wheel Acura TL 2000 3.2 Owner's Guide

Steering Wheel Controls
RESUME/
accel
3. Press and release the SET/decel
button on the steering wheel. TheCRUISE CONTROL light on the
instrument panel comes on toshow the system is now activated. The cruise control may not hold the
set speed when you are going up and
down hills. If your speed increases
going down a hill, use the brakes to slow down to the desired speed. This
will cancel the cruise control. To resume the set speed, press the
RESUME/accel button. TheCRUISE CONTROL light on the
instrument panel comes on.
When climbing a steep hill, the automatic transmission may
downshift to hold the set speed.
Changing the Set Speed
You can increase the set cruisingspeed in any of these ways:
• Press and hold the RESUME/ accel button. The car will acceler-
ate. When you reach the desired
cruising speed, release the button.
• To increase your speed in very small amounts, tap the RESUME/
accel button repeatedly. Each time
you do this, your car will speed up about 1 mph (1.6 km/h).
• Push on the accelerator pedal. Ac- celerate to the desired cruisingspeed and press the SET/decel
button.
Instruments and Controls

Steering Wheel Controls
You can decrease the set cruisingspeed in any of these ways:
• Press and hold the SET/decel button. The car will decelerate.Release the button when you
reach the desired speed.
• To slow down in very small amounts, tap the SET/decel
button repeatedly. Each time you do this, your car will slow down
about 1 mph (1.6 km/h).
• Tap the brake or clutch pedal lightly with your foot. TheCRUISE CONTROL light on the
instrument panel will go out.
When the car slows to the desired speed, press the SET/decel button.
The car will then maintain the desired speed. Even with the cruise control turned
on, you can still use the accelerator
pedal to speed up for passing. After completing the pass, take your foot
off the accelerator pedal. The car
will return to the set cruising speed.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal
will cause the cruise control to cancel.
Cancelling the Cruise Control
CANCEL BUTTON
You can cancel the cruise control inany of these ways:
• Tap the brake pedal.
• Push the CANCEL button on the
steering wheel.
• Press the Cruise Control MasterSwitch.
CONTINUED
Instruments and Controls

Steering Wheel Controls
When you push the CANCEL button,or tap the brake pedal, the CRUISECONTROL light on the instrument
panel will go out and the car will
begin to slow down. You can use the accelerator pedal in the normal way.
The system remembers the previously-set cruising speed. Toreturn to that speed, accelerate toabove 25 mph (40 km/h) and then
press the RESUME/accel button until the CRUISE CONTROL lightcomes on. The car will accelerate to
the same cruising speed as before. Pressing the Cruise Control Master
Switch turns the system completely
off and erases the previous cruising
speed from memory. To use the
system again, refer to Using the Cruise Control Remote Audio Controls
AUDIO/CH
BUTTON
These buttons let you control some
functions of the audio system with-
out removing your hands from the
wheel. Refer to page 141 for a com- plete explanation.
Instruments and Controls

Keys and Locks
As required by the FCC:
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This device
may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired
operation.
Changes or modifications not expressly
approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user's
authority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with Industry
Canada Standard RSS-210.
Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) this device may not cause
interference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference that may cause
undesired operation of the device.Ignition Switch
The ignition switch is on the right side of the steering column. It has
four positions:
• LOCK (0)
• ACCESSORY (I)
• ON (II)
• START (IIP LOCK (0) - You can insert or
remove the key only in this position.
To switch from ACCESSORY to LOCK, you must push the key inslightly as you turn it. The shift lever
must also be in Park. The anti-theft
lock will lock the steering column
when you remove the key.
If the front wheels are turned, the
anti-theft lock may sometimes make
it difficult to turn the key from
LOCK to ACCESSORY. Firmly turn
the steering wheel to the left or to
the right as you turn the key.
CONTINUED
Instruments and Controls

Audio System
Remote Audio Controls
AUDIO/CHBUTTON
Two controls for the audio system
are mounted in the steering wheel
hub. These let you control basic
functions without removing your hand from the wheel. The top and bottom buttons adjust
the volume up or down
Press the proper button and hold it
until the desired volume is reached,
then release it.
The AUDIO/CH button has three functions, depending on whether youare listening to the radio, or playing a
cassette or CD.
If you are listening to the radio, use
the AUDIO/CH button to changestations. Each time you press this
button, the system advances to the next preset station on the band youare listening to. You will see the
number of the selected Preset button
in the display. To change bands,
press the AM or FM button on the audio system's front panel. If you are playing a cassette, use the
AUDIO/CH button to advance to the next selection. You will see "FF"blinking in the display when you
press the AUDIO/CH button. The system fast forwards until it senses a
silent period, then goes back to
PLAY.
If you are playing a CD, the system
skips to the beginning of the next
track each time you push the
AUDIO/CH button. You will see the disc and track number in the display.
Comfort and Convenience Features

