2015 NISSAN XTERRA Owners Manual

Steps for determining correct load
limit
1. Locate the statement “The combinedweight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed XXX lbs or XXX
kg” on your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be
riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX lbs
or XXX kg.
4. The resulting figure equals the avail- able amount of cargo and luggage
load capacity. For example, if the
XXX amount equals 1,400 lbs. and
there will be five 150 lb. passengers
in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capac-
ity is 650 lbs. (1,400-750 (5 X 150)
= 650 lbs) or (640-340 (5 X 70) =
300 kg.)
Example
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5. Determine the combined weight ofluggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo and
luggage load capacity calculated in
Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be trans-
ferred to your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this re-
duces the available cargo and lug-
gage load capacity of your vehicle.
Before driving a loaded vehicle, confirm
that you do not exceed the GVWR or the
GAWR for your vehicle. Refer to “Mea-
surement of weights” in this section.
Also check tires for proper inflation pres-
sures. Refer to the “Tire and Loading In-
formation label” in the Maintenance and
do-it-yourself” section of this manual.
SECURING THE LOAD
There are tie-down hooks located in both the
ceiling and floor of the cargo area as shown. The
tie-down hooks can be used to secure cargo with
ropes or other types of straps. Refer to “Channel
tie-down hooks” in this section.
Do not apply a total load of more than
110 lbs. (490 N) to a single metal ceiling
tie-down hook when securing cargo.
Do not apply a total load of more than
110 lbs. (490 N) to a single plastic floor
tie-down hook when securing cargo.WARNING
● Properly secure all cargo with ropes or
straps to help prevent it from sliding or
shifting. Do not place cargo higher than
the seatbacks. In a sudden stop or col-
lision, unsecured cargo could cause
personal injury.
Cargo area ceiling tie-down hooks
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Adjustable cargo area floor tie-down hooks
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●The child restraint top tether strap may
be damaged by contact with items in
the cargo area. Secure any items in the
cargo area. Your child could be seri-
ously injured or killed in a collision if
the top tether strap is damaged.
● Do not load your vehicle any heavier
than the GVWR or the maximum front
and rear GAWRs. If you do, parts of your
vehicle can break, tire damage could
occur, or it can change the way your
vehicle handles. This could result in loss
of control and cause personal injury.
CHANNEL TIE-DOWN HOOKS (if so
equipped)
WARNING
● Properly install and tighten the tie-
down hooks into the channel system.
Also, do not install any rope or straps
directly to the channel. Failure to prop-
erly install the tie-down hooks or in-
stalling ropes or straps directly to the
channel can cause the cargo to become
unsecured. In a sudden stop or colli-
sion, unsecured cargo could cause per-
sonal injury. ●
Properly secure all cargo with ropes or
straps to help prevent it from sliding or
shifting. In a sudden stop or collision,
unsecured cargo could cause personal
injury.
The adjustable channel tie-down hook system
allows you to move tie-down hooks in the cargo
area to the best location to secure a load.
The tie-down hooks must be installed so the hook
is properly fixed to the channel. If the tie-down
hook is not fixed to the channel it cannot be
properly tightened.
Check the tightness of the tie-down hooks peri-
odically during a trip to make sure they have not
become loose.
Install the tie-down hooks as follows: 1. Assemble 4 hook loops
Ato 4 hook plates
Bby screwing the hook plate onto the hook
(5 revolutions) .
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2. Insert (at any position) 2 channel tie-downhooks
Ainto the channel openingBof
each channel and slide to the desired posi-
tion. 3. Hand tighten each hook until it is securely
fixed to the channel.
4. To reposition the channel tie-down hook un- screw the hook loop from the hook plate (2
revolutions) , move to a new location, and
retighten.
LOADING TIPS
●The GVW must not exceed GVWR
or GAWR as specified on the
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification
label.
ACorrect,BIncorrect
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●Do not load the front and rear axle to
the GAWR. Doing so will exceed the
GVWR.
WARNING
● Properly secure all cargo with
ropes or straps to help prevent it
from sliding or shifting. Do not
place cargo higher than the seat-
backs. In a sudden stop or colli-
sion, unsecured cargo could
cause personal injury. ●
Do not load your vehicle any
heavier than the GVWR or the
maximum front and rear GAWRs.
If you do, parts of your vehicle can
break, tire damage could occur,
or it can change the way your
vehicle handles. This could result
in loss of control and cause per-
sonal injury.
● Overloading not only can shorten
the life of your vehicle and the
tire, but can also cause unsafe
vehicle handling and longer brak-
ing distances. This may cause a
premature tire failure which
could result in a serious accident
and personal injury. Failures
caused by overloading are not
covered by the vehicle’s warranty.
MEASUREMENT OF WEIGHTS
Secure loose items to prevent weight
shifts that could affect the balance of your
vehicle. When the vehicle is loaded, drive
to a scale and weigh the front and the rear
wheels separately to determine axle
loads. Individual axle loads should not ex-
ceed either of the GAWR. The total of the
axle loads should not exceed the GVWR.
