Acura TL 2003 3.2 Owner's Manual

2003 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.helminc.com.
Contents
Owner's Identification Form
Introduction ........................................................................\
............................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safety ........................................................................\
.................................................. ii
Your Vehicle at a Glance ........................................................................\
....................................................... 2
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
............................................... 5
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restraint System.
Instruments and Controls........................................................................\
...................................................55
Instrument panel indica tor and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering column controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features........................................................................\
............................... 115
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other convenience features.
Before Driving ........................................................................\
....................................................... ..............173
What gasoline to use, how to break-in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving........................................................................\
...................................................................................187
The proper way to start the engine, shift the tr ansmission, and park, plus towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
....................................................... ..................219
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take your vehicle to the dealer.
Appearance Care........................................................................\
....................................................... ..........279
Tips on cleaning and protecting your vehicle. Things to look for if your car ever needs body repairs.
Taking Care of the Unexpected........................................................................\
.......................................287
This section covers several problems motorists someti mes experience, and how to handle them.
Technical Information........................................................................\
....................................................... 315
ID numbers, dimensions, capaciti es, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)...................................................................... 329
A summary of the warranties covering your new Honda, and how to contact us.
Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)........................................................................\
....................................... 333
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.

T his Owner’s Manual should be considered
a permanent part of the car, and should
remain with the car when it is sold.
T his Owner’s Manual covers all models of
the Acura 3.2 T L. You may f ind descriptions
of equipment and f eatures that are not on
your particular model.
T he inf ormation and specif ications included
in this publication were in ef f ect at the time
of approval f or printing. Honda Motor Co.,
Ltd. reserves the right, however, to
discontinue or change specif ications or
design at any time without notice and
without incurring any obligation whatsoever.
Owner’s Identif ication
POUR CLIENTS CANADIEN
A VIS IMPORT A NT : Si vous avez
besoin d’un Manuel du Conduct eur
en f rançais, veuillez demander à
votreconcessionnairede
commander le numéro de pièce
33S0K 840.
OWNER
ADDRESS
V. I. N.
DELIVERY DATE
DEALER NAMEDEALER NO.
ADDRESS
OWNER’S SIGNATURE
DEALER’S SIGNATURE
STREET
CITY STATE/PROVINCE ZIP CODE/
POSTAL CODE
(Date sold to original retail purchaser)
STREET
CITY STATE/PROVINCE ZIP CODE/
POSTAL CODE

One of the best ways to enhance the enjoyment of your new Acura is to read
this manual. In it, you will learn how to operate its driving controls and
convenience items. Af terwards, keep this owner’s manual in your car so you
can ref er to it at any time.
Several warranties protect your new Acura. Read the warranty booklet
thoroughly so you understand the coverages and are aware of your rights
and responsibilities.
Maintaining your car according to the schedules given in this manual helps
to keep your driving trouble-f ree while it preserves your investment. When
your car needs maintenance, keep in mind that your Acura dealer’s staf f is
specially trained in servicing the many systems unique to your Acura. Your
Acura dealer is dedicated to your satisf action and will be pleased to answer
any questions and concerns.As you read this manual, you will
f ind inf ormation that is preceded by
a
symbol. This
inf ormation is intended to help you
avoid damage to your Acura, other
property, or the environment.
Calif ornia Proposition 65 Warning This product contains or emits chemicals known to the State of
Calif ornia to cause cancer and birth def ects or other reproductive harm. Congratulations! Your selection of a 2003 Acura 3.2 TL was a wise
investment. It will give you years of driving pleasure.
Introduction
WARNING:
i

µ
µ µ
µ
µ
µ
To help you make inf ormed
decisions about saf ety, we have
provided operating procedures and
other inf ormation on labels and in
this manual. This inf ormation alerts
you to potential hazards that could
hurt you or others.
You will f ind this important saf ety inf ormation in a variety of f orms,
including:
preceded by a saf ety alert symbol and one of
three signal words: , , or .
These signal words mean:
such as Driver and Passenger Safety.
This entire book is f illed with important saf ety inf ormation please read it
caref ully. such as Important Saf ety Reminders or Important
Safety Precautions.
Of course, it is not practical or
possible to warn you about all the
hazards associated with operating or
maintaining your car. You must use
your own good judgement. on the car.
Your safety, and the safety of others,
is very important. And operating this
car saf ely is an important
responsibility.
how to use this car correctly and saf ely.
AFewWordsAboutSafety
Saf ety Messages
Saf ety Section Saf ety Headings Saf ety L abels
InstructionsDANGER WARNING CAUTION
ii
You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don’t follow instructions.
You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don’t follow instructions.
You CAN be HURT if you don’t follow
instructions.

