fuel Acura TL 2001 3.2 Owner's Manual

2001 TL Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com.
Contents
Introduction ........................................................................\
................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safety ty......................................................................\
.......................................... .ii

Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
..................................... .5
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restr\
aint System.
Instruments and Control s........................................................................\
........................................ .53
Instrument panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering colu\
mn controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ........................................................................\
..................... 113
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
Before Driving........................................................................\
..........................................................149
What gasoline to use, how to break-in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
..................................................................... .163
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
.............................................................191
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take yo ur vehicle to the dealer.
Appearance Car e........................................................................\
..................................................... .249
Tips on cleaning and protecting your vehicle. Things to look for if your\
vehicle ever needs body repairs.
Taking Care of the Unexpecte d........................................................................\
..............................257
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, a nd how to handle them.
Technical Informatio n........................................................................\
.............................................285
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................299
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact \
us.
Authorized Manu als (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................305
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index........................................................................\
........................................................................\
...... I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.
Owner's Identification Form
Your Car at a Glance ........................................................................\
.................................................................2

This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your Acura. All the essential controls
are within easy reach............................
Control Locations .54
...............................
Indicator Lights .55
.............................................
Gauges .60
...............................
Speedometer .60
.................................
Tachometer .60
.....................................
Odometer .61
...................................
Trip Meter .61
Outside Temperature ...................................
Indicator .62
...................
Temperature Gauge . 62
..................................
Fuel Gauge .62
Maintenance Required ...................................
Indicator .63
Controls Near the Steering .......................................
Wheel .64
...................................
Headlights .65
Automatic Lighting Off .....................................
Feature .66 ............
Daytime Running Lights . 66
....
Instrument Panel Brightness . 67
................................
Turn Signals .67
.....................
Windshield Wipers .68
..................
Windshield Washers . 69
..........................
Hazard Warning .69
.............
Rear Window Def ogger . 70
......
Steering Wheel Adjustment . 71
...............
Steering Wheel Controls . 72
.............................
Cruise Control .72
.............
Remote Audio Controls . 75
...............................
Keys and Locks .76
..............................................
Keys .76
....................
Immobilizer System . 77
............................
Ignition Switch .78
......................
Power Door Locks .79
...................
Remote Transmitter . 81
..............
Childproof Door Locks . 84
...........................................
Trunk .84
........
Emergency Trunk Opener . 86
....................................
Glove Box .87
HomeLink Universal .................................
Transmitter .88
............................
Seat Adjustments .93
Driver’s Seat Full Power ............................
Adjustments .93 Front Passenger’s Seat
............................
Adjustments .94
...........
Driver’s Lumbar Support . 95
..........................
Head Restraints .95
............
Center Console Armrest . 96
......................
Rear Seat Armrest .97
........
Trunk Pass-through Cover . 97
....................................
Seat Heaters .98
..............................
Power Windows .99
.......................................
Moonroof .100
...........................................
Mirrors .101
..
Adjusting the Power Mirrors . 102
...............................
Parking Brake .103
..................................
Digital Clock .104
.................
Console Compartment . 105
........................................
Coin Box .105
Armrest Storage ..........................
Compartments .106
...........................
Beverage Holder .107
........................................
Sun Visor .108
................................
Vanity Mirror .108
........................
Sunglasses Holder .109
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 109
...............................
Interior Lights .110
......................................
CD Holder .111
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols53

Canadian models only
This light comes on when the
washer f luid level is low. Add washer
f luid when you see this light come on
(see page ).
This indicator comes on f or a f ew
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch ON (II). It will then go of f if
you have inserted a properly-coded
ignition key. If it is not a properly-
coded key, the indicator will blink
and the engine will not start (see
page ).
This indicator also blinks several
times when you turn the ignition
switch f rom ON (II) to ACCESSORY
(I) or LOCK (0).
This lights when you set the cruise
control. See page f or inf ormation
on operating the cruise control.
This light comes on as a reminder
that you must ref uel soon.
If a brake light does not work, the
indicator comes on
when you push the brake pedal with
the ignition switch ON (II).
A burned out brake light is a hazard
when drivers behind you cannot tell
you are braking. Have your brake
lights repaired right away. 72
77 216
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Washer Level Indicator
Immobilizer System
Indicator
Cruise Control Indicator
Low Fuel Indicator
Brake L amp Indicator
59
BRAKE LAMP

This shows how much f uel you have.
It is most accurate when the car is on
level ground. It may show slightly
more or less than the actual amount
whenyouaredrivingoncurvyor
hilly roads.
The needle returns to the bottom
after you turn off the ignition. The
gauge shows the f uel level reading
immediately af ter you turn the
ignition switch back ON (II).
This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom white mark to about
the middle of the gauge. In severe
driving 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 saf ely to the
side of the road. Turn to page f or
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine’s cooling
system.
This indicator displays the outside
temperature in Fahrenheit in U.S.
models, and in Centigrade in
Canadian models.
The temperature sensor is located in
the f ront bumper. Theref ore, the
temperature reading can be af f ected
by heat ref lection f rom the road sur-
f ace, engine heat, and the exhaust
f rom the surrounding traf f ic. 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 f reezing
(32°F, 0°C) could mean that ice is
f orming on the road surf ace.
269
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Gauges
Fuel Gauge
Temperature Gauge
Outside Temperature Indicator
62

