Acura TL 2009 Owner's Manual

´However, these tires are not suitable
f or driving on snow or ice, so all-
season or winter tires must be
installed f or winter driving
conditions.
See page f or
To saf ely operate your vehicle, your
tires must be the proper type and
size, in good condition with adequate
tread, and correctly inf lated.
The f ollowing pages give more
detailed inf ormation on how to take
care of your tires and what to do
when they need to be replaced.
Keeping the tires properly inf lated
provides the best combination of
handling, tread lif e, and riding
comf ort.
Underinf lated tires wear unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel
economy, and are more likely to
fail from being overheated.
Overinf lated tires can make your
vehicleridemoreharshly,are
more prone to damage f rom road
hazards, and wear unevenly.
Your vehicle is equipped with high
perf ormance all-season tires
(marked All Season or M S on the
sidewalls). These tires provide
excellent handling and braking
perf ormance in most driving
situations.
Your vehicle is equipped with high
perf ormance summer tires. These
tires have a high-traction compound
and tread pattern to provide superior
acceleration, cornering, and stopping
under most driving conditions.
575
All models except SH-AWD model with
high perf ormance tires and SH-AWDTECH HPT models
SH-AWD model with high perf ormancetires and SH-AWD TECH HPT models
Winter Driving.
Tire Types
Inf lation Guidelines
Tires
568
Using tires that are excessively
worn or improperly inflated can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding tire
inflation and maintenance.
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2009 TL

Even though your vehicle is
equipped with TPMS, we
recommend that you visually check
your tires every day. If you think a
tire might be low, check it
immediately with a tire gauge.If you check air pressure when the
tires are hot [driven f or several miles
(kilometers)], you will see readings 4
to6psi(30to40kPa,0.3to0.4
kgf /cm ) higher than the cold
readings. This is normal. Do not let
air out to match the recommended
cold air pressure. The tire will be
underinf lated.While tubeless tires have some
ability to self -seal if they are
punctured, you should look closely
for punctures if a tire starts losing
pressure.
The tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) warns you when a tire
pressure is low. See page f or
more inf ormation on the TPMS.
Use a gauge to measure the air
pressure in each tire at least once a
month. Even tires that are in good
condition may lose 1 to 2 psi (10 to
20 kPa, 0.1 to 0.2 kgf /cm ) per
month. Remember to check the
sparetireatthesametime. Check the air pressures when the
tires are cold. This means the
vehicle has been parked f or at least 3
hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6
km). Add or release air, if needed, to
match the recommended cold tire
pressures on the next page.
You should get your own tire
pressure gauge and use it whenever
you check your tire pressures. This
will make it easier f or you to tell if a
pressure loss is due to a tire problem
and not due to a variation between
gauges.
526
Tires
Maint enance
569
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The following chart shows the
recommended cold tire pressures f or
most normal driving conditions.For additional technical information,
see page .
For convenience, the recommended
tire sizes and cold tire pressures are
on a label on the driver’s doorjamb.
Thecompactsparetirepressureis:518
Tire Size Cold Tire Pressure for
Normal Driving Tire Size Cold Tire Pressure for
Normal Driving Tire Size Cold Tire Pressure for
Normal Driving
Cold Tire Pressure for
Normal Driving
Tire Size
U.S. SH-AWD and SH-AWD TECH
models Canadian SH-AWD and SH-AWD
TECH models
TL and TECH models U.S. SH-AWD model with highperf ormance tires and SH-AWDTECH HPT modelsRecommended Tire Pressures
Tires
570
32 psi (220 kPa ,
2.2 kgf/cm
)
P245/50R17 98V
32 psi (220 kPa ,2.2 kgf/cm
) 32 psi (220 kPa ,
2.2 kgf/cm
)
32 psi (220 kPa ,
2.2 kgf/cm
)
37 psi (255 kPa , 2.55 kgf/cm
)
32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm
) P245/45R18 96V
32 psi (220 kPa ,2.2 kgf/cm
)
32 psi (220 kPa ,
2.2 kgf/cm
)
P245/45R18 96V
245/40ZR19 94Y
Rear:
Front:
Front:
Rear:
Front:
Rear:
Front:
Rear:
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm)
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We strongly recommend that you do
not drive faster than the posted
speed limits and conditions allow. If
you ever drive in a sanctioned
competitive event at sustained high
speeds (over 118 mph or 190 km/h),
be sure to adjust the cold tire
pressuresasshownbelow.If youdo
not, excessive heat can build up and
cause sudden tire f ailure.Every time you check inf lation, you
should also examine the tires f or
damage, f oreign objects, and wear.
Youshouldlookfor:
Bumps or bulges in the tread or
side of the tire. Replace the tire if
youfindeitherof theseconditions.
Cuts, splits, or cracks in the side
of the tire. Replace the tire if you
can see f abric or cord. Your tires have wear indicators
molded into the tread. When the
tread wears down, you will see a
band 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) wide band
across the tread. This shows there is
less than 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) of tread
lef t on the tire.
A tire this worn gives very little
traction on wet roads. You should
replace the tire if you can see three
or more tread wear indicators.
Excessive tread wear.
Tire Size Cold Tire Pressure for
High Speed DrivingSH-AWDandSH-AWDTECHmodels
Tires
High Speed Driving T ire Inspection
Maint enance
571
INDICATOR LOCATION MARKS
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR
33 psi (230 kPa , 2.3 kgf/cm
)
32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm
)
P245/45R18 96V
Front:
Rear:
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2009 TL

