towing NISSAN ARMADA 2011 User Guide

TOWING SAFETY
Trailer hitch
Your vehicle may be equipped with an optional
trailer tow package. The trailer tow package in-
cludes a receiver-type frame mounted hitch. This
hitch is rated for the maximum towing capacity of
this vehicle when the proper towing equipment is
used. Choose a proper ball mount and hitch ball
that is rated for the trailer to be towed. Genuine
NISSAN ball mounts and hitch balls are available
from your NISSAN dealer.
If your vehicle is not equipped with the optional
trailer tow package, check the towing capacity of
your bumper hitch or receiver-type frame
mounted hitch. Choose a proper hitch for your
vehicle and trailer. A genuine NISSAN trailer
hitch is available from your NISSAN dealer. 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.

CAUTION
●Special hitches which include frame re-
inforcements are required for towing
above 2,000 lb (907 kg) . Suitable genu-
ine NISSAN hitches, ball mounts and
hitch balls for pickup trucks and sport
utility vehicles are available at a
NISSAN dealer.
● The hitch should not be attached to or
affect the operation of the impact-
absorbing bumper.
● Do not use axle-mounted hitches.
● Do not modify the vehicle exhaust sys-
tem, brake system, etc. to install a
trailer hitch.
● To reduce the possibility of additional
damage if your vehicle is struck from
the rear, where practical, remove the
receiver when not in use.
● Regularly check that all trailer hitch
mounting bolts are securely mounted.
Tire pressures
● When towing a trailer, inflate the ve-
hicle tires to the recommended cold
tire pressure indicated on the tire
placard.
● Trailer tire condition, size, load rating
and proper inflation pressure should
be in accordance with the trailer and
tire manufacturer’s specifications.
Safety chains
Always use suitable safety 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. The safety
chains can be attached to the bumper if the hitch
ball is mounted to the bumper. Be sure to leave
enough slack in the chains to permit turning
corners.
Trailer lights

Trailer brakes
When towing a trailer load of 3,500 lbs.
(1,587 kg) or more, trailers with a brake
system MUST be used.However, most states
require a separate braking system on trailers with
a loaded weight above a specific amount. Make
sure the trailer meets the local regulations and
the regulations where you plan to tow.
Several types of braking systems are available.
Surge Brakes - The surge brake actuator is
mounted on the trailer tongue with a hydraulic line
running to each trailer wheel. Surge brakes are
activated by the trailer pushing against the hitch
ball when the tow vehicle is braking. Hydraulic
surge brakes are common on rental trailers and
some boat trailers. In this type of system, there is
no hydraulic or electric connection for brake op-
eration between the tow vehicle and the trailer.
Electric Trailer Brakes - Electric braking sys-
tems are activated by an electronic signal sent
from a trailer brake controller (special brake-
sensing module) . If electric trailer brakes are
used, see “Electric trailer brake controller” in this
section.
Have a professional supplier of towing equip-
ment make sure the trailer brakes are properly
installed and demonstrate proper brake function
testing.

Trailer towing tips
In 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 perfor-
mance will be somewhat different than under
normal driving conditions.● Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
● Lock the trailer hitch coupler with a pin or
lock to prevent the coupler from inadver-
tently becoming unlatched.
● Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.
● Avoid sharp turns or lane changes.
● Always drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed.
● 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:

●Avoid towing a trailer for your vehicle’s first
500 miles (805 km) .
● For the first 500 miles (805 km) that you do
tow, do not drive over 50 MPH (80 km/h) .
● Have your vehicle serviced more often than
at intervals specified in the recommended
Maintenance Schedule in the “NISSAN Ser-
vice and Maintenance Guide”.
● 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.
Do the following if the trailer begins to sway: 1. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal to allow the vehicle to coast and steer as
straight ahead as the road conditions allow.
This combination will help stabilize the ve-
hicle
– Do not correct trailer sway by steering or applying the brakes. 2. When the trailer sway stops, gently apply the
brakes and pull to the side of the road in a
safe area.
3. Try to rearrange the trailer load so it is bal- anced as described earlier in this section.
● Be careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires con-
siderably more distance than normal pass-
ing. Remember, the length of the trailer must
also pass the other vehicle before you can
safely change lanes.
● Use the Tow Mode or downshift the trans-
mission to a lower gear for engine braking
when driving down steep or long hills. This
will help slow the vehicle without applying
the brakes.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the
brakes to overheat, resulting in reduced
braking efficiency.
● Increase your following distance to allow for
greater stopping distances while towing a
trailer. Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
● NISSAN recommends that the cruise con-
trol not be used while towing a trailer. ●
Some states or provinces have specific
regulations and speed limits for vehicles that
are towing trailers. Obey the local speed
limits.
● 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 launching a boat, don’t allow the wa-
ter level to go over the exhaust tail pipe or
rear bumper.
● Make sure you disconnect the trailer lights
before backing the trailer into the water or
the trailer lights may burn out.
When towing a trailer, final drive gear oil
should be replaced and transmission
oil/fluid should be changed more fre-
quently. For additional information, see the
“Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section
earlier in this manual.
Tow mode
Using tow mode is recommended when pulling a
heavy trailer or hauling a heavy load. Press the
TOW MODE switch to activate tow mode. The
indicator light on the TOW MODE switch illumi-
nates when tow mode is selected. Press the
TOW MODE switch again to turn tow mode off.
Tow mode is automatically cancelled when the
ignition switch is turned OFF.
9-30Technical and consumer information

