weight Acura CL 2002 User Guide

Your Acura has been designed
primarily to carry passengers and
their cargo. You can use it to tow a
trailer if you caref ully observe the
load limits, use the proper equipment,
and f ollow the guidelines in this
section.The total
weight of the trailer and
everything loaded in it must not
exceed 1,000 lbs (450 kg). Towing
a load that is too heavy can
seriously af f ect your car’s
handling and perf ormance. It can
also damage the engine and
drivetrain. The weight that
the tongue of a f ully-loaded trailer
puts on the hitch should be
approximately 10 percent of the
trailer weight. Too little tongue
load can make the trailer unstable
and cause it to sway. Too much
tongue load reduces f ront-tire
traction and steering control.
Driving
Towing a Trailer
Load Limits
T otal T railer Weight: T ongue L oad:
198

The total weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all cargo, and the
tongue load must not exceed:
The total weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all cargo, and the
tongue load must not exceed:
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.
on the f ront axle
on the rear axle on the f ront axle
on the rear axle
Driving
Towing a Trailer
Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GA WR):
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR):
Premium model Premium model
T ype-S
T ype-S
199
2,445 lbs (1,110 kg)
1,950 lbs (885 kg)
4,280 lbs (1,940 kg)
4,365 lbs (1,980 kg) 2,425 lbs (1,100 kg)
1,950 lbs (885 kg)
Exceeding load limits or
improperly loading your vehicle
and trailer can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously
injured or killed.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
beforestartingtodrive.

Always use saf ety chains. Make sure
they are secured to both the trailer
and hitch, and that they cross under
the tongue so they 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.
If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electronically 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.
Any hitch used on your vehicle must
be properly bolted to the underbody. Towing can require a variety of
equipment, depending on the size of
your trailer, how it will be used, and
how much load you are towing.
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.
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.
Towing a Trailer
Driving
Saf et y Chains
Trailer Brakes
HitchesT owing Equipment and
A ccessories
Checking L oads
200

Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated (see page ),
and the trailer tires and spare are
inflated as recommended by the
trailer maker.
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, and cooling system
are in good operating condition.
All weights and loads are within
limits (see pages and ).
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
Allitemsonandinthetrailerare
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive.
The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.
Many states and Canadian provinces
require special outside mirrors when
towing a trailer. Even if they don’t,
you should install special mirrors if
you cannot clearly see behind you, or
if the trailer creates a blind spot.
Askyourtrailersalesorrental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required f or your
towing situation.
198 199246
Towing a Trailer
Driving
Pre-T ow ChecklistAdditional Trailer Equipment
202

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CONT INUED
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
discussed below. Maketurnsmoreslowlyandwider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller are 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 transmission shif ts f requently
between 4th and 5th gears while
going up a hill, shif t to D . And if the
transmission shif ts f requently
between 3rd and 4th gears, shif t to
D.
Gear position
1
2
3, 4 Speed range
037mph
(0 60 km/h)
12 68 mph
over 25 mph
(over 40 km/h)
Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
Use the D or 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
f ollowing column f or additional gear
inf ormation.) When towing a trailer in the
Sequential SportShif t mode, select
Fourth, Third, Second, or First gear;
depending on the vehicle speed and
road condition. Do not use Fif th gear.
The recommended speed range f or
each gear position is shown in the
table.
4
3
54
3
(20 110 km/h)
Driving
Towing a Trailer
Driving Saf ely With a T railer
T owing Speeds and Gears Making T urns and Braking
Driving on Hills
Driving on Hills
203

The oil’s viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
Select the oil f or your vehicle
according to this chart.
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your Acura, to
improve cold weather starting, and
to help your engine use less f uel.
If 5W-20 oil is not available, a 5W-30
oil may be used. However, it should
be replaced with 5W-20 at the next
oil change.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 as shown
on the chart. When using synthetic
oil, you must f ollow the oil and f ilter
change intervals given in the
maintenance schedule.
Your Acura does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect your engine’s or transmission’s
perf ormance and durability.
Engine Oil
Maint enance
Synthetic Oil
Additives
220
A Am
m b
bi
ieen n t
t T
Te
emm p
pe
erraat tuu r
ree

