2009 NISSAN PATHFINDER trailer

6. Make sure theindicator light (if so
equipped) indicates the transfer case is in
4H, 4L, or 2H and that the ATP light is off. If
the
indicator light is flashing, or the
ATP light is ON, make sure the transmission
is in P (Park) (AT) and turn the 4WD switch
to 2WD or 4H. See “Automatic transmission
park warning light” in the “Instruments and
controls” section and “Using four wheel
drive (4WD)” in the “Starting and driving”
section.
7. Turn off the engine.
To drive away:
1. Start the vehicle.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shift the transmission into gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Drive slowly until the vehicle and trailer are
clear from the blocks.
6. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
7. Have someone retrieve and store the blocks.cWhile going downhill, the weight of the
trailer pushing on the tow vehicle may de-
crease overall stability. Therefore, to main-
tain adequate control, reduce your speed
and shift to a lower gear. Avoid long or
repeated use of the brakes when descend-
ing a hill, as this reduces their effectiveness
and could cause overheating. Shifting to a
lower gear instead provides “engine brak-
ing” and reduces the need to brake as fre-
quently.
cIf the engine coolant temperature rises to a
high temperature, refer to “If your vehicle
overheats” in the “In case of emergency”
section of this owner’s manual.
cTrailer towing requires more fuel than normal
circumstances.
cAvoid towing a trailer for your vehicle’s first
500 miles (805 km) .
cFor the first 500 miles (805 km) that you do
tow, do not drive over 50 MPH (80 km/h) .
cHave your vehicle serviced more often than
at intervals specified in the recommended
Maintenance Schedule in the “NISSAN Ser-
vice and Maintenance Guide”.cWhen making a turn, your trailer wheels will
be closer to the inside of the turn than your
vehicle wheels. To compensate for this,
make a larger than normal turning radius
during the turn.
cCrosswinds 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.
Do the following if the trailer begins to sway:
1. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal to
allow the vehicle to coast and steer as
straight ahead as the road conditions allow.
This combination will help stabilize the ve-
hicle
– Do not correct trailer sway by steering or
applying the brakes.
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.
Technical and consumer information9-25
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2009 Pathfinder(pat)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
05/29/08Ðdebbie
X

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 frequently.
For additional information, see the “Main-
tenance 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 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 lubrication.
cFor emergency towing procedures refer
to “Towing recommended by NISSAN”
in the “In case of emergency” section of
this manual.
Automatic Transmission
To 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.
9-26Technical and consumer information
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2009 Pathfinder(pat)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
05/29/08Ðdebbie
X

Theft (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system) ,
engine start.............2-24, 3-3, 5-12
Three-way catalyst................5-3
Tilting steering wheel..............3-25
Tire
Flat tire....................6-2
Spare tire...................6-4
Tire and Loading Information label.....9-11
Tire chains..................8-42
Tire placard.................9-11
Tire pressure................8-35
Tire rotation.................8-42
Tires of 4-wheel drive............8-44
Types of tires................8-41
Uniform tire quality grading.........9-27
Wheels and tires..............8-35
Wheel/tire size................9-8
Tire pressure
Low tire pressure warning light......2-17
Tire pressure display...........4-8, 4-24
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) . . .5-3
Tire rotation maintenance reminder . . .4-8, 4-24
Top tether strap child restraint.........1-24
Towing
2-wheel drive models............6-12
4-wheel drive models............6-13
Flat towing..................9-26
Tow truck towing..............6-11
Towing load/specification.........9-20
Trailer towing................9-17
Transceiver
HomeLinkTUniversal Transceiver.....2-54
Transmission
Driving with automatic transmission. . . .5-14
Selector lever lock release.........5-17Travel (See registering your vehicle in another
country)......................9-9
Trip computer...................2-5
Trip odometer...................2-4
Turn signal switch................2-31
U
Uniform tire quality grading...........9-27
V
Vanity mirror...................3-27
Variable voltage control system........8-17
Vehicle
Speed sensing door lock mechanism. . . .3-6
Vehicle dimensions and weights........9-8
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch. . .2-34
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) system. . . .5-36
Vehicle electronic system........4-15, 4-30
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.................6-14
Vehicle security system.............2-23
Vehicle security system
(NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system) ,
engine start.............2-24, 3-3, 5-12
Ventilators....................4-37
Visors......................3-26
Voice recognition system...........4-131
Voltmeter.....................2-8W
Warning
4WD warning light.............2-16
Air bag warning light.........1-56, 2-19
Anti-lock brake warning light........2-14
Battery charge warning light........2-15
Brake warning light.............2-15
Door open warning light..........2-16
Engine oil pressure warning light.....2-16
Hazard warning flasher switch.......2-32
Low fuel warning light...........2-17
Low tire pressure warning light......2-17
Low washer fluid warning light.......2-18
Passenger air bag and status light.....1-50
Seat belt warning light...........2-18
Vehicle security system...........2-23
Warning labels (for SRS)..........1-56
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders..................2-13
Warning lights..................2-13
Washer switch
Rear window wiper and washer
switches...................2-27
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-26
Weights (See dimensions and weights). . . .9-8
Wheels and tires................8-35
Wheel/tire size..................9-8
When traveling or registering your vehicle in
another country..................9-9
Window washer fluid..............8-15
Windows
Locking passengers’ windows.......2-50
Power rear windows............2-50
Power windows...............2-48
10-7
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2009 Pathfinder(pat)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
06/13/08Ðdebbie
X