Page 465 of 492

Bumper towing
The Genuine NISSAN step bumper has pro-
visions to install a trailer hitch ball and is
designed to tow trailers of a maximum
weight of 3,500 lbs. (1,588 kg).
To install a trailer hitch ball cut out the circle
in the center of the step bumper
OA, then
remove it to install the trailer hitch ball.
Weight carrying hitches
A weight carrying or “dead weight” ball
mount is one that is designed to carry the
whole amount of tongue weight and gross
weight directly on the ball mount and on
the receiver.
Weight distribution hitch
This type of hitch is also called a “load-
leveling” or “equalizing” hitch. A set of bars
attach to the ball mount and to the trailer
to distribute the tongue weight (hitch
weight) of your trailer. Many vehicles can't
carry the full tongue weight of a given
trailer, and need some of the tongue
weight transferred through the frame and
pushing down on the front wheels. This
gives stability to the tow vehicle.
A weight-distributing hitch system (Class
IV) is recommended if you plan to tow trail-
ers with a maximum weight over 5,000 lbs.
(2,268 kg). Check with the trailer and towing
equipment manufacturers to determine if
they recommend the use of a weight-
distributing hitch system.
NOTE:
A weight-distributing hitch system may
affect the operation of trailer surge
brakes. If you are considering use of a
weight-distributing hitch system with a
surge brake-equipped trailer, check with
the surge brake, hitch or trailer manufac-
turer to determine if and how this can be
done. Follow the instructions provided by the
manufacturer for installing and using the
weight-distributing hitch system.
General set-up instructions are as follows:
1. Park unloaded vehicle on a level surface.
With the ignition on and the doors
closed, allow the vehicle to stand for sev-
eral minutes so that it can level.
2. Measure the height of a reference point on the front and rear bumpers at the
center of the vehicle.
3. Attach the trailer to the vehicle and ad- just the hitch equalizers so that the front
bumper height is within0-.5inches (0 –
13 mm) of the reference height mea-
sured in step 2. The rear bumper should
be no higher than the reference height
measured in step 2.
Page 468 of 492

Electric trailer brake controller
Trailers equipped with electric brakes may
require the installation of an af termarket
trailer brake controller.
A Genuine NISSAN jumper harness is avail-
able that is specifically designed to be used
when installing an af termarket brake con-
troller.
Install the af termarket electric trailer brake
controller according to the manufacturer's
instructions.
Pre-towing tips
• Be certain your vehicle maintains a levelposition when a loaded and/or unloaded
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 condi-
tion.
• Always secure items in the trailer to pre- vent load shif t 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, ve- hicle tire pressure, trailer light operation,
and trailer wheel lug nuts every time you
attach a trailer to the vehicle.
• Be certain your rearview mirrors conform 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 ve- hicle and trailer so the required clearance
is known.
Trailer towing tips
In order to gain skill and an understanding
of the vehicle's behavior, you should prac-
tice turning, stopping and backing up in an
area which is free from traffic. Steering sta-
bility and braking performance will be
somewhat different than under normal
driving conditions.
• Always secure items in the trailer to pre-vent load shif t 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 back-
ing 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:
Page 482 of 492

R
RadioCar phone or CB radio..........4-79FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc (CD)
player................ .4-44, 4-49Steering wheel audio control switch. .4-71Readiness for inspection maintenance (I/M)
test...................... .10-40Rear power windows.............2-51Rear seat.....................1-6Rear sliding window.............2-52Rear Sonar System (RSS)..........5-39Rear sonar system OFF switch.......2-38Rear window and outside mirror
defroster switch................2-29Rear window defroster switch.......2-29Rearview mirror................3-17RearView Monitor...............4-16Recommended Fluids............10-2Recorders
Event Data................ .10-40Refrigerant recommendation.......10-8Registering a vehicle in another
country.................... .10-11Reporting safety defects (US only). . . .10-39Roof rack....................2-48
S
Safety
Child safety rear door lock.........3-7Child seat belts. .1-28, 1-39, 1-42, 1-54, 1-65
Reporting safety defects (US only). .10-39SeatJump seat...................1-7Seat adjustmentFront manual seat adjustment......1-3Front power seat adjustment.......1-5Seat beltChild safety.................1-25Infants and small children........1-26Injured person................1-18Larger children...............1-26Precautions on seat belt usage.....1-15Pregnant women..............1-18Seat belt extenders............1-24Seat belt maintenance..........1-24Seat belts................1-15,7-6Shoulder belt height adjustment. . . .1-24Three-point type with retractor.....1-19Seat belt extenders..............1-24Seat belt warning light.........1-18,2-20Seatback pockets...............2-41SeatsAdjustment..................1-2Front seats..................1-2Manual front seat adjustment......1-3Rear seat.................. .1-6Security indicator light............2-23Security system
(NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System),
engine start
...............2-27,5-13Security systems
Vehicle security system.........2-25Self-adjusting brakes.............8-20Service manual order form.........10-41
Servicing air conditioner...........4-36Setting button.................4-13Shif tingAutomatic transmission.........5-15Shoulder belt height adjustment......1-24Side air bag system (See supplemental
side air bag, curtain and rollover air bag
systems)
................... .1-82Siri® Eyes-Free..............4-73,4-76Smartphone connectivity..........4-72Sonar
Rear system................5-39Spark plug replacement...........8-16Spark plugs...................8-16Specifications................ .10-9Speedometer................. .2-5Speedometer and odometer........2-4SRS warning label...............1-85Stability control................5-35Standard maintenance.........9-7,9-8Starting
Before starting the engine........5-13Jump starting.............6-11,8-14Precautions when starting and
driving.....................5-2Push starting................6-13Starting the engine
(gasoline engine only)............5-13SteeringPower steering fluid............8-10Power steering system..........5-32Tilting steering wheel...........3-16Steering wheel.................3-16Steering wheel audio control switch. . . .4-71
11-6