These ratings are given on the vehicle
certification label. If weight ratings are
exceeded, move or remove items to bring
all weights below the ratings.
ACorrect,BIncorrect
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WARNING
Overloading or improper loading of a
trailer and its cargo can adversely affect
vehicle handling, braking and perfor-
mance and may lead to accidents.
CAUTION
●Do not tow a trailer or haul a heavy load
for the first 500 miles (805 km) . Your
engine, axle or other parts could be
damaged.
● For the first 500 miles (805 km) that you
tow a trailer, do not drive over 50 mph
(80 km/h) and do not make starts at full
throttle. This helps the engine and other
parts of your vehicle wear in at the
heavier load.
Your new vehicle was designed to be used pri-
marily to carry passengers and cargo. Remember
that towing a trailer places additional loads on
your vehicle’s engine, drive train, steering, brak-
ing and other systems.
A NISSAN Towing Guide (U.S. only) is available
on the website at www.nissanusa.com. This
guide includes information on trailer towing ca-
pability and the special equipment required for
proper towing.
MAXIMUM LOAD LIMITS
Maximum trailer loads
Never allow the total trailer load to exceed the
value specified in the “Towing
Load/Specification” chart found in this section.
The total trailer load equals trailer weight plus its
cargo weight. ● When towing a trailer load of 3,500 lbs.
(1,587 kg) or more, trailers with a brake
system MUST be used.
The maximum GCWR should not exceed the
value specified in the following “Towing
Load/Specification” chart. 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) .
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TOWING A TRAILER
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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. Refer to “If
your vehicle overheats” in the “In case of
emergency” section 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 percent of the total trailer load or use the
trailer tongue load specified by the trailer manu-
facturer. The tongue load must be within the
maximum tongue load limits shown in the follow-
ing “Towing Load/Specification” chart. If the
tongue load becomes excessive, rearrange cargo
to allow for proper tongue load.
Maximum Gross Vehicle Weight
(GVW)/maximum Gross Axle Weight
(GAW)
The GVW of the towing vehicle must not exceed
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
shown on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification
label. The GVW equals the combined weight of
the unloaded vehicle, passengers, luggage,
hitch, trailer tongue load and any other optional
equipment. In addition, front or rear GAW must
not exceed the (GAWR) shown on the
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label.
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Towing capacities are calculated assuming a
base vehicle with driver and any options required
to achieve the rating. Additional passengers,
cargo and/or optional equipment, such as the
trailer hitch, will add weight to the vehicle and
reduce your vehicle’s maximum towing capacity
and trailer tongue load.
The vehicle and trailer need to be weighed to
confirm the vehicle is within the GVWR, Front
GAWR, Rear GAWR, Gross Combined Weight
Rating (GCWR) and Towing capacity.
All vehicle and trailer weights can be measured
using platform type scales commonly found at
truck stops, highway weigh stations, building
supply centers or salvage yards.
To determine the available payload capacity for
tongue load, use the following procedure.1. Locate the GVWR on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label.
2. Weigh your vehicle on the scale with all of the passengers and cargo that are normally
in the vehicle when towing a trailer.
3. Subtract the actual vehicle weight from the GVWR. The remaining amount is the avail-
able maximum tongue load. To determine the available towing capacity, use
the following procedure.
1. Find the GCWR for your vehicle on the “Towing Load/Specification” chart found in
this section.
2. Subtract the actual vehicle weight from the GCWR. The remaining amount is the avail-
able maximum towing capacity.
To determine the Gross Trailer Weight, weigh
your trailer on a scale with all equipment and
cargo, that are normally in the trailer when it is
towed. Make sure the Gross trailer weight is not
more than the Gross Trailer Weight Rating shown
on the trailer and is not more than the calculated
available maximum towing capacity.
Also weigh the front and rear axles on the scale to
make sure the Front Gross Axle Weight and Rear
Gross Axle Weight are not more than Front
Gross Axle Weight and Rear Gross Axle Weight
on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label.
The cargo in the trailer and vehicle may need to
be moved or removed to meet the specified rat-
ings.
Example: ● Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) as weighed
on a scale - including passengers, cargo and
hitch - 4,900 lb. (2,222 kg). ●
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) from
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label -
5,400 lb. (2,449 kg).
● Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)
from “Towing Load/Specification” chart -
9,658 lb. (4,380 kg).
● Maximum Trailer towing capacity from “Tow-
ing Load/Specification” chart - 5,000 lb.
(2,268 kg).
5,400 lb. (2,449 kg) GVWR
– 4,900 lb. (2,222 kg) GVW
= 500 lb. (226 kg) Available for tongue weight
9,658 lb. (4,380 kg) GCWR
– 4,900 lb. (2,222 kg) GVW
= 4,758 lb. (2,158 kg) Capacity available for towing
500 lb. (226 kg) Available tongue weight
/ 4,758 lb. (2,158 kg) Available capacity
= 10 % tongue weight
The available towing capacity may be less than
the maximum towing capacity due to the passen-
ger and cargo load in the vehicle.
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