tow NISSAN MURANO 2008 Owner's Guide

Black plate (363,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 26
REMOVING SPOTSRemove tar and oil spots, industrial dust,
insects, and tree sap as quickly as possible
from the paint surface to avoid lasting damage
or staining. Special cleaning products are
available at a NISSAN dealer or any automotive
accessory stores.UNDERBODYIn areas where road salt is used in winter, the
underbody must be cleaned regularly. This will
prevent dirt and salt from building up and
causing the acceleration of corrosion on the
underbody and suspension. Before the winter
period and again in the spring, the underseal
must be checked and, if necessary, re-treated.GLASSUse glass cleaner to remove smoke and dust
film from the glass surfaces. It is normal for glass
to become coated with a film after the vehicle is
parked in the hot sun. Glass cleaner and a soft
cloth will easily remove this film.
CAUTION
When cleaning the inside of the win-
dows, do not use sharp-edged tools,
abrasive cleaners or chlorine-based
disinfectant cleaners. They could da-mage the electrical conductors, radio
antenna elements or rear window
defroster elements.
ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEELSWash regularly with a sponge dampened in a
mild soap solution, especially during winter
months in areas where road salt is used. Salt
could discolor the wheels if not removed.
CAUTION
Follow the directions below to avoid
staining or discoloring the wheels:
.Do not use a cleaner that uses
strong acid or alkali contents to
clean the wheels.
.Do not apply wheel cleaners to the
wheels when they are hot. The
wheel temperature should be the
same as ambient temperature.
.Rinse the wheel to completely re-
move the cleaner within 15 minutes
after the cleaner is applied.CHROME PARTSClean chrome parts regularly with a non-
abrasive chrome polish to maintain the finish.
TIRE DRESSINGNISSAN does not recommend the use of tire
dressings. Tire manufacturers apply a coating to
the tires to help reduce discoloration of the
rubber. If a tire dressing is applied to the tires, it
may react with the coating and form a com-
pound. This compound may come off the tire
while driving and stain the vehicle paint.
If you choose to use a tire dressing, take the
following precautions:
.Use a water-based tire dressing. The coat-
ing on the tire dissolves more easily with an
oil-based tire dressing.
.Apply a light coat of tire dressing to help
prevent it from entering the tire tread/
grooves (where it would be difficult to
remove) .
.Wipe off excess tire dressing using a dry
towel. Make sure the tire dressing is
completely removed from the tire tread/
grooves.
.Allow the tire dressing to dry as recom-
mended by tire dressing manufacturer.
Appearance and care
7-3

Black plate (406,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 26
the spare tire as soon as the tread
wear indicators appear.
.Do not use the spare tire on other
vehicles.
.Do not use more than one spare tire
at the same time.
.Do not tow a trailer while the
TEMPORARY USE ONLY spare tire
is installed.
CAUTION
.Do not use tire chains on a TEM-
PORARY USE ONLY spare tire. Tire
chains will not fit properly and may
cause damage to the vehicle.
.Because the TEMPORARY USE
ONLY spare tire is smaller than the
original tire, ground clearance is
reduced. To avoid damage to the
vehicle, do not drive over obstacles.
Also do not drive the vehicle
through an automatic car wash
since it may get caught.8-40
Maintenance and do-it-yourself

Black plate (28,1)
9 Technical and consumer information
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 23
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..................... 9-10
Installing front license plate................................ 9-11
Vehicle loading information................................. 9-12
Terms........................................................ 9-12Vehicle load capacity.................................... 9-12
Securing the load......................................... 9-14
Loading tips................................................ 9-15
Measurement of weights................................ 9-15
Towing a trailer................................................ 9-15
Maximum load limits...................................... 9-16
Maximum Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)/
maximum Gross Axle Weight (GAW)................ 9-17
Towing load/specification............................... 9-19
Towing safety.............................................. 9-19
Flat towing................................................. 9-23
Uniform tire quality grading................................. 9-24
Treadwear.................................................. 9-24
Traction AA, A, B and C................................ 9-24
Temperature A, B and C................................ 9-24
Emission control system warranty......................... 9-25
Reporting safety defects (US only)....................... 9-25
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test . ..... 9-25
Event data recorders (EDR)................................ 9-26
Owner’s Manual/Service Manual order information . . . 9-27
In the event of a collision............................... 9-27

Black plate (409,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 26
FUEL RECOMMENDATIONNISSAN recommends the use of unleaded
premium gasoline with an octane rating of at
least 91 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) number (Re-
search octane number 96) .
If unleaded premium gasoline is not available,
you may use unleaded regular gasoline with an
octane rating of at least 87 AKI number
(Research octane number 91) , but you may
notice a decrease in performance.
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 system
and 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.
Technical and consumer information
9-3

Black plate (412,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 26
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
Refer to the “NISSAN Service and Maintenance
Guide” for the maintenance schedule.AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM RE-
FRIGERANT AND LUBRICANT RE-
COMMENDATIONSThe air conditioning system in your
NISSAN vehicle must be charged with the
refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a) and the oil,
NISSAN A/C system oil Type R or the exact
equivalents.
CAUTION
The use of any other refrigerant or oil
will cause severe damage to the air
conditioning system and will require
the replacement of all air conditionersystem components.
The refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a) in your
NISSAN vehicle will not harm the earth’s ozone
layer. Although this refrigerant does not affect
the earth’s atmosphere, certain governmental
regulations require the recovery and recycling of
any refrigerant during automotive air condition-
ing system service. A NISSAN dealer has the
trained technicians and equipment needed to
recover and recycle your air conditioning system
refrigerant.
Contact a NISSAN dealer when servicing your
air conditioning system.9-6
Technical and consumer information