Bef ore you begin driving your Acura,
youshouldknowwhatgasolineto
use, and how to check the levels of
important f luids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggage
or packages. The inf ormation in this
section will help you. If you plan to
add any accessories to your car,
please read the inf ormation in this
section f irst..............................
Break-in Period .150
.........................................
Gasoline .150
.........
Service Station Procedures . 151
................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 151
....................
Opening the Hood .152
...............................
Oil Check .154
.........
Engine Coolant Check . 155
...............................
Fuel Economy .156
.....................
Vehicle Condition .156
...........................
Driving Habits .156
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 157
.............................
Carrying Cargo .159
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving149

Because the f uel f ill cap is on the
driver’s side of the car, park with
that side closest to the service
station pumps.
Open the f uel f ill door by pulling
onthehandleattheoutsideof the
driver’s seat.Removethefuelfillcapslowly.
You may hear a hissing sound as
pressure inside the tank escapes.
Place the cap in the holder on the
fuel fill door.
1.
2. 3.
CONT INUED
Filling the Fuel Tank
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving151
F FU
UE EL
L F
FIILLL L C
CAA P
P
P
P
u
ul
lll
Gasoline is highly flammable
and explosive. You can be
burned or seriously injured
when handling fuel.
Stop the engine and keep
heat, sparks, and flame away.
Handle fuel only outdoors.
Wipe up spills immediately.

Stop f illing the tank af ter the f uel
nozzle automatically clicks of f . Do
not try to ‘‘top off’’ the tank, leave
some room f or the f uel to expand
with temperature changes.
Your car has an on-board ref ueling
vapor recovery system to help
keep f uel vapors f rom going into
the atmosphere. If the fuel pump
keeps clicking of f even though the
tank is not f ull, there may be a
problem with this system. Consult
your dealer.Screw the f uel f ill cap back on,
tighten it until it clicks several
times. If you do not properly
tighten the cap, the Malfunction
Indicator Lamp may come on (see
page ).
Push the f uel f ill door closed until
it latches.
Shift to Park or Neutral and set
the parking brake. Pull the hood
release handle located under the
lower lef t corner of the dashboard.
The hood will pop up slightly.
4.
5.
6.
1.
273
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
Opening the Hood
152
H H
O
OO ODD R
REEL
LEE A
A S
SEE H
HA
AN
ND DL
LEE

A cold engine uses more f uel than a
warm engine. It is not necessary to
‘‘warm-up’’ a cold engine by letting it
idle f or a long time. You can drive
away in about a minute, no matter
how cold it is outside. The engine
will warm up f aster, and you get
better f uel economy. To cut down on
the number of ‘‘cold starts,’’ try to
combine several short trips into one.
You can improve f uel economy by
driving moderately. Rapid acceler-
ation, abrupt cornering, and hard
braking use more f uel.
Always drive in the highest gear that
allows the engine to run and acceler-
ate smoothly.
The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
usemorefuel.Turnoff theA/Cto
cutdownonairconditioninguse.
Use the f low-through ventilation
when the outside air temperature is
moderate.
Depending on traf f ic conditions, try
to maintain a constant speed. Every
time you slow down and speed up,
your car uses extra f uel. Use the
cruise control, when appropriate, to
increase f uel economy.
The condition of your car and your
driving habits are the two most
important things that affect the fuel
mileage you get.
Always maintain your car according
to the maintenance schedule. This
will keep it in top operating condition.
An important part of that mainte-
nance is the
(see page ). For
example, an underinf lated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses f uel. It also wears out
f aster, so check the tire pressure at
least monthly.
In winter, the build-up of snow on
your car’s underside adds weight and
rolling resistance. Frequent cleaning
helps your f uel mileage and reduces
thechanceof corrosion. 203
Vehicle Condition
Driving Habits
Owner Maintenance
Checks
Bef ore Driving
Fuel Economy
156

Your Acura’s transmission has f ive
f orward speeds, and is electronically
controlled f or smoother shif ting. It
also has a ‘‘lock-up’’ torque converter
forbetterfueleconomy.Youmay
f eel what seems like another shif t
when the converter locks.This indicator in the tachometer
shows which position the shif t lever
is in. The illuminated number next to
the ‘‘D ’’ indicator shows you the
gear you have selected in the
Sequential SportShif t mode.The ‘‘D ’’ indicator comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II). If it f lashes
while driving (in any shif t position),
it indicates a possible problem in the
transmission. Avoid rapid
acceleration and have the
transmission checked by an
authorized Acura dealer as soon as
possible.
5 5
Driving
Automatic Transmission
Shif t L ever Position Indicator
166

µ
Ì
Ì
Ì
Follow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule if the
severe driving conditions
specif ied in the Severe
Conditions Maintenance
Schedule do not apply.
NOTE: If you onlydrive under a
‘‘severe’’ condition, you should
f ollow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule.
Follow the Maintenance
Schedule f or Severe Conditions.
OCCASIONALLY
Maint enance
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
196
Visually inspect the following items:
Service at the indicated
distance or time whichever
comes first.
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
Replace every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 12 months
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil filter
Check engine oil and coolant
Replace air cleaner element
Inspect valve clearance
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt, and inspect water pump
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace transmission fluid
Inspect front and rear brakes
Replace brake fluid
Check parking brake adjustment
Replace air conditioning filter
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition
at least once per month)
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Cooling system hoses and connections
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections Rotate tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
15
24
12
30
48
24 60
96
48 120
192
96
75
120 60 105
168
84
45
72
36 90
144 72
Every 36 months (independent of mileage)
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page .
120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 72 months, thereafter every
90,000 miles (144,000 km) or 60 months
120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 120 months, thereafter every
60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 60 months
: 195
Adjust only if noisy
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions