2021 NISSAN ARMADA brake

10-28Technical and consumer information
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 operation
between the tow vehicle and the trailer.
Electric Trailer Brakes - Electric braking
systems are activated by an electronic
signal sent from a trailer brake controller
(special brake sensing module).
Have a professional supplier of towing
equipment make sure the trailer brakes
are properly installed and demonstrate
proper brake function testing.
WARNING
Never connect a trailer brake system
directly to the vehicle brake system.
WAJ0207X
Gain –
Gain +
Manual control lever
Boost
Trailer Brake Controller Unit (TBCU)
The Trailer Brake Controller Unit (TBCU),
located on the lower instrument panel, is
a device that assists the vehicle in having
effective and smooth braking while tow-
ing a trailer. Operating modes:
.
Automatic mode:
This is the normal operation of the
TBCU depending on the gain and
boost settings adjusted by the custo-
mer. This mode will activate when
vehicle brake pedal is pressed.
. Manual mode:
This mode is initiated by adjusting the
manual control lever from resting
position. This mode will provide out-
put power to trailer brakes without
applying the vehicle brake pedal.
To determine the output operation of the
system:
. Gain + and Gain - :
Used to increase or decrease the
braking force supplied to the trailer
brakes.To adjust the gain, press Gain +
or Gain - to the desired point (0-10).
For example: gain setting 6.0 is a
typical starting point for heavy loads.
. Boost:
Used to adjust the feel of the auto-
matic brake event that occurs when
the vehicle brake pedal is applied. To
set up boost, press Boost button once
to display for current boost setting
(display for 3 seconds). Keep pressing
to increase boost level until the de-
sired level (0-3) is achieved.

.Manual Control Lever:
Provides brake output power to trailer
brakes without applying the vehicle
brake pedal. The amount of brake
output supplied corresponds to the
amount of pinch pressure applied to
the manual control lever.
Technical and consumer information10-29

10-32Technical and consumer information
Pre-towing tips
.Be certain your vehicle maintains a
level position when a loaded or un-
loaded trailer is hitched. Do not drive
the vehicle if it has an abnormal nose-
up or nose-down condition; check for
improper tongue load, overload, worn
suspension or other possible causes
of either condition.
. Always secure items in the trailer to
prevent load shift while driving.
. Keep the cargo load as low as possible
in the trailer to keep the trailer center
of gravity low.
. Load the trailer so approximately 60%
of the trailer load is in the front half
and 40% is in the back half. Also make
sure the load is balanced side to side.
. Check your hitch, trailer tire pressure,
vehicle tire pressure, trailer light op-
eration, and trailer wheel lug nuts
every time you attach a trailer to the
vehicle.
. Be certain your rearview mirrors con-
form to all federal, state or local
regulations. If not, install any mirrors
required for towing before driving the
vehicle.
. Determine the overall height of the
vehicle and trailer so the required
clearance is known.
Trailer towing tips
In order to gain skill and an understand-
ing of the vehicle’s behavior, you should
practice turning, stopping and backing up
in an area which is free from traffic.
Steering stability, and braking perfor-
mance will be somewhat different than
under normal driving conditions.
.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
inadvertently becoming unlatched.
. Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or
stops.
. Avoid sharp turns or lane changes.
. Always drive your vehicle at a moder-
ate speed. Some states or provinces
have specific speed limits for vehicles
that are towing trailers. Obey the local
speed limits.
. 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 absorb the vehicle load.
4. Apply the parking brake.
5. Shift the transmission into P (Park).
6. Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) models:
Make sure that the 4WD shift switch is
engaged in the AUTO, 4HI or 4LO
position and the Automatic Transmis-
sion (AT) park warning light is turned
off.
7. Turn off the engine.
To drive away:
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.