Your Car at a Glance
2
D
DI
IGGI ITT A
A L
L C
CLLOOC CKK
P
P O
OW WE ER
R W
WI INND DO
OW W
S
SW WI ITT C
CH H E
ES
S
H
HO
OO ODD R
REEL
LEE A
A S
SEE
H
H A
AN
ND DL
LEE
M
M
I
IRRR ROOR R
C
CO ON NTTR
RO OL LSS
A
AU
UD DI
IOO S
SYYSSTTE
EM
M
T
T R
RU UN NKK R
REEL
LEE A
A S
SEE
B
BU UT TT
TO
ON N A
A
I
IRRB BAA G
GS S
A
AU
UT TO
OM M A
AT
TI
ICC
T
T R
RA A N
NS SMM I
ISSS SIIOON N
C
CL
LIIMM A
AT
TE
E C
COON NTTR
RO OL L
S
SY YSSTTE
EM
M
P
P
O
OW WE ER
R D
DO
OO ORR
L
LO OC CKKSS
F
FUUE EL
L F
FIILLL L D
DO
OO ORR
R
RE EL
LEE A
A S
SEE H
HA
AN
ND DL
LEE (
(
P
P .
.99, ,447 7))
D
D
R
RIIVV I
INNG G P
PO
OS SIITT I
IOON N
M
M E
EM
M O
ORRYY
(
( P
P .
.99 6
6))
(
( P
P .
.77 9
9))
(
( P
P .
.11000 0)) (
(
P
P .
.99 4
4))
(
( P
P .
.88 5
5)) (
(
P
P .
.11229 9))
(
(
P
P .
.11116 6,,1122 3
3))
(
(
P
P .
.11005 5))
(
( P
P .
.11775 5))
(
(P
P .
.11776 6)) (
(
P
P .
.11990 0))

Your Car at a Glance
3
H
HE
EA
A D
DL
LIIGGH HT
TS
S/ /
T
T U
UR RNN S
SIIGGN NAAL
LSS H
H
A
AZ
ZA
A R
RDD W
WA AR
RNNI INNG G
L
LI IGGH HT
TS
S
W
WI
INND DS
SHH I
IEE L
LDD W
WI IPP E
ER
RS S//W
WA AS
SHH E
ER
RS S
T
T I
ILLT T A
AD
DJ
JUUS STTM
M E
EN
NT T
H
HO
OR RNN
C
CR RUUI ISSE E C
COON NTTR
RO OL L
I
IN
NS STTR
RU UM M E
EN
NT T P
PA
A N
NE EL
L
B
BR RIIGGH HT
TN
NE ES
SS S
M
M
O
OOONNRROOO OFF S
SWWI ITT C
CH H
F
FO OG G L
LIIGGH HT
TS
S (
(
P
P .
.6699, , 7711)) (
(
P
P .
.7722,, 7733))
(
(P
P ..7733))
(
( P
P .
.6688))
(
(
P
P .
.7755))
(
(
P
P .
.110033))
(
( P
P ..7711))
(
(P
P .
.115533))
T
T
R
RA A C
CTTI
IOON N C
COON NTTR
RO OL L//
V
V E
EH
H I
ICCL LEE S
STTA
A B
BIILLI ITT Y
Y A
AS
SSSIISST T
S
SY YSSTTE
EM
M O
ONN//O
OF FFF S
SWWI ITT C
CH H
(
( P
P .
.7700))
(
(
P
P .
.220044,, 220077 )
)
S
SEEA
A T
T H
HE
EA
A T
TE
ER
RS S
(
( P
P .
.9999) ) R
RE
EA
A R
R W
WI INND DO
OW W
D
D E
EF
FOOG GGGEER
R
(
( P
P .
.7744))