The service lif e of your tires is
dependent on many f actors,
including, but not limited to, driving
habits, road conditions, vehicle
loading, inf lation pressure,
maintenance history, speed, and
environmental conditions (even
when the tires are not in use).In addition to your regular
inspections and inf lation pressure
maintenance, it is recommended that
you have annual inspections
perf ormed once the tires reach f ive
years old. It is also recommended
that all tires, including the spare, be
removed from service after 10 years
from the date of manufacture,
regardless of their condition or state
of wear.The last f our digits of the TIN (tire
identif ication number) are f ound on
the sidewall of the tire and indicate
the date of manufacture (See
on page ).619
Tires
Tire Service Lif e
Tire
Labeling
572
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2009 TL

To help increase tire lif e and
distribute wear more evenly, rotate
the tires according to the
maintenance messages displayed on
the multi-information display. Move
the tires to the positions shown in
the illustration each time they are
rotated. If you purchase directional
tires, rotate only front-to-back.
When the tires are rotated, make
sure the air pressures are checked.
In addition to proper inf lation,
correct wheel alignment helps to
decrease tire wear. If you f ind a tire
is worn unevenly, have your dealer
check the wheel alignment.
Have your dealer check the tires if
you f eel a consistent vibration while
driving. A tire should always be
rebalanced if it is removed f rom the
wheel. When you have new tires
installed, make sure they are
balanced. This increases riding
comf ort and tire lif e. For best results,
have the installer perform a dynamic
balance.Tire Rotation
T ire Maintenance
Tires
Maint enance
573
Front Front
(For Non-directional
Tires and Wheels) (For Directional
Tires and Wheels)
Improper wheel weights can damage
your vehicle’s aluminum wheels. Use
only Acura wheel weights f or balancing.
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2009 TL

It is best to replace all f our tires at
thesametime.If thatisnotpossible
or necessary, replace the two f ront
tires or two rear tires as a pair.
Replacing just one tire can seriously
af f ect your vehicle’s handling.
If you ever replace a wheel, make
sure that the wheel’s specif ications
match those of the original wheels.
Mixing radial and bias-ply tires on
your vehicle can reduce braking
ability, traction, and steering
accuracy. Using tires of a dif f erent
size or construction can cause the
ABS and vehicle stability assist
system (VSA) to work inconsistently.
Replace your tires with radial tires of
the same size, load range, speed
rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire’s sidewall).
The ABS and VSA system work by
comparing the speed of each wheel.
When replacing tires, use the same
size originally supplied with the
vehicle. Tire size and construction
can af f ect wheel speed and may
cause the system to activate. Also be sure you use only TPMS
specif ic wheels. If you do not, the
tire pressure monitoring system will
not work.
Replacement wheels are available at
your dealer.
Replacing T ires and Wheels
Tires
574
Installing improper tires on your
vehicle can affect handling and
stability. This can cause a crash
in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of
tires recommended in this
owner’s manual.
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2009 TL

