1998 Nissan Altima Owner's Manual - Page 204

● 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 an automatic transmission, first block the wheels and apply the parking brake, and then move the 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. ● 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. ● If the engine coolant rises to an extremely high temperature when the air conditioner system is on, turn off the air conditioner. Coolant heat can be additionally vented by opening the windows, switching the fan control to high and setting the temperature control to the HOT position. ● Trailer towing requires more fuel than normal circumstances. ● Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles (800 km). ● Have your vehicle serviced more often than at intervals specified in the recommended Maintenance Schedule. ● When making a turn, your trailer wheels will be closer to the inside of the turn than your vehicle wheels. To compensate for this, make a larger than normal turning radius during the turn. ● Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly causing vehicle sway. When being passed by larger vehicles, be prepared for possible changes in crosswinds that could affect vehicle handling. If swaying does occur, firmly grip the steering wheel, steer straight ahead, and immediately (but gradually) reduce vehicle speed. This combination will help stabilize the vehicle. Never increase speed. ● Be careful when passing other vehicles. Passing while towing a trailer requires considerably more distance than normal passing. Remember the length of the trailer must also pass the other vehicle before you can safely change lanes. ● To maintain engine braking efficiency and electrical charging performance, do not use fifth gear (manual transmission) or overdrive (automatic transmission). ● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or too frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat, resulting in reduced braking efficiency. When towing a trailer, change the transmission fluid more frequently. For additional information see the ''Maintenance'' section earlier in this manual. Technical and consumer information 10-17