Take care not to spill gasoline during refu-
eling. Gasoline containing oxygenates can
cause paint damage.
E–85 fuel
E-85 fuel is a mixture of approximately 85% fuel
ethanol and 15% unleaded gasoline. E-85 can
only be used in a Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) . Do
not use E-85 in your vehicle. U.S. government
regulations require fuel ethanol dispensing
pumps to be identified by a small, square, orange
and black label with the common abbreviation or
the appropriate percentage for that region.
Aftermarket fuel additives
NISSAN does not recommend the use of any
aftermarket fuel additives (for example, fuel injec-
tor cleaner, octane booster, intake valve deposit
removers, etc.) which are sold commercially.
Many of these additives intended for gum, varnish
or deposit removal may contain active solvents or
similar ingredients that can be harmful to the fuel
system and engine.
Octane rating tips
Using unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than recommended can cause
persistent, heavy “spark knock.” (“Spark
knock” is a metallic rapping noise.) If se-
vere, this can lead to engine damage. If youdetect a persistent heavy spark knock even
when using gasoline of the stated octane
rating, or if you hear steady spark knock
while holding a steady speed on level
roads, have a NISSAN dealer correct the
condition. Failure to correct the condition
is misuse of the vehicle, for which NISSAN
is not responsible.
Incorrect ignition timing may result in spark
knock, after-run and/or overheating, which may
cause excessive fuel consumption or engine
damage. If any of the above symptoms are en-
countered, have your vehicle checked at a
NISSAN dealer.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is not a
cause for concern, because you get the
greatest fuel benefit when there is light
spark knock for a short time under heavy
engine load.
A weight-distributing hitch system (Class IV) is
recommended if you plan to tow trailers with a
maximum weight over 5,000 lbs. Check with the
trailer and towing equipment manufacturers to
determine if they recommend the use of a weight-
distributing hitch system.
NOTE:
A weight-distributing hitch system may af-
fect the operation of trailer surge brakes. If
you are considering use of a weight-
distributing hitch system with a surge
brake-equipped trailer, check with the
surge brake, hitch or trailer manufacturer
to determine if and how this can be done.
Follow the instructions provided by the manufac-
turer for installing and using the weight-
distributing hitch system.
General set-up instructions are as follows:1. Park unloaded vehicle on a level surface. With the ignition on and the doors closed,
allow the vehicle to stand for several minutes
so that it can level.
2. Measure the height of a reference point on the front and rear bumpers at the center of
the vehicle.
3. Attach the trailer to the vehicle and adjust the hitch equalizers so that the front bumper height is within0-.5inches (0 – 13 mm) of
the reference height measured in step 2. The
rear bumper should be no higher than the
reference height measured in step 2.
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)
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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.
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Engine coolant ................8-7
Engine oil ...................8-8
Power steering fluid .............8-11
Window washer fluid ............8-13
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ..........9-11
Fog light switch .................2-33
Front air bag system (See supplemental
restraint system) ................1-61
Front seats ....................1-2
Front sonar system ...............5-32
Fuel Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Fuel economy ................5-20
Fuel gauge ..................2-7
Fuel octane rating ..............9-4
Fuel recommendation ............9-3
Fuel-filler door and cap ...........3-28
Fuses ......................8-22
Fusible links ...................8-24
G
Garage door opener, HomeLink Universal
Transceiver ...................2-58
Gascap.....................3-28
Gauge Automatic transmission fluid temperature
gauge .....................2-9
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Engine oil pressure gauge ..........2-8
Fuel gauge ..................2-7
Odometer ...................2-5 Speedometer
.................2-5
Tachometer ..................2-6
Trip odometer .................2-5
Voltmeter ...................2-8
General maintenance ..............8-2
Glass hatch ...................3-28
Glove box ....................2-41
Glove box lock ................