Tow mode includes the following features:● Grade logic — Adjusts transmission shifts
when pulling a trailer or hauling a load up a
grade.
● Downhill Speed Control (DSC) — automati-
cally downshifts when driving down a grade
with a trailer or heavy load to help control
vehicle speed.
Driving the vehicle in the tow mode with no
trailer/load or light trailer/light load will not cause
any damage. However, fuel economy may be
reduced and the transmission/engine driving
characteristics may feel unusual.
When towing a trailer, final drive gear oil
should be replaced and transmission
oil/fluid should be changed more fre-
quently. For additional information, see the
“Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section
earlier in this manual.
FLAT TOWING
Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground is sometimes called flat towing. This
method is sometimes used when towing a vehicle
behind a recreational vehicle, such as a motor
home.

T
Tachometer ....................2-6
Temperature gauge Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Engine oil pressure low/engine coolant
temperature high warning light .......2-15
Theft (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system) ,
engine start .............2-27, 3-4, 5-13
Third row power folding seats .........1-23
Three-way catalyst ................5-2
Tilting steering wheel ..............3-30
Tire Flat tire .....................6-2
Spare tire ...................6-3
Tire and Loading Information label .....9-13
Tire chains ..................8-43
Tire placard ..................9-13
Tire pressure .................8-36
Tire rotation ..................8-43
Tires of 4-wheel drive ............8-45
Types of tires .................8-42
Uniform tire quality grading .........9-32
Wheels and tires ...............8-36
Wheel/tire size ................9-10
Tire pressure Low tire pressure warning light .......2-16
Tire pressure display ............4-6, 4-22
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) . . . .5-3
Tire rotation maintenance reminder . . . .4-6, 4-22
Top tether strap child restraint .........1-41
Towing 2-wheel drive models ............6-12
4-wheel drive models ............6-13
Flat towing ..................9-31 Towing load/specification
..........9-22
Tow truck towing ...............6-11
Trailer towing .................9-19
Tow mode switch ................2-38
Transceiver HomeLink Universal Transceiver ......2-59
T

ransmission Driving with automatic transmission . . . .5-15
Travel (See registering your vehicle in another
country) ......................9-11
Trip odometer ...................2-5
Turn signal switch ................2-33
U
Uniform tire quality grading ...........9-32
V
Vanity mirror ...................3-32
Variable voltage control system .........8-16
Vehicle dimensions and weights ........9-10
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch . . .2-37
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) system .....5-33
Vehicle electronic system ........4-13, 4-28
Vehicle identification ...............9-11
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
(Chassis number) ................9-11
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate . . . .9-11
Vehicle loading information ...........9-14
Vehicle recovery ..............6-13, 6-14
Vehicle security system .............2-26
Vehicle security system (NISSAN vehicle immobi-
lizer system) , engine start ......2-27, 3-4, 5-13 Ventilators
....................4-35
Visors .......................3-31
Voice recognition system ...........4-118
Voltmeter ......................2-8
W
Warning 4WD warning light ..............2-16
Air bag warning light .........1-72, 2-18
Anti-lock brake warning light ........2-14
Battery charge warning light ........2-15
Brake warning light .............2-14
Engine oil pressure low/engine coolant
temperature high warning light .......2-15
Hazard warning flasher switch .......2-34
Low fuel warning light .....2-16, 2-18, 2-24
Low tire pressure warning light .......2-16
Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light ......................2-24
Passenger air bag and status light .....1-66
Seat belt warning light ............2-18
V

ehicle security system ...........2-26
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ...................2-13
Warning labels (for SRS) ..........1-71
Warning lights ..................2-13
Washer switch Rear window wiper and washer
switches ...................2-29
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-28
Weights (See dimensions and weights) . . . .9-10
Wheels and tires .................8-36
Wheel/tire size ..................9-10
10-7