trailer ACURA RL 2012 Owners Manual

A convenient ref erence to the
sections in this manual.
A quick ref erence to the main
controls in your vehicle.What gasoline to use, how to break-
in your new vehicle, and how to load
luggage and other cargo.
The proper way to start the engine,
shif t the transmission, and park; plus
what you need to know if you’re
planning to tow a trailer.ID numbers, dimensions, capacities,
and technical information.
The Maintenance Minder shows
you when you need to take your
vehicle to the dealer for maintenance
service. There is also a list of things
to check and instructions on how to
check them.
This section covers several problems
motorists sometimes experience,
and details how to handle them. Important inf ormation about the
proper use and care of your vehicle’s
seat belts, an overview of the
supplemental restraint system, and
valuable inf ormation on how to
protect children with child restraints.A summary of the warranties
covering your new vehicle, and how
to contact us for any reason. Refer to
your warranty manual f or detailed
inf ormation.
How to order manuals and other
technical literature.
A summary of the inf ormation you
need when you pull up to the f uel
pump. Explains the purpose of each
instrument panel indicator and gauge,
the multi-information display, and
how to use the controls on the
dashboard and steering column.
How to operate the climate control
system, the audio system, and other
convenience f eatures.
Overview of Contents
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Instruments and ControlsBef ore Driving
Driving
MaintenanceT echnical Inf ormation Contents
T aking Care of the UnexpectedWarranty and Client Relations
(U.S. and Canada only)
Authorized Manuals
(U.S. only)
Index
Service Inf ormation Summary
Features
3
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Help assure your vehicle’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:
Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Avoidhardbrakingforthefirst
200 miles (300 km).Your vehicle is designed to operate
on premium unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane of 91 or higher. If this
octane grade is unavailable, regular
unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane of 87 or higher may be used
temporarily. The use of regular
unleaded gasoline can cause metallic
knocking noises in the engine and
will result in decreased engine
perf ormance. The long-term use of
regular-grade gasoline can lead to
engine damage. Do not change the oil until the
multi-inf ormation display indicates
it is needed.
Do not tow a trailer.
You should also f ollow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced.We recommend quality gasolines
containing detergent additives that
help prevent f uel system and engine
deposits. Break-in Period Fuel Recommendation
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
382
Use of gasoline with these additives
may adversely af f ect perf ormance, and
cause the malf unction indicator lamp
on your instrument panel to come on. If
this happens, contact your dealer f or
service. Some gasoline today is blended
with oxygenates such as ethanol. Your
vehicle is designed to operate on
oxygenated gasoline containing up to
10% ethanol by volume. Do not use
gasoline containing methanol. If you
notice any undesirable operating
symptoms, try another service station
or switch to another brand of gasoline. We recommend quality gasoline
containing detergent additives that help
prevent f uel system and engine deposits.
In addition, in order to maintain good
perf ormance, f uel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain harmf ul manganese-
based f uel additives such as MMT , if
such gasoline is available.
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µµ µ
µ µ µ The f ollowing f actors can lower your
vehicle’s f uel economy:
Idling
results in 0 miles per gallon (0 kms
per liter). Aerodynamic drag has a big ef f ect
on f uel economy at speeds above
45 mph (75 km/h). Reduce your
speed and you reduce the drag.
Trailers, car top carriers, roof
racks and bike racks are also big
contributors to increased drag.Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking increase fuel
consumption.
In
particular, a build-up of snow or
mud on your vehicle’s underside
adds weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
economy.It puts a heavier
load on the engine, increasing f uel
consumption.An underinf lated tire increases
‘‘rolling resistance,’’ which reduces
f uel economy.