.2-41
H
Hands-free phone system, Bluetooth . . . .4-92,
4-107
Hazard warning flasher switch .........2-34
Headlight and turn signal switch ........2-30
Headlight control switch ............2-30
Headlights ....................8-28
Headphones (See NISSAN mobile
entertainment system) .............4-80
Heated seats ..................2-35
Heated steering wheel .............2-35
Heater Heater and air conditioner controls . . . .4-36
Heater operation ..............4-37
Rear seat air conditioner ..........4-38
HomeLink Universal Transceiver .......2-58
Hood release ..................3-23
Hook Luggage hook ................2-47
Horn .......................2-34
I
Ignition switch ..................5-9 Immobilizer system
.........2-27, 3-4, 5-12
Important vehicle information label .......9-11
In-cabin microfilter ...............8-17
Increasing fuel economy ............5-20
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders) ....................2-13
Inside automatic anti-glare mirror .......3-32
Inside mirror ...................3-32
Instrument brightness control .........2-33
Instrument panel ..............0-6, 2-2
Instrument panel dimmer switch ........2-33
Intelligent Key system Key operating range ............3-14
Key operation ................3-15
Mechanical key ................3-3
Remote keyless entry operation ......3-17
Troubleshooting guide ...........3-22
Warning signals..............
.3-22
Interior light ...................2-55
ISOFIX child restraints .............1-34
J
Jump starting ...................6-8
K
Key ........................3-2
Keyfob battery replacement ..........8-25
Keyless entry With Intelligent Key system
(See Intelligent Key system) ........3-17
10-3
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Seat belt maintenance...........1-30
Seat belts ..................1-21
Shoulder belt height adjustment ......1-29
Three-point type with retractor .......1-24
Seat belt warning light .............2-18
Seatback pockets ................2-42
Seats Adjustment ..................1-2
Automatic drive positioner .........3-36
Front seats ..................1-2
Heated seats ................2-35
Manual front seat adjustment ........1-2
Second row captain’s chair adjustment .....1-5
Security indicator light .............2-19
Security system (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system) , engine start ........2-27, 3-4, 5-12
Self-adjusting brakes ..............8-22
Service manual order form ...........9-33
Servicing air conditioner ............4-39
Setting button ...............4-9, 4-26
Shift lock release ................5-16
Shifting Automatic transmission ...........5-15
Shoulder belt height adjustment ........1-29
Side air bag system (See supplemental side air
bag, curtain and rollover air bag systems). . .1-65
Sonar Front system .................5-32
Rear system .................5-31
Spark plug replacement ............8-16
Speedometer ...................2-5
SRS warning label ...............1-67
Starting Before starting the engine .........5-12
Jump starting .................6-8
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2 Push starting
................6-10
Starting the engine .............5-12
Startup screen .................4-20
Steering Heated steering wheel ...........2-35
Power steering
fluid .............8-11
Power steering system ...........5-28
Tilting steering wheel ............3-30
Steering wheel audio control switch ......4-73
Stop light ....................8-30
Storage .....................2-40
Overhead storage compartment ......2-43
Storage bin ................2-43, 2-47
Storage tray ...................2-40
Sun visors ....................3-31
Sunglasses case ................2-41
Sunglasses holder ...............2-41
Sunroof .....................2-54
Supplemental air bag warning labels .....1-67
Supplemental air bag warning light . . .1-68, 2-18
Supplemental front impact air bag system . .1-61
Supplemental restraint system Information and warning labels .......1-67
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ....................1-53
Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system) .........1-53
Switch Autolight switch ...............2-31
Automatic power window switch .....2-52
Fog light switch ...............2-33
Hazard warning flasher switch .......2-34
Headlight and turn signal switch ......2-30
Headlight control switch ..........2-30
Ignition switch ................5-9
Power door lock switch ...........3-6 Rear sonar system off switch
.......2-36
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch ....................2-30
Rear window wiper and washer
switches ...................2-29
Turn signal switch ..............2-33
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off
switch ....................2-36
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-28
T
Tachometer ....................2-6
Temperature gauge Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Engine oilpressure
low/engine coolant
temperature high warning light .......2-15
Theft (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system) ,
engine start .............2-27, 3-4, 5-12
Third row power folding seats .........1-20
Three-way catalyst ................5-2
Tilting steering wheel ..............3-30
Tire Flat tire ....................6-2
Spare tire ...................6-3
Tire and Loading Information label .....9-12
Tire chains ..................8-41
Tire placard .................9-12
Tire pressure ................8-34
Tire rotation .................8-41
Tires of 4-wheel drive ............8-43
Types of tires ................8-40
Uniform tire quality grading .........9-29
Wheels and tires ..............8-34
Wheel/tire size ................9-9
10-6
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Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna)
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