NISSAN MURANO 2006 1.G Owners Manual

WARNING
Overloading or improper loading of a
trailer and its cargo can adversely affect
vehicle handling, braking and perfor-
mance and may lead to accidents.
CAUTION

Do not tow a trailer or haul a heavy
load for the first 500 miles (800 km).Your engine, axle or other parts
could be damaged.

For the first 500 miles (800 km) that
you tow a trailer, do not drive over 50
mph (80 km/h) and do not make
starts at full throttle. This helps the
engine and other parts of your ve-
hicle wear in at the heavier loads.
Your new vehicle was designed to be used
primarily to carry passengers and cargo. Re-
member that towing a trailer will place additional
loads on your vehicle’s engine, drive train, steer-
ing, braking and other systems.
MAXIMUM LOAD LIMITS
Maximum trailer loadsNever allow the total trailer load to exceed the
value specified in the Towing Load/Specification
Chart found later in this section. The total trailer
load equals trailer weight plus its cargo weight.

When towing a trailer load of 1,000 lbs. (454
kg) or more, trailers with a brake system
MUST be used.
The maximum GCWR (Gross Combined Weight
Rating) should not exceed the value specified inthe following Towing Load/Specification Chart.
The GCWR equals the combined weight of the
towing vehicle (including passengers and cargo)
plus the total trailer load.
Towing loads greater than specified or using
improper towing equipment could adversely af-
fect vehicle handling, braking and performance.
The ability of your vehicle to tow a trailer is not
only related to the maximum trailer loads, but
also the places you plan to tow. Tow weights
appropriate for level highway driving may have to
be reduced on very steep grades or in low
traction situations (for example, on slippery boat
ramps).
Temperature conditions also can affect towing.
For example, towing a heavy trailer in high
outside temperatures on graded roads can af-
fect engine performance and cause overheating.
The transmission high fluid temperature protec-
tion mode, which helps reduce the chance of
transmission damage, could activate and auto-
matically decrease engine power. Vehicle speed
may decrease to 40 to 50 MPH (65 to 80 km/h)
under high load. Plan your trip carefully to ac-
count for trailer and vehicle load, weather, and
road conditions.
CA0009
TOWING A TRAILER9-18
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WARNING
Overheating can result in reduced en-
gine power and vehicle speed. Also,
when the high temperature mode oper-
ates, vehicle speed may be gradually
reduced. The reduced speed may be
lower than other traffic, which could
increase the chance of a collision. Be
especially careful when driving. If nec-
essary, pull to the side of the road at a
safe place and allow the engine to cool
or the transmission to return to normal
operation.
CAUTION
Vehicle damage resulting from im-
proper towing procedures is not cov-
ered by NISSAN warranties.Tongue loadKeep the tongue load between 9 to 11 percent
of the total trailer load within the maximum
tongue load limits shown in the following TowingLoad/Specifications Chart. If the tongue load
becomes excessive, rearrange cargo to allow for
proper tongue load.
Maximum gross vehicle weight/
maximum gross axle weightThe gross vehicle weight of the towing vehicle
must not exceed the gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR) shown on the F.M.V.S.S. certification
label. The gross vehicle weight equals the com-
bined weight of the unloaded vehicle, passen-
gers, luggage, hitch, trailer tongue load and any
other optional equipment. In addition, front or
rear gross axle weight must not exceed the
gross axle weight rating (GAWR) shown on the
F.M.V.S.S. certification label.
TI1012M
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TOWING LOAD/SPECIFICATION CHART
TOWING LOAD/SPECIFICATION CHART
Unit: lb(kg)
MODEL
WEIGHTVQ35DE
CVT
MAXIMUM TRAILER WEIGHT*1 3,500 (1,588)
MAXIMUM TONGUE LOAD 350 (159)
GROSS COMBINED WEIGHT RATING 8,100 (3,674)
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT*2 Sway Control Device (SCD)
*1: All towing above 1,000 lb (454 kg) requires the use of trailer brakes. NISSAN recommends the use of
a tandem axle trailer whenever towing above 3,000 lb (1,361 kg).
*2: A sway control device is recommended for all towing above 2,000 lb (907 kg). Sway control devices
are not offered by NISSAN. See a professional trailer/hitch outlet for a properly designed sway control
device for your trailer.
TOWING SAFETY
Trailer hitchChoose a proper hitch for your vehicle and
trailer. Make sure the trailer hitch is securely
attached to the vehicle, to help avoid personal
injury or property damage due to sway caused
by crosswinds, rough road surfaces or passing
trucks.Hitch ballChoose a hitch ball of the proper size and weight
rating for your trailer:

The required hitch ball size is stamped on
most trailer couplers. Most hitch balls also
have the size printed on top of the ball.

