2004 NISSAN PATHFINDER towing

When going down a hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine braking effect.
When going up a long grade, downshift the
transmission to a lower gear and reduce
speed to reduce chances of engine overload-
ing and/or overheating.
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
(805 km).

Have your vehicle serviced more often than at
intervals specified in the recommended Main-
tenance Schedule in the “NISSAN Service
and Maintenance fluid”.

When making a turn, your trailer wheels will
be closer to the inside of the turn than your
vehicle wheels. To compensate for this, makea larger than normal turning radius during the
turn.

Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely
affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly caus-
ing vehicle sway. When being passed by
larger vehicles, be prepared for possible
changes in crosswinds that could affect ve-
hicle handling. If swaying does occur, firmly
grip the steering wheel, steer straight ahead,
and immediately (but gradually) reduce ve-
hicle speed. This combination will help stabi-
lize the vehicle. Never increase speed.

Be careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires con-
siderably more distance than normal passing.
Remember the length of the trailer must also
pass the other vehicle before you can safely
change lanes.

To maintain engine braking efficiency and
electrical charging performance, do not use
sixth gear (manual transmission) or fifth posi-
tion (automatic transmission).

Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the brakes
to overheat, resulting in reduced braking ef-
ficiency.
When towing a trailer, the transmission
oil/fluid should be changed more fre-quently. For additional information, see
the “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself”
section earlier in this manual.
FLAT TOWINGTowing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground is sometimes called flat towing. This
method is sometimes used when towing a ve-
hicle behind a recreational vehicle, such as a
motor home.
CAUTION

Failure to follow these guidelines
can result in severe transmission
damage.

Whenever flat towing your vehicle,
always tow forward, never backward.

DO NOT tow any automatic transmis-
sion vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground (flat towing). Doing so
WILL DAMAGE internal transmission
parts due to lack of transmission lu-
brication.

For emergency towing procedures re-
fer to “Towing Recommended by
9-22
Technical and consumer information


04.3.9/R50-D/V5


NISSAN” in the “6. In case of emer-
gency” section of this manual.
Automatic transmissionTo tow a vehicle equipped with an automatic
transmission, an appropriate vehicle dollyMUST
be placed under the towed vehicle’s drive
wheels.Alwaysfollow the dolly manufacturer’s
recommendations when using their product.Manual transmissionAll mode 4WD (four wheel drive) models:
Never tow All mode 4WD models with any of the
wheels on the ground.
Part time four wheel drive models:

Move the transfer case shift lever to the 2H
position.

Move the transmission shift lever to the N
(Neutral) position.
Two wheel drive models:
Move the transmission shift lever to the N (Neu-
tral) position.

Always tow with the manual transmission in
Neutral.
After towing 500 miles, start and idle the
engine with the transmission in Neutral for
two minutes. Failure to idle the engine after
every 500 miles of towing may cause damage
to the transmission’s internal parts.

Always release the parking brake.
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 ATreadwearTreadwear 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 MotorTechnical and consumer information
9-23


