2005 Nissan 350Z Owner's Manual - Page 171

Start the vehicle in 1st gear and shift to 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th up to 6th gear in sequence according to the vehicle speed. To back up, depress the shift lever and then move it to the R (Reverse) position after stopping the vehicle completely. If it is difficult to move the shift lever into R (Reverse) or 1 (Low gear), shift to N (Neutral), then release the clutch pedal. Fully depress the clutch pedal again and shift into R or 1. WARNING SSD0347 SSD0287 Shift lock release If the battery charge is low or discharged, the select lever may not be moved from the P (Park) position even with the brake pedal depressed. To move the selector lever, depress the brake pedal, apply the parking brake, and push the shift lock release button by using a suitable tool as shown. Push the selector lever button, then the selector lever can be moved to N (Neutral). This allows the vehicle to be moved if the battery is discharged. If the lever cannot be moved out of P (Park), have a NISSAN dealer check the automatic transmission system as soon as possible. MANUAL TRANSMISSION Shifting To change gears, or when upshifting or downshifting, fully depress the clutch pedal, shift into the appropriate gear then slowly and smoothly release the clutch. This vehicle is equipped with a short throw shifter manual transmission. To ensure smooth gear changes, fully depress the clutch pedal before operating the shift lever. If the clutch pedal is not fully depressed before the transmission is shifted, a gear noise may be heard. Transmission damage could occur. ¼ Do not downshift abruptly on slippery roads. This may cause a loss of control. ¼ Do not over-rev the engine when shifting to a lower gear. This may cause a loss of control or engine damage. CAUTION ¼ Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal while driving. This may damage the clutch. 5-12 Starting and driving