A properly maintained vehicle
maximizes f uel economy. Poor
maintenance can signif icantly reduce
f uel economy. Always maintain your
vehicle according to the maintenance
messages displayed on the multi-
inf ormation display (see
on page ).For example:
Improperly inf lated tires Driving with a heavy load or the
air conditioner running Cold engine operation (engines
aremoreefficientwhenwarmed
up) Excessive idling, accelerating and
braking in stop-and-go traf f ic Aggressive driving (hard
acceleration and braking)
452
CONT INUED
Fuel Economy
Fuel Economy Factors
Avoid excessive idling Observe the speed limit Drive moderately
K eep your vehicle clean A void carrying excess weight in
your vehicle Maintain proper tire inf lation Use the recommended viscosity
motor oil, displaying the A PI
Certif ication Seal (see page
).
Owner’s
Maintenance Checks Improving Fuel Economy458Drive Ef f icient ly
Vehicle Maint enance
Bef ore Driving
389
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µ·
µThe resulting f igure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For
example, if the ‘‘XXX’’ amount
equals 1,400 lbs. and there will be
f ive 150 lb. passengers in your
vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs.
(1,400 750 (5 150) = 650 lbs.)
Determine the combined weight
of luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may
not saf ely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
If yourvehiclewillbetowinga
trailer, load f rom your trailer will
be transf erred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle. Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers f rom
XXX kg or XXX lbs. Locate the statement ‘‘The
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX
kg or XXX lbs.’’ on your vehicle’s
placard. Steps f or Determining Correct Load
Limit The maximum load f or your vehicle
is 850 lbs (385 kg).
See Tire And Loading Inf ormation
label attached to the driver’s
doorjamb.
Label Example
This f igure includes the total weight
of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if
you are towing a trailer.Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle. (1)
(2)
(3)(6) (5) (4)
Carrying Cargo
Load Limits
394
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.
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In addition, the total weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, accessories,
cargo, and trailer tongue load must
not exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) or the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). Both
areonalabelonthedriver’s
doorjamb.
Example 2 Example 1
Example 3
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
395
Passenger Weight
150lbsx4=600lbs
(68kgx4=272kg)
Passenger Weight
150lbsx5=750lbs
(68kgx5=340kg) Max Load 850 lbs
(385 kg) Max Load 850 lbs
(385 kg)Passenger Weight
150lbsx2=300lbs
(68kgx2=136kg)Cargo Weight
550 lbs
(249 kg)
Cargo Weight
250 lbs
(113 kg)
Cargo Weight
100 lbs
(45 kg) Max Load 850 lbs
(385 kg)
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This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important inf ormation on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the Super Handling-All
Wheel Drive (SH-AWD
)system,
the vehicle stability assist (VSA
)
system, the tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS), the Collision
mitigation braking system
(CMBS ), and f acts you need if you
are planning to tow a trailer......................... Preparing to Drive . 400
....................... Starting the Engine . 401
Check Starting System
................................. Message . 402
.............. Automatic Transmission . 403
Driving with the Paddle
................................... Shif ters . 407
................ D-Paddle Shif t Mode . 407
.............. Sequential Shif t Mode . 409
Super Handling-All Wheel Drive
................. (SH-AWD
) System . 412
........................................... Parking . 414
............................. Braking System . 415
............... Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) . 416
Collision Mitigation Braking
.................. System (CMBS ) . 418
Tire Pressure Monitoring
........................ System (TPMS) . 429
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
),
aka Electronic Stability
........ Control (ESC), System . 435
........................... Towing a Trailer . 437
................... Towing Your Vehicle . 442
Driving
Driving
399
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Your vehicle has been designed
primarily to carry passengers and
their cargo. You can also use it to
tow a trailer if you caref ully observe
the load limits, use the proper
equipment, and f ollow the guidelines
in this section.
The weight that
the tongue of a f ully-loaded trailer
puts on the hitch should be
approximately 10 percent of the
trailer weight. Too much tongue
load reduces front-tire traction and
steering control. Too little tongue
load can make the trailer unstable
and cause it to sway. The
maximum allowable weight of the
trailer and everything in or on it
must not exceed 1,000 lbs (450 kg).
