maintenance schedule NISSAN FRONTIER 2006 D22 / 1.G Towing Guide

2006 Nissan Towing Guide 10
PREPARING
YOUR VEHICLE

BREAK-IN AND MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Nissan recommends that you allow a sufficient “break-in” (500 miles) of both the engine
and drivetrain before towing with your new Nissan vehicle. For the first 500 miles that you
tow a trailer, do not drive over 50 mph.
Keep in mind, too, that towing places higher demands and added loads on vehicle
components, so more frequent maintenance is called for. Your service maintenance guide
provides the accelerated maintenance schedule for towing purposes. Engine oil, filter,
transmission oil, and possibly other fluids should be changed more frequently when towing.

MEASURING VEHICLE WEIGHT
The key to safe, efficient towing has to do with weight. Your vehicle — SUV, truck, Minivan,
or passenger car — is capable of carrying and towing only a certain amount of weight. You
must compare your vehicle’s tow-weight ratings with the combined weight of the vehicle,
trailer, and their contents. This will help ensure that the total weight does not exceed any of
your vehicle’s tow weight ratings. There are four weights to consider when towing:
Š Gross Vehicle Weight
Š Gross Axle Weight (Front and Rear)
Š Gross Combined Weight
Š Trailer Tongue/King Pin Load

These ratings are based upon normal highway driving and may be reduced if operating in
reduced-traction situations, e.g., slippery boat ramps.
NOTE – Attempting to tow loads greater than the GVWR, GAWR, GCWR, and the trailer
tongue/king pin load specified could adversely affect vehicle handling, braking, and
performance. Damage to your vehicle resulting from overloading may not be covered by
your vehicle warranty.

2006 Nissan Towing Guide 14 TIRE PRESSURE
When towing a trailer, increase tow vehicle tire pressures to the recommended cold
specifications. You’ll find these figures in the owner’s manual and on the tire pressure chart
located in the vehicle. Trailer tire condition, size, load rating, and inflation pressure should
be in accordance with the trailer and tire manufacturer’s specifications.


TOWING
SAFETY

Towing can dramatically alter the handling and performance characteristics of your vehicle.
Plus, it puts increased strain on the engine and drivetrain. Therefore, it is always a good
idea to approach towing from the standpoint of safety — whether you’re purchasing
equipment or actually pulling the trailer.
Always make sure your vehicle’s towing capacity is adequate for the trailer you intend to
tow. Buy or lease only quality equipment, and have it installed only by professionals.
In addition, be certain that you have all of the equipment needed for safe towing,
including safety chains/cables, electric trailer brakes, electric trailer brake controller,
breakaway switch, extended rear view mirrors, and so on. All of these items have been
discussed in a previous section of this guide.
With regard to vehicle maintenance, you should follow a more frequent schedule, and
check fluid levels, pressures, tire condition, etc., more often when on the road. See your
owner’s manual for details.

LOADING YOUR TRAILER
Taking the time to load and balance your trailer properly will improve overall handling and
minimize the strain on your tow vehicle. Incorrectly loaded trailers tend to sway or swing
from side to side, upsetting vehicle handling. Careful loading and balancing can help
eliminate these problems.
As mentioned earlier, conventional trailer tongue load should fall between 10-15% of
the total trailer weight, and king pin load — if using a 5th wheel or gooseneck trailer —
should be between 15-25% of the total trailer weight. Excessive tongue/king pin load can
actually push the vehicle down in back, lifting the front wheels to a point where traction,
steering response, and braking are severely reduced. Insufficient tongue/king pin load can
cause instability, which may lead to “tail wagging” or jackknifing.