tires Acura RL 2007 Owner's Guide

CONTINUED
Keeping the tires properly inflated
provides the best combination of
handling, tread life, and riding
comfort.
Underinflated tires wear unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel
economy, and are more likely to
fail from being overheated.
Overinflated tires can make your
vehicleridemoreharshly,are
more prone to damage from road
ha zards, and wear unevenly.
Thetirepressuremonitoringsystem
(TPMS)will warnyouwhenatire
pressu re is low. See page for
inf ormation on the TPMS.
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. 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.
Clean the wheels as you would the
rest of the exterior. Wash them with
thesamesolution,andrinsethem
thoroughly.
Aluminum alloy wheels have a
protective clear-coat that keeps the
aluminum f rom corroding and
tarnishing. Cleaning the wheels with
harsh chemicals (including some
commercial wheel cleaners) or a stif f
brush can damage the clear-coat. To
clean the wheels, use a mild
detergent and a sof t brush or sponge.
365
Inf lation Guidelines
Tires
Wheels
Wheels, Tires
Maint enance
415
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.
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If you check the pressure when the
tires are hot [driven for several miles
(kilometers)], you will see readings 4
to6psi(30to40kPa,0.3to
0.4 kgf/cm ) higher than the cold
reading. This is normal; do not
release air to match the cold
pressure. The tires will be
underinflated.
Youshouldgetyourowntire
pressure gauge and use it whenever
you check your tire pressures. This
will make it easier for you to tell if a
pressu re loss is due to a tire problem
and not due to a variation between
gauges. While
tubeless tires have some
ability to self-seal if they are
punctured, you should look closely
for punctures if a tire starts losing
pressure.
Even
though your vehicle is
equipped with TPMS, 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.
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.
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).
Add or release air, if needed, to
match the recommended cold tire
pressures on page . 417
Tires
416
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The following charts show the
recommended cold tire pressures for
most normal and high-speed driving
conditions.
For convenience, the recommended
tire sizes and cold tire pressures are
on a lab el on the driver’s doorjamb.
For additional technical information
about your tires, see page . Every time you check inf lation, you
should also examine the tires f or
damage, f oreign objects, and wear.
Youshouldlookfor:
Bumpsorbulgesinthetreador
side of the tire. Replace the tire if
youfindeitherof theseconditions.
Cuts, splits, or cracks in the side
of the tire. Replace the tire if you
can see f abric or cord.
Excessive tread wear.
461
Tire Size/Type
Compact Spare Cold Tire Pressure
Front
Rear Tire Size Cold Tire Pressure for
Normal Driving
Front:
Rear:
CONT INUED
On models with the Michelin PAX systemRecommended Tire Pressures Tire Inspection
Tires
Maint enance
417
P245/50R17 98V
T155/70D17 110M 32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm
)
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm
)
30 psi (210 kPa , 2.1 kgf/cm
) 32 psi (220 kPa ,
2.2 kgf/cm
)
30 psi (210 kPa , 2.1 kgf/cm
)
245-680R460A
102V
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In addition to proper inf lation,
correct wheel alignment helps to
decrease tire wear. If you f ind a tire
is worn unevenly, have your dealer
check the wheel alignment.
Have your dealer check the tires if
you f eel a consistent vibration while
driving. A tire should always be
rebalanced if it is removed f rom the
wheel. When you have new tires
installed, make sure they are
balanced. This increases riding
comf ort and tire lif e. For best results,
have the installer perform a dynamic
balance.
A tire this worn gives very little
traction on wet roads. You should
replace the tire if you can see three
or more tread wear indicators. To help increase tire lif e and
distribute wear more evenly, rotate
the tires according to the
maintenance messages displayed on
the multi-information display. Move
the tires to the positions shown in
the illustration each time they are
rotated. If you purchase directional
tires, rotate only front-to-back.
When the tires are rotated, make
sure the air pressures are checked.
Your tires have wear indicators
molded into the tread. When the
tread wears down, you will see a 1/2
inch (12.7 mm) wide band across the
tread. This shows there is less than
1/16 inch (1.6 mm) of tread lef t on
the tire. T ire Maintenance
T ire Rotation
Tires
418
INDICATOR LOCATION MARKS
TREAD WEAR INDICATORS Front
Front
(For Directional
Tires and Wheels)
(For Non-directional
Tires and Wheels)
Improper wheel weights can damage
your vehicle’s aluminum wheels. Use
only Acura wheel weights f or balancing.
