2020 INFINITI QX80 fuel

2020 INFINITI Towing Guide


10










GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT (GVW)
The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is the actual weight of the fully loaded vehicle or
trailer , including passengers, cargo , and fuel, hitch, trailer tongue weight , and any
optional equipment.

The best way to determine the GVW is by having
the vehicle — loaded and ready to tow —
weighed at a public scale. That figure must
include the combined weight of all passengers
and cargo that are normally in the vehicle when
towing a trailer .

The GVW of the towing vehicle must not exceed
the G ross Vehicle Weight Rating (G VWR) shown
on t he Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
(F .M .V .S .S./C.M.V.S.S. ) certification label located
in the driver’s -side door area. Weigh your veh icle
on a platform type scale with all of the
passengers and cargo that are normally in the
vehicle when towing a trailer. Subtract the actual
vehicle weight from the GVWR. The remaining
amount is the available maximum tongue/king
pin load.

To avoid over loading the vehicle, be sure to
include the trailer tongue weight as a part of the
cargo when determining how much weight can
be safely carried inside the vehicle. The weight of
any roof rack cargo should also be included.






F.M.V.S.S Certification Label

2020 INFINITI Towing Guide


11












GROSS AXLE WEIGHT (GAW)
The Gross Axle Weight (GAW) is the maximum weight placed on a single axle (front
and rear) that it is designed to safely carry.

To determine the GAW, load the vehicle as you would for towing and attach the
loaded trailer. At a public scale, with t he loaded trailer attached, place only the tow
vehicle front wheels on the scale to determine the actual front axle GAW. To obtain
the rear axle GAW, place all four tow vehicle wheels on the scale . From that figure,
subtract the front GAW and you will have the rear GAW amount. The cargo in the
trailer and the vehicle may have to be moved, or removed to meet the specified
rating.


The GAW you come up with must not exceed the G ross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for
your vehicle . On INFINITI vehicles , the GAWR f or both axles is listed on the F .M .V .S .S .
certification label.










GROSS COMBINED WEIGHT (GCW)
The Gross Combined Weight (GCW) is the total weight of the tow vehicle with all
passengers , cargo, and fuel, plus the total weight of the trailer and al l its cargo.

To determine the GCW, simply weigh your vehicle when fully loaded and ready to tow,
and add in the weight of the loaded trailer.

2020 INFINITI Towing Guide


18
equipped) carefully. At the first sign of overheating, pull to the side of the road. See IF
YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS later in this section for more information.
HILLS – DOWNGRADES

WARNING - While going downhill, the weight of the trailer pushing on the tow vehicle
may decrease overall stability , and may deteriorate overall handling characteristics .
The vehicle may handle unpredictably which could cause a loss of vehicle control
result ing in an accident, property damage, serious injury or death. Therefore, to
maintain adequate control, reduce you r speed and shift to a lower gear and apply
the braking in short bursts . If your vehicle is equipped with Tow Mode, see your vehicle
owner’s manual for information about the use of this function.

WARNING- A void lon g or repea ted use of the brakes when descending a hill, as this
reduces their effectiveness and could cause overheating which could result in
damage to your brake components or unable to slow to a safe speed. Shifting to a
lower gear instead provides “engine braking ” and reduces the need to brake as
frequently.

HIGH- ALTITUDE PERFORMANCE
An engine will lose about 4% of its performance for every 1,000 feet above sea level
that you travel. If you will be towing in high altitudes, it is a good idea to allow more
time th an usual due to the engine’s reduced performance.

INTELLIGENT CRUISE CONTROL

WARNING- In order to maintain a safe distance to the vehicle ahead to avoid the
possibility of accidents, property damage, serious injury or death . INFINITI recommends
not to use the Intelligent Cruise control (ICC) system while towing a trailer or other
vehicle. In certain road conditions when your vehicle is towing, the ICC sensor may
not detect a vehicle ahead . If the ICC sensor cannot detect the reflector on the
vehicle ahead, the ICC system may not maintain the selected distance which could
cause an accident, property damage, or death.

BLIND SPOT INTERVENTION

WARNING - Do not use or rely upon the Blind Spot Intervention system (B SI) when
towing a trailer. The BSI system cannot function properly when objects are obstructing
the radar sensor s which could cause an accident, property damage, or death.

TOW MODE (IF SO EQUIPPED)
Tow Mode is recommended when towing a heavy trailer or hauling a heavy load, in
stop -and -go traffic, rolling terrain, or a busy parking lot. Driving the vehicle in Tow Mode
may affect fuel economy and transmission/engine driving characteristics. See your
vehicle owner’s manual for additional information about Tow Mode .

2020 INFINITI Towing Guide


21



A breakaway switch may be used with both electric or surge trailer brake
systems.


BUMPER HITCH A reinforced bumper designed to accommodate a hitch ball.
ELECTRIC TRAILER BR AKES When the brakes on a tow vehicle are applied, an electric current is sent to
an actuator which applies the trailer’s brakes.
ELECTRIC TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER A device that controls the electric trailer brakes.
GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING (GAWR)
The maximum amount of weight each vehicle axle (front and rear) is
designed to safely carry.

GROSS COMBINED WEIGHT RATING (GCWR)
The maximum allowable combined weight of the vehicle and trailer,
including passengers and all cargo.

GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR)
The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle, including passengers, cargo,
fuel, hitch, trailer tongue load, and any optional equipment.

HITCH BALL A ball that connects the trailer to the tow vehicle hitch that provides the
means by which the trailer pivots during cornering. Available in a number of
sizes and weight capacities, it must correspond to the trailer coupler size, and
have a sufficient capacity rating for the trailer being pulled.
RECEIVER HITCH A frame- or structure-mounted hitch with a receiver that allows removal of the
ball mount.
SAFETY CHAI NS/CABLES Provides an emergency connection between the tow vehicle and the trailer,
should the trailer become disengaged for any reason.
SURGE BRAKES Hydraulic-type braking system activated by inertia. As the tow vehicle begins
to brake, the trailer pushes against the hitch ball, consequently activating the
trailer brakes.
TRAILER TONGUE/COUPLER The part of the trailer that extends forward to meet the tow vehicle, and
carries the coupler assembly.
TRAILER TONGUE LOAD The amount of trailer weight pressing down on the hitch.

WEIGHT-DISTRIBUTING HITCH SYSTEM Type of hitch system that helps shift the trailer tongue weight to all trailer tires
and the tow vehicle front tires. Strongly recommended when towing trailers
with a Maximum Trailer Weight greater than 5,000 lbs.
WI RI NG HARNESS Provides an electrical connection linking the tow vehicle’s electrical system to
the trailer’s system.