2021 INFINITI QX80 tow

10-16Technical and consumer information
pants and cargo that can be
loaded into the vehicle. If the
vehicle is used to tow a trailer,
the trailer tongue weight must be
included as part of the cargo load.
This information is located on the
Tire and Loading Information la-
bel.
. Cargo capacity - permissible
weight of cargo, the weight of
total occupants weight subtracted
from the load limit.
STI0445

VEHICLE LOAD CAPACITY
Do not exceed the load limit of your
vehicle shown as “The combined
weight of occupants and cargo” on
the Tire and Loading Information
label. Do not exceed the number of
occupants shown as “Seating Capa-
city” on the Tire and Loading Infor-
mation label.
To get “the combined weight of
occupants and cargo”, add the weight
of all occupants, then add the total
luggage weight. Examples are shown
in the illustration.
Steps for determining correct load
limit
1. Locate the statement “The com-bined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX
kg or XXX lbs” 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 kg or XXX lbs.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For exam-
ple, if the XXX amount equals
1400 lbs. and there will be five
150 lb. passengers in your vehicle,
the amount of available cargo and
luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400 − 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs) or
(640 − 340 (5 x 70) = 300 kg.)
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity calcu-
lated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will
be transferred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity
of your vehicle.
Before driving a loaded vehicle, con-
firm that you do not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or the
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
for your vehicle. (See “Measurement
of weights” (P.10-19).)
Also check tires for proper inflation
pressures. See the Tire and Loading
Information label.
Technical and consumer information10-17

ures 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 sepa-
rately to determine axle loads. Indivi-
dual axle loads should not exceed
either of the gross axle weight ratings
(GAWR). The total of the axle loads
should not exceed the gross vehicle
weight rating (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.
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 (800 km).
Your engine, axle or other parts could
be damaged.
. For the first 500 miles (800 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 loads.
Your new vehicle was designed to be used
primarily to carry passengers and cargo.
Remember that towing a trailer places
additional loads on your vehicle’s engine,
drivetrain, steering, braking and other sys-
tems.
An INFINITI Towing Guide (U.S. only) is
available on the website at www.InfinitiUSA.com. This guide includes
information on trailer towing capability 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” (P.10-22). 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 Gross Combined Weight
Rating (GCWR) should not exceed the value
specified in the following “Towing Load/
Specification” chart.
Technical and consumer information10-19
TOWING A TRAILER

10-20Technical and consumer information
STI0541
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 appropriate for level highway
driving may have to be reduced on very steep
grades or 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 gradedroads can affect engine performance and
cause overheating. The transmission high
fluid temperature and engine protection
mode, which helps reduce the chance of
transmission and engine damage, could
activate and automatically 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
collision. Be especially careful when
driving. If the vehicle cannot maintain a
safe driving speed, pull to the side of the
road in a safe area. Allow the engine to
cool and return to normal operation. See
“If your vehicle overheats” (P.6-14).
CAUTION
Vehicle damage resulting from improper
towing procedures is not covered by
INFINITI warranties.
STI0542
Tongue load
When using a weight carrying or a weight
distributing hitch, keep the tongue load
between 10 to 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
becomes excessive, rearrange cargo to allow
for proper tongue load.

TI1012M
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. certifi-
cation label.
Towing capacities are calculated assuming abase vehicle with driver and any options
required to achieve the rating. Additional
passengers, cargo and/or optional equip-
ment, 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 capa-
city.
All vehicle and trailer weights can be mea-
sured using platform type scales commonly
found at truck stops, highway weigh sta-
tions, building supply centers or salvage
yards.
To determine the available payload capacity
for tongue/king pin 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
available maximum tongue/king pin
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 later in this section.
2. Subtract the actual vehicle weight from the GCWR. The remaining amount is the
available 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 ratings.
Example:
. Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) as weighed
on a scale - including passengers, cargo
and hitch - 6,450 lb. (2,926 kg).
. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
from F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification
label - 7,300 lb. (3,311 kg).
Technical and consumer information10-21

