towing NISSAN ALTIMA 2006 L31 / 3.G Owners Manual

1. Engine hood (P. 3-9)
2. Headlight and turn signal switch
(P. 2-21)
3. Replacing bulbs (P. 8-30)
4. Windshield wiper and washer switch
(P. 2-19)
5. Windshield (P. 8-24)
6. Power windows (P. 2-38)
7. Door locks, keyfob, keys
(P. 3-3, 3-5, 3-2)
8. Mirrors (P. 3-15)
9. Tire pressure (P. 8-39)
10. Flat tire (P. 6-2)
11. Tire chains (P. 8-47)
12. Fog light switch (if so equipped)
(P. 2-25)
13. Tie down/towing hooks (P. 6-11)
See the page number indicated in paren-
theses for operating details.
LII0044
EXTERIOR FRONT
Illustrated table of contents0-3
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6 In case of emergency
Flat tire...........................................6-2
Changing a flat tire.............................6-2
Jump starting.....................................6-6
Push starting......................................6-8If your vehicle overheats............................6-8
Towing your vehicle................................6-9
Towing recommended by NISSAN..............6-10
Vehicle recovery (freeing a stuck vehicle).........6-11
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CAUTION
cAutomatic transmission models cannot
be push-started or tow-started. At-
tempting to do so may cause transmis-
sion damage.
cThree-way catalyst equipped models
should not be started by pushing. The
three-way catalyst may be damaged.
cNever try to start the vehicle by towing
it. When the engine starts, the forward
surge could cause the vehicle to collide
with the tow vehicle.If your vehicle is overheating (indicated by an
extremely high temperature gauge reading) , or if
you feel a lack of engine power, detect abnormal
noise, etc. take the following steps.
WARNING
cDo not continue to drive if your vehicle
overheats. Doing so could cause engine
damage or a vehicle fire.
cTo avoid the danger of being scalded,
never remove the radiator cap while the
engine is still hot. When the radiator
cap is removed, pressurized hot water
will spurt out, possibly causing serious
injury.
cDo not open the hood if steam is com-
ing out.
1. Move the vehicle safely off the road, apply
the parking brake and move the shift lever to
N (Neutral) (manual transmission) or to P
(Park) (automatic transmission) .
Do not stop the engine.
2. Turn off the air conditioner (if so equipped) .
Open all the windows, move the heater or air
conditioner temperature control to maximum
hot and fan control to high speed.3. Get out of the vehicle. Look and listen for
steam or coolant escaping from the radiator
before opening the hood. (If steam or cool-
ant is escaping, turn off the engine.) Do not
open the hood further until no steam or
coolant can be seen.
4. Open the engine hood.
WARNING
If steam or water is coming from the en-
gine, stand clear to prevent getting
burned.
5. Visually check drive belts for damage or
looseness. Also check if the cooling fan is
running. The radiator hoses and radiator
should not leak water. If coolant is leaking,
the water pump belt is missing or loose, or
the cooling fan does not run, stop the en-
gine.
WARNING
Be careful not to allow your hands, hair,
jewelry or clothing to come into contact
with, or get caught in, engine belts or the
engine cooling fan. The engine cooling
fan can start at any time when the coolant
temperature is high.
PUSH STARTING IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
6-8In case of emergency
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6. After the engine cools down, check the cool-
ant level in the engine coolant reservoir tank
with the engine running. Add coolant to the
engine coolant reservoir tank if necessary.
Have your vehicle repaired at a NISSAN
dealer.When towing your vehicle, all State (Provincial in
Canada) and local regulations for towing must be
followed. Incorrect towing equipment could dam-
age your vehicle. Towing instructions are avail-
able from a NISSAN dealer. Local service opera-
tors are generally familiar with the applicable laws
and procedures for towing. To assure proper
towing and to prevent accidental damage to your
vehicle, NISSAN recommends having a service
operator tow your vehicle. It is advisable to have
the service operator carefully read the following
precautions:
WARNING
cNever ride in a vehicle that is being
towed.
cNever get under your vehicle after it has
been lifted by a tow truck.
CAUTION
cWhen towing, make sure that the trans-
mission, axles, steering system and
powertrain are in working condition. If
any unit is damaged, dollies must be
used.
cAlways attach safety chains before
towing.For information about towing your vehicle behind
a recreational vehicle (RV) , refer to “Flat towing”
in the “Technical and consumer information” sec-
tion of this manual.
