Is it possible to tow my Acura vehicle with all four wheels on the ground (dinghy towing)?

For model year 2006 and newer, if an Acura vehicle is approved for towing with all four wheels on the ground, it will be noted in the Owner’s Manual for that vehicle. Please refer to the Owner's Manual for specific towing instructions.

For model year 2005 and older, dinghy towing capability may or may not be possible. Please contact Acura Client Relations (800-382-2238) for additional information on whether your specific 2005 or older vehicle may be dinghy-towable.

Where can I purchase an updated Navigation disc?

Updated Navigation DVDs can be purchased at www.acuranavi.com. You can also access this link through My Acura if you have registered a vehicle that has a navigation system.

The battery was disconnected from my vehicle and now my radio is flashing “code” and the radio doesn’t work. Where can I find my radio code?

If an audio unit with theft protection is disconnected from electrical power, you must enter a unique code number into the unit or it will not work. This code and the audio unit's serial number are listed on the anti-theft ID card that comes with the vehicle. The card is usually placed in the glove compartment at the time of delivery. If you cannot locate the anti-theft ID card, learn how to retrieve your radio code online by clicking here.

Note: If you own a 2014 or later Acura, your vehicle may not come with the Radio/Navigation Anti-Theft Code. Please refer to your owner’s manual for instruction on Radio/Navigation system initiation.

Where can I find out more about Bluetooth^®11 HandsFreeLink (phone compatibility, pairing a phone, etc)?

For information about Bluetooth^®11 HandsFreeLink (HFL), such as checking phone compatibility, how to pair a phone, or importing an address book, please visit www.acura.com/handsfreelink or call (888) 528-7876.

Why do my brakes make a squealing noise sometimes when I apply them lightly at low speeds?

As described in some Owner’s Manuals, the squealing noise is caused by high-frequency vibration of the brake pads against the rotating brake disc. Vibration is the unavoidable result of friction generated by the pads as the caliper clamps them against the rotating disc. Under average braking conditions, some brake noise is normal and cannot be eliminated.

Normally, the shims and the high-temperature grease between the pads and the brake caliper dampen and isolate most of the vibration. The level of vibration, however, is affected by outside temperature and humidity, by road conditions (mud, dust and road salt), and by the condition or thickness of the brake pad material. If the squealing noise is abnormally loud, have the brakes inspected and checked for pad wear.

Why do my brakes make a single “click” noise when I back out of a parking place and once again when I drive forward?

A clearance between the brake caliper brackets and the ends of the brake pads allows for heat expansion and helps avoid corrosion between the caliper bracket and the brake pads. That clearance can cause the pads to hit the caliper brackets when you first apply the brakes in a new direction of travel. When you back up and apply the brakes and then drive forward and apply the brakes, the single “click” noise you hear is a normal characteristic of the brake system.

Why do I hear a groaning noise when I start my car and then leave for work in the morning?

On models with a compact Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) unit, the vehicle’s ABS emits a brief grunt or groan when it does a self-check. The self-check occurs when a vehicle is backed up or driven forward after being started. The groaning noise associated with the ABS self-check is a normal characteristic; it doesn’t mean there is a problem with the ABS.

Why does my brake pedal sometimes feel like it sinks when I’m holding my car stopped at a light?

This change in brake pedal height is caused by an increase in engine vacuum. The “power brakes” system in most modern vehicles uses engine vacuum to boost the amount of force applied to the brake pedal by the driver of the car. The device that does this, called the brake “booster,” makes it easier for the driver to stop the vehicle.

Engine vacuum is affected by many different conditions. Engine vacuum is highest when all accessories are off and the accelerator pedal is released (low load), and lowest when all accessories are turned on and the accelerator pedal is held to the floor (high load). Any change in engine vacuum (load) can affect the amount of “assist,” or boost, provided by the brake booster.

One system that applies a noticeable load to the engine is the air conditioning. During normal operation, the air conditioning system constantly cycles on and off, changing the amount of load on the engine. When the air conditioning cycles off, the load on the engine is decreased and the amount of engine vacuum is increased. If the driver is applying the brake pedal when the air conditioning cycles off, the increase in engine vacuum increases the amount of boost applied to the brake pedal. That increase is felt as a slight drop in brake pedal height and is a normal characteristic.

Is it normal for my headlights to dim slightly and then come back to normal while my car is stopped at a light?

