2005 Acura RL trailer

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.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, cooling system, and
lights are in good operating
condition.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive. All weights and loads are within
limits. Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated, and the trailer
tires and spare are inflated as
recommended by the trailer
maker. The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.
A dditional T owing Equipment Pre-T ow Checklist
Towing a Trailer
286

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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
below.
When driving uphill and downhill,
use the Sequential SportShif t mode
to provide the proper engine power
and engine braking on each gear.
Select f ourth, third, second, or f irst
gear; depending on the vehicle
speeds and read condition. Do not
use f if th gear. The recommended
speed range f or each gear position is
showninthetable.
Speed range
030km/h
(0 19 mph)
30 50 km/h
(19 31 mph)
50 65 km/h
(31 41 mph)
over 65 km/h
(over 41 mph) 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.
Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
Use 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 ‘‘ ’’onthenextpagefor
additional gear information.) Gear position
1
2
3
4
3
CONT INUED
Driving Saf ely With a T railer
T owing Speeds and Gears Making T urns and Braking
Driving
on Hills
Towing a Trailer
Driving
287

Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause trailer to
sway. 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.
Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including f irmly setting the
parking brake and putting the
transmission in Park. Also, place
wheel chocks at each of the trailer’s
tires.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed, and shif t down to second
gear. Do not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and
remember, it will take longer to slow
downandstopwhentowingatrailer. 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 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.
If the automatic transmission shif ts
f requently while going up a hill, shif t
to D .
Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; turn the wheel to the lef t to
get the trailer to move to the lef t,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.
3
bottom
Backing Up
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Parking
Driving on Hills
Towing a Trailer
288

Maintenance Minder
300
Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Replace dust and pollen filter If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission fluid and transfer fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds or trailer towing results in higher
transmission and transfer temperatures.
This requires transmission and transfer fluid changes
more frequently than recommended by the
Maintenance Minder. If you regulary drive your
vehicle under these conditions, have the transmission
and transfer fluid changed at 60,000 miles
(100,000 km), then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km).
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over
110°F, 43°C), or in very low temperatures (under-20°F,
29°C), replace every 60,000 mile (U.S.)/100,000 km
(Canada)
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant Maintenance Sub Items
Replace rear differential fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds or trailer towing results in higher level of
mechanical (shear) stress to fluid This requires
differential fluid changes more frequently than
recommended by the Maintenance Minder. If you
regulary drive your vehicle under these conditions,
have the differential fluid changed at 7,500 miles
(12,000 km), then every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Symbol
1
2
3
4
5 Symbol
6
Maintenance Minder

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In very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C).
In very low temperatures
(under 20°F, 29°C).
If you f requently tow a trailer.
The timing belt should be replaced
at the intervals shown on the
maintenance minder. Replace the
belt at 60,000 miles (100,000 km) if
you regularly drive your vehicle in
one or more of these conditions:
Power Steering Fluid, Timing Belt
Timing Belt
Maint enance
313
T urning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.

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
vehicle to your dealer to have it
replaced.
Your vehicle has halogen high beam
headlight bulbs which is also used
f or the daytime running light.
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.
Your vehicle is equipped with an
automatic headlight adjusting
system that adjusts the vertical aim
of the low beam headlights
automatically. Refer to page for
more inf ormation.
The high beam headlights were
properly aimed when your vehicle
was new. If you regularly carry
heavy items in the trunk or pull a
trailer, readjustment may be
required. Adjustment of the high
beam headlights should be
perf ormed by a dealer or other
mechanic. 108
Lights
Headlight A iming
Replacing a Headlight/Daytime
Running L ight Bulb
314
Halogen bulbs get very hot when lit. Oil,
perspiration, or a scratch on the glass
can cause the bulb to overheat and
shatter.

If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.The operator will load
your vehicle on the back of a truck.
Any other method of towing will
damage the drive system. When you
contact the towing agency, inf orm
them a f lat-bed is required.
Emergency T owing
The only way you can saf ely tow
your vehicle is with f lat-bed
equipment.
360
Towing with only two tires on the
ground will damage parts of the
all-wheel-drive system. Y our vehicle
should be transported on a f lat-bed
truck or trailer.

...........................................
Snow .329
............................
Specif ications .367
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 337
Torque Distribution Monitor .................................
(SH-AWD) .272
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .283
................
Emergency Wrecker . 360
....
Equipment and Accessories . 284
.............................
Weight Limit .283
.............................................
TPMS .277
.............................
Trailer Loading .283
......................
Trailer Towing Tips .287
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .310
...........................
Fluid Selection .310
..............
Identif ication Number . 364
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 265
.....................................
Treadwear .336
.......................................
Trip Meter .70
..............................................
Trunk .117
..................
Emergency Opener . 118
...............................
Opening the .117
.......
Open Monitor Indicator . 13,77
..................................
Turn Signals .104 Unexpected, Taking Care
..........................................
of the .335
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 368
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .248
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 307
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 258
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .366
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 364
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) ....................................
System .281
........
VSA System Indicator . 63,281
...
VSA Activation Indicator . 63,281
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .282
.............................
Vehicle Storage .333
.................................................
VIN .364
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .305
.............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 55....................
Warranty Coverages .379
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level . 310
...................................
Operation .102
Wheels .............
Adjusting the Steering . 111
............
Alignment and Balance . 327
..........................
Compact Spare .336
...............................
Nut Wrench .338
Windows .............................
Auto Reverse .146
................
Operating the Power . 145
.........................
Rear, Def ogger .110
Windshield .....................................
Cleaning .102
...................................
Def roster .165
.....................................
Washers .102
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .323
...................................
Operation .102
........
Summer/Winter Position . 103
....................................
Worn Tires .326
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing . 360
Index
W V UINDEX
IX