1997 Nissan Pathfinder Owner's Manual - Page 224

trailer hitch mounting bolts are securely fastened. ¼ To reduce the possibility of additional damage if your vehicle is struck from the rear, where practical, remove the hitch when not in use. Remove the receiver when not in use. and/or local regulations. When wiring vehicle for towing connection, connect stop and tail light pickup into the vehicle electrical circuit at point between the sensor and stop light switch or light switch. ¼ Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops. ¼ Avoid sharp turns or lane changes. ¼ Always drive your vehicle at a moderate speed. ¼ Always block the wheels on both vehicle and trailer when parking. Parking on a slope is not recommended; however, if you must do so, and if your vehicle is equipped with automatic transmission, first block the wheels and apply the parking brake, and then move the transmission shift lever into the "P" position. If you move the shift lever to the "P" position before blocking the wheels and applying the parking brake, transmission damage could occur. ¼ When going down a hill, shift into a lower gear and use the engine braking effect. When ascending a long grade, downshift the transmission to a lower gear and reduce speed to reduce chances of engine overloading and/or overheating. However, for long steep grades, do not stay in 1st or 2nd gear when driving above 35 MPH (56 km/h). ¼ If the engine coolant rises to an extremely high temperature when the air conditioning system is on, turn off the air conditioner. Coolant heat can be additionally vented by Trailer brakes If your trailer is equipped with a braking system, make sure it conforms to Federal and/or local regulations and that it is properly installed. Tire pressures ¼ When towing a trailer, inflate the vehicle tires to the recommended cold tire pressure indicated on the tire placard (affixed to the glove box lid). ¼ Trailer tire condition, size, load rating and proper inflation pressure should be in accordance with the trailer and tire manufacturers' specifications. Never connect a trailer brake system directly to the vehicle brake system. Safety chain Always use a suitable chain between your vehicle and the trailer. The chain should be crossed and should be attached to the hitch, not to the vehicle bumper or axle. Be sure to leave enough slack in the chain to permit turning corners. Trailer towing tips In order to gain skill and an understanding of the vehicle's behavior, you should practice turning, stopping and backing up in an area which is free from traffic. Steering stability and braking performance will be somewhat different than under normal driving conditions. ¼ Always secure items in the trailer to prevent load shift while driving. Trailer lights Trailer lights should comply with Federal 9-19