TOWING YOUR VEHICLE
In case of emergency6-9
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TOWING RECOMMENDED BY
NISSAN
NISSAN recommends that your vehicle be towed
with the driving (front) wheels off the ground or
place the vehicle on a flat bed truck as illustrated.
CAUTION
cNever tow automatic transmission
models with the front wheels on the
ground or four wheels on the ground
(forward or backward) , as this may
cause serious and expensive damage to
the transmission. If it is necessary to
tow the vehicle with the rear wheels
raised always use towing dollies under
the front wheels.cWhen towing automatic transmission
models with the front wheels on towing
dollies, or when towing manual trans-
mission models with the front wheels
on the ground:
– Turn the ignition key to the OFF po-
sition, and secure the steering wheel
in a straight-ahead position with a
rope or similar device. Never secure
the steering wheel by turning the ig-
nition key to the LOCK position. This
may damage the steering lock
mechanism.
– Move the gearshift lever to the N
(Neutral) position.
cWhen towing automatic or manual
transmission models with the rear
wheels on the ground (if you do not use
towing dollies): Always release the
parking brake.
ACE0511
ACE1001
6-10In case of emergency
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VEHICLE RECOVERY (freeing a stuck
vehicle)
Front
WARNING
cStand clear of a stuck vehicle.
cDo not spin your tires at high speed.
This could cause them to explode and
result in serious injury. Parts of your
vehicle could also overheat and be
damaged.
CAUTION
cTow chains or cables must be attached
only to the main structural members of
the vehicle or the towing hooks (if so
equipped) . Otherwise, the vehicle body
will be damaged.
cDo not use the vehicle tie downs to free
a vehicle stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc.
Never tow the vehicle using the vehicle
tie downs or recovery hooks.
cAlways pull the cable straight out from
the front or rear of the vehicle. Never
pull the vehicle at an angle.
cPulling devices should be routed so
they do not touch any part of the sus-
pension, steering, brake or cooling
systems.
cPulling devices such as ropes or canvas
straps are not recommended for use in
vehicle towing or recovery.
If your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc.,
use the following procedure:
1. Turn off the Vehicle Dynamic Control System
(if so equipped) .2. Make sure the area in front and behind the
vehicle is clear of obstructions.
3. Turn the steering wheel right and left to clear
an area around the front tires.
4. Slowly rock the vehicle forward and back-
ward.
cShift back and forth between R (reverse)
and D (drive) (automatic transmission
models) or 1st (low) and R (reverse)
(manual transmission models) .
cApply the accelerator as little as possible
to maintain the rocking motion.
cRelease the accelerator pedal before
shifting between R and D (automatic
transmission models) or 1st and R
(manual transmission models) .
cDo not spin the tires above 35 mph (55
km/h) .
5. If the vehicle can not be freed after a few
tries, contact a professional towing service
to remove the vehicle.
LCE0098
In case of emergency6-11
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Rear
WARNING
cStand clear of a stuck vehicle.
cDo not spin your tires at high speed.
This could cause them to explode and
result in serious injury. Parts of your
vehicle could also overheat and be
damaged.
CAUTION
cTow chains or cables must be attached
only to the main structural members of
the vehicle.
cPulling devices should be routed so
they do not touch any part of the sus-
pension, steering, brake or cooling
systems.
cAlways pull the cable straight out from
the front or rear of the vehicle. Never
pull the vehicle at an angle.
cPulling devices such as ropes or canvas
straps are not recommended for use in
vehicle towing or recovery.If your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc.,
use the following procedure:
1. Turn off the Vehicle Dynamic Control System
(if so equipped) .
2. Make sure the area in front and behind the
vehicle is clear of obstructions.
3. Turn the steering wheel right and left to clear
an area around the front tires.
4. Slowly rock the vehicle forward and back-
ward.
cShift back and forth between R (reverse)
and D (drive) (automatic transmission
models) or 1st (low) and R (reverse)
(manual transmission models) .
cApply the accelerator as little as possible
to maintain the rocking motion.
cRelease the accelerator pedal before
shifting between R and D (automatic
transmission models) or 1st and R
(manual transmission models) .
cDo not spin the tires above 35 mph (55
km/h) .
5. If the vehicle can not be freed after a few
tries, contact a professional towing service
to remove the vehicle.
