2012 NISSAN XTERRA warning

A weight-distributing hitch system (Class IV) is
recommended if you plan to tow trailers with a
maximum weight over 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) .
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.
WARNING
Properly adjust the weight distributing
hitch so the rear of the bumper is no
higher than the measured reference
height when the trailer is attached. If the
rear bumper is higher than the measured
reference height when loaded, the vehicle
may handle unpredictably which could
cause a loss of vehicle control and cause
serious personal injury or property
damage.
Sway control device
Sudden maneuvers, wind gusts, and buffeting
caused by other vehicles can affect trailer han-
dling. Sway control devices may be used to help
control these affects. If you choose to use one,
contact a reputable trailer hitch supplier to make
sure the sway control device will work with the
vehicle, hitch, trailer and the trailer’s brake sys-
tem. Follow the instructions provided by the
manufacturer for installing and using the sway
control device.
Class I hitch
Class I trailer hitch equipment (receiver, ball
mount and hitch ball) can be used to tow trailers
of a maximum weight of 2,000 lb (907 kg) .
Class II hitch
Class II trailer hitch equipment (receiver, ball
mount and hitch ball) can be used to tow trailers
of a maximum weight of 3,500 lb (1,587 kg) .
Class III hitch
Class III trailer hitch equipment (receiver, ball
mount and hitch ball) can be used to tow trailers
of a maximum weight of 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) .
CAUTION
● Special hitches which include frame re-
inforcements are required for towing
above 2,000 lb (907 kg) . Suitable genu-
ine NISSAN hitches, ball mounts and
hitch balls for pickup trucks and sport
utility vehicles are available at a
NISSAN dealer.
● The hitch should not be attached to or
affect the operation of the impact-
absorbing bumper.
● Do not use axle-mounted hitches.
9-24Technical and consumer information

Electric Trailer Brakes -Electric braking sys-
tems are activated by an electronic signal sent
from a trailer brake controller (special brake-
sensing module) . If electric trailer brakes are
used, see “Electric trailer brake controller” in this
section.
Have a professional supplier of towing equip-
ment make sure the trailer brakes are properly
installed and demonstrate proper brake function
testing.
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.
9-26Technical and consumer information

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.
3. After the wheel blocks are in place, slowly release 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.
Technical and consumer information9-27

Manual Transmission (if so equipped)
●Always tow with the manual transmission in
Neutral.
● On 4-wheel drive vehicles, place the transfer
case in the 2H range. Failure to do so will
cause the powertrain to bind up.
● After towing 500 miles (805 km) , start and
idle the engine with the transmission in Neu-
tral for two minutes. Failure to idle the engine
after every 500 miles (805 km) of towing
may cause damage to internal transmission
parts.
Automatic Transmission (if so
equipped)
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. DOT (Department of Transportation) Quality
Grades: All passenger car tires must conform to
federal safety requirements in addition to these
grades.
Quality grades can be found where applicable on
the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times
as well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction AA, A, B and C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C. Those grades represent the
tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as mea-
sured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and con-
crete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
Temperature A, B and C
The temperature grades are A (the highest) , B, and
C, representing the tire’s resistance to the genera-
tion of heat, and its ability to dissipate heat when
tested under controlled conditions on a specified
indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high tem-
perature can cause the material of the tire to de-
generate and reduce tire life, and excessive tem-
perature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade
C corresponds to a level of performance which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal
Motor Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the labo-
ratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is estab-
lished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, under-
inflation, or excessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can cause heat
build-up and possible tire failure.
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
Technical and consumer information9-29

