2013 NISSAN XTERRA brake

Safety chains
Always use suitable safety chains between your
vehicle and the trailer. The safety chains should
be crossed and should be attached to the hitch,
not to the vehicle bumper or axle. Be sure to leave
enough slack in the chains to permit turning
corners.
Trailer lights
CAUTION
When splicing into the vehicle electrical
system, a commercially available power-
type module/converter must be used to
provide power for all trailer lighting. This
unit uses the vehicle battery as a direct
power source for all trailer lights while
using the vehicle tail light, stoplight and
turn signal circuits as a signal source. The
module/converter must draw no more
that 15 milliamps from the stop and tail
lamp circuits. Using a module/converter
that exceeds these power requirements
may damage the vehicle’s electrical sys-
tem. See a reputable trailer dealer to ob-
tain the proper equipment and to have it
installed.Trailer lights should comply with federal and/or
local regulations. For assistance in hooking up
trailer lights, contact a NISSAN dealer or repu-
table trailer dealer. Vehicles equipped with the
optional trailer tow package are equipped with a
7-pin trailer harness connector. A NISSAN 7–pin
tow harness kit is available from your dealer. If
your trailer is equipped with a flat 4-pin connec-
tor, an adapter will be needed to connect the
trailer lights to the vehicle. Adapters are available
at auto parts stores and hitch retailers.Trailer brakes
When towing a trailer load of 3,500 lbs.
(1,587 kg) or more, trailers with a brake
system MUST be used.
However, most states
require a separate braking system on trailers with
a loaded weight above a specific amount. Make
sure the trailer meets the local regulations and
the regulations where you plan to tow.
Several types of braking systems are available.
Surge Brakes -The surge brake actuator is
mounted on the trailer tongue with a hydraulic line
running to each trailer wheel. Surge brakes are
activated by the trailer pushing against the hitch
ball when the tow vehicle is braking. Hydraulic
surge brakes are common on rental trailers and
some boat trailers. In this type of system, there is
no hydraulic or electric connection for brake op-
eration between the tow vehicle and the trailer. 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.
Technical and consumer information9-25

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.
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.
9-26Technical and consumer information

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.
● 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.
● Downshift the transmission 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.
Technical and consumer information9-27

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.
Genuine NISSAN Service Manuals for this model
year and prior can be purchased. A genuine
NISSAN Service Manual is the best source of
service and repair information for your vehicle.
This manual is the same one used by the factory-
trained technicians working at NISSAN dealer-
ships. Genuine NISSAN Owner’s Manuals can
also be purchased.
For USA
For current pricing and availability of genuine
NISSAN Service Manuals, contact:
1-800-450-9491
www.nissan-techinfo.com
For current pricing and availability of genuine
NISSAN Owner’s Manuals, contact:
1-800-247-5321
For Canada
To purchase a copy of a genuine NISSAN Ser-
vice Manual or Owner’s Manual, for this model
year and prior, please contact your nearest
NISSAN dealer. For the phone number and loca-
tion of a NISSAN dealer in your area, call the
NISSAN Information Center at 1-800-387-0122
and a bilingual NISSAN representative will assist
you.
EVENT DATA RECORDERS (EDR)
OWNER’S MANUAL/SERVICE
MANUAL ORDER INFORMATION
9-32Technical and consumer information

