wheel Acura TL 2004 Owner's Guide

If you mount snow tires on your
Acura, 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 Acura has limited tire
clearance, mount only SAE Class ‘‘S’’
cable-type traction devices, with
rubber chain tensioners on the f ront
tires. Use traction devices only when
required by driving conditions or
local laws. Make sure they are the
correct size f or your tires. Metal link-
type ‘‘chains’’ should not be used.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.
Tires
Maint enance
Snow T ires
Tire Chains
225
NOTICE:
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.

If you need to park your vehicle f or
an extended period (more than one
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. 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.Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Non-porous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches f ull
operating temperature (the
cooling f an cycles twice).
Pref erably do this once a month.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse
(6-speed manual) or Park
(automatic).
Vehicle Storage
Maint enance227

Use the compact spare tire as a
temporary replacement only. Get
your regular tire repaired or replaced
and put it back on your vehicle as
soon as you can.
Check the inf lation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inf lated to:Follow these precautions:
Never exceed 50 mph (80 km/h).
This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road sur-
f aces. Use greater caution while
driving.
Do not mount snow chains on it.
Do not use your compact spare
tire on another vehicle unless it is
thesamemakeandmodel.
Turn of f the VSA system (see
page ).
Driving with the compact spare
tiremayactivatetheVSAsystem. Replace the tire when you can see
the tread wear indicator bars. The
replacement should be the same size
and design tire, mounted on the
same wheel. The spare tire is not
designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the spare wheel is not
designed f or mounting a regular tire.
On models with manual
transmission, do not drive f or a
long period with the compact
spare tire mounted on a f ront
wheel; it will damage the limited
slip dif f erential. 191
Compact Spare Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed230
INDICATOR LOCATION MARK
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR BAR
(The M/T compact spare is shown.)
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm)

Loosen each wheel nut 1/2 turn
with the wheel wrench.Locate the jacking point nearest
thetireyouneedtochange.Itis
pointed to by an arrow molded into
the underside of the body. Place
the jack under the jacking point.
Turn the end bracket clockwise
until the top of the jack contacts
the jacking point. Make sure the
jacking point tab is resting in the
jack notch.Use the extension and wheel
wrench as shown to raise the
vehicle until the f lat tire is of f the
ground.
6.
7.8.
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed232
WHEEL WRENCH
WHEEL WRENCHEXTENSION

Remove the wheel nuts, then
remove the f lat tire. Temporarily
place the f lat tire on the ground
with the outside surface of the
wheel f acing up. You could scratch
the wheel if you put it f ace down.Bef ore mounting the spare tire,
wipeanydirtoff themounting
surface of the wheel and hub with
a clean cloth. Wipe the hub
carefully;itmaybehotfrom
driving.Put on the spare tire. Put the
wheel nuts back on f inger-tight,
then tighten them in a crisscross
pattern with the wheel wrench
until the wheel is f irmly against
the hub. Do not try to tighten
them f ully.
9.
10. 11.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed233
BRAKE HUB

Lower the vehicle to the ground,
and remove the jack.Tighten the wheel nuts securely in
the same crisscross pattern. Have
the wheel nut torque checked at
the nearest automotive service
f acility.
Tighten the wheel nuts to:Place the flat tire face down in the
spare tire well.
Remove the spacer cone f rom the
wing bolt, turn it over, and put it
back on the bolt. Attach the wing
bolt to the bolt extension over the
spacer cone.
Secure the f lat tire by screwing
the wing bolt back into its hole.
Remove the center cap before
storing the f lat tire in the trunk
well.
12.
13.
14. 15.
16.
17.
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed234
WING BOLT SPACER
CONE
BOLT
EXTENSION
80 lbf·ft (108 N·m , 11 kgf·m)

Store the jack and tools in the tool
case. Place the tool case in the f lat
tire.
Store the center cap in the trunk.
Lower the trunk f loor, and close
the trunk lid.
18.
19. 20.
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed235
Loose items can fly around the
interior in a crash and could
seriously injure the occupants.
Store the wheel, jack, and tools
securely before driving.

Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed and repaired as
soon as possible (seeon page ).
If the brake system indicator comes
on while driving, the brake f luid level
is probably low. Press lightly on the
brake pedal to see if it f eels normal.
If it does, check the brake f luid level
thenexttimeyoustopataservice
station (see page ). The brake system indicator
normally comes on when
you turns the ignition
switch to ON (II) and as a
reminder to check the
parking brake. It will stay
on if you do not f ully
release the parking brake.
However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system’s dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will f eel the brake
pedal go down much f arther bef ore
the vehicle begins to slow down, and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully. If the ABS indicator and the VSA
system indicator come on with the
brake system indicator, have your
vehicle inspected by an Acura dealer
immediately.
If the f luid level is low, take your
vehicle to a dealer and have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads. 211
249
Brake System Indicator
Emergency
Towing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed244
Canada U.S.

µ
µ µ
There are three popular types of
prof essional towing equipment.
Shif t the transmission to Neutral.
ShifttoD,thentoN.
Turn of f the engine.
The tow
truck uses metal cables with hooks
on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the f rame or suspension and
the cables lif t that end of the vehicle
of f the ground. Your vehicle’s sus-
pension and body can be seriously
damaged.
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
behind another vehicle with just a
rope or chain. It is very dangerous.
The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck.
The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (f ront or rear) and lif t
them of f the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground. If your Acura cannot be transported
by f lat-bed, it should be towed by
wheel-lif t equipment with the f ront
wheels of f the ground. If , due to
damage, your vehicle must be towed
with the f ront wheels on the ground,
do the f ollowing: Release the parking brake.
Start the engine. Release the parking brake.
Automatic Transmission:
6-speed Manual Transmission:
Sling-t ype Equipment
Flat -bed Equipment Wheel-lif t Equipment
T his method of towing
is unacceptable.
T his is the best way to
transport your A cura.
T his is
an acceptable way to tow your
Acura.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed249
NOTICE: Improper towing preparation
will damage the transmission. Follow
the above procedure exactly. If you
cannot shif t the transmission or start
the engine (automatic transmission),
your vehicle must be transported with
the f ront wheels of f the ground.

If your vehicle is equipped with a
f ront spoiler, remove it bef ore
towing so it is not damaged. With the f ront wheels on the ground,
it is best to tow the vehicle no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the
speedbelow35mph(55km/h).If you decide to tow your vehicle
with all f our wheels on the ground,
make sure you use a properly-
designed and attached tow bar.
Prepare the vehicle for towing as
described previously, and leave the
ignition switch in the ACCESSORY
(I) position so the steering wheel
does not lock. Make sure the radio
and any items plugged into the
accessory power socket are turned
of f so they do not run down the
battery.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed250
NOTICE:
NOTICE: Trying to lif t or tow your
vehicle by the bumpers will cause
serious damage. The bumpers are not
designed to support the vehicle’s weight.
T he steering system can be
damaged if the steering wheel is locked.
Leave the ignition switch in the
ACCESSORY (I) position, and make
sure the steering wheel turns f reely
bef ore you begin towing.