Towing a load that is too heavy
can seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and perf ormance. It can
also damage the engine and
drivetrain. Avoid towing a trailer during your
vehicle’s f irst 600 miles (1,000 km)
(see page ).382
CONT INUED
Load Limits
Tongue Load: T otal T railer Weight:
Towing a Trailer
Break-In Period
Driving
437
Exceeding any load limit or
improperly loading your vehicle
and trailer can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously hurt
or killed.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
beforestartingtodrive.
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To achieve a proper tongue load,
start by loading 60% of the load
toward the front of the trailer and
40% toward the rear, then re-adjust
the load as needed.Thebestwaytoconfirmthatall
loads are within limits is to check
them at a public scale. For public
scales in your area, check your local
phone book, or contact your trailer
dealer or rental agency for
assistance.
If you cannot get to a public scale,
you can estimate the total trailer
weight by adding the weight of your
trailer (as quoted by the
manuf acturer) with everything in or
on the trailer.
If you normally pull the same load
each time you tow a trailer, you can
use a suitable scale or a special
tongue load gauge to check the
tongue load the f irst time you set up
a towing combination (a f ully loaded
vehicle and trailer), then recheck the
tongue load whenever the conditions
change. The maximum allowable weight at
the vehicle axles is:
The maximum allowable weight of
the vehicle, all occupants, all
accessories, all cargo, and the
tongue load is:on the f ront axle
on the rear axle
on the f ront axle
on the rear axle
Towing a Trailer
Checking L oads Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GA WR):
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR):U.S. models
U.S. models
Canadian modelsCanadian models
438
2,690 lbs (1,220 kg)
5,050 lbs (2,290 kg)2,400 lbs (1,089 kg)
2,290 kg1,225 kg
1,085 kg
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CONT INUED
See your trailer dealer or rental
agency f or more inf ormation on
installing electric brakes.
Trailer lights and equipment must
comply with f ederal, state, province,
territory, and local regulations.
Check with your local trailer sales or
rental agencies f or the requirements
in the area where you plan to tow,
and use only equipment designed f or
your vehicle.
Since lighting and wiring vary by
trailer type and brand, you should
have a qualified technician install a
suitable connector between the
vehicle and the trailer. Improper
equipment or installation can cause
damage to your vehicle’s electrical
system and af f ect your vehicle
warranty. If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electronically actuated.
Do not attempt to tap into your
vehicle’s hydraulic system. No
matter how successf ul it may seem,
any attempt to attach trailer brakes
to your vehicle’s hydraulic system
will lower braking ef f ectiveness and
create a potential hazard. There are two common types of
trailer brakes: surge and electric.
Surge brakes are common f or boat
trailers, since the brakes will get wet. Always use saf ety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and hitch,
and that they cross under the tongue
and can catch the trailer if it
becomes unhitched. Leave enough
slack to allow the trailer to turn
corners easily, but do not let the
chains drag on the ground. Towing can require a variety of
equipment, depending on the size of
your trailer, how it will be used, how
much load you are towing, and
where you tow.
To ensure the best quality, we
recommend that you purchase Acura
equipment whenever possible.
Discuss your needs with your trailer
sales or rental agency, and f ollow the
guidelines in this section. Also make
sure that all equipment is properly
installed and maintained, and that it
meets f ederal, state, province,
territory, and local regulations.
Any hitch used on your vehicle must
be properly bolted to the underbody.
Towing a Trailer
T railer L ights
Trailer Brakes Saf et y Chains
Hitches
T owing Equipment and
A ccessories
Driving
439
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Many states and Canadian
provinces/territories 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.When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the suspension and
the cooling system are in good
operating condition.
Askyourtrailersalesorrental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required f or your
towing situation.The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.
Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated, and the trailer
tires and spare are inf lated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.
All weights and loads are within
limits.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive. Pre-T ow Checklist
A ddit ional T owing Equipment
Towing a Trailer
440
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