2013 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab Owner's Manual - Page 430

● Downshift the transmission to a lower gear for engine braking when driving down steep or long hills. This will help slow the vehicle without applying the brakes. ● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or too frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat, resulting in reduced braking efficiency. ● Increase your following distance to allow for greater stopping distances while towing a trailer. Anticipate stops and brake gradually. ● NISSAN recommends that the cruise control not be used while towing a trailer. ● Some states or provinces have specific regulations and speed limits for vehicles that are towing trailers. Obey the local speed limits. ● Check your hitch, trailer wiring harness connections, and trailer wheel lug nuts after 50 miles (80 km) of travel and at every break. ● When launching a boat, don't allow the water level to go over the exhaust tail pipe or rear bumper. ● Make sure you disconnect the trailer lights before backing the trailer into the water or the trailer lights may burn out. When towing a trailer, final drive gear oil should be replaced and transmission oil/fluid should be changed more frequently. For additional information, see the "Maintenance and do-it-yourself" section earlier in this manual. Manual Transmission (if so equipped) ● Always tow with the manual transmission in Neutral. ● On 4-wheel drive vehicles, place the transfer case in the 2H range. Failure to do so will cause the powertrain to bind up. ● After towing 500 miles (805 km), start and idle the engine with the transmission in Neutral for two minutes. Failure to idle the engine after every 500 miles (805 km) of towing may cause damage to internal transmission parts. FLAT TOWING Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground is sometimes called flat towing. This method is sometimes used when towing a vehicle behind a recreational vehicle, such as a motor home. CAUTION ● Failure to follow these guidelines can result in severe transmission damage. ● Whenever flat towing your vehicle, always tow forward, never backward. ● DO NOT tow any automatic transmission vehicle with all four wheels on the ground (flat towing). Doing so WILL DAMAGE internal transmission parts due to lack of transmission lubrication. ● For emergency towing procedures refer to "Towing recommended by NISSAN" in the "In case of emergency" section of this manual. Automatic Transmission (if so equipped) To tow a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission, an appropriate vehicle dolly MUST be placed under the towed vehicle's drive wheels. Always follow the dolly manufacturer's recommendations when using their product. Technical and consumer information 9-35