2000 Acura TL spare tire

Traction Control System
Your Acura is equipped with a
Traction Control System (TCS) to assist you in maintaining traction
while driving slowly on loose or slippery surfaces. The TCS assists
only in low-speed, low-traction
conditions; up to approximately 18mph(30km/h).
The TCS monitors the speed of all four wheels. When it senses a front
wheel losing traction, it applies
braking to that wheel. The TCSindicator flashes when this occurs.
Driving with TCS requires no special
skills or technique. The TCS doesnot control your vehicle's whole
braking system and cannot prevent skidding if you enter a corner too
fast. It is still your responsibility to drive at reasonable speeds and to
leave a sufficient margin of safety.
TCS INDICATOR
When starting out or driving at low speeds on a loose or slippery road
surface, you may notice that the
vehicle does not respond to the accelerator in the same way it does
at other times. This is a sign the TCSis activating. You will see the TCS
indicator light flash. You should still install winter tires on
your vehicle during the winter. Make
sure to use the same size originally
supplied with vehicle. Exercise the
same caution in winter driving as you
would if your vehicle was not equipped with TCS.
Driving with the compact spare tire
installed (see page 254) may
activate the TCS. You should turn off
the system.
If the brakes overheat while the TCS
is activating, the TCS indicator will
stop flashing and stay on temporarily.
This indicates that the TCS system has turned off. After the brakes have
cooled down (usually for about 10 minutes), the TCS will turn back onand the indicator will turn off.
Driving

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

Tires
Inflation
Keeping the tires properly inflated
provides the best combination of
handling, tread life and riding comfort. Underinflated tires wear
unevenly, adversely affect handling and fuel economy, and are more
likely to fail from being overheated. Over-inflated tires can make your car
ride more harshly, are more prone to damage from road hazards, and wear
unevenly.
We recommend that you visually check your tires every day. If you
think a tire might be low, check it
immediately with a tire gauge. Use a gauge to measure the air
pressure at least once a month. Even
tires that are in good condition may
lose one to two psi (10 to 20 kPa, 0.1
to 0.2 kgf/cm
2) per month.
Remember to check the spare tire at
the same time you check all the other tires.
Check the pressure in the tires when
they are cold. This means the car
has been parked for at least three hours. If you have to drive the car
before checking the tire pressure, the tires can still be considered "cold" if you drive less than 1 mile (1.6km). If you check the pressure when the
tires are hot (the car has been driven several miles), you will see readings
4 to 6 psi (30 to 40 kPa, 0.3 to 0.4
kgf/cm2) higher than the cold
reading. This is normal. Do not let air out to match the specified cold
pressure. The tire will be
underinflated.
You should get your own tire pressure gauge and use it whenever
you check your tire pressures. This
will make it easier for you to tell if a pressure loss is due to a tire problemand not due to a variation between
gauges.
Maintenance

Tires
Recommended Tire Pressures forNormal Driving
The following chart shows the recommended cold tire pressures for
most normal driving conditions andspeeds. Tire pressures for high
speed driving are the same as for
normal driving.Tire Size
P205/60R1691V Cold Tire Pressure
for Normal Driving
32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm
2)
The compact spare tire pressure is:60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm
2)
These pressures are also given on the tire information label on thedriver's doorjamb.
Tubeless tires have some ability to self-seal if they are punctured.
However, because leakage is often
very slow, you should look closely
for punctures if a tire starts losing pressure. Inspection
Every time you check inflation, you
should also examine the tires for
damage, foreign objects, and wear.
You should look for: • Bumps or bulges in the tread or side of the tire. Replace the tire if
you find either of these conditions.
• Cuts, splits, or cracks in the side of the tire. Replace the tire if you
can see fabric or cord.
• Excessive tread wear.
CONTINUED
Maintenance

Taking Care of the Unexpected
This section covers the more-common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you information about how to safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again. If not, you will also find instructions
on getting your car towed. Compact Spare Tire.................... 254
Changing a Flat Tire.................. 255
If Your Engine Won't Start............ 260
Nothing Happens or theStarter Motor OperatesVery Slowly...................... 261
The Starter Operates
Normally.......................... 262
Jump Starting............................ 262
If Your Engine Overheats.............. 265
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.......... 267 Charging System Indicator........ 268
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ........ 269
Brake System Indicator .............. 270
Closing the Moonroof.............. 271
Fuses.............................................. 272
Checking and Replacing.......... 273
Emergency Towing ...................... 277
Taking Care of the Unexpected

Compact Spare Tire
Your car has a compact spare tirethat takes up less space. Use thisspare tire as a temporary replace-
ment only. Get your regular tire
repaired or replaced and put back on
your car as soon as you can.
Check the inflation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be inflated to: 60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm2) Follow these precautions whenever
you are using the compact spare tire:
• Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
under any circumstances.
• This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road sur-
faces than the regular tire. Use
greater caution while driving on
this tire.
• Do not mount snow chains on the
compact spare.
• The wheel of the compact spare tire is designed especially to fit
your car. Do not use your sparetire on another vehicle unless it is
the same make and model.
INDICATOR LOCATION MARK
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR BAR
The compact spare tire has a shortertread life than a regular tire. Replace
it when you can see the tread wear
indicator bars. The replacementshould be the same size and design
tire, mounted on the same wheel.
The compact spare tire is not designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the compact wheel is not designed for mounting a regular tire.
Taking Care of the Unexpected

Changing a Flat Tire
If you have a flat tire while driving,stop in a safe place to change it.
Stopping in traffic or on the shoulder
of a busy road is dangerous. Driveslowly along the shoulder until you
get to an exit or an area to stop that
is far away from the traffic lanes.
The car can easily roll off the
jack, seriously injuring anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and never get under the car when it
is supported only by the jack.HOOK
SPARE TIRE TOOL BOX
1. Park the car on firm, level, and non-slippery ground away from
traffic. Put the transmission inPark. Apply the parking brake.
2. Turn on the hazard warning lights and turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0). Have all the
passengers get out of the car while
you change the tire. 3. Open the trunk. Raise the trunk
floor by lifting up on the back edge.
To keep the trunk floor out of the way, attach the hook into the slot in the trunk lid.
4. Unscrew the wing bolt and take the spare tire out of its well.
5. The tools are in the tool box on the right side of the trunk. Takethe tools out of the tool box.
CONTINUED
Taking Care of the Unexpected
TRUNK FLOOR
JACK

Changing a Flat Tire
BRAKE HUB
12. Before mounting the spare tire,wipe any dirt off the mountingsurface of the wheel and hub with
a clean cloth. Wipe the hub
carefully, it may be hot from
driving. 13. Put on the spare tire. Put the
wheel nuts back on finger-tight,then tighten them in a crisscross
pattern with the wheel wrench
until the wheel is firmly against
the hub. Do not try to tighten
them fully. 14. Lower the car to the ground and
remove the jack.
Taking Care of the Unexpected