2012 NISSAN 370Z COUPE parking brake

SCE0792
TOWING RECOMMENDED BY
NISSAN (except for NISMO models)
NISSAN recommends that your vehicle be
towed with the driving (rear) wheels off the
ground or place the vehicle on a flat bed truck as
illustrated.
CAUTION
.Never tow automatic transmission
models with the rear wheels on the
ground or four wheels on the
ground (forward or backward) , as
this may cause serious and expen- sive damage to the drivetrain. If it is
necessary to tow the vehicle with
the front wheels raised, always use
towing dollies under the rear
wheels.
. When towing rear wheel drive mod-
els with the front wheels on the
ground or on towing dollies: Push
the ignition switch to the ACC or ON
position, and secure the steering
wheel in a straight-ahead position
with a rope or similar device.
. If you have to tow manual transmis-
sion models with the rear wheels on the ground (if you do not use towing
dollies) or four wheels on the
ground:
— Push the ignition switch to the
ON position and turn off all
accessories.
— Always release the parking brake.
— Move the transmission shift le- ver to the N (Neutral) position.
— Observe the following restricted towing speeds and distances for
manual transmission models
only:
.Rear wheels on the ground:
Speed: Below 50 MPH (80
km/h)
Distance: Less than 50 miles
(80 km)
.Four wheels on the ground:Speed: Below 70 MPH (112
km/h)
Distance: Less than 500 miles
(800 km)
— If the speed or distance must necessarily be greater, remove
the propeller shaft before tow-
In case of emergency6-19

8-4Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Make sure that the headlights, stop lights, tail
lights, turn signal lights, and other lights are all
operating properly and installed securely. Also
check headlight aim.
Road wheel nuts (lug nuts)*:When checking
the tires, make sure no wheel nuts are missing,
and check for any loose wheel nuts. Tighten if
necessary.
Tire rotation*: Tires cannot be rotated, as the
front tires are a different size from the rear tires
and the direction of wheel rotation is fixed in
each tire.
Tires*: Check the pressure with a gauge often
and always prior to long distance trips. If
necessary, adjust the pressure in all tires,
including the spare, to the pressure specified.
Check carefully for damage, cuts or excessive
wear.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
transmitter components: Replace the TPMS
transmitter grommet seal, valve core and cap
when the tires are replaced due to wear or age.
Tire, wheel alignment and balance: If the
vehicle should pull to either side while driving on
a straight and level road, or if you detect uneven
or abnormal tire wear, there may be a need for
wheel alignment.
If the steering wheel or seat vibrates at normal
highway speeds, wheel balancing may be needed.
For additional information regarding tires, refer
to “Important Tire Safety Information” (US) or
“Tire Safety Information” (Canada) in the
NISSAN Warranty Information Booklet.
Windshield:
Clean the windshield on a regular
basis. Check the windshield at least every six
months for cracks or other damage. Have a
damaged windshield repaired by a qualified
repair facility.
Windshield wiper blades*: Check for cracks
or wear if they do not wipe properly.
Inside the vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked on a regular basis, such as when
performing scheduled maintenance, cleaning
the vehicle, etc.
Accelerator pedal: Check the pedal for
smooth operation and make sure the pedal
does not catch or require uneven effort. Keep
the floor mat away from the pedal.
Automatic transmission P (Park) mechan-
ism: On a fairly steep hill, check that your
vehicle is held securely with the selector lever in
the P (Park) position without applying any
brakes.
Brake pedal: Check the pedal for smooth
operation. If the brake pedal suddenly goes down further than normal, the pedal feels
spongy or the vehicle seems to take longer to
stop, see a NISSAN dealer immediately. Keep
the floor mat away from the pedal.
Brakes:
Check that the brakes do not pull the
vehicle to one side when applied.
Parking brake: Check the parking brake
operation regularly. The vehicle should be
securely held on a fairly steep hill with only the
parking brake applied. If the parking brake needs
adjusted, see a NISSAN dealer.
Seat belts: Check that all parts of the seat belt
system (for example, buckles, anchors, adjuster
and retractors) operate properly and smoothly,
and are installed securely. Check the belt
webbing for cuts, fraying, wear or damage.
Seats: Check seat position controls such as
seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. to ensure
they operate smoothly and that all latches lock
securely in every position. Check that the head
restraints move up and down smoothly and that
the locks (if so equipped) hold securely in all
latched positions.
Steering wheel: Check for changes in the
steering conditions, such as excessive free play,
hard steering or strange noises.
Warning lights and chimes: Make sure that
all warning lights and chimes are operating
properly.

