light Acura TL 2004 Owner's Manual

Your Vehicle at a Glance
3
INSTRUMENT PANEL
BRIGHTNESSHORN
WINDSHIELD WIPERS/WASHERS HAZARD WARNING
BUTTON
VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST
SYSTEM ON/OFF SWITCH REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER
SEAT HEATERS CRUISE
CONTROL
HEADLIGHTS/TURN SIGNALS/
FOG LIGHTS
(P.74)
(P.75)
(P.191)
(P.91) STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENT
(P.78) (P.96)(P.142)
(P.77)
(P.76)
(P.73)
MIRROR CONTROLS

The total time for inflation and
def lation is one-tenth of a second, so
f ast that most occupants are not
aware that the airbags deployed until
they see them lying in their laps.
After a crash, you may see what
looks like smoke. This is actually
powder f rom the airbag’s surf ace.
Although the powder is not harmf ul,
people with respiratory problems
mayexperiencesometemporary
discomf ort. If this occurs, get out of
the vehicle as soon as it is saf e to do
so.Your f ront airbags are dual-stage
airbags. This means they have two
inf lation stages that can be ignited
sequentially or simultaneously,
depending on crash severity.
In a
crash, both stages
will ignite simultaneously to provide
the quickest and greatest protection. Your f ront airbags are also dual-
threshold airbags. Airbags with this
f eature have two deployment
thresholds that depend on whether
or not the occupant is wearing a seat
belt.
If the occupant’s belt is
,
the airbag will deploy at the same
threshold as a conventional airbag,
because the occupant would need
extra protection.
If the occupant’s belt , the
airbag will inf late at a slightly higher
threshold, when the airbag would be
needed to supplement the protection
provided by the seat belt.
In a
crash, one stage will
ignite first, then the second stage
will ignite a split second later. This
provides longer airbag inf lation time
with a little less force.
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Dual-Stage A irbags
more severe Dual-T hreshold A irbags
not lat chedis latched
less severe
Driver and Passenger Saf ety24

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 .50
............................
Instrument Panel .51
..........
Instrument Panel Indicators . 52
.............................................
Gauges .57
...................
Temperature Gauge . 57
..................................
Fuel Gauge .57
.............
Multi-Inf ormation Display . 58
......
Controls Near Steering Wheel . 72
.
Windshield Wipers and Washers . 73
...........
Turn Signal and Headlights . 74
........................................
Fog Lights .75
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 75
..................
Automatic Lighting Off . 76
.................
Hazard Warning Button . 76
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 77
..........
Steering Wheel Adjustment . 78
..................................................
Keys .79
................................
Ignition Switch .80
........................
Immobilizer System .81
......................................
Door Locks .82
................................................
Trunk .83
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 84
..................
Childproof Door Locks . 84
.......................
Remote Transmitter .85
.................................................
Seats .90
............
Trunk Pass-through Cover . 90.............................................
Mirrors .91
Driving Position Memory ..........................................
System .93
....................................
Seat Heaters .96
..............................
Power Windows .97
.......................................
Moonroof .100
..............................................
Clock .103
...............................
Parking Brake .103
...............................
Interior Lights .104
.........
Interior Convenience Items . 105
.......................
Beverage Holder .106
.........
Accessory Power Socket . 106
..................................
Glove Box .107
.............
Console Compartment . 107
....................
Front Door Pocket . 108
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols49

Inst rument s and Cont rols
Instrument Panel
51
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR
SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR
LIGHTS ON
INDICATOR
CRUISE MAIN
INDICATOR
SEAT BELT REMINDER
INDICATOR
CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATOR
VEHICLE
STABILITY
ASSIST (VSA)
SYSTEM
INDICATOR
LOW OIL PRESSURE
INDICATOR MULTI-INFORMATION
DISPLAY
SIDE AIRBAG OFF
INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE
SYSTEM INDICATOR LOW FUEL INDICATORPARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR
VSA ACTIVATION
INDICATOR
FOG LIGHT
INDICATOR
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATOR
(P.54)
(P.52)
(P.53) (P.55)
(P.54) (P.55)
(P.54)
(P.52, 240)
(P.56) (P.52,
240) (P.56) (P.52,
243) (P.53)
(P.59)
(P.56)
(P.52)
(P.53)
(P.54)

This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to ON (II), and when
the ignition switch is turned to
START (III). If this indicator comes
on at any other time, there is a
problem in the ABS. If this happens,
take the vehicle to your dealer to
have it checked. With the indicator
on, your vehicle still has normal
braking ability but no anti-lock. For
more inf ormation, see page .This indicator comes on brief ly when
you turn the ignition switch to ON
(II). If it comes on at any other time,
it indicates a potential problem with
your f ront airbags. This light will
also alert you to a potential problem
with your side airbags, passenger’s
side airbag automatic cutoff system,
automatic seat belt tensioners, or
side curtain airbags. For more
inf ormation, see page .
This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to ON (II). If
it comes on at any other time, it
indicates that the passenger’s side
airbag has automatically shut off.
For more inf ormation, see page .
27
26
189
Instrument Panel Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Anti-lock Brake System
(A BS) Indicator Supplemental Restraint
System IndicatorSide A irbag Cutof f
Indicator
53

