Basic cautions
A Nissan vehicle will provide the owner with optimum performance and performance on well-paved and even roads. This is facilitated by low ground clearance and low profile tires.
Be careful when driving on rough and unpaved roads. Driving on them may cause damage to the suspension and/or underbody of the vehicle. Be careful when driving over special speed limiters ("speed bump"), which are located directly on the roadbed - overcoming them at high speed is also fraught with serious damage to the suspension and / or bottom.
To avoid damage to the front or rear bumper, use caution when driving off curbs and trailer ramps/ ramps. Remember that the low suspension makes it dangerous for this car to enter curbs, even of normal height.
Breaking in a new car
In order to ensure the reliability and durability of the car in operation, during the first 600 km of run, the following rules must be observed:
- a) Do not start at full throttle, avoid sudden acceleration;
- b) Don't brake too hard. Normal running-in of new brake pads occurs over 300 km of run, during which, if possible, brake smoothly and with medium intensity.
After repair or replacement of the engine, as well as after the replacement of brake pads, the same restrictions and recommendations must be observed.
Refilling the car
Type of fuel used
Use unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of at least 95 to prevent knocking in the engine (according to the research method - AI).
Operating a car on leaded fuel can lead to failure of the catalytic converter, the engine itself. We should not forget about the factor of environmental pollution.
Control operations
Do not forget in the terms specified in the Maintenance Schedule (see chapter Settings and ongoing maintenance) to control and adjust the levels of working fluids, as well as critical components and systems of the vehicle.
Watch for the adequacy of the readings of meters and counters on the dashboard of the car.
Transportation of goods in a car
The car is equipped with several containers designed to accommodate transported items.
To accommodate small items, storage compartments located in the passenger compartment are designed. These include a main glove box in the instrument panel, door pockets and pockets in the seatbacks, and a glove box built into the center console.
Large items should be placed in the luggage compartment of the car. The transport of long items is made possible by the folding design of the rear seat backrests.
However, it must be remembered that incorrect transport of loads can adversely affect the handling and stability of the vehicle and therefore reduce safety. Please read the information below before carrying any item in your vehicle.
Maximum vehicle load
Warning! Exceeding the vehicle's maximum load capacity or improperly stowing the load in the vehicle can cause an accident and result in injury or even death to the driver or passengers in the vehicle. Do not exceed the maximum permissible gross weight when loading the vehicle, as well as other restrictions mentioned in this manual.
When transporting goods in a car, it should be borne in mind that the total weight of the car must not exceed the maximum permissible value. Gross vehicle weight includes: the curb weight of the car, the weight of the driver and passengers, the weight of the tow hitch installed on the car, as well as the weight of the trailer falling on it. For any vehicle loading options, axle loads should also not exceed the maximum permissible values. Information on the maximum allowable values of the gross weight and axle loads is given in the Specifications.
Transportation of goods in the car
Securely fix all items placed in the vehicle interior to prevent them from moving in the event of a traffic accident.
Do not place large items on the rear shelf of the passenger compartment - they narrow the driver's field of view and can be thrown forward in a collision and heavy braking.
Make sure that objects placed on the floor behind the front seats cannot roll forward and under no circumstances prevent the driver from freely manipulating the control pedals, nor can they interfere with the correct adjustment of the front seats.
Keep the glove box closed while driving.
Transportation of goods in the luggage compartment or on the roof rack of the car
Try to distribute the load evenly by placing luggage as close to the seats as possible. Heavy loads should always be placed at the bottom, on the floor of the luggage compartment. Secure the items being transported with a strong cord so that they cannot move while the vehicle is moving. Never stow luggage above the level of the front seatbacks.
When transporting large or long items with the rear seats folded down, try to securely fix them with a strong cord to prevent the load from shifting during emergency braking of the car. Do not stow luggage above the level of the seat backs to avoid reducing the driver's field of view.
If you need to transport long items that do not allow you to close the luggage compartment lid, remember that engine exhaust gases can get into the car interior - take appropriate precautions.
When placing cargo on a car roof rack, make sure that the total weight of the luggage does not exceed the allowable value. For more information, contact a Nissan Dealership.
Engine starting
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. At low ambient temperatures, turn off all auxiliary consumers of electrical energy to reduce the load on the battery.
