2003 Nissan Pathfinder Owner's Manual - Page 163

¼ Before driving up or down grades, check the road surface for bumps or potholes. Be sure to climb a gentle slope and descend a gentle slope. ¼ Do not drive across steep slopes. Instead drive either straight up or straight down the slopes. Off-road vehicles can tip over sideways much more easily than they can forward or backward. ¼ Many hills are too steep for any vehicle. If you drive up them, you may stall. If you drive down them, you may not be able to control your speed. If you drive across them, you may roll over. ¼ Do not shift gears while driving on downhill grades as this could cause loss of control of the vehicle. ¼ Be sure to use the engine brake. The foot brake performance may be reduced, resulting in a possible accident. ¼ Stay alert when driving to the top of a hill. At the top there could be a dropoff or other hazard that could cause an accident. ¼ If your engine stalls or you cannot make it to the top of a steep hill, never attempt to turn around. Your vehicle could tip or roll over. Always back straight down in R (Reverse) gear. Never back down in N (Neutral) or with the clutch depressed (manual transmission vehicles), using only the brake, as this could cause loss of control. ¼ Heavy braking going down a hill could cause your brakes to overheat and fade, resulting in loss of control and an accident. Apply brakes lightly and use a low gear to control your speed. ¼ Unsecured cargo can be thrown around when driving over rough terrain. Properly secure all cargo so it will not be thrown forward and cause injury to you or your passengers. ¼ To avoid raising the center of gravity excessively, do not exceed the rated capacity of the roof rack and evenly distribute the load. Secure heavy loads in the cargo area as far forward and as low as possible. Do not equip the vehicle with tires larger than specified in this manual. This could cause your vehicle to roll over. ¼ Do not grip the inside or spokes of the steering wheel when driving offroad. The steering wheel could move suddenly and injure your hands. Instead drive with your fingers and thumbs on the outside of the rim. ¼ Before operating the vehicle, ensure that the driver and all passengers have their seat belts fastened. ¼ Always drive with the floor mats in place as the floor may become hot. ¼ Lower your speed when encountering strong crosswinds. With a higher center of gravity, your NISSAN is more affected by strong side winds. 5-6 Starting and driving