• Keep the cargo load as low as possible inthe 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:CAUTION
If you push the park button to engage
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. Af ter the wheel blocks are in place, slowly release the brake pedal until the
blocks absorb the vehicle load.
4. Apply the parking brake.
5. Push the park button to engage the P (Park) position.
6. Turn off the engine.
To drive away:
1. Start the vehicle.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shif t 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.
Technical and consumer information10-29
• While going downhill, the weight of thetrailer pushing on the tow vehicle may
decrease overall stability. Therefore, to
maintain adequate control, reduce your
speed and shif t to a lower gear. Avoid
long or repeated use of the brakes when
descending a hill, as this reduces their
effectiveness and could cause overheat-
ing. Shif ting to a lower gear instead pro-
vides “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. 6-13).
• 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 of ten than at intervals specified in the recom-
mended maintenance schedule in the
“Maintenance and schedules” section of
this manual. • 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 be-
ing passed by larger vehicles, be pre-
pared 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 combination will help stabilize
the vehicle.
– 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 balanced. For additional information,
see “Pre-towing tips” (P. 10-28). • Be careful when passing other vehicles.
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.
• Downshif t the transmission 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 re-
duced braking efficiency.
• Increase your following distance to allow for greater stopping distances while tow-
ing a trailer. Anticipate stops and brake
gradually.
• NISSAN recommends that the cruise control 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 connections, and trailer wheel lug nuts
af ter 50 miles (80 km) of travel and at
every break.
10-30Technical and consumer information
• When launching a boat, don't allow thewater 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, differential gear
oil, transfer fluid and transmission oil/
fluid should be changed more fre-
quently. For additional information, see
the “Maintenance and schedules” sec-
tion of this manual.
Tow mode
Using tow mode is recommended when
pulling a heavy trailer or hauling a heavy
load. Push or turn the Drive Mode Selector
switch to activate tow mode. Push or turn
the Drive Mode Selector switch again to
turn tow mode off. Tow mode is automati-
cally canceled when the ignition switch is
turned off.
Tow mode disables the Idling Stop System.
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 characteris-
tics may feel unusual. When towing a trailer, differential gear
oil, transfer fluid and transmission oil/
fluid should be changed more fre-
quently. For additional information, see
the “Maintenance and schedules” sec-
tion of 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 ve-
hicle, 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 expensive damage to the
powertrain.
• For emergency towing procedures,
see “Towing recommended by
NISSAN” (P. 6-15).
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 ve-
hicle, such as a motor home.
CAUTION
• Failure to follow these guidelines can
result in severe transmission
damage.
• Whenever flat towing your vehicle,
always tow forward, never backward.
• Never tow your front wheel drive ve-
hicle 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
automatic 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,
see “Towing recommended by
NISSAN” (P. 6-15).
Technical and consumer information10-31
Automatic transmission
To tow a vehicle equipped with an auto-
matic transmission, an appropriate vehicle
dollyMUST be placed under the towed ve-
hicle's drive wheels. Alwaysfollow the dolly
manufacturer's recommendations when
using their product.
NOTE:
If the battery is completely drained the
transmission will not manually shif t to
other positions. DOT (Department of Transportation) Qual-
ity Grades: All passenger car tires must
conform to federal safety requirements in
addition to these grades.
Quality grades can be found where appli-
cable on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For
example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rat-
ing based on the wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from
the norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction AA, A, B and C
The traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades
represent the tire's ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlledconditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire
is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include ac-
celeration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
Temperature A, B and C
The temperature grades are A (the high-
est), B, and C, representing the tire’s resis-
tance to the generation of heat, and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high tem-
perature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and ex-
cessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the Federal Mo-
tor Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on
the laboratory test wheel than the mini-
mum required by law.
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
10-32Technical and consumer information
WARNING
A vehicle equipped with Four-Wheel
Drive (4WD) should never be tested us-
ing a two wheel dynamometer (such as
the dynamometers used by some
states for emissions 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 result in transmis-
sion damage or unexpected vehicle
movement which could result in seri-
ous vehicle damage or personal injury.
