels or an
equivalent help provide road holding in the
event of decreasing tire pressure and
punctures. .
Genuine GT-R tires and road wheels or an
equivalent help prevent the decrease of
straight-running stability caused by uneven
tire wear due to high rigidity wheels and
wide tires.
BRAKE PAD AND DISC ROTORGenuine GT-R brake pads and disc rotors
This vehicle is equipped with a high perfor-
mance braking system and includes cross-
drilled floating rotors and radial-mounted six-
piston monoblock calipers. This helps to achieve
excellent stopping performance and fade-resis-
tance. Replace all four sets of brake pads and
disc rotors at the same time to maintain
maximum brake performance.EXHAUST MUFFLERUse only the special GT-R muffler and
trunk carpet.
Never use parts other than genuine NISSAN
parts.
The GT-R has high exhaust gas temperatures. If
non-GT-R specification parts are used, it is
possible that the muffler will deform and cause
damage to the underbody. Also do not remove
the trunk carpet from the vehicle for any reason.
The carpet insulates the vehicle interior from the
heat of the muffler and from the noise of the
transmission.
EXTERIOR PARTS (spoiler, etc.)Do not modify exterior parts.
The GT-R was developed using a special wind
tunnel to help make sure the vehicle is
aerodynamically balanced. Additionally, the wind
tunnel was used to help make sure cool air flows
to the brakes, radiator and other components.
Additions of non-GT-R specific accessory ex-
terior parts can change the air flow over and
around the body. This can affect vehicle balance
and cooling of various systems.
For example, if the front bumper is modified,
there is a possibility that brake performance may
be reduced due to the decrease of the air flow to
the brake system.
GT-R Overview
GTR-3
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Black plate (6,1)
Model "R35-D" EDITED: 2008/ 5/ 20
In addition to the regular maintenance recom-
mended by NISSAN, the GT-R requires the
following special inspections:
.Wheel alignment inspection and adjustment
(if necessary) (including tire pressure ad-
justment)
. Engine settings (balancing right and left air
flow)
. Transmission settings
These inspections are required at the following
intervals:
. 1,000 miles
. 12 months
. 24 months
. 36 monthsNOTE:.These inspections will be performed
free of charge for labor at a GT-R
certified NISSAN dealer only. Inspec-
tions thereafter are recommended
every 12 months or 12,000 miles
(whichever comes first) at the custo-
mer’s expense. See the 2009 NISSAN
GT-R Warranty Information Booklet for
details.
. Repairs and adjustments involving parts replacement, etc. determined to
be necessary as a result of these
inspections are performed at the cus-
tomer’s expense.
. See the 2009 NISSAN GT-R Warranty
Information Booklet for significant lim-
itations, exclusions and possible void-
ing of your warranty resulting from
failure to have these necessary inspec-
tions, repairs and/or adjustments per-
formed.
. See the 2009 NISSAN GT-R Service and
Maintenance Guide for a detailed ex-
planation of the GT-R Performance
Optimization services.
WHEEL ALIGNMENT INSPECTION
AND ADJUSTMENT (if necessary)
(including tire pressure adjustment)This vehicle is equipped with a high perfor-
mance suspension. The vehicle’s wheel align-
ment needs to be measured and adjusted (if
necessary) by a GT-R certified NISSAN dealer
as necessary as the vehicle is driven and the
suspension parts break-in.
ENGINE SETTINGS (balancing right
and left air flow)Each cylinder bank of this engine operates
independently due to the vehicle’s twin turbo-
charger design. Each side of the engine must
operate at the same level of performance. The
power output of each bank must be checked
and adjusted as necessary by a GT-R certified
NISSAN dealer.TRANSMISSION SETTINGSThe design of the clutch and transmission
requires inspection and adjustment of the clutch
and shift forks by a GT-R certified NISSAN
dealer at the recommended intervals. Depend-
ing on the driving conditions, more frequent
adjustments may be necessary to help maximize
vehicle performance.
GTR-4
GT-R Overview
GT-R PERFORMANCE
OPTIMIZATION SERVICES
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Black plate (7,1)
Model "R35-D" EDITED: 2008/ 5/ 20
VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC)
OFF MODEMake sure VDC is on before driving the vehicle.
The VDC OFF mode should only be used to help
free a vehicle stuck in mud or snow by
temporarily stopping VDC operation and keep-
ing torque on wheels.SUMMER TIRESThe GT-R summer tires are made from a
specially formulated rubber to maximize the
vehicle’s performance capabilities. Performance
of summer tires is substantially reduced when
temperatures are less than 328F(0 8C) so you
must drive carefully. NISSAN recommends the
use of winter or all-season tires on all four
wheels if you plan to operate your vehicle in
snowy or icy conditions when temperatures are
less than 32 8F(0 8C) .
