2008 HONDA ACCORD SEDAN towing

This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
If it comes on while driving, it
indicates that one or more of your
vehicle’s tires are signif icantly low
on pressure.
If this happens, pull to the side of the
road when it is saf e, check which tire
has lost the pressure, and determine
the cause. If it is because of a flat tire,
replace the flat tire with the compact
spare (see page ), and have the
f lat tire repaired as soon as possible.
If two or more tires are underinf lated,
call a prof essional towing service
(see page ). For more
inf ormation, see page .This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
If this indicator comes on and stays
on at any other time, or if it does not
come on when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position, there
is a problem with the TPMS. With
this indicator on, the low tire
pressure indicator will not come on
when a tire loses pressure. Take the
vehicle to your dealer to have the
system checked.
While the engine is operating in its
most economical range, this
indicator may come on and stay on.
357
379 295All V6 models
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (T PMS) Indicator
Low Tire Pressure
Indicator Fuel Economy Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols
59
\f—\f—
y


y
)\f\f\fy\f\fy
2008 Accord Sedan

µµ·
The maximum load f or your vehicle
is 850 lbs (385 kg).
Label Example
See Tire And Loading Inf ormation
label attached to the driver’s
doorjamb.
This f igure includes the total weight
of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if
you are towing a trailer. Steps f or Determining Correct Load
Limit
Locate the statement ‘‘The
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX
kg or XXX lbs.’’ on your vehicle’s
placard.
Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers f rom
XXX kg or XXX lbs. The resulting f igure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For
example, if the ‘‘XXX’’ amount
equals 1,400 lbs. and there will be
f ive 150 lb. passengers in your
vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs.
(1,400 750 (5 150) = 650 lbs.)
Determine the combined weight
of luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may
not saf ely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load f rom your trailer will
be transf erred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle.
(1)
(2)
(3) (4)
(5)
(6)
Load Limits
Carrying Cargo
274
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.
\f—\f—
y

y
)\f\f\fy\fy
2008 Accord Sedan

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
manual and automatic transmissions.
It also includes important
information on parking your vehicle,
the braking system, the vehicle
stability assist (VSA) system, the tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS),
and f acts you need if you are
planning to tow a trailer.........................
Preparing to Drive .280
.......................
Starting the Engine .281
...................
Manual Transmission .282
..............
Automatic Transmission .284
...........................................
Parking .289
.............................
Braking System .290
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) .291
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
........................................
System .293
Tire Pressure Monitoring ........................
System (TPMS) .295
...........................
Towing a Trailer .298
Driving
Driving
279
\f—\f—
y


y
)\f\f\fy\fy
2008 Accord Sedan

µ
µ
µ µ
To shif t to second,
pressthereleasebuttononthefront
of the shif t lever. This position locks
the transmission in second gear. It
does not downshif t to f irst gear
when you come to a stop.
Use second gear:
For more power when climbing.
To increase engine braking when
going down steep hills.
For starting out on a slippery
surf ace or in deep snow.
To help reduce wheel spin.
When driving downhill with a
trailer.
Use this position f or
your normal driving. The
transmission automatically selects a
suitable gear (1 through 5) f or your
speed and acceleration. You may
notice the transmission shif ting up at
higher engine speeds when the
engine is cold. This helps the engine
warm up f aster.
This position is
similar to D, except only the f irst
three gears are selected. Use D3
when towing a trailer in hilly terrain,
or to provide engine braking when
going down a steep hill. D3 can also
keep the transmission f rom cycling
between third and f ourth gears in
stop-and-go driving. To shif t f rom second to
first, press the release button on the
f ront of the shif t lever. This position
locks the transmission in f irst gear.
By upshif ting and downshif ting
through 1, 2, D3, and D, you can
operate this transmission much like
a manual transmission without a
clutch pedal.
Automatic Transmission
Second (2)
Drive (D)
Drive (D3) First (1)
286
\f—\f—
y