10 Index
4WDwarninglight...............2-16A
Active brake limited slip (ABLS) system . . .5-34
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) .....................1-44
Air bag system Front (See supplemental front impact
air bag system) ...............1-51
Airbagwarninglabels.............1-58
Airbagwarninglight...........1-59,2-18
Air cleaner housing filter ............8-18
Air conditioner Air conditioner operation .......4-5,4-12
Air conditioner service ...........4-17
Air conditioner specification label .....9-12
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations .............9-7
Heater and air conditioner controls. .4-2, 4-10
Servicing air conditioner ..........4-17
Airflowcharts...............4-6,4-13
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system) .........2-23
Anchor point locations .............1-30
Antenna.....................4-37
Anti-lock brake warning light ..........2-14
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ........5-33
Audible reminders ...............2-22
Audio system ..................4-17
Compact Disc (CD) changer ....4-29,4-33
Compact disc (CD) player .........4-27 FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
changer
...................4-29
FM/AM radio with compact disc (CD)
player ....................4-25
Radio ....................4-17
Steering wheel audio control switch . . .4-36
Automatic Automatic power window switch .....2-47
Automatic transmission position indicator
light .....................2-19
Driving with automatic transmission ....5-13
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror .......3-14
Automatic door locks ..............3-4
AUXjack ....................4-34
B
Battery ......................8-14
Chargewarninglight............2-15
Before starting the engine ...........5-12
Belt (See drive belt) ..............8-16
Block heater Engine ....................5-39
Bluetooth hands-free phone system .....4-38
Boosterseats..................1-40
Brake Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ......5-33
Brake fluid ..................8-12
Brake light (See stop light) .........8-29
Brake system ................5-32
Brake warning light .............2-15
Brake wear indicators ........2-22,8-22 Parking brake operation
..........5-19
Self-adjusting brakes ............8-22
Brakes ......................8-22
Break-inschedule ...............5-22
Brightness control Instrument panel ..............2-29
Bulb check/instrument panel ..........2-14
Bulbreplacement................8-29
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants ...................9-2
Cargolight ...................2-49
Cargonet....................2-42
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-13
CarphoneorCBradio.............4-37
CDcareandcleaning .............4-35
CD changer (See audio system) ....4-29,4-33
CD player (See audio system) .........4-27
Check tire press .................2-5
Child restraints .......1-24,1-25,1-26,1-28
Precautions on child
restraints ........1-26,1-32,1-37,1-40
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-30
Child restraint with top tether strap ......1-30
Child safety rear door lock ............3-5
Chimes,audiblereminders...........2-22
Cleaning exterior and interior ..........7-2
Clock ......................4-26
Clutch Clutchfluid.................8-13

Clutchinterlock(clutchstart)switch......2-34
C.M.V.S.S. certification label..........9-11
Cold weather driving ..............5-38
Compact disc (CD) player ...........4-27
Console box ...................2-37
Controls Audiocontrols(steeringwheel).......4-36
Heater and air conditioner controls . .4-2, 4-10
Coolant Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-8
Checking engine coolant level ........8-8
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Corrosionprotection ...............7-5
Cruise control ..................5-20
Cupholders...................2-39
Curtain side-impact and rollover air bag ....1-56
D
Daytime running light system (Canada only) . .2-28
Defroster switch Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch.....................2-27
Dimensionsandweights.............9-9
Dimmer switch for instrument panel ......2-29
Door locks .....................3-3
Door open warning light .............2-15
Drive belt .....................8-16
Driving Cold weather driving ............5-38
Driving with automatic transmission ....5-13
Driving with manual transmission ......5-18
Precautions when starting and driving ....5-2 E
Economy - fuel ..................5-22
Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock)
system ......................5-29
Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock)
system switch ..................2-33
Emission control information label .......9-11
Emission control system warranty .......9-30
Engine Before starting the engine ..........5-12
Block heater .................5-39
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-8
Changing engine oil .............8-10
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-11
Checking engine coolant level ........8-8
Checking engine oil level ...........8-9
Engine compartment check locations ....8-6
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Engine cooling system ............8-7
Engineoil ...................8-9
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 .............5-12
Engine oil pressure gauge ............2-8
Eventdatarecorders ..............9-31
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .........5-2
Extended storage switch ............8-25 F
First aid kit .....................6-2
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch) ......2-31
Flat tire .......................6-2
Floor

mat positioning aid .............7-5
Fluid Brake fluid ..................8-12
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Clutch fluid ..................8-13
Engine coolant .................8-7
Engine oil ...................8-9
Power steering fluid .............8-12
Windshield-washer fluid ...........8-13
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ...........9-11
Foglightswitch .................2-30
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 ...........3-10
Fuelgauge...................2-7
Fuel octane rating ...............9-5
Fuel recommendation .............9-4
Loose fuel cap warning ........2-5,3-10
Fuses.......................8-22
Fusiblelinks ...................8-24
10-2