10-22Technical and consumer information
.Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)
from “Towing Load/Specification” chart
- 14,520 lb. (6,586 kg).
. Maximum Trailer towing capacity from
“Towing Load/Specification” chart -
8,500 lb. (3,856 kg).
7,300 lb. (3,311 kg) GVWR
− 6,450 lb. (2,926 kg) GVW
= 850 lb. (385 kg) Available for tongue
weight
14,520 lb. (6,586 kg) GCWR
− 6,450 lb. (2,926 kg) GVW
= 8,070 lb. (3,660 kg) Capacity available for
towing
850 lb. (385 kg) / Available tongue weight
8,070 lb. (3,660 kg) Available capacity
= 11 % tongue weight
The available towing capacity may be less
than the maximum towing capacity due to
the passenger and cargo load in the vehicle.
Remember to keep trailer tongue weight
between 10 - 15% of the trailer weight or
within the trailer tongue load specification
recommended by the trailer manufacturer. If
the tongue load becomes excessive, rear-
range the cargo to obtain the proper tongue
load. Do not exceed the maximum tongue
weight specification shown in the “Towing load/specification” chart even if the calcu-
lated available tongue weight is greater than
15%. If the calculated tongue weight is less
than 10%, reduce the total trailer weight to
match the available tongue weight.
Always verify that available capacities are
within the required ratings.
TOWING LOAD/SPECIFICATION
WARNING
The towing capacities provided in this
manual are for general reference only.
The safe towing capacity of your vehicle
is affected by retailer and factory in-
stalled options and passenger and cargo
loads. You must weigh the vehicle and
trailer as described in this manual to
determine the actual vehicle towing
capacity. Do not exceed the published
maximum towing capacity, or the GCWR
or the GVWR shown on the F.M.V.S.S./
C.M.V.S.S. certification label. Doing so
can result in an accident causing serious
personal injury or property damage.

TOWING LOAD/SPECIFICATION CHARTUnit: lb (kg)
US Canada
Two-Wheel Drive (2WD) model Four-Wheel Drive
(4WD) model Four-Wheel Drive
(4WD) model
MAXIMUM TOWING CAPA-
CITY*1, *2 8,500 (3,856) 8,500 (3,856)
MAXIMUM TONGUE LOAD 850 (385) 850 (385)
GROSS COMBINED WEIGHT
RATING 14,520 (6,586) 14,770 (6,700) 14,680 (6,659)
1: The towing capacity values are calculated assuming a base vehicle with driver and any
options required to achieve the rating. Additional passengers, cargo and/or optional
equipment will add weight to the vehicle and reduce your vehicle’s maximum towing
capacity.
2: Use of a weight-distributing hitch system is recommended when towing over 5,000 lb (2,267 kg).
TOWING SAFETY
Trailer hitch
Your vehicle is equipped with a trailer tow
package. The trailer tow package includes a
receiver-type frame mounted hitch. This
hitch is rated for the maximum towing
capacity of this vehicle when the proper
towing equipment is used. Choose a proper
ball mount and hitch ball that is rated for the
trailer to be towed. Genuine INFINITI ball
mounts and hitch balls are available from an
INFINITI retailer.
Technical and consumer information10-23

10-24Technical and consumer information
JVT0542X
To access the trailer hitch, remove the
trailer hitch cover located on the lower part
of the rear bumper.
To remove the trailer hitch cover:
1. Remove the 2 clips by turning them counterclockwise. 2. Pull the bottom of the cover straight
backward to remove the inner side and
upper clips.
JVT0544X
To install the trailer hitch cover:
1. Insert the upper clips into the recesses
,
and then push the cover to its original
position.
2. Install the 2 clips
by pushing them in as
illustrated.
WARNING
Trailer hitch components have specific
weight ratings. Your vehicle may be
capable of towing a trailer heavier than
the weight rating of the hitch compo-
nents. Never exceed the weight rating of
the hitch components. Doing so can