transmission NISSAN VERSA 2010 1.G Towing Guide

2010 Nissan Towing Guide 1
INTRODUCTION

SAFETY IS PRIORITY ONE
Obviously, your first concern should be safety. Your vehicle was designed to be used primarily
to carry passengers and cargo. Always remember that towing a trailer places additional loads
on your vehicle’s engine, drivetrain, suspension, steering, braking, and other systems.
Therefore, be certain that your vehicle can meet the demands of the towing application you
have in mind.
Rent or purchase only the highest-quality towing and safety equipment you can find.
Reinforced tow hitches designed especially for certain Nissan vehicles are available from your
Nissan dealer. Hitches for other Nissan models should be bought from and installed by a
professional supplier of towing equipment.
Finally, it is important to follow the towing capacity limit set for your specific vehicle, and to
ensure that your vehicle is in top mechanical condition, especially the tires, brakes,
suspension, and engine cooling system. See your vehicle owner’s manual for details.

NEVER EXCEED THE ESTABLISHED TOWING CAPACITY
Towing capacities vary from vehicle to vehicle. See the SPECIFICATIONS section of this
guide for the towing capacities of 2010 Nissan vehicles produced at the time of Towing
Guide publication. Use this data to help select the proper Nissan vehicle to meet your
anticipated towing needs, and refer to it when renting a trailer or other piece of towing
equipment.

EQUIP YOUR NISSAN FOR TOWING
The frequency and type of towing should influence the manner in which you equip your
vehicle. If you plan to tow often, either for recreation or work, select the engine size,
transmission type, suspension, and towing capacity that are best suited to your requirements.
This guide can help you select that equipment.
If, on the other hand, your towing will be infrequent, choose the Nissan vehicle and
equipment that best meets your day-to-day needs. Be careful not to exceed the towing
capacity on those few occasions when you do tow.


READ THIS GUIDE BEFORE YOU TOW
This guide was designed to provide an overview of safe towing practices. Here, you will find
information on towing equipment, safety, proper loading and driving techniques, towing tips,
and much more.

2010 Nissan Towing Guide 10 NOTE – Improper or poor quality trailer harness wiring may affect your vehicle’s electrical
system. Use only a Nissan approved wiring harness, or consult your dealer or a professional
supplier of towing equipment for compatible equipment.

SWAY CONTROL DEVICE
Sudden maneuvers, wind gusts, and buffeting caused by other vehicles can affect trailer
handling. Sway control devices may be used to help control these effects. 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 system. Follow the instructions
provided by the manufacturer for installing and using the sway control device.

GENUINE NISSAN PARTS AND ACCESSORIES
Whether you will be towing occasionally or on a regular basis, Nissan offers a full range of
Genuine Nissan Parts and Accessories to help you tow with confidence.
Every accessory is thoroughly tested and inspected for fit and workmanship. Therefore, you
can be certain that every item is designed to be compatible with the standard features of your
vehicle and designed to assist you with your towing needs.
Contact your Nissan dealer for more information on accessories or towing-related parts for
your Nissan vehicle.


PREPARING
YOUR VEHICLE

BREAK-IN AND MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Nissan recommends that you allow a sufficient “break-in” (500 miles) of both the engine and
drivetrain before towing with your new Nissan vehicle. In addition, for the first 500 miles that
you tow a trailer, do not drive over 50 mph and do not make starts at full throttle.
Keep in mind, too, that towing places higher demands and added loads on vehicle
components, so more frequent maintenance is called for. Your Nissan Service & Maintenance
Guide provides the accelerated maintenance schedule for towing purposes. Engine oil, filter,
transmission oil, and possibly other fluids should be changed more frequently when towing.

2010 Nissan Towing Guide 17 VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS
Vehicle modifications — beyond those required for proper hitch installation, wiring hook-up,
and necessary cooling system upgrading — are not recommended for any Nissan vehicle
being used for towing purposes. Changes to the drivetrain, suspension, exhaust systems,
frame structure/unibody, or other vehicle components are not necessary for towing within the
limits described in this guide. These changes may diminish the reliability and longevity of your
vehicle and possibly void warranty coverage.

TOOL KIT
When towing, bring tools including flares, a flashlight, emergency reflectors, jumper cables,
extra fuses, extra radiator coolant, oil, and easily replaced spare parts such as taillight bulbs.
You should also carry spare tires for your tow vehicle and trailer, as well as a jack suitable for
use on the trailer. Be aware that not all automotive jacks can be used safely on a trailer.

