2014 HONDA ACCORD towing

uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
424Driving
Towing equipment varies by the size of your trailer, how mu ch 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
1 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.

425
uuTowing a Trailer uDriving Safely with a Trailer
Continued
Driving
Driving Safely with a Trailer• Have the trailer properly serviced and keep it in good condition.
• Make sure that all the weights and load in the vehicle and trailer are within limits.
2 Towing Load Limits P. 423
•Securely attach the hitch, safety chains, and other necessary parts to the trailer.
• Securely store all the items in and on the trailer so that they do not shift while
driving.
• Check if the lights and brakes on the trailer are working properly.
• Check the pressures of the trailer tires, including the spare.
• Drive slower than normal.
• Obey posted speed limits for vehicles with trailers.
• Use the
(D
position when towing a trailer on level roads.
• Turn more slowly and with a wider turning arc than normal.
• Allow more time and distance for braking.
• Do not brake or turn suddenly.
■
Things You Need To Know Before Towing a Trailer
■
Towing Speeds and Gears
■
Turning and Braking
1Driving Safely with a Trailer
Parking
In addition to the normal precautions, place wheel
chocks at each of the trailer's tires.
Automatic transmission/CVT models

426
uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Your Vehicle
Driving
• Monitor your temperature gauge. If it nears the red (Hot) mark, turn off the
heating and cooling system
*/climate control system
* and reduce speed. Pull to the
side of the road safely to cool down the engine if necessary.
• Shift to the
(S
position if the transmission shifts frequently.
Towing Your VehicleYour vehicle is not designed to be towed behind a motor home. If your vehicle needs
to be towed in an emergency, refer to the emergency towing information.
2 Emergency Towing P. 567
■
Driving in Hilly Terrain
Automatic transmission models* Not available on all models

441
uuWhen Driving uShifting
Continued
Driving
ShiftingChange the shift position in accordance with your driving needs.■
Shift lever positionsAutomatic transmission models
1Shifting
You cannot change the power mode from ON to
VEHICLE OFF (LOCK) 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.
When shifting gears in extremely low temperatures
(-22°F/-30°C), there may be a short delay before the
shift is indicated in the display. Always confirm you
are in the correct gear before driving.
Reverse
Used when reversingDrive
Used for normal driving (gears change
between 1st and 6th automatically)Park
Used when parking or starting the engine
Neutral
Used when idling
Release ButtonDrive (S)●Automatically changing gears between
1st and 5th (5th gear is used only at
high speed)●Used when towing a trailer in hilly
terrain●Used to increase engine braking

461
uuWhen Driving uForward Collision Warning (FCW)
*
Driving
FCW may not activate or may not detec t a vehicle in front of your vehicle, and may activate even when you are aware of a vehicl e ahead
of you, or when there is no vehicle ahead under the following conditions.■
FCW Limitations
Condition
Models with multi-
information display
Models with
information display
●
The distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you is too short.
●
A vehicle cuts in front of you at a slow speed, and it brakes suddenly.
●
A vehicle suddenly crosses in front of you.
●
When either your vehicle or the vehicle ahead of you accelerates rapidly.
●
The vehicle ahead of you is a motorcycle, a small vehicle, or a unique vehicle such as a tractor.
●
When you drive off-road or on a mountain road, or curved and winding road for an extended period that
makes it difficult for the sensor/camera to properly detect a vehicle in front of you.
●
When there are pe destrians or animals in front of your vehicle.
●
When you drive in bad weather (rain, fog, etc.).
●
A heavy load in the rear or modifications to the suspension tilts your vehicle.
●
An abnormal tire condition is detected (wrong tire size, flat tire, etc.).


●
When the windshield is blocked by dirt, mud, leaves, wet snow, etc.
●
When the temperature inside the system is high.
●
A sudden change between light and dark such as an entrance or exit of a tunnel.
●
You drive into the sunlight (e.g. at dawn or dusk).
●
When the windshield is dirty or cloudy.
●
When streetlights are perceived as the taillight of a vehicle in front of yours.
●
When driving at night, the vehicle ahead of you is running with either taillight bulb burned out.
●
When you drive in the shadows of trees, buildings, etc.
●
When your vehicle is towing a trailer.
—

●
When the radar sensor cover is blocked by dirt, mud, leaves, wet snow, etc.
●
You drive under a low or narrow bridge at high speed.
●
You drive over speed bumps, steel road plates, etc., or your vehicle approaches train tracks or roadside
objects (such as a traffic sign and guard rail) on a curve.