Choose the proper class hitch ball based on
the trailer weight.

The diameter of the threaded shank of the
hitch ball must be matched to the ball mount
hole diameter. The hitch ball shank should be
no more than 1/16″smaller than the hole in
the ball mount.

The threaded shank of the hitch ball must be
long enough to be properly secured to the
ball mount. There should be at least 2 threads
showing beyond the lock washer and nut.
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Class I hitchClass I trailer hitch equipment (receiver, ball
mount and hitch ball) can be used to tow trailers
of a maximum weight of 2,000 lb(909 kg).
You may add Class I trailer hitch equipment to
the vehicle that has a 2,000 lb(909 kg) maxi-
mum weight rating, but your vehicle is only
capable of towing the maximum trailer weights
shown in the Towing Load/Specification Chart
earlier in this section.
CAUTION

Special hitches which include frame
reinforcements are required for tow-
ing above 2,000 lb (907 kg). Suitable
genuine NISSAN hitches for pickup
trucks and sport utility vehicles are
available at a NISSAN dealer.

Do not use axle-mounted hitches.

The hitch should not be attached to
or affect the operation of the impact-
absorbing bumper.

Do not modify the vehicle exhaust
system, brake system, etc. to install atrailer hitch.

After the hitch is removed, seal the
bolt holes to prevent exhaust fumes,
water or dust from entering the pas-
senger compartment.

Regularly check that all trailer hitch
mounting bolts are securely
mounted.

To reduce the possibility of addi-
tional damage if your vehicle is
struck from the rear, where practical,
remove the hitch and/or receiver
when not in use.
Tire pressures
When towing a trailer, inflate the ve-
hicle tires to the recommended cold
tire pressure indicated on the Tire and
Loading Information label.

Trailer tire condition, size, load rating
and proper inflation pressure should
be in accordance with the trailer and
tire manufacturers’ specifications.
Safety chainAlways use a suitable chains between your
vehicle and the trailer. The safety chains should
be crossed and should be attached to the hitch,
not to the vehicle bumper or axle. Be sure to
leave enough slack in the chain to permit turning
corners.Trailer lights
CAUTION
When splicing into the vehicle electrical
system, a commercially available
power-type module/converter must be
used to provide power for all trailer
lighting. This unit uses the vehicle bat-
tery as a direct power source for all
trailer lights while using the vehicle tail
light, stoplight and turn signal circuits
as a signal source. The module/
converter must draw no more than 15
milliamps from the stop and tail lamp
circuits. Using a module/converter that
exceeds these power requirements may
damage the vehicle’s electrical system.
See a reputable trailer dealer to obtainTechnical and consumer information
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the proper equipment and to have it
installed.
Trailer lights should comply with federal and/or
local regulations. For assistance in hooking up
trailer lights, contact a NISSAN dealer or repu-
table trailer dealer.Trailer brakesIf your trailer is equipped with a braking system,
make sure it conforms to federal and/or local
regulations and that it is properly installed.
WARNING
Never connect a trailer brake system
directly to the vehicle brake system.Pre-towing tips
Be certain your vehicle maintains a level
position when a loaded and/or unloaded
trailer is hitched. Do not drive the vehicle if it
has an abnormal nose-up or nose-down con-
dition; check for improper tongue load, over-
load, worn suspension or other possible
causes of either condition.
Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shifts while driving.

Load the trailer so approximately 60% of the
trailer load is in the front half and 40% is in
the back half.

Check your hitch, trailer tire pressure, vehicle
tire pressure, trailer light operation, and trailer
wheel lug nuts every time you attach a trailer
to the vehicle.

Be certain your rear view mirrors conform to
all federal, state or local regulations. If not,
install any mirrors required for towing before
driving the vehicle.
Trailer towing tipsIn order to gain skill and an understanding 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 per-
formance will be somewhat different than under
normal driving conditions.

Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.

Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.

Avoid sharp turns or lane changes.

Always drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed. Some states or provinces have spe-cific 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,
first block the wheels and apply the parking
brake, and then move the selector lever into
the P (Park) position. If you move the selector
lever to the P (Park) position before blocking
the wheels and applying the parking brake,
transmission damage could occur.

When going down a hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine braking effect.
When going up a long grade, downshift the
transmission to a lower gear and reduce
speed to reduce chances of engine overload-
ing and/or overheating.

If the engine coolant rises to an extremely
high temperature when the air conditioning
system is on, turn off the air conditioner.
Coolant heat can be additionally vented by
opening the windows, switching the fan con-
trol to high and setting the temperature con-
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trol to the HOT position.