WARNING
Never use summer tires when the
temperature is below 48 F( 20 8C) to
prevent permanent tread deformation
which may cause tire damage or tire
failure. This may cause a loss of vehicle
control which can result in serious
personal injury or death.
ALL-SEASON TIRESDo not exceed the speed rating of the tire that is
installed on the vehicle.
The body of the GT-R has been manufactured
on special fixtures utilizing a hybrid structure
with aluminum die cast parts for the frame work.
Special skills, information and equipment are
required to correctly repair the body. Contact a
GT-R certified NISSAN dealer if the vehicle is
damaged, such as in a collision, and they will
recommend an appropriate body shop.
Only certified body shops using CELETTE
®
advanced collision repair equipment are ap-
proved by NISSAN for repairing structural body
damage. Contact a GT-R certified NISSAN
dealer or NISSAN Consumer Affairs for a
referral or list of certified body shops.
GT-R Overview
GTR-5
PRECAUTIONS BEFORE DRIVING BODY REPAIR
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Black plate (8,1)
Model "R35-D" EDITED: 2008/ 5/ 20
The following information applies if you engage
in performance driving such as driving your
GT-R for extended periods under the following
conditions.
.Higher-RPM (approaching redline) opera-
tion
. Frequent high pedal force braking from
moderate and higher speeds
. Frequent throttle activation
. Fast revving throughout the RPM range
In such cases, the following additional main-
tenance guidelines apply.
However, you should also carefully read
your 2009 NISSAN GT-R Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet for important information
concerning warranty coverage, limitations
and exclusions.
We recommend that maintenance be performed
at a GT-R certified NISSAN dealer. NISSAN will
only pay for GT-R Performance Optimization
Services performed at a GT-R certified NISSAN
dealer.FLUIDS. Before driving, check the fluid levels and
adjust as necessary using the specified fluid.
. Check the amount of fluid for the power steering.
. Be sure to change the fluids listed below
with the specified fluids every 1,800 miles
(3,000 km) .
ITEMS GT-R SPECIFIED FLUIDS
Engine oil Mobil 1, 0W-40*1
Transmission oil Genuine NISSAN Transmission
Oil R35 Special
Differential oil
(front and rear) Castrol SAF-XJ 75W-140
Brake fluid Genuine NISSAN Brake Fluid
R35 Special DOT4*2
*1: Mobil 1, 0W-40 (100% synthetic) is the factory fill oil. The VR38 engine with its plasma-sprayed
bores was developed using this oil. NISSAN
cannot ensure proper engine operation and dur-
ability if other 0W-40 synthetic oil is used. If Mobil
1, 0W-40 is not available, Mobil 1, 10W-40 (100%
synthetic) may be used; however, some perfor-
mance loss may be noticed.
*2: Genuine NISSAN Brake Fluid R35 Special DOT4 is the factory fill brake fluid. The Vehicle Dynamic
Control (VDC) unit and other related parts were
specially designed for this brake fluid and NISSAN
cannot ensure the best performance and proper
operation of the vehicle if other brake fluid is used.
INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENTS
OF TIRES, SUSPENSION AND
BRAKES. Measure and adjust the wheel alignment.
. Check the tire pressure and the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sen-
sor.
. Make tire pressure adjustments only when
the tires are cool. (
“WHEELS AND
TIRES” page 8-29)
. Secure road wheel balance weights with
aluminum tape or equivalent.
. Check the heat deterioration and wear of the
brakes. (As necessary, the brake pad and
the brake disc rotor must be replaced as a
set of four with new ones.)
REPLENISHING COOLANTCheck the coolant level in the pressurized
coolant reservoir. Adjust the level so that the
fluid is between the MAX and MIN markings. For
the coolant, use genuine NISSAN Long Life
coolant. (On delivery of new vehicle, the
reservoir is filled to the MIN level. Be sure to
replenish approximately 0.3 to 0.4 US quart (0.3
to 0.4 liter) of coolant.)
