towing NISSAN ARMADA PLATINUM 2017 User Guide

When towing your vehicle, all State (Provincial in
Canada) and local regulations for towing must
be followed. Incorrect towing equipment could
damage your vehicle. Towing instructions are
available from a NISSAN dealer. Local service
operators are familiar with the applicable laws
and procedures for towing. To assure proper
towing and to prevent accidental damage to
your vehicle, NISSAN recommends that you
have a service operator tow your vehicle. It is
advisable to have the service operator carefully
read the following precautions.

SCE0925
Two-Wheel Drive (2WD) models
TOWING RECOMMENDED BY
NISSAN
Two-Wheel Drive (2WD) models
NISSAN recommends that your vehicle be
towed with the driving (rear) wheels off the
ground or place the vehicle on a flat bed truck as
illustrated.

SCE0907
Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) models
Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) models
NISSAN recommends that towing dollies be
used when towing your vehicle or the vehicle be
placed on a flat bed truck as illustrated.

Rocking a stuck vehicle
If your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc.,
use the following procedure:
1. Turn off the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)system.
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.
.Shift back and forth between R (Reverse)and D (Drive) .
.Apply the accelerator as little as possibleto maintain the rocking motion.
.Release the accelerator pedal before
shifting between R and D.
.Do not spin the tires above 35 MPH (55 km/h) .
5. If the vehicle cannot be freed after a few tries, contact a professional towing service
to remove the vehicle. This section describes the procedure for manu-
ally shifting the vehicle into the 4WD mode (4L
position) in case of an emergency.
WHEN 4WD WARNING LIGHT ILLU-
MINATES
If the 4WD warning light illuminates while
driving, there may be a malfunction in the
4WD system. Stop the vehicle and have the
vehicle checked as soon as possible. It is
recommended you contact a NISSAN dealer
for this service. (See “NISSAN all-mode 4WD
Š”
(P.5-123) .)
When the vehicle is stuck on an uneven road
(desert, mud, etc.) and the 4WD warning light is
illuminated, be sure to place the 4WD shift
switch in the 4L position. If only the rear wheels
are spinning, this means that the transfer has not
switched to the 4L position electrically.
If this situation occurs, contact a dealer or road
assistance service for help. If an immediate
service is not available, perform the following
procedure to switch to the 4L position manually
and free the vehicle.

.As there is a performance limit to
the distance control function, never
rely solely on the ICC system. This
system does not correct careless,
inattentive or absent-minded driv-
ing, or overcome poor visibility in
rain, fog, or other bad weather.
Decelerate the vehicle speed by
depressing the brake pedal, de-
pending on the distance to the
vehicle ahead and the surrounding
circumstances in order to maintain a
safe distance between vehicles.
. If the vehicle ahead comes to a stop,
the vehicle decelerates to a stand-
still within the limitations of the
system. The system will cancel once
it judges that the vehicle has come
to a standstill and sound a warning
chime. To prevent the vehicle from
moving, the driver must depress the
brake pedal.
. Always pay attention to the opera-
tion of the vehicle and be ready to
manually control the proper follow-
ing distance. The vehicle-to-vehicle
distance control mode of the ICC
system may not be able to maintain
the selected distance between ve- hicles (following distance) or se-
lected vehicle speed under some
circumstances.
. The system may not detect the
vehicle in front of you in certain
road or weather conditions. To avoid
accidents, never use the ICC system
under the following conditions:
— On roads where the traffic is heavy or there are sharp curves
— On slippery road surfaces such as on ice or snow, etc.
— During bad weather (rain, fog, snow, etc.)
— When rain, snow or dirt adhere to the system sensor
— On steep downhill roads (the vehicle may go beyond the set
vehicle speed and frequent
braking may result in overheat-
ing the brakes)
— On repeated uphill and downhill roads
— When traffic conditions make it difficult to keep a proper dis-
tance between vehicles because
of frequent acceleration or de- celeration
. Do not use the ICC system if you are
towing a trailer. The system may not
detect a vehicle ahead.
. In some road or traffic conditions, a
vehicle or object can unexpectedly
come into the sensor detection
zone and cause automatic braking.
You may need to control the dis-
tance from other vehicles using the
accelerator pedal. Always stay alert
and avoid using the ICC system
when it is not recommended in this
section.
The radar sensor will not detect the following
objects:
. Stationary and slow moving vehicles
. Pedestrians or objects in the roadway
. Oncoming vehicles in the same lane
. Motorcycles traveling offset in the travel lane
The sensor generally detects the signals re-
turned from the vehicle ahead. Therefore, if the
sensor cannot detect the reflection from the
vehicle ahead, the ICC system may not maintain
the selected distance.
Starting and driving5-81

