Flat towing -23 – NISSAN 2008 Altima Coupe User Manual

Page 347

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● 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 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 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

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