3. On models equipped with a manual transmission, depress the clutch pedal all the way and shift into neutral.
4. On models with АТ make sure that the selector lever is set to position "R" or "N" and depress the foot brake pedal.
5. Without depressing the gas pedal, turn the key in the ignition switch to position "START" and turn on the starter. If the engine does not start immediately, continue cranking the crankshaft with the starter, remembering that the duration of continuous operation of the starter should not exceed 15 seconds. A second attempt to start should be made after at least ten seconds - a pause is necessary to cool the starter motor.
6. If the engine fails to start with continuous operation of the starter for 15 seconds, or the started engine stalls immediately, try to start with the gas pedal squeezed halfway. After successfully starting the engine, release the gas pedal to avoid a sharp increase in speed.
7. If the engine still cannot be started, fully depress the accelerator pedal and hold it depressed during the entire operation of the starter - this will help remove excess fuel trapped in the intake pipe and engine cylinders. The duration of continuous operation of the starter, as in previous cases, should not exceed 15 seconds. If the engine does not start after purging the cylinders, try again to start it with the gas pedal partially depressed. Release the pedal immediately after starting
Features of starting the engine in cold weather in high altitude conditions (altitude over 2400 m)
When the ambient temperature is low, starting the engine is difficult. In high altitude conditions, where the air is highly discharged, starting the engine is further complicated. The following are the instructions to be followed when starting the engine under the conditions in question.
1. Turn off all auxiliary consumers of electrical energy to reduce the load on the battery.
2. Squeeze out the gas pedal to half and hold it in this position during the entire time the crankshaft of the engine is cranked by the starter. The duration of continuous engagement of the starter should not exceed 15 seconds. After successfully starting the engine, gradually release the gas pedal, avoiding a significant increase in speed.
3. If the engine does not start, depress the gas pedal to the stop and keep it pressed during the entire time the starter operates. The duration of continuous operation of the starter, as in the previous case, should not exceed 15 seconds. If the engine still does not start, try again.
4. If the ambient temperature is below zero, or if the car has not been used for several days, let the engine warm up for 3 ÷ 4 minutes, only then start driving.
Features of driving a car with a manual transmission
Warning! When driving on slippery roads, heavy engine braking or excessive acceleration can cause loss of vehicle control and an accident that could result in serious injury to occupants. Take special care when driving on a road with a surface that does not provide proper traction with the wheels of the car.
1. To ensure smooth and bumpless shifting, all forward gears are synchronized. The gearbox has a locking device that prevents direct shifting from fifth gear to reverse gear. When shifting gears "up" (to higher levels) or "down" (to the lower levels) fully disengage the clutch. After moving the gearshift lever to the next gear position, gently release the clutch pedal. While moving the selected gear, completely remove your foot from the clutch pedal to avoid premature wear of the components of the latter mechanism.
2. Engage reverse gear only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop. Attempting to reverse while moving can cause serious damage to the transmission. Before engaging reverse gear, fully disengage the clutch and hold for a short (in a few seconds) pause.
Note. Instead of a pause, you can make a short inclusion of one of the forward gears. The described techniques for engaging the reverse gear make it possible to prevent shock engagement of the reverse gear due to the residual rotation of the gears.
3. To slow down the vehicle, you can use engine braking by shifting the gearbox to one of the lower gears. Engine braking allows you to control the speed of the vehicle at a safe level and prevents overheating of the brakes when driving on long descents with a significant incline. Shift the gearbox down sequentially as the speed decreases to prevent exceeding the maximum allowable engine speed on the tachometer. The tachometer needle should not enter the red zone of the scale. In all cases, you should be guided by the values of the maximum permissible vehicle speed in the corresponding gears (see below).
Features of driving a car with automatic transmission
Start of movement
1. Depress the foot brake pedal and move the selector lever to the drive position.
2. Release the parking and pedal brakes and start moving gradually.
3. Remember that the idle speed of a cold engine is always slightly higher than that of a warm one. Extra care must be taken when shifting gears (both forward and reverse) until the engine warms up.
4. In order to avoid jerks at the beginning of the movement, do not accelerate the engine at idle.
Driving Precautions
It is forbidden to switch the selector to the position "R" or "R" during movement.
The engine can only be started in positions "R" or "N" selector lever. In other transmission positions, the engine must not start!
During switching from position "N" in the drive position, the engine must be running at idle speed.