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.
The tires were properly balanced by
the factory. They may need to be
rebalanced at some time bef ore they
are worn out. Have your dealer
check the tires if you f eel a consis-
tent vibration while driving. A tire
should always be rebalanced if it is
removed f rom the wheel f or repair.To help increase tire lif e and
distribute wear more evenly, you
should have the tires rotated every
7,500 miles (12,000 km). Move the
tires to the positions shown in the
chart each time they are rotated.
Make sure the installer balances the
wheels when you have new tires
installed. This increases riding
comf ort and tire lif e. Your car’s
original tires were dynamic or ‘‘spin’’
balanced at the f actory. For best
results, have the installer perf orm a
dynamic balance.
Maintenance
T ire Rotation
Tires
Maint enance248
( (F
Fo o r
r N
No on
n-
-d
d i
irre ec cttiioo n
na
all
T
T i
irre es s a
ann d
d W
Wh he
eeellss) ) (
(
F
Fo o r
r D
D i
irre ec cttiioo n
na
all
T
T i
irre es s a
ann d
d W
Wh he
eeellss) )
F
Fr
roo n
nt
t F
Frroo n
nt
tImproper wheel weights can damage
your car’s aluminum wheels. Use only
genuine Acura wheel weights f or
balancing.

If you decide to tow your car with all
f our wheels on the ground, make
sure you use a properly-designed and
attached tow bar. Prepare the car 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.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed301
Trying to lif t or tow your car by the
bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to
support the car’s weight.
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.

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T echnical Inf ormation
Specif ications
306
Dimensions
Weights
Air Conditioning Capacities
4.2 US qt (4.0
, 3.5 Imp qt)
192.0 in (4,877 mm)
70.4 in (1,789 mm)
55.5 in (1,409 mm)
106.9 in (2,715 mm)
61.1 in (1,553 mm)
61.0 in (1,549 mm)
HFC-134a (R-134a)
21.2 22.9 oz (600 650 g) ND-OIL8 1.48 US gal (5.6
, 1.23 Imp gal)
1.98 US gal (7.5, 1.65 Imp gal)
4.6 US qt (4.4
, 3.9 Imp qt)
5.3 US qt (5.0
, 4.4 Imp qt)
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Track
Gross vehicle weight rating See the certification label attached
to the driver’s doorjamb.
Refrigerant type
Charge quantity
Lubricant type 3.1 US qt (2.9, 2.6 Imp qt)
7.6 US qt (7.2, 6.3 Imp qt)
Fuel tank
Engine
coolant
Engine oil
Automatic
transmission
fluid
Windshield
washer
reservoir
2.6 US qt (2.5
, 2.2 Imp qt)
4.8 US qt (4.5, 4.0 Imp qt)
Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine.
Reserve tank capacity:
0.16 US gal (0.6
, 0.13 Imp gal)
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine.
1:
2: Approx.
Front
Rear Change
Total
Change
Including filter
Without filter
Total
Change
Total
U.S. Cars
Canada Cars
17.17 US gal (65.0, 14.30 Imp gal)1
2

...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 275
.....................................
Floor Mats .268
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 230
..........................................
Brake .231
..........................
Power Steering .232
................
Windshield Washers . 229
FM Stereo Radio ...........................
Reception .128, 132
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 311
..........................
Four-way Flashers .70
..............................
Front Airbags .9 ,43
.................................................
Fuel .162
......................
Fill Door and Cap .163
...........................................
Gauge .62
................
Octane Requirement . 162
...............................
Oxygenated .310
........................
Reserve Indicator .59
........................
Tank, Filling the .163
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .294
..........................................
Gasohol .310
.........................................
Gasoline .162
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 59...........................................
Gauge .62
................
Octane Requirement . 162
........................
Tank, Filling the .163
................
Gas Station Procedures . 163
.............................................
Gauges .60
...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 62
...............................................
Fuel .62
Maintenance Required ...................................
Indicator .63
...............................
Speedometer .60
.................................
Tachometer .60
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) .199
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions . 179
..............................
Glass Cleaning .270
........................................
Glove Box .85
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight .......................................
Rating) .199
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 254
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 70
Headlights ........................................
Aiming .254
Automatic Lighting Off .....................................
Feature .66
............
Daytime Running Lights . 67
..................
High Beam Indicator . 58
.........................
Reminder Chime .65
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 254
...................................
Turning on .65
..............................
Head Restraints .90
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 177
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 65
..............
High-mount Brake Light . 259
HomeLink Universal ................................
Transceiver .155
....................................
Hood Latch .233
.......................
Hood, Opening the .164
..................................................
Horn .64
.................................
Hydroplaning .197
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 304
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .73
...........................................
Switch .75
............
Timing Control System . 313
........................
Immobilizer System .74
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
Index
G HI
IV