This is a normal characteristic and is caused by variations in the electrical system created by the onboard computer. The computer controls the output of the electrical charging system to improve fuel efficiency and minimize vehicle vibration.

While the engine is at idle, the computer monitors the electrical usage of the car and then controls the electrical charging system so that it charges just enough to keep up with demand. This change reduces the load on the engine and, in turn, increases fuel efficiency and reduces vehicle vibration. As electrical accessories turn on and off, the computer changes the rate of electrical charge in response to the changes in demand for electricity. As the computer responds to the addition of electrical load, you may notice a momentary dimming of the lights. For example, the headlights or instrument panel lights may briefly dim as the air conditioning cycles on.

If my vehicle has a branded or “Salvage” title, is the warranty still valid?

Vehicles with titles that have been branded as salvaged, scrapped, or dismantled are no longer covered by the new vehicle limited warranty, although the vehicle is still covered by some emissions warranties and all safety recalls. For further information regarding the branding of vehicle titles, please contact your state’s department of motor vehicles.

Can I change the size of the tires on my vehicle?

Acura does not recommend modifying the vehicle in any manner, including changing the original tire size or the suspension. Acura vehicles meet all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards when they are originally distributed, and modification could affect the safety performance and/or operation of the vehicle, as well as remove it from compliance with specifications and standards mandated by the federal government. As with any modification, if a failure occurs on the vehicle that can be attributed to the modification, the warranty on the affected components may be voided.

Who should I contact regarding the tire warranty on my Acura vehicle?

The tires that come as original equipment on your vehicle are warrantied by their manufacturer and not Acura. The tire warranty information is located in the glove compartment of the vehicle.

For additional warranty information or service assistance, contact the tire manufacturer directly.

Bridgestone/Firestone

Consumer Affairs Dept.

P.O. Box 7988

Chicago, IL 60680-9534

(800) 367-3872

Goodyear/Dunlop Tire Corporation

1144 East Market Street

Akron, OH 44316-0001

(800) 321-2136

Michelin Tires

Customer Relations Dept.

P.O. Box 19001

Greenville, SC 29602-9001

(800) 847-3435

Yokohama Tires

601 South Acacia Avenue

Fullerton, CA 92831

(800) 722-9888

These addresses and phone numbers are subject to change. Contact your Acura dealer for current information.

What do the sidewall markings on my tire mean?

The sidewall markings on a tire provide descriptive information about the tire's design. The following refers to the tire illustration below with the sidewall marking of 225/50R16:

225 - This number specifies the width in millimeters (i.e. 225 mm).

50 - This number is the Aspect Ratio, the ratio of sidewall height to width.

R - Radial

16 - This number designates the tire's diameter in inches (i.e. 16").

92 - This number indicates the tire's load-carrying capacity, known as the Load Index; as the number for the load index increases so does the load-carrying capacity. (All passenger car tires in the U.S. are also marked with their actual load limit in pounds.)

V - This letter denotes the Speed Rating, the maximum tire speed under controlled test conditions. (“V” in this example is one of several types of speed ratings.)

psi (pounds per square inch) - The maximum cold inflation rating for the tire.

DOT (Department of Transportation) - This symbol indicates the tire meets or exceeds U.S. DOT safety standards; the letters and numbers following the DOT symbol provide information about the tire manufacturer, tire size, and the date it was manufactured.

Does Acura offer seat belt extenders to increase the length of the seat belt?

No, Acura does not offer seat belt extenders for any of our vehicles. Although some auto manufacturers do offer extenders, Acura believes they are not the best or the safest solution for our customers. As required by federal standards, Acura’s seat belts for any seating position are designed to fit 95% of all U.S. adults.

Before buying a car, you should sit in the intended seating position and adjust the seat to the most comfortable position. If you don’t feel comfortable (your legs or stomach are touching the steering wheel, or you cannot reach and operate the controls), then you cannot safely operate the vehicle and should look for a different car.

Why do my HID headlights appear uneven or out of adjustment?

The Acura models with high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights use a different beam pattern than what’s found on vehicles with conventional headlights. The top edge of each headlight beam is cut off lower on the left side, and rises toward the right side. For this reason, when the headlights are turned on, the beam pattern can appear uneven from the far left edge to the far right edge, especially when you’re closely following another vehicle or shining the headlights on a nearby wall. This apparent unevenness in the headlight beams is a normal characteristic and not something to be concerned about. Although the actual beam patterns may vary between models, a typical beam pattern found on HID-equipped Acura models has these features:

Left Side: Shines lower to avoid blinding drivers of oncoming vehicles.

