2011 NISSAN PATHFINDER light

WARNING
Never connect a trailer brake system di-
rectly to the vehicle brake system.
Electric trailer brake controller
Trailers equipped with electric brakes may re-
quire the installation of an aftermarket trailer
brake controller.
A Genuine NISSAN jumper harness is available
that is specifically designed to be used when
installing an aftermarket brake controller.
Install the aftermarket electric trailer brake con-
troller according to the manufacturer’s instruc-
tions.
Pre-towing tips
●Be certain your vehicle maintains a level
position when a loaded and/or unloaded
trailer is hitched. Do not drive the vehicle if it
has an abnormal nose-up or nose-down
condition; check for improper tongue load,
overload, worn suspension or other possible
causes of either condition.
● Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving. ●
Keep the cargo load as low as possible in
the trailer to keep the trailer center of gravity
low.
● Load the trailer so approximately 60% of the
trailer load is in the front half and 40% is in
the back half. Also make sure the load is
balanced side to side.
● Check your hitch, trailer tire pressure, ve-
hicle tire pressure, trailer light operation, and
trailer wheel lug nuts every time you attach a
trailer to the vehicle.
● Be certain your rearview mirrors conform to
all federal, state or local regulations. If not,
install any mirrors required for towing before
driving the vehicle.
● Determine the overall height of the vehicle
and trailer so the required clearance is
known.
Trailer towing tips
In order to gain skill and an understanding of the
vehicle’s behavior, you should practice turning,
stopping and backing up in an area which is free
from traffic. Steering stability and braking perfor-
mance will be somewhat different than under
normal driving conditions.
● Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving. ●
Lock the trailer hitch coupler with a pin or
lock to prevent the coupler from inadver-
tently becoming unlatched.
● Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.
● Avoid sharp turns or lane changes.
● Always drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed.
● When backing up, hold the bottom of the
steering wheel with one hand. Move your
hand in the direction in which you want the
trailer to go. Make small corrections and
back up slowly. If possible, have someone
guide you when you are backing up.
Always block the wheels on both vehicle and
trailer when parking. Parking on a slope is not
recommended; however, if you must do so:
CAUTION
If you move the shift selector to the P
(Park) position before blocking the
wheels and applying the parking brake,
transmission damage could occur.
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Have someone place blocks on the downhill side of the vehicle and trailer wheels.
Technical and consumer information9-25

3. After the wheel blocks are in place, slowlyrelease the brake pedal until the blocks ab-
sorb the vehicle load.
4. Apply the parking brake.
5. Shift the transmission into P (Park) .
6. Make sure the
indicator 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) (A/T) 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.
● While 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.
● If 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.
● Trailer towing requires more fuel than normal
circumstances.
● Avoid towing a trailer for your vehicle’s first
500 miles (805 km) .
● For the first 500 miles (805 km) that you do
tow, do not drive over 50 MPH (80 km/h) .
● Have your vehicle serviced more often than
at intervals specified in the recommended
Maintenance Schedule in the “NISSAN Ser-
vice and Maintenance Guide”. ●
When 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.
● Crosswinds 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.
9-26Technical and consumer information

●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.
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
● Failure to follow these guidelines can
result in severe transmission damage.
● Whenever flat towing your vehicle, al-
ways tow forward, never backward.
● DO 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.
● For 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 dolly MUST
be placed under the towed vehicle’s drive
wheels. Always follow the dolly manufacturer’s
recommendations when using their product.
Technical and consumer information9-27

