2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER trailer

IOverloading can shorten the life of
your vehicle. Failures caused by
overloading are not covered by your
warranty.
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).
CA0009
TOWING A TRAILER
10-16
Technical and consumer information
Z
00.1.10/R50-D/V5
X

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.
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.
CA0036
Technical and consumer information
10-17
Z
00.1.10/R50-D/V5
X

TOWING LOAD/SPECIFICATION CHART
TOWING LOAD/SPECIFICATION CHART
Unit: lb (kg)
MODEL
WEIGHTPATHFINDER VQ35DE/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.
TOWING SAFETY
Trailer hitchCheck the towing capacity of your receiver
type frame mounted hitch. Choose a proper
hitch for your vehicle and trailer. A genuine
NISSAN trailer hitch is available from your
NISSAN dealer (US only). Make sure the
trailer hitch is securely attached to the vehicle,
to help avoid personal injury or property dam-
age due to sway caused by crosswinds, rough
road surfaces or passing trucks.
CAUTION
ISpecial hitches which include frame
reinforcements are required for tow-
ing above 2,000 lb (907 kg). Suitable
Genuine NISSAN hitches for pickup
truck and sport utility vehicles are
available at an authorized NISSAN
dealer.
IDo not use axle-mounted hitches.
IDo not modify the vehicle exhaust
system, brake system, etc. to install a
trailer hitch.
10-18
Technical and consumer information
Z
00.1.10/R50-D/V5
X

IAfter the hitch is removed, seal the
bolt holes to prevent exhaust fumes,
water or dust from entering the pas-
senger compartment.
IRegularly check all hitch mounting
bolts are securely mounted.
ITo reduce the possibility of additional
damage if your vehicle is struck from
the rear, where practical, remove the
hitch and/or receiver when not in use.
INever connect a trailer brake system
directly to the vehicle brake system.Tire pressuresIWhen towing a trailer, inflate the vehicle
tires to the recommended cold tire pressure
indicated on the tire placard (affixed to the
glove box lid).
ITrailer tire condition, size, load rating and
proper inflation pressure should be in ac-
cordance with the trailer and tire manufac-
turers' specifications.Safety chainsAlways use a suitable chain between yourvehicle and the trailer. The chain should be
crossed and should be attached to the hitch,
not to the vehicle bumper or axle. Be sure to
leave enough slack in the chain to permit
turning corners.
Trailer lightsTrailer lights should comply with Federal
and/or local regulations.
When wiring vehicle for towing connection,
connect stop and tail light pickup into the
vehicle electrical circuit at point between
the sensor and stop light switch or light
switch.Trailer brakesIf your trailer is equipped with a braking sys-
tem, make sure it conforms to Federal and/or
local regulations and that it is properly in-
stalled.
WARNING
Never connect a trailer brake system
directly to the vehicle brake system.Trailer towing tipsIn order to gain skill and an understanding ofthe vehicle's behavior, you should practice
turning, stopping and backing up in an area
which is free from traffic. Steering stability and
braking performance will be somewhat differ-
ent than under normal driving conditions.
IAlways secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
IAvoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.
IAvoid sharp turns or lane changes.
IAlways drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed.
IAlways block the wheels on both vehicle
and trailer when parking. Parking on a
slope is not recommended; however, if you
must do so, and if your vehicle is equipped
with automatic transmission, first block the
wheels and apply the parking brake, and
then move the transmission selector lever
into the P position. If you move the selector
lever to the P position before blocking the
wheels and applying the parking brake,
transmission damage could occur.
IWhen going down a hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine braking effect.
When ascending a long grade, downshift
the transmission to a lower gear and reduce
speed to reduce chances of engine over-
loading and/or overheating.
Technical and consumer information
10-19
Z
00.1.10/R50-D/V5
X

