2000 Nissan Maxima Owner's Manual - Page 227

trailer is hitched. Do not drive the vehicle if it has an abnormal nose-up or nose-down condition; check for improper tongue load, overload, worn suspension or other possible causes of either condition. ¼ Always secure items in the trailer to prevent load shifts while driving. ¼ Be certain your rear view mirrors conform to all federal, state or local regulations. If not, install any mirrors required for towing before driving the vehicle. 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 selector lever into the P (Park) position. If you move the selector lever to the P (Park) 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. 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 opening the windows, switching the fan control to high and setting the temperature control to the HOT position. ¼ Trailer towing requires more fuel than normal circumstances. ¼ Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles (800 km). ¼ Have your vehicle serviced more often than at intervals specified in the recommended maintenance schedule. ¼ 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. ¼ 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. ¼ 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. ¼ To maintain engine braking efficiency and electrical charging performance, do not use fifth gear (manual transmission) or overdrive (automatic transmission). 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. 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 10-18 Technical and consumer information