automatic transmission INFINITI QX80 2021 Towing Guide

2021 INFINITI Towing Guide


17
very slow speeds. For large trailers that obstruct your rearward vision, have someone
outside the vehicle act as a “spotter” to guide you along.

WARNING- Do not use or rely upon the Back-up Collision Intervention system (BCI)
when towing a trailer. The BCI system cannot function properly when objects are
obstructing the radar sensor beams.

PARK SMART
A tow vehicle and trailer can be an unwieldy combination in a small area, so always
try to park where you will have a relatively easy time maneuvering. Once parked,
always block the wheels on both the tow vehicle and the trailer.

Parking on a slope is not recommended. If, however, you must park on a slope and
since your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission, there are some
precautions you should take:
 Turn the wheels of the tow vehicle towards the side of the road away from the
center of the road, and apply the parking brake and only then move the gear lever
into PARK.
 Next, block/chock the wheels once the tow vehicle and trailer are in position and
are being held by the vehicle’s brake.

CAUTION-If you move the lever into PARK before blocking the wheels and applying
the parking brake, it may be difficult to later shift out of PARK. Transmission damage
may also occur.

PASS CAREFULLY
As mentioned in the introduction to this section, because of the added weight of the
trailer, acceleration capability is reduced and you will require a longer distance to
pass another vehicle. Be certain you have sufficient time and space to pass safely.


WARNING- Never attempt to pass on hills or when going around curves. Doing so
could cause a loss of vehicle control and result in accident, property damage or
personal injury. Because the trailer does not follow the exact path as the tow vehicle
on turns, safely passing and cornering while towing takes considerably more distance
and turning space than normal. Be certain you have sufficient time and space to pass
safely, remember, the length of the trailer must also pass the other vehicle before you
can safely change lanes.

HILLS – UPGRADES
Your vehicle was designed to be used primarily to carry passengers and cargo. If your
Infiniti
vehicle owner’s manual states its allowed for towing, its automatic transmission is
designed to select automatically the correct gear for the best towing comfort and
performance as the incline increases. To maintain speed or avoid up and down shifts,
manually shift to a lower gear as needed. The added weight of a trailer places an

2021 INFINITI Towing Guide


18
increased load on the engine and cooling system, so monitor your coolant
temperature gauge and automatic transmission fluid temperature gauge (if
equipped) carefully. At the first sign of overheating, pull to the side of the road. See IF
YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS later in this section for more information.

HILLS – DOWNGRADES

WARNING- While going downhill, the weight of the trailer pushing on the tow vehicle
may decrease overall stability, and may deteriorate overall handling characteristics.
The vehicle may handle unpredictably which could cause a loss of vehicle control
resulting in an accident, property damage, serious injury or death. Therefore, to
maintain adequate control, reduce your speed and shift to a lower gear and apply
the braking in short bursts. If your vehicle is equipped with Tow Mode, see your vehicle
owner’s manual for information about the use of this function.

WARNING- Avoid long or repeated use of the brakes when descending a hill, as this
reduces their effectiveness and could cause overheating which could result in
damage to your brake components or unable to slow to a safe speed. Shifting to a
lower gear instead provides “engine braking” and reduces the need to brake as
frequently.
HIGH-ALTITUDE PERFORMANCE
An engine will lose about 4% of its performance for every 1,000 feet above sea level
that you travel. If you will be towing in high altitudes, it is a good idea to allow more
time than usual due to the engine’s reduced performance.

While towing a trailer, do not use the following systems (if so equipped):
— ProPILOT Assist
— the Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system
— the Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system
— the Blind Spot Warning (BSW) system
— the Blind Spot Intervention® (BSI) system
— the Back-up Collision Intervention (BCI) system
— the Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) system
— the Distance Control Assist (DCA) system
— the Forward Emergency Braking (FEB) with pedestrian detection system
— the Predictive Forward Collision Warning (PFCW) system.

INTELLIGENT CRUISE CONTROL

WARNING- In order to maintain a safe distance to the vehicle ahead to avoid the
possibility of accidents, property damage, serious injury or death. INFINITI recommends
not to use the Intelligent Cruise control (ICC) system while towing a trailer or other
vehicle. In certain road conditions when your vehicle is towing, the ICC sensor may
not detect a vehicle ahead. If the ICC sensor cannot detect the reflector on the
vehicle ahead, the ICC system may not maintain the selected distance which could
cause an accident, property damage, or death.

2021 INFINITI Towing Guide


19


BLIND SPOT INTERVENTION

WARNING- Do not use or rely upon the Blind Spot Intervention system (BSI) when
towing a trailer. The BSI system cannot function properly when objects are obstructing
the radar sensors which could cause an accident, property damage, or death.

TOW MODE (IF SO EQUIPPED)
Tow Mode is recommended when towing a heavy trailer or hauling a heavy load, in
stop-and-go traffic, rolling terrain, or a busy parking lot. Driving the vehicle in Tow Mode
may affect fuel economy and transmission/engine driving characteristics. See your
vehicle owner’s manual for additional information about Tow Mode.


IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
A moderate increase in engine operating temperature is normal when towing a trailer.
If, however, the coolant temperature gauge reading is abnormally high, or if you are
experiencing a significant loss of power, or if you hear unusual engine noises,* the
engine may be overheating and you should immediately take the following steps:

1. Pull your vehicle safely over to the side of the road, out of traffic. Apply the
parking brake and move the gearshift lever to NEUTRAL (manual) or PARK
(automatic). DO NOT STOP THE ENGINE.

2. Turn off the air conditioning and, after opening all the windows, turn the heater
on to maximum hot and the fan to its highest speed, and exit the vehicle. The
heater core in your vehicle is just like a miniature engine radiator and will provide
an extra cooling surface to help reduce engine temperature.

*See your vehicle owner’s manual for additional indications that your vehicle may be
overheating.

3. If the temperature does not drop or continues to increase, stop the engine
immediately.

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.

WARNING -Never remove the radiator cap when the radiator is hot. If the cap is
removed under these conditions, pressurized hot water/coolant may spurt out,
possibly causing serious injury.