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Optional Separation Net
The separation net can be used to
hold back soft, lightweight items
stored in the cargo area. Heavy items
should be tied down, as the net may
not prevent them from being thrown
about the vehicle in a crash or a
sudden stop.
Optional Cargo Cover
The cargo cover can be used to cover
the cargo area behind the rear seats.
When the rear seats are folded down,
the cargo cover can be extended over
the larger area. Do not install the
cover over the larger area if the rear
seats are not folded down.Cargo Hooks
To secure cargo, use the four floor
hooks in the cargo area. Make sure
all stored items are secured before
driving.The cargo area carpets are loop-type
construction. If snags occur from
sharp or rough objects, do not pull
the loose threads to remove them.
Cut all loose threads with a scissors
to prevent carpet runs.
CARGO
HOOKS
Carrying Cargo
469
Before Driving
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Your vehicle has been designed
primarily to carry passengers and
their cargo. You can also use it to tow
a trailer if you carefully observe the
load limits, use the proper
equipment, and follow the guidelines
in this section.
If your vehicle is equipped with the
blind spot information system (BSI),
do not use it when towing a trailer.
For more information see page 517.Break-In PeriodAvoid towing a trailer during your
vehicle's first 600 miles (1,000 km)
(see page 454).
Be sure to read theOff-Highway
Driving Guidelines section on page
528 if you plan to tow off paved
surfaces.
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
before starting to drive. Load Limit
Total Trailer WeightThe maximum allowable weight of
the trailer and everything in or on it
must not exceed 1,500 lbs (680 kg).
Towing a load that is too heavy can
seriously affect your vehicle's
handling and performance. It can
also damage the engine and
transmission.
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Tongue LoadThe weight that the tongue of a fully
loaded trailer puts on the hitch
should be approximately 10% of the
total trailer weight.
Too much tongue load reduces front-
tire traction and steering control. Too
little tongue load can make the trailer
unstable and cause it to sway.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.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR)
-The maximum allowable
weight of the vehicle, all occupants,
all accessories, all cargo, and the
tongue load is 5,534 lbs (2,510 kg).
Gross Axle Weight Ratings
(GAWR) -The maximum allowable
weight of the vehicle, all occupants,
all accessories, all cargo, and the
tongue load must not exceed 2,921
lbs (1,325 kg) on the front axle, and
2,679 lbs (1,215 kg) on the rear axle.
Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR) -The maximum allowable
weight of the fully loaded vehicle and
trailer is 6,593 lbs (2990 kg). Checking Loads
The best way to confirm that all 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
manufacturer) 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 first time you set up
a towing combination (a fully loaded
vehicle and trailer), then recheck the
tongue load whenever the conditions
change.
CONTINUED
Towing a Trailer
523
Driving
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Your vehicle has a trailer lighting
connector located under the right
side tool case in the cargo area. Refer
to the drawing above for the wiring
color code and purpose of each pin.Since lighting and wiring vary by
trailer type and brand, you should
have a qualified technician install a
suitable connector between the
vehicle and the trailer. Improper
equipment or installation can cause
damage to your vehicle
’s electrical
system and affect your vehicle
warranty.
Additional Towing EquipmentMany 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.
Ask your trailer sales or rental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required for your
towing situation. Pre-Tow Checklist
When preparing to tow, and before
driving away, be sure to check the
following:
●The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the suspension,
cooling system, and lights are in
good operating condition.●The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.●All weights and loads are within
limits.●The hitch, safety chains, and any
other attachments are secure.●All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shift
while you drive.
+
B TAILLIGHT AND
AUXILIARY LIGHTS
(YELLOW) RIGHT TURN
SIGNAL
(GREEN) LEFT TURN
SIGNAL
(BLUE)
+ B TURN/STOP
(WHITE)
STOP LIGHT SIGNAL
(LIGHT GREEN) TAILLIGHT
SIGNAL
(PINK)
CONTINUED
Towing a Trailer
525
Driving
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●The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.●Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inflated, and the trailer
tires and spare are inflated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.●You may want to fill the fuel tank
with premium fuel. Premium fuel
provides improved performance.Driving Safely With a Trailer
The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will affect your
vehicle's handling and performance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
For your safety and the safety of
others, take time to practice driving
maneuvers before heading for the
open road, and follow the guidelines
in this section.
Towing Speeds and GearsDrive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits for vehicles with trailers.
Use the D position when towing a
trailer on level roads. See
‘‘
Driving on
Hills
’’ in the next column for
additional gear information. Do not
exceed 55 mph (88 km/h). At higher
speeds, the trailer may sway or affect
vehicle handling.
Making Turns and BrakingMake turns more slowly and wider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
can hit or run over something the
vehicle misses.
Allow more time and distance for
braking. Do not brake or turn
suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknife or turn over.
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Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on top of the valve cover. Pour
in the oil slowly and carefully so you
do not spill. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Reinstall the engine oil fill cap, and
tighten it securely. Wait a few
minutes, and recheck the oil level on
the engine oil dipstick. Do not fill
above the upper mark; you could
damage the engine.Recommended Engine Oil
Oil is a major contributor to your
engine's performance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 5W-20
detergent oil displaying the API
Certification Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute's latest requirements. It is
highly recommended that you use
Acura motor oil in your vehicle.
Make sure the API Certification Seal
says
‘‘For Gasoline Engines. ’’
The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container's label.
5W-20 oil is formulated for year-
round protection of your vehicle to
improve cold weather starting and
fuel economy.
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
Ambient Temperature
CONTINUED
Adding Engine Oil
545
Maintenance
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Synthetic Oil
You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given for a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certification Seal
and it is the proper weight. You must
follow the oil and filter change
intervals shown on the multi-
information display.
Engine Oil Additives
Your vehicle does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
affect the engine or transmission
performance and durability.Changing the Engine Oil and
Filter
Always change the oil and filter
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the multi-
information display. The oil and filter
collect contaminants that can
damage your engine if they are not
removed regularly.
Changing the oil and filter requires
special tools and access from
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lift for this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
1. Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
2. Open the hood, and remove theengine oil fill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer from the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.
WASHER
DRAIN BOLT
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The floor mats that came with your
vehicle hook over the floor mat
anchors. This keeps the floor mats
from sliding forward (possibly
interfering with the pedals) or
backwards (making the front
passenger's weight sensors
ineffective).
To lock or unlock each anchor, turn
the knob.
If you remove a floor mat, make sure
to re-anchor it when you put it back
in your vehicle.
If you use a non-Acura floor mat,
make sure it fits properly and that it
can be used with the floor mat
anchors. Do not put additional floor
mats on top of the anchored mats.
Make sure the rear floor mats are
also properly hooked. If not, the floor
mat will prevent the seat operation
and make the front passenger's
weight sensors ineffective.The floor mat carpets are loop-type
construction. If snags occur from
sharp or rough objects, do not pull
the loose threads to remove them.
Cut all loose threads with a scissors
to prevent carpet runs.
Front
FLOOR MAT ANCHORS
Unlock
Lock
Lock Unlock
FLOOR MAT ANCHOR
Rear
Floor Mats
563
Maintenance
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