
Your new vehicle was designed to be used
primarily to carry passengers and cargo. Re-
member that towing a trailer will place addi-
tional loads on your vehicle's engine, drive
train, steering, braking and other systems.
Information on trailer towing ability and the
special equipment required should be ob-
tained from your Nissan dealer. He can obtain
aNissan Trailer Towing Guidefor you.
MAXIMUM LOAD LIMITS
Maximum trailer loadsNever allow the total trailer load to exceed the
value specified in the following Towing
Load/Specification Chart. The total trailer load
equals trailer weight plus its cargo weight.
IWhen towing a trailer load of 1,000 lb (454
kg) or more, trailers with a brake system
MUST be used.
The maximum GCWR (Gross Combined
Weight Rating) should not exceed the value
specified in the following Towing Load Speci-
fication Chart.
The GCWR equals the combined weight of the
towing vehicle (including passengers and
cargo) plus the total trailer load. Towing loads
greater than these or using improper towing
equipment could adversely affect vehicle han-
dling, braking and performance.
The ability of your vehicle to tow a trailer is not
only related to the maximum trailer loads, but
also the places you plan to tow. Tow weights
appropriate for level highway driving may have
to be reduced on very steep grades or in low
traction situations (for example, on slippery
boat ramps).
WARNING
Vehicle damage and/or personal injury
resulting from improper towing proce-
dures is not covered by NISSAN warran-
ties. A NISSAN Trailer Towing Guide
(U.S. only) containing information on
trailer towing ability and the special
equipment required may be obtained
from an authorized NISSAN dealer.Tongue loadKeep the tongue load between 9 to 11% of the
total trailer load within the maximum tongue
load limits shown in the following Towing
Load/Specifications Chart. If the tongue load
becomes excessive, rearrange cargo to allow
for proper tongue load.
CA0009
TOWING A TRAILER
Technical and consumer information
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Maximum gross vehicle weight/
maximum gross axle weightThe gross vehicle weight of the towing vehicle
must not exceed the gross vehicle weight
rating (GVWR) shown on the F.M.V.S.S. cer-
tification label. The gross vehicle weight
equals the combined weight of the unloaded
vehicle, passengers, luggage, hitch, trailer
tongue load and any other optional equipment.
In addition, front or rear gross axle weight must
not exceed the gross axle weight rating
(GAWR) shown on the F.M.V.S.S. certification
label.
TOWING LOAD/SPECIFICATION CHART
TOWING LOAD/SPECIFICATION CHART
Unit: lb (kg)
MODEL
WEIGHTPATHFINDER VG33E (6-Cyl.)
M/T A/T
MAXIMUM TRAILER WEIGHT*1 3,500 (1,588) 5,000 (2,268)
MAXIMUM TONGUE LOAD 350 (159) 500 (227)
GROSS COMBINED WEIGHT
RATING8,000 (3,628) 9,500 (4,308)
RECOMMENDED EQUIP-
MENT*2Sway Control Device (SCD)
*1: All towing above 1,000 lb (454 kg) requires the use of trailer brakes. NISSAN recommends the use
of a tandem axle trailer whenever towing above 3,000 lb (1,361 kg).
*2: A sway control device is recommended for all towing above 2,000 lb (907 kg). Sway control devices
are not offered by NISSAN. See a professional trailer/hitch outlet for a properly designed sway
control device for your trailer.
CA0036
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Technical and consumer information
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Child restraints ................................................ 1-31
Installation on front passenger seat .......... 1-42
Installation on rear seat outboard
positions .................................................... 1-35
Installation on rear seat center position .... 1-33
Precautions on child restraints .................. 1-31
Top tether strap anchor point locations .... 1-41
With top tether strap.................................. 1-40
Child safety ..................................................... 1-24
Child safety rear door lock................................ 3-4
Chimes ............................................................ 2-13
Cigarette lighter (accessory) and ashtray....... 2-23
Circuit breaker, Fusible link ............................ 8-21
Cleaning exterior and interior .................... 7-2, 7-3
Clutch
Clutch pedal .............................................. 8-21
Fluid ........................................................... 8-12
Clutch housing drain (
only) .................. 8-34
Cold weather driving ....................................... 5-28
Compact Disc (CD) player (See audio
system) ........................................................... 4-23
Compact disc (CD) player operation .............. 4-12
Compass display .............................................. 2-7
Console box .................................................... 2-27
Controls
Audio controls............................................ 4-12
Audio controls (rear).................................. 4-12
Audio controls (steering wheel)................. 4-12
Heater and air conditioner controls ............. 4-3
Heater and air conditioner controls
(automatic)................................................... 4-9
Coolant
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................... 10-2Changing engine coolant ............................ 8-6
Checking engine coolant level .................... 8-5
Corrosion protection ......................................... 7-4
Cruise control.................................................. 5-17
Cup holders .................................................... 2-25
D
Daytime running light system ......................... 2-19
Defogger switch, Glass hatch and outside mirror
defogger switch............................................... 2-17
Dimensions and weights ............................... 10-10
Door open warning light ................................. 2-11
Drive belts ....................................................... 8-15
Driving
Cold weather driving ................................. 5-28
Driving with automatic transmission.......... 5-10
Driving with manual transmission ............. 5-14
On-pavement and offroad driving ............... 5-3
Precautions when starting and driving ........ 5-2
Safety precautions....................................... 5-4
E
Economy, Fuel ................................................ 5-20
Emission control information label ................ 10-12
Emission control system warranty ................ 10-18
Engine
Before starting the engine ........................... 5-9
Block heater .............................................. 5-29