The lef t or right turn signal light
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If the indicators do not blink
or blinks rapidly, it usually means
one of the turn signal bulbs is
burned out (see page ). Replace
the bulb as soon as possible, since
other drivers cannot see that you are
signaling.
When you press the Hazard Warning
button, both turn signals blink. All
turn signals on the outside of the
vehicle should f lash.This indicator reminds you that the
exterior lights are on. It comes on
when the light switch is in either the
or position. If you turn the
ignition switch to ACCESSORY (I)
or LOCK (0) without turning of f the
light switch, this indicator will
remain on. A reminder chime will
also sound when you open the driver’s
door.
This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to ON (II)
with the headlight switch off and the
parking brake set. It should go of f if
youturnontheheadlightsorrelease
the parking brake. If it comes on at
any other time, it means there is a
problem with the DRL.
This indicator comes on with the
high beam headlights. See page
f or inf ormation on the headlight
controls.
214
74
Canadian models only
Instrument Panel Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators ‘‘Daytime Running
Lights’’ Indicator
Lights On Indicator
High Beam Indicator
55

This indicator also blinks several
times when you turn the ignition
switch f rom ON (II) to ACCESSORY
(I) or LOCK (0). This indicator comes on f or a f ew
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to ON (II). It then will 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 is in the f uel gauge. It
comesonasareminderthatyou
must ref uel soon.This indicator comes on when you
turn on the fog lights. See page
f or inf ormation on f og light
operation.
81 75
U.S. models only
Immobilizer System
Indicator
L ow Fuel Indicator
Fog L ight Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols56
LOW FUEL INDICATOR

This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise to
about the middle of the gauge. In
severe driving conditions, the pointer
may rise to the upper zone. If it
reaches the red (Hot) mark, pull
safely to the side of the road. Turn to
page f or instructions and
precautions on checking the engine’s
cooling system.
This shows how much f uel you have.
It may show slightly more or less
than the actual amount. The needle
returns to the bottom after you turn
of f the ignition.240
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Temperature Gauge
Fuel Gauge
57
FUEL GAUGE
TEMPERATURE GAUGE
SPEEDOMETER
TACHOMETER
Avoid driving with an extremely low
f uel level. Running out of f uel could
cause the engine to misf ire, damaging
the catalytic converter.

The multi-inf ormation display in the
instrument panel displays various
inf ormation and messages. Some of
the messages help you operate your
vehiclemorecomfortably.
Others help to keep you aware of the
periodic maintenance your vehicle
needs f or continued trouble-f ree
driving.
Here is a list of the messages you
can see. The f ollowing pages give
you more inf ormation on these
messages.Driver 1 or 2 Detected
Door and Trunk Open
Fasten Seat Belt
Release Parking Brake
Check Fuel Cap
Odometer
Trip Meter
Outside Temperature
Engine Oil Lif e Maintenance Messages
Trip Computer
Keyless Memory Settings
HandsFree Link
Language Selection (Canada only)
With the multi-information display
and the two buttons next to it, you
can also customize these vehicle
control settings to your liking. Auto door lock conditions
Auto door unlock conditions
Whenever unlocking (driver’s
door, or all doors)
Keyless lock acknowledgment
conditions
Security relock timer
Headlight auto of f timer
Interior light dimming time
To customize these control settings,
see page .
Low Windshield Washer Fluid
Level (Canada only) 66
Multi-Inf ormation Display
Inst rument s and Cont rols58
SELECT/
RESET
BUTTON
INFO
BUTTON
TM
TM

¼
You can customize some of the
vehicle control settings to your
pref erence. Here are the settings
you can customize: Auto door lock conditions
Auto door unlock conditions
Security relock timer Keyless lock acknowledgment
conditions
Headlight auto of f timer
Interior light dimming time While ‘‘Keyless Memory Settings’’ is
displayed, press the Select/Reset
button. The display will change to
the screen shown above. Select the menu item you want
(‘‘CHG SETTINGS’’, ‘‘DEFAULT
ALL’’ or ‘‘EXIT’’) by moving the
pointer ‘‘ ’’ with the INFO button.
Af ter selecting a menu item, enter
your selection by pressing the
Select/Reset button.
To exit this mode without changing
the current settings, select ‘‘EXIT’’
and press the Select/Reset button.
The display will move to the next
mode.
If you want to change the settings,
select ‘‘CHG SETTINGS’’, and press
the Select/Reset button. The display
will change to the screen shown in
the middle column of this page.
Multi-Inf ormation Display
Inst rument s and Cont rols
K eyless Memory Settings
66
TM