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. Place the ignition switch in the ON position
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”. Contact a NISSAN dealer to set the
“ready condition” or to prepare the vehicle for
testing.This vehicle is equipped with an Event Data Re-
corder (EDR) . The main purpose of an EDR is to
record, in certain crash or near crash-like situa-
tions, such as an air bag deployment or hitting a
road obstacle, data that will assist in understand-
ing how a vehicle’s systems performed. The EDR
is designed to record data related to vehicle
dynamics and safety systems for a short period of
time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this
vehicle is designed to record such data as:
● How various systems in your vehicle were
operating;
● Whether or not the driver and passenger
safety belts were buckled/fastened;
● How far (if at all) the driver was depressing
the accelerator and/or brake pedal; and,
● How fast the vehicle was traveling.
● Sounds are not recorded.
These data can help provide a better understand-
ing of the circumstances in which crashes and
injuries occur. NOTE: EDR data are recorded by
your vehicle only if a nontrivial crash situation
occurs; no data are recorded by the EDR under
normal driving conditions and no personal data
(e.g. name, gender, age and crash location) are
recorded. However, other parties, such as law
enforcement, could combine the EDR data with the type of personally identifying data routinely
acquired during a crash investigation.
To read data recorded by an EDR, special equip-
ment is required and access to the vehicle or the
EDR is needed. In addition to the vehicle manu-
facturer and NISSAN dealer, other parties, such
as law enforcement, that have the special equip-
ment, can read the information if they have ac-
cess to the vehicle or the EDR. EDR data will only
be accessed with the consent of the vehicle
owner or lessee or as otherwise required or per-
mitted by law.
READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST
EVENT DATA RECORDERS (EDR)
9-30Technical and consumer information

10 Index
4WD warning light...............2-16
A
Active brake limited slip (ABLS) system . . .5-37
Adjusting pedal position ............3-26
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) .....................1-44
Air bag system Front (See supplemental front impact
air bag system) ...............1-51
Air bag warning labels .............1-58
Air bag warning light ...........1-59, 2-19
Air cleaner housing filter ............8-20
Air conditioner Air conditioner operation ..........4-39
Air conditioner service ...........4-47
Air conditioner specification label .....9-12
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations .............9-7
Heater and air conditioner
controls ................4-37, 4-44
Rear seat air conditioner ..........4-46
Servicing air conditioner ..........4-47
Air flow charts ..................4-41
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system) .........2-23
Anchor point locations .............1-30
Antenna .....................4-87
Anti-lock brake warning light ..........2-14
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ........5-36
Audible reminders ...............2-22 Audio system
..................4-47
Compact Disc (CD) changer .......4-62
Compact disc (CD) player .....4-56, 4-70
Audio System CompactFlash (CF) player .........4-72
Audio system FM/AM radio with compact disc
(CD) player .................4-54
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc
(CD) changer ................4-59
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc
(CD) player .................4-67
Audio System Music Box hard-disk drive audio
system ....................4-74
Audio system Radio ....................4-47
Rear audio controls .............4-86
Audio
System
Settings ...............4-59, 4-67
Audio system Steering wheel audio control switch . . .4-85
Autolight switch .................2-29
Automatic Automatic drive positioner .........3-31
Automatic power window switch .....2-46
Automatic transmission position indicator
light .....................2-19
Driving with automatic transmission . . . .5-14
Transmission shift selector lock release . .5-17
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror .......3-28
Automatic door locks ..............3-6
AUX jack .................4-65, 4-72 B
Battery ......................8-16
Charge warning light ............2-16
Before starting the engine ...........5-13
Belt (See drive belt) ..............8-18
Block heater Engine ....................5-41
Bluetooth hands-free phone
system .................4-104, 4-119
Booster seats ..................1-41
Brake Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ......5-36
Brake fluid ..................8-14
Brake light (See stop light) .........8-33
Brake system ................5-35
Brake warning light .............2-15
Brake wear indicators ........2-22, 8-25
Parking brake operation ..........5-19
Self-adjusting brakes ............8-25
Brakes ......................8-25
Break-in schedule ...............5-21
Brightness/contrast button .......4-18, 4-33
Brightness control Instrument panel ..............2-31
Bulb check/instrument panel ..........2-14
Bulb replacement ................8-33