safe distance between vehicles.
. The system may not detect the
vehicle in front of you in certain
road or weather conditions. To avoid
accidents, never use the DCA sys-
tem under the following conditions:
— On roads with sharp curves
— On slippery road surfaces such
as on ice or snow, etc.
— On off-road surfaces such as on sand or rock, etc.
— During bad weather (rain, fog, snow, etc.)
— When rain, snow or dirt adhere to the system sensor
— On steep downhill roads (fre- quent braking may result in
overheating the brakes)
— On repeated uphill and downhill roads
— When towing a trailer or other vehicle
. In some road or traffic conditions, a
vehicle or object can unexpectedly
come into the sensor detection
zone and cause automatic braking. You may need to control the dis-
tance from other vehicles using the
accelerator pedal. Always stay alert
and avoid using the DCA system
when it is not recommended in this
section.
The radar sensor will not detect the following
objects:
. Stationary and slow moving vehicles
. Pedestrians or objects in the roadway
. Oncoming vehicles in the same lane
. Motorcycles traveling offset in the travel lane
The following are some conditions in which the
sensor cannot detect the signals:
. When the snow or road spray from traveling
vehicles reduces the sensor’s visibility
. When excessively heavy baggage is loaded
in the rear seat or the luggage room of your
vehicle
Starting and driving5-99

.As there is a performance limit to
the distance control function, never
rely solely on the ICC system. This
system does not correct careless,
inattentive or absent-minded driv-
ing, or overcome poor visibility in
rain, fog, or other bad weather.
Decelerate the vehicle speed by
depressing the brake pedal, de-
pending on the distance to the
vehicle ahead and the surrounding
circumstances in order to maintain a
safe distance between vehicles.
. If the vehicle ahead comes to a stop,
the vehicle decelerates to a stand-
still within the limitations of the
system. The system will cancel once
it judges that the vehicle has come
to a standstill and sound a warning
chime. To prevent the vehicle from
moving, the driver must depress the
brake pedal.
. Always pay attention to the opera-
tion of the vehicle and be ready to
manually control the proper follow-
ing distance. The vehicle-to-vehicle
distance control mode of the ICC
system may not be able to maintain
the selected distance between ve- hicles (following distance) or se-
lected vehicle speed under some
circumstances.
. The system may not detect the
vehicle in front of you in certain
road or weather conditions. To avoid
accidents, never use the ICC system
under the following conditions:
— On roads where the traffic is heavy or there are sharp curves
— On slippery road surfaces such as on ice or snow, etc.
— During bad weather (rain, fog, snow, etc.)
— When rain, snow or dirt adhere to the system sensor
— On steep downhill roads (the vehicle may go beyond the set
vehicle speed and frequent
braking may result in overheat-
ing the brakes)
— On repeated uphill and downhill roads
— When traffic conditions make it difficult to keep a proper dis-
tance between vehicles because
of frequent acceleration or de- celeration
. Do not use the ICC system if you are
towing a trailer. The system may not
detect a vehicle ahead.
. In some road or traffic conditions, a
vehicle or object can unexpectedly
come into the sensor detection
zone and cause automatic braking.
You may need to control the dis-
tance from other vehicles using the
accelerator pedal. Always stay alert
and avoid using the ICC system
when it is not recommended in this
section.
The radar sensor will not detect the following
objects:
. Stationary and slow moving vehicles
. Pedestrians or objects in the roadway
. Oncoming vehicles in the same lane
. Motorcycles traveling offset in the travel lane
The sensor generally detects the signals re-
turned from the vehicle ahead. Therefore, if the
sensor cannot detect the reflection from the
vehicle ahead, the ICC system may not maintain
the selected distance.
Starting and driving5-81