Right Side: Shines higher to provide good illumination of road signs and to illuminate pedestrians.

Center: Shines below the rear window of passenger vehicles you’re following.

How can I find out if my vehicle is affected by a campaign?

There are a number of ways to find out if your vehicle is affected by a campaign (recall, product update, or extended warranty). You can access information on any campaign affecting your vehicle on Acura Owners or call Acura Client Relations at (800) 382-2238 (press the appropriate option for Campaign information).

How do I set my browser to accept cookies?

Internet Explorer 11 accepts cookies by default. Go to Settings menu, Internet Options, Privacy, Advanced and select "Accept".

Some pictures come through as double images. Why?

We use animated gifs here and there in acura.com, and some older browsers do not treat these files correctly. Please upgrade to the latest versions of Internet Explorer to alleviate the problem.

Do I need plug-ins to view the site?

You might need Adobe Flash version 10 or later to view portions of the site.

When I click on linked images or text, it doesn’t take me where I should go. Why?

That could be a broken link and is probably our mistake. Please send an email about broken links, typos or any other issues related to acura.com. We will fix it promptly.

Why am I having trouble viewing the PDF document?

In order to view a PDF document, you need the Adobe Acrobat Reader plug-in. If you have Adobe Acrobat Reader and are still having problems viewing the PDF, you may need to download the most current version of the plug-in.

Are all pre-owned Acura vehicles certified?

No. Only vehicles that are six model years and newer with less than 80,000 miles on the odometer can be certified. All vehicles must pass a stringent multi-point inspection to factory standards in order to become certified.

Is warranty service available for my Acura Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle only through the dealer who sold me the vehicle?

No. Every Acura dealer in the United States is authorized to perform warranty service on your Acura Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle.

Is there a deductible associated with the warranty service?

No. All repairs covered under the Certified Warranty are provided at no cost to you.

How will I know that my vehicle is an Acura Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle?

At time of sale, your Acura dealer should provide you with a Customer Warranty Booklet. Additionally, approximately 2-3 weeks after purchasing an Acura Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle, you will receive a welcome letter with a Certified Owner ID card. This card will show the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), warranty expiration dates on the vehicle, and customer service information from Acura Division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. If you purchase an optional Vehicle Service Contract, you will receive a booklet with the terms and conditions of the Vehicle Service Contract and a similar customer I.D. card.

How long is the Acura Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle warranty in effect?

The warranty is a 1-year / 12,000 mile limited warranty and a 7-year / 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. At time of purchase, if your car is within Acura Division of American Honda's new vehicle limited warranty (4 years / 50,000 mile), the 12/12 limited warranty will begin at the expiration of the new vehicle limited warranty, giving you a 5-year / 62,000 mile limited warranty. At time of purchase, if your new vehicle limited warranty has expired, the 12/12 limited warranty begins on the date of purchase and expires at the earlier of 1 year or 12,000 miles. The powertrain warranty is good for 7 years or 100,000 miles from the original date of purchase of the new vehicle.

Is there special financing available for Acura Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles?

Yes. Special financing rates are available through Acura Financial Services. Please visit your local Acura dealer for details.

Can I lease an Acura Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle?

Yes. Leases are available through Acura Financial Services. Please visit your Acura dealer for details.

Is the Acura Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle warranty transferable to a new owner?

Yes. The Certified warranty is transferable to a new owner in a sale from a private party to another private party. Simply complete the Change of Ownership Card at the back of the Client Warranty Manual and mail it in to Acura Division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Will I be guaranteed the lease or finance payment that the payment estimator displays?

The payment is an estimate only and does not include tax, title, registration, and license fees. Please contact your local Acura dealer for actual payments.

How do I use the payment estimator tool? What does it do?

We have provided you this tool to look at side-by-side comparisons of monthly lease and finance payments. By changing the term, amount financed, or annual percentage rate for a purchase, you can adjust the monthly payment. Keep in mind that this is an estimated amount and is not an offer of particular contract terms. The estimated monthly payment calculation for leasing and financing is based on the vehicle you have selected.

If I enter my own annual percentage rate, what rate should I choose?

