2013 NISSAN GT-R ESP

7-4Appearance and care
be waxed to protect against road salt in
areas where it is used during winter.
CAUTION
Do not use abrasive cleaners when
washing the wheels.
Aluminum alloy wheels
Wash regularly with a sponge dampened in a
mild soap solution, especially during winter
months in areas where road salt is used. Salt
could discolor the wheels if not removed.
The dark chrome coat wheel is specially coated
to a distinctive color. It may discolor to black
depending on storage conditions. If only one
wheel is changed, it may be different color with
other wheels. If the wheel is changed, consult
with a GT-R certified NISSAN dealer.
NOTICE
Follow the directions below to avoid
staining or discoloring the wheels:
.Do not use a cleaner that uses
strong acid or alkali contents to
clean the wheels. .
Do not apply wheel cleaners to the
wheels when they are hot. The
wheel temperature should be the
same as ambient temperature.
. Rinse the wheel to completely re-
move the cleaner within 15 minutes
after the cleaner is applied.
CHROME PARTS
Clean chrome parts regularly with a non-
abrasive chrome polish to maintain the finish.
OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES
After driving on a road where salt is used in
winter, immediately wash and clean the outside
door handles that are provided with a special
coating. This will keep the beautiful finish longer.
TIRE DRESSING
NISSAN does not recommend the use of tire
dressings. Tire manufacturers apply a coating to
the tires to help reduce discoloration of the
rubber. If a tire dressing is applied to the tires, it
may react with the coating and form a com-
pound. This compound may come off the tire
while driving and stain the vehicle paint.
If you choose to use a tire dressing, take the
following precautions: .
Use a water-based tire dressing. The coat-
ing on the tire dissolves more easily with an
oil-based tire dressing.
. Apply a light coat of tire dressing to help
prevent it from entering the tire tread/
grooves (where it would be difficult to
remove) .
. Wipe off excess tire dressing using a dry
towel. Make sure the tire dressing is
completely removed from the tire tread/
grooves.
. Allow the tire dressing to dry as recom-
mended by tire dressing manufacturer.
DRY CARBON FIBER REAR SPOI-
LER (if so equipped)
The dry carbon fiber rear spoiler is made using
the same composite method used for race cars.
The dry carbon fiber rear spoiler has a special
coating to enhance the feel of the material.
NOTICE
.Do not use chemical agents (for
example: wax, coating agent, com-
pound agent, etc.) on the dry carbon
fiber rear spoiler because they can
damage the material. When the rear

7-8Appearance and care
MOST COMMON FACTORS CON-
TRIBUTING TO VEHICLE CORRO-
SION
.The accumulation of moisture-retaining dirt
and debris in body panel sections, cavities,
and other areas.
. Damage to paint and other protective coat-
ings caused by gravel and stone chips or
minor traffic accidents.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS IN-
FLUENCE THE RATE OF CORRO-
SION
Moisture
Accumulation of sand, dirt and water on the
vehicle body underside can accelerate corro-
sion. Wet floor coverings will not dry completely
inside the vehicle, and should be removed for
drying to avoid floor panel corrosion.
Relative humidity
Corrosion will be accelerated in areas of high
relative humidity, especially those areas where
the temperatures stay above freezing where
atmospheric pollution exists, or where road salt
is used.
Temperature
A temperature increase will accelerate the rate
of corrosion to those parts which are not well
ventilated.
Air pollution
Industrial pollution, the presence of salt in the air
in coastal areas, or heavy road salt use will
accelerate the corrosion process. Road salt will
also accelerate the disintegration of paint
surfaces.
TO PROTECT YOUR VEHICLE FROM
CORROSION
.Wash and wax your vehicle often to keep the
vehicle clean.
. Always check for minor damage to the paint
and repair it as soon as possible.
. Keep drain holes at the bottom of the doors
open to avoid water accumulation.
. Check the underbody for accumulation of
sand, dirt or salt. If present, wash with water
as soon as possible.
CAUTION
.NEVER remove dirt, sand or other
debris from the passenger compart-
ment by washing it out with a hose.
Remove dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
. Never allow water or other liquids to
come in contact with electronic
components inside the vehicle as
this may damage them.
Chemicals used for road surface deicing are
extremely corrosive. They accelerate corrosion
and deterioration of underbody components
such as the exhaust system, fuel and brake
lines, brake cables, floor pan and fenders.
In winter, the underbody must be cleaned
periodically.
For additional protection against rust and
corrosion, which may be required in some areas,
consult a GT-R certified NISSAN dealer.
CORROSION PROTECTION

