towing NISSAN FRONTIER 2018 Owner´s Manual

To help ensure smooth, safe and economi-
cal driving, NISSAN provides two mainte-
nance schedules that may be used, de-
pending upon the conditions in which you
usually drive. These schedules contain
both distance and time intervals, up to
120,000 miles (192,000 km)/144 months. For
most people, the odometer reading will in-
dicate when service is needed. However, if
you drive very little, your vehicle should be
serviced at the regular time intervals
shown in the schedule.
Af ter 120,000 miles
(192,000 km)/144 months, continue
maintenance at the same mileage/time
intervals.
ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS
FOR SEVERE OPERATING
CONDITIONS
Additional maintenance items for severe
operating conditionsshould be per-
formed on vehicles that are driven under
especially demanding conditions. Addi-
tional maintenance items should be per-
formed if you primarily operate your vehicle
under the following conditions:
∙ Repeated short trips of less than 5 miles (8 km). ∙ Repeated short trips of less than
10 miles (16 km) with outside tempera-
tures remaining below freezing.
∙ Operating in hot weather in stop- and-go “rush hour” traffic.
∙ Extensive idling and/or low speed driv- ing for long distances, such as police,
taxi or door-to-door delivery use.
∙ Driving in dusty conditions.
∙ Driving on rough, muddy or salt spread roads.
∙ Towing a trailer, using a camper or using a car-top carrier.
NOTE:
For vehicles operated in Canada, both
standard and severe maintenance items
should be performed at every interval. The following tables show the standard
maintenance schedule. Depending upon
weather and atmospheric conditions,
varying road surfaces, individual driving
habits and vehicle usage, additional or
more frequent maintenance may be re-
quired.
Af ter 120,000 miles
(192,000 km)/144 months, continue
maintenance at the same mileage/time
interval.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES STANDARD MAINTENANCE
Maintenance and schedules9-7

MAINTENANCE OPERATION
Perform at number of miles, kilometers or months, whichever comes first. miles x 1,000
(km x 1,000) Months MAINTENANCE INTERVAL
65
(104) 78 70
(112) 84 75
(120) 90 80
(128) 96 85
(136) 102 90
(144) 108 95
(152) 114 100
(160) 120 105
(168) 126 110
(176) 132 115
(184) 138 120
(192) 144
B ra ke li n es & ca b le s IIIIII
Brake pads & rotors IIIIII
Brake fluid RRR
Automatic transmission fluid See NOTE (1)IIIIII
Manual transmission gear oil See NOTE (2)IIIIII
D if fe re n tia lg ea r oil See NO TE (2 )IIIIII
Transfer fluid See NOTE (2)IIIIII
Steering gear and linkage, axle and suspension
parts III
Propeller shaf t & drive shaf t boots (4WD mod-
els) IIIIII
Tire rotation See NOTE (3)
Exhaust system III
In-cabin microfilter RRRR
NOTE:
Maintenance items with “” should be performed more frequently according to “Maintenance under severe driving conditions”.
(1) If towing a trailer, using a car-top carrier, or driving on rough or muddy roads, change (not just inspect) oil at every 20,000 miles
(32,000 km) or 24 months. Using automatic transmission fluid other than Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF or Matic J ATF (or their
equivalents) may cause deterioration in driveability and automatic transmission durability, and may damage the automatic
transmission. Damage caused by the use of other fluids is not covered by the NISSAN New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
(2) If towing a trailer, using a camper or a car-top, or driving on rough or muddy roads, change (not just inspect) oil at every
20,000 miles (32,000 km) or 24 months.
(3) For additional information on tire rotation, refer to “General maintenance” in this section.
Maintenance and schedules9-11

The maintenance intervals shown on the preceding pages are for normal operating conditions. If the vehicle is mainly operated under
severe driving conditions as shown below, more frequent maintenance must be performed on the following items as shown in the table.
SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS
∙ Repeated short trips of less than 5 miles(8 km).
∙ Repeated short trips of less than 10 miles (16 km) with outside tempera-
tures remaining below freezing. ∙ Operating in hot weather in stop-
and-go “rush hour” traffic.
∙ Extensive idling and/or low speed driv- ing for long distance, such as police, taxi
or door-to-door delivery use. ∙ Driving in dusty conditions.
∙ Driving on rough, muddy or salt spread
roads.
∙ Towing a trailer, using a camper or a car-top carrier.
Maintenance operation: Inspect = Inspect and correct or replace as necessary.
Maintenance item Maintenance operation Maintenance interval
Brake fluid ReplaceEvery 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or 12 months
Brake pads & rotors InspectEvery 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6 months
Steering gear & linkage, axle & suspension parts InspectEvery 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6 months
Propeller shaf t & drive shaf t boots (4WD models) InspectEvery 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6 months
Exhaust system InspectEvery 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6 months
MAINTENANCE UNDER SEVERE
OPERATING CONDITIONS
9-12Maintenance and schedules

