2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER trailer

value specified in the following Towing
Load/Specification Chart. The total trailer load
equals trailer weight plus its cargo weight.

When towing a trailer load of 1,000 lbs. (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/
Specification 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 handling, 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.
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. certification
label. The gross vehicle weight equals the com-
bined weight of the unloaded vehicle, passen-
gers, 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
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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 EQUIPMENT*2 Sway 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 damage due to sway caused
by crosswinds, rough road surfaces or passing
trucks.
CAUTION

Special 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.

Do not use axle-mounted hitches.

Do not modify the vehicle exhaust
system, brake system, etc. to install a
trailer hitch.Technical and consumer information
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03.1.28/R50-D/V5


After the hitch is removed, seal the
bolt holes to prevent exhaust fumes,
water or dust from entering the pas-
senger compartment.

Regularly check all hitch mounting
bolts are securely mounted.

To reduce the possibility of addi-
tional damage if your vehicle is
struck from the rear, where practical,
remove the hitch and/or receiver
when not in use.

Never connect a trailer brake system
directly to the vehicle brake system.Tire pressures
When towing a trailer, inflate the vehicle tires
to the recommended cold tire pressure indi-
cated on the tire placard (affixed to the glove
box lid).

Trailer tire condition, size, load rating and
proper inflation pressure should be in accor-
dance with the trailer and tire manufacturers’
specifications.Safety chains
Always use a suitable chain between your ve-
hicle 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 system,
make sure it conforms to Federal and/or local
regulations and that it is properly installed.
WARNING
Never connect a trailer brake system
directly to the vehicle brake system.Trailer towing tipsIn order to gain skill and an understanding of thevehicle’s behavior, you should practice turning,
stopping and backing up in an area which is free
from traffic. Steering stability and braking perfor-
mance will be somewhat different than under
normal driving conditions.

Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.

Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.

Avoid sharp turns or lane changes.

Always drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed.

Always 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 trans-
mission 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.

When 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 overload-
ing and/or overheating.
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03.1.28/R50-D/V5


However, for long steep grades, do not stay in
1st or 2nd gear when driving above 35 MPH (56
km/h).

If 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 con-
trol to high and setting the temperature con-
trol to the HOT position.

Trailer towing requires more fuel than normal
circumstances.

Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles
(800 km).

Have your vehicle serviced more often than at
intervals specified in the recommended Main-
tenance 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 andmaximum 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. How-
ever, relative tire performance depends on actual
driving conditions, and may vary significantly due
to variations in driving habits, service practices
and differences in road characteristics and cli-
mate.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 speci-
fied indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause tire material to degener-
ate, reducing tire life. Excessive temperatures
can lead to sudden tire failure. Grade C corre-
sponds to a performance level which all passen-
ger 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 re-
quired by law.Technical and consumer information
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03.1.28/R50-D/V5


T
Tachometer.................................................................... 2-4
Temperature display .................................................... 2-6
Temperature gauge, Engine coolant temperature
gauge .............................................................................. 2-4
Theft (Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System), Engine
start ............................................................................... 2-18
Three way catalyst ....................................................... 5-3
Tilting steering wheel ............................................... 3-15
Tire
Flat tire ..................................................................... 6-2
Uniform tire quality grading .............................. 9-21
Tires
Spare tire .............................................................. 8-39
Tire chains ............................................................ 8-36
Tire placard .......................................................... 9-14
Tire pressure ........................................................ 8-34
Tire rotation .......................................................... 8-37
Types of tires ....................................................... 8-35
wheel/tire size ...................................................... 9-11
Wheels and tires ................................................ 8-34
Tonneau cover ........................................................... 2-36
Top tether strap child restraints ............................ 1-44
Towing
Tow truck towing ................................................ 6-12
Towing a trailer.................................................... 9-17
Towing load/specification chart ...................... 9-19
Towing safety....................................................... 9-19
Trailer towing .............................................................. 9-17
Transceiver, HomeLinkUniversal
Transceiver .................................................................. 2-44
Transfer case shifting procedures............. 5-23, 5-25Transmission
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ................ 8-16
Driving with automatic transmission ..... 5-7, 5-11
Driving with manual transmission .......... 5-8, 5-15
Transmission selector lever lock release ...... 5-14
Transmitter (See remote keyless entry system) ... 3-5
Traveling or registering your vehicle in another
country ......................................................................... 9-12
Turn signal switch ..................................................... 2-24
U
Underbody cleaning .................................................... 7-3
Uniform tire quality grading .................................... 9-21
V
Vanity mirror light ...................................................... 2-43
Vehicle
Dimensions and weights................................... 9-11
Identification number (VIN)............................... 9-12
Loading information............................................ 9-15
Recovery (freeing a stuck vehicle) ................. 6-16
Security system ................................................... 2-16
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system (if so
equipped) .................................................................... 5-36
Ventilators ...................................................................... 4-2
W
Warning labels, Air bag warning labels .............. 1-21
Warning light
4WD warning light ............................................. 5-30Air bag warning light .............................. 1-21, 2-13
Anti-lock brake warning light ............................. 2-9
Automatic transmission park warning light .. 2-10
Brake warning light ............................................ 2-11
Door open warning light ................................... 2-11
Low fuel warning light ....................................... 2-12
Seat belt warning light and chime ................. 2-13
Warning lights .............................................................. 2-9
Warning, Hazard warning flasher switch ............ 2-25
Warning, Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ....................................................................... 2-9
Warranty, Emission control system warranty ..... 9-22
Washer switch
Rear window wiper and washer switch........ 2-19
Windshield wiper and washer switch ........... 2-19
Washing ......................................................................... 7-2
Waxing............................................................................ 7-2
Weights (See dimensions and weights) ............. 9-11
Wheel/tire size ........................................................... 9-11
Wheels and tires ....................................................... 8-34
Cleaning aluminum alloy wheels ....................... 7-3
Window washer fluid ............................................... 8-20
Window(s)
Cleaning................................................................... 7-3
Power windows................................................... 2-38
Windshield wiper and washer switch .................. 2-19
Wiper
Rear window wiper and washer switch........ 2-19
Windshield wiper and washer switch ........... 2-19
Wiper blades ....................................................... 8-24


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