tire pressure INFINITI QX50 2020 Towing Guide

2020 INFINITI Towing Guide


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PREPARING YOUR VEHICLE
BREAK-IN AND MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
CAUTION- INFINITI recommends that you allow a su fficient “break-in” of both the
engine and drivetrain before towing with your new INFINITI vehicle.
DO NOT tow a trailer or haul a heavy load for the first 50 0 miles. For the first 500 miles
that you tow a trail er, do not drive over 50 mph and do not make starts at full throttle .
F ollowing these recommendations helps your engine and other parts of your vehicle
wear in at heavier loads.

Keep in mind, too, that towing places higher demands and added loads on ve hicle
components, so more frequent maintenance is called for. Your INFINITI S ervice &
Maintenance G uide provides the accelerated maintenance schedule for towing
purposes. Engine oil, filter, transmission oil, and possibly other fluids should be changed
mor e frequently when towing.

TIRE PRESSURE
When towing a trailer, increase the tow vehicle tire pressures to the recommended
cold specifications . You wi ll find these figures in the vehicle owner’s manual and on the
tire pressure chart located with in the vehicle. Trailer tire condition, size, load rating, and
inflation pressure must be in accordance with the trailer and tire manufacturer’s
specifications.

MEASURING VEHICLE WEIGHT
The key to safer, efficient towing has to do with weight. Y our vehicle — SUV, or
crossover vehicle — is capable of carrying and towing only a certain amount of
weight. You must compare your vehicle’s tow weight rating s with the combined
weight of the vehicle, trailer , and their contents. This will help ensure that the total
weight doe s not exceed any of your vehicle’s tow weight rating s. There are four
weights to consider when towing:
 Gross Vehicle Weight - curb weight of vehicle plus the combined weight of
passengers and cargo
 Gross Axle Weight (Front and Rear)- maximum weight (load limit) that can be
specified for front or rear axle
 Gross Combined Weight- maximum total weight of vehicle, passengers, cargo,
and trailer
 Trailer Tongue Load - the weight exerted at the vehicle- trailer coupling point

These ratings are based upon normal high way driving and may be reduced if
operating in reduced -traction situations (for example, slippery boat ramps ).

WARNING - Attempting to tow loads greater than the GVWR, GAWR, GCWR , and
the t railer tongue l oad specified could adversely affect vehicle handling, braking, and
performance. If you do, parts of your vehicle can break, and tire damage could
occur as a result of overloading which may not be covered by your vehicle warranty.
Overloading can also result in loss of control of your vehicle and which c ould cause a
serious accident, personal injury or death.

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in different configurations to adjust the tongue load and load tr ansfer and hitch ball
he ight . On some tandem axle trailers an incorrect hitch height can result in uneven
trailer axle loading.

WARNING- Towing can significantly alter the handling and performance
characteristics of your vehicle. Moreover , 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 a re purchasing equipment or actually pulling the trailer.

WARNING- Always make sure your vehicle’s towing capacity is adequate for the
trailer you intend to tow. Be certain that you have all of the proper equipment needed
for safe towing, such as safety chains/cables, electric trailer brakes, electric trailer
brake controller, breakaway switch, and extended rear view mirrors . Make certain
your equipment conforms to all federal, state or local regulations to help ensure
against the possibility of a serious accident and personal injury or death.

You should follow a more frequent maintenance 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

WARNING - 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 which could result in
a serious accident , personal injury or death . Careful loading and balancing , and a
weight distribution hitch and sway -control device 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 o f the maximum trailer tongue load specified by
the trailer manufacturer.

WARNING - Excessive trailer tongue load can actually push down the tow vehicle in
back, lifting the front wheels to a point where traction, steering response , and braking
may be severely reduced . which could result in an accident, personal injury or death .
Too little trailer tongue load or negative load can lift the trailer tongue upwards on the
trailer ball caus ing instability, which may lead to swaying, “tail wagging ,” or jackknif ing
which could result in an accident, personal injury or death .

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 load ratio is
achieved.





TOWING SAFETY

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WARNING -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 carg o should be firmly
secured to prevent shifting. I f the load
should shift abruptly during braking or
cornering, it could adversely affect the
handling of your vehicle and cause a
very unsafe situation and may lead to
anaccident or personal injury .
● D O N OT carry flammable materials, such as
gasoline, in your t railer. In the event of an
a ccident, an explosion or fire could occur.

PROVIDING FOR VEHICLE/TRAILER STABILITY

WARNING - Improper loading, excessive or in sufficient trailer tongue load,
overloading, excessive trailer weight, po orly designed trailer suspensions, crosswinds,
and poor maintenance are all things that can affect the stability of your vehicle
and trailer combination. Vehicle instability may result in loss of vehicle control and
cause an accident, personal injury or death.

If swaying occurs, gradually reduce speed, and apply only the trailer brakes to help
reduce sway. Steady the steering wheel and gradually pull over and stop to check
the cargo loa d for proper balance and distribution to ensure proper trailer tongue
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 trailer.

I f the swaying contin ues and your trailer is suitably balanced and within the towing
capacity limits of your vehicle, discontinue towing and consult your INFINITI retailer or
trailer m anufacturer to determine the problem.

VEHICLE SPEED
Please note that s ome states have speci fic regulations and speed limits for vehicles
that are towing trailers. 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 emergenc ies.

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PASSENGERS

WARNING - Never allow passengers to ride inside a trailer while it is being towed.
Not only is this unlawful in m ost areas, passengers could be seriously injured during
sudden t railer 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.

VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS

WARNING - DO NOT modify your vehicle beyond those required for proper hitch
installation, wiring hook -up , or adding extended mirrors on any INFINITI vehicle being
used for towing purposes. Changes to the drivetrain, suspension, exhaust systems,
electrical, frame structure/un ibody, 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 , void warranty coverage or possible result in loss
of vehicle control and ca use an accident, personal injury or death.


TOOL KIT
When towing, bring tools including 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. Choose a jack that can raise and lower the
trailer so that you can connect the coupler to and disconnect it from the ball of your
hitch. Choose on e with a weight capacity that matches or surpasses your trailer
tongue weight.

WARNING- Be aware that your automotive jack is designed for lifting only your
vehicle during a tire change. Using an automobile jack to lift a tr ailer-bearing load may
be unstable possibly causing it to fall off the jack stand which may result in property
damage or serious injury or death.

BEFORE STARTING OUT
Before starting out on a trip, make one last inspection of the tow vehicle and the traile r.
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 inspect . When towing, vehicle engine oil, transmission
oil, and coolant should always be checked before starting out. Finding a poten tial
problem while in your driveway is better than discovering it miles from home.
If you ha ve never towed a trailer before, be aware that it does take getting used to.



TOWING TIPS/CAUTIONS &