towing NISSAN XTERRA 2010 Owner´s Manual

●Some states or provinces have specific
regulations and speed limits for vehicles that
are towing trailers. Obey the local speed
limits.
● Check your hitch, trailer wiring harness con-
nections, and trailer wheel lug nuts after 50
miles (80 km) of travel and at every break.
● When launching a boat, don’t allow the wa-
ter level to go over the exhaust tail pipe or
rear bumper.
● Make sure you disconnect the trailer lights
before backing the trailer into the water or
the trailer lights may burn out.
When towing a trailer, final drive gear oil
should be replaced and transmission
oil/fluid should be changed more fre-
quently. For additional information, see the
“Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section
earlier in this manual.
FLAT TOWING
Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground is sometimes called flat towing. This
method is sometimes used when towing a vehicle
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, al-
ways 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 lubrication.
● For emergency towing procedures refer
to “Towing recommended by NISSAN”
in the “In case of emergency” section of
this manual.
Automatic Transmission (if so
equipped)
To tow a vehicle equipped with an automatic
transmission, an appropriate vehicle dolly MUST
be placed under the towed vehicle’s drive
wheels. Always follow the dolly manufacturer’s
recommendations when using their product.
Manual Transmission (if so equipped)
● Always tow with the manual transmission in
Neutral.
● On four-wheel drive vehicles, place the
transfer case in the 2H range. Failure to do
so will cause the powertrain to bind up.
● After towing 500 miles (805 km) , start and
idle the engine with the transmission in Neu-
tral for two minutes. Failure to idle the engine
after every 500 miles (805 km) of towing
may cause damage to internal transmission
parts.
9-28Technical and consumer information

Temperature gaugeEngine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Theft (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system) ,
engine start .............2-23, 3-2, 5-11
Three-way catalyst ................5-2
Tilting steering wheel ..............3-12
Tire Flat tire .....................6-2
Spare tire ...................6-4
Tire and Loading Information label .....9-11
Tire chains ..................8-39
Tire placard ..................9-11
Tire pressure .................8-32
Tire rotation ..................8-39
Tires of 4-wheel drive ............8-41
Types of tires .................8-38
Uniform tire quality grading .........9-29
Wheels and tires ...............8-32
Wheel/tire size .................9-8
Tire pressure Low tire pressure warning light .......2-15
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) . . . .5-3
Top tether strap child restraint .........1-31
Towing 2-wheel drive models ............6-12
4-wheel drive models ............6-13
Flat towing ..................9-28
Tow truck towing ...............6-11
Towing load/specification ..........9-22
Trailer towing .................9-19
Transmission Driving with automatic transmission . . . .5-12
Driving with manual transmission ......5-16
Travel (See registering your vehicle in another
country) ......................9-9
Trip computer ...................2-5 Trip odometer
...................2-4
Turn signal switch ................2-28
U
Uniform tire quality grading ...........9-29
V
Vanity mirror ...................3-13
V ariable voltage

control system.........8-16
Vehicle dimensions and weights .........9-8
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch . . .2-30
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) system .....5-32
Vehicle identification ...............9-9
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
(Chassis number) .................9-9
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate . . . .9-9
Vehicle loading information ...........9-12
Vehicle recovery ..............6-13, 6-14
Vehicle security system .............2-21
Vehicle security system (NISSAN vehicle immobi-
lizer system) , engine start ......2-23, 3-2, 5-11
Ventilators .....................4-2
Visors .......................3-12
Voltmeter ......................2-8
W
Warning 4WD warning light ..............2-15
Air bag warning light .........1-59, 2-17
Anti-lock brake warning light ........2-13Battery charge warning light
........2-14
Brake warning light .............2-14
Door open warning light ...........2-14
Engine oil pressure warning light ......2-14
Hazard warning flasher switch .......2-29
Low fuel warning light ............2-15
Low tire pressure warning light .......2-15
Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light ......................2-17
Passenger air bag and status light .....1-53
Seat belt warning light ............2-17
Vehicle security system ...........2-21
Warning labels (for SRS) ..........1-58
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ...................2-12
Warning lights ..................2-12
Washer switch Rear window wiper and washer
switches ...................2-25
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-24
Weights (See dimensions and weights) .....9-8
Wheels andtires ................

.8-32
Wheel/tire size ...................9-8
When traveling or registering your vehicle
in another country .................9-9
Window washer fluid ..............8-13
Windows Locking passengers’ windows .......2-46
Power rear windows .............2-46
Power windows ...............2-45
Rear power windows ............2-46
Windshield wiper and washer switch .....2-24
Wiper
Rear window wiper and washer switches. .2-25
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-24
Wiper blades .................8-19
10-6