2000 Acura TL tow

Towing a Trailer
Additional Trailer EquipmentMany 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.
Ask your trailer sales or rental agency if any other items are
recommended or required for your towing situation. Pre-Tow Checklist
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 180 and 181).
• The hitch, safety chain, and any other attachments are secure.
• All items on and in the trailer areproperly 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 254),and the trailer tires and spare are
inflated as recommended by the
trailer maker.
Driving

Towing a Trailer
Driving Safety With a Trailer
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
Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits for vehicles with trailers.
Use the D
5 or D4 positions when
towing a trailer on level roads. D
3 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 (Hot) mark, turn the airconditioning off, reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
If the transmission shifts frequently
between 4th and 5th gears while
going up a hill, shift to D
4. And if the
transmission shifts frequently
between 3rd and 4th gears, shift to D
3.
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, and
remember it will take longer to slow
down and stop when towing a trailer.
CONTINUED
Driving

Towing a Trailer
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 putting the
transmission in Park and firmly setting the parking brake. Also, place
wheel chocks at each of the trailer's
tires.
Driving

Service at the indicated
distance or time — whichever
comes first. miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Check engine oil and coolant
Clean (o) or replace ( • ) air cleaner element Use normal schedule except in dusty conditons
Inspect valve clearance
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt*
1-*, and inspect water pump
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace transmission fluid Inspect front and rear brakes
Replace brake fluid
Check parking brake adjustment
Replace air conditioning filter*
2Lubricate all hinges, locks and latches Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition
at least once per month) 15
24 12 30
48
24 45
72
3660
96
48 75
120 60 90
144
72 105
168
84 120
192
96
Replace every 3,750 miles (6,000 km) or 6 months Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
O •
O • O •
Adjust only if noisy
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
O •
•
•
Inspect every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months
•
• •
•
•
•
•
••
•
••
•
•
• •
•
•
••
•
•
Rotate tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Visually inspect the following items:
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, Suspension components
Driveshaft boots and boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and conditions of fluids Cooling system hoses and connections
'Exhaust system
'Fuel lines and connections
Lights and controls
Vehicle underbody Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months
U.S. Owners
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 rack, or driving in
mountainous conditions.
• Driving on muddy, dusty, orde-iced roads.
Canadian Owners
Follow the Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions.
# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, \
page 191.
* 1: See Timing Belt on page 227 to determine need for replacement.
* 2: See Air Conditioning Filter on page 226 for replacement information under special conditions.
Maintenance
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions• • • • • • • \
•

Use this schedule if your vehicle is MAINLY driven in any of the followi\
ng Severe Conditions, or normally driven in Canada; otherwise use the No\
rmalSchedule. Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes fir\
st. Do the items in A, B, C, D as required for each distance/time.
3,750 mi/6,000 km/-7,500 mi/12,000 km/6 mos 11,250 mi/18,000 km/-
15,000 mi/24,000 km/1 yr
18,750 mi/30,000 km/-
22,500 mi/36,000 km/1½ yrs
26,250 mi/42,000 km/-
30,000 mi/48,000 km/2 yrs
33,750 mi/54,000 km/-
37,500 mi/60,000 km/2½ yrs
41,250 mi/66,000 km/-
45,000 mi/72,000 km/3 yrs
48,750 mi/78,000 km/-
52,500 mi/84,000 km/3½ yrs
56,250 mi/90,000 km/-
60,000 mi/96,000 km/4 yrs
63,750 mi/102,000 km/-
67,500 mi/108,000 km/4½ yrs
71,250 mi/114,000 km/-
75,000 mi/120,000 km/5 yrs
78,750 mi/126,000 km/- Do items in A.
Do items in A, B. Do items in A.

CIean air cleaner element. Do items in A, B, C.Do items in A. Do items in A, B.Do items in A.
Do items in A, B, C, D.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A. Replace coolant. Replace brake fluid.

CIean air cleaner element. Do items in A, B, C.Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
'
Replace timing belt*1, inspect water pump.Do items in A, B, C, D.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.

Replace coolant, Clean air cleaner element.Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
NOTE:• Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.• Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, if noisy.
CONTINUED
Maintenance
Severe Conditions:• Driving less than 5 miles (8 km) per trip or, in freezingtemperatures, 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 rack, or driving in mountainous conditions.
• Driving, on muddy, dusty, or de-iced roads.
A
B• Replace engine oil and filter. Inspect front and rear brakes.
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page 231 ). Inspect tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots.
Inspect suspension components. Inspect driveshaft boots.
# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, lastcolumn, page 191.
* 1 : See Timing Belt on page 227 to determine need for replacement.
* 2 : See Air Conditioning Filter on page 226 for replacement
information under special conditions.
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions (listed by distance/time)

Battery
Check the condition of your car's
battery monthly. You should check
the color of the test indicator window,
and for corrosion on the terminals.TEST INDICATOR WINDOW
Remove the battery cover.
Check the battery condition by
looking at the test indicator window on the battery.
The label on the battery explains the test indicator's colors. Check the battery terminals for
corrosion (a white or yellowish
powder). To remove it, cover the
terminals with a solution of baking
soda and water. It will bubble up and
turn brown. When this stops, wash it
off with plain water. Dry off the
battery with a cloth or paper towel. Coat the terminals with grease to
help prevent future corrosion.
Maintenance

Wiper Blades
Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every six months. Look for signs of cracking in the
rubber, or areas that are getting
hard. Replace the blades if you find these signs, or they leave streaks
and unwiped areas when used.WIPER ARMS
To replace the blade:
1. Turn the ignition ON (II), switch the wipers to INT or — lowposition), then turn the ignition
OFF when the wiper arm is
approximately midway in its travel.
2. Raise the wiper arm off the windshield.
LOCK TAB
3. Disconnect the blade assemblyfrom the wiper arm by pushing in
the lock tab. Hold it in while you
push the blade assembly toward
the base of the arm.
CONTINUED
Maintenance

Storing Your Car
If you need to park your car for an
extended period (more than one
month), there are several things youshould do to prepare it for storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent deterioration and makes it easier to
get your car back on the road. If
possible, store your car indoors.
• Fill the fuel tank.
• Change the engine oil and filter (see page 203).
• Wash and dry the exterior completely.
• Clean the interior. Make sure the carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
• Leave the parking brake off. Put the transmission in Park. • Block the rear wheels.
• If the car is to be stored for a
longer period, it should besupported on jackstands so the
tires are off the ground.
• Leave one window open slightly (if the car is being stored indoors).
• Disconnect the battery. • Support the front wiper blade arms with a folded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
• To minimize sticking, apply a silicone spray lubricant to all door
and trunk seals. Also, apply a
vehicle body wax to the painted surfaces that mate with the door
and trunk seals. • Cover the car with a "breathable"
cover, one made from a porous
material such as cotton.
Nonporous materials, such as
plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
• If possible, run the engine for a while periodically (preferably oncea month).
If you store your car for 12 months or longer, have your Acura dealer
perform the inspections called for in
the 24 months/30,000 miles (48,000
km) maintenance schedule (Normal Conditions) as soon as you take it
out of storage (see page 192). The
replacements called for in the maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the car has actually
reached that time or mileage.
Maintenance