GTR-6
GT-R Overview
ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS
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Black plate (10,1)
Model "R35-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 6
or oil is at a low or extremely high
temperature: The maximum engine speed
is 4,000 RPM
DISTORTION OF REAR WINGWhen the vehicle is parked in direct sunlight on
a hot day, the center of the rear wing may
become distorted. This is normal. When the
surface temperature of the rear wing is reduced,
the shape of the wing should return to normal.UNEVEN WEAR OF TIRESThe NISSAN GT-R is equipped with high
performance, low profile, run-flat tires that are
optimized for performance and handling. The life
of these tires will be less than those of tires
installed on a typical vehicle, and you are likely to
experience uneven tire wear and tire noise
regardless of the type of tire used.NOISES ARE HEARD WHILE DRIV-
ING.The GT-R brake pads use material that
provides a high amount of braking power
even in high temperatures. This material can
cause an intermittent screeching noise when
the brakes are applied. The noise decreases
as the brake pads wear. .
A screeching noise may be heard when the
brake pedal is depressed:
— When driving the vehicle for the first time in the morning,
— After leaving the vehicle parked for extended periods of time, or
— When the vehicle is damp following rain showers or washing the vehicle.
These sounds are normal. The noise is
caused when the brake pads absorb moist-
ure, and the noise stops after the brake is
applied several times.
. A screeching noise may also be heard when
the brake pedal is depressed:
— When repeatedly applying gentle brak- ing, especially on a curve at a low
speed, or
— When the brake rotors have circular scores with the brake temperature high.
. To maintain steady braking performance in
both extremely high and low temperatures,
the gap between the brake pad and caliper
is larger than normal and large-size brake
pads are used. When driving over a bump, a
light rattling sound may be heard from the
brake pad. This does not indicate that there
is a malfunction. .
When the brake disc rotor undergoes
thermal expansion, a rumbling noise may
be heard from the engaging portion of the
wheel and the brake disc rotor. This does
not indicate that there is a malfunction. The
noise will cease when the temperature
decreases.
. In addition to noise resulting from uneven
tire wear discussed in the previous section,
the GT-R tires are more rigid than a typical
passenger car tire and are made from a
specially formulated rubber to maximize the
vehicle’s performance capabilities. These
characteristics cause the GT-R tires to have
more road noise than a typical passenger
car tire. This road noise is normal.
. Due to the performance capabilities and
requirements of the GT-R, the sequential 6-
speed dual clutch transmission is unlike a
typical automatic transmission. You will likely
hear mechanical sounds from the transmis-
sion, particularly at slow speeds and at idle.
This condition is normal.GTR-8
GT-R Overview
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Black plate (11,1)
Model "R35-D" EDITED: 2008/ 5/ 20
BRAKE DUSTThis vehicle is equipped with high performance
brakes, and the characteristics of the brake pad
material may cause more brake dust than other
vehicles. NISSAN recommends a wheel coating
that helps prevent the brake dust from sticking
to the wheels. Contact a GT-R certified NISSAN
dealer for more details.MECHANICAL LIMITED SLIP DIF-
FERENTIAL (LSD) CHARACTERIS-
TICSThe differential oil has a high viscosity and is
very thick when cold. If the vehicle accelerates
from a stop with the steering wheel turned in
cold temperatures, the inner wheel tire may slip
and some noise or vibration may be heard. This
phenomenon is unique to vehicles equipped
with the Limited Slip Differential (LSD). When
the steering wheel is returned to the straight-
ahead position or the differential oil warms up,
the noise and vibration decrease.
The GT-R dual clutch transmission is a newly-
developed system that uses an electronically
controlled multiple-disc wet clutch attached to
the highly efficient manual transmission. This
transmission has two driving modes.
.
&Aposition (Automatic gearshift):
allows automatic shifting of the manual
transmission.
.
&M
position (Manual gearshift):
allows quick shifting of the manual transmis-
sion.
NOTE:.
&M
position driving is recommended
when driving up hills or accelerating
from a stop on a cold morning.
.
&M
position driving is recommended if
you feel shift shocks or jerkiness in the
&Aposition in cold temperatures.
. When starting or driving on a steep
uphill grade, shift to the
&M
position
and operate the paddle shifter to shift
down to 1st gear similar to a manual
transmission vehicle.
The GT-R dual clutch transmission was devel-
oped specifically to maximize vehicle perfor-
mance and driving enjoyment. The GT-R
transmission components were designed using
different engineering standards than typical passenger car transmissions. Because of this,
the GT-R has different operating characteristics,
and various rattle noises may be heard during
some driving conditions because of the follow-
ing items:
.
Gear clearances
. Ultralight flywheel
. Dry sump lubrication
These noises do not indicate that there is a
malfunction.
GT-R Overview
GTR-9
DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION
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