10 Technical and consumer information
Recommended fluids/lubricants and
capacities...................................... 10-2
Fuel recommendation
(for QR25DE engine models) .................10-4
Fuel recommendation
(for VQ40DE models) ........................ 10-6
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) fuel
recommendation (if so equipped) ...........10-9
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendations .......................... 10-11
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations ......................10-12
Specifications ................................. 10-13
Engine ..................................... 10-13
Wheels and tires ............................ 10-14
Dimensions and weights ...................10-15
When traveling or registering in another
country ........................................ 10-16
Vehicle identification .......................... 10-16
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
plate ....................................... 10-16
Engine serial number ....................... 10-16
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label ........10-17
Emission control information label .........10-18 Tire and loading information label
..........10-18
Air conditioner specification label ...........10-19
Installing front license plate ....................10-19
Installing front license plate with
grommets .................................. 10-19
Installing front license plate without
grommets .................................. 10-19
Vehicle loading information ...................10-20
Terms ...................................... 10-20
Vehicle load capacity ....................... 10-21
Securing the load ........................... 10-22
Utili-track® channel system
(if so equipped) ............................. 10-23
Loading tips ................................ 10-28
Truck-camper loading information ............10-29
Crew cab models ........................... 10-29
King Cab® models .......................... 10-29
Special Body vehicles ....................... 10-29
L
ocation for center of gravity ...............10-29
Vehicle load weight capacity ...............10-30
Measurement of weights ...................10-30
Towing a trailer ................................ 10-30
Maximum load limits ....................... 10-31
Towing load/specification ..................10-34

Towing safety.............................. 10-36
Flat towing – 4WD with automatic
transmission ............................... 10-43
Flat towing – 2WD with automatic
transmission ............................... 10-43
Flat towing – 2WD/4WD with manual
transmission ............................... 10-43
Uniform tire quality grading ....................10-44Emission control system warranty
.............10-45
Reporting safety defects ......................10-45
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M)
test ............................................ 10-46
Event Data Recorders (EDR) ....................10-47
Owner’s Manual/Service Manual order
information ................................... 10-48

Change intervals
The oil and oil filter change intervals for
your engine are based on the use of the
specified quality oils and filters. Using en-
gine oil and filters that are not of the speci-
fied quality, or exceeding recommended oil
and filter change intervals could reduce
engine life. Damage to the engine caused
by improper maintenance or use of incor-
rect oil and filter quality and/or viscosity is
not covered by the NISSAN New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
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 recom-
mended 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:∙ repeated short distance driving at cold outside temperatures
∙ driving in dusty conditions
∙ extensive idling
∙ towing a trailer
∙ stop and go commuting For additional information, refer to the
“Maintenance and schedules” section of
this manual.
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM
REFRIGERANT AND OIL
RECOMMENDATIONS
The air conditioner system in your
NISSAN vehicle must be charged with the
refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a) and
NISSAN A/C system oil Type R (KLH00-
PAGRO) or the exact equivalents.
CAUTION
The use of any other refrigerant or oil
will cause severe damage to the air con-
ditioning system and will require the re-
placement 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 regulations require the recov-
ery and recycling of any refrigerant during
automotive air conditioner system service.
A NISSAN dealer has the trained techni-
cians and equipment needed to recover
and recycle your air conditioner system re-
frigerant.
It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer when servicing your air conditioner
system.
10-12Technical and consumer information

Steps for determining correct
load limit
1. Locate the statement “The com-bined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX
lbs. or XXX kg” 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 lbs. or XXX kg.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For ex-
ample, if the XXX amount equals
1,400 lbs. and there will be five
150 lbs. passengers in your ve-
hicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capac-
ity is 650 lbs. (1,400-750 (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 transferred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to deter-
mine how this reduces the avail-
able cargo and luggage load ca-
pacity of your vehicle.
Before driving a loaded vehicle, con-
firm that you do not exceed the
GVWR or the GAWR for your vehicle.
For additional information, refer to
“Measurement of weights” in this
section.
Also check tires for proper inflation
pressures. For additional informa-
tion, refer to the “Tire and Loading
Information label” in the “Do-it-
yourself ” section of this manual.
SECURING THE LOAD
For your convenience, tie down hooks (if so
equipped) are placed at each corner of the
truck box. These may be used to help se-
cure cargo loaded into the truck box.
WARNING
∙ Properly secure all cargo with ropes or straps to help prevent it from sliding
or shif ting. Do not place cargo higher
than the seatbacks. In a sudden stop
or collision, unsecured cargo could
cause personal injury.
LTI0102
10-22Technical and consumer information