C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants ...................9-2
Cargo light ....................2-50
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . . .9-13
Car phone or CB radio ............4-103
CD care and cleaning ..............4-83
CD changer (See audio system) ........4-62
CD player (See audio system) ......4-56, 4-70
Check tire press ..................2-5
Child restraints .......1-24, 1-25, 1-26, 1-28
Precautions on child
restraints .........1-26, 1-33, 1-37, 1-41
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-30
Child restraint with top tether strap .......1-30
Child safety rear door lock ............3-7
Chimes, audible reminders ...........2-22
Cleaning exterior and interior ...........7-2
Clock ................4-55, 4-60, 4-68
(models with navigation system) . . .4-13, 4-28
Clock set .................4-13, 4-28
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ..........9-11
Cold weather driving ..............5-39
Compact disc (CD) player ........4-56, 4-70
CompactFlash (CF) player ...........4-72
Console box ...................2-37
Control panel buttons ..............4-18
Brightness/contrast button ......4-18, 4-33
Enter button ...............4-4, 4-18
Setting button .............4-11, 4-27
Startup screen ................4-21
Without navigation system ..........4-4
Controls Audio controls (steering wheel) .......4-85Heater and air conditioner
controls
................4-37, 4-44
Rear audio controls .............4-86
Rear seat air conditioner ..........4-46
Coolant Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing

engine coolant ...........8-9
Checking engine coolant level ........8-9
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Corrosion protection ...............7-5
Cruise control ..................5-20
Cup holders ...................2-39
Curtain side-impact and rollover air bag . . . .1-56
D
Daytime running light system (Canada only) . .2-30
Defroster switch Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch .....................2-27
Digital video disc DVD ..............4-88
Dimensions and weights .............9-9
Dimmer switch for instrument panel ......2-31
Display controls
(see control panel buttons) ........4-4, 4-18
Distance to empty .............4-7, 4-22
Door locks .....................3-5
Door open warning light .............2-16
Drive belt .....................8-18
Drive positioner, Automatic ...........3-31
Driving Cold weather driving ............5-39
Driving with automatic transmission . . . .5-14
Precautions when starting and driving . . . .5-2 E
Economy - fuel ..................5-22
Emission control information label .......9-12
Emission control system warranty .......9-28
Engine Before starting the engine ..........5-13
Block heater .................5-41
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-9
Changing engine oil .............8-11
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-12
Checking engine coolant level ........8-9
Checking engine oil level ..........8-10
Engine compartment check locations . . . .8-6
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Engine

cooling system ............8-8
Engine oil ...................8-10
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-6
Engine oil pressure warning light ......2-16
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-6
Engine serial number ............9-11
Engine specifications .............9-8
Starting the engine .............5-13
Engine oil pressure gauge ............2-8
Enter button .................4-4, 4-18
Event data recorders ..............9-30
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .........5-2
Eyeglass case ..................2-38
10-2

