2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER HYBRID brakes

If you wax the surface of the hood, be careful not
to let wax get into the windshield-washer nozzle
A. This may cause clogging or improper
windshield-washer operation. If wax gets into the
nozzle, remove it with a needle or small pin
B.
Rear window wiper blade
Contact a NISSAN dealer if checking or replace-
ment is required.If the brakes do not operate properly, have the
brakes checked by a NISSAN dealer.Self-adjusting brakes
Your vehicle is equipped with self-adjusting
brakes.
The front and rear disc-type brakes self-adjust
every time the brake pedal is applied.
WARNING
See a NISSAN dealer for a brake system
check if the brake pedal height does not
return to normal.
Brake pad wear indicators
The disc brake pads on your vehicle have audible
wear indicators. When a brake pad requires re-
placement, a high pitched scraping or screech-
ing sound will be heard when the vehicle is in
motion. The noise will be heard whether or not the
brake pedal is depressed. Have the brakes
checked as soon as possible if the wear indicator
sound is heard.
Under some driving or climate conditions, occa-
sional brake squeak, squeal or other noise may
be heard. Occasional brake noise during light to
moderate stops is normal and does not affect the
function or performance of the brake system.
WDI0570
BRAKES
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-21

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).
Tire pressures
●When towing a trailer, inflate the ve-
hicle tires to the recommended cold
tire pressure indicated on the tire
placard.
●Trailer tire condition, size, load rating
and proper inflation pressure should
be in accordance with the trailer and
tire manufacturer’s specifications.
9-22
Technical and consumer information

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. 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/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 system.
See a reputable trailer retailer 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 repu-
table trailer retailer. Vehicles equipped with the
optional trailer tow package are equipped with a
7-pin trailer harness connector. If your trailer is
equipped with a flat 4-pin connector, 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, 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.
Technical and consumer information9-23

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.2. Locate the jumper harness connector under
the lower portion of the instrument panel.
The connector is taped to the wiring harness
1as indicated.
●The connector is marked with a white tag
with “elec brake conn”.
Jumper Harness
LTI0117
Connector Location
LTI2045
Connector
LTI2046
9-24Technical and consumer information

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. 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.
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.
9-26Technical and consumer information

●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.
●Use the Tow Mode or downshift the trans-
mission 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.
●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
the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” sec-
tion in this manual.
Tow mode
Using tow mode is recommended when pulling a
heavy trailer or hauling a heavy load. Press the
TOW MODE switch to activate tow mode. The
indicator light on the TOW MODE switch illumi-
nates when tow mode is selected. Press the
TOW MODE switch again to turn tow mode off.
Tow mode is automatically cancelled when the
ignition switch is turned OFF.
Tow mode includes the following features:
●Grade logic — Adjusts transmission shifts
when pulling a trailer or hauling a load up a
grade.●Downhill Speed Control (DSC) — automati-
cally downshifts when driving down a grade
with a trailer or heavy load to help control
vehicle speed.
Driving the vehicle in the tow mode with no
trailer/load or light trailer/light load will not cause
any damage. However, fuel economy may be
reduced and the transmission/engine driving
characteristics may feel unusual.
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
the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” sec-
tion in this manual.FLAT TOWING
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.
Technical and consumer information9-27