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................... 10-2Changing engine coolant ............................ 8-6
Changing engine oil .................................... 8-8
Changing engine oil filter ............................ 8-9
Checking engine coolant level .................... 8-5
Checking engine oil level ............................ 8-7
Coolant temperature gauge ........................ 2-4
Engine compartment check locations ......... 8-4
Engine cooling system ................................ 8-5
Engine oil..................................................... 8-7
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation... 10-6
Engine oil viscosity .................................... 10-6
Engine serial number .............................. 10-12
Engine specifications................................. 10-9
If your engine overheats ........................... 6-11
Starting the engine ...................................... 5-9
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ...................... 5-2
F
F.M.V.S.S. certification label......................... 10-12
Filter, Air cleaner housing filter ....................... 8-17
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher
switch) ............................................................. 2-21
Flat tire .............................................................. 6-2
Floor mat cleaning ............................................ 7-4
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ........... 8-10
Brake and clutch fluid................................ 8-12
Brake fluid ................................................. 8-12
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................... 10-2
Engine coolant............................................. 8-5
Engine oil..................................................... 8-7
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Switch
Fog light switch ......................................... 2-20
Glass hatch and outside mirror defogger
switch......................................................... 2-17
Hazard warning flasher switch .................. 2-21
Headlight switch ........................................ 2-17
Ignition switch .............................................. 5-6
Ignition switch automatic transmission
models ......................................................... 5-6
Ignition switch manual transmission
models ......................................................... 5-7
Overdrive switch ........................................ 5-13
Power door lock switch ............................... 3-4
Turn signal switch ..................................... 2-20
T
Tachometer ....................................................... 2-4
Temperature display ......................................... 2-6
Temperature gauge, Engine coolant temperature
gauge ................................................................ 2-4
Theft (Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System),
Engine start..................................................... 2-15
Theft warning .................................................. 2-14
Three way catalyst ............................................ 5-3
Tilting steering wheel ...................................... 3-13
Tire, Flat tire ..................................................... 6-2
Tires
Tire chains ................................................. 8-30
Tire placard ............................................. 10-13
Tire pressure ............................................. 8-28
Tire rotation ............................................... 8-30
Type of tires .............................................. 8-29wheel/tire size.......................................... 10-10
Wheels and tires ....................................... 8-28
Tonneau cover ................................................ 2-30
Top tether strap child restraints ...................... 1-40
Towing
Tow truck towing ....................................... 6-12
Towing a trailer........................................ 10-15
Towing load/specification chart ............... 10-15
Towing safety .......................................... 10-17
Trailer towing ................................................ 10-15
Transceiver, Integrated HomeLink
Universal
Transceiver ..................................................... 2-36
Transfer case shifting procedures .................. 5-22
Transmission
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ........... 8-10
Driving with automatic transmission.......... 5-10
Driving with manual transmission ............. 5-14
Transmission selector lever lock release .. 5-13
Transmitter (See multi-remote control
system) ............................................................. 3-5
Traveling or registering your vehicle in another
country .......................................................... 10-11
Turn signal switch ........................................... 2-20
U
Underbody cleaning .......................................... 7-3
V
Vanity mirror light ............................................ 2-36Vehicle
Dimensions and weights ......................... 10-10
Identification number (VIN) ..................... 10-11
Loading information ................................. 10-13
Vehicle recovery, (freeing a stuck vehicle)..... 6-15
Ventilators ......................................................... 4-2
W
Warning
Hazard warning flasher switch .................. 2-21
Theft warning............................................. 2-14
Warning labels, Air bag warning labels .......... 1-20
Warning light
Air bag warning light ........................ 1-21, 2-11
Automatic transmission park warning
light .............................................................. 2-1
Brake warning light.................................... 2-10
Door open.................................................. 2-11
Seat belt warning light and chime............. 2-11
Warning/indicator lights and chimes ................. 2-9
Warranty, Emission control system
warranty ........................................................ 10-18
Washer switch, Rear window wiper and washer
switch .............................................................. 2-16
Washing ............................................................ 7-2
Waxing .............................................................. 7-2
Weights (See dimensions and weights) ....... 10-10
Wheel/tire size .............................................. 10-10
Wheels and tires ............................................. 8-28
Cleaning aluminum alloy wheels................. 7-3
Window washer fluid ....................................... 8-13
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