trailer HONDA ACCORD 2012 8.G User Guide

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.
Seeyourtrailerdealerorrental
agency f or more inf ormation on
installing electric brakes.
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.
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.
Discuss your needs with your trailer
sales or rental agency, and f ollow the
guidelines in this section. Also make
sure that all equipment is properly
installed and maintained, and that it
meets f ederal, state, province,
territory, and local regulations. There are two common types of
trailer brakes: surge and electric.
Surge brakes are common f or boat
trailers, since the brakes will get wet.
CONT INUED
Towing a Trailer
Trailer Brakes
Hitches
Saf et y ChainsT owing Equipment and
A ccessories
Driving
329
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When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the suspension and
the cooling system are in good
operating condition.
The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.
All weights and loads are within
limits.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive.
Many states and Canadian
provinces/territories 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.
Trailer lights and equipment must
comply with f ederal, state, province,
territory, and local regulations.
Check with your local trailer sales or
rental agencies f or the requirements
in the area where you plan to tow,
and use only equipment designed f or
your vehicle.
Since lighting and wiring vary by
trailer type and brand, you should
have a qualif ied technician install a
suitable connector between the
vehicle and the trailer. Improper
equipment or installation can cause
damage to your vehicle’s electrical
system and af f ect your vehicle
warranty. Askyourtrailersalesorrental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required f or your
towing situation.
Towing a Trailer
Pre-T ow ChecklistA ddit ional T owing Equipment
T railer L ights
330
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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 shif ts
f requently while going up a hill, shif t
to D3.
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.
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 the D position
when towing a trailer on level roads.
D3 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.)
CONT INUED
Making T urns and Braking
Driving on Hills
T owing Speeds and Gears
Driving on Hills
Towing a Trailer
Driving Saf ely With a T railer
Driving
331
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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.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed, and shif t down to second
gear. Do not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and
remember, it will take longer to slow
downandstopwhentowingatrailer.
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. Your vehicle is not designed to be
towed behind a motor home. If your
vehicle needs to be towed in an
emergency, see page .
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. 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. 407
bottom
Backing Up
Parking
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Towing Your Vehicle
Towing a Trailer
332
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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
another 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.
Open the hood.
To change a bulb on the
passenger’s side, remove the
engine coolant reserve tank by
pulling it out of its stay.
1.
CONT INUED
Headlight A iming Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Lights
High Beam Headlight
Maint enance
357
STAY
4-cylinder modelsHalogen 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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If equippedPassenger’s side
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.
The license plate has two lights
above it. The bulbs should be
replaced by your dealer.
Pull down the under cover f rom
the bumper caref ully.
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 another
qualif ied technician. Remove the three holding clips
with a flat-tip screwdriver.
1.
Lights
ReplacingaFogLightBulb
Rear License Plate Light Bulbs
364
HOLDING CLIPS
Halogen light 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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Î
CONT INUED
Tire Pressure Monitoring............
System (TPMS) . 323, 420
Low Tire Pressure ...........................
Indicator . 61, 323
Required Federal ............................
Explanation . 420
..................
TPMS Indicator . 61, 324
...............................................
Tires . 372
..............................
Air Pressure . 373
........................................
Chains . 388
.........................
Checking Wear . 374
..........................
Compact Spare . 384
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 416
.
Glossary of Tire Terminology . 419
......................................
Inf lation . 372
..................................
Inspection . 374
...................................
Replacing . 387
......................................
Rotating . 386
................................
Service Lif e . 385
...........................................
Snow . 388
....................
Specif ications . 413, 415
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 385
Towing
.....................................
A Trailer . 326
................
Emergency Wrecker . 407
.............................
Weight Limit . 326 Transmission
Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic . 351
Checking Fluid Level, ...................................
Manual . 353
..................
Fluid Selection . 352, 353
..............
Identif ication Number . 411
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 312
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 310
.....................................
Treadwear . 374
.......................................
Trip Meter . 67
................................................
Trunk . 92
....................
Emergency Opener . 93
.................................
Opening the . 92
............................
Open Indicator . 62
....................................
Turn Signals . 71
Unexpected, Taking Care of
...............................................
the . 383
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 416
........................
Unleaded Gasoline . 288
USB Adapter
..................
Cable . 166, 176, 218, 227
.
USB Flash Memory Device . 176, 227 .......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 347
................................
Vanity Mirror . 120
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 303
.............
Vehicle Dimensions . 412, 414
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 410
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
)
....................................
System . 321
...............
VSA Of f Indicator . 60, 321
.........................
VSA Of f Switch . 322
........
VSA System Indicator . 60, 321
.............................
Vehicle Storage . 381
.............................
Ventilation . 127, 133
.................................................
VIN . 410
..................................
Viscosity, Oil . 345
...........
Voice Control System . 131, 186
............
WARNING, Explanation of . iii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 54
..................
Warranty Coverages . 429
Index
INDEX
U V W
IX
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