tow NISSAN CUBE 2009 Owner's Guide

Black plate (28,1)
9 Technical and consumer information
Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2009/ 1/ 28
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants............ 9-2
Fuel recommendation...................................... 9-3
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation............... 9-5
Air conditioning system refrigerant and lubricant
recommendations........................................... 9-6
Specifications.................................................... 9-7
Engine......................................................... 9-7
Wheels and tires............................................ 9-7
Dimensions and weights.................................. 9-8
When traveling or registering your vehicle in
another country.................................................. 9-8
Vehicle identification........................................... 9-8
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate............. 9-8
Vehicle identification number (chassis number)...... 9-9
Engine serial number...................................... 9-9
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label............... 9-9
Emission control information label.................... 9-10
Tire and loading information label..................... 9-10
Air conditioner specification label
(if so equipped)........................................... 9-10
Installing front license plate................................ 9-11
Except for Kro¯
m models................................. 9-11For Kro¯
m models......................................... 9-13
Vehicle loading information................................. 9-14
Terms........................................................ 9-14
Vehicle load capacity.................................... 9-15
Securing the load......................................... 9-17
Loading tips................................................ 9-17
Measurement of weights................................ 9-18
Towing a trailer................................................ 9-18
Flat towing..................................................... 9-18
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).......... 9-19
Manual Transmission..................................... 9-19
Uniform tire quality grading................................. 9-19
Treadwear.................................................. 9-19
Traction AA, A, B and C................................ 9-19
Temperature A, B and C................................ 9-19
Emission control system warranty......................... 9-20
Reporting safety defects (US only)....................... 9-20
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test . ..... 9-21
Event Data Recorders (EDR).............................. 9-22
Owner’s Manual/Service Manual order information . . . 9-22
In the event of a collision............................... 9-23
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Black plate (289,1)
Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2009/ 1/ 28
FUEL RECOMMENDATIONUse unleaded regular gasoline with an octane
rating of at least 87 AKI (Anti-Knock Index)
number (Research octane number 91) .
CAUTION
.Using a fuel other than that speci-
fied could adversely affect the emis-
sion control system, and may also
affect warranty coverage.
.Under no circumstances should a
leaded gasoline be used, because
this will damage the three-way cat-
alyst.
.Do not use E-85 fuel in your vehicle.
Your vehicle is not designed to run
on E-85 fuel. Using E-85 fuel can
damage the fuel system compo-
nents and is not covered by the
NISSAN new vehicle limited war-
ranty.Gasoline specificationsNISSAN recommends using gasoline that meets
the World-Wide Fuel Charter (WWFC) speci-
fications where it is available. Many of the
automobile manufacturers developed this spe-
cification to improve emission control systemand vehicle performance. Ask your service
station manager if the gasoline meets the
WWFC specifications.
Reformulated gasolineSome fuel suppliers are now producing refor-
mulated gasolines. These gasolines are specially
designed to reduce vehicle emissions. NISSAN
supports efforts towards cleaner air and sug-
gests that you use reformulated gasoline when
available.Gasoline containing oxygenatesSome fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing
oxygenates such as ethanol, MTBE and metha-
nol with or without advertising their presence.
NISSAN does not recommend the use of fuels
of which the oxygenate content and the fuel
compatibility for your NISSAN cannot be readily
determined. If in doubt, ask your service station
manager.
If you use oxygenate-blend gasoline, please take
the following precautions as the usage of such
fuels may cause vehicle performance problems
and/or fuel system damage.
.The fuel should be unleaded and have
an octane rating no lower than that
recommended for unleaded gasoline.
.If an oxygenate-blend, other than
methanol blend is used, it should
contain no more than 10% oxygenate.(MTBE may, however, be added up to
15%.)
.If a methanol blend is used, it should
contain no more than 5% methanol
(methyl alcohol, wood alcohol) . It
should also contain a suitable amount
of appropriate cosolvents and corro-
sion inhibitors. If not properly formu-
lated with appropriate cosolvents and
corrosion inhibitors, such methanol
blends may cause fuel system damage
and/or vehicle performance problems.