If the vehicle is stopped on a steep slope, the foot brake pedal must be depressed (after switching the selector to the position "N"), to hold the vehicle in place and keep the transmission from overheating.
Avoid abrupt starts and wheel spin. Do not accelerate the engine at idle when the car is stationary - this can lead to a sudden start of the car if the selector is set to "D", "R", "2", "1", or engine damage if the selector is in position "N" or "R".
Do not start driving until the engine is fully warmed up.
When parking the air cleaner, depress the foot brake pedal and when the vehicle comes to a complete stop, move the selector to the position "R". Apply the parking brake and release the foot brake pedal.
To switch to positions "R", "R" or "2" on "1" press the lock button. All other positions can be switched on without pressing the button
Gear selector lever positions
Position "R". In this position of the range selector lever, the output shaft of the transmission is mechanically blocked. Always move the range selector lever to the "R" when turning off or starting the engine. To move the range selector lever out of position "R", it is necessary to depress the brake pedal, after releasing the gas pedal. Move the range selector lever to the right and move it out of position "R".
To avoid damage to the AT, move the lever to the position "R" only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop. Note: Removing the key from the ignition lock becomes possible only after moving the selector lever to the position "R".
Position "R". Techniques for controlling the range selector lever when moving it to the position "R" (Reverse) out of position "R" described above. Switching the lever to position "R" out of position "N" (neutral) do it only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
Position "N". use position "N" (neutral) when starting a stalled engine while the vehicle is moving and during short stops of the vehicle with the engine running. If for any reason you need to move away from the vehicle, first move the range selector lever to the position "R" (Parking). When pulling the lever out of position "N" depress the foot brake pedal.
Position "D". The range selector lever must be in this position at all times when the vehicle is moving under normal road conditions. In the range "D" (Movement) automatic shifting of forward gears is provided depending on the vehicle speed and the degree of depression on the accelerator pedal. While driving, you may notice that automatic upshifts occur later, i.e. at higher speeds, if the vehicle's engine has not yet warmed up to normal operating temperature. This ensures faster warm-up of the engine.
Position "2". When the range is turned on "2" the automatic transmission will always operate in second gear. When the vehicle is stopped, the transmission does not shift into first gear. The constant engagement of the second gear provides good traction dynamics of the car on the slopes and the possibility of intensive engine braking on steep descents. Range "2" it is recommended to turn it on when driving on a slippery road surface, as well as when driving in deep snow. This helps to prevent severe slippage of the driving wheels of the car.
When the range is turned on "2" while the vehicle is moving, the second gear in the transmission is automatically delayed and occurs only after the vehicle speed drops to a safe level at which the engine speed does not exceed the maximum allowable value.
Avoid turning on the position "2" at speeds over 115 km/h (models with VQ30DE engine) /85 km/h (VG20DE engine). With the selected position "2" do not accelerate the vehicle beyond the specified limit.
Position "1". When the range is turned on "1" the automatic transmission will always operate in first gear. If the inclusion of the range "1" produced at speeds over 60 km/h (models with VQ30DE engine) /65 km/h (VG20DE engine), the transmission will shift to second gear first. The inclusion of an intermediate stage allows you to eliminate sharp and unexpected engine braking.
Automatic transmission downshift (kick-down mode)
When overtaking, or to quickly pass a sloping section of the road, press the accelerator pedal all the way down - this will lead to a shift to a lower second or first gear, depending on the speed of the car.
Upshifting
During normal driving, the overdrive should be engaged. The selector lever must be in position "D". In overdrive mode, as the vehicle speed increases, the transmission automatically upshifts.
The overdrive mechanism starts working only after the engine has warmed up.
When driving up or down long slopes when applied "braking" engine, overdrive should be turned off. In addition, when driving at low speed for a long time, or on a long, gentle hill, the transmission may constantly shift between 3rd gear and overdrive, causing discomfort. In such cases, it is also recommended to turn off the overdrive. When overdrive is disabled, the corresponding control lamp is on. After driving conditions return to normal, shift up again.
To avoid an increase in vehicle fuel consumption, do not drive at high speed with overdrive disengaged for extended periods of time.
Automatic transmission mode switch (if available)
This automatic transmission has three different driving modes - AUTO, SNOW and SPORT. Each mode is designed to optimize driving in certain road conditions. The modes are set by a switch located on the center console of the car.