Black plate (418,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 26
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.
.
Cargo capacity - permissible weight of
cargo, the subtracted weight of occu-
pants from the load limit.
VEHICLE LOAD CAPACITYDo not exceed the load limit of your vehicle
shown as “The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo” on the Tire and Loading
Information label. Do not exceed the
number of occupants shown as “Seating
Capacity” on the Tire and Loading Informa-
tion label.
To get “the combined weight of occupants
and cargo”, add the weight of all occu-
pants, then add the total luggage weight.
Examples are shown in the following
illustration.
VEHICLE LOADING INFORMATION9-12
Technical and consumer information

Black plate (419,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 26
STI0445
Steps for determining correct load limit1.
Locate the statement “The combined
weight of occupants and cargo should
never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs” 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 kg or
XXX lbs.
4.
The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load
capacity. For example, if the XXX
amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will
be five 150 lb. passengers in your
vehicle, the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs) or
(640340 (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,Technical and consumer information
9-13

Black plate (421,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 26
LOADING TIPS.
The GVW must not exceed GVWR or
GAWR as specified on the F.M.V.S.S./
C.M.V.S.S. certification label.
.
Do not load the front and rear axle to
the GAWR. Doing so will exceed the
GVWR.
WARNING
.
Properly secure all cargo with
ropes or straps to help prevent it
from sliding or shifting. Do not
place cargo higher than the
seatbacks. In a sudden stop or
collision, unsecured cargo could
cause personal injury.
.
Do not load your vehicle any
heavier than the GVWR or the
maximum front and rear
GAWRs. If you do, parts of your
vehicle can break, tire damage
could occur, or it can change the
way your vehicle handles. This
could result in loss of control
and cause personal injury.
.
Overloading not only can short-
en the life of your vehicle andthe tire, but can cause unsafe
vehicle handling and longer
braking distances. This may
cause a premature tire failure,
which could result in a serious
accident and personal injury.
Failures caused by overloading
are not covered by the vehicle’s
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.
WARNING
Overloading or improper loading of a
trailer and its cargo can adversely affect
vehicle handling, braking and perfor-
mance and may lead to accidents.
CAUTION
.Do not tow a trailer or haul a heavy
load for the first 500 miles (800 km) .
Your engine, axle or other parts
could be damaged.
.For the first 500 miles (800 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. Re-
member that towing a trailer places additional
loads on your vehicle’s engine, drivetrain, steer-
ing, braking and other systems.
A NISSAN Towing Guide (U.S. only) is available
on the website at www.nissanusa.com. This
guide includes information on trailer towing
capability and the special equipment requiredTOWING A TRAILERTechnical and consumer information
9-15

Black plate (422,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 26
for proper towing.MAXIMUM LOAD LIMITS
Maximum trailer loadsNever allow the total trailer load to exceed the
value specified in the “Towing Load/Specifica-
tion” chart. The total trailer load equals trailer
weight plus its cargo weight.
.When towing a trailer load of 1,000 lbs
(454 kg) or more, trailers with a brake
system MUST be used.
The maximum GCWR (Gross Combined Weight
Rating) should not exceed the value specified in
the following “Towing Load/Specification” chart.
STI0541
The GCWR equals the combined weight of the
towing vehicle (including passengers and cargo)
plus the total trailer load. Towing loads greater
than these or using improper towing equipment
could adversely affect vehicle handling, braking
and performance.
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 on very steep grades or for low
traction situations (for example, on slippery boat
ramps) .
Temperature conditions can also affect towing.
For example, towing a heavy trailer in highoutside temperatures on graded roads can
affect engine performance and cause overheat-
ing. The transmission high fluid temperature
protection mode, which helps reduce the
chance of transmission damage, could activate
and automatically 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
reduced speed may be lower than other
traffic, which could increase the chance
of a collision. Be especially careful
when driving. Pull to the side of the
road to a safe area. Allow the engine to
cool and return to normal operation.
See “IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS”
in the “6. In case of emergency” section
of this manual.
CAUTION
Vehicle damage resulting from impro-
per towing procedures are not covered
by NISSAN warranties.
9-16
Technical and consumer information

Black plate (423,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 26
STI0542
Tongue loadWhen using a weight carrying or a weight
distributing hitch, keep the tongue load between
10 to 15% of the total trailer load 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.
TI1012M
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 exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) shown on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S.
certification label.
Towing capacities are calculated assuming a
base vehicle with driver and any optionsrequired to achieve the rating. Additional pas-
sengers, cargo and/or optional equipment, such
as the trailer hitch, will add weight to the vehicle
and reduce your vehicle’s maximum towing
capacity and trailer tongue load.
The vehicle and trailer need to be weighed to
confirm the vehicle is within the GVWR, Front
GAWR, Rear GAWR, Gross Combined Weight
Rating (GCWR) and Towing capacity.
All vehicle and trailer weights can be measured
using platform type scales commonly found at
truck stops, highway weigh stations, building
supply centers or salvage yards.
To determine the available payload capacity for
tongue load, use the following procedure.
1. Locate the GVWR on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.
S.S. certification label.
2. Weigh your vehicle on the scale with all of
the passengers and cargo that are normally
in the vehicle when towing a trailer.
3. Subtract the actual vehicle weight from the
GVWR. The remaining amount is the avail-
able maximum tongue load.
To determine the available towing capacity, use
the following procedure.
1. Find the GCWR for your vehicle on the
“Towing Load/Specification” chart found
Technical and consumer information
9-17