temperature control Acura TL 2000 3.2 Owner's Manual

Carbon Monoxide Hazard
Your vehicle's exhaust containscarbon monoxide gas. You should
have no problem with carbon monoxide entering the vehicle in
normal driving if you maintain your
vehicle properly.
Have the exhaust system inspected
for leaks whenever:
• The vehicle is raised for an oil change.
• You notice a change in the sound of the exhaust.
• The vehicle was in an accident that may have damaged the under-side. Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and even kill
you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.
High levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidly in enclosed areas, such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.
Even with the door open, run the
engine only long enough to move the
vehicle out of the garage. With the trunk lid open, air flow can
pull exhaust gas into your car's
interior and create a hazardouscondition. If you must drive with the
trunk lid open, open all the windows and set the climate control system as
shown below.
If you must sit in your parked car, even in an unconfined area, with the
engine running, adjust the climate
control system as follows:
1. Push the button.
2. Select the mode.
3. Turn the fan on high speed.
4. Set the temperature control to a
comfortable setting.
Driver and Passenger Safety

Instruments and Controls
This section gives information aboutthe controls and displays thatcontribute to the daily operation of
your Acura. All the essential controls are within easy reach.
Control Locations................... 52
Indicator Lights........................ 53
Gauges................................58
Speedometer........................ 58
Tachometer.......................... 58
Odometer.......................... 58
Trip Meter............................. 59
Temperature Gauge..................60
Fuel Gauge............................60
Maintenance Required Indicator.......................... 60
Controls Near the Steering
Wheel................................... 62
Headlights..............................63
Automatic Lighting Off
Feature........................... 64
Daytime Running Lights............ 64
Instrument Panel Brightness ........64
Turn Signals......................... 65
Windshield Wipers.................65
Windshield Washers............. 67 Hazard Warning....................... 67
Rear Window Defogger............ 67
Steering Wheel Adjustment....... 68
Steering Wheel Controls............. 69 Cruise Control.........................69
Remote Audio Controls 72
Keys and Locks.........................73
Keys............................... 73
Immobilizer System............... 74
Ignition Switch ......................... 75
Power Door Locks.................77
Remote Transmitter.................78
Childproof Door Locks.............. 81
Trunk.................................. 82
Glove Box ................................ 83
HomeLink Universal Transmitter........................... 84
Seat Adjustments........................ 89
Driver's Seat Full PowerAdjustments........................ 89
Front Passenger's Seat Adjustments.........................90
Driver's Lumbar Support........... 91Head Restraints...................... 91
Center Console Armrest............92
Rear Seat Armrest....................4 92
Trunk Pass-through Cover........ 92
Seat Heaters........................... 94
Power Windows........................... 95
Moonroof...............................96
Mirrors.................................97
Adjusting the Power Mirrors....... 98
Parking Brake......................... 99
Digital Clock...........................100
Console Compartment................ 101
Coin Box..................................101
Armrest Storage
Compartments.......................102
Beverage Holder........................ 103
Sun Visor...............................104
Vanity Mirror........................... 104
Sunglasses Holder.....................105
Accessory Power Sockets.......... 105
Interior Lights..........................106
CD Holder................................ 107
Instruments and Controls

Gauges
TACHOMETER SPEEDOMETER TRIP METER FUEL GAUGE TEMPERATUREGAUGE
MAINTENANCE TRIP METER
REQUIRED INDICATOR OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR RESET BUTTON
Speedometer
U.S. Models
This shows your speed in miles per hour (mph). The smaller innernumbers are the speed in kilometers
per hour (km/h).
Canadian Models
This shows your speed in kilometers per hour (km/h). The smaller innernumbers are the speed in miles per
hour (mph). Tachometer
The tachometer shows the engine
speed in revolutions per minute (rpm). To protect the engine from
damage, never drive with the
tachometer needle in the red zone. Odometer
The odometer shows the total dis- tance your car has been driven. It
measures miles in U.S. models and
kilometers in Canadian models. It is illegal under U.S. federal law andCanadian provincial regulations to
disconnect, reset, or alter the
odometer with the intent to change
the number of miles or kilometers
indicated.
Instruments and Controls ODOMETER

