3. Try to rearrange the trailer load so it is bal-anced as described earlier in this section.
● Be 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.
● Use 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.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the
brakes to overheat, resulting in reduced
braking efficiency.
● Increase your following distance to allow for
greater stopping distances while towing a
trailer. Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
● NISSAN recommends that the cruise con-
trol not be used while towing a trailer.
● Some states or provinces have specific
regulations and speed limits for vehicles that
are towing trailers. Obey the local speed
limits. ●
Check your hitch, trailer wiring harness con-
nections, and trailer wheel lug nuts after 50
miles (80 km) of travel and at every break.
● When launching a boat, don’t allow the wa-
ter level to go over the exhaust tail pipe or
rear bumper.
● Make 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.
Tow mode
Using tow mode is recommended when pulling a
heavy trailer or hauling a heavy load. Press the
TOW MODE switch to activate tow mode. The
indicator light on the TOW MODE switch illumi-
nates when tow mode is selected. Press the
TOW MODE switch again to turn tow mode off.
Tow mode is automatically cancelled when the
ignition switch is turned OFF.
Tow mode includes the following features: ●
Grade logic — Adjusts transmission shifts
when pulling a trailer or hauling a load up a
grade.
● Downhill Speed Control (DSC) — automati-
cally downshifts when driving down a grade
with a trailer or heavy load to help control
vehicle speed.
Driving the vehicle in the tow mode with no
trailer/load or light trailer/light load will not cause
any damage. However, fuel economy may be
reduced and the transmission/engine driving
characteristics may feel unusual.
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.
9-28Technical and consumer information
REVIEW COPY—2010 Armada (wzw)
Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna)
02/18/09—debbie
If you believe that your vehicle has a de-
fect which could cause a crash or could
cause injury or death, you should immedi-
ately inform the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addi-
tion to notifying NISSAN.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it
may open an investigation, and if it finds
that a safety defect exists in a group of
vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot be-
come involved in individual problems be-
tween you, your dealer, or NISSAN.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the Ve-
hicle Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-888-
327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go
to http://www.safercar.gov; or write to:
Administrator, NHTSA, 400 Seventh
Street, SW., Washington, D.C. 20590.
You can also obtain other information
about motor vehicle safety from
http://www.safercar.gov.
You may notify NISSAN by contacting our
Consumer Affairs Department, toll-free, at
1-800-NISSAN-1.Due to legal requirements in some states and
Canadian Provinces, your vehicle may be re-
quired to be in what is called the “ready condi-
tion” for an Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of
the emission control system.
The vehicle is set to the “ready condition” when it
is driven through certain driving patterns. Usually,
the ready condition can be obtained by ordinary
usage of the vehicle.
If a powertrain system component is repaired or
the battery is disconnected, the vehicle may be
reset to a “not ready” condition. Before taking the
I/M test, check the vehicle’s
inspection/maintenance test readiness condi-
tion. Turn the ignition switch ON without starting
the engine. If the Malfunction Indicator Light
(MIL) comes on steady for 20 seconds and then
blinks for 10 seconds , the I/M test condition is
“not ready”. If the MIL does not blink after 20
seconds, the I/M test condition is “ready”. If the
MIL indicates the vehicle is in a “not ready” con-
dition, drive the vehicle through the following
pattern to set the vehicle to the ready condition. If
you cannot or do not want to perform the driving
pattern, a NISSAN dealer can conduct it for you.
Car phone or CB radio.............4-92
Cargo light ...................2-57
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-13
CD care and cleaning .............4-71
CD changer (See audio system) ........4-50
CD player (See audio system) .........4-58
Child restraint with top tether strap ......1-37
Child restraints .......1-31, 1-31, 1-32, 1-34
Precautions on child restraints . . .1-32, 1-40, 1-45, 1-50
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-37
Child safety rear door lock ............3-7
Chimes, audible reminders ...........2-20
Cleaning exterior and interior ..........7-2
Clock ...................4-48, 4-56
(models with navigation system) . .4-11, 4-27
Clock set .................4-11, 4-27
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ..........9-11
Cold weather driving ..............5-33
Compact disc (CD) player ...........4-58
CompactFlash (CF) player ...........4-60
Console box ...............2-40, 2-46
Control panel buttons .............4-17
Brightness/contrast button .....4-16, 4-32
Enter button ..............4-2, 4-17
Setting button .............4-9, 4-26
Startup screen ...............4-20
Without navigation system ..........4-2
Controls Audio controls (steering wheel) ......4-73
Heater and air conditioner controls . . . .4-36
Rear audio controls .............4-75
Rear seat air conditioner ..........4-38
Coolant Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2 Changing engine coolant
..........8-8
Checking engine coolant level ........8-7
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Corrosion protection ...............7-5
Cruise control ..................5-18
Cup holders ...................2-44
Curtain
side-impact and rollover air bag . . .1-65
D
Daytime running light system
(Canada only) ..................2-32
Defroster switch Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch ....................2-30
Digital video disc DVD .............4-76
Dimensions and weights .............9-9
Dimmer switch for instrument panel ......2-33
Display controls
(see control panel buttons) ........4-2, 4-17
Distance to empty .............4-5, 4-21
Door locks ....................3-5
Drive belt ....................8-16
Drive positioner, Automatic ...........3-36
Driving Cold weather driving ............5-33
Driving with automatic transmission . . . .5-14
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2
E
Economy - fuel .................5-20
Emission control information label .......9-11
Emission control system warranty .......9-30Engine
Before starting the engine .........5-12
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ..........8-8
Changing engine oil .............8-9
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-10
Checking engine coolant level ........8-7
Checking engine oil level ..........8-8
Engine compartment check locations . . . .8-6
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Engine cooling system ............8-7
Engine oil ...................8-8
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . .9-6
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-6
Engine serial number ............9-11
Engine specifications .............9-8
Starting the engine ............ .5-12
Engine oil pressure
gauge ............2-8
Engine oil pressure low/engine coolant
temperature high warning light .........2-15
Enter button ................4-2, 4-17
Event data recorders ..............9-32
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ........5-2
Eyeglass case ..................2-41
F
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch) ......2-34
Flat tire ......................6-2
Floor mat positioning aid .............7-5
Fluid Brake fluid ..................8-12
10-2
REVIEW COPY—2010 Armada (wzw)
Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna)
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Keyless entry system
(See remote keyless entry system).......3-7
L
Labels Air conditioner specification label .....9-12
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ........9-11
Emission control information label .....9-11
Engine serial number ............9-11
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ........9-11
Tire and Loading Information label .....9-12
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
plate .....................9-10
Warning labels (for SRS) ..........1-67
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
System ......................1-34
License plate Installing the license plate .........9-12
Lift gate .....................3-23
Lift gate release .................3-27
Light Air bag warning light .........1-68, 2-18
Brake light (See stop light) .........8-30
Bulb check/instrument panel ........2-13
Bulb replacement ..............8-30
Charge warning light ............2-15
Fog light switch ...............2-33
Headlight and turn signal switch ......2-30
Headlight control switch ..........2-30
Headlights ..................8-28
Interior light .................2-55
Light bulbs ..................8-28
Low tire pressure warning light ......2-16
Low washer fluid warning light .......2-24Passenger air bag and status light
.....1-62
Personal lights ...............2-57
Security indicator light ...........2-19
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ..................2-13
Lights Map lights ..................2-57
Lock Child safety rear door lock ..........3-7
Door locks ..................3-5
Glove
box lock ...............2-41
Lift gate release ...............3-27
Power door locks ...............3-6
