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 (196,1)
Model "R35-D" EDITED: 2008/ 5/ 20
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
Set up modeFeatures
.
In addition to the normal mode function, this mode adjusts front and rear wheel power
distribution to improve handling.
Normal (light is off)
.
This mode enhances handling by brake control and engine output control when
oversteer or understeer is detected.
.
All VDC functions including Traction Control System (TCS) are deactivated. ABS is
still active.
NOTE:Make sure VDC is on before driving the vehicle. The VDC OFF mode is an emergency
mode to help free a vehicle stuck in mud or snow by temporarily stopping VDC operation
to allow more power to the wheels.
The turbocharger system uses engine oil for
lubrication and cooling of its rotating compo-
nents. The turbocharger turbine turns at extre-
mely high speeds and it can get very hot. It is
essential to maintain a supply of oil flowing
through the turbocharger system. Therefore, a
sudden interruption of oil supply may cause a
malfunction in the turbocharger.
To ensure prolonged life and performance of the
turbocharger, it is essential to perform the
following maintenance procedure:
. Change your engine oil according to the
recommended intervals shown in the sepa-
rate Service and Maintenance Guide. Use
only the recommended engine oil.
. If the engine had been operating at high
engine speed for an extended period of time,
let it idle for a few minutes prior to shut-
down.
. Do not accelerate your engine to high
engine speed immediately after start.
NOTICE
This vehicle includes spark plugs that
are designed for high performance. For
this reason, if the engine is repeatedly
started and stopped over a short time,
the spark plugs may become fouled,
making the engine difficult to start. To
5-26
Starting and driving
TURBOCHARGER SYSTEM
, Q I R U P D W L R Q 3 U R Y L G H G E \
Black plate (236,1)
Model "R35-D" EDITED: 2008/ 5/ 20
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 fine mechanical condition, as well
as its emission and engine performance.
It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure that
the 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 MAINTENANCEFor 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 MAINTENANCEGeneral 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
GT-R certified NISSAN dealer.
WHERE TO GO FOR SERVICEGT-R certified NISSAN dealers are required to
have additional training and equipment and are
the only NISSAN dealers authorized to perform
warranty work on key vehicle performance
systems such as engine, transmission, suspen-
sion and brakes.
If maintenance service is required or your vehicle
appears to malfunction, have the systems
checked and serviced by a GT-R certified
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-dealer information systems. They are
completely qualified to work on NISSAN vehi-
cles
before work begins.
You can be confident that a GT-R certified
NISSAN dealer’s service department performs
the best job to meet the maintenance require-
ments on your vehicle — in a reliable and
economical way. To find a GT-R certified NISSAN dealer near
you, call 1-866-668-1GTR in the US or 1-800-
387-0122 in Canada, or go to www. gtrnissan.
com/.
8-2
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENT
, Q I R U P D W L R Q 3 U R Y L G H G E \
Black plate (253,1)
Model "R35-D" EDITED: 2008/ 5/ 20
Remove the retainers
*1
as illustrated and pull
out the filter element
*2.
The filter element should not be cleaned and
reused. Replace it according to the maintenance
intervals. See “NISSAN Service and Mainte-
nance Guide” for maintenance intervals. When
replacing the filter, wipe the inside of the air cleaner housing and the cover with a damp
cloth.
WARNING
.
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner removed can cause you or
others to be burned. The air cleaner
not only cleans the air, it stops
flame if the engine backfires. If it
isn’t there, and the engine backfires,
you could be burned. Do not drive
with the air cleaner removed, and be
careful when working on the engine
with the air cleaner removed.
. Never pour fuel into the throttle
body or attempt to start the engine
with the air cleaner removed. Doing
so could result in serious injury.
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
windshield is clean if beads do not form when
rinsing with clear water.
Clean each blade by wiping it with a cloth
soaked in a washer solution or a mild detergent.
Then rinse the blade with clear water. If your
windshield is still not clear after cleaning the
blades and using the wiper, replace the blades.
CAUTION
Worn windshield wiper blades can
damage the windshield and impair
driver vision.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
8-19
AIR CLEANER WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES
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Black plate (255,1)
Model "R35-D" EDITED: 2008/ 5/ 20
light to moderate stops is normal and does not
affect the function or performance of the brake
system.
Proper brake inspection intervals should
be followed.For additional information, see the
maintenance log section of your “NISSAN
Service and Maintenance Guide” for mainte-
nance intervals.HIGH PERFORMANCE BRAKE SYS-
TEMThis vehicle is equipped with high performance
brake pads that provide appropriate braking
force in a broad range of driving environments.
Due to the material used for the brake pads, the
road wheels may become more easily covered
by brake dust, however this does not indicate
that there is a malfunction.
Frequent hard braking may cause scorching of
the brake pads. This will require the brake pads
to be replaced, even if the wear limit has not
been reached. Have the brake pads and disc
rotors inspected at the regular vehicle inspec-
tions.
For more details, contact a GT-R certified
NISSAN dealer.
REPLACING THE BRAKE PADSTo ensure maximum performance, the brake
pads and disc rotors must be replaced as a set.
