trailer NISSAN PATHFINDER 2004 R50 / 2.G User Guide
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Page 284 of 306
CAUTION
Overloading can shorten the life of your
vehicle. Failures caused by overloading
are not covered by your warranty.
Your new vehicle was designed to be used
primarily to carry passengers and cargo. Re-
member that towing a trailer will place additional
loads on your vehicle’s engine, drive train, steer-
ing, braking and other systems.
ANissan Trailer Towing Guide (US only)is
available from an authorized NISSAN dealer.
This guide includes information on trailer towing
ability and the special equipment required for
proper towing.
MAXIMUM LOAD LIMITS
Maximum trailer loadsNever allow the total trailer load to exceed thevalue specified in the following Towing
Load/Specification Chart. The total trailer load
equals trailer weight plus its cargo weight.
Towing loads greater than those specified or
using improper towing equipment could ad-
versely affect vehicle handling, braking and per-
formance. 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
in low traction situations (for example, on slip-
pery boat ramps).
CA0009
TOWING A TRAILER
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WARNING
Vehicle damage resulting from im-
proper towing procedures is not cov-
ered by NISSAN warranties. A NISSAN
Trailer Towing Guide (U.S. only) contain-
ing information on trailer towing ability
and the special equipment required may
be obtained from an authorized NISSAN
dealer.Tongue loadKeep the tongue load between 9 to 11% of the
total trailer load within the maximum tongue load
limits shown in the following Towing
Load/Specifications Chart. If the tongue load
becomes excessive, rearrange cargo to allow for
proper tongue load.
Maximum gross vehicle weight/
maximum gross axle weightThe gross vehicle weight of the towing vehicle
must not exceed the gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR) shown on the F.M.V.S.S. certification
label. The gross vehicle weight equals the com-
bined weight of the unloaded vehicle, passen-
gers, luggage, hitch, trailer tongue load and any
other optional equipment. In addition, front or
rear gross axle weight must not exceed the
gross axle weight rating (GAWR) shown on the
F.M.V.S.S. certification label.
CA0036
Technical and consumer information
9-19
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Page 286 of 306
TOWING LOAD/SPECIFICATION CHART
TOWING LOAD/SPECIFICATION CHART
Unit: lb(kg)
MODEL
WEIGHTPATHFINDER VQ35DE (6-Cyl.)
M/T A/T
MAXIMUM TRAILER WEIGHT*1 3,500 (1,588) 5,000 (2,268)
MAXIMUM TONGUE LOAD 350 (159) 500 (227)
GROSS COMBINED WEIGHT
RATING8,000 (3,628) 9,500 (4,308)
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT*2 Sway Control Device (SCD)
*1: All towing above 1,000 lb (454 kg) requires the use of trailer brakes. NISSAN recommends the use of
a tandem axle trailer whenever towing above 3,000 lb (1,361 kg).
*2: A sway control device is recommended for all towing above 2,000 lb (907 kg). Sway control devices
are not offered by NISSAN. See a professional trailer/hitch outlet for a properly designed sway control
device for your trailer.
TOWING SAFETY
Trailer hitchChoose a proper hitch for your vehicle and
trailer. A genuine NISSAN trailer hitch is avail-
able from your NISSAN dealer (US only). Make
sure the trailer hitch is securely attached to the
vehicle, to help avoid personal injury or property
damage due to sway caused by crosswinds,
rough road surfaces or passing trucks.
CAUTION
Do not use axle-mounted hitches.
Do not modify the vehicle exhaust
system, brake system, etc. to install a
trailer hitch.
After the hitch is removed, seal the
bolt holes to prevent exhaust fumes,
water or dust from entering the pas-
senger compartment.
Regularly check all hitch mounting
bolts are securely mounted.
To reduce the possibility of addi-
tional damage if your vehicle is
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struck from the rear, where practical,
remove the hitch and/or receiver
when not in use.
Never connect a trailer brake system
directly to the vehicle brake system.
Tire pressuresWhen towing a trailer, inflate the vehicle tires
to the recommended cold tire pressure indi-
cated on the Tire and Loading Information
label.
Trailer tire condition, size, load rating and
proper inflation pressure should be in accor-
dance with the trailer and tire manufacturers’
specifications.Safety chainsAlways use a suitable chains between your
vehicle and the trailer. The safety chains should
be crossed and should be attached to the hitch,
not to the vehicle bumper or axle. Be sure to
leave enough slack in the chains to permit
turning corners.Trailer lightsTrailer lights should comply with federal and/or
local regulations.When wiring vehicle for towing connection,
connect stop and tail light pickup into the
vehicle electrical circuit.
Trailer brakesIf your trailer is equipped with a braking system,
make sure it conforms to federal and/or local
regulations and that it is properly installed.
WARNING
Never connect a trailer brake system
directly to the vehicle brake system.Pre-towing tipsBe certain your vehicle maintains a level
position when a loaded and/or unloaded
trailer is hitched. Do not drive the vehicle if it
has a non-standard nose-up or nose-down
condition; check for improper tongue load,
overload, worn suspension or other possible
causes of either condition.
Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shifts while driving.
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.
Trailer towing tipsIn order to gain skill and an understanding of the
vehicle’s behavior, you should practice turning,
stopping and backing up in an area which is free
from traffic. Steering stability and braking perfor-
mance will be somewhat different than under
normal driving conditions.
Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.
Avoid sharp turns or lane changes.
Always drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed.
Always block the wheels on both vehicle and
trailer when parking. Parking on a slope is not
recommended; however, if you must do so,
and if your vehicle is equipped with automatic
transmission, first block the wheels and apply
the parking brake, and then move the trans-
mission selector lever into the P position. If
you move the selector lever to the P position
before blocking the wheels and applying the
parking brake, transmission damage could
occur.Technical and consumer information
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When going down a hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine braking effect.
