height NISSAN PATHFINDER 2009 Owner´s Manual

WARNING
Trailer hitch components have specific
weight ratings. Your vehicle may be ca-
pable of towing a trailer heavier than the
weight rating of the hitch components.
Never exceed the weight rating of the
hitch components. Doing so can cause
serious personal injury or property
damage.
Hitch ball
Choose a hitch ball of the proper size and weight
rating for your trailer:
cThe required hitch ball size is stamped on
most trailer couplers. Most hitch balls also
have the size printed on the top of the ball.
cChoose the proper class hitch ball based on
the trailer weight.
cThe diameter of the threaded shank of the
hitch ball must be matched to the ball mount
hole diameter. The hitch ball shank should
be no more than 1/16” smaller than the hole
in the ball mount.
cThe threaded shank of the hitch ball must be
long enough to be properly secured to the
ball mount. There should be at least 2
threads showing beyond the lock washer
and nut.
Ball mount
The hitch ball is attached to the ball mount and
the ball mount is inserted into the hitch receiver.
Choose a proper class ball mount based on the
trailer weight. Additionally, the ball mount should
be chosen to keep the trailer tongue level with the
ground.
Weight carrying hitches
A weight carrying or “dead weight” ball mount is
one that is designed to carry the whole amount of
tongue weight and gross weight directly on the
ball mount and on the receiver.
Weight distribution hitch
This type of hitch is also called a “load-leveling” or
“equalizing” hitch. A set of bars attach to the ball
mount and to the trailer to distribute the tongue
weight (hitch weight) of your trailer. Many vehicles
can’t carry the full tongue weight of a given trailer,
and need some of the tongue weight transferred
through the frame and pushing down on the front
wheels. This gives stability to the tow vehicle.
A weight-distributing hitch system (Class IV) is
recommended if you plan to tow trailers with a
maximum weight over 5,000 lbs. Check with the
trailer and towing equipment manufacturers to
determine if they recommend the use of a weight-
distributing hitch system.NOTE:
A weight-distributing hitch system may af-
fect the operation of trailer surge brakes. If
you are considering use of a weight-
distributing hitch system with a surge
brake-equipped trailer, check with the
surge brake, hitch or trailer manufacturer
to determine if and how this can be done.
Follow the instructions provided by the manufac-
turer for installing and using the weight-
distributing hitch system.
General set-up instructions are as follows:
1. Park unloaded vehicle on a level surface.
With the ignition on and the doors closed,
allow the vehicle to stand for several minutes
so that it can level.
2. Measure the height of a reference point on
the front and rear bumpers at the center of
the vehicle.
3. Attach the trailer to the vehicle and adjust
the hitch equalizers so that the front bumper
height is within0-.5inches (0 – 13 mm) of
the reference height measured in step 2. The
rear bumper should be no higher than the
reference height measured in step 2.
Technical and consumer information9-21
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2009 Pathfinder(pat)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
05/29/08Ðdebbie
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WARNING
Properly adjust the weight distributing
hitch so the rear of the bumper is no
higher than the measured reference
height when the trailer is attached. If the
rear bumper is higher than the measured
reference height when loaded, the vehicle
may handle unpredictably which could
cause a loss of vehicle control and cause
serious personal injury or property
damage.
Sway control device
Sudden maneuvers, wind gusts, and buffeting
caused by other vehicles can affect trailer han-
dling. Sway control devices may be used to help
control these affects. If you choose to use one,
contact a reputable trailer hitch supplier to make
sure the sway control device will work with the
vehicle, hitch, trailer and the trailer’s brake sys-
tem. Follow the instructions provided by the
manufacturer for installing and using the sway
control device.
Class I hitch
Class I trailer hitch equipment (receiver, ball
mount and hitch ball) can be used to tow trailers
of a maximum weight of 2,000 lb (909 kg) .
Class II hitch
Class II trailer hitch equipment (receiver, ball
mount and hitch ball) can be used to tow trailers
of a maximum weight of 3,500 lb (1,510 kg) .
Class III hitch
Class III trailer hitch equipment (receiver, ball
mount and hitch ball) can be used to tow trailers
of a maximum weight of 5,000 lb (2,272 kg) .
The genuine NISSAN step bumper is considered
a Class III ball mount.
Class IV hitch
Class IV trailer hitch equipment (receiver, ball
mount and hitch ball) can be used to tow trailers
of a maximum weight of 10,000 lb (4,545 kg) . A
weight distributing hitch should be used to tow
trailers that weigh over 5,000 lb (2,272 kg) .
Your vehicle may be equipped with Class IV
trailer hitch equipment that has a 10,000 lb
(4,545 kg) maximum weight rating, but your ve-
hicle is only capable of towing the maximum
trailer weights shown in the “Towing Load/
Specification” chart earlier in this section.