F
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch) ......2-32
Flat tire .......................6-2
Floor mat positioning aid .............7-5
Fluid Brake fluid ..................8-14
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Engine coolant .................8-8
Engine oil ...................8-10
Power steering fluid .............8-14
Windshield-washer fluid ...........8-15
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ...........9-11
Fog light switch .................2-32
Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system) ......1-51
Front seats .....................1-2
Fuel Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Fuel economy ................5-22
Fuel-filler door and cap ...........3-24
Fuel gauge ...................2-7
Fuel octane rating ...............9-5
Fuel recommendation .............9-4
Loose fuel cap warning ........2-5, 3-24
Fuses .......................8-25
Fusible links ...................8-27 G
Garage door opener, HomeLink Universal
Transceiver ....................2-50
Gascap .....................3-24
Gauge Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Engine oil pressure gauge ..........2-8
Fuel gauge ...................2-7
Odometer ...................2-4
Speedometer .................2-4
Tachometer ..................2-6
Trip computer .................2-9
Trip odometer .................2-4
V
oltmeter ....................2-8
General maintenance ...............8-2
Glass hatch ...................3-23
Glove box .....................2-38
H
Hands-free phone system,
Bluetooth ...............4-104, 4-119
Hazard warning flasher switch .........2-32
Headlight and turn signal switch ........2-28
Headlight control switch ............2-28
Headlights ....................8-31
Headphones
(See NISSAN mobile entertainment system). .4-91
Heated seats ...................2-33
Heated steering wheel .............2-34
Heater Heater and air conditioner
controls ................4-37, 4-44 Heater operation
...........4-38, 4-45
Rear seat air conditioner ..........4-46
HomeLink Universal Transceiver ........2-50
Hood release ...................3-22
Hook Luggage hook ................2-41
Horn .......................2-33
I
Ignition switch ...................5-9
Immobilizer system .........2-24, 3-4, 5-12
Important vehicle information label .......9-11
In-cabin microfilter ................8-21
Increasing fuel economy .............5-22
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders) ....................2-13
Inside automatic anti-glare mirror ........3-28
Inside mirror ...................3-28
Instrument brightness control ..........2-31
Instrument panel ...............0-6, 2-2
Instrument panel dimmer switch ........2-31
Intelligent Key system Key operating range .............3-13
Key operation ................3-14
Mechanical key ................3-3
Remote keyless entry operation .......3-17
Troubleshooting guide ............3-21
Warning signals ...............3-21
Interior light ....................2-48
ISOFIX child restraints .............1-28
10-3

J
Jump starting ...................6-7
K
Key.........................3-2
Keyfob battery replacement ...........8-28
Keyless entry With Intelligent Key system
(See Intelligent Key system) .........3-17
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 .....9-12
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) ..........1-58
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
System ......................1-28
License plate Installing the license plate ..........9-13
Lift gate ......................3-22
Light Air bag warning light .........1-59, 2-19
Brake light (See stop light) .........8-33
Bulb check/instrument panel ........2-14Bulb replacement
..............8-33
Charge warning light ............2-16
Fog light switch ...............2-32
Headlight and turn signal switch ......2-28
Headlight control switch ..........2-28
Headlights ..................8-31
Interior light ..................2-48
Light bulbs ..................8-31
Low tire pressure warning light .......2-17
Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light ......................2-18
Passenger air bag and status light .....1-53
Personal lights ................2-49
Security indicator light ............2-21
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders .................. .2-13
Lights Map

lights ..................2-50
Lock Child safety rear door lock ..........3-7
Door locks ...................3-5
Power door locks ...............3-6
Loose fuel cap warning ..........2-5, 3-24
Low fuel warning light ..............2-17
Low tire pressure warning light .........2-17
Low windshield-washer fluid warning light . . .2-18
Luggage hook ..................2-41
Luggage (See vehicle loading information) . .9-13
Luggage storage
(see vehicle loading information) ........2-41 M
Maintenance Changing the maintenance
interval .................4-10, 4-25
Displaying the maintenance notice
reminder ................4-10, 4-25
General maintenance .............8-2
Inside the vehicle ...............8-3
Maintenance precautions ...........8-5
Outside the vehicle ..............8-2
Resetting the maintenance
interval .................4-10, 4-25
Seat belt maintenance ............1-24
Setting .................4-9, 4-25
Under the hood and vehicle .........8-4
Malfunction indicator light ............2-20
Manual front seat adjustment ...........1-2
Map lights ....................2-50
Map pocket ....................2-39
Meters and gauges ................2-3
Instrument brightness control ........2-31
Mirror Automatic anti-glare inside mirror ......3-28
Inside mirror .................3-28
Outside mirror control ............3-30
Outside mirrors ...............3-30
Vanity mirror .................3-27
Moonroof .....................2-47
Music Box hard-disk drive audio system . . .4-74
N
NISSAN

Intelligent Key™ ..........3-2, 3-11
10-4