´
Î
Î
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If you mount snow tires on your
vehicle, 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.
Mount tire chains on your tires when
required by driving conditions or
local laws. Install them only on the
f ront tires. Do not use chains on the
rear tires.
Because your vehicle has limited tire
clearance, we strongly recommend
using this Quality Chain Corp. tire
chain:
See page f or DOT tire quality
grading inf ormation, and page
f or tire size inf ormation.
Tires marked ‘‘M S’’ or ‘‘All
Season’’ on the sidewall have an all-
weather tread design suitable for
most winter driving conditions.
For the best perf ormance in snowy
or icy conditions, you should install
snow tires or tire chains. They may
be required by local laws under
certain conditions.
If your vehicle is equipped with
summer tires, be aware that these
tires are not designed f or winter
driving conditions. For more
inf ormation, consult your dealer.
Wheels:
Tires:
If equipped
: 617
619
On 2WD Models
On U.S. SH-AWD Models
On Canadian SH-AWD ModelsOn 2WD ModelsOn U.S. SH-AWD Models
On Canadian SH-AWD Models
Snow T ires
Tire Chains
Winter Driving
Summer T ires
Wheel and T ire Specif ications
Tires
Maint enance
575
17x8.0J
18x8.0J
19x8.0J
18x8.0J
P245/50R17 98V
P245/45R18 96V
245/40ZR19 94Y
P245/45R18 96V (TPMS)
(TPMS)
(TPMS)
(TPMS)
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2009 TL

Ì
ÎÎ
Clean the wheels as you would the
rest of the exterior. Wash them with
thesamesolution,andrinsethem
thoroughly.
Aluminum alloy wheels have a
protective clear-coat that keeps the
aluminum f rom corroding and
tarnishing. Cleaning the wheels with
harsh chemicals (including some
commercial wheel cleaners) or a stif f
brush can damage the clear-coat. To
clean the wheels, use a mild
detergent and a sof t brush or sponge.
This tire chain is available at many
auto supply stores. To f ind a local
storethatcarriesthechain,call
Quality Chain Corp at 1-800-843-8824.
To order the tire chain online, go to
, and enter
your vehicle inf ormation. When you
install the chains, f ollow the
manuf acturer’s instructions, and
mount them as tightly as you can.
Drive slowly with the chains installed. If you ever hear the chains
contacting the body or chassis, stop
and investigate. If the chains have
loosened, retighten them. Make sure
they do not contact the brake lines
or suspension.
Removethechainsassoonasyou
begin driving on cleared roads.
Rubber chain adjusters, or
tensioners, must be used to
prevent the chains f rom
contacting the body or the
chassis.
:
www.qualitychaincorp.comWheels
Premium Cobra Cable Chain
1042P with accessory
adjusters
Tires
576
Using the wrong chains, or not
properly installing chains, can
damage the brake lines and
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously injured or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding the
selection and use of tire chains. 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.
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2009 TL

µ
Check the condition of the battery
monthlybylookingatthetest
indicator window. The label on the
battery explains the test indicator’s
colors. If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damaging your vehicle’s
electrical system. Always disconnect
the negative ( ) cable first, and
reconnect it last.
Check the terminals f or corrosion (a
white or yellowish powder) af ter
removing all engine compartment
covers (see page ). To remove it,
cover the terminals with a solution of
baking soda and water. It will bubble
upandturnbrown.Whenthisstops,
wash it of f with plain water. Dry of f
the battery with a cloth or paper
towel. Coat the terminals with grease
to help prevent f urther corrosion.
If additional battery maintenance is
needed, see your Acura dealer or a
qualif ied technician.
Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. 546
Checking the Battery
WARNING:
Wash your hands af ter handling.
Maint enance
577
TEST INDICATOR WINDOW
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
technician do the battery
maintenance.
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2009 TL