Windshield defroster:Check that the air
comes out of the defroster outlets properly and
in sufficient quantity when operating the heater
or air conditioner.
Windshield wiper and washer*: Check that
the wipers and washer operate properly and that
the wipers do not streak.
Under the hood and vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically (for example, each time you
check the engine oil or refuel) .
Battery*: Check the fluid level in each cell. It
should be between the MAX and MIN lines.
Vehicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe condition require frequent checks of the
battery fluid level.
Brake and clutch fluid levels*: Make sure
that the brake and clutch fluid levels are
between the MAX and MIN lines on the
reservoirs.
Engine coolant level*: Check the coolant level
when the engine is cold.
Engine drive belts*: Make sure that no belt is
frayed, worn, cracked or oily.
Engine oil level*: Check the level after parking
the vehicle on a level spot and turning off the
engine. Wait more than 15 minutes for the oil to
drain back into the oil pan. Exhaust system:
Make sure there are no loose
supports, cracks or holes. If the sound of the
exhaust seems unusual or there is a smell of
exhaust fumes, immediately have the exhaust
system inspected by a NISSAN dealer. (See
“Precautions when starting and driving” (P.5-2)
for exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) .)
Fluid leaks: Check under the vehicle for fuel,
oil, water or other fluid leaks after the vehicle has
been parked for a while. Water dripping from the
air conditioner after use is normal. If you should
notice any leaks or if gasoline fumes are evident,
check for the cause and have it corrected
immediately.
Power steering fluid level* and lines: Check
the level with the engine off. Check the lines for
proper attachment, leaks, cracks, etc.
Radiator and hoses: Check the front of the
radiator and clean off any dirt, insects, leaves,
etc., that may have accumulated. Make sure the
hoses have no cracks, deformation, rot or loose
connections.
Underbody: The underbody is frequently ex-
posed to corrosive substances such as those
used on icy roads or to control dust. It is very
important to remove these substances, other-
wise rust will form on the floor pan, frame, fuel
lines and around the exhaust system. At the end
of winter, the underbody should be thoroughly flushed with plain water, being careful to clean
those areas where mud and dirt may accumu-
late. For additional information, see “Cleaning
exterior” (P.7-2).
Windshield washer fluid*:
Check that there is
adequate fluid in the reservoir.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-5

8-6Maintenance and do-it-yourself
When performing any inspection or mainte-
nance work on your vehicle, always take care
to prevent serious accidental injury to yourself or
damage to the vehicle. The following are general
precautions which should be closely observed.
WARNING
.Park the vehicle on a level surface,
apply the parking brake securely
and block the wheels to prevent
the vehicle from moving. For man-
ual transmission models, move the
shift lever to N (Neutral) . For auto-
matic transmission models, move
the selector lever to P (Park) .
. Be sure the ignition switch is in the
OFF or LOCK position when per-
forming any parts replacement or
repairs.
. Never connect or disconnect the
battery or any transistorized com-
ponent while the ignition switch is
in the ON position.
. Never leave the engine or automatic
transmission related component
harnesses disconnected while the
ignition switch is in the ON position. .
If you must work with the engine
running, keep your hands, clothing,
hair and tools away from moving
fans, belts and any other moving
parts.
. It is advisable to secure or remove
any loose clothing and remove any
jewelry, such as rings, watches, etc.
before working on your vehicle.
. Always wear eye protection when-
ever you work on your vehicle.
. If you must run the engine in an
enclosed space such as a garage, be
sure there is proper ventilation for
exhaust gases to escape.
. Never get under the vehicle while it
is supported only by a jack. If it is
necessary to work under the vehicle,
support it with safety stands.
. Keep smoking materials, flame and
sparks away from fuel tank and the
battery.
. Your vehicle is equipped with an
automatic engine cooling fan. It may
come on at any time without warn-
ing, even if the ignition key is in the
OFF position and the engine is not
running. To avoid injury, always disconnect the negative battery
cable before working near the fan.
. The fuel filter or fuel lines should be
serviced by a NISSAN dealer be-
cause the fuel lines are under high
pressure even when the engine is
off.
CAUTION
.Do not work under the hood while
the engine is hot. Turn the engine
off and wait until it cools down.
. Avoid direct contact with used en-
gine oil and coolant. Improperly
disposed engine oil, coolant, and/
or other vehicle fluids can damage
the environment. Always conform to
local regulations for disposal of
vehicle fluid.
This “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section
gives instructions regarding only those items
which are relatively easy for an owner to perform.
A genuine NISSAN Service Manual is also
available. (See “Owner’s Manual/Service Man-
ual order information” (P.9-24).)
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS

SDI2348
CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and applythe parking brake.
2. Run the engine until it reaches operating temperature.
3. Turn off the engine. Wait more than 15
minutes for the oil to drain back into
the oil pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean. Reinsert it all the way.
5. Remove the dipstick again and check the oil level. It should be within the range
*1. If the
oil level is below
*2, remove the oil filler cap
and pour recommended oil through the opening.
Do not overfill
*3.
6. Recheck oil level with the dipstick.
It is normal to add some oil between oil
maintenance intervals or during the break-
in period, depending on the severity of
operating conditions.
CAUTION
Oil level should be checked regularly.
Operating the engine with an insuffi-
cient amount of oil can damage the
engine, and such damage is not cov-
ered by warranty.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL AND FILTER
Vehicle set-up
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply the parking brake.
2. Run the engine until it reaches operating temperature.
3. Turn the engine off and wait more than 15 minutes.
4. Raise and support the vehicle using a suitable floor jack and safety jack stands.
.Place the safety jack stands under the
vehicle jack-up points.
.A suitable adapter should be attached tothe jack stand saddle.
5. Remove the plastic engine undercover. a. Remove the small plastic clips at thecenter of the undercover.
b. Then remove the bolts that hold the undercover in place.
CAUTION
Make sure the correct lifting and sup-
port points are used to avoid vehicle
damage.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-11
ENGINE OIL

WARNING
Be sure the engine and the ignition
switch are off and that the parking
brake is engaged securely.
CAUTION
Be sure to use the correct socket to
remove the spark plugs. An incorrect
socket can damage the spark plugs.
SDI2020
REPLACING SPARK PLUGS
If replacement is required, see a NISSAN dealer
for servicing.
Iridium-tipped spark plugs
It is not necessary to replace the iridium-tipped
spark plugs as frequently as the conventional
type spark plugs since they will last much longer.
Follow the maintenance schedule in “NISSAN
Service and Maintenance Guide”, but do not
reuse them by cleaning or regapping.
Always replace spark plugs with recom-
mended or equivalent ones.
SDI2350
Remove the retainers*1as 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
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-19
SPARK PLUGS AIR CLEANER

10 Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ............................ 5-26
Advanced air bag system ......................................... 1-33
Air bag systemAdvanced air bag system .................................. 1-33
Front passenger air bag and status light....... 1-35
Front-seat mounted side-impact
supplemental air bag system ............................ 1-38
Roof-mounted curtain side-impact
supplemental air bag system ............................ 1-38
Air bag warning labels............................................... 1-40
Air bag warning light...................................... 1-41, 2-13
Air cleaner housing filter ........................................... 8-19
Air conditioner Air conditioner operation.................................... 4-24
Air conditioner service ........................................ 4-30
Air conditioner specification label.................... 9-13
Air conditioning system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations....................... 4-30, 9-7
In-cabin microfilter ............................................... 4-30
Air deflectors................................................................ 9-16
Alarm, How to stop alarm (see vehicle
security system)........................................................... 2-28
Alcohol, drugs and driving.......................................... 5-7
Antenna.......................................................................... 4-79
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ............................ 5-26
Anti-lock braking system (ABS) warning light..... 2-10
Appearance care Exterior appearance care ...................................... 7-2
Interior appearance care ....................................... 7-5
Audible reminders....................................................... 2-16
Audio operation precautions.................................... 4-31
Audio system................................................................ 4-31 Steering wheel audio controls.......................... 4-77 Autochanger
Compact Disc (CD) ............................................ 4-49
Autolight system.......................................................... 2-32
Automatic Air conditioner (Type A) ..................................... 4-25
Air conditioner (Type B) ..................................... 4-28
Automatic adjusting function
(front windows)..................................................... 2-46
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF).................. 8-13
Door locks................................................................. 3-5
Driving with automatic transmission................ 5-12
AUX (Auxiliary) button.................................... 4-46, 4-51
Auxiliary input jacks .................................................... 4-75
Avoiding collision and rollover ................................... 5-6
B
Battery............................................................................ 8-16 Battery saver system........................................... 2-34
Intelligent Key........................................................ 8-25
Variable voltage control system........................ 8-18
Before starting the engine........................................ 5-11
Belts (See drive belts)............................................... 8-18
Bluetooth
®hands-free phone system
(models with navigation system)............................. 4-81
Bluetooth
®hands-free phone system
(models without navigation system) ....................... 4-91
Bluetooth
®streaming audio ..................................... 4-63
Booster seats............................................................... 1-24
Brake Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ..................... 5-26
Brake and clutch fluid......................................... 8-14
Brake fluid.............................................................. 8-14
Brake system......................................................... 5-25
Parking brake operation ..................................... 5-20
Warning light......................................................... 2-10 Break-in schedule ....................................................... 5-23
Brightness control......................................................... 4-7 Display ON/OFF button ........................................ 4-7
Instrument panel................................................... 2-34
Bulb check/instrument panel ................................... 2-10
Bulb replacement........................................................ 8-27
C
Cabin air filter............................................................... 4-30
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants ....... 9-2
Car phone or CB radio ............................................. 4-80
Cargo cover.................................................................. 2-43
Catalytic converter, Three way catalyst................... 5-3
CD/CF/USB memory care and cleaning .............. 4-76
Center multi-function control panel
(models with navigation system)............................... 4-3
Child restraints............................................................. 1-18 Booster seats........................................................ 1-24
Precautions on child restraints......................... 1-18
Top tether strap.................................................... 1-19
Child safety................................................................... 1-15
Chimes Audible reminders................................................ 2-16
Seat belt warning light and chime................... 2-13
Circuit breaker, Fusible link...................................... 8-23
Cleaning exterior and interior............................ 7-2, 7-5
Clock..................................................................... 2-8, 2-25
Clutch fluid.................................................................... 8-14
Cockpit ............................................................................ 2-3
Cold weather driving.................................................. 5-31
Compact Disc (CD) changer (See
audio system)............................................................... 4-49
Compact Disc (CD) player (See
audio system)................................................... 4-45, 4-54
Compact spare tire..................................................... 8-40