Due to legal requirements in some states
and Canadian Provinces, your vehicle may
be required to be in what is called the
“ready condition” 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 re-
paired or the battery is disconnected, the
vehicle may be reset to a “not ready” condi-
tion. Before taking the I/M test, check the
vehicle's inspection/maintenance 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 seconds, the I/M test
condition is “not ready”. If the MIL does not
blink af ter 20 seconds, the I/M test condi-
tion is “ready”. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN dealer to set the “ready con-
dition” 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 obstacle, data
that will assist in understanding how a ve-
hicle's systems performed. The EDR is de-
signed to record data related to vehicle dy-
namics and safety systems for a short
period of time, typically 30 seconds or less.
The EDR in this vehicle is designed to re-
cord such data as:
• How various systems in your vehicle were
operating;
• Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts were buckled/fastened;
• How far (if at all) the driver was depress- ing the accelerator and/or brake pedal;
and,
• How fast the vehicle was traveling.
• Sounds are not recorded.
READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST EVENT DATA RECORDERS (EDR)
Technical and consumer information10-35
Front air bag system (See supplemental
restraint system)...............1-68Front and rear sonar system.......5-183Front power seat adjustment........1-4Front seats....................1-2Front-door pocket..............2-101FuelCapacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants
...............10-2Fuel economy...............5-171Fuel gauge..................2-10Fuel octane rating.............10-6Fuel recommendation..........10-4Fuel efficient driving tips..........5-170Fuel gauge...................2-10Fuel-filler door.................3-29Fuses.......................8-21Fusible links..................8-22
G
Garage door opener, HomeLink® Universal
Transceiver.......2- 118, 2-119, 2-121, 2-122Gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge. . .2-9Fuel gauge..................2-10Odometer................. .2-8Speedometer..............2-6, 2-7Tachometer.................2-8Trip odometer................2-8General maintenance.............9-2Glove box...................2-104Glove box lock................2-104
H
Hazard warning flasher switch........6-2Head restraints.................1-12Head Up Display (HUD)............2-90Headlight and turn signal switch.....2-78Headlight control switch...........2-78Headlights...................8-27Heated 2nd row seat switches.......2-87Heated seat switches............2-86Heated seats................. .2-85Heated steering wheel switch.......2-88Heater
Heater and air conditioner controls. .4-33Heater operation.............4-34Hill descent control switch.........2-89Hill descent control system........5-181Hill start assist system...........5-182HomeLink® Universal
Transceiver.......2- 118, 2-119, 2-121, 2-122Hood.......................3-21Hook
Luggage hook...............2-109Horn...................... .2-85
I
Idling Stop System..............5-189Ignition switch
Push-button ignition switch.......5-13Immobilizer system..........2-72,5-16Important vehicle information label. . .10-12
In-cabin microfilter..............8-18Increasing fuel economy..........5-171IndicatorNISSAN Intelligent Key® battery discharge
indicator
...................5-15Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders)
...................2-12Inside automatic anti-glare mirror. . . .3-33Instrument brightness control.......2-83Instrument panel.............0-6, 2-4Instrument panel dimmer switch.....2-83Intelligent Around View Monitor......4-10Intelligent Blind Spot Intervention
(I-BSI)...................... .5-62Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC)
(for vehicles with ProPILOT Assist). . . .5-102Intelligent Driver Alertness (I-DA).....5-165Intelligent Forward Collision Warning
(I-FCW).....................5-149Intelligent Key system
Key operating range............3-8Key operation................3-9Mechanical key................3-3Remote keyless entry operation. . . .3-13Troubleshooting guide..........3-16Warning signals...............3-16Intelligent Lane Intervention (I-LI).....5-42Intelligent Trace Control (I-TC).......5-180Interior light..................2-116ISOFIX child restraints.............1-36
11-3
Child seat belts.....1-34, 1-44, 1-51, 1-57Reporting safety defects (US only). .10-33SeatMemory seat................3-36Seat adjustmentFront manual seat adjustment......1-3Front power seat adjustment.......1-4Rear seat adjustment............1-6Second row bench seats..........1-9Seat beltChild safety................ .1-32Infants and small children........1-33Injured person................1-23Larger children...............1-33Precautions on seat belt usage.....1-20Pregnant women..............1-23Rear center seat belt............1-27Seat belt extenders.............1-31Seat belt maintenance..........1-31Seat belts................1-20,7-6Three-point type with retractor.....1-23Seat belt extenders..............1-31Seat belt warning light.........1-23,2-15Seatback pockets..............2-102Seats
2nd row bench seat adjustment.....1-9Adjustment..................1-2Armrests................... .1-9Front seats..................1-2Heated seats................2-85Manual front seat adjustment......1-3Security system (NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer
System), engine start.........2-72,5-16
Security systems
Vehicle security system..........2-71Self-adjusting brakes.............8-21Service manual order form........10-37Servicing air conditioner...........4-39Spark plug replacement...........8-17Spark plugs...................8-17Specifications................ .10-9Speedometer...............2-6, 2-7Spotlights (See map light)..........2-117SRS warning label...............1-81Standard maintenance............9-9Starting
Before starting the engine........5-16Jump starting.............6-11,8-15Precautions when starting and
driving.................... .5-4Push starting................6-13Starting the engine............5-16Starting the engine..............5-16Steering
Power steering system.........5-174Steering Assist switch (for vehicles with
ProPILOT Assist)................2-90Steering wheel................ .3-30Stop light....................8-27Storage.....................2-101Storage tray..................2-103Sun visors................... .3-32Sunglasses case...............2-105Sunglasses holder..............2-105Sunroof..................2-114, 7-5Supplemental air bag warning labels. . .1-81
Supplemental air bag warning
light................... .1-81, 2-16Supplemental front impact air bag
system..................... .1-68Supplemental restraint system
Information and warning labels.....1-81Precautions on supplemental restraint
system................... .1-61Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system).......1-61Switch
Autolight switch..............2-78Automatic power window switch. . .2-112Fog light switch..............2-84Hazard warning flasher switch......6-2Headlight and turn signal switch. . . .2-78Headlight control switch.........2-78Hill descent control switch........2-89Instrument brightness control.....2-83Power door lock switch..........3-6Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch.....................2-77Rear window wiper and washer
switches...................2-76Turn signal switch.............2-83
T
Tachometer.................. .2-8Temperature gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge. . .2-9Thef t (NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System),
engine start...............2-72,5-16
11-6
Three-way catalyst...............5-4TireFlat tire................. .6-3, 6-4Spare tire................6-5, 8-41Tire and Loading Information label. .10-13Tire chains..................8-37Tire pressure................8-29Tire rotation.................8-38Tires of 4-wheel drive...........8-41Types of tires................8-36Uniform tire quality grading......10-32Wheel/tire size...............10-10Wheels and tires..........8-29,10-10Tire pressure
Low tire pressure warning light.....2-18Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)...................... .5-5Top tether strap child restraint.......1-41Towing
2-wheel drive models...........6-164-wheel drive models...........6-15Flat towing................ .10-31Tow truck towing..............6-14Towing load/specification.......10-23Trailer towing...............10-20Towing a trailer................10-20Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR)........5-32Transceiver
HomeLink® Universal
Transceiver
.....2- 118, 2-119, 2-121, 2-122Transmission
Driving with automatic
transmission
................5-18
Travel (See registering a vehicle in another
country).................... .10-11Trip odometer..................2-8Turn signal switch...............2-83
U
Uniform tire quality grading........10-32USB/iPod® Charging Ports.........2-97
V
Vanity mirror..................3-32Variable voltage control system......8-16Vehicle dimensions and weights.....10-10Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
system.....................5-177Vehicle identification.............10-11Vehicle identification number (VIN). . . .10-11Vehicle identification number (VIN)
(Chassis number)...............10-11Vehicle identification number (VIN)
plate...................... .10-11Vehicle immobilizer system.....2-72,5-16Vehicle information display.....2-22,2-45Vehicle loading information........10-15Vehicle recovery................6-17Vehicle security system...........2-71Vehicle security system (NISSAN Vehicle
Immobilizer System), engine start. .2-72, 5-16Vents...................... .4-31Visors......................3-32
W
Warning
Air bag warning light........1-81, 2-16Battery charge warning light......2-14Brake warning light............2-13Engine oil pressure warning light. . . .2-15Hazard warning flasher switch......6-2Low fuel warning light.......2-39, 2-63Low tire pressure warning light.....2-18Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light................. .2-39, 2-64Seat belt warning light.......1-23,2-15Supplemental air bag warning
light.................. .1-81, 2-16Vehicle security system..........2-71Warning labels (for SRS)..........1-81Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders..................2-12Warning lights.................2-12Warning lights, indicator lights and audible
reminders....................2-12Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders....................2-12Audible reminders.............2-12Indicator lights...............2-12Warning lights................2-12Washer switch
Rear window wiper and washer
switches
...................2-76Weights
(See dimensions and weights)......10-10Wheel/tire size................10-10Wheels and tires............8-29,10-10
11-7