2. Start the engine.
3. Shift the transmission into gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Drive slowly until the vehicle andtrailer 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
decrease overall stability. Therefore, to
maintain adequate control, reduce
your speed and shift to a lower gear.
Avoid long or repeated use of the
brakes when descending a hill, as this
reduces their effectiveness and could
cause overheating. Shifting to a lower
gear instead provides “engine braking”
and reduces the need to brake as
frequently.
. If the engine coolant temperature
rises to a high temperature, see “If
your vehicle overheats” (P.6-14).
. Trailer towing requires more fuel than
normal circumstances.
. Avoid towing a trailer for your vehicle’s
first 500 miles (800 km).
. Have your vehicle serviced more often
than at intervals specified in the
recommended maintenance schedule
shown in the "9. Maintenance and schedules" section.
. 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 ad-
versely affect vehicle/trailer handling,
possibly causing vehicle sway. When
being passed by larger vehicles, be
prepared for possible changes in
crosswinds that could affect vehicle
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 combina-
tion will help stabilize the vehicle.
.Do not correct trailer sway bysteering 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 balanced as described earlier in this
section.
. Be careful when passing other vehi-
cles. Passing while towing a trailer requires considerably more distance
than normal passing. 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
transmission to a lower gear for en-
gine 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, result-
ing 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
control not be used while towing a
trailer.
. While towing a trailer, do not use the
following systems (if so equipped):
— the Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
system
(See “How to enable/disable the
LDW system” (P.5-28).)
— the Intelligent Lane Intervention (I- LI) system
(See “How to enable/disable the I-LI
system” (P.5-34).)
Technical and consumer information10-33

When Trailer Sway Control is in operation,
the VDC warning light blinks. When vehi-
cle control is regained, VDC warning light
will turn OFF.
For additional information about the VDC
system, see “Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) system” (P.5-144).
If Trailer Sway Control activates:
1. Take your foot off the acceleratorpedal to allow the vehicle to coast
and steer as straight ahead as the
road conditions allow. This combina-
tion will help stabilize the vehicle.
CAUTION
Do not try to 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 balanced.
NOTE:
Trailer Sway Control cannot reduce
trailer sway in all situations.
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 recrea-
tional vehicle, such as a motor home.
CAUTION
. Failure to follow these guidelines
can result in severe transmission
damage.
. Whenever flat towing your vehi-
cle, always tow forward, never
backward.
. DO NOT tow any automatic trans-
mission vehicle with all four
wheels on the ground (flat tow-
ing). Doing so WILL DAMAGE inter-
nal transmission parts due to lack
of transmission lubrication.
. DO NOT tow a Four-Wheel Drive
(4WD) vehicle with any of the
wheels on the ground. Doing so
may cause serious and expensive
damage to the powertrain.
. For emergency towing proce-
dures refer to “Towing recom-
mended by NISSAN” (P.6-17).
Automatic Transmission
Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) models:
Do not tow a 4WD vehicle with any of the
wheels on the ground.
Two-Wheel Drive (2WD) models:
To tow a vehicle equipped with an auto-
matic transmission, an appropriate vehi-
cle dolly MUSTbe placed under the towed
vehicle’s drive wheels. Alwaysfollow the
dolly manufacturer’s recommendations
when using their product.
Technical and consumer information10-35

the vehicle may be reset to a “not ready
condition”. Before taking the I/M test,
check the vehicle’s inspection/mainte-
nance test readiness condition. Place the
ignition switch in the ON position without
starting the engine. If the Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL) comes on steady for
20 seconds and then blinks for 10 sec-
onds, 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 you visit a NISSAN
dealer to set “ready condition” or to
prepare the vehicle for testing.This vehicle is equipped with an Event
Data Recorder (EDR). The main purpose of
an EDR is to record, in certain crash or
near crash-like situations, such as an air
bag deployment or hitting a road obsta-
cle, data that will assist in understanding
how a vehicle’s systems performed. The
EDR is designed to record data related to
vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a
short period of time, typically 30 seconds
or less. The EDR in this vehicle is designed
to record such data as:
.How various systems in your vehicle
were operating;
. Whether or not the driver and passen-
ger safety belts were buckled/fas-
tened;
. How far (if at all) the driver was
depressing the accelerator and/or
brake pedal; and,
. How fast the vehicle was traveling.
. Sounds are not recorded.
These data can help provide a better
understanding of the circumstances in
which crashes and injuries occur.
NOTE: EDR data are recorded by your
vehicle only if a nontrivial crash situation
occurs; no data are recorded by the EDR
under normal driving conditions and no
personal data (e.g. name, gender, age and
crash location) are recorded. However,
other parties, such as law enforcement, could combine the EDR data with the type
of personally identifying data routinely
acquired during a crash investigation.
To read data recorded by an EDR, special
equipment is required and access to the
vehicle or the EDR is needed. In addition
to the vehicle manufacturer and NISSAN
dealer, other parties, such as law enforce-
ment, that have the special equipment,
can read the information if they have
access to the vehicle or the EDR. EDR data
will only be accessed with the consent of
the vehicle owner or lessee or as other-
wise required or permitted by law.
Technical and consumer information10-39
EVENT DATA RECORDERS (EDR)

