tire size INFINITI QX50 2020 Towing Guide

2020 INFINITI Towing Guide


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SAFETY IS PRIORITY ONE
Obviously, your first concern should be safety. Your vehicle was designed to be used
primarily to carry passengers and cargo. Always remember that towing a trailer places
additional loads on your vehicle’s engine, drivetrain, suspension, steering, braking, and
other systems. Therefore, be certain that your vehicle can meet the demands of the towing
application you have in mind.

Rent or purchase only the highest -quality towing and safety equipment you can find.
Rein forced tow hitches designed especially for certain INFINITI vehicles are available from
your INFINITI retailer. Hitches for other INFINITI models — if INFINITI recommends towing
with that vehicle — should be bought from and installed by a professional supplier of towing
equipment . Carefully review all information and literature provided with any hitch you
purchase for safety and proper use information. Finally, it is important to follow the towing
capacity limit set for your specific vehicle and to ensure that your vehicle is in top
mechanical condition, especially the tires, brakes, suspension , and engine cooling system.
See your vehicle owner’s manual for details.

NEVER EXCEED THE ESTABLISHED TOWING CAPACITY
Towing capacities vary from vehicle to vehicle . See the towing information in your vehicle
owner’s manual to confirm whether your 20 20 INFINITI vehicle can be used for towing and
if so it’s towing capacity .

EQUIP YOUR INFINITI FOR TOWING
The frequency and type of towing dictate the manner in which y ou equip your vehicle. If
you plan to tow often, either for recreation or work, select the engine size, transmission
type, suspension , and towing capacity that are best suited to your requirements. This guide
can help you select the proper equipment.

RE AD THIS GUIDE BEFORE YOU TOW
This guide was designed to provide an overview of safe towing practices. Here, y ou will
find information on towing equipment, safety, proper loading and driving techniques,
towing tips , and much more.

It is also a good idea to discuss your towing requirements with either your INFINITI retailer
or a professional supplier of towing equipment before you equip your INFINITI vehicle for
towing. Finally, there are state and local laws on towing that you should review to ensure
compli ance with all regulations.

CAUTION : INFINITI recommends you do not use your new vehicle to tow a trailer or
haul a heavy load for the first 500 miles (800 km) of use . Your engine, axle or other parts
could be damaged. For the first 500 miles that you tow a trailer, do not drive over 50 mph
and do not make starts at full throttle. This helps your engine and other parts of your
vehicle wear in at heavier loads.







INTRODUCTION

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.

2020 INFINITI Towing Guide


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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.
ELECTRIC TRAILER BR AKES When the brakes on a tow vehicle are applied, an electric current is sent to
an actuator which applies the trailer’s brakes.
ELECTRIC TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER A device that controls the electric trailer brakes.
GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING (GAWR)
The maximum amount of weight each vehicle axle (front and rear) is
designed to safely carry.

GROSS COMBINED WEIGHT RATING (GCWR)
The maximum allowable combined weight of the vehicle and trailer,
including passengers and all cargo.

GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR)
The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle, including passengers, cargo,
fuel, hitch, trailer tongue load, and any optional equipment.

HITCH BALL A ball that connects the trailer to the tow vehicle hitch that provides the
means by which the trailer pivots during cornering. Available in a number of
sizes and weight capacities, it must correspond to the trailer coupler size, and
have a sufficient capacity rating for the trailer being pulled.
RECEIVER HITCH A frame- or structure-mounted hitch with a receiver that allows removal of the
ball mount.
SAFETY CHAI NS/CABLES Provides an emergency connection between the tow vehicle and the trailer,
should the trailer become disengaged for any reason.
SURGE BRAKES Hydraulic-type braking system activated by inertia. As the tow vehicle begins
to brake, the trailer pushes against the hitch ball, consequently activating the
trailer brakes.
TRAILER TONGUE/COUPLER The part of the trailer that extends forward to meet the tow vehicle, and
carries the coupler assembly.
TRAILER TONGUE LOAD The amount of trailer weight pressing down on the hitch.

WEIGHT-DISTRIBUTING HITCH SYSTEM Type of hitch system that helps shift the trailer tongue weight to all trailer tires
and the tow vehicle front tires. Strongly recommended when towing trailers
with a Maximum Trailer Weight greater than 5,000 lbs.
WI RI NG HARNESS Provides an electrical connection linking the tow vehicle’s electrical system to
the trailer’s system.