2000 Acura Integra trailer

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 of others, 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.
If you have automatic transmission,
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 nears the 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 automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shift down to 2nd gear. Do not "ride" the brakes, andremember it will take longer to slowdown and stop when towing a trailer.

Driving

CONTINUED

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 left to 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

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.
# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page 157.* 1 : Refer to page 191 for replacement information under special driving conditions.
Maintenanc e

Use this schedule if your vehicle is MAINLY driven in any of the following Severe Conditions; 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.

# '. See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, lastcolumn, page 157.

Maintenance
CONTINUED
page 195

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 trunk or pull a
trailer. Each headlight assembly has
horizontal and vertical adjustment indicators. These are set to their "0"
positions after the headlights are
aimed at the factory. To check these settings:
1. Make sure the fuel tank is full. Park the vehicle on level ground.
2. The driver or someone who weighs the same should be sittingin the driver's seat for all checksand adjustments.
Load the trunk with the items you
normally carry.
HORIZONTA
L ANGL E GAUG E

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 screwindicator should line up with the"0" mark on the gauge.
Maintenanc e
Righ
t headligh t

Lef t headligh t

Inde
x

SRS, Additional Information
SRS Components......................... 45

SRS Service................................... 47

SRS Indicator............................. 47, 55

START (Ignition Key Position) ..... 71
Starting the Engine........................ 133 In Cold Weather at HighAltitude................................... 133
With a Dead Battery................. 227
Steam Coming from Engine......... 229

Steering Wheel
Adjustment................................... 65

Anti-theft Column Lock.............. 71

Stereo Sound System...................... 98
Storing Your Car............................ 210
Supplemental Restraint System..... 45 Servicing....................................... 47

SRS Indicator......................... 47, 55

System Components.................... 45
Synthetic Oil................................... 169
Tachometer...................................... 57
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in....... 204 Taking Care of the Unexpected.. 219
Tape Player..................................... 111

Technical Descriptions
Driving In Foreign Countries... 251

Emissions Control Systems...... 252

Oxygenated Fuels...................... 250
Three Way Catalytic Converter................................ 254
Technical Information................... 243
Temperature Gauge........................ 58
Tether Attachment Points.............. 40
Three Way Catalytic Converter... 254
Time, Setting the............................. 83
Timing Belt..................................... 191
Tire Chains..................................... 197 Tire, How to Change a Flat.......... 221
Tires................................................ 192 Air Pressure............................... 192
Checking Wear.......................... 194Compact Spare........................... 220
DOT Tire Quality Grading....... 248
Inflation....................................... 192
Inspection................................... 194
Maintenance............................... 194
Replacing.................................... 195
Rotating....................................... 195
Snow............................................ 197
Specifications............................. 247

Tools, Tire Changing.................... 221

Towing
A Trailer...................................... 147

Emergency Wrecker................. 241

Transmission
Checking Fluid Level,
Automatic............................... 178

Checking Fluid Level, Manual.................................... 179
Fluid Selection............................ 178

Identification Number............... 244

Shifting the Automatic..............136
Shifting the Manual................... 134

Treadwear...................................... 248

Trip Meter........................................ 57

Trunk................................................. 73

Opening......................................... 73

Open Monitor Light.................... 55

Turn Signals..................................... 62

Underside, Cleaning...................... 216
Unexpected, Taking Care of the........................................... 219