5-10Starting and driving
OPERATING RANGE FOR ENGINE
START
The operating range for starting the engine
inside the vehicle is shown in the illustration.
.If the Intelligent Key is on the instrument
panel, rear parcel shelf, inside the glove box,
door pocket, cup holders or console box, or
the corner of the passenger compartment, it
may not be possible to start the engine.
Carry the Intelligent-Key and try to start the
engine again.
. If the Intelligent Key is near the door or door
glass outside the vehicle, it may be possible
to start the engine.
IGNITION SWITCH OPERATION
When the Intelligent Key is carried with you and
the ignition switch is pushed without depressing
the brake pedal, the ignition switch position will
change as follows:
.Push center once to change to ACC.
. Push center two times to change to ON.
. Push center three times to change to OFF.
(No position illuminates.)
. Push center four times to return to ACC.
. Open or close any door to return to LOCK
during the OFF position.
IGNITION SWITCH POSITIONS
LOCK (Normal parking position)
The ignition switch can only be locked in this
position.
The ignition switch will be unlocked when it is
pushed to the ACC position while carrying the
Intelligent Key or with the Intelligent Key inserted
in the port.
ACC (Accessories)
This position activates electrical accessories
such as the radio, when the engine is not
running.
ON (Normal operating position)
This position turns on the ignition system and
electrical accessories.
OFF
The engine can be turned off without locking the
steering wheel.
The ignition lock is designed so that the ignition
switch cannot be switched to the LOCK position
until the shift lever is moved to the
&Pposition.
Shift lock release
If the battery charge is low or discharged, the
shift lever may not be moved from the&P
position even with the brake pedal depressed
and the shift lever button pushed.
To move the shift lever, perform the following
procedure.
1. Push the ignition switch to the OFF or LOCKposition.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Remove the shift lock cover using a suitable tool wrapped with a cloth.
4. Push down the shift lock as illustrated. 5. Push the shift lever button and move the
shift lever to the
&Nposition while holding
down the shift lock.
Push the ignition switch to the ON position to
unlock the steering wheel. Now the vehicle may
be moved to the desired location.
If the battery is discharged completely, the
steering wheel cannot be unlocked. Do not
move the vehicle with the steering wheel locked.
NOTICE
If the shift lever cannot be moved out of
the&Pposition after performing the
shift lock release procedure, immedi-
ately have the vehicle inspected by a
GT-R certified NISSAN dealer.
Adaptive shift control
The adaptive shift control system automatically
operates when the transmission is in the&A
position and selects an appropriate gear de-
pending on the road conditions such as uphill,
downhill or curving roads.
Control on uphill and curving roads:
A low gear is maintained that suits the degree of
the slope or curve to allow smooth driving with a
small number of shifts. Control on downhill roads:
The adaptive shift control system shifts to a low
gear that suits the degree of the slope, and uses
the engine brake to reduce the number of times
that the foot brake must be used.
Control on winding roads:
A low gear is maintained on continuous curves
that involve repeated acceleration and decelera-
tion, so that smooth acceleration is available
instantly when the accelerator pedal is de-
pressed.
NOTE:
Adaptive shift control may not operate
when the transmission oil temperature is
low immediately after the start of driving
or when it is very hot. If this occurs, switch
to the
&Mposition and downshift if neces-
sary.
&Mposition
Changing to the&Mposition:
To change to the
&Mposition from the&A
position, either move the shift lever to the&M
side or operate the paddle shifter. The position
indicator indicates the gear position with the
indication of “M”.
If the paddle shifter is used, the first operation
changes from the
&Aposition to the&Mposition,
Starting and driving5-19
If any malfunction occurs in the AWD system
while the engine is running, the warning light will
come on.
The warning light may blink rapidly (about twice
per second) while trying to free a stuck vehicle
due to high AWD clutch temperature. The
driving mode may change to two-wheel drive.
If the warning light blinks rapidly during opera-
tion, stop the vehicle with the engine idling in a
safe place immediately. Then if the light goes off
after a while, you can continue driving.
A large difference between the diameters of
front and rear wheels will make the warning light
blink slowly (about once per two seconds) . Pull
off the road in a safe area, and idle the engine.
Check that all tire sizes are the same, tire
pressure is correct and tires are not worn and
winter tires are not installed on the front or rear
wheels only.
If the warning light is blinking after the above
operation, have your vehicle checked by a GT-R
certified NISSAN dealer as soon as possible.
If non-genuine GT-R tires are used, the warning
light may illuminate. (
“GT-R special speci-
fication parts” page GTR-4)
WARNING
. Do not attempt to raise two wheels
off the ground and shift the trans-
mission to any drive or reverse
position with the engine running.
