2005 Acura RSX trailer

Your vehicle has a trailer lighting
connector located behind the right
side panel in the cargo area. Ref er to
thedrawingaboveforthewiring
color code and purpose of each pin. If you use a converter, you can get
the connector and pins that mate
with the connector in your vehicle
f rom your dealer.
Always use saf ety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and hitch,
and that they cross under the tongue
and can catch the trailer if it
becomes unhitched. Leave enough
slack to allow the trailer to turn
corners easily, but do not let the
chains drag on the ground.
If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electrically actuated.
Do not attempt to tap into your
vehicle’s hydraulic system. No
matter how successf ul it may seem,
any attempt to attach trailer brakes
to your vehicle’s hydraulic system
will lower braking ef f ectiveness and
create a potential hazard. Acura recommends that any trailer
having a total weight of 1,000 lbs
(450 kg) or more be equipped with
its own electric or surge-type brakes.
Towing a Trailer
T railer L ights
Saf et y Chains
Trailer Brakes
150
TAILLIGHT
(RED/YELLOW) LEFT TURN SIGNAL
(GREEN/RED)RIGHT TURN SIGNAL
(GREEN/YELLOW)
GROUND
(BLACK)
BACK UP LIGHT
(GREEN)
BRAKE LIGHT
(WHITE/BLACK)

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.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, take time to practice driving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
discussed below.
Driveslowerthannormalinall
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
If you have an automatic
transmission, use D position when
towing a trailer on level roads.
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.
All weights and loads are within
limits.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive.
Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated, and the trailer
tires and spare are inflated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.
CONT INUED
Towing a Trailer
A ddit ional T owing Equipment
T owing Speeds and GearsDriving Saf ely With a T railer
Pre-T ow Checklist
Driving
151

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 (manual) or D (automatic). Do
not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and remember
it will take longer to slow down and
stop when towing a trailer.
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.
If the automatic transmission shif ts
f requently while going up a hill, shif t
to D .
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 left,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.
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.
3
3
bottom
Towing a Trailer
Making T urns and Braking Driving on Hills Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ingBacking Up
Parking
152

µµ
The maintenance schedule assumes
you will use your vehicle as normal
transportation for passengers and
their possessions. You should also
f ollow these recommendations:
Service your vehicle according to the
time and mileage periods on one of
the Maintenance Schedules on the
f ollowing pages.
Follow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Severe
Conditions if you drive your vehicle
MAINLY 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.
Used primarily as a delivery
vehicle or taxi that is driven
mostly in stop-and-go traf f ic and/
or parked with the engine idling. Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-
iced roads.
If you only drive
under a ‘‘severe’’ condition, you
should f ollow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule.
Avoid exceeding your vehicle’s
load limit. This puts excess stress
on the engine, brakes, and many
other vehicle parts. The load limit
is shown on the tire inf ormation
label on the driver’s doorjamb.
Operate your vehicle on
reasonable roads within the legal
speed limit.
Drive your vehicle regularly over a
distance of several miles
(kilometers).
Always use unleaded gasoline with
theproperoctanerating(seepage
). Trailer towing, driving with a roof
top carrier, or driving in
mountainous conditions.
Follow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Severe
Conditions.
121
OCCASIONALLY
Maintenance Schedule
Which Schedule to Follow
U.S. Owners Canadian Owners
Maint enance
155
NOTE:

Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
cargo area or pull a trailer,
readjustment may be required.
Adjustment should be done by your
dealer or other qualif ied mechanic.Your vehicle uses halogen headlight
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its plastic case 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.
If you need to change the low
beam headlight bulb on the driver’s
side, remove the neck of the
windshield washer reservoir f rom
the bracket by sliding it to the lef t.
1.
Lights
Headlight A iming
Replacing a Headlight BulbReplacing a Low Beam Headlight
Bulb
172
Driver’s side
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.

CONT INUED
If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area to stop
that is far away from the traffic lanes.Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park (automatic)
or Reverse (manual). Apply the
parking brake. If you are towing a
trailer, unhitch the trailer.Turn on the hazard warning lights,
andturntheignitionswitchto
LOCK (0). Have all the
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
Open the hatch. Pull up the f loor
mat and remove the spare tire
cover.
Unscrew the wing bolt.
1. 2.
3.
4.
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
193
TOOL KIT
JACK
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.

....................
Storing Your Vehicle .189
Supplemental Restraint ................................
System .11, 22
......................................
Servicing .27
.........................
SRS Indicator .26 ,52
...................
System Components . 22
..................................
Synthetic Oil .163
Unexpected, Taking Care..........................................
of the .191
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 220
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .121
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 165
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 130
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .218
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 216
.............................
Vehicle Storage .189
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in . 177
Taking Care of the ...............................
Unexpected .191
......................................
Tape Player .98
................
Technical Descriptions . 215
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 220
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 223
..........
State Emissions Testing . 226
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .225
.................................
Tire Labeling .222
.......................
Temperature Gauge .58
..........
Temperature, Inside Sensor . 91
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 40
............................
Thef t Protection .112
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 225..................
Tilt the Steering Wheel . 63
..........................
Time, Setting the .113
....................................
Tire Chains .187
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 193
...............................................
Tires .182
..............................
Air Pressure .183
.........................
Checking Wear .184
..........................
Compact Spare .192
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 220
......................................
Inf lation .182
..................................
Inspection .184
..............................
Maintenance .185
...................................
Replacing .186
......................................
Rotating .185
...........................................
Snow .187
....................
Specif ications .186, 219
................................
Tire Chains .187
..........................
Winter Driving .187
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 193
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .148
................................
Emergency .213
....
Equipment and Accessories . 149
.............................
Weight Limit .148
...........................
Traction Devices .187
.............................
Trailer Loading .148 ......................
Trailer Towing Tips .149
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .167
...........................
Fluid Selection .168
..............
Identif ication Number . 216
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 139
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 136
.....................................
Treadwear .220
.......................................
Trip Meter .57
....................................
Turn Signals .61
Index
T
U
V
VIII