flat tire Acura RL 2006 Owner's Manual

Pull to the side of the road when it is
saf e, shif t to Park, and let the engine
idle until the indicator goes out.
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If this indicator comes on at
any other time, there is a problem in
the SH-AWD system. You will also
see a ‘‘CHECK SH-AWD SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-inf ormation
display(seepage ).Takeyour
vehicle to a dealer to have it checked.
For more inf ormation, see page .
If it comes on while driving, it
indicates the dif f erential
temperature is too high.
You will also see a ‘‘SH-AWD DIFF
TEMP. HIGH’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display (see page
).
If the indicator blinks while driving,
pull to the side of the road when it is
saf e, shif t to Park, and let the engine
idle until the indicator goes out.
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ). If it comes on while driving, it
indicates that one or more of your
vehicle’s tires are extremely low on
pressure.If this happens, pull to the side of the
road when it is saf e, check which tire
has lost pressure on the multi-
inf ormation display, and determine
the cause. If it is because of a flat tire,
have the flat tire repaired as soon as
possible. If two or more tires are
underinf lated, call a prof essional
towing service. For more
inf ormation, see page .
Your vehicle has Michelin PAX tires.
Repair or replacement of PAX tires
must be done by an Acura dealer or
an authorized Michelin PAX system
dealer. For more inf ormation, see
page .
78
320
78 79394 421
On models with Michelin PAX system
SH-A WD Indicator
Low Tire Pressure
Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols
67
Continuing to drive with the SH-AWD
indicator blinking may cause serious
damage to the system.

This monitor shows how much
torque is being delivered to each
wheel. For more inf ormation, see
page .Whenthetirepressuremonitoris
shown on the multi-inf ormation
display, press the SEL/RESET
button. The display changes as
shown.
You can see the pressure of each tire
in this monitor. If one or more tires
are low, inflate them to the correct
pressure. For more inf ormation, see
page .
320 335
Multi-Inf ormation Display
SH-AWD T orque Distribution
Monitor
Tire Pressure Monitor
76
U.S.
Canada

Your vehicle is equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that turns on every time you start the
engine and monitors the pressure in
your tires while driving.
Each tire has its own pressure
sensor. If the air pressure of a tire
becomes signif icantly low, the
sensor in that tire immediately sends
a signal that causes the low tire
pressure indicator in the
instrumental panel and the
appropriate tire position indicator on
thetirepressuremonitoronthe
multi-inf ormation display (see page)tocomeon. For example, if you check and f ill
your tires in a warm area, then drive
in extremely cold weather, the tire
pressure will be lower than
measured and could be underinflated
and cause the low tire pressure
indicator to come on. Or, if you
check and adjust your tire pressure
in cooler conditions, and drive into
extremely hot conditions, the tire
maybecomeoverinflated.However,
the low tire pressure indicator will
not come on if the tires are
overinf lated.
When the low tire pressure indicator
is on, one or more of your tires is
signif icantly underinf lated. The
multi-inf ormation display also shows
a ‘‘CHECK TIRE PRESSURE’’
message (see page ). You should
stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the
proper pressure as indicated on the
vehicle’s tire inf ormation placard.
Driving on a signif icantly under-
inf lated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inf lation also reduces f uel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
af f ect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability.
Becausetirepressurevariesby
temperature and other conditions,
the low tire pressure indicator may
come on unexpectedly.
Refer to page for tire inflation
guidelines.
383
336 335
CONT INUED
Low Tire Pressure
Indicator
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Driving
335

Although your tire pressure is
monitored, you must manually check
thetirepressuresmonthly.If you have a f lat tire, the low tire
pressure and tire monitor indicators
will come on. Replace the indicated
flat tire with the compact spare tire
(see page ).
When all tire pressures are normal,
the multi-information display will
show ‘‘TIRE PRESSURE OK
SYSTEM FUNCTION NORMAL.’’
Each tire, including the spare, should
be checked monthly when cold, and
set to the recommended inf lation
pressure as specif ied on the vehicle
placard and in the owner’s manual
(see page ).
If you think you can saf ely drive a
short distance to a service station,
proceed slowly to the station, then
inflate the tire to the recommended
pressure.
If the tire is f lat, or if the tire
pressure is too low to continue
driving, replace the tire with the
compact spare tire.
When any of the tires has low
pressure, the multi-inf ormation
display shows a ‘‘TIRE PRESSURE
ERROR SYSTEM FUNCTION
NORMAL’’ message (see page ).
After you replace the flat tire with
the spare, the low tire pressure
indicator stays on. This is normal;
the system is not monitoring the
spare tire pressure. Manually check
the spare tire pressure to be sure it
is correct.
Never use a puncture-repairing agent
in a f lat tire. If used, you will have to
replace the tire pressure sensor.
Havetheflattirerepairedbyyour
dealer as soon as possible.
384
397
74
Changing a T ire with T PMS T ire Pressure Monitor
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
336

Many states and Canadian provinces
require special outside mirrors when
towing a trailer. Even if they don’t,
you should install special mirrors if
you cannot clearly see behind you, or
if the trailer creates a blind spot.
Askyourtrailersalesorrental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required f or your
towing situation.When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, cooling system, and
lights are in good operating
condition.
All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive. Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure. All weights and loads are within
limits. The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition,
and the lights and brakes on the
trailer are working properly. Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated, and the trailer
tires and spare are inflated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.
A dditional T owing Equipment Pre-T ow Checklist
Towing a Trailer
344

