tow NISSAN PATHFINDER PLATINUM 2018 User Guide

CAUTION
∙ Depending on the driving condition,the 4WD mode may automatically
change from 2WD to 4WD even when
the 2WD mode is selected. If this oc-
curs while driving, the 4WD mode indi-
cator light will not illuminate.
∙ Do not start the engine with the 4WD mode switch in any mode in the fol-
lowing cases:
– When the vehicle is placed on a fre- eroller or jacking up the vehicle
with the front tires raised and the
rear tires on the ground.
– When towing the vehicle with the rear tires raised from the ground.
∙ Operate the 4WD mode switch only when driving straight. Do not operate
the 4WD mode switch when making a
turn or backing up.
∙ Do not operate the 4WD mode switch with the front wheel spinning.
∙ Engine idling speed is high while warming up the engine. Be especially
careful when starting or driving on
slippery surfaces with the 4WD mode
switch set in the AUTO mode.
4WD mode indicator lights
The 2WD, 4WD AUTO and LOCK mode indi-
cator lights are located in the vehicle infor-
mation display.
The 4WD mode indicator lights will display
the mode selected by the 4WD mode
switch while the engine is running.
The 4WD AUTO indicator light illuminates
when selecting the AUTO mode.
The 4WD LOCK indicator light illuminates
when selecting the LOCK mode and the
2WD indicator light illuminates when se-
lecting the 2WD mode.
5-70Starting and driving

∙ HEADED UPHILL OR DOWNHILL, NOCURB
C:
Turn the wheels toward the side of the
road so the vehicle will move away
from the center of the road if it moves.
4. Place the ignition switch in the LOCK position.

NOTE:
Fully lower the spare tire below the ve-
hicle before attempting to remove the
winch from the spare tire.9. Af ter removing the spare tire from un- der the vehicle, be sure to crank the
cable up by rotating the winch socket
clockwise to stow it.

CAUTION
Never tow 4WD models equipped with a
CVT with any of the wheels on the
ground as this may cause serious and
expensive damage to the transfer case
and transmission due to the lack of
lubrication.
2WD models with Continuously
Variable Transmission (CVT)
NISSAN recommends that your vehicle be
towed with the driving (front) wheels off the
ground or place the vehicle on a flatbed
truck as illustrated.

If you choose to use a tire dressing, take the
following precautions:∙ Use a water-based tire dressing. The coating on the tire dissolves more easily
than 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 diffi-
cult 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 the tire dressing manufac-
turer. Occasionally remove loose dust from the
interior trim, plastic parts and seats using a
vacuum cleaner or sof t bristled brush. Wipe
the vinyl and leather (if so equipped) sur-
faces with a clean, sof t cloth dampened in
mild soap solution, then wipe clean with a
dry, sof t cloth.
Regular care and cleaning is required in
order to maintain the appearance of the
leather (if so equipped).
Before using any fabric protector, read the
manufacturer’s recommendations. Some
fabric protectors contain chemicals that
may stain or bleach the seat material.
Use a cloth dampened only with water to
clean the meter and gauge lens.

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 S (DH-PS) or
the exact equivalents.

WARNING
∙ It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area inside a ve-
hicle. 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.
TERMS
It is important to familiarize yourself
with the following terms before
loading your vehicle:
∙ Curb Weight (actual weight of your vehicle) - vehicle weight in-
cluding: standard and optional
equipment, fluids, emergency
tools, and spare tire assembly.
This weight does notinclude
passengers and cargo. ∙ GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) - curb
weight plus the combined weight
of passengers and cargo.
∙ GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rat- ing) - maximum total combined
weight of the unloaded vehicle,
passengers, luggage, hitch, trailer
tongue load and any other op-
tional equipment. This informa-
tion is located on the
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification
label.
∙ GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) - maximum weight (load) limit
specified for the front or rear axle.
This information is located on the
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification
label.
∙ GCWR (Gross Combined Weight rating) - The maximum total
weight rating of the vehicle, pas-
sengers, cargo, and trailer. ∙ Vehicle Capacity Weight, Load
limit, Total load capacity - maxi-
mum 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 ve-
hicle is used to tow a trailer, the
trailer tongue weight must be in-
cluded as part of the cargo load.
This information is located on the
Tire and Loading Information la-
bel.
∙ Cargo capacity - permissible weight of cargo, the subtracted
weight of occupants from the
load limit.
VEHICLE LOADING INFORMATION
10-14Technical and consumer information

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.

cargo in the trailer and vehicle may need to
be moved or removed to meet the speci-
fied ratings.
Example:∙ Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) as weighed on a scale - including passengers, cargo
and hitch - 6,350 lbs. (2,880 kg).
∙ Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) from F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification la-
bel - 7,250 lbs. (3,289 kg).
∙ Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) from “Towing Load/Specification" chart
- 15,100 lbs. (6,849 kg).
∙ Maximum Trailer towing capacity from “Towing Load/Specification" chart -
9,100 lbs. (4,128 kg).

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 compo-
nents. Never exceed the weight rating
of the hitch components. Doing so can
cause serious personal injury or prop-
erty damage.
Hitch ball
Choose a hitch ball of the proper size and
weight rating for your trailer:∙ The required hitch ball size is stamped on most trailer couplers. Most hitch
balls also have the size printed on the
top of the ball.
∙ Choose the proper class hitch ball based on the trailer weight.
∙ The 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. ∙ The 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. Addi-
tionally, 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 trail-
ers with a maximum weight over 5,000 lbs.
(2,268 kg). 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
affect 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 manufac-
turer to determine if and how this can be
done.
Follow the instructions provided by the
manufacturer for installing and using the
weight-distributing hitch system.
General set-up instructions are as follows:
1. Park unloaded vehicle on a level sur- face. With the ignition on and the doors
closed, allow the vehicle to stand for
several minutes so that it can level.
Technical and consumer information10-23