2003 Acura CL trailer

Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated (see page ),
and the trailer tires and spare are
inflated as recommended by the
trailer maker.
When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:
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 and ).
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
Allitemsonandinthetrailerare
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive.
The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.
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.
Askyourtrailersalesorrental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required f or your
towing situation.
217 218267
Pre-T ow ChecklistAdditional Trailer Equipment
Towing a Trailer
Driving221

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The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
discussed below. Maketurnsmoreslowlyandwider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
canhitorrunoversomethingthe
vehicle misses. Allow more time and
distance f or braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknif e or turn over.
When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (Hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
Gear position
1
2
3, 4 Speed range
037mph
(0 60 km/h)
12 68 mph
over 25 mph
(over 40 km/h)
When towing a trailer in the
Sequential SportShif t mode, select
Fourth, Third, Second, or First gear;
depending on the vehicle speed and
road condition. Do not use Fif th gear.
The recommended speed range f or
each gear position is shown in the
table.
Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
If you have an automatic
transmission, use the D or D
position when towing a trailer on
level roads. D is the proper shif t
lever position to use when towing a
trailer in hilly terrain. (See ‘‘ ’’ in the f ollowing column f or
additional gear information.) If the automatic transmission shif ts
f requently between 4th and 5th
gears while going up a hill, shif t to
D . And if the transmission shif ts
f requently between 3rd and 4th
gears, shif t to D .
(20 110 km/h)
54
3 4
3
Driving Saf ely With a T railer
T owing Speeds and Gears Making T urns and Braking
Driving on Hills
Driving
on Hills
Towing a Trailer
Driving222

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.
Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; then turn the wheel to the lef t
to get the trailer to move to the lef t,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.
If you must stop when f acing uphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
placebypressingontheaccelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shif t down to 2nd
gear. Do not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and
remember it will take longer to slow
downandstopwhentowingatrailer.
Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including f irmly 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.
bottomParking
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Backing Up
Towing a Trailer
Driving223

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Follow the Severe Conditions
Maintenance Schedule if you
drive your car under
one or more of the f ollowing
conditions: Driving less than 5 miles (8
km) per trip or, in f reezing
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.
Follow the Maintenance
Schedule f or Severe Conditions.
MAINLY
Maint enance
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
232
Visually inspect the following items: Replace every 3,750 miles (6,000 km) or 6 months
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Service at the indicated
distance or time whichever
comes first.
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
See dust and pollen filter on page for replacement information under special driving conditions. See timing belt on page for replacement information under special driving conditions. 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles
(96,000 km) or 5 years
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Check engine oil and coolant
Clean ( ) or replace ( ) air
cleaner element
Use normal schedule except in
dusty conditions
Inspect valve clearance
Replace spark plugs Replace timing belt , 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 dust and pollen filter
Lubricate all hinges, locks, and latches
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition
at least once per month)
Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components, Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Cooling system hoses and connections
Exhaust system, Fuel lines and connections
Lights and controls, Vehicle underbody Rotate tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
15
24
12
30
48
2445
72
3660
96
4875
120 60 90
144 72 105
168
84 120
192
96
Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months Every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 3 years
See information on maintenance and
emissions warranty, last column, page.
Adjust only if noisy
Type-S
Premium model
1:
2: :
266 265 229
M/T
A/T
1
2
60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 3 years, then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 2 years
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions

Halogen bulbs are used f or the high
beam headlight bulbs. When
replacing a high beam headlight bulb,
handle it by its base and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass,
clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.
The low beam headlight bulbs are a
type of high voltage discharge tube.
High voltage can remain in the
circuit even with the light switch of f
and the key removed. Because of
this, you should not attempt to
examine or change a low beam
headlight bulb yourself . If a low
beam headlight bulb fails, take the
cartoyourdealertohaveitreplaced.
Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your car was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk or pull a trailer, readjustment
may be required. Adjustment of the
headlights should be perf ormed by
an Acura technician or other
qualif ied mechanic.
CONT INUED
Replacing a High Beam Headlight
Bulb
Headlight A iming
Lights
Maint enance275
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.

.............................
SRS Indicator .49 ,61
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 81
.......................
Starting the Engine .193
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .193
................
With a Dead Battery . 303
..............
State Emissions Testing . 335
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 306
Steering Wheel ..................................
Adjustment .76
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 81
...................
Stereo Sound System . 135
...........................
Storing Your Car .283
..................................
Storage Tray .115
........................................
Sun Visor .116
........................
Sunglasses Holder .110
Supplemental Restraint ..................................
System .9,46
......................................
Servicing .51
.........................
SRS Indicator .49 ,61
...................
System Components . 46
..................................
Synthetic Oil .240
.....................................
Tachometer .65 ..........
Taillights, Changing Bulbs . 278
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 293
....................................
Tape Player .142
Technical Descriptions ......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 328
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 332
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels .330
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .334
.......................
Temperature Gauge .67
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 41
............................
Thef t Protection .157
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 334
..........................
Time, Setting the .109
....................................
Timing Belt .266
....................................
Tire Chains .272
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 295
...............................................
Tires .266
..............................
Air Pressure .266
.........................
Checking Wear .268
..........................
Compact Spare .294
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 328
......................................
Inf lation .266
..................................
Inspection .268
...................................
Replacing .270
......................................
Rotating .269 ...........................................
Snow .272
............................
Specif ications .327
.......................
Traction Devices .272
..........................
Winter Driving .271
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 295
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .217
................
Emergency Wrecker . 320
Traction Control System (TCS) ...............................
Indicator .62, 209
...................................
Operation .209
...........................
Traction Devices .272
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .250
...................................
Manual .251
..................
Fluid Selection . 250,251
..............
Identif ication Number . 324
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 197
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 194
.....................................
Treadwear .328
.......................................
Trip Meter .66
................................................
Trunk .87
........
Emergency Trunk Opener . 89
.................................
Opening the .87
...................
Open Monitor Light . 63
Index
T
VIII