towing car Acura TSX 2011 Owner's Manual

Contents
Quick Reference Guide
P. 2
Safe Driving
P. 2 1
Instrument Panel
P. 6 3
Controls
P. 8 7
Features
P. 13 7
Driving
P. 1 8 1
Maintenance
P. 2 2 1
Handling the Unexpected
P. 2 7 5
Information
P. 3 0 1
Index
P. 3 15
Child Safety P. 48 Exhaust Gas Hazard P. 60 Safety Labels P. 61
Opening and Closing the Trunk P. 95 Security System P. 98 Opening and Closing the Windows P. 100
Operating the Switches Around the Steering Wheel P. 104 Adjusting the Mirror P. 114
Interior Lights/Interior Convenience Items P. 125 Climate Control System P. 133
Audio Error Messages P. 158 Audio Remote Controls P. 160
HomeLink
® Universal Transceiver P. 165Bluetooth
® HandsFreeLink
® P. 167 Compass P. 179
When Driving P. 191 Braking P. 210 Parking Your Vehicle P. 214
Accessories and Modifications P. 219
Maintenance Under the Hood P. 229 Replacing Light Bulbs P. 247
Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 259 Battery P. 268 Remote Transmitter Care P. 269
Cleaning P. 271
Engine Does Not Start P. 283 Jump Starting P. 284 Shift Lever Does Not Move P. 287
Fuses P. 294 Emergency Towing P. 298
When you Cannot Open the Trunk P. 300
Devices that Emit Radio Waves P. 307 Reporting Safety Defects P. 308
Authorized Manuals P. 313 Client Service Information P. 314

Before Driving
Maximum Load Limit
185
Continued
Driving
Maximum Load LimitThe maximum load for your vehicle is 850 lbs (385 kg).
See Tire and Loading Information label attached to the driver's doorjamb.
This figure includes the total weight of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if you are towing a trailer.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit -
(1) Locate the statement "The combined weight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed X X X kg or X X X lbs." on your vehicle's placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will
be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from X X X
kg or X X X lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage
load capacity. For example, if the "X X X" amount equals 1,400 lbs.
and there will be five 150 lb. passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1,400 - 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs.)
Maximum Load LimitGross Vehicle Weight Rating (GV WR):
The maximum allowable weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, all accessories, all
cargo, and the tongue load.
Specifications


P. 302, 304
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR):
The maximum allowable weight of the
vehicle axle.
Specifications


P. 302, 304
WARNING
Overloading or improper loading
can affect handling and stability and
cause a crash in which you can be hurt
or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this manual.
Label Example

Before Driving
Maximum Load Limit
186Driving
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and
luggage load capacity calculated in step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to detemine how this
reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
In addition, the total weight of the vehicle, all occupants, accessories,
cargo, and trailer tongue load must not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GV WR) or the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). Both are on a
label on the driver's doorjamb.Load Limits Example
Example1
Example2MaxLoad
850lbs
(385 kg)
MaxLoad
850lbs
(385 kg)Passenger Weight
150 lbs x 2 = 300lbs
(68 kg x 2 = 136 kg)
Passenger Weight
150 lbs x 5 = 750lbs
(68 kg x 5 = 340 kg)Cargo Weight
550lbs
(249 kg)
Cargo Weight
10 0lbs
(45 kg)

187
Towing a Trailer
Continued
Driving
Towing Load Limits
Your vehicle can tow a tralier if you carefully observe the load limits, use the
proper equipment, and follow the towing guidelines. Check the load limits before
driving.
Total trailer weight
Maximum allowable weight of the trailer,
cargo, and everything in or on it must not
exceed 1,000 lbs (450 kg). Towing loads in
excess of this can seriously affect vehicle
handling and performance and can damage
the engine and drivetrain. Tongue load
The weight of the tongue with a fully loaded
trailer on the hitch should be approximately
10% of the total trailer weight.
Excessive tongue load reduces front tire t
traction and steering control. Too little
tongue load can make the trailer unstable
and cause it to sway.
To achieve a proper tongue load, start by t
loading 60% of the load toward the front
of the trailer and 40% toward the rear.
Readjust the load as needed.
Towing Load Limits
Check if all loads are within limits at a public scale.
If a public scale is not available, add the estimated
weight of your cargo load to the weight of your
trailer (as quoted by the manufacturer), and the
tongue load.
Break-in Period
Avoid towing a trailer during your vehicle's first 600
miles (1,000 km).
WARNING
Exceeding any load limit or improperly
loading your vehicle and trailer can cause
a crash in which you can be seriously hurt
or killed.
Check the loading of your vehicle and
trailer carefully before starting to drive.
Total Load
Tongue Load
Towing Preparation