brakes NISSAN FRONTIER 2021 User Guide

Electric trailer brake controller
Trailers equipped with electric brakes may
require the installation of an af termarket
trailer brake controller.
A Genuine NISSAN jumper harness is avail-
able that is specifically designed to be used
when installing an af termarket brake con-
troller.
Install the af termarket electric trailer brake
controller according to the manufacturer's
instructions.
Pre-towing tips
• Be certain your vehicle maintains a levelposition when a loaded and/or unloaded
trailer is hitched. Do not drive the vehicle if
it has an abnormal nose-up or nose-
down condition; check for improper
tongue load, overload, worn suspension
or other possible causes of either condi-
tion.
• Always secure items in the trailer to pre- vent load shif t while driving.
• Keep the cargo load as low as possible in the trailer to keep the trailer center of
gravity low. • Load the trailer so approximately 60% of
the trailer load is in the front half and 40%
is in the back half. Also make sure the load
is balanced side to side.
• Check your hitch, trailer tire pressure, ve- hicle tire pressure, trailer light operation,
and trailer wheel lug nuts every time you
attach a trailer to the vehicle.
• Be certain your rearview mirrors conform to all federal, state or local regulations. If
not, install any mirrors required for towing
before driving the vehicle.
• Determine the overall height of the ve- hicle and trailer so the required clearance
is known.
Trailer towing tips
In order to gain skill and an understanding
of the vehicle's behavior, you should prac-
tice turning, stopping and backing up in an
area which is free from traffic. Steering sta-
bility and braking performance will be
somewhat different than under normal
driving conditions.
• Always secure items in the trailer to pre-vent load shif t 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 back-
ing 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:

4. Apply the parking brake.
5. Shif t the transmission into P (Park).
6. Make sure the
indicator light (if so
equipped) indicates the transfer case is
in 4H, 4L, or 2H and that the ATP light is
off. If the
indicator light is flashing,
or the ATP light is ON, make sure the
transmission is in P (Park) (A/T) and turn
the 4WD switch to 2WD or 4H. For addi-
tional information, refer to “Automatic
transmission park warning light” in the
“Instruments and controls” section and
“Using 4-wheel drive (4WD)” in the “Start-
ing and driving” section of this manual.
7. Turn off the engine.
To drive away:
1. Start the vehicle.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shif t the transmission into gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Drive slowly until the vehicle and trailer are clear from the blocks.
6. Apply and hold the brake pedal. 7. Have someone retrieve and store the
blocks.
• While going downhill, the weight of the trailer pushing on the tow vehicle may
decrease overall stability. Therefore, to
maintain adequate control, reduce your
speed and shif t to a lower gear. Avoid
long or repeated use of the brakes when
descending a hill, as this reduces their
effectiveness and could cause overheat-
ing. Shif ting to a lower gear instead pro-
vides “engine braking” and reduces the
need to brake as frequently.
• If the engine coolant temperature rises to a high temperature, refer to “If your ve-
hicle overheats” in the “In case of emer-
gency” section of this manual.
• Trailer towing requires more fuel than normal circumstances.
• 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 of ten than at intervals specified. For additional
information, refer to “Maintenance
Schedules” in the “Maintenance and
schedules” section of this manual. • 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 ad- versely affect vehicle/trailer handling,
possibly causing vehicle sway. When be-
ing passed by larger vehicles, be pre-
pared for possible changes in crosswinds
that could affect vehicle 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 vehicle
– 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.
Technical and consumer information10-35

3. Try to rearrange the trailer load so it isbalanced as described in this section.
• Be careful when passing other vehicles. Passing while towing a trailer requires
considerably more distance than normal
passing. Remember, the length of the
trailer must also pass the other vehicle
before you can safely change lanes.
• Downshif t the transmission 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 re-
duced braking efficiency.
• Increase your following distance to allow for greater stopping distances while tow-
ing a trailer. Anticipate stops and brake
gradually.
• NISSAN recommends that the cruise control 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
connections, and trailer wheel lug nuts
af ter 50 miles (80 km) of travel and at
every break.
• When launching a boat, don't allow the water 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, refer
to the “Do-it-yourself ” section in this
manual.FLAT TOWING – 4WD WITH
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Towing a vehicle behind a recreational ve-
hicle, such as a motor home, is sometimes
called flat towing.

