2007 Acura TL emergency towing

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation 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 f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .312
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .313
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start . 318
................................
Jump Starting .320
..............
If the Engine Overheats . 322
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 324
..........
Charging System Indicator . 324
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 325
...............
Brake System Indicator . 326
..............................................
Fuses .327
..............................
Fuse Locations .329
......................
Emergency Towing .331
..........
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck . 332
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
311
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In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even faster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position, but the engine does not run.
Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page ).
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Refer to
on page . There
may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
fuel pump. Check all the fuses
(see page ). Ifyoufindnothingwrong,youwill
need
a qualified technician to find
the problem. See
on page .
Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the warning indicator may
not be working.
63
247 327
331
If theEngineWon’tStart
T he Starter Operates Normally
Starting the
Engine Emergency
Towing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
319
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If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running, and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading,
the engine should start to cool
down almost immediately. If it
does, wait until the temperatu re
gauge comes down to the midpoint,
then continue driving.
The
pointer of the vehicle’s
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange. If it climbs to the red
mark, you should determine the
reason (hot day, driving up a steep
hill, etc.).
If the vehicle overheats, you should
take immediate action. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming from under the hood. If
the temperatu re gauge stays at
the red mark, turn off the engine.
Look for any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (see on page ).
If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine. Wait until you see
no more signs of steam or spray,
then open the hood. Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in neutral
(M/T) or Park (A/T), and set the
parking brake. Turn of f all
accessories, and turn on the
hazard warning indicators.
1.
2. 3.
4.
5.
331
If theEngineOverheats
Emergency
Towing
322
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to the engine.
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Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and check
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (see
on page ).
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
Using
gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the first stop. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.
If
you don’t find an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark
(see on
page ).
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator. Start the engine, and set the
interior temperature to maximum.
Add coolant to the radiator up to
the base of the f iller neck. If you
do not have the proper coolant
mixture available, you can add
plain water. Remember to have
the cooling system drained and
ref illed with the proper mixture as
soon as you can.
8. 9.
7.
11. 10.
6.
286
331
If theEngineOverheats
Emergency
Towing
A dding Engine CoolantT aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
323
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
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µµThe operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck.
The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (f ront or rear) and lif t
them of f the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground.
If , due to damage, your vehicle must
be towed with the f ront wheels on
the ground, do this: Release the parking brake.
Shif t the transmission to neutral.
If your vehicle is equipped with a
f ront spoiler, remove it bef ore
towing so it is not damaged.
Therearetwowaystotowyour
vehicle:
Release the parking brake.
Start the engine.
ShifttoD,thentoN.
Turn of f the engine.
With the f ront wheels on the ground,
it is best to tow the vehicle no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the
speedbelow35mph(55km/h). If you decide to tow your vehicle
with all f our wheels on the ground,
make sure you use a properly-
designed and attached tow bar.
Prepare the vehicle for towing as
described above, and leave the
ignition switched in the
ACCESSORY (I) position so the
steering wheel does not lock. Make
sure the radio and any items plugged
into the accessory power socket are
turned of f so they do not run down
the battery.
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.
Manual transmission:
Automatic transmission:
CONT INUED
Emergency Towing
Flat -bed Equipment
Wheel-lif t Equipment
T his is the best way to
transport your vehicle.
T his is
an acceptable way to tow your
vehicle.
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
331
Trying to lif t or tow your vehicle by the
bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to
support the vehicle’s weight.
Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shif t the transmission or start the
engine (automatic transmission), your
vehicle must be transported with the
f ront wheels of f the ground.
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For very short distances, such as
freeing the vehicle, you can use the
detachable towing hook that mounts
on the anchor in the front bumper.
If
your vehicle gets stuck in sand,
mud, or snow, call a towing service
to pull it out (see page ).
To use the towing hook: Remove the cover f rom the bumper by pushing the lower part
of the cover with your f inger.
Remove the towing hook, hook
extension, and wheel nut wrench
f rom the tool case in the spare tire.
Using the wheel nut wrench,
fasten the extension into the bolt
hole.
3.
1. 2.
331
Emergency Towing, If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
332
The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in the ACCESSORY (I)
position, and make sure the steering
wheel turns f reely bef ore you begin
towing.
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CONT INUED
..................
Checking the Fuses . 327
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers . 90
......
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck . 332
............................
Jump Starting .320
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 324
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 325
..................
Overheated Engine . 322
.......................................
Towing .331
.........................
Emergency Brake .117
......................
Emergency Flashers .90
......................
Emergency Towing .331
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 98
.......................
Emissions Controls .345
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 348
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 65
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp . 59, 325
.........................................
Oil Lif e .72
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 59, 324
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 283
...............................
Overheating .322
............................
Specif ications .338
....................
Speed Limiter . 251, 258
..............................
Starting . 247, 248
.................
Engine, if it won’t start . 318......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .235
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 345
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .52
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .16
...................................
Fan, Interior .128
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .125
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 235
........................................
Filter, Oil .284
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 90
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 313
.....................................
Floor Mats .300
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 288
..........................................
Brake . 291
.........................................
Clutch .291
..............
Manual Transmission . 290
..........................
Power Steering .292
................
Windshield Washers . 287
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception . 178
........................................
Fog Lights . 89 ..........................
Four-way Flashers .90
..............................
Front Airbags . 9, 24
....................................
Front Seats .103
....................................
Adjusting .103
.......................................
Heaters .111
.....................................
Airbags . 9, 24
.................................................
Fuel .234
......................
Fill Door and Cap .235
...........................................
Gauge .65
................
Octane Requirement . 234
........................
Reserve Indicator .63
........................
Tank, Filling the .235
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .327
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 239
.........................................
Gasoline .234
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 63
...........................................
Gauge .65
................
Octane Requirement . 234
........................
Tank, Filling the .235
................
Gas Station Procedures . 235
Index
F
G
INDEX
III
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Î
Unexpected, Taking Care..........................................
of the .311
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 340........................
Unleaded Gasoline .234
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 285
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 243
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .338
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 336
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) ....................................
System .264
........
VSA System Indicator . 61, 264
...
VSA Activation Indicator . 61, 264
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .265
.............................
Vehicle Storage .309
.................................................
VIN .336
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .283
.............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 53
..................
Warranty Coverages .353
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level . 287
.....................................
Operation .85
..........................
Time, Setting the .116
....................................
Tire Chains .307
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 313
Tire Pressure Monitoring ....................................
System .266
Low Tire Pressure ...........................
Indicator . 64, 266
.....
TPMS System Indicator . 68, 269
..............
TPMS System Failure . 269
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ...................................
Messages .268
...............................................
Tires .302
..............................
Air Pressure .303
.........................
Checking Wear .304
..........................
Compact Spare .312
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 340
......................................
Inf lation .303
..................................
Inspection .304
...................................
Replacing .306
......................................
Rotating .305
...........................................
Snow .307
............................
Specif ications .339
.............................
Summer Tire .307
.......................
Traction Devices .307
..........................
Winter Driving .307
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 313Towing
.....................................
A Trailer .270
................
Emergency Wrecker . 331
...........................
Traction Devices .307
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .288
.
Checking Fluid Level Manual . 290
..................
Fluid Selection . 288, 290
..............
Identif ication Number . 336
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 253
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 250
.....................................
Treadwear .340
................................
Trip Computer .73
.......................................
Trip Meter .70
................................................
Trunk .97
........
Emergency Trunk Release . 98
.................................
Opening the .97
...................
Open Monitor Light . 68
....................................
Turn Signals .86
Index
U V
W
VIII
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