Hi all,

Just picked up my 06 350Z recently and have few questions would like to ask:

1) Is the day time running light the same as the low beam? It was mentioned at 2 places in the owner's manual. One said the day time running light is not using the HID and the other said it will be running at a reduced intensity. But when I turn my headlight on, I don't see any difference between the day time running light and the low beam?

2) I only find on/off switch for VDC. Is there a switch for TCS as well?

3) The owner's manual said it is recommended to use 91 anti-knock index (96 research index) fuel. What index the fuel station uses? Will the fuel at Petro Canada labelled as octane rating of 91 sufficient?

4) The owner's manual also mentioned I need to take off the antenna before I go into an automatic car wash. Is that true? This sounds like something very easy to forget!

Thanks in advance!

 

Congratulations on your new Z. Make sure you get good winter tires if you are going to drive through the winter.

Allow me to answer your questions.

1. Yes, DRL is the same as low beam. I also read that in the user manual, it says the DRL have the HID in lower intensity than the low beam. However, I don't think that's true because I do not see any difference in HID intensity between the Off and On position of the headlight switch. My conclusion is that DRL is exactly the same as low beam, I still have not been able to find out how to disable the DRL because I hate to have no control over my HID.

2. There's no additional switch for the TCS because VDC includes TCS. So once you turn off VDC, TCS is also turned off.

3. 91 octane is fine, just pump the most expensive octane gas and you will be fine. However, 94 from Sunco is not necessary, but wouldn't hurt.

4. You can leave the stock antenna when you go through car wash. It flex very well so you won't have any issues. However, the only automatic car wash the Z can go through is the touchless Esso where you park the car inside and there's no track.

Good luck.

 

Thanks a lot StraySheep, your answers are exactly what I need!

For #1, yes, my thought exactly! I don't want to turn on my HID when I am just moving cars on driveway etc. Please let me know if you find a way to get around the DRL (with just the little parking light on will be perfect) so I can preserve the life of the HID.

For #4, wow, I didn't know that! Why can't our car get into the ones with tracks? Our cars are too low or the tires are too wide?



Btw, I put my winter tires on right after I got my car and notice some vibration under moderate braking. Is that normal? I am not sure if that's because of the snow tires or the brakes......

I also notice some slight "bang" if I accelerate suddenly at low rpm (below 3.5k since I am still breaking in the car; NOT full throttle, just half way of the gas pedal) but it seems fine if I accelerate progressively. Not sure if that's normal either......

 

On '03-05 models the DRL's are the high beams (non-HID) at half power.
For the '06 the lox beam (zenons) are used also as DRL's but they will not operate at half power so they are full on as soon as the handbrake is released.

Turning the VDC off, in my past experience, will not fully turn-off the TCS unless this has changed since the '03 model. But yes, the VDC and TCS work together along with the yaw (sideways G) sensor, wheel sensors and engine throttle control.

IIRC turning the VDC off inhibits the throttle control and yaw sensors but the ABS/TCS system is still active.

 

You don't want to go into any automatic car wash with tracks (ie. Touchless Sunoco or Shell) mainly because of the low profile tires. If you have 17" rims or bigger, the tires side walls are too thin and you can potentially rub/scratch the rim against the car wash track. I learned this the hard way with my previous car with 17" rims and 225/45R17 tires. Don't try it or you will be sorry.

Even with any car, I don't like the way how the track only pulls your driver front wheel through the automatic car wash. I always feel it messes up the wheel alignment.

If the vibration did not happen with the original rims/tires, then are your winter tires properly balanced? Also check the tire pressure, it should be 35psi.

I don't know about your last problem, maybe it will go away after your have broken in the car.

 

I might be wrong about TCS being off when the VDC switch is off. I haven't really tried it out because this is my first winter with the Z. But I will find out when there's some snow on the ground.

 

^^ When VDC is off, TCS is off as well. BUT they are both still effective. Not to a great extent, you can still slid around and stuff, they are "partially" active. ABS will still be in its full power of course, Nissan doesn't want you to lock up over ice and sue them.

I've gone to drift days at track with VDC off AND VDC fuse pulled. There's noticable difference in terms of how much wheelspin you can do, but not enough to be a major factor. However, with VDC fuse pulled, ABS is ineffective, becareful of that if you do this.

First winter with the Z too. But I'm prepared! Snow tires + a whole summer of drifting

 

94 Octane is mandatory for the Z!!!!
I drive halfway acrosss T.O to get to a sunoco. I live downtown so I have to drive to Kingston and Woodbine to get the 94%. But at least I get to pickup the speed on the gardiner eastbound.

Oh, if you are going to use a carwash, I would suggest only visiting the Esso touchless washes. I had to hit up the one by my house 3 times this weekend, it was well worth it.

Cheers,

R350z

 

If 94 is necessary, then hand wash and wax is necessary as well. *drops the mouse and heads outside to the garage in sub-zero temps. why...because I love it just that much.

Z_wax on Z_wax off...*kirate kid out*

 

we have drl.............................. huh......... is this only for models outside the US? i have an 06 and dont think i have DRL but i could be wrong. have never really checked........

 

DRL's are mandatory in Canada, I dont think they are yet a requirement in the U.S.

R350z

 

LoL!
You are absolutely correct. Although I wont hand wash until my first zaino job next spring.

Cheers,

R350z