2011 Nissan Armada Owners Manual

brake controller. Your vehicle is equipped with a connector and jumper harness that is specifically designed to be used when installing an aftermarket brake con- troller. To install the electric trailer brake controller jumper harness, perform the following procedure: 1. Open the driver door. Move the seat to the

rearmost position.

Technical and consumer information 9-25

Wire color designation for electric trailer brake controller jumper harness.

WIRE COLOR RED/GREEN

BLACK

BROWN/WHITE

RED/BLUE

RED

NOTE Vehicle stop lamp switch to trailer brake controller. Brake controller ground (-). Trailer brake controller switched output. Trailer brake controller illumination. Fused trailer brake con- troller battery feed (B+).

LTI0115
3. Locate the jumper harness connector under the lower portion of the instrument panel. The connector is taped to the wiring harness 䊊1 as indicated.

● The connector is marked with a white tag

with “elec brake conn”.

LTI0116
4. Peel off the tape and connect the jumper

harness to the connector 䊊2 .

5. Release the parking brake.

6.

Install the aftermarket electric trailer brake controller according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

9-26 Technical and consumer information

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 prevent

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 vehicle 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 practice turning, stopping and backing up in an area which is free from traffic. Steering stability and braking perfor- mance will be somewhat different than under normal driving conditions. ● Always secure items in the trailer to prevent

load shift while driving.

● Lock the trailer hitch coupler with a pin or lock to prevent the coupler from inadvert- ently becoming unlatched.

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

speed.

● 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 backing 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 selector 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 ab- sorb 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 indicator light is flashing, or the ATP the light is ON, make sure the transmission is in P (Park) (A/T) and turn the 4WD switch to 2WD or 4H. See “Automatic transmission park warning light” in the “Instruments and con- trols” section and “Using four wheel drive (4WD)” in the “Starting and driving” section. Technical and consumer information 9-27

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. ● While going downhill,

the weight of

the trailer pushing on the tow vehicle may de- crease overall stability. Therefore, to main- tain adequate control, reduce your speed and shift to a lower gear. Avoid long or repeated use of the brakes when descend- ing a hill, as this reduces their effectiveness and could cause overheating. Shifting to a lower gear instead provides “engine brak- ing” and reduces the need to brake as fre- quently.

● If the engine coolant temperature rises to a high temperature, refer to “If your vehicle overheats” in the “In case of emergency” section of this owner’s manual.

9-28 Technical and consumer information

● 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 Ser- vice 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 caus- ing vehicle sway. When being passed by larger vehicles, be prepared for possible changes in crosswinds that could affect ve- hicle 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 ve- hicle

– 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 bal-

anced as described earlier in this section.

● Be careful when passing other vehicles. Passing while towing a trailer requires con- siderably more distance than normal pass- ing. Remember, the length of the trailer must also pass the other vehicle before you can safely change lanes.

● Use the Tow Mode or downshift the trans- mission 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 con-

trol 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 con- nections, and trailer wheel lug nuts after 50
miles (80 km) of travel and at every break.

● When launching a boat, don’t allow the wa- ter 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 the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section earlier in this manual. Tow mode Using tow mode is recommended when pulling a heavy trailer or hauling a heavy load. Press the TOW MODE switch to activate tow mode. The indicator light on the TOW MODE switch illumi- nates when tow mode is selected. Press the TOW MODE switch again to turn tow mode off. Tow mode is automatically cancelled when the ignition switch is turned OFF.

Tow mode includes the following features: ● Grade logic — Adjusts transmission shifts when pulling a trailer or hauling a load up a grade.

● Downhill Speed Control (DSC) — automati- cally downshifts when driving down a grade with a trailer or heavy load to help control vehicle speed.

Driving the vehicle in the tow mode with no trailer/load or light trailer/light load will not cause any damage. However, fuel economy may be reduced and the transmission/engine driving characteristics may feel unusual. 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 the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section earlier in this manual. 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, al-

ways tow forward, never backward.

● DO NOT tow any automatic transmis- sion 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 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 9-29

SNOW PLOW

UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING

WARNING

Do not use this vehicle for snowplowing. Installing a snowplow may affect vehicle handling. This may cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle and could result in serious vehicle damage or personal injury.

WARNING

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

Temperature A, B and C

The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the tire’s resistance 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 temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and exces- sive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of perfor- mance which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.

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

Quality grades can be found where applicable 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 rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified gov- ernment test course. For example, 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. Traction AA, A, B and C The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as mea- sured under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and con- crete. A tire marked C may have poor traction performance.

9-30 Technical and consumer information

WARNING

The temperature grade for this tire is es- tablished for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed, under-inflation, or excessive loading, ei- ther separately or in combination, can cause heat build-up and possible tire failure.

EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM WARRANTY

REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS

Your NISSAN vehicle is covered by the following 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 replace- ment 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 replace- ment by writing to: ● Nissan Canada Inc. 5290 Orbitor Drive Mississauga, Ontario, L4W 4Z5

For USA If you believe that your vehicle has a de- fect which could cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you should immedi- ately inform the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addi- tion to notifying 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 recall and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA cannot be- come involved in individual problems be- tween you, your dealer, or NISSAN. To contact NHTSA, you may call the Ve- hicle 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 from http://www.safercar.gov.

safety

Technical and consumer information 9-31

Additional information concerning motor vehicle safety may be obtained from Transport Canada’s Road Safety Informa- tion Centre at 1-800-333-0371 or online at www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety. To notify NISSAN of any safety concerns please contact our Consumer Information Centre toll free at 1-800-387-0122.

You may notify NISSAN by contacting our Consumer Affairs Department, toll-free, at 1-800-NISSAN-1. For Canada If you believe that your vehicle has a de- fect which could cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you should immedi- ately inform Transport Canada in addition to notifying NISSAN. If Transport Canada receives complaints, it may open an investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may request that NISSAN con- duct a recall campaign. However, Trans- port Canada cannot become involved in individual problems between you, your dealer, or NISSAN. You may contact Transport Canada’s De- fect Investigations and Recalls Division toll free at 1-800-333-0510. You may also report safety defects online at: https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec- Sur/7/PCDB-BDPP/Index.aspx.

9-32 Technical and consumer information

READINESS FOR INSPECTION/ MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST

Due to legal requirements in some states and Canadian Provinces, your vehicle may be re- quired to be in what is called the “ready condi- tion” 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 repaired or the battery is disconnected, the vehicle may be reset to a “not ready” condition. Before taking the the I/M vehicle’s inspection/maintenance test readiness condi- tion. 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 condition is “ready”. Contact a NISSAN dealer to set the “ready condition” or to prepare the vehicle for testing.

check

test,

EVENT DATA RECORDERS (EDR)

This vehicle is equipped with an Event Data Re- corder (EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in certain crash or near crash-like situa- tions, such as an air bag deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that will assist in understand- ing how a vehicle’s systems performed. The EDR is designed to record data related to vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short period of time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this vehicle is designed to record 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 depressing

the accelerator and/or brake pedal; and,

● How fast the vehicle was traveling. ● Sounds are not recorded. These data can help provide a better understand- ing of the circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur. NOTE: EDR data are recorded by your vehicle only if a nontrivial 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 equip- ment is required and access to the vehicle or the EDR is needed. In addition to the vehicle manu- facturer and NISSAN dealer, other parties, such as law enforcement, that have the special equip- ment, can read the information if they have ac- cess 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 per- mitted by law.

OWNER’S MANUAL/SERVICE MANUAL ORDER INFORMATION

A genuine NISSAN Service Manual is the best source of service and repair information for your vehicle. Filled with wiring diagrams, illustrations and step-by-step diagnostic and adjustment pro- cedures, this manual is the same one used by the factory-trained technicians working at NISSAN dealerships. Also available are genuine NISSAN Owner’s Manuals, and genuine NISSAN Service and Owner’s Manuals for older NISSAN models. For USA For current pricing and availability of genuine NISSAN Service Manuals for the 2000 model year and later contact: 1-800-450-9491
www.nissan-techinfo.com For current pricing and availability of genuine NISSAN Service Manuals for the 1999 model year and prior, see a NISSAN dealer, or contact: 1-800-247-5321
For current pricing and availability of genuine NISSAN Owner’s Manuals for this model year and prior, see a NISSAN dealer, or contact: 1-800-247-5321

Technical and consumer information 9-33

It’s your right! If you should need further information visit us at: www.nissanusa.com (for U.S. customers) or www.nissan.ca (for Canadian customers).

For Canada

To purchase a copy of a genuine NISSAN Ser- vice Manual or Owner’s Manual please contact your nearest NISSAN dealer. For the phone num- ber and location of a NISSAN dealer in your area call the NISSAN Information Center at 1-800- 387-0122 and a bilingual NISSAN representa- tive will assist you.

Also available are genuine NISSAN Service and Owner’s Manuals for older NISSAN models. IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION Unfortunately, accidents do occur. In this unlikely event, there is some important information you should know.

Many insurance companies routinely authorize the use of non-genuine collision parts in order to cut costs, among other reasons. Insist on the use of genuine NISSAN collision parts! If you want your vehicle to be restored using parts made to NISSAN’s original exacting specifica- tions – if you want to help it to last and hold its resale value, the solution is simple. Tell your insurance agent and your repair shop to only use Genuine NISSAN Collision Parts. NISSAN does not warrant non-NISSAN parts, 9-34 Technical and consumer information

nor does NISSAN’s warranty apply to damage caused by a non-genuine part. Using Genuine NISSAN Parts can help protect your personal safety, preserve your warranty pro- tection and maintain the resale value of your vehicle. And if your vehicle was leased, using Genuine NISSAN Parts may prevent or limit un- necessary excess wear and tear expenses at the end of your lease. NISSAN designs its hoods with crumple zones to minimize the risk that the hood will penetrate the windshield of your vehicle in an accident. Non- genuine (imitation) parts may not provide such built-in safeguards. Also, non-genuine parts of- ten show premature wear, rust and corrosion. Why should you take a chance? In over 40 states, the law says you must be advised if non-genuine parts are used to repair your vehicle. And some states have enacted laws that restrict insurance companies from authoriz- ing the use of non-genuine collision parts during the new vehicle warranty. These laws help pro- tect you, so you can take action to protect your- self.