Never replace or use only the brake pads on
their own. When replacement is required, we
recommend seeing a GT-R certified NISSAN
dealer for servicing.NOTE:. This vehicle is equipped with a high
performance braking system and in-
cludes 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 perfor-
mance.
. To maintain steady braking perfor-
mance 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 por-
tion 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.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
8-21
, Q I R U P D W L R Q 3 U R Y L G H G E \
Black plate (282,1)
Model "R35-D" EDITED: 2008/ 5/ 20
NOTICE
Take care not to spill gasoline during
refueling. Gasoline containing oxyge-
nates can cause paint damage.E-85 fuelE-85 fuel is a mixture of approximately 85% fuel
ethanol and 15% unleaded gasoline. E-85 can
only be used in a Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) . Do
not use E-85 fuel in your vehicle. U.S. govern-
ment regulations require fuel ethanol dispensing
pumps to be identified by a small, square,
orange and black label with the common
abbreviation or the appropriate percentage for
that region.Aftermarket fuel additives
NOTICE
NISSAN does not recommend the use
of any aftermarket fuel additives (Ex-
ample: fuel injector cleaner, intake
valve deposit removers, etc.) which are
sold commercially. Many of these ad-
ditives intended for gum, varnish or
deposit removal may contain active
solvent or similar ingredients that can
be harmful to the fuel system and
engine.
Octane rating tipsUsing unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than recommended above can
cause persistent, heavy spark knock.
(Spark knock is a metallic rapping noise.)
If severe, this can lead to engine damage.
If you detect a persistent heavy spark
knock even when using gasoline of the
stated octane rating, or if you hear steady
spark knock while holding a steady speed
on level roads, have a GT-R certified
NISSAN dealer correct the condition. Fail-
ure to correct the condition is misuse of
the vehicle, for which NISSAN is not
responsible.
Incorrect ignition timing will result in knocking,
after-run or overheating. This in turn may cause
excessive fuel consumption or damage to the
engine. If any of the above symptoms are
encountered, have your vehicle checked at a
GT-R certified NISSAN dealer or other compe-
tent service facility.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is no
cause for concern, because you get the
greatest fuel benefit when there is light
spark knock for a short time under heavy
engine load.
ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER RE-
COMMENDATION
Selecting the correct oilIt is essential to choose the correct grade,
quality, and viscosity engine oil to ensure
satisfactory engine life and performance.
(
“CAPACITIES AND RECOMMENDED
FUEL/LUBRICANTS” page 9-2)
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
durability 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; how-
ever, some performance loss may be noticed.
NOTICE
Using an engine oil other than that
specified could adversely affect the
engine. See the 2009 Nissan GT-R
Warranty Information Booklet for de-
tails and exclusions.Oil additivesNISSAN does not recommend the use of oil
additives. The use of an oil additive is not
necessary when the proper oil type is used and
maintenance intervals are followed.
9-4
Technical and consumer information
, Q I R U P D W L R Q 3 U R Y L G H G E \
Black plate (283,1)
Model "R35-D" EDITED: 2008/ 5/ 20
Oil which may contain foreign matter or has
been previously used should not be used.Oil viscosityThe engine oil viscosity or thickness changes
with temperature. Because of this, it is important
that the engine oil viscosity be selected based
on the temperatures at which the vehicle will be
operated before the next oil change. Choosing
an oil viscosity other than that recommended
could cause serious engine damage.Selecting the correct oil filterYour new vehicle is equipped with a high-quality
genuine NISSAN oil filter. Use the genuine
NISSAN oil filter or its equivalent for the reason
described in change intervals.Change intervalsThe oil and oil filter change intervals for your
engine are based on the use of the specified
quality oils and filters. Oil and filter other than the
specified quality, or oil and filter change intervals
longer than recommended could reduce engine
life. Damage to engines caused by improper
maintenance or use of incorrect oil and filter
quality and/or viscosity is not covered by the
new NISSAN vehicle limited warranties.
Your engine was filled with a high quality engine
oil when it was built. You do not have to change
the oil before the first recommended change
interval. Oil and filter change intervals dependupon how you use your vehicle. Operation under
the following conditions may require more
frequent oil and filter changes.
.
repeated short distance driving at cold
outside temperatures
. driving in dusty conditions
. extensive idling
. stop and go “rush hour” traffic
Refer to the “NISSAN Service and Maintenance
Guide” for the maintenance schedule.
AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM RE-
FRIGERANT AND LUBRICANT RE-
COMMENDATIONSThe air conditioning system in your
NISSAN vehicle must be charged with the
refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a) and the
lubricant, NISSAN UV Luminous Oil Type
S or the exact equivalents.
NOTICE
The use of any other refrigerant or
lubricant will cause severe damage to
the air conditioning system and will
require the replacement of all air con-
ditioner system components.
The refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a) in your NISSAN vehicle will not harm the earth’s ozone
layer. Although this refrigerant does not affect
the earth’s atmosphere, certain governmental
regulations require the recovery and recycling of
any refrigerant during automotive air condition-
ing system service. Your GT-R certified NISSAN
dealer has the trained technicians and equip-
ment needed to recover and recycle your air
conditioning system refrigerant.
Contact a GT-R certified NISSAN dealer when
servicing your air conditioning system.
Technical and consumer information
9-5
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