Gauges
Trip Meter
SELECTBUTTON
RESET
BUTTON
This meter shows the number of
miles (U.S.) or kilometers (Canada)
driven since you last reset it. There are two trip meters: Trip A
and Trip B. Switch between these
displays by pressing the Select
button repeatedly. Each trip meter
works independently, so you can keep track of two different distances.
When you turn the ignition switch ON (II), what you last selected is
displayed.
To reset a trip meter, display it and then press and hold the Reset buttonuntil the number resets to "0.0".Both trip meters will reset if the
vehicle's battery goes dead or is disconnected. Outside Temperature Indicator
This indicator displays the outside temperature in Fahrenheit in U.S.models, and in Centigrade inCanadian models.
The temperature sensor is located in the front bumper. Therefore, the
temperature reading can be affected
by heat reflection from the road sur-
face, engine heat, and the exhaustfrom the surrounding traffic. This can cause the temperature reading
not to be correct when your speed is
under 19 mph (30 km/h).
In certain weather conditions,
temperature readings near freezing (32°F, 0°C) could mean that ice is
forming on the road surface.
Instruments and Controls

Gauges
Temperature Gauge
This shows the temperature of theengine's coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom white mark to about the middle of the gauge. In severedriving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill driving, the pointer may rise to near
the upper red mark. If it reaches the red (Hot) mark, pull safely to theside of the road. Turn to page 265 for
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine's cooling system. Fuel Gauge
This shows how much fuel you have. It is most accurate when the car is on
level ground. It may show slightly
more or less than the actual amount
when you are driving on curvy or hilly roads.
The needle returns to the bottom after you turn off the ignition. The
gauge shows the fuel level reading
immediately after you turn the
ignition switch back ON (II). Maintenance Required Indicator
MAINTENANCE REQUIRED
INDICATOR
This indicator reminds you that it is
time to take your car in forscheduled maintenance.Refer to the Maintenance Schedules
for Normal and Severe Driving Conditions on pages 192 — 196.
Instruments and Controls

Keys and Locks
Keys
KEY MASTER
NUMBER KEY
PLATE (BLACK) VALET KEY
(GREY)
Your car comes with two master
keys and a valet key.
The master key fits all the locks on your car: • Ignition
• Doors• Glove box
• Trunk pass-through cover The valet key works only in the
ignition and the door locks. You can
keep the trunk, trunk pass-throughcover, and glove box locked when
you leave your car and the valet key at a parking facility.
You should have received a key number plate with your set of keys.
You will need this number if you have to get a lost key replaced. Keepthe plate stored in a safe place.
When replacing keys, use only
Acura-approved key blanks.
These keys contain electronic circuits that are activated by theImmobilizer System. They will not
work to start the engine if the circuits are damaged.
• Protect the keys from direct sunlight, high temperature, and
high humidity.
• Do not drop the keys or set heavy objects on them.
• Keep the keys away from liquids.If they get wet, dry them immedi-
ately with a soft cloth.
The keys do not contain batteries. Do not try to take them apart.
Remote Transmitter
Your car also comes with two remote transmitters; see page 78 for anexplanation of the operation.
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 mdustryCanada 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.Transmitter Care
Avoid severe shock to the trans- mitter, such as dropping or throwing
it. Also, protect it from extreme hotor cold temperatures.
Clean the transmitter case with a
soft cloth. Do not use strong
cleaners or solvents that could harm
the case. Immersing the transmitter in any liquid will harm the trans-
mitter and cause it to not function
properly.
If you lose a transmitter, you will
need to have the replacement
programmed to your car's system by
your Acura dealer. Any other transmitters you have will also need
to be reprogrammed. Childproof Door Locks
LEVER
The childproof door locks are
designed to prevent children seated
in the rear from accidentally opening
the rear doors. Each rear door has a
lock lever near the edge. With the
lever in the LOCK position, the door
cannot be opened from the inside
regardless of the position of the lock
tab. To open the door, pull the lock
tab up and use the outside door handle.
Instruments and Controls

