2. When the trailer sway stops, gently apply the
brakes and pull to the side of the road in a
safe area.
3. Try to rearrange the trailer load so it is bal-
anced as described earlier in this section.
cBe careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires con-
siderably more distance than normal pass-
ing. Remember, the length of the trailer must
also pass the other vehicle before you can
safely change lanes.
cUse the Tow Mode or downshift the trans-
mission to a lower gear for engine braking
when driving down steep or long hills. This
will help slow the vehicle without applying
the brakes.
cAvoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the
brakes to overheat, resulting in reduced
braking efficiency.
cIncrease your following distance to allow for
greater stopping distances while towing a
trailer. Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
cNISSAN recommends that the cruise con-
trol not be used while towing a trailer.cSome states or provinces have specific
regulations and speed limits for vehicles that
are towing trailers. Obey the local speed
limits.
cCheck your hitch, trailer wiring harness con-
nections, and trailer wheel lug nuts after 50
miles (80 km) of travel and at every break.
cWhen launching a boat, don’t allow the wa-
ter level to go over the exhaust tail pipe or
rear bumper.
cMake sure you disconnect the trailer lights
before backing the trailer into the water or
the trailer lights may burn out.
When towing a trailer, final drive gear oil
should be replaced and transmission
oil/fluid should be changed more fre-
quently. For additional information, see the
“Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section
earlier in this manual.
FLAT TOWING
Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground is sometimes called flat towing. This
method is sometimes used when towing a vehicle
behind a recreational vehicle, such as a motor
home.
CAUTION
cFailure to follow these guidelines can
result in severe transmission damage.
cWhenever flat towing your vehicle, al-
ways tow forward, never backward.
cDO NOT tow any continuously variable
transmission vehicle with all four
wheels on the ground (flat towing) . Do-
ing so WILL DAMAGE internal transmis-
sion parts due to lack of transmission
lubrication.
cFor emergency towing procedures refer
to “Towing recommended by NISSAN”
in the “In case of emergency” section of
this manual.
Continuously Variable Transmission
To tow a vehicle equipped with a continuously
variable transmission, an appropriate vehicle
dollyMUSTbe placed under the towed vehicle’s
drive wheels.Alwaysfollow the dolly manufac-
turer’s recommendations when using their prod-
uct.
Technical and consumer information9-23
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2009 Altima(alt)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA_English(nna)
02/03/09Ðdebbie
X
Switch
Autolight switch...............2-30
Automatic power window switch.....2-45
Fog light switch...............2-33
Hazard warning flasher switch.......2-33
Headlight and turn signal switch......2-29
Headlight control switch..........2-29
Power door lock switch...........3-5
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch....................2-28
Traction control system (TCS) off
switch....................2-35
Turn signal switch..............2-33
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off
switch....................2-35
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-27
T
Tachometer....................2-5
Temperature gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-5
Theft (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system) ,
engine start................2-26, 3-3
Three-way catalyst................5-2
Tire
Flat tire....................6-2
Spare tire................6-3, 8-45
Tire and Loading Information label.....9-11
Tire chains..................8-42
Tire placard.................9-11
Tire pressure................8-34
Tire rotation.................8-43
Types of tires................8-41
Uniform tire quality grading.........9-24Wheels and tires..............8-34
Wheel/tire size................9-8
Tire pressure
Low tire pressure warning light......2-12
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) . . .5-3
Top tether strap child restraint.........1-27
Towing
Flat towing..................9-23
Tow truck towing..............6-10
Towing load/specification.........9-19
Trailer towing................9-16
Traction control system (TCS) off switch . . .2-35
Transceiver
HomeLinkTUniversal Transceiver.....2-51
Transmission
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid.....................8-13
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT).............5-11
Driving with manual transmission.....5-16
Selector lever lock release.........5-14
Travel (See registering your vehicle in another
country)......................9-9
Trip odometer...................2-4
Troubleshooting guide (NISSAN voice
recognition system)...............4-73
Trunk access through the rear seat.......1-9
Trunk lid lock opener lever...........3-23
Trunk light....................2-50
Turn signal switch................2-33
U
Uniform tire quality grading...........9-24V
Vanity mirror...................3-28
Vehicle dimensions and weights........9-8
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch. . .2-35
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) system. . . .5-26
Vehicle identification...............9-9
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
(Chassis number).................9-9
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate. . . .9-9
Vehicle loading information...........9-12
Vehicle recovery.................6-12
Vehicle security system.............2-25
Vehicle security system (NISSAN vehicle
immobilizer system) , engine start.....2-26, 3-3
Ventilators....................4-10
Visors......................3-27
Voice recognition system............4-69
W
Warning
Air bag warning light.........1-58, 2-14
Anti-lock brake warning light........2-11
Battery charge warning light........2-11
Brake warning light.............2-11
Engine oil pressure warning light.....2-12
Hazard warning flasher switch.......2-33
Low fuel warning light........2-13, 2-23
Low tire pressure warning light......2-12
Low washer fluid warning light.......2-23
Passenger air bag and status light.....1-53
Seat belt warning light...........2-13
Vehicle security system...........2-25
10-6
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2009 Altima(alt)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA_English(nna)
02/03/09Ðdebbie
X