At this time, sufficient data is not
available to ensure that all methanol
blends are suitable for use in NISSAN
vehicles.
If any driveability problems such as engine
stalling and difficult hot-starting are experienced
after using oxygenate-blend fuels, immediately
change to a non-oxygenate fuel or a fuel with a
low blend of MTBE.
Take care not to spill gasoline during
refueling. Gasoline containing oxygenates
can cause paint damage.
E-85 fuelE-85 fuel is a mixture of approximately 85% fuel
ethanol and 15% unleaded gasoline. E-85 can
only be used in a Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) . Do
not use E-85 fuel in your vehicle. U.S. govern-
ment regulations require fuel ethanol dispensing
Technical and consumer information
9-3
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Black plate (300,1)
Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2009/ 1/ 28
7. Insert a flat-blade screwdriver into the
grommet hole to add a 908turn onto the
part
*E.
8. Insert a J-nut into the license plate bracket
before placing the license plate bracket on
the fascia.
9. Install the license plate bracket with the
screws.
10. Install the license plate with bolts that are
not longer than 0.55 in (14 mm) .
WARNING
.
It is extremely dangerous to ride
in a cargo area inside the vehi-
cle. In a collision, people riding
in these areas are more likely to
be seriously injured or killed.
.
Do not allow people to ride in
any area of your vehicle that is
not equipped with seats and
seat belts.
.
Be sure everyone in your vehicle
is in a seat and using a seat belt
properly.
TERMSIt is important to familiarize yourself with the
following terms before loading your vehicle:.
Curb Weight (actual weight of your
vehicle) - vehicle weight including:
standard and optional equipment,
fluids, emergency tools, and spare tire
assembly. This weightdoes notin-
clude passengers and cargo.
.
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) - curb
weight plus the combined weight of
passengers and cargo.
.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
- maximum total combined weight of the
unloaded vehicle, passengers, luggage,
hitch, trailer tongue load and any other
optional equipment. This information is
located on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S.
label.
.
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) -
maximum weight (load) limit specified
for the front or rear axle. This informa-
tion is located on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.
S.S. label.
.
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rat-
ing) - The maximum total weight rating
of the vehicle, passengers, cargo, and
trailer.
.
Vehicle Capacity Weight, Load limit,
Total load capacity - maximum total
weight limit specified of the load
(passengers and cargo) for the vehicle.
This is the maximum combined weight
of occupants and cargo that can be
loaded into the vehicle. If the vehicle is
used to tow a trailer, the trailer tongue
weight must be included as part of the
cargo load. This information is located
on the Tire and Loading Information
label.
VEHICLE LOADING INFORMATION
9-14
Technical and consumer information
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Black plate (304,1)
Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2009/ 1/ 28
warranty.
MEASUREMENT OF WEIGHTSSecure loose items to prevent weight shifts
that could affect the balance of your
vehicle. When the vehicle is loaded, drive
to a scale and weigh the front and the rear
wheels separately to determine axle loads.
Individual axle loads should not exceed
either of the Gross Axle Weight Ratings
(GAWR) . The total of the axle loads should
not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) . These ratings are given
on the vehicle certification label. If weight
ratings are exceeded, move or remove
items to bring all weights below the ratings.
Do not tow a trailer with your vehicle.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.
CAUTION
.Failure to follow these guidelines
can result in severe transmission
damage.
.Whenever flat towing your vehicle,
always tow forward, never back-
ward.
.DO NOT tow any Continuously Vari-
able Transmission (CVT) vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground
(flat towing) . Doing so WILL DA-
MAGE internal transmission parts
due to lack of transmission lubrica-
tion.
.For emergency towing procedures
refer to “TOWING YOUR VEHICLE”
in the “6. In case of emergency”
section of this manual.
TOWING A TRAILER FLAT TOWING
9-18
Technical and consumer information
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Black plate (305,1)
Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2009/ 1/ 28
CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANS-
MISSION (CVT)To tow a vehicle equipped with a Continuously
Variable Transmission (CVT) , an appropriate
vehicle dollyMUSTbe placed under the towed
vehicle’s driving wheels.Alwaysfollow the dolly
manufacturer’s recommendations when using
their product.MANUAL TRANSMISSION.Always tow with the manual transmission in
Neutral.