CAUTION
cSpecial hitches which include frame re-
inforcements are required for towing
above 2,000 lb (907 kg) . Suitable genu-
ine NISSAN hitches, ball mounts and
hitch balls for pickup trucks and sport
utility vehicles are available at a
NISSAN dealer.
cThe hitch should not be attached to or
affect the operation of the impact-
absorbing bumper.
cDo not use axle-mounted hitches.
cDo not modify the vehicle exhaust sys-
tem, brake system, etc. to install a
trailer hitch.
cTo reduce the possibility of additional
damage if your vehicle is struck from
the rear, where practical, remove the
receiver when not in use.
cRegularly check that all trailer hitch
mounting bolts are securely mounted.
cWhen towing with the hitch ball
mounted to the rear bumper, do not
make sharp turns. The trailer may con-
tact the bumper and cause damage to
the bumper or trailer.
9-22Technical and consumer information
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2009 Pathfinder(pat)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
05/30/08Ðbarbara
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WARNING
Never connect a trailer brake system di-
rectly to the vehicle brake system.
Pre-towing tips
cBe certain your vehicle maintains a level
position 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 condition.
cAlways secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
cKeep the cargo load as low as possible in
the trailer to keep the trailer center of gravity
low.
cLoad 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.
cCheck 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.cBe certain your rearview mirrors conform to
all federal, state or local regulations. If not,
install any mirrors required for towing before
driving the vehicle.
cDetermine the overall height of the vehicle
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 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.
cAlways secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
cLock the trailer hitch coupler with a pin or
lock to prevent the coupler from inadvert-
ently becoming unlatched.
cAvoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.
cAvoid sharp turns or lane changes.
cAlways drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed.cWhen 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 backing 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:CAUTION
If you move the shift selector lever to the P
(Park) position before blocking the
wheels and applying the parking brake,
transmission damage could occur.
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Have someone place blocks on the downhill
side of the vehicle and trailer wheels.
3. After the wheel blocks are in place, slowly
release the brake pedal until the blocks ab-
sorb the vehicle load.
4. Apply the parking brake.
5. Shift the transmission into P (Park) .
9-24Technical and consumer information
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2009 Pathfinder(pat)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
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S
Safety
Child safety rear door lock..........3-6
Child seat belts........1-21, 1-29, 1-36
Reporting safety defects (US only). . . .9-28
Screen (See NISSAN mobile entertainment
system).....................4-91
Seat adjustment
Front manual seat adjustment........1-2
Front power seat adjustment........1-4
Second row bench seats..........1-5
Seat belt
Child safety.................1-15
Infants and small children.........1-15
Injured Person................1-16
Larger children...............1-15
Precautions on seat belt usage......1-12
Pregnant women..............1-16
Pre-tensioner seat belt system.......1-54
Seat belt extenders.............1-20
Seat belt maintenance...........1-20
Seat belts..................1-12
Shoulder belt height adjustment......1-19
Three-point type with retractor.......1-16
Seat belt warning light.............2-18
Seatback pockets................2-41
Seats
Adjustment..................1-2
Automatic drive positioner.........3-30
Front seats..................1-2
Heated seats................2-34
Manual front seat adjustment........1-2
Security indicator light.............2-21Security system (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system) , engine start........2-24, 3-3, 5-12
Self-adjusting brakes..............8-24
Service manual order form...........9-30
Servicing air conditioner............4-48
Setting button..............4-11, 4-27
Shift lock release................5-17
Shifting
Automatic transmission...........5-15
Shoulder belt height adjustment........1-19
Side air bag system (See supplemental side air
bag, curtain and rollover air bag systems). . .1-53
Spark plug replacement............8-19
Speedometer...................2-4
SRS warning label...............1-56
Starting
Before starting the engine.........5-13
Jump starting.................6-8
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2
Push starting................6-10
Starting the engine.............5-13
Startup screen.................4-21
Steering
Heated steering wheel...........2-33
Power steering fluid.............8-13
Power steering system...........5-33
Tilting steering wheel............3-25
Steering wheel audio control switch......4-86
Stop light....................8-32
Storage.....................2-37
Storage bin................2-38, 2-43
Storage tray...................2-37
Sun visors....................3-26
Sunglasses case................2-40
Sunglasses holder...............2-40
Sunroof.....................2-51Supplemental air bag warning labels.....1-56
Supplemental air bag warning light . . .1-56, 2-19
Supplemental front impact air bag system . .1-49
Supplemental restraint system
Information and warning labels.......1-56
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system....................1-41
Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system).........1-41
Switch
Autolight switch...............2-29
Automatic power window switch.....2-50
Fog light switch...............2-32
Hazard warning flasher switch.......2-32
Headlight and turn signal switch......2-28
Headlight control switch..........2-28
Hill descent control switch.........2-35
Ignition switch................5-9
Overdrive switch..............5-18
Power door lock switch...........3-5
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch....................2-27
Rear window wiper and washer
switches...................2-27
Turn signal switch..............2-31
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off
switch....................2-34
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-26
T
Tachometer....................2-6
Temperature gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-6
10-6
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2009 Pathfinder(pat)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
06/13/08Ðdebbie
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