Service Intervals

[SanSabaDoc]

We are new to the RV life and we are towing a 2023 Nissan Versa (standard transmission) behind our 2023 Regency Grand Brougham MH. I'm guessing that we cannot use the TOAD's mileage as a gauge of when routine service is due since the great majority of its miles are being accumulated while it is being towed behind the MH. And I suppose that some maintenance (e.g. tire rotation?) may need to be more frequent than a similar car that is not towed. Other maintenance (e.g. oil change) may not need to be done as often as every 5,000 miles. But I'm just guessing!
Any advice on how to adjust service intervals for a towed car?
Thanks!
Craig Whiting
Heart of Texas Traveler.

[Lt Dan]

Welcome to iRV2!

The engine intervals can be like normal operation because towing doesn't put any additional wear on it. Transmission, differential, tires and suspension are the only thing that need to be monitored. Your estimate of tire rotation is pretty close to what I do on ours.

[Old Scout]

First--assume your Nissan is in fact towable--a std transmission is not the determinate. If its towable, the towed mileage usually doesnt accrue on the odometer. For maintenance: 1-oil is annually vs mileage; 2- tire rotation--tires should be monitored for wear, especially the front tires; and 3- if applicable, front suspension should be greased more frequently.

[SanSabaDoc]

The Nissan is towable, and we've towed it from Texas to Niagara Falls and back so far - without apparent problem. And the odometer in the Nissan is recording miles towed on its odometer so I do need to consider alternative ways to schedule maintenance. I appreciate your advice about the annual oil change - that seems very reasonable. Nissan does say that I need to run the engine for a "short time" for every 400 miles towed in order to circulate the transmission fluid. Since we don't exceed 400 miles in a day in the RV this has been easy to do.

[Lt Dan]

Is the key on or off when towing? Most modern autos use digital odometers and do not accumulate miles with the key off. Mechanically driven speedometers/odometers went away year ago.

[SanSabaDoc]

Originally Posted by Lt Dan

Is the key on or off when towing? Most modern autos use digital odometers and do not accumulate miles with the key off. Mechanically driven speedometers/odometers went away year ago.

Even though the Nissan is a 2023 model, it is a very basic model, not even a fob to lock and unlock let alone start the car - it's just an old-fashioned key that you insert and turn. The dash shows your fuel economy and it's claiming 99.9 miles per gallon ('cause it doesn't burn any gas when we're towing it :-).
I do have to keep the key in the accessory position to unlock the steering wheel when we are towing it.
I did contact a Nissan dealer in our area and the service advisor there recommended changing the oil every 6 months since the odometer is recording miles towed. That seems like a little more frequently than I'd expect since we'll probably put less than 300 miles of actual driving on the Nissan in 6 months.

[Lt Dan]

Originally Posted by SanSabaDoc

I do have to keep the key in the accessory position to unlock the steering wheel when we are towing it.

That explains why it's accumulating miles. Is there a first position that unlocks the steering without going to accessory? That's the way pre 2008 Jeeps were and a lot of people disabled the steering wheel lock so they could leave the key out.

[Old Scout]

Most experienced RVers who tow, aren't used to the towed accumulating mileage. Think many of us are unsure if your vehicle is properly configured for towing. Assume there is a specific section with instruction in the owner's manual for towing this vehicle. Newer vehicles often require battery disconnect and tranny "make-ready" procedures. Do the instructions address any of these issues?

[wff255]

Originally Posted by SanSabaDoc

Even though the Nissan is a 2023 model, it is a very basic model, not even a fob to lock and unlock let alone start the car - it's just an old-fashioned key that you insert and turn. The dash shows your fuel economy and it's claiming 99.9 miles per gallon ('cause it doesn't burn any gas when we're towing it :-).
I do have to keep the key in the accessory position to unlock the steering wheel when we are towing it.
I did contact a Nissan dealer in our area and the service advisor there recommended changing the oil every 6 months since the odometer is recording miles towed. That seems like a little more frequently than I'd expect since we'll probably put less than 300 miles of actual driving on the Nissan in 6 months.

That is kind of odd that it registers miles. I used to tow a 1998 Saturn that did not register miles towed.

[SanSabaDoc]

We bought the Nissan used so we didn't get the owner's manual, but the dealership advised us that the car was "flat-towable". I did find the owner's manual online and here is what it says; "Manual Transmission (if so equipped) • Always tow with the manual transmission in N (Neutral). • After towing 500 miles (805km), start and idle the engine with the transmission in N (Neutral) for two minutes. Failure to idle the engine after every 500 miles (805km) of towing may cause damage to internal transmission parts."
I will check into seeing if there is a key position that effectively "turns off" the odometer.
The braking system that we're using, Invisibrake, does charge the battery as we go and that's why we have been able to keep the key in the accessory position as we drive.

[dvspl]

Originally Posted by SanSabaDoc

I will check into seeing if there is a key position that effectively "turns off" the odometer.

Your ignition switch should have a LOCK position and an OFF position. The key can only be removed in the lock position. In the ON position, the odometer will be powered and miles will probably accumulate. Try putting it in OFF, test the steering to make sure it's unlocked, then tow with the key in the car but power OFF.

[NCPinz]

This is our first year with a toad (Mini Cooper Base). Along with the RV, the Mini will get an annual oil change in the off season along with a tire rotation. I'll use judgment on when to replace the air filter (probably every other year) and any other maintenance item given that it has 134k on the odo. I figure the annual oil change is a safe call given that it does see some use as we drive around on back roads and a little highway, but also sees some short start/stop as it gets moved around for hitching up. Not enough time to heat the oil up and drive off moisture in the oil.

[SanSabaDoc]

Originally Posted by dvspl

Your ignition switch should have a LOCK position and an OFF position. The key can only be removed in the lock position. In the ON position, the odometer will be powered and miles will probably accumulate. Try putting it in OFF, test the steering to make sure it's unlocked, then tow with the key in the car but power OFF.
Attachment 424718

I think that you may have hit upon the solution - I get different answers from different Nissan technicians but there is a maneuver with the key that locks the steering wheel so I'm hopeful that just putting the key in the ignition, without turning it, will NOT lock the steering and allow me to tow without accumulating miles on the odometer.
I think I'll try this out on the street in front of my house before going out on the open roadl