Doing so may result in drivetrain
damage or unexpected vehicle
movement which could result in
serious vehicle damage or personal
injury.
. Do not attempt to test an AWD
equipped vehicle on a 2-wheel dy-
namometer (such as the dynam-
ometers used by some states for
emissions testing) or similar equip-
ment even if the other two wheels
are raised off the ground. Make sure
that you inform the test facility
personnel that your vehicle is
equipped with AWD before it is
placed on a dynamometer. Using
the wrong test equipment may re-
sult in drivetrain damage or unex-
pected vehicle movement which
could result in serious vehicle da-
mage or personal injury.
NOTICE
.If the warning light comes on while
driving there may be a malfunction
in the AWD system. Reduce the
vehicle speed and have your vehicle
checked by a GT-R certified NISSAN
dealer as soon as possible.
. If the warning light remains on after
the above operation, have your
vehicle checked by a GT-R certified
NISSAN dealer as soon as possible.
. The powertrain may be damaged if
you continue driving with the warn-
ing light blinking.
. Do not spin the rear wheels while
driving. Spinning the rear wheels
may increase the temperatures of
the AWD clutch system and damage
the system. Adjust the accelerator
pedal position to stop wheel spin.
Starting and driving5-41
The Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system
uses various sensors to monitor driver inputs
and vehicle motion. Under certain driving con-
ditions, the VDC system helps to perform the
following functions.
.Controls brake pressure to reduce wheel
slip on one slipping drive wheel so power is
transferred to a non slipping drive wheel on
the same axle.
. Controls brake pressure and engine output
to reduce drive wheel slip based on vehicle
speed (traction control function) .
. Controls brake pressure at individual wheels
and engine output to help the driver maintain
control of the vehicle in the following
conditions:
— understeer (vehicle tends to not follow
the steered path despite increased
steering input)
— oversteer (vehicle tends to spin due to certain road or driving conditions) .
The VDC system can help the driver to maintain
control of the vehicle, but it cannot prevent loss
of vehicle control in all driving situations.
When the VDC system operates, the VDC
warning light
in the instrument panel flashes
so note the following: .
The road may be slippery or the system may
determine some action is required to help
keep the vehicle on the steered path.
. You may feel a pulsation in the brake pedal
and hear a noise or vibration from under the
hood. This is normal and indicates that the
VDC system is working properly.
. Adjust your speed and driving to the road
conditions.
. The VDC mode can be changed using the
VDC setup switch. (
“VDC, transmis-
sion and suspension setup switches” page
5-24)
(
“Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) warning
light” page 2-31,“Vehicle Dynamic Con-
trol (VDC) off indicator light” page 2-32)
If a malfunction occurs in the system, the VDC
warning light
illuminates in the instrument
panel. The VDC system automatically turns off.
The VDC setup switch is used to turn off the
VDC system. The VDC off indicator
illuminates to indicate the VDC system is off.
When the VDC setup switch is used to turn off
the system, the VDC system still operates to
prevent one drive wheel from slipping by
transferring power to a non slipping drive wheel.
The VDC warning light
flashes if this
occurs. All other VDC functions are off and the VDC warning light
will not flash. The VDC
system is automatically reset to on when the
ignition switch is placed in the off position then
back to the on position.
(
“Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) warning
light” page 2-31,“Vehicle Dynamic Con-
trol (VDC) off indicator light” page 2-32)
The computer has a built-in diagnostic feature
that tests the system each time you start the
engine and move the vehicle forward or in
reverse at a slow speed. When the self-test
occurs, you may hear a “clunk” noise and/or feel
a pulsation in the brake pedal. This is normal and
is not an indication of a malfunction.
WARNING
. The VDC system is designed to help
the driver maintain stability but
does not prevent accidents due to
abrupt steering operation at high
speeds or by careless or dangerous
driving techniques. Reduce vehicle
speed and be especially careful
when driving and cornering on slip-
pery surfaces and always drive care-
fully.
. Do not modify the vehicle’s suspen-
sion. If suspension parts such as
Starting and driving5-49
VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC)
SYSTEM
WAXING
Regular waxing protects the paint surface and
helps retain new vehicle appearance. Polishing
is recommended to remove built-up wax residue
and to avoid a weathered appearance before
reapplying wax.
A GT-R certified NISSAN dealer can assist you
in choosing the proper product.
.Wax your vehicle only after a thorough
washing. Follow the instructions supplied
with the wax.
. Do not use a wax containing any abrasives,
cutting compounds or cleaners that may
damage the vehicle finish.
Machine compound or aggressive polishing on a
base coat/clear coat paint finish may dull the
finish or leave swirl marks.
WARNING
Do not use wax on the glass, rubber or
plastic parts around the glass or door.
This may prevent the window operation
or cause poor visibility and the wax
cannot be coated uniformly.