—

465
uuWhen Driving uLane Departure Warning (LDW)
*
Driving
LDW may not activate or may not rec ognize lanes, and may activate even when
keeping in the middle of a lane under the following conditions.■
LDW Limitations
Condition
●
When you drive in bad weather (rain, fog, etc.).
●
A heavy load in the rear or modifications to the suspension tilts your vehicle.
●
An abnormal tire condition is detected (wrong tire size, flat tire, etc.).
●
When the windshield is blocked by dirt, mud, leaves, wet snow, etc.
●
When the temperature inside the system is high.
●
A sudden change between light and dark such as an entrance or exit of a tunnel.
●
You drive into the sunlight (e.g. at dawn or dusk).
●
When the windshield is dirty or cloudy.
●
When you drive in the shadows of trees, buildings, etc.
●
When your vehicle is towing a trailer.
●
When you drive on a wet road surface following another vehicle.u
The camera may perceive the tire tracks in the water as lane lines.
●
When there is snow or wheel tracks on the side of the road.
●
When the road has many repaired areas or erased lines.
●
When the vehicle is running over painted signs or crosswalk markings.
●
When you drive in a lane with worn-out lane markings.

470
uuWhen Driving uTPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
Driving
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)Instead of directly measuring the pressure in each tire, the TPMS on this vehicle
monitors and compares the rolling radius and rotational characteristics of each
wheel and tire while you are driving to determine if one or more tires are
significantly under-inflated. This will cause the low tire pressure/TPMS indicator to
come on and a message to appear on the multi-information display
*.
You must start TPMS calibration every time you:
• Adjust the pressure in one or more tires.
• Rotate the tires.
• Replace one or more tires.
Before calibrating the TPMS:
• Set the cold tire pressure in all four tires.
2 Checking Tires P. 525
Make sure:
•The vehicle is at a complete stop.
• The shift lever is in
(N
.
• The shift lever is in
(P
.
• The ignition switch is in ON
(w
*1.
*1: Models with the smart entry system have an ENGINE START/STOP button instead of an
ignition switch.■
TPMS Calibration
1 TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
The system does not monitor the tires when driving
at low speed.
Conditions such as low ambient temperature and
altitude change directly affect tire pressure and can
trigger the low tire pressure/TPMS indicator to come on.
Tire pressure checked and inflated in:•Warm weather can become under-inflated in
colder weather.•Cold weather can become over-inflated in warmer
weather.
The low tire pressure i ndicator will not come on as a
result of over inflation.
The TPMS may not function properly if tire type and
size are mixed. Make sure to use the same size and
type of tire. 2 Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 525
The low tire pressure/TPMS indicator may come on
with a delay or may not come on at all when:•You rapidly accele rate, decelerate, or turn the
steering wheel.•You drive on snowy or slippery roads.•Snow chains are used.
The low tire pressure/TPMS indicator may come on
under the following conditions:•A compact spare tire is used.•There is a heavier and uneven load on the tires,
such as when towing a trailer, than the condition at
calibration.•Snow chains are used.
Manual transmission modelsAutomatic transmission/CVT modelsAll models* Not available on all models

491
uuMaintenance Minder
TMuTo Use Maintenance Minder
TM
Continued
Maintenance
■
Maintenance Service Items
1Maintenance Service Items•Independent of the Maintenance Minder
information, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.•Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000
km).•Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if
they are noisy.
Maintenance Minder
Message
Maintenance
Minder Indicator
Sub Items
Main Item
*1: If a message SERVICE does not appear more than 12 months after the display is reset, change the
engine oil every year.
# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty.CODE
Maintenance Main Items
A
●
Replace engine oil
*1
B
●
Replace engine oil
*1 and oil filter
●
Inspect front and rear brakes/service as necessary
●
Check parking brake adjustment
●
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots
●
Inspect suspension components
●
Inspect driveshaft boots
●
Inspect brake hoses and lines (Including ABS/VSA)
●
Inspect all fluid levels and condition of fluids
●
Inspect exhaust system
#
●
Inspect fuel lines and connections
#
*2: If you drive in dusty conditions, replace the air cleaner element every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
*3: If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations of soot in the air from industry and from diesel-powered vehicles, replace the dust and pollen filter every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
*4: Automatic transmission (CVT) models
*5: Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or trailer towing results in higher transmission temperatures. This requires transmission fluid changes more frequently than recommended by the
Maintenance Minder. If you regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions, have the transmission
fluid changed every 25,000 miles (40,000 km).
*6: 6-cylinder models
*7: If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110 °F, 43 °C), in very low temperatures (under - 20 °F, -29 °C), or tow a trailer, replace every 60,000 miles/100,000 km.CODE
Maintenance Sub Items
1
●
Rotate tires
2
●
Replace air cleaner element
*2
●
Replace dust and pollen filter
*3
●
Inspect drive belt
3
●
Replace transmission fluid
*4,*5
4
●
Replace spark plugs
●
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump
*6,*7
●
Inspect valve clearance
5
●
Replace engine coolant