Your rate should be the rate you believe you can obtain and is for estimation and comparison purposes only. If you are applying for credit, the rate you enter is not used in determining your eligibility for credit and is not an offer or guarantee of any particular interest rate.

What's the difference between an installment sale and a lease?

When you enter into a retail installment sales contract for the purchase of a vehicle, your down payment and your monthly payments go toward the total purchase price of your vehicle. When you have paid off the financing, you own your car. When you lease a vehicle, you make payments to use the vehicle over the term of your lease. However, you don't own your car. At the end of your lease, you return it to the lessor.

What are the advantages of using Acura Financial Services?

By financing with Acura Financial Services through your selected Certified dealer, you may hear about future offers directly from Acura Financial Services.

Can a dealer offer financing other than that offered through Acura Financial Services?

Acura Financial Services offers competitive rates. However, dealers have the privilege of offering other financing arrangements.

Can a dealer ask a price higher than MSRP?

The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) is a vehicle's retail selling price as recommended by the manufacturer. Dealer profit is built into every item. As a result, all elements of MSRP are negotiable. A dealer may add an additional markup to the MSRP based on availability and demand for that vehicle.

Is a down payment required?

No. However, a down payment demonstrates your ability to save and budget. This ability may help to offset a limited credit history.

What is Acura Financial Services (AFS)?

Acura Financial Services is a premier financial services company that offers a wide range of financial programs specifically tailored to each client. Whether your goal is to finance or lease, Acura Financial Services will treat you as a valued client.

Why apply for financing online?

By arranging your financing in advance—before walking into an Acura dealer, you can save time and help ensure that you will get the most competitive rate possible.

Do I have to apply for credit or pre-approval online?

Acura provides online applications to save you time. However, you may still go to your local Acura dealer and apply in person.

What is the difference between credit and pre-approval?

When you apply for credit, you have a specific car and dealer in mind. When you apply for pre-approval, you have not specified a particular car or dealer.

If I apply for credit or pre-approval, am I obligated to finance or lease a vehicle from Acura Financial Services?

No. You are not obligated to finance or lease a vehicle from AFS or the dealer you choose.

Does Acura Financial Services offer financing for Acura Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles?

Yes. AFS offers a wide range of financial programs specifically tailored to your needs—for both New and Acura Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles.

Is a credit report run on my co-applicant?

Yes. Since the co-applicant is applying for credit and will be a co-buyer or co-lessee on the finance or lease contract, Acura Financial Services runs a credit report on both the applicant and the co-applicant.

What happens once I submit my application?

Once you submit your application online, Acura Financial Services will run a credit bureau report and will attempt to return a decision immediately—while you are online. If a decision cannot be rendered within 30 seconds, AFS will forward the application and credit bureau report to a credit analyst for review. Our goal is to return an immediate decision while you are online. However, if you do not receive an immediate decision, Acura will send you an email within one business day letting you know that your application status is ready to be securely retrieved from eacura.com.

How am I notified of my application status?

Once the credit analyst has come to a decision based on the information you provided, you will receive an email notifying you that your status is ready. The e-mail will direct you to the area of eacura.com where you can securely retrieve your status and shop.

Once approved, can I purchase or lease an Acura from any dealer?

Yes. When you visit eacura.com to retrieve your approval status, you'll have the opportunity to get a certificate with your approved amount and AFS reference number to bring to your Acura dealer when shopping.

Do I have to use the financing once approved?

You are not obligated to use the financing offered to you. Final rates and terms can still be adjusted until you sign the finance or lease contract as part of the purchase process.

Once approved, for how long is my approval good?

You may use your approval for 30 days. Once the 30 days is up, you must re-apply.

I would like a higher loan amount. Do i need to re-apply?

If you have already submitted an application online, you do not need to re-apply online to obtain a higher loan amount. Instead, contact an Acura dealer who will work with you and AFS to adjust your loan as needed.

Do I have to use the full amount for which I was approved?

No. Use only what you need.

Why was I not approved?

The credit analyst makes a credit decision based on the limited information you submitted in your application and a review of your credit bureau file. If you were not approved online, you can still submit your application and decision information to a local Acura dealer, who may be able to help you obtain credit approval.

If I wasn't approved for credit, can I still shop online?