BEFORE STARTING OUT
Before starting out on a trip, make one last inspection of the tow vehicle and the trailer. Are
the tire pressures correct? Are the safety chains/cables securely in place? Is the cargo tied
down securely? Do all the lights work? Is the coupler properly attached over the hitch ball and
secured using a locking pin? Is the breakaway switch hooked up and functioning properly?
Are vehicle and electric trailer brakes working properly?
Make a checklist of key items to be inspected. When towing, vehicle engine oil,
transmission oil, and coolant should always be checked before starting out. Finding a potential
problem while in your driveway is better than discovering it miles from home.


TOWING
TIPS

If you have never towed a trailer before, be aware that it does take getting used to. To begin
with, towing noticeably affects your vehicle’s performance:
Š It will not accelerate as quickly — an important point to keep in mind when merging onto a
highway.
Š It will not stop as quickly. Leave more room than usual between you and the traffic ahead,
and brake sooner when coming to a stop.
Š Abrupt maneuvering can unbalance the load and reduce the handling and stability of your
tow vehicle. Plan ahead and make lane changes and turns smoothly.

2010 Nissan Towing Guide 19 the trailer to the right, move the wheel to the right. All movements of the wheel should be done
in small increments. Of course, backing up should be done only at very slow speeds. For large
trailers that obstruct your rearward vision, have someone outside the vehicle act as a “spotter”
to guide you along.

PARK SMART
A tow vehicle and trailer can be an unwieldy combination in a small area, so always try to park
where you will have a relatively easy time maneuvering. Once parked, always block the wheels
on both the tow vehicle and the trailer.
Parking on a slope is not recommended. If, however, you must park on a slope and your
vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission, there are some precautions you should
take:
Š Have someone block the wheels once the tow vehicle and trailer are in position and being
held by the vehicle’s brake.
Š Next, apply the parking brake and only then move the gear lever into PARK. If you move the
lever into PARK before blocking the wheels and applying the parking brake, it may be
difficult to later shift out of PARK. Transmission damage may also occur.

HIGH-ALTITUDE PERFORMANCE
An engine will lose about 4% of its performance for every 1,000 feet above sea level that you
travel. If you will be towing in high altitudes, it is a good idea to allow more time than usual due
to the engine’s reduced performance.

TOW MODE (IF EQUIPPED)
Tow Mode is recommended when towing a heavy trailer or hauling a heavy load, particularly in
stop-and-go traffic, rolling terrain, or a busy parking.
Driving the vehicle in Tow Mode may affect fuel economy and transmission/engine driving
characteristics. See your vehicle owner’s manual for additional information about Tow Mode.

HILLS – UPGRADES
As the incline increases, your vehicle — if equipped with an automatic transmission — is
designed to automatically select the correct gear for the best towing comfort and
performance. To maintain speed or avoid up and down shifts, manually shift to a lower gear as
needed.

2010 Nissan Towing Guide 20 The added weight of a trailer places an increased load on the engine and cooling system, so
monitor your coolant temperature gauge and automatic transmission fluid temperature gauge
(if equipped) carefully. At the first sign of overheating, pull to the side of the road. See IF
YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS later in this section for more information.

HILLS – DOWNGRADES
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 shift to a
lower gear. If your vehicle is equipped with Tow Mode, see your vehicle owner’s manual for
information about the use of this function.
Avoid long or repeated use of the brakes when descending a hill, as this reduces their
effectiveness and could cause overheating. Shifting to a lower gear instead provides “engine
braking” and reduces the need to brake as frequently.

AUTOMATIC CRUISE CONTROL
Do not use cruise control while towing a trailer.

IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
A moderate increase in engine operating temperature is normal when towing a trailer. If,
however, the coolant temperature gauge reading is abnormally high, or if you are experiencing
a significant loss of power, or if you hear unusual engine noises,* the engine may be
overheating and you should immediately take the following steps:

1. Pull your vehicle safely over to the side of the road, out of traffic. Apply the parking brake
and move the gearshift lever to NEUTRAL (manual) or PARK (automatic). DO NOT STOP
THE ENGINE.

2. Turn off the air conditioning and, after opening all the windows, turn the heater on to
maximum hot and the fan to its highest speed. The heater core in your vehicle is just like a
miniature engine radiator and will provide an extra cooling surface to help reduce engine
temperature.

3. If the temperature does not drop or continues to increase, stop the engine immediately.

4. Being cautious of traffic, step out of the vehicle and, from a safe distance, look for steam
underneath the engine. If you see steam or leaking coolant, stand clear to avoid being
burned and shut off your engine immediately and allow it to cool. If there is no steam, open

*See your vehicle owner’s manual for additional indications that your vehicle may be overheating.

