trailer ACURA RL 2012 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.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.
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.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.
If you must stop when f acing uphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
place by pressing on the accelerator,
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.
CONT INUED
Driving Saf ely With a T railer
Towing a Trailer
Driving on
Hills T owing Speeds and Gears
Making T urns and BrakingDriving on Hills
Driving
441
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Your vehicle is not designed to be
towed behind a motor home. If your
vehicle needs to be towed in an
emergency, see page . 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.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.
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.521
bottom
Towing Your Vehicle
T owing a T railer, T owing Your Vehicle
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing Backing Up
Parking
442
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µµ
Maintenance Minder
454
TM
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 (under
20°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
5Symbol
6
Maintenance Minder
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µµ The timing belt should be replaced
according to the Maintenance
Minder (see page ).
Replace the timing belt every 60,000
miles (100,000 km) if you regularly
drive your vehicle in any of the
f ollowing conditions:
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). 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.
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.
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. Af ter removing the right engine
compartment cover (see page ),
check the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The f luid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not, add power steering f luid to the
UPPER LEVEL mark.454
457
Power Steering Fluid, Timing Belt
Timing Belt Power Steering Fluid
Maint enance
467
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVELTM
T urning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
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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.
Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk or pull a trailer, readjustment
may be required. Adjustments
should be done by your dealer or
another qualif ied technician.The low beam headlight bulbs are
high voltage discharge tube bulbs.
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.Your vehicle has halogen high beam
headlight bulbs which are also used
f or the daytime running light.
Handle it by its base and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass,
clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth. 145
Lights
Headlight Aiming L ow Beam Headlight Bulb
ReplacementReplacing a High Beam
Headlight/Daytime Running
Light Bulb
468
Halogen bulbs get very hot when lit. Oil,
perspiration, or a scratch on the glass
can cause the bulb to overheat and
shatter.
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Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pushing on the
tab and pulling the connector
down.
Remove the bulb by turning it one-
quarter turn counterclockwise. Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to
remove the two undercover bolts,
and remove the holding clip with a
f lat-tip screwdriver.
Caref ully push up the side under
cover into the bumper. Your vehicle uses halogen light
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its plastic case, and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass,
clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.
Thefoglightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk or pull a trailer, readjustment
may be required. Adjustment should
be done by your dealer or another
qualif ied technician.3.
4. 1.
2.
Lights
ReplacingaFogLightBulb
472
CLIP
CONNECTOR BOLTS
BULBHalogen bulbs get very hot when lit. Oil,
perspiration, or a scratch on the glass
can cause the bulb to overheat and
shatter.
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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. If you have a f lat tire while driving,
pull over saf ely. Drive slowly along
the shoulder until you get to an area
far away from traffic lanes.1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
497
TRUNK FLOOR
TOOL CASEJACK SPARE TIRE
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.
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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
521
COVER
Towing with only two tires on the
ground will damage parts of the
all-wheel-drive system. Y our vehicle
should be transported on a f lat-bed
truck or trailer.
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Torque Distribution Monitor
............................... (SH-AWD
) . 412
Towing
..................................... A Trailer . 437
.... Equipment and Accessories . 438
............................. Weight Limit . 437
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring
.................................. System) . 429
Required Federal
............................ Explanation . 532
..................... Warning Message . 433
............................. Trailer Loading . 438
...................... Trailer Towing Tips . 441
Transmission
Checking Fluid Level,
.............................. Automatic . 464
........................... Fluid Selection . 465
.............. Identif ication Number . 525
............. Shif ting the Automatic . 403
............................. Treadwear . 484, 496
....................................... Trip Meter . 72
.............................................. Trunk . 154
.................. Emergency Opener . 155
............................... Opening the . 154
............. Open Monitor Indicator . 13
.................................. Turn Signals . 140Unexpected, Taking Care
.......................................... of the . 495
.... Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 528
........................ Unleaded Gasoline . 382
.............. USB Adapter Cable . 249, 259
....... Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 460............ WARNING, Explanation of . iii
......... Warning Labels, Location of . 57
.................... Warranty Coverages . 541
Washer, Windshield
........ Checking the Fluid Level . 463
................................... Operation . 137
Wheels
............. Adjusting the Steering . 148
............ Alignment and Balance . 485
.......................... Compact Spare . 496
............................... Nut Wrench . 498
Windows
............................. Auto Reverse . 187
................ Operating the Power . 186
......................... Rear, Def ogger . 147
Windshield
..................................... Cleaning . 137
................................... Def roster . 207
..................................... Washers . 137
Wipers, Windshield
....................... Changing Blades . 478
................................... Operation . 137
........ Summer/Winter Position . 139
...................................... WMA . 243, 257 ................. Vehicle Capacity Load . 394
...................... Vehicle Dimensions . 526
.... Vehicle Identif ication Number . 524
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
)
.................................... System . 435
............. VSA OFF Indicator . 65, 435
....................... VSA OFF Switch . 436
........ VSA System Indicator . 65, 435
............................. Vehicle Storage . 493
................................................. VIN . 524
.................................. Viscosity, Oil . 458
Voice Control System (U.S. model
..... without navigation system) . 304
Index
W U
V
X
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