Accessories and Modifications
Modifications
Do not remove any originalequipment or modify your car in any
way that would alter its design or operation. This could make your car
unsafe and illegal to drive.
For example, do not make any
modifications that would change the
ride height of your car, or install
wheels and tires with a different overall diameter.
Such modifications can adversely
affect handling, and interfere with
the operation of the car's anti-lock
brakes and other systems. In addition, any modifications that
decrease ground clearance increase
the chance of undercarriage parts striking a curb, speed bump, or other
raised object, which could cause
your airbags to deploy.
Do not modify your steering wheelor any other part of your
Supplemental Restraint System.
Modifications could make the system ineffective.
Additional Safety Precautions
• Do not attach or place objects on the airbag covers. Any object
attached to or placed on the covers
marked "SRS AIRBAG," in the center of the steering wheel and
on top of the dashboard, could
interfere with the proper operation
of the airbags. Or, if the airbags
inflate, the objects could be
propelled inside the car and hurt someone.
• Do not attach hard objects on or near a front door. If a side airbag
inflates, a cup holder or other hard object attached on or near the
door could be propelled inside the
car and hurt someone.
• Do not place any objects over the outside edge of a front seat-back.
Covering the outside edge of a
front seat-back, with a non-Acura seat cover for example, could
prevent the airbag from inflating
properly.
Before Driving

Preparing to Drive
You should do the following checksand adjustments every day before
you drive your car.
1. Make sure all windows, mirrors, and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove frost, snow, or ice.
2. Check that the hood and trunk are fully closed.
3. Visually check the tires. If a tire looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
4. Check that any items you may be carrying with you inside are stored
properly or fastened down securely. 5. Check the adjustment of the seat
(see page 12).
6. Check the adjustment of the inside and outside mirrors (seepage 97).
7. Check the adjustment of the steering wheel (see page 17).
8. Make sure the doors are securely closed and locked.
9. Fasten your seat belt. Check that your passengers have fastenedtheir seat belts (see page 15). 10. Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Check the indicator lights in the
instrument panel.
11. Start the engine (see page 161). 12. Check the gauges and indicator lights in the instrument panel (see
page 53).
Driving

Automatic Transmission
Drive (D4, D3) — These positions
are similar to D
5, except when you
select the D
4 position, only the first
four gears are selected. When you select D
5, only the first three gears
are selected. D
4 can also keep the
transmission from cycling between
fourth and fifth gears in stop-and-go driving, and D
3 can keep the
transmission from cycling between
third and fourth gears.
Use D
3 when towing a trailer in hilly
terrain, or to provide engine braking
when going down a steep hill. D
3
gives you more power and increased engine braking. For faster acceleration when in D
3
D4 or D5, you can get the
transmission to automatically downshift by pushing the accelerator
pedal to the floor. The transmission
will shift down one or two gears, depending on your speed. Second (2) — This position locks
the transmission in second gear. It does not downshift to first gear
when you come to a stop. Second gives you more power when climbing,and increased engine braking when
going down steep hills. Use second
gear when starting out on a slippery surface or in deep snow. It will help
reduce wheelspin.
Driving

Parking
Always use the parking brake whenyou park your car. The indicator onthe instrument panel shows that the
parking brake is not fully released; it does not indicate that the parking
brake is firmly set. Make sure the
parking brake is set firmly or your car may roll if it is parked on an
incline.
Set the parking brake before you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the car from moving and putting
pressure on the parking mechanism in the transmission — making it
easier to move the shift lever out of
Park when you want to drive away. If the car is facing uphill, turn the
front wheels away from the curb.
If the car is facing downhill, turn the
front wheels toward the curb.
Make sure the parking brake is fully
released before driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or damage
the rear brakes. Parking Tips
• Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
• Turn off the lights.
• Place any packages, valuables, etc., in the trunk or take them with you.
• Check the indicator on the driver'sdoor to verify that the security
system is set.
• Never park over dry leaves, tallgrass, or other flammable
materials. The three way catalytic
converter gets very hot, and could
cause these materials to catch on
fire.
Driving

The Braking System
Your Acura is equipped with discbrakes at all four wheels. A powerassist helps reduce the effort needed
on the brake pedal. The ABS helps
you retain steering control when braking very hard.
Put your foot on the brake pedal only
when you intend to brake. Resting
your foot on the pedal keeps the brakes applied lightly, causing themto build up heat. Heat build-up can
reduce how well your brakes work. Italso keeps your brake lights on all
the time, confusing drivers behind
you. Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds up heat and reduces their effective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by downshifting to a lower
gear and taking your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Check your brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they feel normal. If not, apply them gently and
frequently until they do. Since a longer distance is needed to stop
with wet brakes, be extra cautious and alert in your driving. Brake Wear Indicators
All four brakes have audible brake wear indicators.
When the brake pads need replacing,
you will hear a distinctive metallic "screeching" sound when you apply
the brakes. If you do not have the
brake pads replaced, they will begin screeching all the time.
Your brakes may sometimes squeal or squeak when you apply them
lightly. Do not confuse this with the
brake wear indicators. They make a
very audible "screeching."
Driving