Seat Heaters
Both front seats are equipped withseat heaters. The ignition switch
must be ON (II) to use them. Push
the front of the switch, HI, to rapidly
heat up the seat. After the seat
reaches a comfortable temperature, select LO by pushing the back of the
switch. This will keep the seat warm. The HI or LO indicator lights and
remains lit until you turn it off by
pushing the opposite side of theswitch lightly. The indicator will turn
off.
In HI, the heater turns off when the
seat gets warm, and turns back on
after the seat's temperature drops. It
continues to cycle as long as you
leave it set on HI. The HI indicator
remains lit as a reminder that you
have the heater on.
In LO, the heater runs continuously.
It does not cycle with temperaturechanges. Follow these precautions whenever
you use the seat heaters:
• Use the HI setting only to heat the seats quickly. Select the LO
setting when the seats feel warm.
The HI setting draws large amounts of current from the
battery.
• Do not use the seat heaters, even on the LO setting, if the engine is
left idling for an extended period.
They can weaken the battery, causing hard starting.
Because of the sensors for the side
airbag system, there is no heater in
the passenger's seat-back.
Instruments and Controls

Moonroof, Mirrors
To tilt up the back of the moonroof,press and hold the center button
( ). To close the moonroof,
press and hold the top of the switch
( ). To open the moonroof,
press and hold the bottom of the
switch ( ). Release the switch
when the moonroof gets to the desired position. Make sure
everyone's hands are away from the
moonroof before opening or closing
it. The moonroof has a key-off delay.
You can still open and close the moonroof for up to ten minutes after
you turn off the ignition. The key-off delay cancels as soon as you open
either front door. You must then
turn the ignition ON (II) for the
moonroof to operate.
If you try to open the moonroof in
below-freezing temperatures, or whenit is covered with snow or ice, you can
damage the moonroof panel or motor.
Mirrors
Keep the inside and outside mirrors
clean and adjusted for best visibility.
Be sure to adjust the mirrors before
you start driving.
CONTINUED
Instruments and Controls
Closing the moonroof on
someone's hands or fingers can
cause serious injury. Make sure all hands and fingers
are clear of the moonroof
before closing it.
NOTICE

Comfort and Convenience Features
The climate control system in your
Acura provides a comfortable drivingenvironment in all weather condi-
tions.
The standard audio system hasmany features. This section de-
scribes those features and how to
use them.
The security system helps to dis- courage vandalism and theft of your
Acura.
Climate Control System.......... .......... 110
3.2 TL without Navigation System
Fully-automatic Operation............ 112
Semi-automatic Operation............ 113
Rear Window Defogger
Button.......... .............................. 116
Sunlight Sensor/ Temperature Sensor............ 117
3.2 TL with Navigation System
Fully-automatic Operation.......... 118
Semi-automatic Operation.......... 119
Rear Window Defogger Button........................................ 122
Audio System.............................. 123 Operating the Radio.......... .......... 124
Adjusting the Sound.................... 128
Audio System Lighting.......... .... 129
Radio Frequencies.................... 129
Radio Reception............
........ 129
Operating the CD Player......... ... 131
Operating the CD Changer.......... .. 133
Protecting Compact Discs.......... 134
CD Player Error Indications.......... 135
CD Changer Error
Indications.......... .................... 136Operating the Cassette
Player........................................ 137
Tape Search Functions.......... .. 138
Caring for the Cassette
Player........................................ 140
Remote Audio Controls............ 141
Theft Protection.......... ............ 142
Security System.............................. 143
Comfort and Convenience Features