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 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 per-
formed 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
GT-R certified NISSAN dealer.
WHERE TO GO FOR SERVICE
GT-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/.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-3
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENT

and pour recommended oil through the
opening.Do not overfill
*3.
6. Recheck oil level with the dipstick.
NOTE:
. It is normal to add some oil between oil
maintenance intervals or during the
break-in period, depending on the
severity of operating conditions. More
engine oil is consumed by frequent
acceleration/deceleration especially
when the engine rpm is high. If your
rate of oil consumption increases sud-
denly or without explanation, NISSAN
recommends that you have your vehicle
inspected by a GT-R certified NISSAN
dealer.
. When the vehicle is delivered, the
engine oil is set to 0.39 in (10 mm)
below the H mark for optimal high
performance driving. The engine oil can
be filled up to the H mark if perfor-
mance driving is not engaged.NOTICE
.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 opera-
tion 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;
however, some performance loss
may be noticed.
. Oil level should be checked regu-
larly. Operating the engine with an
insufficient amount of oil can da-
mage the engine. See the 2013
NISSAN GT-R Warranty Information
Booklet for details including applic-
able exclusions.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL AND FILTER
NOTE:
When replacement is required, contact a
GT-R certified NISSAN dealer for servicing.
WARNING
.Prolonged and repeated contact
with used engine oil may cause skin
cancer.
. Try to avoid direct skin contact with
used oil. If skin contact is made,
wash thoroughly with soap or hand
cleaner as soon as possible.
. Keep used engine oil out of reach of
children.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-13

dry road, especially after washing the vehicle or
driving in rain. Contact a GT-R certified NISSAN
dealer if the noise and vibration continue.
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 PADS
NISSAN generally recommends to replace all
four sets of brake pads and disc rotors at the
same time to maintain maximum brake perfor-
mance.
However, replacing only the brake pads may be
allowed in some cases (four wheels or only front
wheels depending on the conditions). A GT-R
certified technician must inspect the vehicle and
determine that only the brake pads need to be
replaced. In this case, replacing all brake pads
and disc rotors as a set is not necessary.
Note that the replacement of brake pads and the
disc rotors as a set on all four wheels should be
performed when a GT-R certified technician
determines that this is the correct repair.If the inside of the disc rotors are cold during the
winter and the surface becomes hot due to a
heavy force being applied repeatedly to the
brakes, cracks may occur near the coolant hole
on the surface of the disc rotor. Cracks may also
occur due to a heavy force being repeatedly
applied to the brakes during high performance
driving. In these cases it may be necessary to
replace the disc rotors or brake pads depending
on the condition of the crack. Contact a GT-R
certified NISSAN dealer for replacement.
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 is pushed to the OFF or LOCK position and the headlight
switch is turned to OFF.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-23
FUSES

3. Remove the old battery and insert a newbattery with the + side facing down.
NOTICE
.Be sure that the + and −sides of the
battery are facing in the correct
directions when the battery is in-
serted.
. Do not touch the internal circuits or
electronic terminals. Doing so may
damage them.
4. Reconnect the upper and lower parts of the
Intelligent Key.
See a GT-R certified NISSAN dealer if you
need any assistance for replacement.
NOTE:
After replacing the battery, be sure to
check and check that all Intelligent Key
system functions operate correctly.
FCC Notice:
For USA:
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interfer-
ence received, including interference that
may cause undesired operation.
Note: Changes or modifications not ex-
pressly approved by the party responsible
for compliance could void the user’s
authority to operate the equipment.
For Canada:
This device complies with RSS-210 of
Industry Canada. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions: (1) this
device may not cause interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interfer-
ence, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-27

CAUTION
After using the tools, put them back in
their original places. An accident may
occur if you leave them in the car
unsecured.
Jacking up the vehicle and removing
the tire
WARNING
.Never get under the vehicle while it
is supported only by the jack. If it is
necessary to work under the vehicle,
support it with safety stands.
. Use the correct jack-up points.
Never use any other part of the
vehicle for jack support.
. Never jack up the vehicle more than
necessary.
. Never use blocks on or under the
jack.
. Do not start or run the engine while
vehicle is on the jack, as it may
cause the vehicle to move. This is
especially true for vehicles with limited slip differentials.
. Do not allow passengers to stay in
the vehicle while it is on the jack.
Carefully read the caution label attached
to the jack body and the following instruc-
tions.
Jack-up point
1. Place the jack directly under the jack-up point as illustrated so the top of the jack
contacts the vehicle at the jack-up point.
The jack should be used on level firm
ground.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-43

9-6Technical and consumer information
Octane rating tips
Using 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 oil
It is essential to choose the correct grade,
quality, and viscosity engine oil to ensure
satisfactory engine life and performance.
(
“Capacities and recommended fuel/lubri-
cants” 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;
however, some performance loss may be
noticed.
NOTICE
Using an engine oil other than that
specified could adversely affect the
engine. See the 2013 NISSAN GT-R
Warranty Information Booklet for de-
tails and exclusions.
Oil additives
NISSAN 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.
Oil which may contain foreign matter or has
been previously used should not be used.
Oil viscosity
The 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 filter
Your new vehicle is equipped with a high-quality
genuine NISSAN oil filter. NISSAN recommends
to use the genuine NISSAN oil filter for the
reason described in change intervals.
Change intervals
The 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