6-12In case of emergency
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9 Technical and consumer information
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants.........9-2
Fuel recommendation...........................9-3
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation...........9-5
Recommended SAE viscosity number............9-6
Air conditioner system refrigerant and oil
recommendations..............................9-6
Specifications.....................................9-7
Engine........................................9-7
Wheels and tires...............................9-8
Dimensions and weights........................9-8
When traveling or registering your vehicle in
another country...................................9-9
Vehicle identification...............................9-9
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate..........9-9
Vehicle identification number
(chassis number)...............................9-9
Engine serial number...........................9-10
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label..........9-10
Emission control information label...............9-11
Tire and loading information label................9-11Air conditioner specification label................9-11
Installing front license plate........................9-12
Vehicle loading information........................9-12
Terms........................................9-12
Vehicle load capacity..........................9-14
Loading tips..................................9-15
Measurement of weights.......................9-16
Towing a trailer...................................9-16
Maximum load limits...........................9-16
Towing load/specification.......................9-17
Towing safety.................................9-17
Flat towing....................................9-21
Uniform tire quality grading........................9-21
Emission control system warranty..................9-22
Reporting safety defects (US only).................9-23
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M) test.....9-23
Event data recorders..............................9-24
Owner’s Manual/Service Manual order information . . . 9-24
In the event of a collision.......................9-25
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Your engine was filled with a high-quality engine
oil when it was built. You do not have to change
the oil before the first recommended change
interval. Oil and filter change intervals depend
upon how you use your vehicle.
Operation under the following conditions may
require more frequent oil and filter changes:
crepeated short distance driving at cold out-
side temperatures
cdriving in dusty conditions
cextensive idling
ctowing a trailer
cstop and go commuting
Refer to the9NISSAN Service and Maintenance
Guide9for the maintenance schedule.
RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY
NUMBER
cSAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred for all
temperatures. SAE 10W-30 or SAE
10W-40 viscosity oils may be used if the
ambient temperature is above 0°F (-18°C) .
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM
REFRIGERANT AND OIL
RECOMMENDATIONS
The air conditioner system in your NISSAN
vehicle must be charged with the refriger-
ant HFC-134a (R-134a) and the oil, NISSAN
A/C system oil Type S or the exact equiva-
lents.
CAUTION
The use of any other refrigerant or oil will
cause severe damage to the air condition-
ing system and will require the replace-
ment of all air conditioner system
components.
The refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a) in your
NISSAN vehicle does not harm the earth’s ozone
layer. Although this refrigerant does not affect the
earth’s atmosphere, certain government regula-
tions require the recovery and recycling of any
refrigerant during automotive air conditioner sys-
tem service. A NISSAN dealer has the trained
technicians and equipment needed to recover
and recycle your air conditioner system refriger-
ant.
Contact a NISSAN dealer when servicing your air
conditioner system.
ATI1028
9-6Technical and consumer information
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Steps for determining correct load
limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined
weight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed XXX kg or XXX
lbs” on your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers that will be
riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the
driver and passengers from XXX kg
or XXX lbs.
4. The resulting figure equals the avail-
able amount of cargo and luggage
load capacity. For example, if the
XXX amount equals 1400 lbs. and
there will be five 150 lb. passengers
in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capac-
ity is 650 lbs. (1400-750 (5 X 150)
= 650 lbs) or (640-340 (5 X 70) =
300 kg.)5. Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo and
luggage load capacity calculated in
Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer,
load from your trailer will be trans-
ferred to your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this re-
duces the available cargo and lug-
gage load capacity of your vehicle.
Before driving a loaded vehicle, confirm
the you do not exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) or the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR) for your vehicle.
See “Measurement of Weights” later in
this section.
Also check tires for proper inflation pres-
sures. See the Tire and Loading Informa-
tion label.
LOADING TIPS
cThe GVW must not exceed GVWR
or GAWR as specified on the
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification
label.
cDo not load the front and rear axle to
the GAWR. Doing so will exceed the
GVWR.
WARNING
cProperly secure all cargo with
ropes or straps to help prevent it
from sliding or shifting. Do not
place cargo higher than the seat-
backs. In a sudden stop or colli-
sion, unsecured cargo could
cause personal injury.
cDo not load your vehicle any
heavier than the GVWR or the
maximum front and rear GAWRs.
If you do, parts of your vehicle
can break, tire damage could oc-
cur, or it can change the way your
vehicle handles. This could result
in loss of control and cause per-
sonal injury.
Technical and consumer information9-15
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