weight Acura TSX 2005 User Guide

To achieve a proper tongue load,
start by loading 60 percent of the
load toward the front of the trailer
and 40 percent toward the rear, then
re-adjust the load as needed.The maximum allowable weight of
the vehicle, all occupants, all cargo,
and the tongue is: The best way to conf irm that vehicle
and trailer weights are within limits
is to have them checked at a public
scale.
Using a suitable scale or a special
tongue load gauge, 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 of
the vehicle axles is:
on the f ront axle
on the rear axle
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR): Checking L oads
Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GA WR):
Towing a Trailer
184
4,300 Ibs (1,950 kg) 2,335 Ibs (1,060 kg)
2,030 Ibs (920 kg)

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.
Discuss your needs with your trailer
sales or rental agency, and f ollow the
guidelines in the rest of this section.
Also make sure that all equipment is
properly installed and that it meets
f ederal, state, province, and local
regulations.If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electrically 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.
Seeyourtrailerdealerformore
inf ormation on installing electric
brakes.
Any hitch used on your vehicle must
be properly bolted to the underbody.
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.
Acura recommends that any trailer
having a total weight of 1,000 lbs
(450 kg) or more be equipped with
its own electric or surge-type brakes.
CONT INUED
T owing Equipment and
A ccessoriesTrailer Brakes
Hitches
Saf et y Chains
Towing a Trailer
Driving
185

When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, cooling system, and
lights are in good operating
condition. Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated (see page ),
and the trailer tires and spare are
trailer maker.
Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause trailer
swaying. 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; then 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 (automatic) or
in 1st or Reverse (manual). Also,
place wheel chocks at each of the
trailer’s tires.
The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly. All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive. Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure. All weights and loads are within
limits (see pages and ). 183 184 227
bottom
Pre-T ow Checklist
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Backing Up
Parking
Towing a Trailer
Driving
187

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.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 the automatic transmission shifts
f requently while going up a hill, shif t
to D .If youmuststopwhenfacinguphill,
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 2nd
gear. Do not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and
remember, it will take longer to slow
downandstopwhentowingatrailer.
Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
If you have an automatic
transmission, use D position when
towing a trailer on level roads. D is
the proper shif t lever position to use
when towing a trailer in hilly terrain.
(See ‘‘ ’’ in the next
column f or additional gear
inf ormation.) Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
below.
3
3
Driving Saf ely With a T railerMaking T urns and Braking
Driving on Hills
Driving on Hills
T owing Speeds and Gears
Towing a Trailer
188

Your vehicle does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect your engine’s or transmission’s
perf ormance and durability. You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil, it
displays the API Certif ication Seal
and it is the proper weight. You must
f ollow the oil and f ilter change
intervals given in the maintenance
schedule.
Honda Motor Oil is the pref erred
5W-30 lubricant f or your vehicle. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda Motor Oil in your vehicle f or
optimum engine protection. Make
sure the API Certif ication Seal says
‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’
The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
5W-30 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your Acura to
improve cold weather starting and
f uel economy.
A dding Engine Oil
Synthetic Oil
Engine Oil A dditives
Maint enance
203
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
Ambient Temperature

Every time you check inf lation, you
should also examine the tires f or
damage, f oreign objects, and wear.
Youshouldlookfor: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. 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.
Bumps or bulges in the tread or
side of the tire. Replace the tire if
youfindeitherof theseconditions.
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 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. Cuts, splits, or cracks in the side
of the tire. Replace the tire if you
can see f abric or cord.
Tires
Tire Inspection
Tire Maintenance
228
INDICATOR LOCATION MARKS
TREAD WEAR INDICATORS
Improper wheel weights can damage
your vehicle’s aluminum wheels. Use
only genuine Acura wheels weights f or
balancing.

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 above, and leave the
ignition switch in Accessory (I) 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
rundownthebattery.
If your vehicle is equipped with a
f ront spoiler, remove it bef ore
towing so it is not damaged.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
253
The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in ACCESSORY (I), and
make sure the steering wheel turns
f reely bef ore you begin towing.
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.

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Specif ications
262
Dimensions
Weights
Air Conditioning
Capacities Capacities
1.43 US gal (5.4
)
1.40 US gal (5.3)
HFC-134a (R-134a)
25 27 oz (700 750 g) 105.1 in (2,670 mm)
59.6 in (1,515 mm)
59.6 in (1,515 mm) 183.3 in (4,657 mm)
69.4 in (1,762 mm)
57.3 in (1,456 mm)
ND-OIL8 1.96 US gal (7.4
)
1.93 US gal (7.3)
4.4 US qt (4.2
)
4.2 US qt (4.0
)
5.6 US qt (5.3
)
2.1 US qt (2.0)
2.3 US qt (2.2)
3.0 US qt (2.8)
6.9 US qt (6.5)
4.8 US qt (4.5
)
2.6 US qt (2.5)
0.16 US gal (0.6
)
17.1 US gal (64.7
)
Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine.
Reserve tank capacity:
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine.
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Track
See the certification label attached
to the driver’s doorjamb.
Gross vehicle weight rating
Refrigerant type
Charge quantity
Lubricant type
Fuel tank Engine
coolant
Engine oil
Manual trans-
mission oil
Automatic
transmission
fluid
Windshield
washer
reservoir
Approx.
Front
Rear
1:
2:Change
Manual
Automatic
Total Manual
Automatic
Change Including
filter
Without
filter
Total
Change
Total
Change
Total
U.S. Vehicles
Canada Vehicles
1
2