Nissan Murano (2022 year). Manual in english — page 31

A weight-distributing hitch system (Class
IV) is recommended if you plan to tow trail-
ers with a maximum weight over 5,000 lbs.
(2,268 kg). Check with the trailer and towing
equipment manufacturers to determine if
they recommend the use of a weight-
distributing hitch system.

NOTE:

A weight-distributing hitch system may
affect the operation of trailer surge
brakes. If you are considering use of a
weight-distributing hitch system with a
surge brake-equipped trailer, check with
the surge brake, hitch or trailer manufac-
turer to determine if and how this can be
done.

Follow the instructions provided by the
manufacturer for installing and using the
weight-distributing hitch system.

General set-up instructions are as follows:

1. Park unloaded vehicle on a level surface.

With the ignition switch placed in the ON
position and the doors closed, allow the
vehicle to stand for several minutes so
that it can level.

2. Measure the height of a reference point

on the front and rear bumpers at the
center of the vehicle.

3. Attach the trailer to the vehicle and ad-

just the hitch equalizers so that the front
bumper height is within 0 - .5 inches (0 –
13 mm) of the reference height mea-
sured in step 2. The rear bumper should
be no higher than the reference height
measured in step 2.

WARNING

Properly adjust the weight distributing
hitch so the rear of the bumper is no
higher than the measured reference
height when the trailer is attached. If
the rear bumper is higher than the
measured

reference

height

when

loaded, the vehicle may handle unpre-
dictably which could cause a loss of ve-
hicle control and cause serious per-
sonal injury or property damage.

Sway control device

Sudden maneuvers, wind gusts, and buf-
feting caused by other vehicles can affect
trailer handling. Sway control devices may
be used to help control these affects. If you
choose to use one, contact a reputable
trailer hitch supplier to make sure the sway
control device will work with the vehicle,
hitch, trailer and the trailer's brake system.
Follow the instructions provided by the

manufacturer for installing and using the
sway control device.

Class I hitch

Class I trailer hitch equipment (receiver, ball
mount and hitch ball) can be used to tow
trailers of a maximum weight of 2,000 lbs.
(907 kg).

Tire pressures

• When towing a trailer, inflate the

vehicle tires to the recommended
cold tire pressure indicated on the
Tire and Loading Information label.

• Trailer tire condition, size, load rat-

ing and proper inflation pressure
should be in accordance with the
trailer

and

tire

manufacturer's

specifications.

Safety chains

Always use suitable safety chains between
your vehicle and the trailer. The safety
chains should be crossed and should be
attached to the hitch, not to the vehicle
bumper or axle. The safety chains can be
attached to the bumper if the hitch ball is

Technical and consumer information

10-25

mounted to the bumper. Be sure to leave
enough slack in the chains to permit turn-
ing corners.

Trailer lights

CAUTION

When splicing into the vehicle electrical
system,

a

commercially

available

power-type module/converter must
be used to provide power for all trailer
lighting. This unit uses the vehicle bat-
tery as a direct power source for all
trailer lights while using the vehicle tail
light, stop light and turn signal circuits
as

a

signal

source.

The

module/

converter must draw no more than 15
milliamps from the stop and tail lamp
circuits. Using a module/converter that
exceeds these power requirements
may damage the vehicle's electrical
system. It is recommended that you
visit a reputable trailer retailer to ob-
tain the proper equipment and to have
it installed.

Trailer lights should comply with federal
and/or local regulations. For assistance in
hooking up trailer lights, it is recommended
that you contact a NISSAN dealer or repu-
table trailer retailer. Vehicles equipped with
the optional trailer tow package are
equipped with a flat 4-pin connector, an
adapter will be needed to connect the
trailer lights to the vehicle. Adapters are
available at auto parts stores and hitch
retailers.

Pre-towing tips

• Be certain your vehicle maintains a level

position when a loaded and/or unloaded
trailer is hitched. Do not drive the vehicle if
it has an abnormal nose-up or nose-
down condition; check for improper
tongue load, overload, worn suspension
or

other

possible

causes

of

either

condition.

• Always secure items in the trailer to pre-

vent load shift while driving.

• Keep the cargo load as low as possible in

the trailer to keep the trailer center of
gravity low.