y
)\f\f\fy\f
y
2008 Accord Sedan

The
maximum allowable weight of the
trailer and everything in or on it
must not exceed 1,000 lbs (450 kg).
Towing a load that is too heavy
can seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and perf ormance. It can
also damage the engine and
drivetrain.
Your vehicle has been designed
primarily to carry passengers and
their cargo. You can also use it to
tow a trailer if you caref ully observe
the load limits, use the proper
equipment, and f ollow the guidelines
in this section.
Avoid towing a trailer during your
vehicle’s f irst 600 miles (1,000 km)
(see page ).
260
Towing a Trailer
Load Limits
T otal T railer Weight:
Break-In Period
298
Exceeding any load limit or
improperly loading your vehicle
and trailer can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously hurt
or killed.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
beforestartingtodrive.
\f—\f—
y


y
)\f\f\fy\f\fy
2008 Accord Sedan

The maximum allowable weight of
the vehicle, all occupants, all
accessories, all cargo, and the
tongue load is:
To achieve a proper tongue load,
start by loading 60% of the load
toward the front of the trailer and
40% toward the rear, then re-adjust
the load as needed.
Theweightthatthe
tongue of a f ully-loaded trailer puts
on the hitch should be approximately
10% of the total trailer weight. Too
much tongue load reduces f ront-tire
traction and steering control. Too
little tongue load can make the
trailer unstable and cause it to sway.
CONT INUED
EX and EX-L:
V6 models: EX and EX-L:
V6 models:
LX and LX-P: LX and LX-P:
Towing a Trailer
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR):
Tongue Load: U.S. modelsCanadian models
Driving
299
4,575 lbs (2,075 kg)
4,431 lbs (2,010 kg)
4,299 lbs (1,950 kg)1,970 kg
2,030 kg
2,090 kg
\f—\f—
y

y
)\f\f\fy\f\fy
2008 Accord Sedan

Thebestwaytoconfirmthatall
loads are within limits is to check
them at a public scale. For public
scales in your area, check your local
phone book, or contact your trailer
dealer or rental agency for
assistance.
If you cannot get to a public scale,
you can estimate the total trailer
weight by adding the weight of your
trailer (as quoted by the
manuf acturer) with everything in or
on the trailer.
If you normally pull the same load
each time you tow a trailer, you can
use a suitable scale or a special
tongue load gauge to check the
tongue load the f irst time you set up
a towing combination (a f ully loaded
vehicle and trailer), then recheck the
tongue load whenever the conditions
change.
The maximum allowable weight at
the vehicle axles is:
on the f ront axle
on the rear axle
on the f ront axle
on the rear axle
on the f ront axle
on the rear axle on the f ront axle
on the rear axle
on the rear axle
on the f ront axle
on the rear axle
on the f ront axle
EX and EX-L:
V6 models: EX and EX-L:
V6 models:
LX and LX-P:
LX and LX-P:
Towing a Trailer
Checking L oads
Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GA WR): Canadian models
U.S. models
300
2,017 lbs (915 kg)
2,337 lbs (1,060 kg)
2,403 lbs (1,090 kg)
2,061 lbs (935 kg)
2,557 lbs (1,160 kg)
2,061 lbs (935 kg) 1,065 kg
920 kg
1,095 kg
950 kg
1,175 kg
950 kg
\f—\f—
y

y
)\f\f\fy\f\fy
2008 Accord Sedan

If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electronically 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.
Seeyourtrailerdealerorrental
agency f or more inf ormation on
installing electric brakes.
Honda requires that any trailer with
a total weight of 1,000 lbs (450 kg) or
more be equipped with its own
electric or surge-type brakes.
Towing can require a variety of
equipment, depending on the size of
your trailer, how it will be used, how
much load you are towing, and
where you tow. Any hitch used on your vehicle must
be properly bolted to the underbody.
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.
Discuss your needs with your trailer
sales or rental agency, and f ollow the
guidelines in this section. Also make
sure that all equipment is properly
installed and maintained, and that it
meets f ederal, state, province, and
local regulations.
CONT INUED
Towing a Trailer
Trailer Brakes
Hitches
Saf et y ChainsT owing Equipment and
A ccessories
Driving
301
\f—\f—
y

\fy
)\f\f\fy\f\fy
2008 Accord Sedan