When going up a long grade, downshift the
transmission to a lower gear and reduce
speed to reduce chances of engine overload-
ing and/or overheating.
However, for long steep grades, do not stay in
1st or 2nd gear when driving above 35 MPH (56
km/h).
If the engine coolant rises to an extremely
high temperature when the air conditioning
system is on, turn off the air conditioner.
Coolant heat can be additionally vented by
opening the windows, switching the fan con-
trol to high and setting the temperature con-
trol to the HOT position.
Trailer towing requires more fuel than normal
circumstances.
Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles
(805 km).
Have your vehicle serviced more often than at
intervals specified in the recommended Main-
tenance Schedule in the “NISSAN Service
and Maintenance fluid”.
When making a turn, your trailer wheels will
be closer to the inside of the turn than your
vehicle wheels. To compensate for this, makea larger than normal turning radius during the
turn.
Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely
affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly caus-
ing vehicle sway. When being passed by
larger vehicles, be prepared for possible
changes in crosswinds that could affect ve-
hicle handling. If swaying does occur, firmly
grip the steering wheel, steer straight ahead,
and immediately (but gradually) reduce ve-
hicle speed. This combination will help stabi-
lize the vehicle. Never increase speed.
Be careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires con-
siderably more distance than normal passing.
Remember the length of the trailer must also
pass the other vehicle before you can safely
change lanes.
To maintain engine braking efficiency and
electrical charging performance, do not use
sixth gear (manual transmission) or fifth posi-
tion (automatic transmission).
Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the brakes
to overheat, resulting in reduced braking ef-
ficiency.
When towing a trailer, the transmission
oil/fluid should be changed more fre-quently. For additional information, see
the “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself”
section earlier in this manual.
FLAT TOWINGTowing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground is sometimes called flat towing. This
method is sometimes used when towing a ve-
hicle 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 backward.
DO NOT tow any automatic transmis-
sion vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground (flat towing). Doing so
WILL DAMAGE internal transmission
parts due to lack of transmission lu-
brication.
For emergency towing procedures re-
fer to “Towing Recommended by
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Ignition switch automatic transmission
models .......................................................... 5-7, 5-11
Ignition switch manual transmission
models .......................................................... 5-8, 5-16
Overdrive switch ................................................. 5-15
Power door lock switch....................................... 3-4
Turn signal switch .............................................. 2-24
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch ... 2-27
T
Tachometer.................................................................... 2-4
Temperature display .................................................... 2-6
Temperature gauge, Engine coolant temperature
gauge .............................................................................. 2-4
Theft (Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System), Engine
start ............................................................................... 2-18
Three way catalyst ....................................................... 5-3
Tilting steering wheel ............................................... 3-15
Tire
Flat tire ..................................................................... 6-2
Low tire pressure warning system........... 5-3, 6-2
Pressure, Low tire pressure warning light ... 2-12
Tire and loading information label ...... 8-33, 9-13
Tire labeling .......................................................... 8-34
Uniform tire quality grading .............................. 9-23
Tires
Spare tire .............................................................. 8-39
Tire chains ............................................................ 8-36
Tire pressure ........................................................ 8-31
Tire rotation ................................................. 8-3, 8-37
Types of tires ....................................................... 8-36
Wheel/tire size .................................................... 9-11
Wheels and tires ................................................ 8-31Tonneau cover ........................................................... 2-37
Top tether strap child restraints ............................ 1-42
Towing
Tow truck towing ................................................ 6-12
Towing a trailer.................................................... 9-18
Towing load/specification chart ...................... 9-18
Towing safety....................................................... 9-20
Trailer towing .............................................................. 9-18
Transceiver, HomeLink
Universal
Transceiver .................................................................. 2-44
Transfer case shifting procedures............. 5-23, 5-25
Transmission
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ................ 8-14
Driving with automatic transmission ..... 5-7, 5-11
Driving with manual transmission .......... 5-8, 5-16
Transmission selector lever lock release ...... 5-14
Transmitter (See remote keyless entry system) ... 3-5
Traveling or registering your vehicle in another
country ......................................................................... 9-12
Turn signal switch ..................................................... 2-24
U
Underbody cleaning .................................................... 7-3
Uniform tire quality grading .................................... 9-23
V
Vanity mirror light ...................................................... 2-44
Vehicle
Dimensions and weights................................... 9-11
Identification number (VIN)............................... 9-12
Loading information............................................ 9-14Recovery (freeing a stuck vehicle) ................. 6-16
Security system ................................................... 2-17
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch ... 2-27
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) system ............... 5-36
Ventilators ...................................................................... 4-2
W
Warning labels, Air bag warning labels .............. 1-21
Warning light
4WD warning light ............................................. 5-30
4WD warning light (
model) ........... 2-12
Air bag warning light .............................. 1-21, 2-13
Anti-lock brake warning light ............................. 2-9
Automatic transmission park warning
light......................................................................... 2-10
Brake warning light ............................................ 2-11
Door open warning light ................................... 2-11
Low fuel warning light ....................................... 2-12
Low tire pressure warning light ...................... 2-12
Seat belt warning light and chime ................. 2-13
Warning lights .............................................................. 2-9
Warning, Hazard warning flasher switch ............ 2-25
Warning, Low tire pressure warning
system.................................................................... 5-3, 6-2
Warning, Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ....................................................................... 2-9
Warranty, Emission control system warranty ..... 9-24
Washer switch
Rear window wiper and washer switch........ 2-20
Windshield wiper and washer switch ........... 2-19
Washing ......................................................................... 7-2
Waxing............................................................................ 7-2
Weights (See dimensions and weights) ............. 9-11
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