2011 Acura TSX tires

Checking and Maintaining Tires
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
262Maintenance
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)The tires on your vehicle meet all U.S. Federal Safety Requirements. All
tires are also graded for treadwear, traction, and temperature performance
according to Department of Transportation (DOT) standards. The following
explains these gradings.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire sidewall between
tread shoulder and maximum section width.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the
tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government
test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
(1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire graded 100. The
relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their
use, however, and may depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in road characteristics
and climate.
Uniform Tire Quality GradingFor example:
Treadwear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A
All passenger car tires must conform to
Federal Safety Requirements in addition
to these grades.

Checking and Maintaining Tires
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
263
Maintenance
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the
tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
Trac tionWarning: The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics. TemperatureWarning: The temperature grade for
this tire is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and
possible tire failure.

Checking and Maintaining Tires
Wear Indicators
264Maintenance
Tire Service LifeThe life of your tires is dependent on many factors, including driving habits, road
conditions, vehicle loading, inflation pressure, maintenance history, speed, and
environmental conditions (even when the tires are not in use).
In addition to regular inspections and inflation pressure maintenance, it is
recommended that you have annual inspections performed once the tires reach
five years old. All tires, including the spare, should be removed from service after
10 years from the date of manufacture, regardless of their condition or state of
wear.
Checking TiresHigh speed driving
We recommend that you do not drive faster than
the posted speed limits and conditions allow. If you
drive at sustained high speeds (over 118 mph or
190 km/h), adjust the tire pressures as shown below
to avoid excessive heat build up and sudden tire
failure. 6-cylinder models Tire Size P235/45R18 94V
Pressure 35 psi (240 kPa, 2.4 kgf/cm
2)
4-cylinder models Tire Size P225/50R17 93V
Pressure 35 psi (240 kPa, 2.4 kgf/cm
2)
If you do not, excessive heat can build up and cause
sudden tire failure.
The groove where the wear indicator is
located is 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) shallower than
elsewhere on the tire. If the tread has worn
so that the indicator is exposed, replace the
tire. Worn out tires have poor traction on
wet roads.
Wear Indicators
Example of a
Wear Indicator mark

Checking and Maintaining Tires
Tire and Wheel Replacement
265
Maintenance
Tire and Wheel Replacement
Tire and Wheel Replacement
Replace your tires with radials of the same size, load range, speed rating, and
maximum cold tire pressure rating (as shown on the tire’s sidewall). Using tires of a
different size or construction can cause the ABS and VSA
® (vehicle stability assist)
system to work incorrectly.
It is best to replace all four tires at the same time. If that isn’t possible, replace the
front or rear tires in pairs.
If you replace a wheel, only use TPMS specified wheels approved for your vehicle.
Make sure that the wheel’s specifications match those of the original wheels.
WARNING
Installing improper tires on your vehicle
can affect handling and stability. This can
cause a crash in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of tires
recommended in this owner’s manual.

Checking and Maintaining Tires
Tire Rotation
266Maintenance
Tire RotationRotating tires according to the maintenance messages on the multi-information
display helps to distribute wear more evenly and increase tire life.
Tires without rotation marks
Rotate the tires as shown here.
Rotate the tires as shown here. Tires with rotation marks
Tire Rotation
Tires with directional tread patterns should only
be rotated front to back (not from one side to the
other).
Directional tires should be mounted with the
rotation indication mark facing forward, as shown
below.FRONT
Direction Mark
When the tires are rotated, make sure the air
pressures are checked. Front
Front

Checking and Maintaining Tires
Winter Tires
267
Maintenance
Winter TiresIf driving on snowy or frozen roads, mount all season marked ”M+S” tires, snow
tires, or tire chains; reduce speed; and maintain sufficient distance between
vehicles when driving.
Be particularly careful when operating the steering wheel or brakes to prevent
skidding.
Use tire chains, snow tires, or all season tires when necessary or according to the
law.
When mounting, refer to the following points.
For winter tires:
Select the size and load ranges that are the same as the original tires. t
Mount the tires to all four wheels. t
For tire chains:
Install them on the front tires only. Because your vehicle has limited tire t
clearance, Acura strongly recommends using the chains listed below:
4-cylinder models Cable-type: SCC Radial Chain SC1034 6-cylinder models Cable-type: SCC Radial Chain SC1038 Follow the chain manufacturer’s instruction when installing. Mount them as t
tightly as you can.
Check that the chains do not touch the brake lines or suspension. t
Drive slowly. t
Winter Tires NOTICE Traction devices that are the wrong size or
improperly installed can damage your vehicle's
brake lines, suspension, body, and wheels. Stop
driving if they are hitting any part of the vehicle.
When tire chains are mounted, follow the chain
manufacturer's instructions regarding vehicle
operational limits.
WARNING
Using the wrong chains, or not properly
installing chains, can damage the brake
lines and cause a crash in which you can
be seriously injured or killed.
Follow all instructions in this owner's
manual regarding the selection and use of
tire chains.

277
If a Tire Goes Flat
Continued
Handling the Unexpected
If a tire goes flat while driving, grasp the steering wheel firmly, and brake gradually
to reduce speed. Then, stop in a safe place. Replace the flat tire with the compact
spare tire. Go to a dealer as soon as possible to have the full size tire repaired or
replaced.
1. Park the vehicle on firm, level, and non-slippery ground. Automatic transmission models 2. Put the shift lever in P
.
Manual transmission models 2. Put the shift lever in R
.
All models 3. Set the parking brake.
4. Turn on the hazard warning lights and turn the ignition switch to LOCK 0
.
Changing a Flat Tire
Periodically check the tire pressure of the compact
spare. It should be set to the specified pressure.
Specified Pressure: 60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kgf/cm
2)
When driving with the compact spare tire, keep
the vehicle speed under 50 mph (80 km/h). Replace
with a full size tire as soon as possible.
The compact spare tire and wheel in your vehicle
are specifically for this model.
Do not use them with another vehicle.
Do not use another type of compact spare tire or
wheel with your vehicle.
Do not mount tire chains on a compact spare tire.
If a chain-mounted front tire goes flat, remove one
of the full-size rear tires and replace it with the
compact spare tire. Remove the flat front tire and
replace it will the full size tire that was removed
from the rear. Mount the tire chains on the front
tire.
Do not use a puncture-repairing agent on a flat tire,
as it can damage the tire pressure sensor.
Changing a Flat Tire

Indicator, Coming On/Blinking
If the Low Tire Pressure/ TPMS Indicator Comes On or Blinks
293
Handling the Unexpected
Reasons for the indicator to come on or blink
A tire pressure is significantly low. If there is a problem with the TPMS
or the compact spare tire is installed, the indicator blinks for about one
minute, and then stays on. What to do when the indicator comes on
Stop your vehicle in a safe place. Check the tire pressure and adjust the
pressure to the specified level. The specified tire pressure is on a label
on the driver side doorjamb. What to do when the indicator blinks
Have the tire inspected by a dealer as soon as possible. If the compact
spare tire has triggered the indicator to blink, change the tire to a full
size tire. The indicator goes off after a while.
If the Low Tire Pressure/ TPMS Indicator Comes On or Blinks NOTICE Driving on an extremely underinflated tire can cause
it to overheat. An overheated tire can fail. Always
inflate your tires to the prescribed level.
If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator Comes On
or Blinks