10 Index
4WDwarninglight...............2-17A
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...........1-59,2-19
Air cleaner housing filter ............8-18
Air conditioner Air conditioner operation ......4-18,4-26
Air conditioner service ...........4-30
Air conditioner specification label .....9-12
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations .............9-7
Heater and air conditioner
controls................4-15,4-23
Servicing air conditioner ..........4-30
Airflowcharts..............4-19,4-27
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system) .........2-24
Anchor point locations .............1-30
Antenna.....................4-70
Anti-lock brake warning light ..........2-15
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ........5-33
Audible reminders ...............2-23
Audio system ..................4-30
Bluetooth®audio..........4-64,4-65 Compact disc (CD) player . .4-41, 4-46, 4-52
FM/AM radio with compact disc
(CD) player
.................4-40
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc
(CD) player ..............4-44,4-49
Audio System iPod®Player.............4-58,4-61
Audio system Radio ....................4-30
Steering wheel audio control switch . . .4-69
USB interface ............4-55,4-57
Autolight switch .................2-29
Automatic Automatic power window switch .....2-48
Automatic transmission position indicator
light .....................2-20
Driving with automatic transmission ....5-13
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror .......3-15
Automatic door locks ..............3-4
AUXjack.................4-47,4-54
B
Battery ......................8-14
Chargewarninglight............2-16
Before starting the engine ...........5-12
Belt (See drive belt) ..............8-17
Block heater Engine ....................5-39
Bluetooth®audio............4-64,4-65
Bluetooth® hands-free phone
system ..................4-71,4-85 Boosterseats..................1-40
Brake
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ......5-33
Brakefluid..................8-13
Brakelight(Seestoplight).........8-31
Brake system ................5-32
Brake warning light .............2-16
Brake wear indicators ........2-23,8-23
Parking brake operation ..........5-19
Self-adjusting brakes ............8-23
Brakes ......................8-23
Break-inschedule ...............5-21
Brightness/contrast button ...........4-9
Brightness control Instrument panel ..............2-31
Bulb check/instrument panel ..........2-15
Bulbreplacement................8-31
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants ...................9-2
Cargolight ...................2-50
Cargonet....................2-43
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-12
CarphoneorCBradio.............4-71
CDcareandcleaning .............4-69
CD player (See audio system) . .4-41, 4-46, 4-52
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, audible reminders ...........2-23
Cleaningexteriorandinterior...........7-2
Clock.......................4-40
Clutch Clutchfluid..................8-13
Clutchinterlock(clutchstart)switch......2-35
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ..........9-11
Cold weather driving ..............5-38
Compact disc (CD) player ....4-41,4-46,4-52
Compass display ................2-10
Console box ...................2-38
Controlpanelbuttons...............4-2 Brightness/contrast button ..........4-9
Enterbutton..................4-2
Setting button .................4-5
Controls Audiocontrols(steeringwheel).......4-69
Heater and air conditioner
controls ................4-15,4-23
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...................2-40
Curtain side-impact and rollover air bag ....1-56D
Daytime running light system (Canada only) . .2-30
Defroster switch Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch.....................2-28
Dimensionsandweights.............9-9
Dimmer switch for instrument panel ......2-31
Display controls (see control panel buttons) . .4-2
Door locks .....................3-3
Door open warning light .............2-16
Drive belt .....................8-17
Driving Cold weather driving ............5-38
Driving with automatic transmission ....5-13
Driving with manual transmission ......5-17
Precautions when starting and driving ....5-2
E
Economy - fuel ..................5-23
Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock)
system ......................5-29
Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock)
system switch ..................2-34
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
Engine oil ...................8-9
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-6
Engine oil pressure warning light ......2-17
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-6
Engine serial

number ............9-10
Engine specifications .............9-8
Starting the engine .............5-12
Engine oil pressure gauge ............2-8
Enterbutton....................4-2
Eventdatarecorders ..............9-32
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .........5-2
Extended storage switch ............8-26
F
First aid kit .....................6-2
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch) .......6-2
Flat tire .......................6-3
Floor mat positioning aid .............7-5
Fluid Brake fluid ..................8-13
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 ...........8-14
10-2

LightAirbagwarninglight.........1-59,2-19
Brakelight(Seestoplight).........8-31
Bulb check/instrument panel ........2-15
Bulb replacement ..............8-31
Chargewarninglight ............2-16
Foglightswitch ...............2-31
Headlight and turn signal switch ......2-28
Headlightcontrolswitch ..........2-28
Headlights..................8-29
Interiorlight..................2-49
Lightbulbs..................8-29
Low tire pressure warning light .......2-17
Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light......................2-19
Offroadlampsswitch............2-32
Passenger air bag and status light .....1-53
Security indicator light ............2-22
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ...................2-14
Lights Maplights ..................2-50
Lock Child safety rear door lock ..........3-5
Door locks ...................3-3
Power door locks ...............3-4
Loose fuel cap warning ..........2-5,3-10
Lowfuelwarninglight..............2-17
Low tire pressure warning light .........2-17
Low windshield-washer fluid warning light . . .2-19
Luggage hook ..................2-41
Luggage rack (see roof rack) ..........2-44
Luggage (See vehicle loading information) . .9-12
Luggage storage
(seevehicleloadinginformation)........2-41 M
Maintenance Generalmaintenance.............8-2
Insidethevehicle...............8-3
Maintenance precautions ...........8-5
Outside the vehicle ..............8-2
Seatbeltmaintenance............1-23
Underthehoodandvehicle .........8-4
Malfunction indicator light ............2-21
Manual front seat adjustment ...........1-2
Maplights ....................2-50
Map pocket ....................2-39
Meters and gauges ................2-3
Instrument brightness control ........2-31
Mirror Automatic anti-glare inside mirror ......3-15
Inside mirror .................3-14
Outside mirrors ...............3-15
Vanity mirror .................3-14
Multi-remote control system
(See remote keyless entry system) ........3-5
N
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system ................2-25,3-2,5-11
NISSAN voice recognition system .......4-95
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating) ......9-5
Odometer .....................2-4
Offroadlampsswitch..............2-32 Oil
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changingengineoil.............8-10
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-11
Checking engine oil level ...........8-9
Engine oil ...................8-9
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-6
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-6
Outside mirrors .................3-15
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