2010 Nissan Towing Guide 23
SPECIFICATIONS

TOWING CAPACITIES
Crossovers, SUVs, and Trucks





















2010 ARMADA TOWING DATA
Engine Type 5.6L V8
Transmission A/T
Model(s) 2WD 4WD
without tow package 6,500 6,500 Maximum
Trailer Weight1,3 (lbs.) with tow package4 9,100 9,000
without tow package 650 650 Maximum
Trailer Tongue Load1 (lbs.) with tow package4 910 900
without tow package 12,800 13,000 Gross Combined
Weight Rating (lbs.) with tow package4 15,100 15,100
2010 FRONTIER TOWING DATA
Engine Type 2.5L
4-Cylinder 4.0L V6
Transmission A/T & M/T
Model(s)
King
Cab
2WD
King
Cab
2WD
King
Cab
4WD
Crew
Cab
2WD
Crew
Cab
4WD
Maximum
Trailer Weight1,2,3 (lbs.) 3,500 6,500 6,300 6,300 6,100
Maximum
Trailer Tongue Load1,2 (lbs.) 350 650 630 630 610
Gross Combined
Weight Rating (lbs.) 7,936 11,133 11,133 11,133 11,133
Maximum Trailer Frontal Area 60 sq. ft.

2010 Nissan Towing Guide 24

























2010 MURANO TOWING DATA
Engine Type 3.5L V6
Transmission CVT
Maximum Trailer Weight1 (lbs.) 3,500
Maximum Trailer Tongue Load1 (lbs.) 350
Gross Combined Weight Rating (lbs.) 8,300
2010 PATHFINDER TOWING DATA
Engine Type 4.0L V6 5.6L V8
Transmission A/T
Maximum Trailer Weight1,3 (lbs.) 6,000 7,000
Maximum Trailer Tongue Load1 (lbs.) 600 700
Gross Combined Weight Rating (lbs.) 11,133 12,566
Maximum Trailer Frontal Area 60 sq. ft.
2010 ROGUE TOWING DATA
Engine Type 2.5L 4-Cylinder
Transmission CVT
Model(s) with
Manual Shift Mode
without
Manual Shift Mode
Maximum Trailer Weight1 (lbs.) 1,500 1,000
Maximum Trailer Tongue Load1 (lbs.) 150 150
Gross Combined Weight Rating (lbs.) 5,636 5,136

2010 Nissan Towing Guide 25







































Passenger Vehicles – The towing capacity for Altima (Coupe, Hybrid, and Sedan), Maxima,
and Sentra vehicles is 1,000 lbs.; the maximum trailer tongue load is 100 lbs. DO NOT
tow a
trailer with 370Z (Coupe and Roadster), cube, GT-R, or Versa.
NOTE – For passenger vehicles, the trailer tongue load must be subtracted from the GVWR
as shown on the F.M.V.S.S. certification label located in the driver’s-side door area.

2010 XTERRA TOWING DATA
Engine Type 4.0L V6
Transmission A/T & M/T
Model(s) 2WD & 4WD
Maximum Trailer Weight1 (lbs.) 5,000
Maximum Trailer Tongue Load1 (lbs.) 500
Gross Combined Weight Rating (lbs.) 9,656
Maximum Trailer Frontal Area 60 sq. ft.
1 Maximum Trailer Weight values are calculated assuming a base vehicle with driver and
any options required to achieve the rating. Additional passengers, cargo and/or optional
equipment will add weight to the vehicle and reduce your vehicle’s maximum towing
capacity and trailer tongue load.

2 The Maximum Trailer Weight when using the Genuine Nissan step bumper in this
application as a ball mount is 3,500 lbs.; the Maximum Trailer Tongue Load is 350 lbs.

3 Use of a weight-distributing hitch system is recommended when towing over 5,000 lbs.

4 The vehicle tow package does not include a ball mount. Ball mount options are available
through your Nissan dealer:
Š Class III hitch ball mount for trailers with a Maximum Trailer Weight of 5,000 lbs.
or less.
NOTE – A hitch ball is not included with the Class III ball mount.
Š Class IV weight-distributing hitch ball mount for trailers with a Maximum Trailer
Weight greater than 5,000 lbs. This ball mount can also be used with trailers
under 5,000 lbs. Maximum Trailer Weight.
NOTE – The Class IV ball mount includes a 2
5/16” hitch ball rated for 10,000 lbs. NOTES:
Š Most states require a separate braking system on trailers with a loaded weight
above a specific amount. Check local ordinances.
Š A/T – Automatic Transmission, CVT – Continuously Variable Transmission