.Your vehicle speed should never exceed 70
MPH (112 km/h) when flat towing your
vehicle.
.After towing 500 miles, start and idle the
engine with the transmission in Neutral for
two minutes. Failure to idle the engine after
every 500 miles of towing may cause
damage to the transmission’s internal parts.DOT (Department Of Transportation) Quality
Grades: All passenger car tires must conform to
federal safety requirements in addition to these
grades.
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
TREADWEARThe treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-half
(1 1/2) times as well on the government course
as a tire graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon actual conditions of their
use, however, and may depart significantly from
the norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road char-
acteristics and climate.TRACTION AA, A, B AND CThe traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B and C. Those grades represent the
tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled conditions on spe-
cified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire
is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning,
or peak traction characteristics.TEMPERATURE A, B AND CThe temperature grades A (the highest) , B, and
C, representing the tire’s resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions on
a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sus-
tained high temperature can cause the material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by law.
WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, under-inflation, or excessive
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
Technical and consumer information
9-19
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Black plate (2,1)
10-2Coolant
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants........................................ 9-2
Changing engine coolant........................ 8-8
Checking engine coolant level.................. 8-8
Corrosion protection................................. 7-6
Cover, Cargo cover................................ 2-34
Cruise control...................................... 5-21
Cup holders........................................ 2-31
CVT, Driving with CVT
(Continuously Variable Transmission)........ 5-7, 5-14
D
Daytime running light system..................... 2-25
Defroster switch, Rear window and outside
mirror defroster switch............................ 2-23
Dimensions and weights............................ 9-8
Door open warning light........................... 2-11
Drive belt........................................... 8-15
Driving
Cold weather driving.......................... 5-30
Driving with CVT
(Continuously Variable Transmission).... 5-7, 5-14
Driving with manual transmission........ 5-8, 5-18
Precautions when starting and driving......... 5-2
E
Economy, Fuel ..................................... 5-23
Electric power steering system................... 5-26
Electric power steering warning light............ 2-12
Emission control information label................ 9-10
Emission control system warranty................ 9-20
Engine
Before starting the engine.................... 5-12Break-in schedule.............................. 5-23
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants......................................... 9-2
Changing engine coolant........................ 8-8
Changing engine oil and filter................... 8-9
Checking engine coolant level.................. 8-8
Checking engine oil level........................ 8-8
Coolant temperature gauge..................... 2-6
Engine block heater........................... 5-31
Engine compartment check locations.......... 8-6
Engine cooling system.......................... 8-7
Engine oil......................................... 8-8
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation....... 9-5
Engine oil viscosity.............................. 9-5
Engine serial number............................ 9-9
Engine specifications............................ 9-7
If your vehicle overheats....................... 6-11
Starting the engine............................ 5-12
Event Data Recorders (EDR)..................... 9-22
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide).................... 5-2
F
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label............ 9-9
Filter
Air cleaner housing filter...................... 8-16
Changing engine oil and filter................... 8-9
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch) . . . 2-27
Flat tire................................................ 6-2
Flat towing.......................................... 9-18
Floor mat cleaning................................... 7-5
Fluid
Brake and clutch fluid......................... 8-11
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants......................................... 9-2Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid............................................. 8-11
Engine coolant ................................... 8-7
Engine oil......................................... 8-8
Window washer fluid .......................... 8-12
FM-AM radio with Compact Disc (CD)
player............................................... 4-17
FM-AM-SAT radio with Compact Disc (CD)
player............................................... 4-21
Fog light switch.................................... 2-27
Front manual seat adjustment....................... 1-3
Front passenger air bag and status light........ 1-47
Front seat, Front seat adjustment.................. 1-3
Front-seat active head restraints................... 1-7
Fuel
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants......................................... 9-2
Distance to empty............................... 2-8
Fuel economy.................................. 5-23
Fuel octane rating................................ 9-3
Fuel recommendation............................ 9-3