If the transmission fluid rises to an extremely
high temperature, a high fluid temperature
protection mode may operate. See page
5-15 for details. If necessary, pull to the side
of the road at a safe place and let the
transmission cool before continuing.

Trailer towing requires more fuel than normal
circumstances.

Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles
(805 km).

Have your vehicle serviced more often than at
intervals specified in the recommended main-
tenance schedule.

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 adversely
affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly caus-
ing vehicle sway. When being passed by
larger vehicles, be prepared for possible
changes in crosswinds that could affect ve-
hicle handling. If swaying does occur, firmly
grip the steering wheel, steer straight ahead,
and immediately (but gradually) reduce ve-
hicle speed. This combination will help stabi-lize the vehicle. Never increase speed.

Be careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires con-
siderably more distance than normal passing.
Remember the length of the trailer must also
pass the other vehicle before you can safely
change lanes.

Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the brakes
to overheat, resulting in reduced braking ef-
ficiency.

Increase your following distance to allow for
greater stopping distances while towing a
trailer. Anticipate stops and brake gradually.

Do not use cruise control while towing a
trailer.

Check your hitch, trailer wiring harness con-
nections, and trailer wheel lug nuts after 50
miles (80 km) of travel and at every break.

When stopped in traffic for long periods of
time in hot weather, put the vehicle in the P
(Park) position.
FLAT TOWINGTowing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground is sometimes called flat towing. This
method is sometimes used when towing a ve-hicle behind a recreational vehicle, 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.

DO NOT tow any continuously vari-
able transmission vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground (flat tow-
ing). Doing so WILL DAMAGE internal
transmission parts due to lack of
transmission lubrication.

For emergency towing procedures re-
fer to “Towing recommended by
NISSAN” in the “6. In case of emer-
gency” section of this manual.Continuously variable transmissionTo tow a vehicle equipped with a continuously
variable transmission, an appropriate vehicle
dollyMUSTbe placed under the towed vehi-
cle’s drive wheels.Alwaysfollow the dollyTechnical and consumer information
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manufacturer’s recommendations when using
their product.DOT (Department Of Transportation) Quality
Grades: All passenger car tires must conform to
federal safety requirements in addition to these
grades.
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
TreadwearThe treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course. For example, 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 CThe 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 mea-
sured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and con-crete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire
is based on straight-ahead braking trac-
tion tests, and does not include accel-
eration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.Temperature A, B and CThe temperature grades are A (the highest), B,
and C, representing the tire’s resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sus-
tained high temperature can cause the material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive 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 Motor Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels
of performance on the laboratory test wheel than
the minimum required by law.
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY
GRADING
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WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, under-inflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in combi-
nation, can cause heat build-up and
possible tire failure.Your NISSAN is covered by the following emis-
sion warranties.
For US:

Emission Defects Warranty

Emissions Performance Warranty
(See Warranty Information Booklet for de-
tails)
For Canada:
Emission Control System Warranty
Details of these warranties may be found with
other vehicle warranties in your Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet that comes with your NISSAN
vehicle. If you did not receive a Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet or it has become lost, you may
obtain a replacement by writing to:

Nissan North America, Inc.
Consumer Affairs Department
P.O. Box 191
Gardena, CA. 90248-0191

