
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).
Class IV hitch
Class IV trailer hitch equipment (receiver, ball
mount and hitch ball) can be used to tow trailers
of a maximum weight of 10,000 lb (4,535 kg). A
weight distributing hitch should be used to tow
trailers that weigh over 5,000 lb (2,268 kg).
Your vehicle may be equipped with Class IV
trailer hitch equipment that has a 10,000 lb
(4,535 kg) maximum weight rating, but your ve-
hicle is only capable of towing the maximum
trailer weights shown in the “Towing
Load/Specification” chart in this section.
9-24Technical and consumer information

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) . For additional information, refer
to “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.
Your vehicle is equipped with a connector and
jumper harness that is specifically designed to be
used when installing an aftermarket brake con-
troller.
To install the electric trailer brake controller jumper
harness, perform the following procedure:
1. Open the driver door. Move the seat to the rearmost position.
example
LTI0117
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 lever 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. For additional information,
refer to “Automatic transmission park warn-
ing light” in the “Instruments and controls” section and “Using four wheel drive (4WD)”
in the “Starting and driving” section of this
manual.
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 information9-29

Bulb replacement................8-33
C
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants . .9-2
Captain’s chair adjustment (2nd row) . . .1-6, 1-7
Cargolight....................2-64
Cargo(Seevehicleloadinginformation)....9-14
Car phone or CB radio .............4-108
CD care and cleaning ..............4-80
CD player (See audio system) ......4-53,4-59
Check tire pressure ...............2-28
Child restraints .......1-30,1-31,1-32,1-34
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for
CHildren) System ..............1-34
Precautions on child
restraints.........1-32,1-40,1-46,1-52
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-38
Child restraint with top tether strap .......1-37
Child safety rear door lock ............3-7
Chimes, audible reminders ...........2-20
Cleaningexteriorandinterior........7-2,7-4
Clock.......................4-50
Clock setting
(models with Navigation System) ........4-16
Clock setting
(models without Navigation System) .......4-8
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ..........9-12
Cold weather driving ...............5-37
Compact disc (CD) player ........4-53,4-59
Consolebox................2-46,2-51
Control panel buttons ..............4-10
Brightness/contrast button ......4-10,4-19
Enterbutton...............4-4,4-10
Without navigation system ..........4-4Controls
Audio controls (steering wheel) .......4-81
Heater and air conditioner controls .....4-29
Rear seat air conditioner ..........4-31
Coolant Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changingenginecoolant...........8-8
Checking engine coolant level ........8-8
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-5
Corrosion protection ...............7-5
Cruisecontrol ...........5-20,5-20,5-20
Cupholders...................2-49
Curtainside-impactandrolloverairbag....1-69
D
Daytime running light system (Canada only) . .2-36
Defroster switch Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch.....................2-34
Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) player .......4-63
Digital video disc DVD ..............4-83
Dimensionsandweights ............9-10
Dimmer switch for instrument panel ......2-37
Display......................2-21
Display controls
(seecontrolpanelbuttons) ........4-4,4-10
Door locks .....................3-5
Drive belt .....................8-17
Drive positioner, Automatic ........3-36,3-36
Driving Cold weather driving .............5-37
Driving with automatic transmission ....5-15
Precautions when starting and driving ....5-2Driving the vehicle
................5-14
E
Economy-fuel..................5-23
Emission control information label .......9-12
Emission control system warranty .......9-32
Engine Before starting the engine ..........5-13
Blockheater.................5-39
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-8
Changingengineoil.............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 .....2-5
Engine cooling system ............8-7
Engineoil ...................8-9
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-7
Engineoilpressuregauge..........2-7
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-8
Engine serial number ............9-12
Engine specifications .............9-9
Starting the engine .............5-13
Engine coolant temperature gauge .......2-5
Engine oil pressure gauge ............2-7
Engine oil pressure low/engine coolant
temperature high warning light .........2-15
Enter button .................4-4,4-10
Event Data recorders ..............9-34
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .........5-2
Explanation of maintenance items ........8-2
10-2