Low fuel warning light ......2-16, 2-18, 2-24
Low tire pressure warning light ........2-16
Low washer fluid warning light .........2-24
Luggage hook ..................2-47
Luggage rack (see roof rack) .........2-49
Luggage (See vehicle loading information) . .9-13
Luggage storage
(see vehicle loading information) ........2-47
M
Maintenance Changing the maintenance
interval .................4-8, 4-24
Displaying the maintenance notice
reminder ................4-8, 4-24
General maintenance ............8-2
Inside the vehicle ...............8-3
Maintenance precautions ..........8-5
Outside the vehicle ..............8-2
Resetting the maintenance interval . .4-8, 4-24
Seat belt maintenance ...........1-30 Setting
.................4-7, 4-23
Under the hood and vehicle .........8-4
Malfunction indicator light ...........2-19
Manual front seat adjustment ..........1-2
Manual vent windows ..............2-53
Map lights ....................2-57
Map pocket ...................2-42
Meters and gauges ................2-4
Instrument brightness control .......2-33
Mirror Automatic anti-glare inside mirror .....3-32
Inside mirror .................3-32
Outside mirror control ...........3-34
Outside mirrors ...............3-34
Vanity mirror .................3-31
Music Box hard-disk drive audio system . . .4-62
N
NISSAN Intelligent Key™ .........3-2,
3-12
NISSAN mobile
entertainment system
(MES) ......................4-76
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system . . .2-27, 3-4, 5-12
NISSAN voice recognition system ......4-118
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating) .....9-4
Odometer .....................2-5
Oil Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine oil .............8-9
10-4
REVIEW COPY—2010 Armada(wzw)
Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna)
03/09/09—tbrooks
Changing engine oil filter..........8-10
Checking engine oil level ..........8-8
Engine oil ...................8-8
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . .9-6
Engine oil pressure low/engine coolant
temperature high warning light .......2-15
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-6
Outside mirror control .............3-34
Outside mirrors .................3-34
Overheat If your vehicle overheats ..........6-10
Owner’s manual order form ..........9-33
Owner’s manual/service manual order
information ....................9-33
P
Parking Parking brake operation ..........5-17
Parking/parking on hills ...........5-27
Pedal position adjustment ...........3-30
Personal lights .................2-57
Phone, Bluetooth hands-free system . . . .4-92,
4-107
Power Power door locks ...............3-6
Power outlet .................2-38
Power rear windows ............2-52
Power steering fluid .............8-11
Power steering system ...........5-28
Power vent windows ............2-53
Power windows ...............2-50
Rear power windows ............2-52
Precautions Maintenance precautions ..........8-5 On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions
..................5-3
Precautions on child restraints . . .1-32, 1-40,
1-45, 1-50
Precautions on seat belt usage ......1-21
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ....................1-53
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2
Pre-tensioner seat belt system .........1-66
Programmable features ..........4-9, 4-26
Push starting ..................6-10
R
Radio Car phone or
CB radio...........4-92
Compact Disc (CD) changer .......4-50
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc (CD)
changer ...................4-47
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc (CD)
player ....................4-55
Rear audio controls .............4-75
Steering wheel audio control switch. . . .4-73
Readiness for inspection maintenance (I/M)
test ........................9-31
Rear audio controls ...............4-75
Rear center seat belt ..............1-27
Rear power windows ..............2-52
Rear seat air conditioner ............4-38
Rear sonar system ...............5-31
Rear sonar system off switch .........2-36
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch ......................2-30
Rear window wiper and washer switches . . .2-29
RearView Monitor ................4-33 Recorders
Event data ..................9-32
Refrigerant recommendation ..........9-7
Registering your vehicle in another country . .9-10
Remote controller (See NISSAN mobile
entertainment system) .............4-79
Remote keyless entry system ..........3-7
Reporting safety defects (US only) ......9-31
Resetting the fuel economy ........4-5, 4-21
Roof rack ....................2-49
S
Safety Child safety rear door lock ..........3-7
Child seat belts . . . .1-32, 1-40, 1-45, 1-50
Reporting safety defects (US only) . . . .9-31
Screen (See NISSAN mobile entertainment
system) .....................4-79
Seat adjustment Front manual seat adjustment ........1-2
Front power seat adjustment ........1-4
Second row bench seats ..........1-6
Second row captain’s chair .........1-5
Third row power folding seats .......1-20
Seat belt Child safety .................1-31
Infants and small children .........1-31
Injured Person............... .1-24
Larger
children ...............1-32
Precautions on seat belt usage ......1-21
Pregnant women ..............1-24
Pre-tensioner seat belt system .......1-66
Rear center seat belt ............1-27
Seat belt extenders .............1-30
10-5
REVIEW COPY—2010 Armada(wzw)
Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna)
03/09/09—tbrooks