tow Acura TL 2009 Owner's Guide

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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 your vehicle is equipped with a
f ront spoiler, remove it bef ore
towing so it is not damaged. Models equipped with the keyless
access system have an engine start/
stop button instead of an ignition
switch. ACCESSORY Mode is the
equivalent of ACCESSORY (I). See
page f or ignition switch and
power mode comparison.
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 above, and leave the
ignition switched 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. 178
CONT INUED
Emergency Towing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
607
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. Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shif t the transmission or start the
engine, your vehicle must be
transported with the f ront wheels of f
the ground.
The 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.On models with the Keyless Access
system, the ENGINE START/STOP
BUTTON indicator will conf irm that
the power mode is in the ACCESSORY
mode and that the steering lock is
released. If the steering wheel does not
turn f reely, rotate the wheel right and
lef t while pressing the ENGINE
START/STOP BUTTON. This
inf ormation also appears on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
182
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2009 TL

To use the towing hook:Remove the cover f rom the f ront
bumper using your f ingers, or pry
it of f using a cloth and a f lat-tipped
screwdriver.
If your vehicle gets stuck in sand,
mud, or snow, call a towing service
to pull it out (see page ).
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.
When you need to release the
steering lock while your vehicle’s
battery is dead, do this:
Follow the proper jump starting
procedures, Step 1 through Step 5,
to apply the power to your vehicle
(see pages and ).
Remove the towing hook and
wheel nut wrench f rom the tool
case in the spare tire (see page).
Follow the jump starting
procedures, Step 8 and Step 9, and
the instructions to disconnect the
jumpercable(seepage ).The
steering will remain unlocked even
if the battery is dead.
Failure to comply means the steering
lockmaybedamaged. Press the ENGINE START/STOP
button to set the power mode to
ACCESSORY (see page ) and
verif y the steering lock is released.
1.
2.
606
1.
2.
3.
592
592591
179
583
On models with keyless access systemIf Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
Emergency Towing, If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
608
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2009 TL

Screw the towing hook into the
hole, and tighten it with the wheel
nut wrench.
3.
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
609
To avoid damage to your vehicle, use
the towing hook f or straight, f lat
ground towing only. Do not tow at an
angle. The tow hook should not be used
to tow the vehicle onto a f lat bed. Do
not use it as a tie down.
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2009 TL

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Your new Acura is covered by these
warranties:
covers your new vehicle, except f or
the battery, emissions control
systems, and accessories, against
def ects in materials and
workmanship.
these two
warranties cover your vehicle’s
emissions control systems. Time,
mileage, and coverage are
conditional. Please read your
warranty booklet f or exact
inf ormation. provides
coverageforaslongasthepur-
chaser of the muf f ler owns the
vehicle. provides prorated
coverage f or a replacement battery
purchased f rom your dealer.
this warranty gives up
to 100% credit toward a replacement
battery. a seat
belt that f ails to f unction properly is
covered by a limited warranty.
Please read your warranty booklet
f or details.
covers all Acura
replacement parts against defects in
materials and workmanship.
Acura accessories are covered under
this warranty. Time and mileage
limits depend on the type of
accessory and other f actors. Please
read your warranty manual f or
details. all exterior body panels are
covered f or rust-through f rom the
inside f or the specif ied time period
with no mileage limit. Restrictions and exclusions apply to
all these warranties. Please read the
2009 Acura warranty inf ormation
booklet that came with your vehicle
f or precise inf ormation on warranty
coverages. Your vehicle’s original
tires are covered by their
manuf acturer. Tire warranty
inf ormation is in a separate booklet.
Please ref er to the 2009 warranty
manual that came with your vehicle.
Warranty Coverages
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
New Vehicle L imit ed Warrant yEmissions Cont rol Syst ems Def ect sWarrant y and EmissionsPerf ormance Warranty Replacement Muf f ler L if et ime
Limited Warranty
Replacement Bat t ery L imit ed
Warranty
Original Equipment Bat t ery L imit ed Warranty Seat Belt Limited Warranty
Replacement Part s L imit edWarranty
Accessory Limited Warranty
Rust Perf orat ion L imit ed Warrant y
Warrant y and Client Relat ions
631
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2009 TL

