2000 Acura Integra trailer

Towin
g a Traile r

Additional Trailer Equipment Many states and provinces requirespecial 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.
Ask your trailer sales or rental agency if any other items are
recommended or required for your
towing situation. Pre-To
w Checklis t
When preparing to tow, and before driving away, be sure to check the
following: 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 151 and 152). The hitch, safety chain, and any
other attachments are sucure. All items on and in the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shift
while you drive. The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are workingproperly. Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inflated (see page 251),and the trailer tires and spare are
inflated as recommended by the
trailer maker.
Drivin g

Towin
g a Traile r
Drivin g Safel y Wit h a Traile r
The added weight, length, and height of a trailer will affect your
vehicle's handling and performance, so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and

techniques.

For your safety and the safety ofothers, take time to practice driving
maneuvers before heading for the open road, and follow the guidelines

discussed below.

Towing Speeds and Gears
Driving slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits for vehicles with trailers.
Use D4 position when towing a trailer
on level roads. D3 is the proper shift
lever position to use when towing a
trailer in hilly terrain. (See "Driving on Hills" in the next column for
additional gear information.)
Making Turns and Braking

Make turns more slowly and wider
than normal. The trailer tracks a smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
can hit or run over something the
vehicle misses. Allow more time and distance for braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknife or turn over.

Driving on Hills

When climbing hills, closely watch your temperature gauge. If it nearsthe red mark, turn the air conditioning off, reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
If the automatic transmission shifts
frequently between 3rd and 4th
gears while going up a hill, shift to
D3.
If you must stop when facing uphill,
use the foot brake or parking brake. Do not try to hold the vehicle in
place by pressing on the accelerator, as this can cause the transmission to

overheat.

When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shift down to 2nd gear. Do not "ride" the brakes, and
remember it will take longer to slow down and stop when towing a trailer.

CONTINUED

Drivin g

Towin
g a Traile r

Handling Crosswinds and Buffeting

Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause trailer
swaying. 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.

Backing Up
Always drive slowly and have someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the bottom of the steering

wheel; then turn the wheel to the leftto get the trailer to move to the left,and turn the wheel right to move the
trailer to the right.
Parking

Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including firmly setting the
parking brake and putting the transmission in Park (automatic) or
in 1 st or Reverse (manual). Also,
place wheel chocks at each of the
trailer's tires.
Drivin g

U.S
. Owner s
Follow the Severe Conditions
Maintenance Schedule if you
drive your vehicle MAINLY
under one or more of the
following conditions: Driving less than 5 miles (8
km) per trip or, in freezing
temperatures, driving less
than 10 miles (16 km) per trip. Driving in extremely hot
[over 90° F (32° C)] conditions. Extensive idling or long
periods of stop-and-go driving.
Trailer towing, driving with a roof top carrier, or driving in
mountainous conditions. Driving on muddy, dusty, or

de-iced roads.

* : Refer to page 195 for replacement
information under special driving

conditions.

# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page
161.

Canadia n Owner s

Follow the Maintenance
Schedule for Severe Conditions.

Maintenanc e

Use this schedule if your vehicle is MAINLY driven in any of the following Severe Conditions, or normally driven in Canada; otherwise use the Normal
Schedule. Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in A , B , C , D as required for each distance/time.

Sever e Conditions:
Driving less than 5 miles (8 km) per trip or, in freezing temperatures, driving less than 10 miles (16 km) per trip.
Driving in extremely hot (over 90°F/32°C) conditions.
Extensive idling or long periods of stop-and-go driving.

Trailer towing, driving with a roof top carrier, or driving in mountainous conditions.

Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-iced roads.

CONTINUED

#: See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last

column, page 161 .
page 199

Maintenanc e

Light
s

Headligh t Aimin g
The headlights were properly aimed when your car was new. You should check their aim if you regularly carry
heavy items in the cargo area or pull a trailer. Each headlight assembly
has horizontal and vertical adjust-
ment indicators. These are set to
their "0" positions after the head-
lights are aimed at the factory. To check these settings:
1. Make sure the fuel tank is full.

Park the car on level ground.
2. The driver or someone who

weighs the same should be sitting in the driver's seat for all checks
and adjustments.
Load your vehicle with the items
you normally carry.

If you usually pull a trailer, load it as
you would normally and attach it to the car. Push down on the front and
rear bumpers several times to makesure the car is sitting normally. 3. Open the hood.
4. Check the horizontal angle gauge.

The line on the adjustment screw
indicator should line up with the"0" mark on the gauge.

CONTINUED

Maintenanc e
HORIZONTA
L ANGL E GAUG E

Lef t headligh t
Right headligh t

Inde
x
Winter Driving........................... 201
Tools, Tire Changing.................... 225
Towing A Trailer...................................... 151

Emergency................................. 245

Transmission
Checking Fluid Level,Automatic............................... 182
Checking Fluid Level, Manual.................................... 183
Fluid Selection............................ 182
Identification Number............... 249
Shifting the Automatic.............. 140
Shifting the Manual................... 138

Treadwear..................................... 252

Trip Meter........................................ 58
Turn Signals..................................... 63

Underside, Cleaning...................... 220

Unexpected, Taking Care
of the........................................... 223

Uniform Tire Quality Grading..... 252

Unleaded Gasoline......................... 123
Upholstery Cleaning...................... 218
Used Oil, How to Dispose of........ 175
Warning Beepers
Headlights on............................... 62

Key in Ignition.............................. 74

Seat Belts................................ 42, 54

WARNING, Explanation of..............
ii
Warning Labels

, Location of.......... 50
Warranty Coverages*................... 262

Washer, Windshield

Checking the Fluid Level......... 181
Operation...................................... 64
Washing.......................................... 216
Waxing and Polishing................... 217

Wheels

Adjusting the Steering................ 66

Alignment and Balance............. 198
Cleaning Aluminum Alloys....... 217

Compact Spare........................... 224

Wrench....................................... 226

Windows
Cleaning...................................... 219

Operating the Power................... 84
Rear, Defogger............................ 65
Windshield
Cleaning........................................ 64

Defroster.................................... 100
Wipers, Windshield
Changing Blades........................ 192

Operation...................................... 64

Worn Tires..................................... 197

Wrecker, Emergency Towing...... 245
* : U.S. and Canada only

Vehicle Capacity Load.................. 133

Vehicle Dimensions....................... 250
Vehicle Identification Number..... 248
Vehicle Storage.............................. 214
Ventilation......................................... 97

VIN.................................................. 248

Vinyl Cleaning................................ 218

Viscosity, Oil................................... 172