Fuel-filler cap................................... 3-24
Fuel-filler door.................................. 3-24
Gauge ............................................ 2-7
Fuses............................................... 8-19
Fusible links........................................ 8-20
G
Gas cap ............................................ 3-24
Gauge ................................................ 2-4
Engine coolant temperature gauge............. 2-6
Fuel gauge....................................... 2-7
Odometer......................................... 2-5
Speedometer..................................... 2-5
Model "MASTER" EDITED: 2009/ 1/ 28
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Black plate (5,1)
Precautions on seat belt usage................. 1-8
Pregnant women............................... 1-12
Rear center seat belt.......................... 1-16
Seat belt cleaning............................... 7-6
Seat belt extenders............................ 1-18
Seat belt hooks................................ 1-15
Seat belt maintenance......................... 1-18
Seat belt warning light........................ 2-14
Seat belts........................................ 1-8
Seat belts with pretensioners................. 1-52
Shoulder belt height adjustment.............. 1-15
Small children.................................. 1-11
Three-point type............................... 1-12
Seat(s) , Seats........................................ 1-2
Security system
(NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System) ,
Engine start........................................ 2-19
Security system, Vehicle security system........ 2-17
Selector lever, Shift lock release................. 5-17
Servicing air conditioner............................. 4-9
Shift lock release, Transmission.................. 5-17
Shifting
CVT (Continuously Variable
Transmission).............................. 5-7, 5-14
Manual transmission...................... 5-8, 5-18
Shoulder belt height adjustment, For front
seats................................................ 1-15
Small light indicator light.......................... 2-16
Sonar system....................................... 5-24
Spare tire...................................... 8-37, 9-7
Spark plugs ........................................ 8-15
Speedometer......................................... 2-5
Starting
Before starting the engine.................... 5-12
Jump starting..................................... 6-8Precautions when starting and driving......... 5-2
Push starting................................... 6-10
Starting the engine............................ 5-12
Status light, Front passenger air bag............ 1-47
Steering
Electric power steering system............... 5-26
Steering lock..................................... 5-8
Steering wheel switch for audio controls.... 4-28
Tilting steering column........................ 3-25
Storage............................................. 2-31
Sun visors.......................................... 3-26
Supplemental air bag warning labels............. 1-53
Supplemental air bag warning light....... 1-53, 2-14
Supplemental restraint system.................... 1-40
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system.......................................... 1-40
Switch
Audio control steering wheel switch......... 4-28
Autolight switch................................ 2-24
Fog light switch................................ 2-27
Hazard warning flasher switch................ 2-27
Headlight switch............................... 2-23
Overdrive OFF switch......................... 5-16
Power door lock switch......................... 3-5
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch........................................... 2-23
Turn signal switch.............................. 2-26
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch . . . 2-28
T
Tachometer........................................... 2-6
Temperature display................................. 2-7
Temperature gauge, Engine coolant
temperature gauge................................... 2-6Theft (NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System) ,
Engine start ........................................ 2-19
Three-way catalyst................................... 5-2
Tilt steering column................................ 3-25
Tire pressure, Low tire pressure warning
light................................................. 2-13
Tires
Flat tire............................................ 6-2
Low tire pressure warning system.............. 5-3
Tire and Loading information label........... 8-30
Tire and Loading Information label........... 9-10
Tire chains...................................... 8-34
Tire dressing..................................... 7-4
Tire pressure................................... 8-28
Tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS)..................................... 5-3, 6-2
Tire rotation.................................... 8-35
Types of tires................................... 8-33
Uniform tire quality grading................... 9-19
Wheel/tire size................................... 9-7
Wheels and tires............................... 8-28
Tonneau cover (see cargo cover)................. 2-34
Top tether strap child restraints.................. 1-22
Towing
Flat towing...................................... 9-18
Tow truck towing............................... 6-12
Towing a trailer................................. 9-18
TPMS, Tire pressure monitoring system........... 5-3
TPMS, Tire pressure warning system.............. 6-2
Trailer towing....................................... 9-18
Transmission
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid............................................. 8-11
Driving with CVT
(Continuously Variable Transmission).... 5-7, 5-14
10-5
Model "MASTER" EDITED: 2009/ 1/ 28
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