11 Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) .................... 5-143
Advanced Air Bag System .................................... 1-60
Air bag systemAdvanced Air Bag System ............................. 1-60
Driver and front passenger
supplemental knee air bag system ....... 1-68
Front passenger air bag and
status light................................................................. 1-62
Front-seat mounted side-impact
supplemental air bag system..................... 1-70
Roof-mounted curtain side-impact
and rollover supplemental air
bag system................................................................ 1-70
Air bag warning labels ............................................ 1-72
Air bag warning light................................. 1-73, 2-13
Air cleaner housing filter ....................................... 8-15
Air conditioner Air conditioner operation............................... 4-35
Air conditioner service...................................... 4-41
Air conditioner specification label....... 10-13
Air conditioning system refrigerant
and lubricant recommendations............. 4-41
Air conditioning system refrigerant
and oil recommendations ............................. 10-7
Automatic air conditioner ............................. 4-36
In-cabin microfilter .............................................. 4-41
Alarm, How to stop alarm (see vehicle
security system)............................................................ 2-40
Alcohol, drugs and driving ................................... 5-10
Alert Rear Door Alert....................................................... 2-58
All-mode 4WD.............................................................. 5-124
Android Auto ....................................................................... 4-2 Antenna........................................................................\
....... 4-41
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) .................... 5-143
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
warning light ................................................................... 2-14
Appearance care
Exterior appearance care ................................. 7-2
Interior appearance care................................... 7-5
Apple CarPlay®................................................................... 4-2
Armrest ........................................................................\
........ 1-11
Audible reminders....................................................... 2-19
Auto closure .................................................................... 3-25
Automatic Air conditioner ........................................................ 4-36
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) ........ 8-8
Door locks...................................................................... 3-6
Drive positioner...................................................... 3-40
Driving with
automatic transmission .................................. 5-18
Seat positioner ....................................................... 3-40
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
system warning light................................................ 2-14
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) with
pedestrian detection system ............................. 5-96
Average speed ............................................................... 2-36
Avoiding collision and rollover.............................. 5-8
B
Back door (See liftgate) .......................................... 3-22
Battery........................................................................\
.......... 8-11 Battery saver system.......................... 2-49, 2-78
Intelligent Key.......................................................... 8-21
Variable voltage control system .............. 8-13
Before starting the engine................................... 5-16
Belts (See drive belts)............................................... 8-13
Blind Spot Warning (BSW) ..................................... 5-38 Booster seats.................................................................. 1-51
Brake
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ............ 5-143
Brake booster.......................................................... 8-17
Brake fluid ..................................................................... 8-9
Brake system ....................................................... 5-142
Parking brake operation................................. 5-22
Warning light............................................................ 2-11
Break-in schedule .................................................... 5-123
Brightness control Instrument panel .................................................. 2-50
Bulb check/instrument panel............................ 2-11
Bulb replacement ........................................................ 8-24
C
Cabin air filter ................................................................. 4-41
Camera aiding sonar function.......................... 4-24
Capacities and
recommended fluids/lubricants...................... 10-2
Car phone or CB radio ............................................ 4-42
Cargo floor box ............................................................. 2-71
Cargo light ........................................................................\
2-80
Catalytic converter, Three way catalyst ....... 5-4
Charger Wireless charger .................................................... 2-62
Child restraints .............................................................. 1-32 Booster seats........................................................... 1-51
LATCH system ......................................................... 1-35
Precautions on child restraints................. 1-33
Top tether strap .................................................... 1-37
Child safety....................................................................... 1-30
Child safety rear door lock ...................................... 3-6
Chimes Audible reminders................................................ 2-19
Seat belt warning light and chime......... 2-13