04.3.9/R50-D/V5


Seat belt warning light and chime ................. 2-13
Cigarette lighter and ashtray .................................. 2-29
Circuit breaker, Fusible link .................................... 8-24
Cleaning exterior and interior .......................... 7-2, 7-3
Clock ............................................................................ 2-28
Clutch fluid.................................................................. 8-16
Coin box ...................................................................... 2-30
Cold weather driving ................................................ 5-37
Compact Disc (CD) changer operation .............. 4-26
Compact Disc (CD) player (See audio
system) ......................................................................... 4-19
Compact spare tire ................................................... 8-39
Compass display ......................................................... 2-7
Console box................................................................ 2-34
Controls
Heater and air conditioner controls.................. 4-2
Steering wheel audio controls ........................ 4-28
Coolant
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Changing engine coolant .................................... 8-9
Checking engine coolant level........................... 8-8
Corrosion protection ................................................... 7-4
Cover, Tonneau cover .............................................. 2-37
Cruise control............................................................. 5-18
Cup holders ................................................................ 2-32
CVT, Transmission selector lever lock
release .......................................................................... 5-14
D
Daytime running light system ................................. 2-24
Dimensions and weights ......................................... 9-11
Door open warning light .......................................... 2-11Drive belts ................................................................... 8-19
Drive positioner, Automatic..................................... 3-17
Driving
All-mode four wheel drive (4WD) .................. 5-25
Cold weather driving ......................................... 5-37
Driving with automatic transmission ..... 5-7, 5-11
Driving with manual transmission .......... 5-8, 5-16
On-pavement and offroad driving ..................... 5-4
Part time four wheel drive (4WD) .................. 5-21
Precautions when starting and driving ............ 5-2
Safety precautions ................................................ 5-5
E
Economy, Fuel............................................................ 5-20
Electric sunroof .......................................................... 2-40
Emission control information label ........................ 9-13
Emission control system warranty......................... 9-24
Engine
Before starting the engine................................ 5-10
Break-in schedule............................................... 5-20
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Changing engine coolant .................................... 8-9
Changing engine oil ........................................... 8-12
Changing engine oil filter ................................. 8-13
Checking engine coolant level........................... 8-8
Checking engine oil level ................................. 8-11
Coolant temperature gauge ............................... 2-4
Engine block heater ........................................... 5-39
Engine compartment check locations.............. 8-7
Engine cooling system ......................................... 8-8
Engine oil .............................................................. 8-11
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation......... 9-6Engine oil viscosity ............................................... 9-6
Engine serial number ......................................... 9-13
Engine specifications ........................................... 9-9
If your vehicle overheats ................................... 6-11
Starting the engine............................................. 5-10
Event data recorders ................................................ 9-26
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide).............................. 5-2
F
F.M.V.S.S. certification label................................... 9-13
Filter
Air cleaner housing filter ................................... 8-20
Changing engine oil filter ................................. 8-13
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch) ... 2-25
Flat tire............................................................................ 6-2
Flat tire, Low tire pressure warning system .......... 5-3
Flat towing .................................................................. 9-22
Floor mat cleaning ....................................................... 7-4
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ................ 8-14
Brake and clutch fluid ....................................... 8-16
Brake fluid............................................................. 8-16
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Engine coolant ....................................................... 8-8
Engine oil .............................................................. 8-11
Power steering fluid ........................................... 8-15
Window washer fluid ......................................... 8-17
FM-AM radio with cassette player and Compact
Disc (CD) player........................................................ 4-16
FM-AM-SATELLITE radio with cassette
player and Compact Disc (CD) player/CD
changer ........................................................................ 4-23


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R
Rack, Luggage rack.................................................. 2-38
Radio
Car phone or CB radio ..................................... 4-31
FM-AM radio with cassette player and
Compact Disc (CD) player .............................. 4-16
Steering wheel audio controls ........................ 4-28
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M) test
(US only)...................................................................... 9-25
Rear door lock, Child safety rear door lock.......... 3-4
Rear floor luggage compartment .......................... 2-35
Rear power point....................................................... 2-28
Rear seat adjustment .................................................. 1-6
Rear window wiper and washer switch .............. 2-20
Recorders, Event data ............................................. 9-26
Registering your vehicle in another country ....... 9-12
Remote keyless entry system ................................... 3-5
Reporting safety defects (US only) ...................... 9-24
Rollover........................................................................... 5-5
S
Safety
Child seat belts ................................................... 1-25
Reporting safety defects (US only)................ 9-24
Towing safety....................................................... 9-20
Seat
Belt warning light................................................ 1-23
Belt warning light and chime ........................... 2-13
Seat adjustment
Front manual seat adjustment............................ 1-2
Front power seat adjustment ............................. 1-4Rear seat adjustment ........................................... 1-6
Seat belt(s)
Child safety .......................................................... 1-25
Infants and small children ................................. 1-26
Injured persons.................................................... 1-26
Larger children .................................................... 1-26
Pre-tensioner seat belt system ....................... 1-20
Precautions on seat belt usage ...................... 1-24
Pregnant women ................................................. 1-26
Seat belt cleaning ................................................. 7-4
Seat belt extenders ............................................ 1-31
Seat belt hook ..................................................... 1-29
Seat belt maintenance ...................................... 1-32
Seat belts ............................................................. 1-23
Shoulder belt height adjustment..................... 1-29
Three-point type with retractor ....................... 1-26
Two-point type without retractor (rear center
lap belt) ................................................................. 1-30
Seat(s)
Driver-side memory ............................................ 3-17
Heated seats........................................................ 2-26
Seats ........................................................................ 1-2
Security system, Vehicle security system ........... 2-17
Security systems (Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer
System), Engine start ............................................... 2-18
Security systems (See vehicle security
system) ......................................................................... 2-17
Servicing air conditioner................................. 4-2, 4-12
Shift lock release ....................................................... 5-14
Shift lock release, CVT ............................................ 5-14
Shifting
Automatic transmission ............................ 5-7, 5-11
Manual transmission ................................. 5-8, 5-16Shoulder belt height adjustment, For front
seats ............................................................................. 1-29
Spare tire carrier ....................................................... 3-10
Spark plugs................................................................. 8-20
Speedometer ................................................................ 2-3
Starting
Before starting the engine................................ 5-10
Jump starting .......................................................... 6-9
Precautions when starting and driving ............ 5-2
Push starting ........................................................ 6-11
Starting the engine............................................. 5-10
Steering
Power steering fluid ........................................... 8-15
Power steering system ...................................... 5-33
Steering wheel switch for audio controls..... 4-28
Tilting steering wheel......................................... 3-15
Storage ........................................................................ 2-30
Sun shade ................................................................... 2-41
Sun visors ................................................................... 3-15
Sunglasses holder .................................................... 2-31
Sunroof ........................................................................ 2-40
Electric sunroof ................................................... 2-40
Supplemental air bag warning labels................... 1-21
Supplemental air bag warning light .......... 1-21, 2-13
Supplemental restraint system............................... 1-10
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system.................................................................... 1-10
Switch
4WD shift switch operations ........................... 5-28
Audio control steering wheel switch ............. 4-28
Fog light switch................................................... 2-25
Hazard warning flasher switch ........................ 2-25
Headlight switch ................................................. 2-22
Ignition switch ........................................................ 5-7