10 Index
2nd row bench seat adjustment......1-6,1-8
A
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) .....................1-47
Air bag system
Front (See supplemental front impact
air bag system)...............1-54
Airbagwarninglabels.............1-64
Airbagwarninglight...........1-65,2-15
Air bag warning light, supplemental . .1-65, 2-15
Air cleaner housing filter............8-19
Air conditioner
Air conditioner service...........4-47
Air conditioner specification label.....9-12
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations.............9-7
Heater and air conditioner controls....4-43
Servicing air conditioner..........4-47
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system).........2-31
Anchor point locations.............1-30
Antenna.....................4-95
Anti-lock brake warning light..........2-10
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)........5-41
Armrests .....................1-9
Around View™ Monitor.............4-28
Audible reminders...............2-18
Audio system..................4-47
Bluetooth®audio..............4-90
Compact disc (CD) player.....4-67,4-74Audio System
Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) Player
Operation..................4-76
Audio system
FM/AM/SAT radio with CD/DVD player . .4-70
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc (CD)
player ....................4-63
Audio System
iPod® Player.............4-84,4-86
iPod® player operation.......4-84,4-86
Audio system
Radio ....................4-47
Steering wheel audio control switch . . .4-94
USB interface............4-79,4-80
Autolight switch.................2-37
Automatic
Automatic drive positioner.........3-36
Automatic power window switch.....2-57
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror.......3-33
Automatic door locks..............3-6
Automatic drive positioner...........3-36
B
Battery......................8-16
Chargewarninglight............2-11
Battery replacement
Keyfob ...................8-24
Before starting the engine...........5-13
Belt (See drive belt)..............8-17
Block heater
Engine....................5-49Bluetooth® audio................4-90
Bluetooth® hands-free phone
system.................4-109, 4-124
Boosterseats..................1-44
Brake
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)......5-41
Brake fluid..................8-14
Brakelight(Seestoplight).........8-27
Brake system................5-40
Brakewearindicators........2-18,8-21
Parking brake operation..........5-18
Self-adjusting brakes............8-21
Brake fluid....................8-14
Brakes......................8-21
Brake system..................5-40
Break-inschedule ...............5-33
Brightness/contrast button........4-9,4-18
Brightness control
Instrument panel..............2-39
Bulb check/instrument panel..........2-10
Bulbreplacement................8-27
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...................9-2
Cargolight ...................2-62
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-13
Car phone or CB radio............4-108
CDcareandcleaning .............4-93
CD player (See audio system).....4-67,4-74
Check tire pressure...............2-30

P
Parking
Parking brake operation...........5-18
Parking/parking on hills...........5-39
Phone, Bluetooth® hands-free
system.................4-109, 4-124
Power
Front seat adjustment.............1-4
Power door locks...............3-6
Power outlet..............2-46,2-48
Power rear windows.............2-56
Power steering fluid.............8-14
Power steering system...........5-40
Power windows...............2-55
Rear power windows............2-56
Power inverter switch..............2-45
Power meter....................2-6
Power outlet................2-46,2-48
Power steering..................5-40
Power steering fluid...............8-14
Precautions
Maintenance precautions...........8-5
On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions ..................5-6
Precautions on booster
seats...........1-25,1-32,1-39,1-44
Precautions on child
restraints.........1-25,1-32,1-39,1-44
Precautionsonseatbeltusage.......1-16
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ....................1-47
Precautions when starting and driving....5-2
Pre-tensioner seat belt system.........1-63
Push starting...................6-13R
Radio
Car phone or CB radio...........4-108
FM/AM/SAT radio with CD/DVD player . .4-70
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc (CD)
player.....................4-63
Steering wheel audio control switch....4-94
Readiness for inspection maintenance
(I/M) test.....................9-30
Rear power windows..............2-56
Rear sonar system................5-47
RearView Monitor................4-21
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch.......................2-36
Rear window wiper and washer switches . . .2-35
Recorders
Eventdata..................9-31
Refrigerant recommendation...........9-7
Registering your vehicle in another country . .9-10
Remote Start...............3-20,5-14
Reporting safety defects (US only).......9-29
Roof rack.....................2-54
S
Safety
Child safety rear door lock..........3-7
Child seat belts.....1-25,1-32,1-39,1-44
Reporting safety defects (US only).....9-29
Seat adjustment
Frontmanualseatadjustment ........1-2
Front power seat adjustment.........1-4
Second row bench seats........1-6,1-8Seatbackpockets................2-49
Seat belt
Child safety..................1-23
Infants and small children..........1-24
Injured Person................1-19
Largerchildren................1-24
Precautions on seat belt usage.......1-16
Pregnant women...............1-19
Pre-tensioner seat belt system.......1-63
Seatbeltextenders .............1-22
Seatbeltmaintenance............1-23
Seatbelts...................1-16
Shoulder belt height adjustment......1-22
Three-point type with retractor.......1-19
Seat belt extenders...............1-22
Seatbeltwarninglight..........1-19,2-14
Seats
2nd row bench seat adjustment....1-6,1-8
Adjustment...................1-2
Armrests....................1-9
Automatic drive positioner..........3-36
Frontseats...................1-2
Heatedseats..........2-41, 2-42, 2-43
Manualfrontseatadjustment.........1-2
Security indicator light..............2-17
Security system (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system) , engine start........2-32,3-4,5-13
Security systems
Vehicle security system...........2-31
Self-adjusting brakes..............8-21
Service manual order form...........9-31
Servicing air conditioner.............4-47
Shoulder belt height adjustment........1-22
Sonar
Rear system.................5-47
Sparkplugreplacement.............8-18
10-5