CONT INUED
To saf ely operate your vehicle, your
tires must be the proper type and
size, in good condition with adequate
tread, and correctly inf lated.Keeping the tires properly inf lated
provides the best combination of
handling, tread lif e, and riding
comf ort.
Underinf lated tires wear unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel
economy, and are more likely to
fail from being overheated.
Overinf lated tires can make your
vehicleridemoreharshly,are
more prone to damage f rom road
hazards, and wear unevenly.
The f ollowing pages give more
detailed inf ormation on how to take
care of your tires and what to do
when they need to be replaced.
Check the pressure in the tires when
they are cold. This means the vehicle
has been parked f or at least three
hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6
km). Use a gauge to measure the air
pressure in each tire at least once a
month. Even tires that are in good
condition may lose one to two psi (10
to 20 kPa, 0.1 to 0.2 kgf /cm ) per
month. Remember to check the
sparetireatthesametime. We recommend that you visually
check your tires every day. If you
think a tire might be low, check it
immediately with a tire gauge.
Thetirepressuremonitoringsystem
(TPMS)willwarnyouwhenatire
pressure is low. See page f or
inf ormation on the TPMS. Add or release air, if needed, to
match the recommended cold tire
pressures on page .384
335
Tires
Inf lation Guidelines
Maint enance
383
Using tires that are excessively
worn or improperly inflated can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding tire
inflation and maintenance.

´
Tires marked ‘‘M S’’ or ‘‘All
Season’’ on the sidewall have an all-
weather tread design suitable for
most winter driving conditions.
For the best perf ormance in snowy
or icy conditions, you should install
snow tires or tire chains. They may
be required by local laws under
certain conditions. Mount tire chains on your tires when
required by driving conditions or
local laws. Install them only on the
f ront tires.
If you mount snow tires on your
vehicle, make sure they are radial
tires of the same size and load range
as original tires. Mount snow tires on
all f our wheels. The traction
provided by snow tires on dry roads
maybelowerthanyouroriginaltires.
Check with the tire dealer f or
maximum speed recommendations. Because your vehicle has limited tire
clearance, Acura strongly
recommends using the chain listed
below, made by Security Chain
Company (SCC).
Tire chains cannot be used with a
flat front tire. If a front tire goes flat
when a tire chain is installed on it,
remove the chain, and f ollow the
precautions described under
Michelin PAX System (see page
).
Cable-type: SCC Radial Chain
CH2612T
389
CONT INUED
Tires
Winter DrivingT ire Chains
Snow T ires
Maint enance
387

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed................
Driving with a Flat Tire .394
......................
Compact Spare Tire .397
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .398
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start .402
................................
Jump Starting .403
..............
If the Engine Overheats .406
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .409
..........
Charging System Indicator .409
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .410
...............
Brake System Indicator .411
Opening the Fuel Fill Door
....................................
Manually .412
..............................................
Fuses .413
..............................
Fuse Locations .418
......................
Emergency Towing .421
..........
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck .421
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
393

Your vehicle is equipped with the
Michelin PAX system. Since each
Michelin PAX system tire has an
inner support ring that allows it to
continue running without air, it may
be dif f icult to immediately judge
f rom its appearance if a tire is
punctured. Your vehicle is also
equipped with a tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS), and this
system may be your f irst detection of
a f lat tire.If the indicator and the message
come on again, you probably have a
flat tire. In this case, you will see a
‘‘PAX SYSTEM WARNING’’
message on the multi-information
display.
The TPMS monitors the air pressure
of all f our tires whenever the ignition
switch is in the ON (II) position. It
will immediately sense if a tire starts
to lose its pressure, and give you
warning with the low tire pressure
indicator in the instrument panel and
a ‘‘CHECK TIRE PRESSURE’’
message on the multi-inf ormation
display. If the indicator and the
warning message do not come on
again after you inflate the tire to its
correct air pressure (see page ), it was probably a natural loss of the
air pressure and you can continue
driving as bef ore.
384
If equipped
Driving With a Flat Tire
Michelin PA X System
394

If you get a f lat tire, never try to
repair it yourself , and never replace a
flat tire with a compact spare tire. With the PAX system tires, you can
drive up to about 125 miles (200 km)
even if one or more of your tires are
punctured. This allows you to drive
to the nearest Acura dealer or
authorized Michelin PAX system
dealer to have the tire(s) repaired.The above message shows that you
are driving your vehicle on a flat tire,
andshouldobservethe‘‘RUNFLAT
DRIVING’’ speed limit of 50 mph
(80 km/h). Drive to your nearest
Acura dealer or authorized Michelin
PAX system dealer, or call the PAX
help hotline at 1-877-PAXTIRE
(1-877-729-8473).If the display changes to the above
message, it means that ‘‘RUN FLAT
DRIVING’’ is nearing the limit, and
you have to stop driving soon. Take
your vehicle to the nearest Acura
dealer or authorized Michelin PAX
system dealer as soon as possible.
Follow the instructions shown on the
multi-inf ormation display, and drive
very caref ully.
CONT INUED
Driving With a Flat Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
395