2016 Acura MDX Owner's Manual

472
uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uDOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
Maintenance
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 a ccording to Department of
Transportation (DOT) standards. The following explains these
gradings.
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder an d maximum section width.
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear
rate of the tire when tested un der 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 Grading
■Treadwear
1 Uniform Tire Quality Grading
For example:
Treadwear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A
All passenger car tires must conform
to Federal Safety Requirements in
addition to these grades.
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473
uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uDOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
Maintenance
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 asph alt and concrete. A tire marked
C may have poor traction performance.
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 te sted 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 ex cessive 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.
■Traction
■Temperature
1 Traction
Warning: 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.
1Temperature
Warning: The temperature grade for
this tire is establishe d 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.
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474
uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uWear Indicators
Maintenance
Wear Indicators
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 ex posed, replace the tire.
Worn out tires have poor traction on wet
roads.
Tire Service Life
The life of your tires is dependent on many factors, including driving habits, road
conditions, vehicle loading, inflation pre ssure, maintenance history, speed, and
environmental conditions (even when the tires are not in use).
In addition to regular in spections and inflation pres sure maintenance, it is
recommended that you have annual inspecti ons 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, regard less of their condition or state of wear.
Example of a Wear
Indicator mark
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475
uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uTire and Wheel Replacement
Maintenance
Tire and Wheel Replacement
Replace your tires with radials of the sa me 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 vehicle stability assist (VSA®)
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 spec ified wheels approved for your vehicle.
Make sure that the wheel’s specificati ons match those of the original wheels.1Tire and Wheel Replacement
3WARNING
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.
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476
uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uTire Rotation
Maintenance
Tire Rotation
Rotating tires according to the maintenance messages on the MID helps to distribute
wear more evenly and increase tire life.
■Tires without rotation marks Rotate the tires as shown here.
■Tires with rotation marksRotate the tires as shown here.
1Tire Rotation
Tires with directional trea d patterns should only be
rotated front to back (not fr om one side to the other).
Directional tires should be mounted with the rotation
indication mark facing forward, as shown below.
Front
Rotation MarkFront
Front
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477
uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uWinter Tires
Maintenance
Winter Tires
If driving on snowy or frozen roads, mount all season marked “M+S” tires, snow
tires, or tire chains; reduce speed; and main tain sufficient distance between vehicles
when driving.
Be particularly careful wh en 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.
• Mount the tires to all four wheels.
For tire chains:
• Install them on the front tires only.
• Because your vehicle has limited tire clea rance, we strongly recommend using the
chains listed below:
• Follow the chain manufactur er’s instruction when installing. Mount them as
tightly as you can.
• Check that the chains do not touch the brake lines or suspension.
• Drive slowly.
Cable-type: SCC Cable Chain ZT735
1Winter Tires
NOTICE
Traction devices that are th e 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 instructi ons regarding vehicle
operational limits.
If your vehicle is equipped with summer tires, be
aware that these tires are not designed for winter
driving conditions. For more information, contact a
dealer.
3WARNING
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 instruction s in this owner’s
manual regarding the selection and use of
tire chains.
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478
Maintenance
Battery
Checking the Battery
The battery condition is being monitored by the sensor on the negative terminal.
If there is a problem with the sensor, the warning message on MID will let you know.
Have your vehicle checked by a dealer.
If your vehicle’s battery is disconnected or goes dead:
• The audio system is disabled.
2 Audio System Theft Protection P. 216
•The clock resets.
2 Clock P. 128
•The navigation system* is disabled.
2 Refer to navigation system manual
Charging the Battery
Disconnect both battery cables to prevent da maging your vehicle’s electrical system.
Always disconnect the negative (–) cable first, and reconnect it last.
1 Battery
WARNING: Battery post, terminals,
and related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds.
Wash your hands after handling.
When you find corrosion, cl ean the battery terminals
by applying a baking powder and water solution.
Clean the terminals with a damp towel. Cloth/towel
dry the battery. Coat the terminals with grease to
help prevent future corrosion.
When replacing the battery, the replacement must be
of the same specifications.
Please consult a dealer for more information.
3WARNING
The battery gives off explosive hydrogen
gas during normal operation.
A spark or flame can cause the battery to
explode with enough force to kill or
seriously hurt you.
When conducting any battery
maintenance, wear prot ective clothing and
a face shield, or have a skilled technician do
it.
* Not available on all models
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479
uuBattery uCharging the AGM Battery*
Maintenance
Charging the AGM Battery*
AGM labeled batteries like those installed in your vehicle require a compatible
charger to be properly charged. Damage to the battery can result if the battery is
charged improperly or with the wrong equi pment. For more information on how to
charge your vehicle’s AGM battery, consult a dealer.1 Battery
The battery installed in this vehicle is specifically
designed for a model wi th Auto Idle Stop.
Using a battery other than this specified type may
shorten the battery life, a nd prevent Auto Idle Stop
from activating. If you need to replace the battery,
make sure to select the specified type. Ask a dealer
for more details.
Models with Auto Idle Stop
* Not available on all models
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