The total cargo load should not exceed the
truck’s pay load weight rating and the
camper’s center of gravity should fall within
the truck’s recommended center of gravity
location when installed.
WARNING
Overloading or improper loading can
adversely affect vehicle handling, brak-
ing and performance and may lead to
accidents.
VEHICLE LOAD WEIGHT CAPACITY
The vehicle payload weight capacity
shown on the Tire and Loading Information
label, refer to “Tire and Loading Information
label” in this section, indicates the maxi-
mum total weight of passengers, optional
equipment (air conditioning, trailer hitch,
etc.) and cargo that your vehicle is de-
signed to carry.
Before driving a loaded vehicle, confirm
that you do not exceed the GVWR or the
GAWR for your vehicle. For additional infor-
mation, refer to ’’Vehicle loading informa-
tion’’ in this section.
Also check tires for proper inflation pres-
sures. For additional information, refer to
the Tire and Loading Information label.
MEASUREMENT OF WEIGHTS
Secure loose items to prevent
weight shif ts that could affect the
balance of your vehicle. When the ve-
hicle is loaded, drive to a scale and
weigh the front and the rear wheels
separately to determine axle loads.
Individual axle loads should not ex-
ceed either of the GAWR. The total of
the axle loads should not exceed the
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.
WARNING
∙ Overloading or improper loading of atrailer and its cargo can adversely af-
fect vehicle handling, braking and
performance and may lead to
accidents.
∙ Do not tow a trailer when the TEMPO- RARY FULL SIZE spare tire is installed.
CAUTION
∙ Do not tow a trailer or haul a heavyload for the first 500 mile (805 km).
Your engine, axle or other parts could
be damaged.
∙ For the first 500 miles (805 km) that you tow a trailer, do not drive over
50 mph (80 km/h) and do not make
starts at full throttle. This helps the
engine and other parts of your vehicle
wear in at the heavier loads.
Your new vehicle was designed to be used
primarily to carry passengers and cargo.
Remember that towing a trailer places ad-
ditional loads on your vehicle’s engine,
drive train, steering, braking and other sys-
tems.
TOWING A TRAILER
10-30Technical and consumer information

A NISSAN Towing Guide (U.S. only) is avail-
able on the website at
www.nissanusa.com. This guide includes
information on trailer towing capability and
the special equipment required for proper
towing.
MAXIMUM LOAD LIMITS
Maximum trailer loads
Never allow the total trailer load to exceed
the value specified in the “Towing
Load/Specification” chart found in this sec-
tion. The total trailer load equals trailer
weight plus its cargo weight.∙ When towing a trailer load of
3,500 lbs. (1,587 kg) or more, trailers
with a brake system MUST be used.
The maximum Gross Combined Weight
Rating (GCWR) should not exceed the value
specified in the following “Towing
Load/Specification” chart. The GCWR equals the combined weight of
the towing vehicle (including passengers
and cargo) plus the total trailer load. Tow-
ing loads greater than these or using im-
proper towing equipment could adversely
affect vehicle handling, braking and perfor-
mance.
The ability of your vehicle to tow a trailer is
not only related to the maximum trailer
loads, but also the places you plan to tow.
Tow weights appropriate for level highway
driving may have to be reduced for low
traction situations (for example, on slippery
boat ramps).Temperature conditions can also affect
towing. For example, towing a heavy trailer
in high outside temperatures on graded
roads can affect engine performance and
cause overheating. The engine protection
mode, which helps reduce the chance of
engine damage, could activate and auto-
matically decrease engine power. Vehicle
speed may decrease under high load. Plan
your trip carefully to account for trailer and
vehicle load, weather and road conditions.
WARNING
Overheating can result in reduced en-
gine power and vehicle speed. The re-
duced speed may be lower than other
traffic, which could increase the chance
of a collision. Be especially careful when
driving. If the vehicle cannot maintain a
safe driving speed, pull to the side of the
road in a safe area. Allow the engine to
cool and return to normal operation. For
additional information, refer to “If your
vehicle overheats” in the “In case of
emergency ” section of this manual.LTI0161
Technical and consumer information10-31

CAUTION
Vehicle damage resulting from im-
proper towing procedures is not cov-
ered by NISSAN warranties.
Tongue load
When using a weight carrying or a weight
distributing hitch, keep the tongue load be-
tween 10 - 15% of the total trailer load or use
the trailer tongue load specified by the
trailer manufacturer. The tongue load
must be within the maximum tongue load
limits shown in the following “Towing
Load/Specification” chart. If the tongue
load becomes excessive, rearrange cargo
to allow for proper tongue load.
Maximum Gross Vehicle Weight
(GVW)/maximum Gross Axle
Weight (GAW)
The GVW of the towing vehicle must not
exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) shown on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S.
certification label. The GVW equals the
combined weight of the unloaded vehicle,
passengers, luggage, hitch, trailer tongue
load and any other optional equipment. In
addition, front or rear GAW must not ex-
ceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
shown on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certifica-
tion label.
WTI0160CA0036
10-32Technical and consumer information