Nissan 2010 Maxima Automobile User Manual


 
Avoid towing a trailer for your vehicle’s first
500 miles (805 km).
For the first 500 miles (805 km) that you do
tow, do not drive over 50 MPH (80 km/h).
Have your vehicle serviced more often than
at intervals specified in the recommended
Maintenance Schedulein the “NISSANSer-
vice and Maintenance Guide”.
When making a turn, your trailer wheels will
be closer to the inside of the turn than your
vehicle wheels. To compensate for this,
make a larger than normal turning radius
during the turn.
Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely
affectvehicle/trailer handling,possiblycaus-
ing vehicle sway. When being passed by
larger vehicles, be prepared for possible
changes in crosswinds that could affect ve-
hicle handling.
Do the following if the trailer begins to sway:
1. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal to
allow the vehicle to coast and steer as
straight ahead as the road conditions allow.
This combination will help stabilize the ve-
hicle.
Do not correct trailer sway by steering or
applying the brakes.
2. Whenthe trailerswaystops, gentlyapplythe
brakes and pull to the side of the road in a
safe area.
3. Try to rearrange the trailer load so it is bal-
anced as described earlier in this section.
Be careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires con-
siderably more distance than normal pass-
ing. Remember, the lengthof the trailer must
also pass the other vehicle before you can
safely change lanes.
Use the Tow Mode or downshift the trans-
mission to a lower gear for engine braking
when driving down steep or long hills. This
will help slow the vehicle without applying
the brakes.
Avoidholding thebrake pedaldowntoo long
or too frequently. This could cause the
brakes to overheat, resulting in reduced
braking efficiency.
Increase your following distance to allow for
greater stopping distances while towing a
trailer. Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
NISSAN recommends that the cruise con-
trol not be used while towing a trailer.
Some states or provinces have specific
regulations andspeed limits forvehicles 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, transmission fluid
should be changed more frequently. For
additional information, see the “Mainte-
nance 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
methodis sometimesusedwhentowing avehicle
behind a recreational vehicle, such as a motor
home.
Technical and consumer information 9-23