check engine NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE 2009 D32 / 4.G Towing Guide

2009 Nissan Towing Guide 15
TOWING
SAFETY

Towing can dramatically alter the handling and performance characteristics of your vehicle.
Plus, it puts increased strain on the engine and drivetrain. Therefore, it is always a good idea
to approach towing from the standpoint of safety — whether you are purchasing equipment or
actually pulling the trailer.
Always make sure your vehicle’s towing capacity is adequate for the trailer you intend to
tow. Buy or lease only quality equipment, and have it installed only by professionals. In
addition, be certain that you have all of the equipment needed for safe towing, including safety
chains/cables, electric trailer brakes, electric trailer brake controller, breakaway switch,
extended rear view mirrors, and so on. All of these items have been discussed in a previous
section of this guide.
With regard to vehicle maintenance, you should follow a more frequent schedule and
check fluid levels, pressures, tire condition, etc., more often when on the road. See your
vehicle owner’s manual for details.

LOADING YOUR TRAILER
Taking the time to load and balance your trailer properly will improve overall handling and
minimize the strain on your tow vehicle. Incorrectly loaded trailers tend to sway or swing from
side to side, upsetting vehicle handling. Careful loading and balancing can help eliminate
these problems.
As mentioned earlier, conventional trailer tongue load must fall between 10-15% of the
total trailer weight, or within the limits of the maximum trailer tongue load specified by the
trailer manufacturer. King pin load — if using a 5th wheel or gooseneck trailer — must be
between 15-25% of the total trailer weight.
Excessive tongue/king pin load can actually
push down the vehicle in back, lifting the front
wheels to a point where traction, steering
response, and braking are severely reduced.
Insufficient tongue/king pin load can cause
instability, which may lead to “tail wagging” or
jackknifing.
With this in mind, proper loading is extremely
important. When loading a trailer, 60% of the
total cargo weight should be positioned in the front portion of the trailer and 40% in the back.
Then, the load should be adjusted until the proper tongue/king pin load ratio is achieved.

2009 Nissan Towing Guide 16 The trailer load should be balanced equally from
side-to-side. Unequal side-to-side loading can
negatively affect handling and braking. Once in
place, all cargo should be firmly secured to
prevent shifting. If the load should shift abruptly
during braking or cornering, it could quickly affect
the handling of your vehicle and cause a very
unsafe situation.
Finally, do not carry flammable materials, such
as gasoline, in your trailer. In the event of an accident, an explosion or fire could occur.

ENSURING VEHICLE/TRAILER STABILITY
Improper loading, excessive or insufficient trailer tongue/king pin load, overloading, excessive
trailer weight, poorly designed trailer suspensions, crosswinds, and poor maintenance are all
things that can affect the stability of your vehicle and trailer combination.
If swaying does occur, check the cargo load for proper balance and distribution to ensure
proper trailer tongue/king pin load. In addition, check the condition of the suspension and
shocks, as well as the tires, tire pressures, and wheel bearings on both the tow vehicle and
the trailer. If swaying occurs because of high winds or poor weather conditions, wait until
these conditions improve before resuming your trip.
If the swaying continues and you feel your trailer is suitably balanced and within the towing
capacity limits of your vehicle, discontinue towing and consult your Nissan dealer or trailer
manufacturer to determine the problem. Most important, do not tow until the problem is
corrected.


VEHICLE SPEED
Some states have specific regulations and speed limits for vehicles that are towing trailers.
Always obey these ordinances.
Remember to reduce your speed in unsafe or less-than-ideal road conditions or weather.
When towing a trailer, braking distances increase while handling agility decreases. Always
leave yourself an extra margin of distance to respond to emergency situations.

PASSENGERS
Never allow passengers to ride inside a trailer while it is being towed. Not only is this
unlawful in most areas, passengers could be seriously injured during sudden trailer movement
or in an accident. In addition, trailers may allow fumes from the tow vehicle to leak inside. This
could result in carbon monoxide poisoning from the engine exhaust.

2009 Nissan Towing Guide 17 VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS
Vehicle modifications — beyond those required for proper hitch installation, wiring hook-up,
and necessary cooling system upgrading — are not recommended for any Nissan vehicle
being used for towing purposes. Changes to the drivetrain, suspension, exhaust systems,
frame structure/unibody, or other vehicle components are not necessary for towing within the
limits described in this guide. These changes may diminish the reliability and longevity of your
vehicle and possibly void warranty coverage.

TOOL KIT
It is always a good idea to travel with a special tool kit when towing. In addition to tools, it
should contain flares, a flashlight, emergency reflectors, jumper cables, extra fuses, extra
radiator coolant, oil, and easily replaced spare parts such as taillight bulbs. You should also
carry spare tires for your tow vehicle and trailer, as well as a jack suitable for use on the trailer.
Be aware that not all automotive jacks can be used safely on a trailer.

BEFORE STARTING OUT
Before starting out on a trip, make one last inspection of the tow vehicle and the trailer. Are
the tire pressures correct? Are the safety chains/cables securely in place? Is the cargo tied
down securely? Do all the lights work? Is the coupler properly attached over the hitch ball and
secured using a locking pin? Is the breakaway switch hooked up and functioning properly?
Are vehicle and electric trailer brakes working properly?
Make a checklist of key items to be inspected, and do not forget the basics. When towing,
vehicle engine oil, transmission oil, and coolant should always be checked before starting out.
Finding a potential problem while in your driveway is better than discovering it miles from
home.