10 Index

4WD warning light .

..2-16

Audio System

Adjusting pedal position . Air bag (See supplemental restraint system) . Air bag system

..3-31

..1-53

Front (See supplemental front impact air bag system) .

Air bag warning labels . Air bag warning light. Air cleaner housing filter . Air conditioner

..1-60
..1-67
..1-68, 2-18
..8-17

Air conditioner service . Air conditioner specification label . Air conditioner system refrigerant and oil recommendations . Heater and air conditioner controls . Rear seat air conditioner . Servicing air conditioner .

..4-39
..9-12

..9-7
.4-36
..4-38
..4-39

Alarm system (See vehicle security system) . Anchor point locations . Antenna . Anti-lock brake warning light. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). Audible reminders . Audio system . Compact Disc (CD) changer Compact disc (CD) player .

..2-26
..1-38
..4-77
..2-14
..5-30
..2-20
..4-40
..4-51
..4-59

CompactFlash (CF) player .

Audio system

FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc (CD) changer . FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc (CD) player .

Audio System

Audio system

Music Box姞 hard-disk drive audio system .

Radio . Rear audio controls.

..4-61

..4-48

..4-56

..4-63

..4-40
..4-76

Audio System Settings . Audio system

..4-48, 4-56

Steering wheel audio control switch .

Autolight switch. Automatic

.4-74
.2-31

Automatic drive positioner . Automatic power window switch . Automatic transmission position indicator light . Driving with automatic transmission .

Automatic anti-glare inside mirror . Automatic door locks . Automatic transmission fluid temperature gauge . AUX jack .

..3-37
..2-53

..2-25
.5-15
..3-33
..3-6

..2-8
..4-54, 4-61

Battery.

Charge warning light .

Before starting the engine . Belt (See drive belt) Block heater Engine .

Bluetooth姞 hands-free phone system . Booster seats . Brake

..8-14
..2-15
..5-13
..8-16

..5-36

..4-94, 4-109
..1-50

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). Brake fluid . Brake light (See stop light). Brake system . Brake warning light . Brake wear indicators . Parking brake operation . Self-adjusting brakes .

..5-30
..8-12
..8-31
..5-29
..2-14
..2-20, 8-23
..5-18
..8-23
..8-23
..5-21

Brakes . Break-in schedule . Brightness control

Instrument panel

Brightness/contrast button . Bulb check/instrument panel. Bulb replacement .

..2-33
..4-16, 4-32
..2-13
..8-31

C

Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants . Captain’s chair adjustment (2nd row) . Car phone or CB radio . Cargo light . Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . CD care and cleaning . CD changer (See audio system) . CD player (See audio system) . Check tire pressure . Child restraint with top tether strap. Child restraints .

..9-2
..1-5
..4-93
..2-58
.9-13
..4-72
..4-51
..4-59
..2-25
..1-37
..1-31, 1-31, 1-32, 1-34

Child safety rear door lock . Chimes, audible reminders . Cleaning exterior and interior . Clock .

(models with navigation system) .

Precautions on child ..1-32, 1-40, 1-45, 1-50
restraints. .1-38
Top tether strap anchor point locations . ..3-7
..2-20
..7-2
..4-49, 4-57
.4-11, 4-27
..4-11, 4-27
..9-11
..5-35
..4-59
..4-61
..2-40, 2-47
..4-17
..4-16, 4-32
..4-2, 4-17
..4-9, 4-26
..4-20
..4-2

Brightness/contrast button. Enter button. Setting button . Startup screen . Without navigation system .

Clock set C.M.V.S.S. certification label Cold weather driving . Compact disc (CD) player CompactFlash (CF) player . Console box. Control panel buttons .

10-2

Controls

Audio controls (steering wheel). Heater and air conditioner controls. Rear audio controls . Rear seat air conditioner

Coolant

Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants . Changing engine coolant . Checking engine coolant level . Engine coolant temperature gauge . Corrosion protection . Cruise control Cup holders . Curtain side-impact and rollover air bag .

..4-74
..4-36
..4-76
..4-38

..9-2
..8-8
..8-8
..2-6
..7-5
..5-19
..2-44
.1-65

.2-32

Daytime running light system (Canada only) . Defroster switch

Rear window and outside mirror defroster switch.