8-36Maintenance and do-it-yourself
match the potential maximum vehicle speed.
Never exceed the maximum speed rating of the
tire.
If you install snow tires, they must be the same
size, brand, construction and tread pattern on all
four wheels.
For additional traction on icy roads, studded
tires may be used. However, some U.S. states
and Canadian provinces prohibit their use.
Check local, state and provincial laws before
installing studded tires. Skid and traction cap-
abilities of studded snow tires, on wet or dry
surfaces, may be poorer than that of non-
studded snow tires.
TIRE CHAINS
CAUTION
.NISSAN recommends using the fol-
lowing tire cables made by Peerless
Chain Company on P235/55R18 size
tire due to limited tire clearance.
Call 800-533-8056 to order tire
chains for your vehicle.
— P235/55R18 - Peerless Chain
part number SC1040
Failure to use the correct traction
device will cause damage to the brakes, suspension or other vehicle
parts. Or, you should install
P225/65R16 size tire on your vehi-
cle.
. Only certain SAE class “S” tire
chains can be used on this vehicle.
Using the wrong Class “S” chains
on this vehicle will cause damage to
the vehicle. If you plan to use tire
chains/cables, you should use a tire
chain that meets the minimum
clearances for your vehicle.
Use of tire chains may be prohibited according
to location. Check the local laws before instal-
ling tire chains. When installing tire chains, make
sure they are the proper size for the tires on your
vehicle and are installed according to the chain
manufacturer’s suggestions.
For 18-inch size tire, the tire chain part number
and Peerless Chain Company phone number
are correct at the time of printing that is shown
on the back cover of this Owner’s Manual.
Always confirm the correct part numbers with
Peerless Chain Company before ordering. Only
use other types of traction devices if the traction
device manufacturer recommends it for use on
your specific vehicle and the tire and wheel
installed on your vehicle.
JVM0340X16-inch size tire
For 16-inch size tire, use a tire chain that is
designed to provide the specified space
*Abetween the installed tire chain*1and where
the tire meets the rim
*2as shown on the chart.
Wheel size Minimum space required
16 in 1.8 in (44 mm)
A tire chain that provides the specified amount
of space will provide the necessary clearance
between the tire and the closest vehicle
suspension or body component. The minimum
clearances are determined using the factory-
equipped tires. Other types may damage your
vehicle. Use chain tensioners when recom-
mended by the tire chain manufacturer to ensure
Always verify that available capacities are within
the required ratings.TOWING LOAD/SPECIFICATION
TOWING LOAD/SPECIFICATION CHARTUnit: lb (kg)
MODEL VQ35DE
WEIGHT CVT
MAXIMUM TRAILER WEIGHT*1 3,500 (1,588)
MAXIMUM TONGUE LOAD 350 (159)
GROSS COMBINED WEIGHT RATING 8,500 (3,856)
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT*2 Sway Control Device (SCD)
1: All towing above 1,000 lb (454 kg) requires the use of trailer brakes. NISSAN recommends the use of a tandem axle trailer whenever towing above 3,000 lb (1,361 kg) .
2: A sway control device is recommended for all towing above 2,000 lb (907 kg) . Sway control devices are not offered by NISSAN. See a professional trailer/hitch outlet for a properly designed sway control device for
your trailer.
Technical and consumer information9-19
is removed, seal the bolt holes to
prevent exhaust fumes, water or
dust from entering the passenger
compartment.
. Regularly check that all trailer hitch
mounting bolts are securely
mounted.
Tire pressures
.When towing a trailer, inflate the vehicle
tires to the recommended cold tire
pressure indicated on the Tire and
Loading Information label.
.Trailer tire condition, size, load rating
and proper inflation pressure should be
in accordance with the trailer and tire
manufacturers’ specifications.
Safety chains
Always use a suitable chain 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. The safety
chains can be attached to the bumper if the
hitch ball is mounted to the bumper. 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/con-
verter must draw no more than 15
milliamps from the stop and tail lamp
circuits. Using a module/converter that
exceeds these power requirements may
damage the vehicle’s electrical system.
See a reputable trailer dealer to obtain
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
reputable trailer dealer.
Trailer brakes
If your trailer is equipped with a braking system,
make sure it conforms to federal and/or local
regulations and that it is properly installed.
WARNING
Never connect a trailer brake system
directly to the vehicle brake system.
Pre-towing tips
. Be certain your vehicle maintains a level
position when a loaded 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.
Technical and consumer information9-21
.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
vehicle handling. If swaying does occur,
firmly grip the steering wheel, steer straight
ahead, and immediately (but gradually)
reduce vehicle speed. This combination will
help stabilize the vehicle. Never increase
speed.
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
vehicle.
.Do not correct trailer sway by steering orapplying 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 balanced as described earlier in this section.
. Be careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires
considerably more distance than normal
passing. Remember the length of the trailer
must also pass the other vehicle before you
can safely change lanes.
. Down shift 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.
. Do not use cruise control 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
connections, and trailer wheel lug nuts after
50 miles (80 km) of travel and at every
break.
. When stopped in traffic for long periods of
time in hot weather, put the vehicle in the P
(Park) position.
. When launching a boat, don’t allow the
water 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, the transmission
fluid should be changed more frequently.
For additional information, see the “8.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section
earlier in this manual.
Technical and consumer information9-23