2011 Acura TSX brake

Towing a Trailer
Towing Preparation
188Driving
Towing Equipment and Accessories
Towing equipment varies by the size of your trailer, how much load you are
towing, and where you are towing.
Hitches
The hitch must be of an approved type and properly bolted to the underbody. Safety chains
Always use safety chains when you tow a trailer. Leave enough slack to allow the
trailer to turn corners easily, but do not allow the chains to drag on the ground. Trailer brakes
There are two common types of trailer brakes: surge and electric. Surge brakes
are common for boat trailers, since the brakes will get wet. If you choose electric
brakes, be sure they are electronically actuated. Do not attempt to attach trailer
brakes to your vehicle's hydraulic system, as it will lower braking effectiveness and
create a potential hazard. Additional towing equipment
Many states and provinces/territories require special outside mirrors when towing
a trailer. Even if mirrors are not required in your locale, you should install special
mirrors if visibility is restricted in any way. Trailer light
Trailer lights and equipment must comply with federal, state, province/territory,
and local regulations. Check with your local trailer sales or rental agency for the
requirements in the area where you plan to tow.
Towing Equipment and Accessories
Make sure that all equipment is properly installed
and maintained, and that it meets federal, state,
province/territory, and local regulations.
Consult your trailer sales or rental agency if any
other items are recommended or required for your
towing situation.
The lighting and wiring of trailers can vary by type
and brand. If a connector is required, it should only
be installed by a qualified technician.

Towing a Trailer
Driving Safely with a Trailer
189
Continued
Driving
Things You Need To Know Before Towing a TrailerHave the trailer properly serviced and keep it in good condition. t
Make sure that all the weights and load in the vehicle and trailer are within t
limits.
Towing Load Limits

P.1 8 7
Securely attach the hitch, safety chains, and other necessary parts to the trailer. t
Securely store all the items in and on the trailer so that they do not shift while t
driving.
Check if the lights and brakes on the trailer are working properly. t
Check the pressures of the trailer tires, including the spare. t Towing Speeds and GearsDrive slower than normal. t
Obey posted speed limits for vehicles with trailers. t
Automatic transmission models
Use the tD
position when towing a trailer on level roads.
Turning and BrakingTurn more slowly and with a wider turning arc than normal. t
Allow more time and distance for braking. t
Do not brake or turn suddenly. t
Driving Safely with a Trailer
Driving Safely with a Trailer
Parking
In addition to the normal precautions, place wheel
chocks at each of the trailer's tires.

191
Continued
Driving
When DrivingStarting the Engine
1. Make sure the parking brake is applied.
Starting the Engine
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
starting the engine.
The engine is harder to start in cold weather and
in thinner air found at altitudes above 8,000 feet
(2,400 meters).
When starting the engine in cold weather, turn off
all electrical accessories such as the lights, climate
control system, and rear defogger in order to reduce
battery drain.
If exhaust sounds abnormal or you can smell
exhaust gas inside the vehicle, have your vehicle
checked by a dealer. There may be a problem with
the engine or exhaust system.
Automatic transmission models 2. Check that the shift lever is in P
, then
depress the brake pedal.
Although it is possible to start the
vehicle in N
, it is safer to start it in P
.
Manual transmission models 2. Check that the shift lever is in N
. Then
depress the brake pedal with your right
foot, and the clutch pedal with your left
foot.
The clutch pedal must be fully depressed
to start the engine.
Brake Pedal
Brake Pedal Clutch Pedal

192Driving
When Driving
Starting the Engine
3. Turn the ignition switch to START III

without depressing the accelerator pedal.
Starting the Engine
Do not hold the key in START
III
for more than 15
seconds.
If the engine does not start right away, wait for at
tleast 10 seconds before trying again.
If the engine starts, but then immediately stops, twait at least 10 seconds before repeating step 3
while gently depressing the accelerator pedal.
Release the accelerator pedal once the engine
starts.
The immobilizer system protects your vehicle from
theft. If an improperly coded key (or other device) is
used, the engine's fuel system is disabled
Immobilizer System


P. 9 8
Starting to Drive
Automatic transmission models 1. Keeping your right foot on the brake pedal, release the parking brake. Check
that the brake system indicator has gone off.
Parking Brake

P. 2 1 0
2. Put the shift lever in D
. Select R
when reversing.
3. Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator pedal to
pull away.

193
Driving
When Driving
Precautions While Driving
Precautions While Driving
In Rain
Avoid driving in deep water and on flooded roads. This can damage the engine or
cause electrical component failure.
Other Precautions
If there is a strong impact with something under the vehicle, stop in a safe
location. Check the underside of the vehicle for damage any fluid leaks.
Precautions While Driving NOTICE Do not operate the shift lever while pressing
the accelerator pedal. You could damage the
transmission.
If the ignition switch is turned to ACCESSORY
I or
LOCK
0 while driving, the engine will shut down
and all steering and brake power assist functions
will stop, making it difficult to control the vehicle.
Do not put the shift lever in
N
, as you will lose
engine braking (and acceleration) performance.
During the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of operation,
avoid sudden acceleration or full throttle operation
so as to not damage the engine or powertrain.
Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles (300 km).
You should also follow this when the brakes are
replaced.

194Driving
When Driving
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission
Creeping
The following conditions cause the engine to run at high revolutions, and increase
creeping:
Immediately after the engine starts. t
When the climate control system is in use. t
Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed when stopped.
Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator pedal while driving uphill may cause the transmission
to drop to a lower gear, unexpectedly increasing vehicle speed. Depress the
accelerator pedal carefully, especially on slippery roads and curves.

195
Continued
Driving
When Driving
Shifting
Change the shift position in accordance with your driving need.
Shift lever positions
Shifting
You cannot turn the ignition switch to LOCK
0 and
remove the key unless the shift lever is in
P.
The vehicle may move forward very slightly even in
N
while the engine is cold.
Depress the brake pedal firmly and, when necessary,
apply the parking brake.
Auomatic transmission models Shifting
Park
Used when parking or starting the
engine
Reverse
Used when backing up
Neutral
Used when idling
Drive
Used for:
Normal driving (gears change t
between 1st and 5th automatically)
Temporarily driving in the sequential t
mode
Drive (S)
Used for:
Automatically changing gears t
between 1st and 4th (4th gear is
used only at high speed)
Driving in the sequential mode t
P
R
N
D
S

196Driving
When Driving
Shifting
Shift Lever Operation
Shift Lever Operation NOTICE When you change the shift lever from
D
to
R and
vice versa, come to a complete stop and keep the
brake pedal depressed.
Operating the shift lever before the vehicle has
come to a complete standstill can damage the
transmission.
Use the shift lever position indicator to check the
lever position before pulling away.
Whichever position the shift lever is in when driving,
a blinking
D
indicator indicates a transmission
problem.
Avoid sudden acceleration and have the
transmission checked by a dealer as soon as
possible.
The fuel supply may be cut off if you drive at engine
speeds in or over the tachometer red zone (engine
speed limit). If this happens, you may experience a
slight jolt.
It may not be possible to operate the shift lever
if the brake pedal is applied while the shift lever
release button is held down.
Depress the brake pedal first.
Tachometer's red zone
Shift Lever Position Indicator
Depress the brake pedal and
press the shift lever release button to
shift.
Shift without pressing the shift lever
release button.
Press the shift lever release button
and shift.M (Sequential Shift mode) Indicator/
Gear Position Indicator