2011 Acura TSX maintenance

259
Checking and Maintaining Tires
Maintenance
Checking TiresTo safely operate your vehicle, your tires must be of the proper type and size, in
good condition with adequate tread, and properly inflated.
Inflation guidelines
Properly inflated tires provide the best combination of handling, tread life, and
comfort. Refer to the driver’s doorjamb label or specification’s page for the
specified pressure.
Underinflated tires wear unevenly, adversely affect handling and fuel economy,
and are more likely to fail from overheating.
Overinflated tires make your vehicle ride harshly, are more prone to road hazard,
and wear unevenly.
Every day before you drive, look at each of the tires. If one looks lower than the
others, check the pressure with a tire gauge.
At least once a month or before long trips, use a gauge to measure the pressure in
all tires, including the spare. Even tires in good condition can lose 1 to 2 psi (10 to
20 kPa, 0.1 to 0.2 kgf/cm
2) per month.
Inspection guidelines
Every time you check inflation, also examine the tires and valve stems.
Look for:
Bumps or bulges on the side or in the tread. Replace the tire if you find any t
cuts, splits, or cracks in the side of the tire. Replace it if you see fabric or cord.
Remove any foreign objects and inspect for air leaks. t
Uneven tread wear. Have your dealer check the wheel alignment. t
Excessive tread wear. t
Wear Indicators

P. 2 6 4
Cracks or other damage around valve stem. t
WARNING
Using tires that are excessively worn or
improperly inflated can cause a crash
in which you can be seriously hurt or
killed.
Follow all instructions in this owner’s
manual regarding tire inflation and
maintenance. Checking Tires
Measure the air pressure when tires are cold. This
means the vehicle has been parked for at least
three hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km).
If necessary, add or release air until the specified
pressure is reached.
If checked when hot, tire pressure can be as mush
as 4 – 6 psi (30 – 40 kPa, 0.3– 0.4 kgf/cm
2) higher
than if checked when cold.
Have a dealer check the tires if you feel a consistent
vibration while driving. New tires and any that have
been removed and reinstalled should be properly
balanced.

Checking and Maintaining Tires
Tire and Loading Information Label
260Maintenance
Tire and Loading Information LabelThe label attached to the driver’s doorjamb provides necessary tire and
loading information.
124
3
Label
Example

  







 
  
Tire SizeFollowing is an example of tire size with
an explanation of what each component
means.
P225/50 R17 93V
P: Vehicle type (P indicates passenger
vehicle).
225: Tire width in millimeters.
50: Aspect ratio (the tire’s section height
as a percentage of its width).
R: Tire construction code (R indicates
radial).
17: Rim diameter in inches.
93: Load index (a numerical code
associated with the maximum load the
tire can carry).
V: Speed symbol (an alphabetical code
indicating the maximum speed rating).
Tire Labeling
The tires that came on your vehicle have
a number of markings. Those you should
be aware of are described below.
Tire Size
Whenever tires are replaced, they should be replaced with tires of the
same size.
Tire and Loading Information LabelThe tire and loading information label
attached to the driver’s doorjamb
contains:1 The number of people your vehicle can
carry.2 The total weight your vehicle can carry.
Do not exceed this weight.3 The original tire sizes for front, rear and
spare.4 The proper cold tire pressure for front,
rear and spare.

Checking and Maintaining Tires
Tire Labeling
261
Maintenance
Tire Identification Number (TIN)
The tire identification number (TIN) is a group of numbers and letters that
look like the example in the side column. TIN is located on the sidewall of
the tire.
Glossary of Tire Terminology
Cold Tire Pressure – The tire air pressure when the vehicle has been
parked for at least three hours or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Load Rating – Means the maximum load that a tire is rated to carry for a
given inflation pressure.
Maximum Inflation Pressure – The maximum tire air pressure that the
tire can hold.
Maximum Load Rating – Means the load rating for a tire at the
maximum permissible inflation pressure for that tire.
Recommended Inflation Pressure – The cold tire inflation pressure
recommended by the manufacturer.
Treadwear Indicators (TWI) – Means the projections within the principal
grooves designed to give a visual indication of the degrees of wear of the
tread.
Tire Identification Number (TIN)DOT B97R FW6X 2209
DOT: This indicates that the tire meets all
requirements of the U.S. Department of
Transportation.
B97R: Manufacturer’s identification mark.
FW6X: Tire type code.
2209: Date of manufacture.
Ye a r
Week

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