• 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. 10-29). • 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.
Technical and consumer information10-31
• 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
to activate TOW mode. Push or turn the
Drive Mode Selector again to turn TOW
mode off. TOW mode is automatically can-
celed when the ignition switch is turned off.
The Idling Stop System is disabled when
the vehicle is in TOW mode.
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).
10-32Technical and consumer information
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for
CHildren) System..............1-35Precautions on child
restraints............1-43, 1-50, 1-56Top tether strap anchor point
locations...................1-40Child safety rear door lock..........3-7Cleaning exterior and interior......7-2,7-4Climate-controlled seat switches.....2-90Cold weather driving............5-196Console box..................2-110Controls
Heater and air conditioner controls. .4-33CoolantCapacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants
...............10-2Changing engine coolant.........8-5Checking engine coolant level......8-5Engine coolant temperature gauge. . .2-9Corrosion protection..............7-7Cruise control................ .5-87Cup holders..................2-112
D
Daytime Running Light System......2-87Defroster switch
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch
................... .2-81Dimensions and weights..........10-10Dimmer switch for instrument panel. . .2-88Door locks....................3-5Drive belt....................8-15
Driving
Cold weather driving...........5-196Driving with automatic transmission.5-18Precautions when starting and
driving.................... .5-4Driving the vehicle...............5-18Dual panel moonroof............2-120
E
Eco Drive Report...............5-34Economy - fuel................5-171Emergency call (SOS) button........2-98Emergency engine shutoff.......5-15,6-2Emission control information label. . . .10-13Emission control system warranty. . . .10-34Engine
Before starting the engine........5-16Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...............10-2Changing engine coolant.........8-5Changing engine oil............8-6Changing engine oil filter.........8-6Checking engine coolant level......8-5Checking engine oil level.........8-6Engine coolant temperature gauge. . .2-9Engine cooling system...........8-4Engine oil.................. .8-6Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation.............10-7Engine oil pressure warning light. . . .2-15Engine oil viscosity.............10-7Engine serial number..........10-12
Engine specifications...........10-9Starting the engine............5-16Engine Block Heater.............5-197Engine coolant temperature gauge. . . .2-9Event Data recorders........10-36, 10-37Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide)......5-4Explanation of maintenance items.....9-2Explanation of scheduled maintenance
items...................... .9-5Extended storage switch..........2-106Eyeglass case.................2-111
F
F.M.V.S.S. certification label.........10-12Flashers (See hazard warning flasher
switch)......................6-2Flat tire...................6-3, 6-4Floor mat positioning aid...........7-6Fluid
Brake fluid..................8-11Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...............10-2Engine coolant................8-4Engine oil.................. .8-6Windshield-washer fluid..........8-11Fog light switch................2-89Front air bag system (See supplemental re-
straint system).................1-67Front and rear sonar system.......5-183Front power seat adjustment........1-4Front seats....................1-2Front-door pocket..............2-107
11-2
Key fob battery replacement........8-24Keyless entryWith Intelligent Key system (See Intelligent
Key system)
.................3-13KeysNISSAN Intelligent Key®........3-2,3-7NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System
keys..................... .3-4
L
Labels
Air conditioner specification label. . .10-13C.M.V.S.S. certification label.......10-12Emission control information label. .10-13Engine serial number..........10-12F.M.V.S.S. certification label........10-12Tire and Loading Information label. .10-13Vehicle identification number (VIN). .10-11Vehicle identification number (VIN)
plate.................... .10-11Warning labels (for SRS)..........1-80Lane Departure Warning (LDW).......5-38LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for
CHildren) System...............1-35LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL). . . .2-87License plate
Installing the license plate........10-14Lif tgate.....................3-23Lif tgate release................3-29LightAir bag warning light........1-80, 2-16Brake light (See stop light)........8-26
Bulb check/instrument panel......2-14Bulb replacement.............8-26Charge warning light...........2-15Exterior and Interior lights........8-26Fog light switch..............2-89Fog lights..................8-26Headlight and turn signal switch. . . .2-82Headlight control switch.........2-82Headlights..................8-26Interior light................2-123Light bulbs.................8-26Low tire pressure warning light.....2-18Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light................. .2-41, 2-68Personal lights..............2-124Spotlights (See map light)........2-123Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders..................2-12Lights......................8-26Map lights.................2-123Lock
Child safety rear door lock.........3-7Door locks................. .3-5Glove box lock...............2-110Lif tgate release...............3-29Power door locks..............3-6Low fuel warning light.........2-41, 2-67Low tire pressure warning light.......2-18Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light................... .2-41, 2-68Luggage (See vehicle loading
information)..................10-15Luggage hook.................2-115Luggage rack (see roof rack). . . .2-116, 2-117
M
Maintenance
General maintenance...........9-2Inside the vehicle..............9-3Maintenance precautions.........8-2Outside the vehicle.............9-2Seat belt maintenance..........1-30Under the hood and vehicle.......9-4Maintenance requirements..........9-2Maintenance schedules............9-7Malfunction indicator light.........2-20Manual front seat adjustment........1-3Map lights...................2-123Memory seat..............3-40, 3-41Meters and gauges..............2-6Instrument brightness control.....2-88MirrorAutomatic anti-glare inside mirror. . .3-37Heated mirrors...............3-39Outside mirrors..............3-38Rearview.................. .3-37Vanity mirror................3-36Mirrors..................... .3-37Moonroof.................2-121, 7-5Moving Object Detection (MOD)......4-26
N
NISSAN Intelligent Key®..........3-2,3-7NISSAN Intelligent Key® battery discharge
indicator.....................5-15
11-4