trailer HONDA CIVIC 2011 8.G User Guide

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.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.
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, provincial, territorial,
and local regulations. 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.
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
T owing Equipment and
A ccessoriesTrailer Brakes
Hitches
Saf et y Chains
Towing a Trailer
Driving
275
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Trailer lights and equipment must
comply with f ederal, state, provincial,
territorial, and local regulations.
Check with your local trailer dealer
or rental agency for the
requirements in the area where you
plan to tow, and use only equipment
designed f or your vehicle.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.Askyourtrailersalesorrental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required f or your
towing situation.
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.
A ddit ional T owing Equipment
T railer L ights
Towing a Trailer
276
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When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing: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, and
turn the wheel right to move the
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.
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.
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the suspension,
cooling system, and lights are in
good operating condition.
All weights and loads are within
limits (see pages and ).
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive.
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 inf lated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.
273 274
bottom
Pre-T ow ChecklistBacking Up
Parking
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Towing a Trailer
Driving
277
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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
below.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 second
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 the 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.) Your vehicle is not designed to be
towed behind a motor home. If your
vehicle needs to be towed in an
emergency, see page .
349
3
3
Driving Saf ely With a T railer
Towing Your Vehicle
T owing Speeds and GearsMaking T urns and Braking
Driving on Hills
Driving on Hills
Towing a Trailer
278
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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.To change the headlight bulb on
the driver’s side, remove the
engine coolant reserve tank by
pulling it out of its holder.
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.
1.
Headlight A iming Replacing a Headlight Bulb
High Beam Headlight
Lights
302
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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Î
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Vanity Mirror . 107
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 250
......................
Vehicle Dimensions . 354
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 352
.............................
Vehicle Storage . 324
.................................................
VIN . 352
..................................
Viscosity, Oil . 291
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 327
Technical Descriptions
....
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 357
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 363
....................
Emissions Testing . 366
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels . 238
Three Way Catalytic
...............................
Converter . 364
.................................
Tire Labeling . 359
.......................
Temperature Gauge . 70
.....................
Tether Anchor Points . 45
............................
Thef t Protection . 208
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 365
..........................
Time, Setting the . 207
....................................
Tire Chains . 321
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 329
.........................
Tire Inf ormation . 357
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
................................
(TPMS) . 270
.............................
Indicator . 63, 271
Required Federal
..........................
Explanation . 361
...............................................
Tires . 314
..............................
Air Pressure . 315
.........................
Checking Wear . 316
..........................
Compact Spare . 328 ....
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 357
..................
High Speed Driving . 316
......................................
Inf lation . 314
..................................
Inspection . 316
..............................
Maintenance . 318
...................................
Replacing . 319
......................................
Rotating . 318
................................
Service Lif e . 317
...........................................
Snow . 321
....................
Specif ications . 320, 356
................................
Tire Chains . 321
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 329
Towing
.....................................
A Trailer . 273
..................
Emergency Towing . 349
...........................
Traction Devices . 321
Transmission
Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic . 298
Checking Fluid Level, ...................................
Manual . 299
..................
Fluid Selection . 298, 299
..............
Identif ication Number . 352
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 260
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 257
...................................
Treadwear . 357 .......................................
Trip Meter . 68
................................................
Trunk . 88
........................................
Opening . 88
...................
Open Monitor Light . 61
....................................
Turn Signals . 73
Unexpected, Taking Care
..........................................
of the . 327
..
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 357
........................
Unleaded Gasoline . 238
USB Adapter
..................
Cable . 135, 144, 186, 194
.
USB Flash Memory Device . 141, 191
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 294
Index
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