• Load the trailer so approximately 60% of

the trailer load is in the front half and 40%
is in the back half. Also make sure the load
is balanced side to side.

• Check your hitch, trailer tire pressure, ve-

hicle tire pressure, trailer light operation,
and trailer wheel lug nuts every time you
attach a trailer to the vehicle.

• Be certain your rearview mirrors conform

to all federal, state or local regulations. If
not, install any mirrors required for towing
before driving the vehicle.

• Determine the overall height of the ve-

hicle and trailer so the required clearance
is known.

Trailer towing tips

In order to gain skill and an understanding
of the vehicle's behavior, you should prac-
tice turning, stopping and backing up in an
area which is free from traffic. Steering sta-
bility and braking performance will be
somewhat different than under normal
driving conditions.
• Always secure items in the trailer to pre-

vent load shift while driving.

• Lock the trailer hitch coupler with a pin or

lock to prevent the coupler from inadver-
tently becoming unlatched.

• Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.
• Avoid sharp turns or lane changes.
• Always drive your vehicle at a moderate

speed.

10-26

Technical and consumer information

• When backing up, hold the bottom of the

steering wheel with one hand. Move your
hand in the direction in which you want
the trailer to go. Make small corrections
and back up slowly. If possible, have
someone guide you when you are back-
ing up.

Always block the wheels on both vehicle
and trailer when parking. Parking on a
slope is not recommended; however, if you
must do so:

CAUTION

If you move the shift 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

downhill 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. 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.

• While going downhill, the weight of the

trailer pushing on the tow vehicle may
decrease overall stability. Therefore, to
maintain adequate control, reduce your
speed and shift to a lower gear. Avoid
long or repeated use of the brakes when
descending a hill, as this reduces their
effectiveness and could cause overheat-
ing. Shifting to a lower gear instead pro-
vides “engine braking” and reduces the
need to brake as frequently.

• If the engine coolant temperature rises to

a high temperature, see “If your vehicle
overheats” (P. 6-12).

• 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 recom-
mended Maintenance Schedule in the
“Maintenance and schedules” section of
this manual.

• 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 ad-

versely affect vehicle/trailer handling,
possibly causing vehicle sway. When be-
ing passed by larger vehicles, be pre-
pared for possible changes in crosswinds
that could affect vehicle handling.

Do the following if the trailer begins to
sway:

1. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal

to allow the vehicle to coast and steer as
straight ahead as the road conditions
allow. This combination will help stabilize
the vehicle

Technical and consumer information

10-27

– Do not correct trailer sway by steering

or applying the brakes.

2. When the trailer sway stops, gently apply

the brakes and pull to the side of the
road in a safe area.

3. Try to rearrange the trailer load so it is

balanced as described in this section.

• Be careful when passing other vehicles.

Passing while towing a trailer requires
considerably more distance than normal
passing. Remember, the length of the
trailer must also pass the other vehicle
before you can safely change lanes.

• 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 re-
duced braking efficiency.

• Increase your following distance to allow

for greater stopping distances while tow-
ing 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 fre-
quently. For additional information, see
“Do-it-yourself ” (P. 8-2).

FLAT TOWING FOR ALL–WHEEL
DRIVE VEHICLE (if so equipped)

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 ve-
hicle, such as a motor home.

CAUTION

•

Failure to follow these guidelines can
result

in

severe

transmission

damage.

•

Never flat tow your All-Wheel Drive
(AWD) vehicle.

•

DO NOT tow your All-Wheel Drive
(AWD) vehicle with any wheels on the
ground. Doing so may cause serious
and

expensive

damage

to

the

powertrain.

•

For emergency towing procedures
see

“Towing

recommended

by

NISSAN” (P. 6-13).

FLAT TOWING FOR FRONT WHEEL
DRIVE VEHICLE (if so equipped)

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 ve-
hicle, such as a motor home.

10-28

Technical and consumer information

CAUTION

•

Failure to follow these guidelines can
result

in

severe

transmission

damage.

•

Whenever flat towing your vehicle,
always tow forward, never backward.

•

Never tow your front wheel drive ve-
hicle with the front tires on the
ground. Doing so may cause serious
and

expensive

damage

to

the

powertrain.