Of course. You can still take advantage of many of the services that eacura.com offers, such as submitting a quote request on a customized Acura or using the finance tools. If you were not approved online, you still have the option of submitting your application and decision information to a local Acura dealer, who may still be able to help you obtain credit approval.

How accurate are the calculators?

The results displayed by the calculators are estimates and are for illustrative purposes only. The payment calculators make assumptions such as the cost of the selected vehicle, your selected annual percentage rate, your selected down payment, trade-in value, desired contract term, etc.

Why isn't there a lease calculator for Acura Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles?

Currently, Acura does not offer lease information online on Acura Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles. If you are interested in leasing an Acura Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle, please contact your local Acura dealer.

Why does the reverse calculator show that I can afford more with leasing than financing?

In a lease, you do not purchase a vehicle; you contract to use it for the first, and best, period of its life. Because you are not buying the entire car, you may be able to afford to lease a more expensive car than you could buy with the same payment.

How do I apply for a special payment that is shown on a calculator?

If you see a special that you want to take advantage of listed with the results of a calculation, click "Certificate" next to the special. You can then print out a specials certificate that is customized with your personal information to bring into your local Acura dealer.

Can I request a quote if my selected Acura dealer is not Internet-certified?

Non-Internet Certified dealers do not provide the quote process or pre-approval process online. Please contact your selected Acura dealer by phone or in person. Check back frequently—we are constantly adding Internet Certified dealers.

Am I obligated to purchase the vehicle once I’ve submitted a quote request?

No. An Internet quote request through your local Acura dealer is simply your opportunity to save time and potential savings by speeding up the sales process.

May I submit more than one quote request?

Yes. However, you must submit these quotes to your selected Acura dealer separately—you are not able to submit them within the same transaction.

I submitted a quote request over 24 hours ago and have not heard from my selected dealer. What should I do?

Acura respects your busy schedule and truly appreciates your business. If you have not heard from your Certified dealer within 24 hours of your Quote Request, please call them directly by phone.

Am I purchasing a car through Acura when I request a quote?

No. Your initial request is submitted directly to your selected Acura dealer. Your Certified dealer will guide you through the remainder of the purchasing process.

Can I apply for pre-approval if my selected Acura dealer is not Internet Certified?

Non-Internet Certified dealers do not provide the quote process or pre-approval process online. Please contact your selected Acura dealer by phone or in person. Check back frequently—we are constantly adding Internet Certified dealers.

What does “pre-approved” really mean?

If you are pre-approved, within a selected time frame, you are guaranteed financing for the vehicle you selected for pre-approval.

Are there benefits to pre-approval?

Pre-approval offers several time-saving benefits such as less time in a dealership and less paperwork.

When will I find out if my pre-approval application has been approved?

Once you submit an application, you should receive a response within one business day, often much sooner.

How do I check the status of my pre-approval application?

You can check on the status of your application by going to the application status page and entering your first name, last name, and last four digits of your Social Security number as your PIN.

Is a credit application necessary if I am a current Acura Financial Services client?

Yes. Some of your personal information may have changed since your current account was established. We wish to obtain current information to ensure that we provide you proper consideration.

Can I use a co-signor if my credit history is limited?

Yes. A qualified co-signor may provide additional support to your application for credit.

What are the advantages of using Acura Financial Services?

By financing with Acura Financial Services through your selected certified dealer, you may hear about future offers directly from Acura Financial Services.

When I apply for credit through Acura Financial Services, is there a privacy guarantee on my personal information?

Acura has enlisted Verisign, a leader in Internet personal information privacy and security. Verisign uses the latest technologies in ensuring that the privacy and protection of your personal information is secure.

Can a dealer offer financing other than that available through Acura Financial Services?

Acura Financial Services offers competitive rates. However, dealers have the privilege of offering other financing arrangements.

What is Kelley Blue Book?

Kelley Blue Book provides information on the current market value of vehicles. It has been the automotive authority on used car values for over 75 years.

Is this a real quote from Kelley Blue Book?

Based on the information you entered, Kelley Blue Book provides a report that lists your vehicle's features and the estimated trade-in value of the vehicle. This is an estimate—a guide that represents the amount you might receive if you choose to trade in your vehicle. The actual condition of your vehicle will affect its value. Acura Financial Services does not guarantee the accuracy of the estimated values provided by Kelley Blue Book.

How do I buy an Acura online?

Learn how to buy an Acura online here.