G
Gascap .....................3-10
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
Voltmeter....................2-8
Generalmaintenance...............8-2
Glovebox.....................2-37
H
Hands-free phone system, Bluetooth .....4-38
Hazard warning flasher switch .........2-31
Headlightandturnsignalswitch........2-27
Headlightcontrolswitch ............2-27
Headlights....................8-27
Heater Heater and air conditioner controls . .4-2, 4-10
Heater operation ............4-4,4-11
Hill descent control switch ...........2-32
Hill descent control system ...........5-36
Hill start assist system ..............5-37
Hood release ...................3-9
Hook Luggage hook ................2-40
Horn .......................2-31 I
Ignition switch ..................5-10
Immobilizer system .........2-24,3-2,5-11
Important vehicle information label .......9-11
In-cabin microfilter ................8-18
Increasing fuel economy .............5-22
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders)....................2-13
Inside automatic anti-glare mirror ........3-14
Inside mirror ...................3-13
Instrument brightness control ..........2-29
Instrument panel ...............0-6,2-2
Instrument panel dimmer switch ........2-29
Interiorlight....................2-47
ISOFIX child restraints .............1-28
J
Jump starting ...................6-9
K
Key.........................3-2
Keyfob battery replacement ...........8-26
Keyless entry system
(See remote keyless entry system) ........3-5
L
Labels Air conditioner specification label .....9-12C.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) ..........1-58
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
System ......................1-28
License plate Installing the license plate ..........9-12
Liftgate ......................3-9
Light Airbagwarninglight.........1-59, 2-18
Brake light (See stop light) .........8-29
Bulb

check/instrument panel ........2-14
Bulbreplacement..............8-29
Charge warning light ............2-15
Fog light switch ...............2-30
Headlightandturnsignalswitch......2-27
Headlight control switch ..........2-27
Headlights..................8-27
Interiorlight..................2-47
Lightbulbs..................8-27
Low tire pressure warning light .......2-16
Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light......................2-18
Off road lamps switch ............2-30
Passenger air bag and status light .....1-53
Security indicator light ............2-21
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders...................2-13
Lights Maplights ..................2-48
Lock Child safety rear door lock ..........3-5
10-3

Door locks...................3-3
Power door locks ...............3-4
Loose fuel cap warning ..........2-5,3-10
Lowfuelwarninglight..............2-16
Low tire pressure warning light .........2-16
Low windshield-washer fluid warning light . . .2-18
Luggage hook ..................2-40
Luggage rack (see roof rack) ..........2-43
Luggage (See vehicle loading information) . .9-13
Luggage storage
(seevehicleloadinginformation)........2-40
M
Maintenance Generalmaintenance.............8-2
Insidethevehicle...............8-3
Maintenanceprecautions...........8-5
Outsidethevehicle..............8-2
Seat belt maintenance ............1-23
Under the hood and vehicle .........8-4
Malfunction indicator light ............2-20
Manual front seat adjustment ...........1-2
Maplights ....................2-48
Map pocket ....................2-38
Meters and gauges ................2-3
Instrument brightness control ........2-29
Mirror Automatic anti-glare inside mirror ......3-14
Inside mirror .................3-13
Outside mirrors ...............3-14
Vanity mirror .................3-13
Multi-remote control system
(See remote keyless entry system) ........3-5 N
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system . . .2-24, 3-2, 5-11
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating) ......9-5
Odometer .....................2-4
Offroadlampsswitch..............2-30
Oil Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine oil .............8-10
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-11
Checking engine oil level ...........8-9
Engineoil ...................8-9
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-6
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-6
Outside mirrors .................3-14
Overdrive switch .................5-17
Overheat If your vehicle overheats ...........6-11
Owner’s manual order form ...........9-32
Owner’s manual/service manual order
information ....................9-32
P
Parking Parking brake operation ...........5-19
Parking/parking on hills ...........5-31
Phone, Bluetooth hands-free system .....4-38Power
Power door locks ...............3-4
Power outlet .................2-35
Power rear windows .............2-47
Power steering fluid .............8-12
Power steering system ...........5-32
Power windows ...............2-46
Rear power windows ............2-47
Precautions Maintenanceprecautions...........8-5
On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions ..................5-6
Precautions on child
restraints .........1-26,1-32,1-37,1-40
Precautions on seat belt usage .......1-13
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ....................
1-44
Precautions when starting and driving ....5-2
Pre-tensioner seat belt system .........1-57
Push starting ...................6-11
R
Radio CarphoneorCBradio...........4-37
Compact Disc (CD) changer ....4-29,4-33
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
changer....................4-29
FM/AM radio with compact disc (CD)
player .....................4-25
Steering wheel audio control switch ....4-36
Readiness for inspection maintenance (I/M)
test........................9-31
Rearcenterseatbelt ..............1-19
Rear power windows ..............2-47
10-4