2001 Acura Integra trailer

Towin
g a Traile r

Trailer Brakes

Acura recommends that any trailer having a total weight of 1,000 Ibs (450 kg) or more be equipped with
its own electric or surge-type brakes.
If you choose electric brakes, besure they are electronically actuated.
Do not attempt to tap into your
vehicle's hydraulic system. No matter how successful it may seem,any attempt to attach trailer brakes
to your vehicle's hydraulic system
will lower braking effectiveness and create a potential hazard.
Trailer Lights

If you use a converter, you can get
the connector and pins that mate
with the connector in your vehicle from your Acura dealer.
Your vehicle has a trailer lighting connector located behind the leftside panel in the cargo area. Refer to
the drawing above for the wiring color code and purpose of each pin. Since lighting and wiring vary in
trailer type and brand, you should also have a qualified mechanic install
a suitable connector between the
vehicle and the trailer.

Drivin g
GROUN
D
(BLACK )
BACK-U
P LIGH T
(GREEN/BLACK )LEF
T TUR N SIGNA L
(GREEN/BLUE )
TAILLIGH T
(RED/BLACK )
BRAK
E LIGH T
(GREEN/WHITE )
RIGH
T TUR N SIGNA L
(GREEN/YELLOW )

Towin
g a Traile r

Additional Trailer Equipment
Many 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-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 chains, and any
other attachments are secure. 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 255),and the trailer tires and spare are
inflated as recommended by the
trailer maker.

Driving

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
Drive slower than normal in all driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits for vehicles with trailers.
If you have an 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 (Hot) 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.

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 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 1st or Reverse (manual). Also,
place wheel chocks at each of the
trailer's tires.
Driving

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 rack, or driving in
mountainous conditions. Driving on muddy, dusty, or

de-iced roads.

Canadia n Owner s
Follow the Maintenance
Schedule for Severe Conditions.

* : Refer to page 197 for replacement information under special driving conditions.
# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page 163.
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 , E 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 rack, or driving in mountainous conditions.
Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-iced roads.

# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page 163.
* : See timing belt on page 197 to determine need for replacement.

NOTE:
Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.
Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, only if noisy.
CONTINUED

page
201

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 sittingin the driver's seat for all checksand 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 andrear bumpers several times to makesure the car is sitting normally. 4. Check the horizontal angle gauge.
The line on the adjustment screwindicator should line up with the
"0" mark on the gauge.

CONTINUED

Maintenanc e

HORIZONTA
L ANGL E GAUG E

Lef t headligh tRigh
t headligh t

3. Open the hood.

Changin
g a Fla t Tir e
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.
JAC
K

SPAR E TIR E

TOOL KI T

1. Park the car on firm, level and non-slippery ground away from
traffic. Put the transmission in Park (automatic) or Reverse (manual). Apply the parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer, unhitch
the trailer. 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 hatch. Pull up the floor mat and remove the spare tire
cover.

4. Take the tool kit out of the spare tire well.
5. Unscrew the wing bolt and take the spare tire out of its well.

CONTINUED

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

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.