trailer Acura TSX 2009 User Guide

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 inflated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.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.
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
in this section. Driveslowerthannormalinall
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
Do not exceed the limited speed
when towing a trailer. At higher
speeds,thetrailermayswayor
affect vehicle handling (see ‘‘
’’ in the next page f or
additional gear information).
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, use the D position
when towing a trailer on level roads.
Towing a Trailer
Driving Saf ely With a T railerT owing Speeds and Gears
Driving
on Hills
404
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On models with automatic transmission
When driving uphill and downhill,
use the S position (without using the
paddle shif ters) to provide the
proper engine power and engine
braking on each gear. You can also
use the paddle shif ters. In this case,
select third, second, or f irst gear
with the paddle shif ter; depending on
the vehicle speeds and road
condition. Do not use f ourth and f if th
gears. The recommended speed
range f or each gear position is
showninthetable.
Gear position 1
2, 3 Speed range
042mph
(0 67 km/h)
19 62 mph
(30 100 km/h) If the automatic transmission f luid
temperature increases and exceeds
the specif ied limit, the transmission
will also automatically downshif t to
the first gear even with the
Sequential Sportshif t Mode. This
prevents the automatic transmission
f rom overheating. In this case, the
gear position ‘‘1’’ next to the ‘‘M’’
indicator in the instrument panel
blinks about f or f ive seconds, then it
stays on.
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.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and always apply engine
braking by shif ting down. If your
vehicle has a manual transmission,
when going down a steep hill, use
the second gear to provide greater
engine braking.
CONT INUED
Towing a Trailer
Making T urns and Braking
Driving on Hills
Driving
405
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Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause the trailer to
sway. 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.
Make sure to set the parking brake
whenstartingoff onanincline.
If you must stop when f acing uphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
placebypressingontheaccelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, when driving down
hills, reduce your speed and use the
S mode. You can also use the paddle
shifters to change the gear position.
Select third, second or f irst gear
depending on the vehicle speeds and
road condition. When going down a
steep hill, use second gear to provide
greater engine braking. Shif t down
to f irst gear when driving up steep
hills.
Do not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and
remember, it will take longer to slow
downandstopwhentowingatrailer. Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering wheel,
then turn the wheel to the left to get
the trailer to move to the lef t. Turn
the wheel to the right to move the
trailer to the right.Your vehicle is not designed to be
towed behind a motor home. If your
vehicle needs to be towed in an
emergency, see page .
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.
481
bottom
Towing a Trailer
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Backing Up Parking
Towing Your Vehicle
406
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2009 TSX

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Maintenance Minder
417
:If the message ‘‘SERVICE DUE NOW’’ does not appear more than 12 months
after the display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 only if they are noisy.
Independent of the maintenance messages in the multi-information
display, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty in the first column
on page .
NOTE: 416
:
Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect these items: Tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and line (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Replace dust and pollen filter If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds or trailer towing results in higher
transmission and transfer temperatures. This
requires transmission and transfer fluid changes
more frequently than recommended by the
maintenance minder. If you regularly drive your
vehicle under these conditions, have the transmission
and transfer fluid changed at 60,000 miles (100,000
km), then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km). (For A/T
only.)
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
Symbol
Symbol
B
A 1
2
3
4
5
Maintenance Minder
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Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk or pull a trailer, readjustment
may be required. Adjustments
should be done by your dealer or
other qualif ied technician.Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its base, and protect the glass
f rom contact with your skin or hard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.
The low beam headlight bulbs are a
type of high voltage discharge tube.
High voltage can remain in the
circuit even with the light switch of f
and the key removed. Because of
this, you should not attempt to
examine or change a low beam
headlight bulb yourself . If a low
beam headlight bulb fails, take the
vehicle to your dealer to have it
replaced.High beam headlights on all models
Low beam headlights on Canadian TSX
U.S. TSX and Canadian TSX Premium
Headlight Aiming L ow Beam Headlight Bulb
ReplacementReplacing a Headlight Bulb
Lights
430
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
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Remove the three holding clips
with a flat-tip screwdriver.
Pull down the under cover f rom
the bumper caref ully.
Your vehicle uses halogen light
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its plastic case, and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass,
clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.
Thefoglightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk or pull a trailer, readjustment
may be required. Adjustment should
be done by your dealer or other
qualif ied technician. 1.
2.
If equipped
Lights
ReplacingaFogLightBulb
440
HOLDING CLIPS
UNDER COVER
Halogen bulbs get very hot when lit. Oil,
perspiration, or a scratch on the glass
can cause the bulb to overheat and
shatter.
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Supplemental Restraint..................................
System.9,23
......................................
Servicing .34
.........................
SRS Indicator .31,62
...................
System Components .23
SVC (Speed-sensitive ...
Volume Compensation) .182,235
..................................
Synthetic Oil .420
............
System Message Indicator .67
System Warning Messages,
..........
Multi-inf ormation Display .78
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected .457
Technical Descriptions
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading .489
.....
Emissions Control Systems .495
Three Way Catalytic
...............................
Converter .497
.......................
Temperature Gauge .69
....................
Temperature, Outside .74
..............
Tether Anchorage Points .50
................
Thef t Protection, Radio .289
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter .497
.........
Tighten Fuel Cap Message .358 ..........................
Time, Setting the .290
....................................
Tire Chains .453
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat .459
...................
Tire Inf ormation .489,491
.................................
Tire Labeling .491
Tire Pressure Monitoring
............
System (TPMS) .392,493
.............................
Check TPMS .395
Low Tire Pressure/
..............
TPMS Indicator .64,392
Required Federal ............................
Explanation .493
...............................................
Tires .447
......................
Air Pressure .448,488
........................................
Chains .453
.........................
Checking Wear .449
..........................
Compact Spare .458
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading .489
......................................
Inf lation .447
..................................
Inspection .449
................
Pressure Monitor .76,393
...................................
Replacing .451
......................................
Rotating .451
................................
Service Lif e .449
...........................................
Snow .452
....................
Specif ications .448,452 ...................
Tools, Tire Changing .460
Towing
.....................................
A Trailer .400
................
Emergency Wrecker .481
.....................
Weight Limit .400,401
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .425
Checking Fluid Level, ...................................
Manual .427
..................
Fluid Selection .426,427
..............
Identif ication Number .485
.............
Shif ting the Automatic .379
..................
Shif ting the Manual .376
.....................................
Treadwear .449
................................
Trip Computer .74
.......................................
Trip Meter .73
..............................................
Trunk .130
..................
Emergency Opener .132
...............................
Main Switch .131
......................................
Opening .130
......................
Open Indicator .11,65
....................
Opening Manually .132
..................................
Turn Signals .111
CONT INUED
Index
INDEX
T
IX
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