CONT INUED
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving .492
Electronic Stability Control
..........................................
(ECS) .523
............
Emergencies on the Road .581
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .591
...........
Brake System Indicator .597
................
Changing a Flat Tire .583
.....
Charging System Indicator .595
..................
Checking the Fuses .599
.......
Hazard Warning Flashers .139
......
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck .608
............................
Jump Starting .591
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .595
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .596
..................
Overheated Engine .593
.......................................
Towing .606
.........................
Emergency Brake .201
....................
Emergency Flashers .139
......................
Emergency Towing .606
..........
Emergency Trunk Opener .150
.......................
Emissions Controls .623
.............
Emissions Testing, State .626
Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .76
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .64,596
.................................
Oil Lif e .84,535 ........
Oil Pressure Indicator .64,595
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .547
...............................
Overheating .593
............................
Specif ications .615
............................
Speed Limiter .510
.......................................
Starting .503
.................
Engine, if it won’t start .588
............
Engine Start/Stop Button .177
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .487
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls .623
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .57
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
...................................
Fan, Interior .218
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .213
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .487
........................................
Filter, Oil .548
...........
Flashers, Hazard Warning .139
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .583
.....................................
Floor Mats .565
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission .553 ..........................................
Brake .555
................
Windshield Washers .552
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .372
.....................................
Fog Lights .137
..............................
Front Airbags .9,26
....................................
Front Seats .155
....................................
Adjusting .155
.......................................
Heaters .193
.....................................
Airbags .9,26
.................................................
Fuel .486
......................
Fill Door and Cap .487
...........................................
Gauge .75
................
Octane Requirement .486
........................
Reserve Indicator .73
........................
Tank, Filling the .487
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .599
Index
F
G
INDEX
III
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2009 TL

Unexpected, Taking Care..........................................
of the .581
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading .617
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .486
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of .550
........
Temperature, Inside Sensor .222
..............
Tether Anchorage Points .51
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter .625
................
Tilt the Steering Wheel .140
..........................
Time, Setting the .377
....................................
Tire Chains .575
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat .583
Tire Pressure Monitoring
....................................
System .526
Low Tire Pressure/TPMS ...........................
Indicator .69,526
..............
TPMS System Failure .529
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ...................................
Messages .527
...............................................
Tires .568
..............................
Air Pressure .568
.........................
Checking Wear .571
..........................
Compact Spare .582
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading .617
......................................
Inf lation .568
..................................
Inspection .571
...................................
Replacing .574
......................................
Rotating .573
...........................................
Snow .575
............................
Specif ications .616
.............................
Summer Tire .575.......................
Traction Devices .575
..........................
Winter Driving .575
...................
Tools, Tire Changing .583
Torque Distribution Monitor
...............................
(SH-AWD
) .517
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .531
................
Emergency Wrecker .606
...........................
Traction Devices .575
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .553
.
Checking Fluid Level Manual .555
..................
Fluid Selection .554,555
..............
Identif ication Number .612
.............
Shif ting the Automatic .508
.....................................
Treadwear .617
................................
Trip Computer .82
.......................................
Trip Meter .81
..............................................
Trunk .148
......
Emergency Trunk Release .150
...............................
Opening the .148
.............
Open Monitor Light .11,88
..................................
Turn Signals .133.................
Vehicle Capacity Load .498
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .614
VEHICLE OFF Mode ...........................
(Power Mode) .178
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number .612
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
),
aka Electronic Stability ....
Control (ESC), System .523
........
VSA System Indicator .68,523
...
VSA Activation Indicator .68,523
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .524
.............................
Vehicle Storage .578
.................................................
VIN .612
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .548
Index
U
V
VIII
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2009 TL

ÎÎ................
XM Satellite Radio .233,292
............
WARNING, Explanation of .iii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of .58
..................
Warranty Coverages .631
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level .552
...................................
Operation .131
Wheels .............
Adjusting the Steering .140
............
Alignment and Balance .573
..........................
Compact Spare .582
Windows ................
Operating the Power .195
.........................
Rear, Def ogger .139
Windshield .....................................
Cleaning .131
...................................
Def roster .219
.....................................
Washers .552
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .566
...................................
Operation .131
....................................
Worn Tires .571
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing .606 :U.S.
Index
INDEX
WX
IX
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