2006 Nissan Xterra Owner's Manual - Page 285

Always block the wheels on both vehicle and trailer when parking. Parking on a slope is not recommended; however, if you must do so: 7. Turn off the engine. To drive away: 1. Start the vehicle. 2. Apply and hold the brake pedal. 3. Shift the transmission into gear. 4. Release the parking brake. 5. Drive slowly until the vehicle and trailer are clear from the blocks. 6. Apply and hold the brake pedal. 7. Have someone retrieve and store the blocks. ● When going down a hill, shift into a lower gear and use the engine braking effect. When going up 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 gear when driving above 35 MPH (56 km/h) or 2nd gear when driving above 58 MPH (93 km/h). ● 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 your vehicle's first 500 miles (805 km). ● For the first 500 miles (805 km) that you do tow, do not drive over 50 MPH (80 km/h). ● Have your vehicle serviced more often than at intervals specified in the recommended Maintenance Schedule in the "NISSAN Service and Maintenance Guide". ● 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. CAUTION If you move the shift selector lever to the P (Park) position before blocking the wheels and applying the parking brake, transmission damage could occur. 1. Apply and hold the brake pedal. 2. Have someone place blocks on the down hill side of the vehicle and trailer wheels. 3. After the wheel blocks are in place, slowly release the brake pedal until the blocks absorb the vehicle load. 4. Apply the parking brake. 5. Shift the transmission into P (Park). 6. Make sure the indicator light (if so equipped) indicates the transfer case is in 4H, 4L, or 2H and that the ATP light is off. If the indicator light is flashing, or the ATP light is ON, make sure the transmission is in P (Park) (AT) and turn the 4WD switch to 2WD or 4H. See Automatic transmission park warning light in the Instruments and controls section and Using four wheel drive in the Starting and driving section. Technical and consumer information 9-25