• 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. Avoid
long or repeated use of the brakes when
descending a hill, as this reduces their
effectiveness and could cause overheat-
ing. Shifting to a lower gear instead pro-
vides “engine braking” and reduces the
need to brake as frequently.
• If the engine coolant temperature rises to
a high temperature, see “If your vehicle
overheats” (P. 6-14).
• Trailer towing requires more fuel than
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 recom-
mended maintenance schedule in the
“Maintenance and schedules” section of
this manual.
• 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 ad-
versely affect vehicle/trailer handling,
possibly causing vehicle sway. When be-
ing passed by larger vehicles, be pre-
pared for possible changes in crosswinds
that could affect vehicle 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 vehicle.
– Do not correct trailer sway by steering
or applying the brakes.
2. When the trailer sway stops, gently apply
the brakes and pull to the side of the
road in a safe area.
3. Try to rearrange the trailer load so it is
balanced. For additional information,
see “Pre-towing tips” (P. 10-28).
• Be careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires
considerably more distance than normal
passing. Remember, the length of the
trailer must also pass the other vehicle
before you can safely change lanes.
• Downshift the transmission to a lower
gear for engine braking when driving
down steep or long hills. This will help
slow the vehicle without applying the
brakes.
• Avoid holding the brake pedal down too
long or too frequently. This could cause
the brakes to overheat, resulting in re-
duced braking efficiency.
• Increase your following distance to allow
for greater stopping distances while tow-
ing a trailer. Anticipate stops and brake
gradually.
• NISSAN recommends that the cruise
control not be used while towing a trailer.
• 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
connections, and trailer wheel lug nuts
after 50 miles (80 km) of travel and at
every break.
10-30 Technical and consumer information