TOWING
TIPS

If you have never towed a trailer before, be aware that it does take getting used to. To begin
with, towing noticeably affects your vehicle’s performance:
Š It will not accelerate as quickly — an important point to keep in mind when merging onto a
highway.
Š It will not stop as quickly. Leave more room than usual between you and the traffic ahead,
and brake sooner when coming to a stop.

2009 Nissan Towing Guide 21 4. Being cautious of traffic, step out of the vehicle and, from a safe distance, look for steam

underneath the engine. If you see steam or leaking coolant, stand clear to avoid being
burned and shut off your engine immediately and allow it to cool. If there is no steam, open
the hood. Never remove the radiator cap when the radiator is hot. If the cap is removed
under these conditions, hot water/coolant under high pressure may spurt out, possibly
causing serious injury.
5. As soon as the engine has cooled to its normal operating temperature, visually inspect the
drive belts for damage or looseness. A loose belt reduces water pump efficiency. Be
careful to keep your hands, hair, jewelry, and clothing clear of the running drive belt and
other moving parts when inspecting the engine and radiator. Also check to see if the
cooling fan is running, and inspect the water pump, radiator, and radiator hoses for leaks.
Keep in mind, too, that if your vehicle is equipped with an electric fan motor, it may start
without warning any time the coolant temperature is high. If you find leaking coolant, a
loose or missing drive belt, or an inoperable fan, turn off the engine immediately.
6. If no leaks are apparent and all other components appear to be operating properly with
the engine cooled to its normal operating temperature, check the coolant level in the
reservoir tank with the engine running. Add coolant to the reservoir tank if needed. At this
point, if repairs are required, go to the nearest Nissan dealer. See the IN CASE OF
EMERGENCY section of your vehicle owner’s manual for additional information on
overheating.
NOTE – All Nissan vehicles have an engine protection mode, which helps reduce the chance
of engine damage if the engine coolant reaches a specified temperature. See your vehicle
owner’s manual for details.


TOWING
GLOSSARY
5TH WHEEL
HITCH Located just forward of the rear axle centerline, this hitch uses a king pin to
serve as the pivot point for the trailer.

BALL MOUNT A bar that holds the hitch ball and is inserted into the hitch receiver. Also
commonly called a drawbar.

BREAKAWAY SWITCH A safety device using a trailer battery that automatically applies the trailer’s
brakes if it should accidentally become separated from the tow vehicle.
A breakaway switch may be used with both electric or surge trailer brake
systems.

BUMPER HITCH A reinforced bumper designed to accommodate a hitch ball.

2009 Nissan Towing Guide 27










































Passenger Vehicles – The towing capacity for Altima (Coupe, Hybrid, and Sedan), Maxima,
and Sentra vehicles is 1,000 lbs.; the maximum trailer tongue load is 100 lbs. DO NOT
tow a
trailer with 350Z Roadster, 370Z Coupe, cube, Versa, or GT-R.
NOTE – For passenger vehicles, the trailer tongue load must be subtracted from the GVWR
as shown on the F.M.V.S.S. certification label located in the driver’s-side door area.

2009 XTERRA TOWING DATA
Engine Type 4.0L V6
Transmission A/T & M/T
Model(s) 2WD & 4WD
Maximum
Trailer Weight1 (lbs.) 5,000
Maximum
Trailer Tongue Load (lbs.) 500
Gross Combined
Weight Rating (lbs.) 9,658
Maximum
Trailer Frontal Area 60 sq. ft.
1 Maximum Trailer Weight 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 and trailer tongue load.
2 The Maximum Trailer Weight when using the Genuine Nissan step bumper in this application as a
ball mount is 5,000 lbs.; the Maximum Trailer Tongue Load is 500 lbs.
3 The Maximum Trailer Weight when using the Genuine Nissan step bumper in this application as a
ball mount is 3,500 lbs.; the Maximum Trailer Tongue Load is 350 lbs. 4 Use of a weight-distributing hitch system is recommended when towing over 5,000 lbs. 5 The Maximum Trailer Weight and Gross Combined Weight ratings for 5th wheel and gooseneck
trailer towing are the same as specified for conventional trailer towing.
6 The vehicle optional tow package does not include a ball mount. Two ball mount options are
available through your Nissan dealer:
Š Class III hitch ball mount for trailers with a Maximum Trailer Weight of 5,000 lbs. or less.
NOTE – A hitch ball is not included with the Class III ball mount. This ball mount can be
used with any hitch ball with a shank diameter of 1” or larger.
Š Class IV weight-distributing hitch ball mount for trailers with a Maximum Trailer Weight
greater than 5,000 lbs. This ball mount can also be used with trailers under 5,000 lbs.
Maximum Trailer Weight.
NOTE – The Class IV ball mount includes a 2
5/16” hitch ball rated for 10,000 lbs. Smaller
hitch ball sizes may be used by following the instructions included in the ball mount kit.

NOTES:
Š Most states require a separate braking system on trailers with a loaded weight above a
specific amount. Check local ordinances.
Š A/T – Automatic Transmission, CVT – Continuously Variable Transmission