Nissan 2008 Altima Automobile User 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 stopped in traffic for long periods of
time in hot weather, put the vehicle in the P
(Park) position.
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 sometimesused when towing avehicle
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 continuously variable
transmission vehicle with all four
wheels on the ground (flat towing). Do-
ing so WILL DAMAGE internal transmis-
sion 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.
Continuously Variable Transmission
To tow a vehicle equipped with a continuously
variable transmission, an appropriate vehicle
dolly MUST be placed under the towed vehicle’s
drive wheels. Always follow the dolly manufac-
turer’s recommendations when using their prod-
uct.
Manual Transmission
Always tow with the manual transmission in
Neutral.
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.
Technical and consumer information 9-23
REVIEW COPY—
2008 Altima (alt)
Owners Manual—USA_English (nna)
02/15/08—tbrooks