Mode "AUTO"
The mode is designed for normal driving, in which gear shifting occurs automatically. AUTO mode corresponds to the middle position of the switch ("A/T"). It is most effective during normal use of the car with frequent stops, or when driving on the highway, when conditions practically do not change. In this mode, the transmission shifts in such a way that the engine runs in the most economical way. If you depress the accelerator pedal hard, the transmission may shift into SPORT mode. At the same time, the indicator lights up "SPORT".
Mode "SNOW"
The mode is intended for driving or starting the car on snowy or slippery roads. SNOW mode corresponds to the position of the switch "", upon setting of which the indicator lights up "/SNOW". In this mode, the transmission shifts according to the characteristics of driving on snow - to lower engine speeds and lower speeds - in order to ensure quiet and comfortable driving.
Mode "SPORT"
Sport mode is designed for powerful acceleration in sporty driving or on long uphill grades. SPORT mode corresponds to the position of the switch "S", when installed, the indicator lights up "SPORT". In this mode, the transmission shifts according to the characteristics of sporty driving - to higher engine speeds and higher vehicle speeds - in order to provide powerful acceleration when overtaking or climbing.
Crash protection
The operation of the emergency protection system leads to the blocking of all transmissions in the AT to the third gear. The next time, after the protection has been triggered, the ignition key is turned to the position "ON" indicator "SPORT" lights up for 2 seconds and then flashes for 8 seconds. In this case, the car remains in control. Crash protection is triggered under extreme conditions, such as when the steering wheel is turned hard and then brakes hard. The protection may work even if all electrical circuits are functioning normally. To restore the vehicle to normal operating condition, turn the ignition key to the "OFF", wait 3 seconds and return the key to the "ON". If normal operating condition is not restored, the transmission should be inspected and, if necessary, repaired by a Nissan dealer.
Car parking
1. When leaving the car in the parking lot, always cock the parking brake. Remember that the parking brake warning light built into the instrument panel only serves to remind the driver to release the parking brake before driving off. Burning of a control lamp does not guarantee completeness of cocking of a parking brake. Make sure the parking brake is properly applied to prevent the vehicle from rolling on a slope.
2. First, apply the parking brake, and then move the automatic transmission range selector lever to the position "R". This sequence of actions prevents accidental starting of the car and eliminates the transfer of a significant load on the transmission output shaft locking mechanism from the force rolling the car. Unloading the transmission output shaft lock-up clutch from the vehicle rolling force. The unloading of the clutch of the transmission output shaft lock ensures that the lever can be easily removed from the position when the vehicle is subsequently started "R".
3. When parking the vehicle on an incline, turn the front wheels away from the curb and vice versa.
4. Before driving, make sure the parking brake is fully released. When driving with the parking brake not fully released, overheating and failure of the brake mechanisms of the rear wheels are possible. In addition, this may lead to a malfunction of the ABS.
Safe Parking Advice
1. Make sure the top sunroof and all windows are closed.
2. Turn off all lights.
3. Store luggage and valuables in lockable compartments, or take them with you.
4. Lock the door locks with the key or single lock remote control.
5. On models equipped with an anti-theft system, make sure that the system indicator on the instrument panel turns on, which indicates that the device is activated.
6. Never leave the car with the engine running on areas covered with dry leaves, tall grass or other combustible materials. Be aware that the body of the catalytic converter can become very hot, resulting in a fire hazard.
Brake system
Recommendations for safety measures when operating models equipped with ABS
ABS does not shorten the stopping distance of the car and is only able to maintain the controllability of the car during braking. In view of the foregoing, it is necessary to constantly maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front, based on the speed of the vehicle and specific driving conditions.
ABS does not prevent lateral skidding when the vehicle direction is suddenly changed. For example, the vehicle may skid when cornering at too high a speed or when the steering wheel is jerked during a lane change. Always maintain a safe vehicle speed according to road and traffic conditions.
ABS does not prevent the vehicle from losing directional stability. During emergency braking, avoid sudden jerks of the steering wheel.
The braking distance of an ABS-equipped vehicle may be slightly longer than conventional braking systems. This is especially noticeable when driving on fragile and uneven road surfaces (gravel, snow). When driving in these road conditions, slow down and increase your distance from the vehicle in front.
Control lamp of violations of functioning ABS
The anti-blocking system includes a self-diagnostic unit. Externally, the self-diagnosis procedure of the system is manifested by small pulsations of the foot brake immediately after starting the engine. Diagnostics of failures of ABS is made also at each braking of the car.