10-4
Lights, Exterior and interior light replacement ..... 8-29
Loading information (See vehicle
loading information) .................................................... 9-17
LockAutomatic door locks ............................................. 3-5
Door locks................................................................. 3-4
Power door lock...................................................... 3-4
Rear hatch lock..................................................... 3-16
Trunk lid .................................................................. 3-18
Locking with mechanical key...................................... 3-4
Low tire pressure warning light............................... 2-12
Low tire pressure warning system
(See tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)) .... 5-3
M
Maintenance Battery..................................................................... 8-16
General maintenance ............................................. 8-3
Inside the vehicle .................................................... 8-4
Maintenance indicators....................................... 2-21
Maintenance precautions...................................... 8-6
Maintenance requirements.................................... 8-3
Outside the vehicle................................................. 8-3
Seat belt maintenance........................................ 1-14
Malfunction indicator light (MIL).............................. 2-14
Manual front seat adjustment..................................... 1-4
Map lights ..................................................................... 2-46
Master warning light................................................... 2-13
Mechanical key (Intelligent Key system) ................. 3-3
Meter Trip computer........................................................ 2-22
Meters and gauges....................................................... 2-5 Instrument brightness control ........................... 2-34
Mirror Inside mirror........................................................... 3-37
Outside mirrors..................................................... 3-38 Vanity mirror........................................................... 3-39
Multi-function controller............................................... 4-4
N
New vehicle break-in.................................................. 5-23
NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System..................... 2-28
NISSAN voice recognition system ...................... 4-103
No key warning............................................................ 2-18
O
Odometer........................................................................ 2-6
Off-road recovery.......................................................... 5-6
Oil Capacities and
recommended fuel/lubricants............................... 9-2
Changing engine oil and filter........................... 8-11
Checking engine oil level................................... 8-11
Engine oil................................................................ 8-11
Engine oil viscosity.................................................. 9-6
Oil filter replacement indicator ......................... 2-21
Opening the soft top.................................................. 3-21
Operation, Operational indicators........................... 2-18
Outside mirrors............................................................ 3-38
Overheat, If your vehicle overheats ........................ 6-16
Owner’s Manual/Service Manual
order information ......................................................... 9-24
P
Panic alarm................................................................... 3-14
Parking Brake break-in....................................................... 5-26
Parking brake operation ..................................... 5-20
Parking on hills ..................................................... 5-24
Performance dampers................................................ 5-30 Phone
Bluetooth
®hands-free phone system
(models with navigation system)...................... 4-81
Bluetooth
®hands-free phone system
(models without navigation system) ................ 4-91
Car phone or CB radio ...................................... 4-80
Power Front seat adjustment ............................................ 1-2
Power door lock...................................................... 3-4
Power outlet .......................................................... 2-39
Power steering fluid............................................. 8-13
Power steering system ....................................... 5-25
Power windows .................................................... 2-44
Precautions................................................................... 5-21 Audio operation .................................................... 4-31
Braking precautions............................................. 5-25
Child restraints...................................................... 1-18
Cruise control operations................................... 5-17
Maintenance ............................................................. 8-6
Seat belt usage ....................................................... 1-9
Supplemental restraint system.......................... 1-28
When starting and driving .................................... 5-2
Push starting ................................................................ 6-16
Push warning (Automatic
Transmission models) ................................................ 2-19
Push-button ignition switch............................... 5-8, 5-9
R
Radio.............................................................................. 4-31 Car phone or CB radio ...................................... 4-80
FM-AM radio with Compact Disc
(CD) player ............................................................ 4-43
FM-AM-SAT radio with compact disc (CD)
changer (models without
navigation system) ............................................... 4-47