2002 Nissan Pathfinder Owner's Manual - Page 272

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 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. When towing a trailer, change oil in the transmission more frequently. See the Maintenance Schedule. Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum section width. For example: Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A WARNING The traction grade assigned to your vehicle tires is based on straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics. Treadwear Treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on tire wear rate when tested under controlled conditions on specified government test courses. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half (1-1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire graded 100. However, relative tire performance depends on actual driving conditions, and may vary significantly due to variations in driving habits, service practices and differences in road characteristics and climate. Temperature A, B and C Temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C. They represent a tire's resistance to heat build-up, and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause tire material to degenerate, reducing tire life. Excessive temperatures can lead to sudden tire failure. Grade C corresponds to a performance level which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades A and B represent higher levels of performance on laboratory test wheels than the minimum required by law. Traction AA, A, B and C The traction grades from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction performance. UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING DOT (Department of Transportation) Quality Grades: All passenger car tire must conform to Federal Safety Requirements in addition to these grades. Technical and consumer information 9-21