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.
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 Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) shown on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S.
certification label.
WTI0160ATI1025
9-18Technical and consumer information
●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. 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”.
9-26Technical and consumer information
●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. ●
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.
Technical and consumer information9-27
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 FOR 4–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 4-wheel drive (4WD)
vehicle.
● DO NOT tow your 4-wheel drive (4WD)
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 con-
tinuously variable transmission vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground (flat
towing) . Doing so WILL DAMAGE inter-
nal transmission parts due to lack of
transmission lubrication.
● For emergency towing procedures refer
to “Towing recommended by NISSAN”
in the “In case of emergency” section of
this manual.
Continuously Variable Transmission
To tow a vehicle equipped with a continuously
variable transmission, an appropriate vehicle
dolly MUST be placed under the towed vehicle’s
drive wheels. Alwaysfollow the dolly manufac-
turer’s recommendations when using their prod-
uct.
9-28Technical and consumer information
You may contact Transport Canada’s De-
fect Investigations and Recalls Division
toll free at 1-800-333-0510. You may
also report safety defects online at:
https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/
7/PCDB-BDPP/fc-cp.aspx?lang=eng
(English speakers) or
https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/
7/PCDB-BDPP/fc-cp.aspx?lang=fra
(French speakers)
Additional information concerning motor
vehicle safety may be obtained from
Transport Canada’s Road Safety Informa-
tion Centre at 1-800-333-0371 or online
at www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety (English
speakers) or
www.tc.gc.ca/securiteroutiere (French
speakers) .
To notify NISSAN of any safety concerns
please contact our Consumer Information
Centre toll free at 1-800-387-0122.WARNING
A vehicle equipped with Four-Wheel Drive
(4WD) should never be tested using a two
wheel dynamometer (such as the dyna-
mometers used by some states for emis-
sions testing) , or similar equipment. Make
sure you inform the test facility personnel
that your vehicle is equipped with 4WD
before it is placed on a dynamometer.
Using the wrong test equipment may re-
sult in transmission damage or unex-
pected vehicle movement which could re-
sult in serious vehicle damage or personal
injury.
Due to legal requirements in some states and
Canadian Provinces, your vehicle may be re-
quired to be in what is called the “ready condi-
tion” for an Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of
the emission control system.
The vehicle is set to the “ready condition” when it
is driven through certain driving patterns. Usually,
the ready condition can be obtained by ordinary
usage of the vehicle. 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”. It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer to set the “ready condition” or to
prepare the vehicle for testing.
READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST
Technical and consumer information9-31
10 Index
2nd row bench seat adjustment......1-7,1-9
A
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) .....................1-49
Air bag system Front (See supplemental front impact
air bag system) ...............1-56
Airbagwarninglabels.............1-66
Airbagwarninglight...........1-67,2-14
Air bag warning light, supplemental . .1-67, 2-14
AirCleaner ...................8-19
Air cleaner housing filter ............8-19
Air conditioner Air conditioner specification label .....9-12
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations .............9-7
Air conditioner system refrigerant
recommendations ..............9-7
Heater and air conditioner
controls................4-44,4-50
Servicing air conditioner ..........4-55
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system) .........2-31
Anchor point locations .............1-32
Antenna ....................4-108
Antifreeze ....................5-53
Anti-lock brake warning light ..........2-11
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ........5-47
Armrests.....................1-10
Around View® Monitor .............4-30 Audible reminders
...............2-17
Audio system ..................4-55
AMradioreception.............4-56
Bluetooth®audio.............4-103
Bluetooth® streaming audio .......4-103
Compact Disc (CD) changer .......4-74
Compact disc (CD) player .....4-81,4-88
Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) Player
Operation ..................4-90
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
changer ...................4-71
FM/AM/SAT radio with CD/DVD player . .4-84
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc
(CD) player .................4-76
FMradioreception.............4-55
iPod® Player ............4-98,4-100
iPod® player operation ......4-98,4-100
Radio ....................4-55
Steering wheel audio control switch . . .4-107
USB interface ................4-94
USB (Universal Serial Bus) Connection
Port .....................4-94
Autolight switch .................2-37
Automatic Automatic drive positioner .........3-36
Automatic power window switch .....2-58
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror .......3-34
Automatic door locks ..............3-6
Automatic drive positioner ...........3-36
AUXjack ....................4-76 B
Battery ..................5-53, 8-15
Charge warning light ............2-11
Battery replacement ..............8-24
Keyfob ...................8-24
NISSAN Intelligent Key® ..........8-24
Before starting the engine ...........5-14
Belt (See drive belt) ..............8-17
Blind Spot Warning (BSW) warning
system......................5-20
Block heater Engine ....................5-54
Bluetooth® audio ...............4-103
Bluetooth® hands-free phone
system.................4- 121, 4-135
Boosterseats..................1-46
Brake Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ......5-47
Brake fluid ..................8-14
Brakelight(Seestoplight).........8-27
Brake system ................5-46
Brakewarninglight.............2-11
Brakewearindicators........2-17,8-21
Parking brake operation ..........5-19
Self-adjusting brakes ............8-21
Brake fluid ....................