the weight rating of the hitch compo-
nents. Never exceed the weight rating
of the hitch components. Doing so can
cause serious personal injury or prop-
erty damage.
Hitch ball
Choose a hitch ball of the proper size and
weight rating for your trailer:
.The required hitch ball size is stamped on
most trailer couplers. Most hitch balls also
have the size printed on top of the ball.
. Choose the proper class hitch ball based on
the trailer weight.
. The diameter of the threaded shank of the
hitch ball must be matched to the ball mount
hole diameter. The hitch ball shank should
be no more than 1/16´´ smaller than the hole
in the ball mount.
. The threaded shank of the hitch ball must be
long enough to be properly secured to the
ball mount. There should be at least 2
threads showing beyond the lock washer
and nut.
Ball mount
The hitch ball is attached to the ball mount and
the ball mount is inserted into the hitch receiver.
Choose a proper class ball mount based on the
trailer weight. Additionally, the ball mount should
be chosen to keep the trailer tongue level with
the ground.
Weight carrying hitches
A weight carrying or “dead weight” ball mount is
one that is designed to carry the whole amount
of tongue weight and gross weight directly on
the ball mount and on the receiver.
Weight distribution hitch
This type of hitch is also called a “load-leveling”
or “equalizing” hitch. A set of bars attach to the
ball mount and to the trailer to distribute the
tongue weight (hitch weight) of your trailer.
Many vehicles cannot carry the full tongue
weight of a given trailer, and need some of the
tongue weight transferred through the frame and
pushing down on the front wheels. This gives
stability to the tow vehicle.
A weight-distributing hitch system (Class IV) is
recommended if you plan to tow trailers with a
maximum weight over 5,000 lbs (2,267 kg) .
Check with the trailer and towing equipment
manufacturers to determine if they recommend
the use of a weight-distributing hitch system. NOTE:
A weight-distributing hitch system may
affect the operation of trailer surge brakes.
If you are considering use of a weight-
distributing hitch system with a surge
brake-equipped trailer, check with the
surge brake, hitch or trailer manufacturer
to determine if and how this can be done.
Follow the instructions provided by the manu-
facturer for installing and using the weight-
distributing hitch system.
General set-up instructions are as follows:
1. Park unloaded vehicle on a level surface.
With the ignition switch in the ON position
and the doors closed, allow the vehicle to
stand for several minutes so that it can level.
2. Measure the height of a reference point on the front and rear bumpers at the center of
the vehicle.
3. Attach the trailer to the vehicle and adjust the hitch equalizers so that the front bumper
height is within 0 - .5 inches (0 - 13 mm) of
the reference height measured in step 2.
The rear bumper should be no higher than
the reference height measured in step 2.
Technical and consumer information10-23

WARNING
Properly adjust the weight distributing
hitch so the rear of the bumper is no
higher than the measured reference
height when the trailer is attached. If
the rear bumper is higher than the
measured reference height when
loaded, the vehicle may handle unpre-
dictably which could cause a loss of
vehicle control and cause serious per-
sonal injury or property damage.
Sway control device
Sudden maneuvers, wind gusts and buffeting
caused by other vehicles can affect trailer
handling. Sway control devices may be used to
help control these affects. If you choose to use
one, contact a reputable trailer hitch supplier to
make sure the sway control device will work with
the vehicle, hitch, trailer and the trailer’s brake
system. Follow the instructions provided by the
manufacturer for installing and using the sway
control device.
Class I hitch
Class I trailer hitch equipment (receiver, ball
mount and hitch ball) can be used to tow trailers
of a maximum weight of 2,000 lb (907 kg) .
Class II hitch
Class II trailer hitch equipment (receiver, ball
mount and hitch ball) can be used to tow trailers
of a maximum weight of 3,500 lb (1,588 kg).
Class III hitch
Class III trailer hitch equipment (receiver, ball
mount and hitch ball) can be used to tow trailers
of a maximum weight of 5,000 lb (2,267 kg).
Class IV hitch
Class IV trailer hitch equipment (receiver, ball
mount and hitch ball) can be used to tow trailers
of a maximum weight of 10,000 lb (4,545 kg) . A
weight distributing hitch should be used to tow
trailers that weigh over 5,000 lb (2,267 kg) .
Your vehicle may be equipped with Class IV
trailer hitch equipment that has a 10,000 lb
(4,545 kg) maximum weight rating, but your
vehicle is only capable of towing the maximum
trailer weights shown in the “Towing Load/
Specification” chart earlier in this section.

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 connec-
tion for brake operation between the tow vehicle
and the trailer.
Electric Trailer Brakes - Electric braking
systems are activated by an electronic signal
sent from a trailer brake controller (special brake
sensing module) .
Have a professional supplier of towing equip-
ment make sure the trailer brakes are properly
installed and demonstrate proper brake function
testing.