Parking brake operation.........5-19Self-adjusting brakes...........8-20Brake fluid....................8-11Brake system.................5-32Brakes......................8-20Break-in schedule...............5-21Brightness control
Instrument panel.............2-33Brightness/contrast button......4-9, 4-15Bulb check/instrument panel........2-15Bulb replacement...............8-28
C
C.M.V.S.S. certification label.........10-12Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants................ .10-2Car phone or CB radio............4-79Cargo
(See vehicle loading information).....10-14Cargo lamp switch..............2-34CD care and cleaning.............4-70CD player (See audio system).......4-54Child restraint with top tether strap. . . .1-32Child restraints.......1-25,1-26,1-28, 1-30Precautions on child
restraints.........1-39, 1-42, 1-54, 1-65Top tether strap anchor point
locations.................. .1-33Child safety rear door lock..........3-7Cleaning exterior and interior......7-2,7-4Clock set/adjustment..........4-7,4-13
Clock setting
(models with Navigation System).....4-13Cold weather driving.............5-40Compact disc (CD) player..........4-54Compass....................2-11Compass and outside temperature
display......................2-10Compass display...............2-10Connect phone................4-72Console box..................2-45Control panel buttons.........4-5, 4-10Back button.................4-13Brightness/contrast button. . . .4-9, 4-15Enter button..............4-5, 4-10Setting button...............4-13With navigation system.......4-10,4-11Controls
Audio controls (steering wheel).....4-71Heater and air conditioner controls. .4-34Heater and air conditioner controls
(manual)...................4-22CoolantCapacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants
...............10-2Changing engine coolant.........8-5Checking engine coolant level......8-5Engine coolant temperature gauge. . .2-7Corrosion protection..............7-7Cruise control.................5-19Cup holders................. .2-46Curtain side-impact and rollover
air bag..................... .1-82
D
Daytime Running Lights (DRL) system. .2-32Defroster switch
Rear window and outside mirror
defroster switch
..............2-29Rear window defroster switch.....2-29Dimensions and weights..........10-10Dimmer switch for instrument panel. . .2-33Display controls (see control panel
buttons)................. .4-5, 4-10Door locks................... .3-4Door open warning light...........2-17Drive belt....................8-15Driving
Cold weather driving...........5-40Driving with automatic
transmission................5-14Precautions when starting and
driving.....................5-2Driving the vehicle...............5-14
E
Economy - fuel.................5-23Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock)
system.....................5-29Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock)
system switch................ .2-37Emergency engine shutoff.......5-12,6-3Emission control information label. . . .10-12Emission control system warranty. . . .10-38
11-2

R
RadioCar phone or CB radio..........4-79FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc (CD)
player................ .4-44, 4-49Steering wheel audio control switch. .4-71Readiness for inspection maintenance (I/M)
test...................... .10-40Rear power windows.............2-51Rear seat.....................1-6Rear sliding window.............2-52Rear Sonar System (RSS)..........5-39Rear sonar system OFF switch.......2-38Rear window and outside mirror
defroster switch................2-29Rear window defroster switch.......2-29Rearview mirror................3-17RearView Monitor...............4-16Recommended Fluids............10-2Recorders
Event Data................ .10-40Refrigerant recommendation.......10-8Registering a vehicle in another
country.................... .10-11Reporting safety defects (US only). . . .10-39Roof rack....................2-48
S
Safety
Child safety rear door lock.........3-7Child seat belts. .1-28, 1-39, 1-42, 1-54, 1-65
Reporting safety defects (US only). .10-39SeatJump seat...................1-7Seat adjustmentFront manual seat adjustment......1-3Front power seat adjustment.......1-5Seat beltChild safety.................1-25Infants and small children........1-26Injured person................1-18Larger children...............1-26Precautions on seat belt usage.....1-15Pregnant women..............1-18Seat belt extenders............1-24Seat belt maintenance..........1-24Seat belts................1-15,7-6Shoulder belt height adjustment. . . .1-24Three-point type with retractor.....1-19Seat belt extenders..............1-24Seat belt warning light.........1-18,2-20Seatback pockets...............2-41SeatsAdjustment..................1-2Front seats..................1-2Manual front seat adjustment......1-3Rear seat.................. .1-6Security indicator light............2-23Security system
(NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System),
engine start
...............2-27,5-13Security systems
Vehicle security system.........2-25Self-adjusting brakes.............8-20Service manual order form.........10-41
Servicing air conditioner...........4-36Setting button.................4-13Shif tingAutomatic transmission.........5-15Shoulder belt height adjustment......1-24Side air bag system (See supplemental
side air bag, curtain and rollover air bag
systems)
................... .1-82Siri® Eyes-Free..............4-73,4-76Smartphone connectivity..........4-72Sonar
Rear system................5-39Spark plug replacement...........8-16Spark plugs...................8-16Specifications................ .10-9Speedometer................. .2-5Speedometer and odometer........2-4SRS warning label...............1-85Stability control................5-35Standard maintenance.........9-7,9-8Starting
Before starting the engine........5-13Jump starting.............6-11,8-14Precautions when starting and
driving.....................5-2Push starting................6-13Starting the engine
(gasoline engine only)............5-13SteeringPower steering fluid............8-10Power steering system..........5-32Tilting steering wheel...........3-16Steering wheel.................3-16Steering wheel audio control switch. . . .4-71
11-6