If the system detects any malfunction, the corresponding control lamp lights up on the dashboard. Operation of a control lamp testifies that ABS is disconnected. At the same time, the operability of the service brake system is fully preserved, with the exception of the automatic brake force control function, which is performed by ABS. If the ABS warning lamp does not go out after starting the engine or comes on while driving, contact your nearest workshop as soon as possible.
Combining the ABS Warning Lights and Brake/Parking Brake Faults also means that the brake force control function is disabled, indicating that there is a problem with both the ABS and the brake system. In this case, the braking system of the vehicle will continue to provide sufficiently adequate braking of the vehicle, however, abrupt depressing of the foot brake pedal should be avoided. Contact your nearest service station without delay.
Tips for driving in adverse weather conditions
Anti-slip system (tracking control)
Anti-slip control may be included with some models (tracking control), which allows you to start off more confidently and accelerate on slippery road surfaces. The system automatically limits the power developed by the engine as soon as one of the drive wheels loses traction and begins to slip. You can feel the operation of the traction control system by the reaction on the steering wheel.
Driving a car in the rain, in heavy fog or snow requires special skills from the driver, due to reduced grip on the road surface and reduced visibility. Keep your vehicle in good technical condition at all times. Take extra care when traveling in bad weather. Avoid using a tempostat (with appropriate vehicle equipment) in adverse weather conditions.
Features of driving in adverse road conditions
Slow down and drive more slowly than you normally would in normal weather conditions on dry pavement. Be aware that the vehicle's response to steering will be sluggish and slow, even if the road surface looks only slightly wet. Try to act on all the controls of the car smoothly. On wet and slippery road surfaces, a sharp jerk of the steering wheel or careless depressing of the brake pedal can lead to loss of control. At the beginning of the trip, not yet fully adapted to adverse weather conditions, exercise increased caution. This rule is especially useful to observe when driving during a snowfall. It should be remembered that when operating a car in the warm season, many useful skills of driving a car on a slippery road surface are forgotten, which requires some time to restore them.
Be especially careful when driving in the rain, as lack of practice during the dry period does not allow you to quickly readjust and adapt the style of the bridle to new conditions.
Note. After a long dry period, the first rains make the pavement particularly slippery.
Review
For road safety in all weather conditions, it is very important to have good visibility in all directions. You should also not forget to take care that your car remains clearly visible to drivers of other vehicles - remember that when driving on the highway, turning on the low beam will never hurt even during daylight hours. These requirements are more difficult to meet in adverse weather conditions.
Regularly check the condition of the wiper blades and windshield washer nozzles. Maintain the correct fluid level in the washer fluid reservoir at all times. Use only recommended brands of fluid for refilling the windshield washer system. Monitor the condition of the working elements of the windshield wipers, replace them as soon as the brushes no longer clean the glass properly. To prevent moisture condensation on the inner surface of the windows, blow the windows with air, if necessary, turn on the air conditioner.
Tire grip on the road surface
Regularly check the air pressure in the tires and the degree of wear of the tire tread (pattern depth). Both of these factors are extremely important in terms of good tire grip and preventing hydroplaning, that is, a sharp decrease in traction when entering puddles. For better vehicle handling and driving safety, use studded tires during the winter season.
While driving, constantly watch for changes in road conditions, which are often very unstable. The presence of wet leaves on the road may not be as dangerous as icy conditions. Often, a seemingly clean and dry road surface can become iced in patches. Particularly dangerous conditions develop at air temperatures around 0°C, when puddles can alternate with ice, which makes the car's behavior especially unpredictable.
Be careful when downshifting an automatic transmission. On slippery surfaces, a sharp downshift can lead to a short-term slip of the drive wheels and a skid of the car
Special care and attention are required from the driver when overtaking. Equally, care must be taken when overtaking your vehicle by other vehicles. Splashes of water and mud from under the wheels of an overtaken truck can drastically reduce visibility through the windshield. A gust of crosswind while overtaking a truck or bus can cause loss of control.
Trailer towing
Warning! Improper placement of luggage, as well as carrying too heavy loads on a car or towed trailer, can significantly impair the handling and braking properties of the vehicle / road train, which is fraught with an accident on the roads. Before driving, always carefully check that the vehicle and trailer are loaded correctly.
