
The GCWR equals the combined weight of the
towing vehicle (including passengers and cargo)
plus the total trailer load. Towing loads greater
than these or using improper towing equipment
could adversely affect vehicle handling, braking
and performance.
The ability of your vehicle to tow a trailer is not
only related to the maximum trailer loads, but also
the places you plan to tow. Tow weights appro-
priate for level highway driving may have to be
reduced for low traction situations (for example,
on slippery boat ramps) .Temperature conditions can also affect towing.
For example, towing a heavy trailer in high outside
temperatures on graded roads can affect engine
performance and cause overheating. The engine
protection mode, which helps reduce the chance
of engine damage, could activate and automati-
cally decrease engine power. Vehicle speed may
decrease under high load. Plan your trip carefully
to account for trailer and vehicle load, weather
and road conditions.
WARNING
Overheating can result in reduced engine
power and vehicle speed. The reduced
speed may be lower than other traffic,
which could increase the chance of a col-
lision. Be especially careful when driving.
If the vehicle cannot maintain a safe driv-
ing speed, pull to the side of the road in a
safe area. Allow the engine to cool and
return to normal operation. For additional
information, refer to “If your vehicle over-
heats” in the “In case of emergency” sec-
tion of this manual.
CAUTION
Vehicle damage resulting from improper
towing procedures is not covered by
NISSAN warranties.
Tongue load
When using a weight carrying or a weight distrib-
uting hitch, keep the tongue load between 10 -
15% of the total trailer load or use the trailer
tongue load specified by the trailer manufacturer.
The tongue load must be within the maximum
tongue load limits shown in the following “Towing
Load/Specification” chart. If the tongue load be-
comes excessive, rearrange cargo to allow for
proper tongue load.
LTI0161WTI0160
Technical and consumer information9-27

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 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. Refer to “Automatic trans-
mission park warning light” in the “Instru-
ments and controls” section and “Using four
wheel drive (4WD)” in the “Starting and
driving” section.
7. Turn off the engine.
Technical and consumer information9-35

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 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.
9-36Technical and consumer information

●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, refer to
“Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section
in this manual.
FLAT TOWING FOR ALL–WHEEL
DRIVE VEHICLE (if so equipped)
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.
● Never flat tow your All-wheel drive
(AWD) vehicle.
● DO NOT tow your All-wheel drive (AWD)
vehicle with any wheels on the ground.
Doing so may cause serious and expen-
sive damage to the powertrain.
● For emergency towing procedures refer
to “Towing recommended by NISSAN”
in the “In case of emergency” section of
this manual.
FLAT TOWING FOR FRONT WHEEL
DRIVE VEHICLE (if so equipped)
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. ●
Never tow your front wheel drive vehicle
with the front tires on the ground. Doing
so may cause serious and expensive
damage to the powertrain.
● DO NOT tow your front wheel drive au-
tomatic transmission vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground (flat towing) .
Doing so WILL DAMAGE internal trans-
mission parts due to lack of transmis-
sion lubrication.
● For emergency towing procedures refer
to “Towing recommended by NISSAN”
in the “In case of emergency” section of
this manual.
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.
Technical and consumer information9-37

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 sec-
onds 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.
EVENT DATA RECORDERS (EDR)
Technical and consumer information9-41

10 Index
4WDwarninglight...............2-17A
Active brake limited slip (ABLS) system . . .5-36
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) .....................1-70
Air bag system Front (See supplemental front impact air bag
system) ...................1-77
Airbagwarninglabels.............1-84
Airbagwarninglight...........1-85,2-20
Air bag warning light, supplemental . .1-85, 2-20
Air cleaner housing filter ............8-21
Air conditioner Air conditioner operation ..........4-24
Air conditioner service ...........4-34
Air conditioner specification label .....9-14
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations .............9-8
Heater and air conditioner
controls............4-15,4-21,4-32
Servicing air conditioner ..........4-34
Airflowcharts..............4-18,4-25
Alarm system (See vehicle security system). .2-24
Anchor point locations .............1-31
Antenna .....................4-71
Anti-lock brake warning light ..........2-15
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ........5-35
Apps .......................4-71
Audible reminders ...............2-24
Audio system ..................4-34 AMradioreception.............4-35
Bluetooth®audio..............4-67
Compact disc (CD) player . .4-44, 4-49, 4-56
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
player ....................4-42
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc (CD)
player.................4-46,4-51
FMradioreception.............4-34
iPod® Player
.............4-61,4-63
iPod® player operation .......4-61,4-63
Radio ....................4-34
Steering wheel audio control switch . . .4-69
USB interface ............4-57,4-59
USB (Universal Serial Bus) Connection
Port..................4-57,4-59
Autolight switch .................2-29
Automatic Automatic power window switch .....2-50
Automatic transmission position indicator
light .....................2-20
Driving with automatic transmission ....5-13
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror .......3-15
Automatic door locks ..............3-5
AUXjack.................4-45,4-57
B
Backbutton....................4-7
Battery ..................5-41,8-17
Chargewarninglight............2-16
Battery replacement Keyfob ...................8-30 Before starting the engine
...........5-12
Belt (See drive belt) ..............8-20
Block heater Engine ....................5-42
Bluetooth® audio ................4-67
Bluetooth® hands-free phone
system...............4-73,4-87,4-97
Boosterseats..................1-65
Brake Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ......5-35
Brake fluid ..................8-15
Brakelight(Seestoplight).........8-33
Brake system ................5-34
Brakewarninglight.............2-16
Brakewearindicators........2-24,8-25
Parking brake operation ..........5-20
Self-adjusting brakes ............8-25
Brake fluid ....................8-15
Brakes ......................8-25
Brake system ..................5-34
Break-inschedule ...............5-22
Brightness/contrast button ...........4-9
Brightness control Instrument panel ..............2-31
Bulb check/instrument panel ..........2-15
Bulbreplacement................8-33
C
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants..9-2
Cargolightswitch ...............2-33
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-15