-71,4-85
Power Power door locks ...............3-4
Power outlet .................2-36
Power rear windows .............2-48
Power steering fluid .............8-12
Power steering system ...........5-32
Power windows ...............2-47
Rear power windows ............2-48
Precautions Maintenanceprecautions...........8-5
10-4

On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions..................5-5
Precautions on child
restraints .........1-26,1-32,1-37,1-40
Precautionsonseatbeltusage.......1-13
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ....................1-44
Precautions when starting and driving ....5-2
Pre-tensioner seat belt system .........1-57
Programmable features ..............4-5
Push starting ...................6-11
R
Radio Car phone or CB radio ...........4-71
FM/AM radio with compact disc
(CD) player ..................4-40
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc
(CD) player ..............4-44,4-49
Steering wheel audio control switch ....4-69
Readiness for inspection maintenance
(I/M) test .....................9-31
Rearcenterseatbelt ..............1-19
Rear power windows ..............2-48
RearViewMonitor.................4-9
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch .......................2-28
Rear window wiper and washer switches . . .2-27
Recorders Eventdata..................9-32
Refrigerant recommendation ...........9-7
Registering your vehicle in another country . .9-10
Remote keyless entry system ...........3-5
Reporting safety defects (US only) .......9-30Roof rack
.....................2-44
S
Safety Child safety rear door lock ..........3-5
Child seat belts .....1-26,1-32,1-37,1-40
Reporting safety defects (US only) .....9-30
Seat adjustment Frontmanualseatadjustment ........1-2
Seatback pockets ................2-39
Seat belt Childsafety..................1-24
Infants and small children ..........1-25
Injured Person ................1-16
Largerchildren................1-25
Precautions on seat belt usage .......1-13
Pregnant women ...............1-16
Pre-tensioner seat belt system .......1-57
Rear center seat belt ............1-19
Seatbeltextenders .............1-23
Seatbeltmaintenance............1-23
Seatbelts...................1-13
Shoulder belt height adjustment ......1-22
Three-point type with retractor .......1-16
Seat belt warning light ..............2-19
Seats Adjustment ...................1-2
Frontseats...................1-2
Manual front seat adjustment .........1-2
Security indicator light ..............2-22
Security system (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system) , engine start ........2-25,3-2,5-11
Self-adjusting brakes ..............8-23
Service manual order form ...........9-32Servicing air conditioner
.............4-30
Setting button ...................4-5
Shifting Automatic transmission ...........5-14
Manual transmission .............5-18
Shiftlockrelease.................5-16
Shoulder belt height adjustment ........1-22
Side air bag system (See supplemental side air
bag, curtain and rollover air bag systems) . . .1-56
Spark plug replacement .............8-18
Speedometer ...................2-4
SRSwarninglabel................1-58
Starting Before starting the engine ..........5-12
Jump starting .................
6
-9
Precautions when starting and driving ....5-2
Push starting .................6-11
Starting the engine .............5-12
Steering Power steering fluid .............8-12
Power steering system ...........5-32
Tilting steering wheel ............3-12
Steering wheel audio control switch ......4-69
Stoplight.....................8-31
Storage......................2-37
Storagebin....................2-41
Storage tray ...................2-37
Sunglasses case .................2-38
Sun visors ....................3-12
Supplemental air bag warning labels ......1-58
Supplemental air bag warning light . . .1-59, 2-19
Supplemental front impact air bag system . . .1-51
Supplemental restraint system Information and warning labels .......1-58
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ....................1-44
10-5