•

DO NOT tow your front wheel drive
continuously variable 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
see

“Towing

recommended

by

NISSAN” (P. 6-13).

Continuously Variable
Transmission

To tow a vehicle equipped with a continu-
ously variable transmission, an appropriate
vehicle dolly

MUST

be placed under the

towed vehicle's drive wheels.

Always

follow

the dolly manufacturer's recommenda-
tions when using their product.

DOT (Department of Transportation) Qual-
ity Grades: All passenger car tires must
conform to federal safety requirements in
addition to these grades.

Quality grades can be found where appli-
cable on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For
example:

Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature
A

Treadwear

The treadwear grade is a comparative rat-
ing based on the wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from
the norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.

UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING

Technical and consumer information

10-29

Traction AA, A, B and C

The traction grades, from highest to low-
est, are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades repre-
sent the tire's ability to stop on wet pave-
ment

as

measured

under

controlled

conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked

C

may

have

poor

traction

performance.

WARNING

The traction grade assigned to this tire
is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include ac-
celeration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.

Temperature A, B and C

The temperature grades are A (the high-
est), B, and C, representing the tire’s resis-
tance to the generation of heat, and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high tem-
perature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and ex-
cessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the Federal Mo-

tor Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on
the laboratory test wheel than the mini-
mum required by law.

WARNING

The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, under-inflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in combi-
nation, can cause heat build-up and
possible tire failure.

Your NISSAN vehicle is covered by the fol-
lowing emission warranties:

For USA

1. Emission Defects Warranty

2. Emissions Performance Warranty

Details of this warranty may be found with
other vehicle warranties in your Warranty
Information Booklet which comes with
your NISSAN vehicle. If you did not receive a
Warranty Information Booklet, or it is lost,
you may obtain a replacement by writing
to:
• Nissan North America, Inc.

Consumer Affairs Department
P.O. Box 685003
Franklin, TN 37068-5003

For Canada

Emission Control System Warranty

Details of this warranty may be found with
other vehicle warranties in your Warranty
Information Booklet which comes with
your NISSAN vehicle. If you did not receive a
Warranty Information Booklet, or it is lost,
you may obtain a replacement by writing
to:
• Nissan Canada Inc.

5290 Orbitor Drive
Mississauga, Ontario, L4W 4Z5

EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
WARRANTY

10-30

Technical and consumer information

For USA

If you believe that your vehicle has a
defect which could cause a crash or
could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inform the Na-
tional Highway Traffic Safety Admin-
istration (NHTSA) in addition to noti-
fying NISSAN.

If NHTSA receives similar complaints,
it may open an investigation, and if it
finds that a safety defect exists in a
group of vehicles, it may order a re-
call and remedy campaign. However,
NHTSA cannot become involved in
individual problems between you,
your dealer, or NISSAN.

To contact NHTSA, you may call the
Vehicle Safety Hotline toll-free at
1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153);
go to http://www.safercar.gov;
or write to: Administrator, NHTSA,
400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington,
D.C. 20590. You can also obtain other

information about motor vehicle
safety from http://www.safercar.gov.

You may notify NISSAN by contact-
ing our Consumer Affairs Depart-
ment, toll-free, at 1-800-NISSAN-1.

For Canada

If you believe that your vehicle has a
defect which could cause a crash or
could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inform Trans-
port Canada in addition to notifying
NISSAN.

If Transport Canada receives com-
plaints, it may open an investigation,
and if it finds that a safety defect
exists in a group of vehicles, it may
request that NISSAN conduct a recall
campaign.

However,

Transport

Canada cannot become involved in
individual problems between you,
your dealer, or NISSAN.

You may contact Transport Cana-
da's Defect Investigations and Re-
calls Division toll free at 1-800-333-
0510. You may also report safety
defects online at:
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/
motorvehiclesafety/menu.htm
(English speakers) or
http://www.tc.gc.ca/fra/
securiteautomobile/menu.htm
(French speakers)

Or contact Transport Canada by
mail at:
Transport Canada Motor Vehicle
Safety Investigations Laboratory
80 Noel Street Gatineau, QC J8Z0A1

Additional

information

concerning

motor vehicle safety may be obtained
from Transport Canada's Road Safety
Information Centre at 1-800-333-0371
or online at www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety
(English speakers) or www.tc.gc.ca/
securiteroutiere (French speakers).

REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS

Technical and consumer information

10-31

To notify NISSAN of any safety con-
cerns please contact our Consumer
Information

Centre

toll

free

at

1-800-387-0122.

WARNING

A vehicle equipped with All -Wheel
Drive (AWD) should never be tested us-
ing a two wheel dynamometer (such as
the dynamometers used by some
states for emissions testing), or similar
equipment. Make sure you inform the
test facility personnel that your vehicle
is equipped with AWD before it is placed
on a dynamometer. Using the wrong
test equipment may result in drivetrain
damage or unexpected vehicle move-
ment which could result in serious ve-
hicle damage or personal injury.

Due to legal requirements in some states
and Canadian Provinces, your vehicle may
be required to be in what is called the
“ready

condition”

for

an

Inspection/

Maintenance (I/M) test of the emission
control system.

The vehicle is set to the “ready condition”
when it is driven through certain driving
patterns. Usually, the ready condition can
be obtained by ordinary usage of the
vehicle.

If a powertrain system component is re-
paired or the battery is disconnected, the
vehicle may be reset to a “not ready” condi-
tion. Before taking the I/M test, check the
vehicle's

inspection/maintenance

test

readiness condition. Place the ignition
switch in the ON position without starting
the engine. If the Malfunction Indicator
Light (MIL) comes on steady for 20 seconds
and then blinks for 10 seconds , the I/M test
condition is “not ready”. If the MIL does not
blink after 20 seconds, the I/M test condi-
tion is “ready”. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN dealer to set the “ready con-
dition” or to prepare the vehicle for testing.

READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST

10-32

Technical and consumer information

This vehicle is equipped with an Event Data
Recorder (EDR). The main purpose of an
EDR is to record, in certain crash or near
crash-like situations, such as an air bag
deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data
that will assist in understanding how a ve-
hicle's systems performed. The EDR is de-
signed to record data related to vehicle dy-
namics and safety systems for a short
period of time, typically 30 seconds or less.
The EDR in this vehicle is designed to re-
cord such data as:
• How various systems in your vehicle were

operating;

• Whether or not the driver and passenger

safety belts were buckled/fastened;

• How far (if at all) the driver was depress-

ing the accelerator and/or brake pedal;
and,

• How fast the vehicle was traveling.
• Sounds are not recorded.

These data can help provide a better un-
derstanding of the circumstances in which
crashes and injuries occur. NOTE: EDR data
are recorded by your vehicle only if a non-
trivial crash situation occurs; no data are
recorded by the EDR under normal driving
conditions and no personal data (e.g.,
name, gender, age, and crash location) are
recorded. However, other parties, such as
law enforcement, could combine the EDR
data with the type of personally identifying
data routinely acquired during a crash
investigation.

To read data recorded by an EDR, special
equipment is required, and access to the
vehicle or the EDR is needed. In addition to
the vehicle manufacturer and NISSAN
dealer, other parties, such as law enforce-
ment, that have the special equipment, can
read the information if they have access to
the vehicle or the EDR.

EDR data will only be accessed with the
consent of the vehicle owner or lessee or
as otherwise required or permitted by law.

Genuine NISSAN Service Manuals for this
model year and prior can be purchased. A
Genuine NISSAN Service Manual is the best
source of service and repair information for
your vehicle. This manual is the same one
used by the factory-trained technicians
working at NISSAN dealerships. Genuine
NISSAN Owner’s Manuals can also be
purchased.

For USA

For current pricing and availability of
Genuine

NISSAN

Service

Manuals,

contact:

www.nissan-techinfo.com

For current pricing and availability of
Genuine

NISSAN

Owner's

Manuals,

contact:

1-800-247-5321

For Canada

To purchase a copy of a Genuine NISSAN
Service Manual or Owner’s Manual, for this
model year and prior, please visit the near-
est NISSAN dealer. For the phone number
and location of a NISSAN dealer in your
area, call the NISSAN Information Center at
1-800-387-0122 and a bilingual NISSAN rep-
resentative will assist you.

EVENT DATA RECORDERS (EDR)

OWNER'S MANUAL/SERVICE
MANUAL ORDER INFORMATION

Technical and consumer information

10-33