4

This section gives you important
inf ormation about how to protect
yourself and your passengers. It
shows you how to use seat belts
properly. It explains your Supple-
mental Restraint System. And it tells
you how to properly restrain inf ants
andchildreninyourcar..........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
.............
Your Car’s Saf ety Features . 7
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
...........................................
Airbags .9
.....................
Seats & Seat-Backs .10
..........................
Head Restraints .10
..................................
Door Locks .10
........
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist . 11
............................
Protecting Adults .12
.....
1. Close and Lock the Doors . 12 ...........
2. Adjust the Front Seats . 13
............
3. Adjust the Seat-Backs . 14
...
4. Adjust the Head Restraints . 15
5. Fasten and Position the Seat .....................................
Belts .15
....
6. Adjust the Steering Wheel . 18
7. Maintain a Proper Sitting ................................
Position .18
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 19
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 20
........................
Protecting Children .21
All Children Must Be ...............................
Restrained .21
Children Should Sit in the Back ...........................................
Seat .22
The Passenger’s Front Airbag Poses Serious Risks ...........................
to Children .22
If You Must Drive with Several ...................................
Children .25
If a Child Requires Close ..................................
Attention .25
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 25
General Guidelines f or Using ...............................
Child Seats .26
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .30 .........
Protecting Small Children . 33
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 37
Using Child Seats with .....................................
Tethers .41
.............................
Using LATCH .42
Additional Inf ormation About Your .................................
Seat Belts .44
..
Seat Belt System Components . 44
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .44
Automatic Seat Belt ...............................
Tensioners .45
...............
Seat Belt Maintenance . 46
Additional Inf ormation About Your .....................................
Airbags .47
........................
SRS Components .47
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work .47
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 49
How the SRS Indicator Light .......................................
Works .50
How The Side Airbag Indicator ............................
Light Works .51
.............................
Airbag Service .52
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 52
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 53
...................................
Saf ety Labels .54
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
5

You’ll f ind many saf ety
recommendations throughout this
section, and throughout this manual.
Therecommendationsonthispage
are the ones we consider to be the
most important.Excessive speed is a major f actor in
crash injuries and deaths. Generally,
the higher the speed the greater the
risk, but serious accidents can also
occur at lower speeds. Never drive
f aster than is saf e f or current
conditions, regardless of the
maximum speed posted.
A seat belt is your best protection in
all types of collisions. Airbags
supplement seat belts, but airbags
are designed to inf late only in a
moderate to severe f rontal collision.
So even though your car is equipped
with airbags, make sure you and
your passengers always wear your
seat belts, and wear them properly.
(See page .)
Children are saf est when they are
properly restrained in the back seat,
notthefrontseat.Achildwhoistoo
smallforaseatbeltmustbeproperly
restrained in a child saf ety seat. (See
page .) Having a tire blowout or a
mechanical f ailure can be extremely
hazardous. To reduce the possibility
of such problems, check your tire
pressures and condition f requently,
and perform all regularly scheduled
maintenance. (See page .)
Alcohol and driving don’t mix. Even
one drink can reduce your ability to
respond to changing conditions, and
your reaction time gets worse with
every additional drink. So don’t drink
and drive, and don’t let your f riends
drink and drive, either. While airbags can save lives, they
can cause serious or fatal injuries to
occupants who sit too close to them,
or are not properly restrained.
Inf ants, young children, and short
adults are at the greatest risk. Be
sure to f ollow all instructions and
warnings in this manual. (See page
.)
9
15
21 224
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Important Saf ety Precautions
Always Wear Your Seat Belt
Be Aware of Airbag Hazards Control Your Speed
K eep Your Car in Saf e Condition
Restrain All Children Don’t Drink and Drive
6

Your car is equipped with many
features that work together to
protect you and your passengers
during a crash.
Some saf ety f eatures do not require
anyactiononyourpart.These
include a strong steel f ramework
that forms a safety cage around the
passenger compartment; f ront and
rear crush zones that are designed to
crumple and absorb energy during a
crash; a collapsible steering column;
and seat belt tensioners that
automatically tighten the front seat
belts in the event of a crash.
CONT INUED
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Your Car’s Saf ety Features
7
( (5
5) )(
(
7
7) )(
(
6
6) )
(
( 2
2) ) (
(
2
2) )
(
(
1
1) )
(
( 3
3) )
(
( 8
8) )
(
( 7
7) ) (
(
4
4) )
(
( 9
9) )
(
(1
10 0))
(
(
9
9) )(
(1
1) ) S
Sa affe
et tyy C
Caagg e
e
(
( 2
2) ) C
Cr ruu s
shh Z
Zo
on
ne
ess
(
( 3
3) ) S
Se eaattss &
& S
Seeaatt--B
Ba acckks s
(
( 4
4) ) H
H e
eaadd R
Reessttrraai inn t
tss
(
( 5
5) ) C
Co ol
lllaap p s
siibb l
lee S
Stteee erriinn g
g C
Cool
luu m
m n
n
(
( 6
6) ) S
Se eaatt B
Be elltts s
(
( 7
7) ) F
Frroo n
nt
t A
A i
irrb b a
agg s
s
(
( 8
8) ) D
D o
oo
or
r L
Loo c
ckks s
(
( 9
9) ) S
Si idd e
e A
Ai
irrb b a
agg s
s
(
( 1
10 0)) S
Se eaatt B
Be elltt T
Te
enn s
siioo n
ne
errss