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It is best to replace all four tires at
thesametime.Ifthatisnotpossible
or necessary, replace the two front
tires or two rear tires as a pair.
Replacing just one tire can seriously
affect your vehicle’s handling. Wheels:
Replace your tires with radial tires of
the same size, load range, speed
rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire’s sidewall).
Mixing radial and bias-ply tires on
your vehicle can reduce braking
ability, traction, and steering
accuracy. Using tires of a different
size or construction can cause the
ABS and vehicle stability assist
system (VSA) to work inconsistently. If
you ever need to replace a wheel,
make sure the wheel’s specifications
match those of the original wheel
that came on your vehicle.
Replacement wheels are available at
your Acura dealer. Tires:
See
page for DOT tire quality
grading information, and page
f or tire size explanation. 462
464
On models with the Michelin PAX system
On models with the Michelin PAXsystem
Replacing T ires and Wheels Wheels and T ires
Tires
Maint enance
419
17x8.0JAL(TPMS)
P245/50R17 98V
245-680R460A 102V 235 x 460A (TPMS)
Installing improper tires on your
vehicle can affect handling and
stability. This can cause a crash
in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of
tires recommended in this
owner’s manual.
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´
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 performance 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
front tires.
If
you mount snow tires on your
vehicle, make sure they are radial
tires of the same size and load range
as the original tires. Mount snow
tires on all four wheels. The traction
provided by snow tires on dry roads
maybelowerthanyouroriginaltires.
Check with the tire dealer for
maximum speed recommendations. Because
your vehicle has limited tire
cl earance, 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
422
Winter Driving
T ire Chains
Snow T ires
Tires
420
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When installing cables, f ollow the
manuf acturer’s instructions, and
mount them as tight as you can.
Make sure they are not contacting
the brake lines or suspension. Drive
slowly with them installed. If you
hear them coming into contact with
the body or chassis, stop and
investigate. Remove them as soon as
you begin driving on cleared roads.Your vehicle is not designed f or
Michelin PAX system wheels or tires.
Use only the wheels and tires
designated in this owner’s manual.
Never mix conventional wheels or
tires with PAX system wheels or
tires.
Vehicles without the Michelin PAXSystem
Tires
Maint enance
421
Using the wrong chains, or not
properly installing chains, can
damage the brake lines and
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously injured or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding the
selection and use of tire chains. Traction devices that are the wrong
size or improperly installed can
damage your vehicle’s brake lines,
suspension, body, and wheels. Stop
driving if they are hitting any part of
the vehicle.
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There are no snow tires compatible
with the PAX system, and not all tire
ch ains are suitable for use on the
PAX system tires. To prevent tire
chain damage to the PAX system
tires or wheels, ensure that no part
of the chain contacts the PAX
system.
If you must continue driving with a
flat tire, follow all the pro cedures
and precautions described on page
.
Never
use a tire repair agent in a
PAX system tire, and never repair
a PAX system tire by yourself.
Repair or replacement must be
done by an Acura dealer or an
authorized Michelin PAX system
dealer.
Your
vehicle is equipped with the
Michelin PAX system which,
together with the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS), enables
you to continue driving even if one or
more of your tires loses its pressure.
The tires and wheels on your vehicle
are speci ally designed for the PAX
system, and the PAX system is
specifically designed and fine-tuned
foryourvehicle.
Because of these reasons, use only
the wheels and tires designated in
this owner’s manual. Never mix PAX
system wheels or tires with
conventional wheels or tires. Do
not replace the PAX system tires
and wheels with conventional tires
andwheels.Doingsowoulddisable
the PAX system and the tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS),
and may void your new vehicle
warranty. If you mount snow chains on you
tires, use the chains recommended
by Acura (see page ). 420
428
If equipped
MichelinPAX SystemImport ant Precaut ions
Tires
422
TM
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Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and trunk seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and trunk seals.
If you need to park your vehicle f or
an extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.
Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Park.
Push the tabs and remove the
cover by pulling it up caref ully.
To reinstall the cover, put the tabs
of the cover back to the original
position properly.
Turn the knob of the cover to
LOCK position as shown in the
illustration.
2.
3.
4.
Vehicle Storage
Maint enance
425
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Your vehicle is equipped with the
Mich elin PAX system. Since each
Mi chelin PAX system tire has an
inner support ring that allows it to
continue running without air, it may
be diffi cult to immediately judge
from 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 first detection of
a flat tire.
If the indicator and the message
come on again, you proba bly 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 four 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-information
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.
417
If equipped
Driving With a Flat Tire
MichelinPAX System
428
TM
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