T
Tachometer ....................2-5
Temperature gauge Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-5
Engine oil pressure low/engine coolant
temperature high warning light .......2-15
Theft (NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System) ,
engine start .............2-30,3-4,5-12
Third row power folding seats .........1-12
Three-way catalyst ................5-2
Tilting steering wheel ..............3-30
Tire Flat tire ..................6-2,6-3
Spare tire ...................6-4
TireandLoadingInformationlabel.....9-13
Tire chains ..................8-44
Tirepressure.................8-37
Tire rotation..................8-44
Tires of 4-wheel drive ............8-46
Types of tires .................8-43
Uniform tire quality grading .........9-31
Wheels and tires ...............8-37
Wheel/tire size ................9-10
Tirepressure...................8-37 Low tire pressure warning light .......2-16
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ....5-3
Top tether strap child restraint .........1-37
Towing 2-wheel drive models ............6-14
4-wheel drive models ............6-14
Flattowing..................9-31
Towing load/specification ..........9-22
Towtrucktowing...............6-13
Trailer towing .................9-19 Towing a trailer
..................9-19
Tow mode switch ................2-44
Transceiver HomeLink® Universal
Transceiver .......2-64,2-65,2-66,2-67
Transmission Driving with automatic transmission ....5-15
Travel (See registering a vehicle in another
country) ......................9-11
Trip odometer ...................2-4
Turn signal switch ................2-37
U
Uniform tire quality grading ...........9-31
USB interface ...............4-66,4-67
Audio file operation ..........4-66,4-68
Video file operation .............4-70
V
Vanity mirror ...................3-32
Variable voltage control system .........8-17
Vehicle dimensions and weights ........9-10
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch . . .2-41
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) system .....5-33
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system ....5-33
Vehicle identification ...............9-11
Vehicle identification number (VIN) .......9-11
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
(Chassis number) ................9-11
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate ....9-11
Vehicle immobilizer system .....2-30,3-4,5-12
Vehicle Information Display ...........2-21Vehicle loading information
...........9-14
Vehicle recovery ................. 6-15
Vehicle security system .............2-29
Vehicle security system
(NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System) ,
enginestart .............2-30,3-4,5-12
Ventilators ....................4-28
Visors.......................3-32
Voice Prompt Interrupt ........4-112, 4-124
Voice recognition system ...........4-135
Voltmeter......................2-7
W
Warning 4WD warning light ..............2-15
Airbagwarninglight.........1-72,2-18
Anti-lock brake warning light ........2-13
Battery charge warning light ........2-15
Brake warning light .............2-14
Engine oil pressure low/engine coolant
temperature high warning light .......2-15
Hazard warning flasher switch ........6-2
Loose fuel cap warning ........2-28,3-28
Low fuel warning light .....2-16,2-17,2-27
Low tire pressure warning light .......2-16
Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light ..................2-17,2-27
Passenger air bag and status light .....1-64
Seat belt warning light ........1-23,2-18
Supplemental air bag warning
light ..................1-72,2-18
TPMS ......................2-4
Vehicle security system ...........2-29
10-7

Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders............2-12,2-13,2-18
Warning labels (for SRS) ..........1-72
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ..............2-12,2-13,2-18
Audible reminders .......2-12,2-13,2-18
Indicatorlights.........2-12,2-13,2-18
Warninglights.........2-12,2-13,2-18
Warninglights...........2-12,2-13,2-18
Washer switch Rear window wiper and washer
switches ...................2-33
Wiperandwasherswitch..........2-32
Weights(Seedimensionsandweights)....9-10
Wheels and tires .................8-37
Wheel/tire size ..................9-10
When traveling or registering in another
country ......................9-11
Windows .....................2-56
Locking passengers’ windows .......2-58
Manual vent windows ............2-60
Power rear windows .............2-58
Power vent windows .............2-59
Rear power windows ............2-58
Windshield-washerfluid.............8-14
Windshield wiper blades ............8-21
Wiper Rear window wiper and washer
switches ...................2-33
Wiperandwasherswitch..........2-32
Wiperblades.................8-21
Wiperandwasherswitch............2-32
10-8