NOTICE
Never use wax on the carbon parts
(such as the rear diffuser or the op-
tional dry carbon fiber rear spoiler) .
This may cause deterioration or corro-
sion.
REMOVING SPOTS
Remove tar and oil spots, industrial dust,
insects, and tree sap as quickly as possible
from the paint surface to avoid lasting damage
or staining. Special cleaning products are
available at a GT-R certified NISSAN dealer or
any automotive accessory stores.
UNDERBODY
In areas where road salt is used in winter, the
underbody must be cleaned regularly. This will
prevent dirt and salt from building up and
causing the acceleration of corrosion on the
underbody and suspension. Before the winter
period and again in the spring, the underseal
must be checked and, if necessary, re-treated.
GLASS
Use glass cleaner to remove smoke and dust
film from the glass surfaces. It is normal for glass
to become coated with a film after the vehicle is
parked in the hot sun. Glass cleaner and a soft
cloth will easily remove this film.
NOTICE
When cleaning the inside of the win-
dows, do not use sharp-edged tools,
abrasive cleaners or chlorine-based
disinfectant cleaners. They could da-
mage the electrical conductors, radio
antenna elements or rear window
defroster elements.
WHEELS
Wash the wheels when washing the vehicle to
maintain their appearance.
. Clean the inner side of the wheels when the
wheel is changed or the underside of the
vehicle is washed.
. Inspect wheel rims regularly for dents or
corrosion. Such damage may cause loss of
pressure or poor seal at the tire bead.
. NISSAN recommends that the road wheels
Appearance and care7-3
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 PARTS (if so
equipped)
The dry carbon fiber parts are made using the
same composite method used for race cars. The
dry carbon fiber parts 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 parts because they can da-
mage the material. When the rear
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.
Transmission
&Pmechanism: On a fairly
steep hill, check that your vehicle is held
securely with the shift lever in the
&Pposition
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 GT-R certified 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
to be adjusted, see a GT-R certified 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.
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 fluid level*: Make sure that the brake
fluid level is between the MAX and MIN lines on
the reservoir.
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 at least 5 minutes for the oil to
drain back into the oil pan before checking the
oil.
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 in the engine compartment,
immediately have the exhaust system inspected
by a GT-R certified NISSAN dealer.
(“Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide)” page
5-3)
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
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-5
8-32Maintenance and do-it-yourself
If you have a flat tire, see the following
section. (“Flat tire” page 6-3)
CAUTION
A GT-R certified NISSAN dealer should
perform a tire change. It will be neces-
sary to reset the tire pressure sensors.
To change the tires, contact a GT-R
certified NISSAN dealer.
Be sure to use the tires and wheels together as
a set that are designated for use with this
vehicle.
When tire replacement is required, replacing the
tires as a set of four with new tires is
recommended. However, if a tire is punctured
or damaged, it may be possible to replace only
the damaged tire. Determining whether one tire
or a complete set of tires should be replaced is
based on a number of factors including tire wear
and condition. Contact your GT-R certified
NISSAN dealer. They can recommend if an
individual tire or a complete set should be
replaced.
NOTICE
Make sure the tire valve stem cap is
installed and that the valve stem is
tight. When installing the cap, make
sure to tighten the cap by hand. If a tool
is used to tighten the cap, the cap may
be damaged.
TIRE PRESSURE
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)
This vehicle is equipped with the Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS) . It monitors tire
pressure of all tires. When the low tire pressure
warning light is lit, one or more of your tires is
significantly under-inflated. The system also
displays pressure of all tires on the multi function
display by sending a signal from a sensor that is
installed in each wheel.
The TPMS will activate only when the vehicle is
driven at speeds above 16 MPH (25 km/h).
Also, this system may not detect a sudden drop
in tire pressure. (
“Low tire pressure warn-
ing light” page 2-27) (“Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS)” page 5-4)
(
“Flat tire” page 6-3)
Tire inflation pressure
Check the tire pressure often and always
prior to long distance trips. The recom-
mended tire pressure specifications are
shown on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. label
or the Tire and Loading Information label (if
so equipped) under the “Cold Tire Pres-
sure” heading. The Tire and Loading
Information label is affixed to the driver
side door end. Tire pressures should be
checked regularly because:
.Most tires naturally lose air over time.
.Tires can lose air suddenly when driven
over potholes or other objects or if the
vehicle strikes a curb while parking.
NOTE:
. You can check the pressure of all four
tires on the multi function display. See
the separate Multi Function Display
Owner’s Manual.
. The tires of this vehicle are filled with
nitrogen gas. When the tire pressure is
low, fill the tires with nitrogen. Contact
a GT-R certified NISSAN dealer for
information on filling the tires with
nitrogen.
WHEELS AND TIRES