11-2
Circuit breaker, Fusible link ................................. 8-19
Cleaning exterior and interior ................... 7-2, 7-5
Climate control.............................................................. 4-35
Clock ........................................................................\
.............. 2-38
Coat hooks ....................................................................... 2-70
Cockpit ........................................................................\
............. 2-3
Cold weather driving ............................................. 5-146
Console box ..................................................................... 2-69
Console light ................................................................... 2-79
CoolantCapacities and
recommended fluids/lubricants............... 10-2
Changing engine coolant ................................. 8-5
Checking engine coolant level...................... 8-5
Corrosion protection .................................................... 7-7
Cruise control Fixed speed cruise control (on
ICC system)................................................................ 5-92
Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) ................. 5-74
Cruise indicator............................................................. 2-32
Cup holders...................................................................... 2-66
Current fuel consumption.................................... 2-36
D
Daytime running light system........................... 2-50
Dimensions .................................................................... 10-10
Drive belts...................................................................\
....... 8-13
Drive positioner............................................................. 3-40
Driver and front passenger supplemental
knee air bag..................................................................... 1-68
Driving Cold weather driving ..................................... 5-146
Driving with
automatic transmission .................................. 5-18
On-pavement and off-road driving .......... 5-9 Precautions when starting
and driving.................................................................... 5-4
Safety precautions .............................................. 5-10
E
Economy, Fuel............................................................. 5-124
Elapsed time.................................................................... 2-36
Elapsed time and trip odometer..................... 2-36
Emergency Call (SOS) button ............................ 2-64
Emission control information label............ 10-12
Emission control system warranty ............ 10-37
Engine
Before starting the engine............................ 5-16
Break-in schedule ............................................ 5-123
Capacities and
recommended fluids/lubricants............... 10-2
Changing engine coolant ................................. 8-5
Changing engine oil and filter ...................... 8-6
Checking engine coolant level...................... 8-5
Checking engine oil level................................... 8-6
Coolant temperature gauge .......................... 2-7
Emergency engine shut off.......................... 5-15
Engine block heater ....................................... 5-148
Engine compartment
check locations ......................................................... 8-3
Engine cooling system ........................................ 8-4
Engine oil.....................................................................\
... 8-6
Engine oil and oil
filter recommendation ..................................... 10-6
Engine oil viscosity .............................................. 10-7
Engine serial number .................................... 10-12
Engine specifications......................................... 10-8
Engine start operation indicator.............. 2-29
If your vehicle overheats ................................ 6-14
Oil pressure gauge ................................................. 2-8
Protection mode ................................................... 5-17 Starting the engine............................................. 5-16
Entry/exit function, memory seat .................. 3-40
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 10-39
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ......................... 5-4
Explanation of scheduled
maintenance items ........................................................ 9-5
Extended storage switch ...................................... 8-21
F
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label ...... 10-12
Filter Air cleaner housing filter ................................ 8-15
Changing engine oil and filter ...................... 8-6
Flashers (See hazard warning
flasher switch).................................................................... 6-2
Flat tire........................................................................\
............. 6-3
Flat towing..................................................................... 10-35
Flexible seating.............................................................. 1-12
Floor mat cleaning ......................................................... 7-5
Fluid Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) ........ 8-8
Brake fluid ..................................................................... 8-9
Capacities and
recommended fluids/lubricants............... 10-2
Engine coolant........................................................... 8-4
Engine oil.....................................................................\
... 8-6
Power steering fluid .............................................. 8-8
Window washer fluid ......................................... 8-10
Fog light switch ............................................................ 2-52
Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) NISSAN all-mode 4WD®................................ 5-124
Front and rear sonar system.......................... 5-135
Front passenger air bag and
status light........................................................................\
1-62
Front power seat adjustment ............................... 1-4