Page 401 of 562
In addition, the total weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, accessories,
cargo, and trailer tongue load must
not exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) or the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). Both
areonalabelonthedriver’s
doorjamb.
Example 2 Example 1
Example 3
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
395
Passenger Weight
150lbsx4=600lbs
(68kgx4=272kg)
Passenger Weight
150lbsx5=750lbs
(68kgx5=340kg)
Max Load 850 lbs
(385 kg)
Max Load 850 lbs
(385 kg) Passenger Weight
150lbsx2=300lbs
(68kgx2=136kg) Cargo Weight
550 lbs
(249 kg)
Cargo Weight
250 lbs
(113 kg)
Cargo Weight
100 lbs
(45 kg)
Max Load 850 lbs
(385 kg)
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Page 402 of 562
Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.
Do not put any items on top of the
rear shelf . They can block your
view and be thrown around the
vehicle during a crash.
Be sure items placed on the f loor
behind the f ront seats cannot roll
underneath and interf ere with the
proper operation of the seats, the
sensors under the seats, or the
driver’s ability to operate the
pedals.Distribute cargo evenly on the
f loor of the trunk, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as far forward as possible.
If you carry large items that
prevent you f rom closing the trunk
lid, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility of
, f ollow the instructions
on page .
If you carry any items on a roof
rack,besurethetotalweightof
the rack and the items does not
exceed 121 lbs (55 kg).
If you use an accessory roof rack,
the roof rack weight limit may be
lower. Ref er to the inf ormation
that came with your roof rack.
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop.
Keep all cargo below the bottom
of the windows. If it is higher, it
could interf ere with the proper
operation of the side curtain
airbags. 56
Carrying Items in the Passenger
Compartment
Carrying Cargo in the T runk or on
a Roof Rack
carbon monoxide
poisoning
Carrying Cargo
396
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Page 443 of 562
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.The weight that
the tongue of a f ully-loaded trailer
puts on the hitch should be
approximately 10 percent of the
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.
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.
Avoid towing a trailer during your
vehicle’s f irst 600 miles (1,000 km)
(see page ).
382
CONT INUED
Load Limits
Tongue Load:
T otal T railer Weight:
Towing a Trailer
Break-In Period
Driving
437
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.
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Page 444 of 562
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.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:
The maximum allowable weight of
the vehicle, all occupants, all
accessories, all cargo, and the
tongue load is: on the f ront axle
on the rear axle
on the f ront axle
on the rear axle
Towing a Trailer
Checking L oads
Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GA WR):
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR): U.S. models
U.S. models
Canadian models Canadian models
438
2,690 lbs (1,220 kg)
5,050 lbs (2,290 kg) 2,400 lbs (1,089 kg)
2,290 kg 1,225 kg
1,085 kg
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Page 446 of 562
Many states and Canadian
provinces/territories 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.When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the suspension and
the cooling system are in good
operating condition.
Askyourtrailersalesorrental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required f or your
towing situation. The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.
Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated, and the trailer
tires and spare are inflated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.
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.
Pre-T ow Checklist
A ddit ional T owing Equipment
Towing a Trailer
440
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Page 447 of 562
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.Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
Use the D position when towing a
trailer on level roads. See ‘‘
’’ in the next column f or
additional gear inf ormation. Do not
exceed 55 mph (88 km/h). At higher
speeds, the trailer may sway or
af f ect vehicle handling.
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 you must stop when f acing uphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
place by pressing on the accelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed, and shif t down to S
position, or use the paddle shif ters to
the lower gear (3, 2 or 1) in the S
position. When towing a trailer, do
not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and remember,
it will take longer to slow down and
stop when towing a trailer.
CONT INUED
Driving Saf ely With a T railer
Towing a Trailer
Driving on
Hills
T owing Speeds and Gears
Making T urns and Braking Driving on Hills
Driving
441
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Page 464 of 562
Install the engine oil f ill cap, and
tighten it securely. Wait a f ew
minutes, and recheck the oil level.
Do not f ill above the upper mark; you
could damage the engine. Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on top of the valve cover.
Pour in the oil slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spills immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment.Oil is a major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 5W-20
detergent oil displaying the API
Certif ication Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements.
Acura Motor Oil is the pref erred
5W-20 lubricant f or your vehicle. It is
highly recommended that you use
Acura Motor Oil in your vehicle f or
optimum engine protection. Make
sure the API Certif ication Seal says
‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’
The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your vehicle to
improve cold weather starting and
f uel economy.
Recommended Engine Oil
A dding Engine Oil
458
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
Ambient Temperature
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Page 465 of 562
Your vehicle does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect the engine or transmission
perf ormance and durability.Open the hood, and remove the
engine oil f ill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer f rom the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.
Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
Always change the oil and f ilter
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the multi-
inf ormation display. The oil and f ilter
collect contaminants that can
damage your engine if they are not
removed regularly.
You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certif ication Seal
and it is the proper weight. You must
f ollow the oil and f ilter change
intervals shown on the multi-
inf ormation display.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lif t f or this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
technician.
1.2.
CONT INUED
Synthetic Oil
Engine Oil A dditivesChanging the Engine Oil and
Filter
A dding Engine Oil, Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
Maint enance
459
OIL DRAIN BOLT WASHER
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