2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER brakes

2008 Nissan Towing Guide 21 serious injury.

5. As soon as the engine has cooled to its normal operating temperature, visually inspect
the drive belts for damage or looseness. A loose belt reduces water pump efficiency. Be
careful to keep your hands, hair, jewelry, and clothing clear of the running drive belt and
other moving parts when inspecting the engine and radiator. Also check to see if the
cooling fan is running, and inspect the water pump, radiator, and radiator hoses for leaks.
Keep in mind, too, that if your vehicle is equipped with an electric fan motor, it may start
without warning any time the coolant temperature is high. If you find leaking coolant, a
loose or missing drive belt, or an inoperable fan, turn off the engine immediately.

6. If no leaks are apparent and all other components appear to be operating properly with
the engine cooled to its normal operating temperature, check the coolant level in the
reservoir tank with the engine running. Add coolant to the reservoir tank if needed. At this
point, if repairs are required, go to the nearest Nissan dealer. See the IN CASE OF
EMERGENCY section of your vehicle owner’s manual for additional information on

overheating.
NOTE – Armada, Frontier, Pathfinder, and Titan vehicles have an engine protection mode,
which helps reduce the chance of engine damage if the engine coolant reaches a specified
temperature. See your vehicle owner’s manual for details.


TOWING
GLOSSARY
5TH WHEEL
HITCH Located just forward of the rear axle centerline, this hitch uses a
king pin to serve as the pivot point for the trailer.

BALL MOUNT A bar that holds the hitch ball and is inserted into the hitch receiver.
Also commonly called a drawbar or “stinger.”

BREAKAWAY SWITCH A safety device using a trailer battery that automatically applies the
trailer’s brakes if it should accidentally become separated from the
tow vehicle. A breakaway switch may be used with both electric or
surge trailer brake systems.

BUMPER HITCH A reinforced bumper designed to accommodate a hitch ball.
ELECTRIC TRAILER
BRAKES When the brakes on a tow vehicle are applied, an electric current is
sent to an actuator which applies the trailer’s brakes.

ELECTRIC TRAILER
BRAKE CONTROLLER A device that controls the electric trailer brakes.

2008 Nissan Towing Guide 22


GOOSENECK HITCH Located just forward of the rear axle centerline, this hitch uses a
ball to serve as the pivot point for the trailer.

GROSS AXLE
WEIGHT RATING (GAWR)
The maximum amount of weight each vehicle axle (front and rear) is
designed to safely carry.

GROSS COMBINED
WEIGHT RATING (GCWR) The maximum allowable combined weight of the vehicle and trailer,
including passengers and all cargo.

GROSS VEHICLE
WEIGHT RATING (GVWR) The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle, including
passengers, cargo, fuel, hitch, trailer tongue load, and any optional
equipment.

KING PIN
LOAD The amount of trailer (5th wheel or gooseneck) weight pressing
down on the tow vehicle hitch.

HITCH BALL
A ball that connects the trailer to the tow vehicle hitch and provides
the means by which the trailer pivots during cornering. Available in
a number of sizes and weight capacities, it must correspond to the
trailer coupler size, and have a sufficient capacity rating for the
trailer being pulled.

RECEIVER HITCH A frame- or structure-mounted hitch with a receiver that allows
removal of the ball mount.

SAFETY CHAINS/CABLES Provides an emergency connection between the tow vehicle and
the trailer, should the trailer become disengaged for any reason.

SURGE BRAKES
Hydraulic-type braking system activated by inertia. As the tow
vehicle begins to brake, the trailer pushes against the hitch ball,
consequently activating the trailer brakes.

TRAILER TONGUE/COUPLER The part of the trailer that extends forward to meet the tow vehicle,
and also carries the coupler assembly.

TRAILER TONGUE
LOAD The amount of trailer (conventional) weight pressing down on the
tow vehicle hitch.

WEIGHT-DISTRIBUTING
HITCH SYSTEM Type of hitch system that helps shift the trailer tongue weight to all
trailer tires and the tow vehicle front tires. Strongly recommended
when towing trailers with a Maximum Trailer Weight greater than
5,000 lbs.

WIRING HARNESS
Provides an electrical connection linking the tow vehicle’s electrical
system to the trailer’s system.

2008 Nissan Towing Guide 29 TOW VEHICLE WIRING HARNESSES


PROTECTION

At Nissan, we back everything we build. So we’re proud that every Nissan is protected by
some of the best New Vehicle Limited Warranties, including 36-month/36,000-mile basic
coverage. All 2008 models also feature 60-month/60,000-mile powertrain coverage.** And,
Nissan warranties are completely transferable if you should sell your Nissan.
If you want additional peace of mind, we proudly offer the Nissan Security+Plus
® Vehicle
Protection Plan. This plan offers quality mechanical protection long after your New Vehicle
Limited Warranty expires.
The Security+Plus Vehicle Protection Plan is backed by Nissan and designed exclusively
for Nissan owners. From a variety of plans available, you can choose the one that best fits your

*Available only for SL models equipped with Manual Shift Mode.
**For complete warranty details, read the Nissan Warranty Information Booklet or see your nearest

Nissan dealer.
Harness Type Trailer Lighting Electric Trailer Brakes
Armada 7-pin connector wiring harness LE: Pre-wired SE: Tow harness kit available
Receiver hitch: 7-pin connector wiring harness
Pre-wired with 7-pin harness. Requires an electric trailer brake controller (supplied by customer), and an electric trailer brake controller wiring harness (included with vehicle or available from Nissan dealer).
Frontier
4-pin connector wiring harness
Tow harness kit available
Standard equipment: 4-pin connector wiring harness
N/A
Pathfinder
7-pin connector wiring harness
Tow harness kit available Pre-wired with 7-pin harness. Requires an electric trailer brake controller (supplied by customer), and an electric trailer brake controller wiring harness (included with vehicle or available from Nissan dealer).
Quest 4-pin connector wiring harness Available in factory tow package
Rogue 4-pin connector wiring harness SL: Tow harness kit available*
N/A
Titan 7-pin connector wiring harness Pre-wired
Xterra Receiver hitch: 7-pin connector wiring harness Tow harness kit available
Pre-wired with 7-pin harness. Requires an electric trailer brake controller (supplied by customer), and an electric trailer brake controller wiring harness (included with vehicle or available from Nissan dealer).