Nissan Canada Inc.
5290 Orbitor Drive
Mississauga, Ontario,
L4W 4Z5
If you believe that your vehicle has a
defect which could cause a crash or
could cause injury or death, you should
immediately inform the National High-
way Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA)
in addition to notifying
NISSAN.
IfNHTSA
receives similar complaints,
it may open an investigation, and if it
finds that a safety defect exists in a
group of vehicles, it may order a recall
and remedy campaign. However,
NHTSA
cannot become involved in
individual problems between you, your
dealer, or NISSAN.
To contact
NHTSA
, you may call the
Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-888-
327-4236. You may also write to:
NHTSA
, U.S. Department of Transpor-
tation, Washington, D.C. 20590. You
can also obtain other information about
motor vehicle safety from the Hotline.
You may notify NISSAN by contacting
our Consumer Affairs Department, toll-
free, at 1-800-NISSAN-1 (1-800-647-
7261). EMISSIONCONTROL SYSTEM
WARRANTYREPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS
(US only)
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WARNING
A vehicle equipped with AWD (All-
Wheel Drive) should never be tested
using a two wheel dynamometer, similar
to the dynamometers used by some
states for emissions testing, or similar
equipment. Make sure you inform the
test facility personnel that your vehicle
is an AWD equipped vehicle before it is
placed on a dynamometer. Failure to do
so may result in transmission damage
or unexpected vehicle movement which
could result in serious vehicle damage
or personal injury.
Due to legal requirements in some states/
areas, your vehicle may be required to be in what
is called the “ready condition” for an
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of the emis-
sion 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 repaired orthe battery is disconnected, the vehicle may be
reset to a not “ready condition”. Before taking
the I/M test, check the vehicle’s inspection/
maintenance test readiness condition. Turn the
ignition switch ON without starting the engine. If
the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (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 after 20 seconds, the I/M
test condition is “ready”. If the MIL indicates the
vehicle is in a “not ready” condition, drive the
vehicle through the following pattern to set the
vehicle to the ready condition. If you cannot or
do not want to perform the driving pattern, a
NISSAN dealer can conduct it for you.
WARNING
Always drive the vehicle in a safe and
prudent manner according to traffic
conditions and obey all traffic laws.
1. Start the engine. Allow the engine to idle until
the engine coolant temperature gauge needle
points between the C and H (normal operat-
ing temperature).
2. Accelerate the vehicle to 55 MPH (88 km/h),
then quickly release the accelerator pedalcompletely and keep it released for at least
10 seconds.
3. Quickly depress the accelerator pedal for a
moment, then drive the vehicle at a speed of
53 to 60 MPH (86 to 96 km/h) for at least 9
minutes.
4. Stop the vehicle. Leave the engine running.
5. Accelerate the vehicle to 35 MPH (55 km/h)
and maintain the speed for 20 seconds.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 at least 10 times.
7. Accelerate the vehicle to 55 MPH (88 km/h)
and maintain the speed for at least 3 minutes.
8. Stop the vehicle. Place the transmission se-
lector lever in the “P” or “N” position.
9. Turn the engine off.
10. Repeat steps 1 through 8 at least one more
time.
If step 1 through 7 is interrupted, repeat the
preceding step. Any safe driving mode is ac-
ceptable between steps. Do not stop the engine
until step 7 is completed.
READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST (US
only)9-26
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Your vehicle is equipped with a variety of com-
puters that monitor and control a number of
systems to optimize performance and help ser-
vice technicians with diagnosis and repair. De-
pending on the equipment on your vehicle, some
of the computers monitor emission control sys-
tems, braking systems, engine systems, trans-
mission systems, tire pressure systems and air
bag systems. Some data about vehicle operation
may be stored in the computers for use during
servicing. Other data may be stored if a crash
event occurs. For example, air bag readiness, air
bag performance, and seat belt use by the driver
or passenger may be recorded, depending on
vehicle equipment. These types of systems are
sometimes called Event Data Recorders.
Special equipment can be used to access the
electronic data that may be stored in the vehi-
cle’s computers (sounds are not recorded).
NISSAN and NISSAN dealers have equipment
to access some of this data; others may also
have this equipment. The data may be retrieved
during routine vehicle servicing or for special
research. It might also be accessed with the
consent of the vehicle owner or lessee, in re-
sponse to a request by law enforcement, or as
otherwise required or permitted by law.A genuine NISSAN Service Manual is the best
source of service and repair information for your
vehicle. Filled with wiring diagrams, illustrations
and step-by-step diagnostic and adjustment
procedures, this manual is the same one used by
the factory trained technicians working at autho-
rized NISSAN dealerships. Also available are
genuine NISSAN Owner’s Manuals, and genu-
ine NISSAN Service and Owner’s Manuals for
older NISSAN models.
In the USA:
For current pricing and availability of genuine
NISSAN Service Manualsfor the 2000 model
year and later, contact:
Tweddle Litho Company
1-800-450-9491
www.nissan-techinfo.com
For current pricing and availability of genuine
NISSAN Service Manualsfor the 1999 model
year and prior, see a NISSAN dealer, or contact:
Resolve Corporation
20770 Westwood Dr.
Strongsville OH 44136
1-800-247-5321For current pricing and availability of genuine
NISSAN Owner’s Manualsfor the model year
and prior, see a NISSAN dealer, or contact:
Resolve Corporation
20770 Westwood Dr.
Strongsville OH 44136
1-800-247-5321
In Canada:
To purchase a copy of a genuine NISSAN
Service Manual or Owner’s Manual please con-
tact your nearest NISSAN dealer. For the phone
number and location of a NISSAN Dealer in your
area call the NISSAN Satisfaction Center at
1-800-387-0122 and a bilingual NISSAN rep-
resentative will assist you.
Also available are Genuine NISSAN Service and
Owner’s Manuals for older NISSAN models.
IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISIONUnfortunately, accidents do occur. In this unlikely
event, there is some important information you
should know. Many insurance companies rou-
tinely authorize the use of non-genuine collision
parts in order to cut costs, among other reasons.
EVENT DATA RECORDERS
OWNER’S MANUAL/SERVICE
MANUAL ORDER INFORMATION
Technical and consumer information
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