8-14
Brakes ......................8-21
Brake system ..................5-46
Break-inschedule ...............5-39
Brightness/contrast button ........4-9,4-20
Brightness controlInstrument panel ...............2-39
Bulb check/instrument panel ..........2-10
Bulb replacement ................8-27
C
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants . .9-2
Cargoareastoragebin.............2-54
Cargolight....................2-63
Cargo(Seevehicleloadinginformation)....9-13
Car phone or CB radio .............4-121
CD care and cleaning .............4-106
CD changer (See audio system) ........4-74
CD player (See audio system) ......4-81,4-88
Check tire pressure ...............2-29
Child restraints .......1-25,1-26,1-27,1-29
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for
CHildren) System ..............1-29
Precautions on child
restraints.........1-27,1-34,1-40,1-46
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-32
Child restraint with top tether strap .......1-32
Child safety rear door lock ............3-7
Chimes, audible reminders ...........2-17
Cleaningexteriorandinterior........7-2,7-4
Clock set/adjustment ...........4-17,4-73
Clock setting
(models without Navigation System) ....4-4,4-8
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ..........9-11
Cold weather driving ...............5-53
Compact disc (CD) player ........4-81,4-88
Consolebox...................2-51 Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) . . .5-15
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid......................8-13
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) .............5-15
Control panel buttons ..............4-10
Brightness/contrast button ......4-9,4-20
Enterbutton...............4-4,4-10
Without navigation system ..........4-4
Controls Audio controls (steering wheel) ......4-107
Heater and air conditioner
controls................4-44,4-50
Coolant Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changingenginecoolant...........8-9
Checking engine coolant level ........8-9
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-5
Corrosion protection ...............7-6
Cruisecontrol ...........5-37,5-37,5-38
Cupholders...................2-52
D
Daytime Running Light System .........2-38
Defroster switch Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch.....................2-35
Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) player .......4-90
Dimensionsandweights.............9-9
Dimmer switch for instrument panel ......2-39
Display controls
(seecontrolpanelbuttons) ........4-4,4-10
Doors ........................3-5 Drive belt
.....................8-17
Drive positioner, Automatic ...........3-36
Driving Cold weather driving .............5-53
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) .............5-15
Precautions when starting and driving ....5-2
Driving the vehicle ................5-15
Dual head restraint DVD system .......4-109
Dual power moonroof ..............2-59
E
Economy-fuel..................5-40
Emergency engine shutoff .........5-12,6-2
Emission control information label .......9-11
Emission control system warranty .......9-30
Engine Before starting the engine ..........
5-14
Blockheater.................5-54
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-9
Changingengineoil.............8-11
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-12
Checking engine coolant level ........8-9
Checking engine oil level ..........8-10
Engine compartment check locations ....8-7
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-5
Engine cooling system ............8-8
Engineoil...................8-10
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-6
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-7
Engine serial number ............9-11
Engine specifications .............9-8
10-2
Starting the engine.............5-14
Engine coolant temperature gauge .......2-5
Enterbutton.................4-4,4-10
Event Data recorders ..............9-32
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .........5-2
Explanation of maintenance items ........8-2
Extendedstorageswitch ............2-49
Eyeglass case ..................2-52
F
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch) . .6-2
Flat tire .......................6-3
Floor mat positioning aid .............7-5
Fluid Brake fluid ..................8-14
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid......................8-13
Engine coolant .................8-8
Engine oil ...................8-10
Power steering fluid .............8-13
Windshield-washerfluid...........8-15
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ...........9-11
Foglightswitch .................2-40
Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system) ......1-56
Front power seat adjustment ...........1-5
Frontseats.....................1-2
Fuel Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Fuel economy ................5-40
Fuel-filler door and cap ...........3-29 Fuel gauge
...................2-6
Fuel octane rating ...............9-5
Fuel recommendation .............9-4
Loose fuel cap warning ...........2-30
Fuel Cell Vehicle (FCV) System Tirepressure.................8-29
Fuel-filler door ..................3-28
Fuelgauge.....................2-6
Fuses.......................8-22
Fusiblelinks ...................8-22
G
Garage door opener, HomeLink® Universal
Transceiver .........2-63,2-65,2-66,2-66
Gascap .....................3-29
Gauge Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-5
Fuel gauge ...................2-6
Odometer ...................2-4
Speedometer .................2-4
Tachometer ..................2-5
Trip odometer .................2-4
General maintenance ...............8-2
Glovebox.....................2-51
Gloveboxlock..................2-51
H
Hands-free phone system,
Bluetooth®...............4- 121, 4-135
Hazard warning flasher switch ..........6-2
Headlight and turn signal switch ........2-36
Headlight control switch ............2-36 Headlights....................8-26
Head restraints
..................1-12
Heated rear seats ................2-41
Heated seats ...............2-40,2-44
Heated steering wheel .............2-44
Heater Heater and air conditioner
controls ................4-44,4-50
Heater operation ...........4-45,4-51
Hill descent control switch ...........2-45
Hill
descent control system ...........5-51
Hill start assist system ..............5-52
HomeLink® Universal
Transceiver .........2-63,2-65,2-66,2-66
Hood.......................3-21
Hook Luggage hook ................2-55
Horn .......................2-40
I
Ignition Switch Push-Button Ignition Switch ........5-10
Imageviewer...................4-20
Immobilizer system ............2-32,5-13
Important vehicle information label .......9-11
In-cabin microfilter ................8-19
Increasing fuel economy .............5-40
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders).............2-10,2-11,2-15
Inside automatic anti-glare mirror ........3-34
Instrument brightness control ..........2-39
Instrumentpanel...............0-6,2-2
Instrument panel dimmer switch ........2-39
10-3