Flat towing -25 – NISSAN 2010 Altima User Manual

Page 424

Advertising
background image

● 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.

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

9-25

Advertising