trailer Acura RL 2009 User Guide

The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
below.Maketurnsmoreslowlyandwider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
canhitorrunoversomethingthe
vehicle misses. Allow more time and
distance f or braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknif e or turn over.
Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
Use the D position when towing a
trailer on level roads. See ‘‘
’’ in the next column f or
additional gear inf ormation. Do not
exceed 55 mph (88 km/h). At higher
speeds, the trailer may sway or
af f ect vehicle handling.
CONT INUED
Driving Saf ely With a T railerMaking T urns and Braking
Driving on
Hills
T owing Speeds and Gears
Towing a Trailer
Driving
441
2009 RL

Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause the trailer to
sway. When being passed by a large
vehicle, keep a constant speed, and
steer straight ahead. Do not try to
make quick steering or braking
corrections.
Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including f irmly setting the
parking brake and putting the
transmission in Park. Also, place
wheel chocks at each of the trailer’s
tires.
When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (Hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; turn the wheel to the lef t to
get the trailer to move to the lef t,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.Your vehicle is not designed to be
towed behind a motor home. If your
vehicle needs to be towed in an
emergency, see page .
If you must stop when f acing uphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
placebypressingontheaccelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed, and shif t down to S
position, or use the paddle shif ters to
the lower gear (3, 2 or 1) in the S
position. When towing a trailer, do
not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and remember,
it will take longer to slow down and
stop when towing a trailer. 519
bottom
Backing Up
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Parking
Driving on Hills
Towing Your Vehicle
Towing a Trailer, Towing Your Vehicle
442
2009 RL

µµ
Maintenance Minder
454
Maintenance Sub Items
Replace rear differential fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds or trailer towing results in higher level of
mechanical (shear) stress to fluid. This requires
differential fluid changes more frequently than
recommended by the Maintenance Minder. If you
regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions,
have the differential fluid changed at 7,500 miles
(12,000 km), then every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Replace dust and pollen filter If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission and transfer fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds or trailer towing results in higher
transmission and transfer temperatures.
This requires transmission and transfer fluid changes
more frequently than recommended by the
Maintenance Minder. If you regularly drive your
vehicle under these conditions, have the transmission
and transfer fluid changed at 60,000 miles
(100,000 km), then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km).
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over
110°F, 43°C), or in very low temperatures (under20°F, 29°C), replace every 60,000 mile (U.S.)/
100,000 km (Canada).
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
Symbol
1
2
3
4
5 Symbol
6
Maintenance Minder
2009 RL

µµ
If you f requently tow a trailer.
In very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C).
In very low temperatures
(under 20°F, 29°C).
The timing belt should be replaced
at the intervals shown on the
maintenance minder. Replace the
belt at 60,000 miles (100,000 km) if
you regularly drive your vehicle in
one or more of these conditions:
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spill immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment.
A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Always use Acura Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering f luid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Acura PSF as soon as possible.
Power Steering Fluid, Timing Belt
Timing Belt
Maint enance
467
Turning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
2009 RL

Your vehicle is equipped with an
automatic headlight adjusting
system that adjusts the vertical angle
of the headlights automatically.
Refer to page for more
inf ormation.The low beam headlight bulbs are a
type of high voltage discharge tube.
High voltage can remain in the
circuit even with the light switch of f
and the key removed. Because of
this, you should not attempt to
examine or change a low beam
headlight bulb yourself . If a low
beam headlight bulb fails, take the
vehicle to your dealer to have it
replaced.
Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk or pull a trailer (if applicable),
readjustment may be required.
Adjustmentsshouldbedonebyyour
dealer or another qualif ied
technician.
145
Lights
Headlight A iming
468
2009 RL

Take the tool case out of the spare
tire.
Open the trunk, and fold the trunk
floor forward.
Unscrew the wing bolt, and
remove the spacer cone. Then
take the spare tire out of its well.
Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park. Apply the
parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer, unhitch
it.
Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
495
SPARE TIRE
TRUNK FLOOR
TOOL CASE JACK
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.
2009 RL

To use the towing hook:Remove the cover f rom the f ront
bumper by pushing the right
corner edge of the cover with a
f inger until the cover comes out as
shown in the illustration.
The operator will load
your vehicle on the back of a truck.
Any other method of towing will
damage the drive system. When you
contact the towing agency, inf orm
them a f lat-bed is required.
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous. If your vehicle gets stuck in sand,
mud, or snow, call a towing service
to pull it out (see the previous
column).
For very short distances, such as
f reeing the vehicle, you can use the
detachable towing hook that mounts
on the anchor in the f ront bumper.
1.
CONT INUED
The only way you can saf ely tow
your vehicle is with f lat-bed
equipment.
Emergency T owing If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
Emergency Towing, If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
519
COVER
Towing with only two tires on the
ground will damage parts of the
all-wheel-drive system. Your vehicle
should be transported on a f lat-bed
truck or trailer.
2009 RL

CONT INUED
Three Way Catalytic.................................
Converters .534
Tilt/Telescopic Steering
.........................................
Wheel .148
....................................
Timing Belt .467
....................................
Tire Chains .487
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat .495
Tire Pressure Monitoring
............
System (TPMS) .429,530
Monitoring Tire Pressure ..................................
Reading .429
...........
TPMS System Warning .429
...............................................
Tires .480
..............................
Air Pressure .482
........................................
Chains .487
.........................
Checking Wear .483
..........................
Compact Spare .494
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading .526
......................................
Inf lation .480
..................................
Inspection .483
.............................
Labeling .528,529
Low Tire Pressure
...........................
Indicator .67,429
......................
Pressure Monitor .431
........
Pressure Monitor System .429
...................................
Replacing .485 ......................................
Rotating .485
...........................................
Snow .487
............................
Specif ications .525
...................
Tools, Tire Changing .495
Torque Distribution Monitor
.................................
(SH-AWD) .413
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .437
....
Equipment and Accessories .438
.............................
Weight Limit .437
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring ..................................
System) .429
Required Federal ............................
Explanation .530
.....................
Warning Message .433
.............................
Trailer Loading .437
......................
Trailer Towing Tips .441
Transmission
Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .464
...........................
Fluid Selection .465
..............
Identif ication Number .522
.............
Shif ting the Automatic .405
.............................
Treadwear .483,494
.......................................
Trip Meter .72 ..............................................
Trunk .154
..................
Emergency Opener .155
...............................
Opening the .154
.......
Open Monitor Indicator .13,79
..................................
Turn Signals .140
Unexpected, Taking Care
..........................................
of the .493
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading .526
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .384
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of .460
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load .396
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .524
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number .522
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
....................................
System .435
...
VSA Activation Indicator .65,435
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .436
........
VSA System Indicator .65,435
Index
INDEX
U
V
IX
2009 RL