Flat towing -41 – NISSAN 2009 Titan User Manual

Page 387

Advertising
background image

● Be careful when passing other vehicles.

Passing while towing a trailer requires con-

siderably more distance than normal pass-

ing. Remember, the length of 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.

● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too 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 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 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.

Tow mode

Using tow mode is recommended when pulling a

heavy trailer or hauling a heavy load. Press the

TOW MODE switch to activate tow mode. The

indicator light on the TOW MODE switch illumi-

nates when tow mode is selected. Press the

TOW MODE switch again to turn tow mode off.

Tow mode is automatically cancelled when the

ignition switch is turned OFF.
Tow mode includes the following features:

● Grade logic — Adjusts transmission shifts

when pulling a trailer or hauling a load up a

grade.

● Downhill Speed Control (DSC) — automati-

cally downshifts when driving down a grade

with a trailer or heavy load to help control

vehicle speed.

Driving the vehicle in the tow mode with no

trailer/load or light trailer/light load will not cause

any damage. However, fuel economy may be

reduced and the transmission/engine driving

characteristics may feel unusual.
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.

Technical and consumer information

9-41

REVIEW COPY—

2009 Titan (tzw)

Owners Manual—USA_English (nna)
02/19/08—tbrooks

Advertising