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Flat towing -23 – NISSAN 2009 Altima Hybrid - Owner's Manual User Manual

Page 340

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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 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 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 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, eCVT fluid should be
changed more frequently. 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.
Your vehicle is not designed to be flat towed with

all four wheels on the ground.

CAUTION

Failure to follow these guidelines can

result in severe transmission damage.

DO not tow your vehicle with four

wheels on the ground. This may cause

serious damage to your vehicle.

DO NOT tow this 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.

Electronically controlled Continuously

Variable Transmission (eCVT)

To tow a vehicle equipped with an eCVT, an

appropriate vehicle dolly MUST be placed under

the towed vehicle’s drive wheels. Always follow

the dolly manufacturer’s recommendations when

using their product.

Technical and consumer information

9-23

REVIEW COPY—

2009 Altima Hybrid Electric

(ahv)
Owners Manual—Canadian_French (fr_can)
06/16/08—debbie