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10-5

Ignition switch automatic transmission
models .......................................................... 5-7, 5-11
Ignition switch manual transmission
models .......................................................... 5-8, 5-16
Overdrive switch ................................................. 5-15
Power door lock switch....................................... 3-4
Turn signal switch .............................................. 2-24
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch ... 2-27
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
Low tire pressure warning system........... 5-3, 6-2
Pressure, Low tire pressure warning light ... 2-12
Tire and loading information label ...... 8-33, 9-13
Tire labeling .......................................................... 8-34
Uniform tire quality grading .............................. 9-23
Tires
Spare tire .............................................................. 8-39
Tire chains ............................................................ 8-36
Tire pressure ........................................................ 8-31
Tire rotation ................................................. 8-3, 8-37
Types of tires ....................................................... 8-36
Wheel/tire size .................................................... 9-11
Wheels and tires ................................................ 8-31Tonneau cover ........................................................... 2-37
Top tether strap child restraints ............................ 1-42
Towing
Tow truck towing ................................................ 6-12
Towing a trailer.................................................... 9-18
Towing load/specification chart ...................... 9-18
Towing safety....................................................... 9-20
Trailer towing .............................................................. 9-18
Transceiver, HomeLink
Universal
Transceiver .................................................................. 2-44
Transfer case shifting procedures............. 5-23, 5-25
Transmission
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ................ 8-14
Driving with automatic transmission ..... 5-7, 5-11
Driving with manual transmission .......... 5-8, 5-16
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 .................................... 9-23
V
Vanity mirror light ...................................................... 2-44
Vehicle
Dimensions and weights................................... 9-11
Identification number (VIN)............................... 9-12
Loading information............................................ 9-14Recovery (freeing a stuck vehicle) ................. 6-16
Security system ................................................... 2-17
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch ... 2-27
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) system ............... 5-36
Ventilators ...................................................................... 4-2
W
Warning labels, Air bag warning labels .............. 1-21
Warning light
4WD warning light ............................................. 5-30
4WD warning light (
model) ........... 2-12
Air 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
Low tire pressure warning light ...................... 2-12
Seat belt warning light and chime ................. 2-13
Warning lights .............................................................. 2-9
Warning, Hazard warning flasher switch ............ 2-25
Warning, Low tire pressure warning
system.................................................................... 5-3, 6-2
Warning, Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ....................................................................... 2-9
Warranty, Emission control system warranty ..... 9-24
Washer switch
Rear window wiper and washer switch........ 2-20
Windshield wiper and washer switch ........... 2-19
Washing ......................................................................... 7-2
Waxing............................................................................ 7-2
Weights (See dimensions and weights) ............. 9-11


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10-6