2011 Nissan Xterra Owner's Manual - Page 204

● To avoid raising the center of gravity excessively, do not exceed the rated capacity of the roof rack/gear bin (if so equipped) 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. ● Do not grip the inside or spokes of the steering wheel when driving off-road. The steering wheel could move suddenly and injure your hands. Instead drive with your fingers and thumbs on the outside of the rim. ● Before operating the vehicle, ensure that the driver and all passengers have their seat belts fastened. ● Always drive with the floor mats in place as the floor may become hot. ● Lower your speed when encountering strong crosswinds. With a higher center of gravity, your NISSAN is more affected by strong side winds. Slower speeds ensure better vehicle control. ● Do not drive beyond the performance capability of the tires, even with 4WD engaged. ● For 4WD equipped vehicles, do not attempt to raise two wheels off the ground and shift the transmission to any drive or reverse position with the engine running. Doing so may result in drivetrain damage or unexpected vehicle movement which could result in serious vehicle damage or personal injury. ● Do not attempt to test a 4WD equipped vehicle on a 2-wheel dynamometer (such as the dynamometers used by some states for emissions testing), or similar equipment even if the other two wheels are raised off the ground. Make sure you inform test facility personnel that your vehicle is equipped with 4WD before it is placed on a dynamometer. Using the wrong test equipment may result in drivetrain damage or unexpected vehicle movement which could result in serious vehicle damage or personal injury. ● Accelerating quickly, sharp steering maneuvers or sudden braking may cause loss of control. ● If at all possible, avoid sharp turning maneuvers, particularly at high speeds. Your NISSAN four-wheel drive vehicle has a higher center of gravity than a passenger car. The vehicle is not designed for cornering at the same speeds as passenger cars. Failure to operate this vehicle correctly could result in loss of control and/or a rollover accident. ● Always use tires of the same type, size, brand, construction (bias, bias-belted, or radial), and tread pattern on all four wheels. Install tire chains on the rear wheels when driving on slippery roads and drive carefully. ● Be sure to check the brakes immediately after driving in mud or water. See "Brake system" later in this section for "Wet brakes". ● Avoid parking your vehicle on steep hills. If you get out of the vehicle and it rolls forward, backward or sideways, you could be injured. ● Whenever you drive off-road through sand, mud or water as deep as the wheel hub, more frequent maintenance may be required. See "Periodic maintenance" in the "NISSAN Service and Maintenance Guide." Starting and driving 5-9