Car phone or CB radio.............4-72
CD care and cleaning ..............4-69
CD player (See audio system) . .4-44, 4-49, 4-56
Check tire press ..................2-5
Child restraints .......1-24,1-24,1-25,1-28
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for
CHildren) System ..............1-28
Precautions on child
restraints.........1-25,1-38,1-54,1-65
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-31
Child restraint with top tether strap .......1-30
Child safety rear door lock ............3-6
Chimes, audible reminders ...........2-24
Cleaningexteriorandinterior...........7-2
Clock.......................4-43 (models without navigation system) ....4-43
Clockset.....................4-43
Clock set/adjustment ........4-7,4-43,4-47
Clutch Clutch fluid ..................8-16
Clutch interlock (clutch start) switch ......2-37
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ..........9-13
Cold weather driving ...............5-41
Compact disc (CD) player ....4-44,4-49,4-56
Compass display .................2-10
Consolebox...................2-40
Control panel buttons ...............4-4
Backbutton..................4-7
Brightness/contrast button ..........4-9
Enterbutton..................4-4
Setting button .................4-7
With navigation system .........4-4,4-5
Controls Audiocontrols(steeringwheel).......4-69
Heater and air conditioner
controls.............4-15,4-21,4-32 Coolant
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changingenginecoolant..........8-10
Checking engine coolant level .......8-10
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Corrosion protection ...............7-5
Cruisecontrol..................5-21
Cupholders...................2-45
Curtainside-impactandrolloverairbag....1-82
D
Daytime running light system (Canada only) . .2-31
Defroster switch Rear window defroster switch .......2-28
Dimensionsandweights ............9-11
Dimmer switch for instrument panel ......2-31
Display controls (see control panel buttons) . .4-4
Door locks .....................3-3
Door open warning light .............2-17
Drive belt .....................8-20
Driving Cold weather driving .............5-41
Driving with automatic transmission ....5-13
Driving with manual transmission ......5-18
Precautions when starting and driving ....5-2
Driving the vehicle ................5-13
E
Economy - fuel ..................5-24
Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock)
system ......................5-31 Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock)
system switch
..................2-36
Emission control information label .......9-13
Emission control system warranty .......9-39
Engine Before starting the engine ..........5-12
Blockheater.................5-42
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changing engine coolant ..........8-10
Changingengineoil.............8-12
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-13
Checking engine coolant level .......8-10
Checking
engine oil level ..........8-11
Engine compartment check locations ....8-7
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Engine cooling system ............8-9
Engineoil...................8-11
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-7
Engineoilpressuregauge..........2-8
Engine oil pressure warning light ......2-17
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-7
Engine serial number ............9-13
Engine specifications .............9-9
Starting the engine .............5-12
Engine coolant temperature gauge .......2-6
Engine oil pressure gauge ............2-8
Enter button ....................4-4
Event data recorders ..............9-41
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .........5-2
Explanation of maintenance items ........8-2
Extended storage switch ............8-28
10-2

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 ..................8-15
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Clutchfluid..................8-16
Engine coolant .................8-9
Engine oil ...................8-11
Power steering fluid .............8-15
Windshield-washerfluid...........8-16
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ...........9-13
Foglightswitch .................2-32
Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system) ......1-77
Front power seat adjustment ...........1-4
Frontseats.....................1-2
Fuel Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Fuel economy ................5-24
Fuel-filler door and cap ...........3-11
Fuel gauge ...................2-7
Fuel octane rating ...............9-6
Fuel recommendation .............9-5
Loose fuel cap warning ........2-5,3-11
Fuel gauge .....................2-7
Fuses.......................8-25
Fusible links ...................8-27 G
Garage door opener, HomeLink® Universal
Transceiver ......2-54,2-55,2-56,2-57,2-58
Gascap .....................3-11
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
General maintenance ...............8-2
Glovebox.....................2-42
H
Hands-free phone system,
Bluetooth®.............4-73,4-87,4-97
Hazard warning flasher switch ..........6-2
Headlight and turn signal switch ........2-28
Headlight control switch ............2-28
Headlights ....................8-31
Head restraints ..................1-9
Heated seats ...................2-33
Heater Heater and air conditioner
controls.............4-15,4-21,4-32
Heater operation ........4-17,4-23,4-33
Hill descent control switch ...........2-35
Hill descent control system ...........5-39Hill start assist system
..............5-39
HomeLink® Universal
Transceiver......2-54,2-55,2-56,2-57,2-58
Hoodrelease...................3-10
Horn .......................2-33
I
Ignition switch ..................5-10
Immobilizer system .........2-25,3-2,5-12
Important vehicle information label .......9-13
In-cabin microfilter ................8-22
Increasing
fuel economy .............5-24
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders)....................2-14
Inside automatic anti-glare mirror ........3-15
Inside mirror ...................3-15
Instrument brightness control ..........2-31
Instrumentpanel...............0-6,2-2
Instrument panel dimmer switch ........2-31
Interior light ....................2-52
iPod®Player ............... 4-61, 4-63
ISOFIX child restraints .............1-28
J
Jumpseat .....................1-6
Jump starting ...............6-11,8-19
K
Key.........................3-2
10-3