The models of cars considered in this Guide are, of course, primarily passenger cars and are designed to transport people and their luggage. However, subject to the obligatory observance of a number of general rules, which are listed below, Nissan vehicles can also be successfully used for towing a trailer.
The maximum vertical load on the towing device of the car with the total weight of the trailer should not exceed 50 kgf. For trailers with a gross weight of up to 500 kg, the following rule must be observed: the vertical load on the towbar must be approximately 10% of the gross weight of the trailer. For example, if the gross weight of the trailer with a load is 225 kg, the vertical load on the tow hitch should be about 22.5 kgf. Adjust the load on the towbar of the car, placing the load on the trailer appropriately. To begin with, it is recommended to place the load so that approximately 60% of its mass is in front of the trailer axle, and 40% behind. If the gross weight of the trailer exceeds 500 kg, try to distribute the load along the length of the trailer more evenly. Never load the trailer so that the rear of the trailer outweighs the front - this leads to unloading of the rear wheels of the car, which impairs tire grip on the road surface.
Gross vehicle and trailer weights must not exceed the respective maximum permissible values. Note: Gross vehicle weight includes: vehicle curb weight, driver, passenger and luggage weight, tow hitch weight and trailer weight attached to it. Remember that the weight of the additional equipment installed on the car and the weight of the trailer attributable to the towbar (when towing a trailer), reduce the payload capacity of the vehicle by the appropriate values.
The most reliable way to check that the vehicle and trailer are properly loaded is by weighing. Load the vehicle and trailer as they would normally be used in a road train and weigh them on the truck scales. Determine the values of the total masses of the car and trailer, as well as the masses attributable to the axles of the car and trailer. Compare the measurement results with the requirements of the Specifications.
Tow hitch
Attention! Installation of towing devices that do not correspond in size to the weight and size characteristics of the trailer, or incorrectly installed on the vehicle, can cause damage to the body elements of the vehicle. The design of the towing device intended for installation on your car must fully meet all the necessary requirements. If necessary, consult a Nissan workshop.
The tow hitch must be attached at several specially provided points on the base of the car body so that the loads from the towed trailer are distributed more evenly and fall on the body reinforcement elements. It is forbidden to mount trailers on the vehicle that rely only on the rear bumper, which is not designed to carry such loads. The installation of the towbar must be carried out by qualified car service personnel.
Rear view mirrors
Towing a large trailer (type "Caravan") usually requires the installation of additional rear-view mirrors with extended brackets on the car. Check local laws and Highway Code requirements for towing trailers by passenger cars. Attach the trailer to the vehicle and evaluate the degree of rear vision impairment through the standard rear view mirrors. If the visibility is poor, then for safety reasons it is necessary to equip special mirrors that provide the driver with an adequate view of the space behind the car.
Attaching a trailer to a vehicle
If you are going to purchase a trailer equipped with brake mechanisms, make sure that they have an electric control drive - the design of the hydraulic drive of the working brake system of your car does not provide for the possibility of connecting any additional circuits to it, in particular, to actuate the brake trailer mechanisms. Any method of connecting a trailer brake system to the hydraulic brake drive of a car, no matter how attractive it may seem, will lead to a deterioration in the braking efficiency of the car and a decrease in traffic safety.
When attaching a trailer to a vehicle, always use a safety chain. The ends of the safety chain must be securely fastened to the appropriate places on the trailer drawbar and on the vehicle hitch. Make sure the chain runs under the trailer tongue to prevent the front end of the tongue from falling onto the road if the hitch is disengaged. The free length of the chain must be sufficient so as not to interfere with the completion of turns of the road train with minimum radii, however, the chain should not be allowed to be dragged along the ground.
Outdoor lighting and signaling devices on a trailer
Since trailers of different brands may use different wiring, the towbar equipment should be entrusted to car service specialists. In some cases, it may be necessary to install a transition nozzle (adapter).
Before connecting the trailer's electrical equipment to the car's electrical system, be sure to consult a workshop.
Preparing to tow a trailer
1. Before starting the movement, a control inspection and check of the car and trailer should be carried out.
2. Measure the vertical load on the hitch - use a standard floor scale.
3. Check the tightness of the trailer tongue and safety chain.
4. Check the technical condition of the tires and the air pressure in the tires on the car and trailer. Reduced air pressure in tires significantly impairs the handling of the car and road train. At the same time, check the condition and air pressure in the spare wheel.