However, for long steep grades, do not stay in
1st or 2nd gear when driving above 35 MPH
(56 km/h).
IIf the engine coolant rises to an extremely
high temperature when the air conditioning
system is on, turn off the air conditioner.
Coolant heat can be additionally vented by
opening the windows, switching the fan
control to high and setting the temperature
control to the HOT position.
ITrailer towing requires more fuel than nor-
mal circumstances.
IAvoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles
(800 km).
IHave your vehicle serviced more often than
at intervals specified in the recommended
Maintenance Schedule.
When towing a trailer, change oil in the
transmission more frequently. See the
Maintenance Schedule.UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY
GRADINGDOT (Department of Transportation) Quality
Grades: All passenger car tire must conform to
Federal Safety Requirements in addition to
these grades.Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
TreadwearTreadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on tire wear rate when tested under
controlled conditions on specified government
test courses. For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and a half (1-1/2) times as well
on the government course as a tire graded
100. However, relative tire performance de-
pends on actual driving conditions, and may
vary significantly due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.Traction AA, A, B and CThe traction grades from highest to lowest are
AA, A, B, and C. Those grades represent the
tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as mea-
sured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and con-
crete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to your ve-
hicle tires is based on straight-ahead
braking traction tests, and does not in-
clude acceleration, cornering, hydro-
planing, or peak traction characteristics.Temperature A, B and CTemperature grades are A (the highest), B,
and C. They represent a tire's resistance to
heat build-up, and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sus-
tained high temperature can cause tire mate-
rial to degenerate, reducing tire life. Excessive
temperatures can lead to sudden tire failure.
Grade C corresponds to a performance level
which all passenger car tires must meet under
the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No.
109. Grades A and B represent higher levels of
performance on laboratory test wheels than
the minimum required by law.
10-20
Technical and consumer information
Z
00.1.10/R50-D/V5
X

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 ..................................... 2-22
T
Tachometer ....................................................... 2-4
Temperature display ......................................... 2-6
Temperature gauge, Engine coolant temperature
gauge ................................................................ 2-4
Theft (Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System),
Engine start..................................................... 2-16
Three way catalyst ............................................ 5-3
Tilting steering wheel ...................................... 3-14
Tire
Flat tire ........................................................ 6-2
Uniform tire quality grading ..................... 10-20
Tires
Spare tire ................................................... 8-36
Tire chains ................................................. 8-34
Tire placard ............................................. 10-14
Tire pressure ............................................. 8-32
Tire rotation ............................................... 8-34
Type of tires .............................................. 8-33
wheel/tire size.......................................... 10-11
Wheels and tires ....................................... 8-32
Tonneau cover ................................................ 2-33
Top tether strap child restraints ...................... 1-40
Towing
Tow truck towing ....................................... 6-12Towing a trailer........................................ 10-16
Towing load/specification chart ............... 10-16
Towing safety .......................................... 10-18
Trailer towing ................................................ 10-16
Transceiver, Integrated HomeLink
Universal
Transceiver ..................................................... 2-40
Transfer case shifting procedures ......... 5-21, 5-23
Transmission
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ........... 8-13
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 .......................................................... 10-12
Turn signal switch ........................................... 2-22
U
Underbody cleaning .......................................... 7-3
Uniform tire quality grading........................... 10-20
V
Vanity mirror light ............................................ 2-40
Vehicle
Dimensions and weights ......................... 10-11
Identification number (VIN) ..................... 10-12
Loading information ................................. 10-15
Vehicle recovery, (freeing a stuck vehicle)..... 6-15
Vehicle security system .................................. 2-15
Ventilators ......................................................... 4-2W
Warning, Hazard warning flasher switch ........ 2-23
Warning labels, Air bag warning labels .......... 1-20
Warning light
4WD warning light ..................................... 5-28
Air bag warning light ........................ 1-21, 2-12
Brake warning light.................................... 2-10
Door open.................................................. 2-11
Low fuel warning light ............................... 2-12
Seat belt warning light and chime............. 2-12
Warning/indicator lights and chimes ................. 2-9
Warranty, Emission control system
warranty ........................................................ 10-21
Washer switch
Rear window wiper and washer switch ..... 2-18
Windshield wiper and washer switch ........ 2-18
Washing ............................................................ 7-2
Waxing .............................................................. 7-2
Weights (See dimensions and weights) ....... 10-11
Wheel/tire size .............................................. 10-11
Wheels and tires ............................................. 8-31
Cleaning aluminum alloy wheels................. 7-3
Window washer fluid ....................................... 8-17
Window(s)
Cleaning ...................................................... 7-3
Power windows ......................................... 2-35
Windshield wiper and washer switch.............. 2-17
Wiper
Blades........................................................ 8-21
Rear window wiper and washer switch ..... 2-18
Windshield wiper and washer switch ........ 2-18
Z
00.1.10/R50-D/V5
X
11-6