Nissan 2010 Xterra Automobile User Manual


 
To drive away:
1. Start the vehicle.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shift the transmission into gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Drive slowly until the vehicle and trailer are
clear from the blocks.
6. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
7. Havesomeoneretrieve andstorethe blocks.
While going downhill, the weight of the
trailer pushing on the tow vehicle may de-
crease overall stability. Therefore, to main-
tain adequate control, reduce your speed
and shift to a lower gear. Avoid long or
repeated use of the brakes when descend-
ing a hill, as this reduces their effectiveness
and could cause overheating. Shifting to a
lower gear instead provides “engine brak-
ing” and reduces the need to brake as fre-
quently.
If the engine coolant temperature rises to a
high temperature, refer to “If your vehicle
overheats” in the “In case of emergency”
section of this owner’s manual.
Trailertowing requiresmore fuelthan normal
circumstances.
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
MaintenanceSchedule inthe “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/trailerhandling,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 trailermust
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.
Avoidholdingthe brakepedaldowntoo 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.
Technical and consumer information 9-27