5. Having fully loaded and connected the trailer to the vehicle, make sure that there is no excessive "subsidence" rear of the vehicle, - if necessary, cargo in the vehicle/trailer..
6. Check up serviceability of functioning of devices of external illumination and the signal system on the car and the trailer.
7. Specify the current traffic rules for the maximum speed of the road train as part of a passenger car and trailer. If you are planning to travel to multiple countries, check in advance for local regulations and restrictions regarding towing a trailer with a passenger car, as each country may have different restrictions. Note: In European countries, the speed limit for a road train consisting of a passenger car and a trailer is set at 100 km/h.
Trailer Towing Safety Precautions
It should be borne in mind that the braking distance of a car towing a trailer increases. Therefore, when driving with a trailer, you should maintain an increased distance from the vehicle in front. Try to avoid sudden braking and turning. This can cause the trailer to fold over or even tip over.
Remember that the length of the road train significantly exceeds the length of a single vehicle. When turning right, leave a much larger distance between the edge of the carriageway and the wheels of the starboard side of the vehicle than usual to avoid hitting the curb with the wheels of the trailer. Please note that when the road train turns, the trailer moves in a smaller radius than the car and may run into or collide with an obstacle that the car has freely passed. When overtaking another vehicle, do not rush to return to your lane, as this may lead to a collision between the vehicle being overtaken and the trailer.
The road train, compared to a single vehicle, is more sensitive to the action of crosswind gusts and aerodynamic disturbances from other vehicles. If you are being overtaken by a heavy truck or train at high speed, try to keep your vehicle straight and steady. To reduce aerodynamic disturbances from the vehicle in front of the vehicle, slow down to get out of the turbulent flow.
When towing a trailer, the load on all the main units and systems of the car increases. Therefore, if the vehicle is frequently used to tow a trailer, it is necessary to carry out periodic maintenance of the vehicle in accordance with the regulations specific to harsh operating conditions (see chapter Settings and ongoing maintenance).
The additional load on the vehicle increases even more when the road train is operated in hilly terrain. When overcoming long climbs, carefully monitor the temperature of the engine on the arrow pointer on the dashboard. When the pointer arrow approaches the overheating zone, turn off the air conditioner (if equipped and enabled) and keep moving. If the engine coolant temperature does not decrease or continues to rise, stop by the side of the road and allow the engine to cool.
Note. The air conditioner should also be turned off when the speed increases rapidly downhill when driving in hilly or mountainous terrain. If the engine coolant temperature constantly rises when driving in second gear, reduce the speed below the 60 km/h mark.
When driving in hilly or mountainous terrain, the 3rd and 4th gears of the automatic transmission may cycle through. In this case, you should go to a lower range "D3", which will prevent overheating and excessive wear of parts of the AT friction elements. Use engine braking to prevent overheating of the brakes when driving on long descents. For effective engine braking, engage the low range or one of the lower gears of the automatic transmission.
When stopping the road train on the rise, do not hold it in place by pressing the gas pedal - this can lead to overheating of the AT. Use the service brake system, or the parking brake.
When operating an automatic transmission in manual mode, use third, second and first gears according to vehicle speed and road conditions. When towing a trailer, do not shift into fourth gear. The Specifications lists the recommended speed ranges for the use of various gear ratios.
When parking a road train for a long parking, especially on a descent or ascent, take all precautions for reliable braking of the car and trailer. Turn the front wheels of the car so that when the road train rolls, they rest against the curb. Apply the parking brake fully and move the range selector lever to the "R". On manual transmission equipped models, engage first or reverse gear. Place wheel chocks under both wheels of the trailer.
Driving a road train while reversing presents certain difficulties and requires special skills and training from the driver. Drive in reverse carefully and slowly, do not turn the steering wheel too fast. When maneuvering in reverse in tight spaces, it is helpful to have someone standing outside to watch the trailer and guide you. Please note that when turning the steering wheel clockwise (right) the trailer moves to the left and vice versa. When maneuvering the road train in reverse, it is recommended to hold on to the steering wheel rim from below (and not from above, as usual, when moving forward). With this grip, the usual correspondence between the direction of the steering wheel and the movement of the trailer is preserved: moving the hand to the left leads to the trailer turning to the left as well, and vice versa.