automatic transmission Acura TL 2006 User Guide

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To avoid transmission damage, come
to a complete stop bef ore shif ting
into Park. The shif t lever must be in
Park bef ore you can remove the key
from the ignition switch.
Use this position f or
your normal driving. The transmis-
sion automatically selects a suitable
gear f or your speed and acceleration.
ForfasteraccelerationwheninD,
you can get the transmission to
automatically downshif t by pushing
the accelerator pedal to the floor.
The transmission will shif t down one,
two or three gears, depending on
your speed.
This position mechani-
cally locks the transmission. Use
Park whenever you are turning of f or
starting the engine. To shif t out of
Park, you must press on the brake
pedal and have your f oot of f the
accelerator pedal.
If you have done all of the above and
still cannot move the lever out of
Park, see on
page . Press the brake
pedal to shif t f rom Park to reverse.
To shif t f rom neutral to reverse,
come to a complete stop and then
shif t.
Your vehicle has a reverse lockout so
you cannot accidentally shif t to
reverse f rom neutral or any other
driving position when the vehicle
speed exceeds 5 6 mph (8 10
km/h).
If you cannot shif t to reverse when
the vehicle is stopped, press the
brake pedal, slowly shif t to neutral,
andthenshifttoreverse.
If there is a problem in the reverse
lockout system, or your vehicle’s battery is disconnected or goes dead,
you cannot shif t to reverse. (Ref er to
on page ).
Use neutral if you
need to restart a stalled engine, or if
it is necessary to stop brief ly with
the engine idling. Shif t to the Park
position if you need to leave your
vehicle and apply the parking brake.
Press on the brake pedal when you
are moving the shif t lever f rom
neutral to another gear. 197
197
To shift from: PtoR
RtoN
NtoD DtoL
LtoD
DtoN NtoR RtoP Do this:
Press the brake pedal, then
move the shift lever.
Move the lever.
Drive (D)
Park (P)
Shif t L ock Release Reverse (R)
Shif t L ock Release
Neutral (N)
Automatic Transmission
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When you accelerate away f rom a
stop, the transmission will start in
first gear and then automatically
upshif t to second gear. You have to
manually upshif t between second
and f if th gears. Make sure you
upshif t bef ore the engine speed
reaches the tachometer’s red zone.
The transmission remains in the
selected gear (5, 4, 3). There is no
automatic downshif t when you push
the accelerator pedal to the floor.
When you move the
shif t lever to this position, the
transmission shifts to the lowest
gear that can be selected without
exceeding the engine redline. At
normal speeds, it selects third gear.
As the vehicle slows, it selects
second gear at about 53 mph
(85 km/h), and f irst gear at about 28
mph (45 km/h). Accelerating in f irst
gear, the transmission upshif ts to
second gear at about 37 mph
(59 km/h). You must move the shif t
lever to D f or the transmission to
upshif t to third gear.
In Sequential SportShif t mode, each
time you push f orward on the shif t
lever, the transmission shifts to a
higher gear. Pull back on the lever to
downshif t. The number of the gear
selected is displayed on the
instrument panel.
To enter the Sequential SportShif t
mode, move the shif t lever f urther to
the driver’s side. To return to ‘‘D,’’
move the shift lever to the passenger’s side.
When you move the shif t lever f rom
‘‘D’’ to the Sequential SportShift
mode, the display shows the selected
gear.
With
the shif t lever in ‘‘D’’ position, you
can select the Sequential SportShif t
mode to shif t gears much like a
manual transmission, but without a
clutch pedal.
CONT INUED
Automatic Transmission
Low (L)
Sequential SportShif t Mode
Driving
195
SELECTED GEAR Down shiftUp shift

à
à à
àà
à
à
à
The transmission may automatically
downshif t f rom the higher gear to
the lower gear under these
conditions:
Downshif ting gives you more power
when climbing, and provides engine
braking when going down a steep hill.
The transmission will also shif t
automatically as the vehicle comes to
a complete stop. It will downshif t to
f irst gear when the vehicle speed is
under 9 mph (15 km/h).
If you try to manually downshif t at a
speed that would cause the engine to
exceed the redline in a lower gear,
the transmission will not downshif t.If the vehicle speed slows to below
the redline of the selected lower gear
position while the indicator is
f lashing, the transmission will
downshif t and the display will show
the selected lower gear.
The table shows the speed ranges
f or upshif ting and downshif ting.
To shift from 43
54
To shift from
43
54 To shift from
12
23
34
45
Thegearindicatorwillflashthe
numberof thelowergearseveral
times, then return to the higher gear.
Speed range
over 0 mph
(0 km/h)
over 9 mph
(15 km/h)
over 18 mph
(29 km/h)
over 37 mph
(60 km/h)
Speed range
under 18 mph
(29 km/h)
under 38 mph
(60 km/h)
Speed range
under 41 mph
(65 km/h)
under 47 mph
(75 km/h)
Driving uphill Driving on level roads and downhill
Automatic Transmission
196

à
à
à
To shift from
32
43
54 When you are in Sequential
SportShif t mode, and the vehicle is
stopped, push f orward on the shif t
lever to shif t to second gear. You will
see ‘‘2’’ in the display. Starting out in
second gear will help to reduce
wheelspin in deep snow or on a
slippery surf ace.
If you exceed the maximum speed
f or the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer’s
red zone. If this occurs, you may f eel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine’s
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
rpm below the red zone. Set the parking brake.
Make sure the ignition switch is in
the LOCK (0) position.
Speed range
under 63 mph
(102 km/h)
under 97 mph
(156 km/h)
under 149 mph
(240 km/h) This allows you to move the shif t
lever out of Park if the normal
method of pushing on the brake
pedal does not work. This procedure
is also used to release the reverse
lockout.
To release the reverse lockout, make
sure the ignition switch is in the
ACCESSORY(I) position. 1.
2.
CONT INUED
Starting in Second Gear
Engine Speed L imiterShif t L ock Release
Automatic Transmission
Driving
197

Put a cloth on the edge of the shif t
lock release slot cover. Using a
small f lat-tipped screwdriver or a
metal f ingernail f ile, caref ully pry
on the edge of the cover to remove
it.Remove the key from the shift
lock release slot. Press the brake
pedal, and restart the engine.
If you need to use the shif t lock
release, it means your vehicle is
developing a problem. Have the
vehicle checked by your dealer.
Insert a key into the shift lock
release slot.
Push down on the key and move
the shift lever out of Park to
neutral.
To release the reverse lockout,
move the shift lever from neutral
to reverse, then to Park.
3. 6.
5. 4.
Automatic Transmission
198
SHIFT LOCK RELEASE SLOT
COVER

Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly, or
your vehicle may roll if it is parked
on an incline.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake
bef ore you put the transmission in
Park. This keeps the vehicle f rom
moving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission.Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you. Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.
If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb. If you have a manual
transmission, put it in f irst gear.
If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb. If you have a manual
transmission, put it in reverse gear.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Lock the doors.
Parking T ips
Parking
Driving
199

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer. This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance messages in the multi-
inf ormation display, a maintenance
record, and instructions f or simple
maintenance tasks you may want to
take care of yourself .......................
Maintenance Saf ety .208
....................
Maintenance Minder .209
....................
Maintenance Record .214
..............................
Fluid Locations .216
......
Engine Compartment Covers .217
........................
Adding Engine Oil .218
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter .219
..............................
Engine Coolant .221
....................
Windshield Washers .222
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid .223
........
Manual Transmission Fluid .224
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid .225
....................
Power Steering Fluid .226
.............................................
Lights .227
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .231
.....................................
Floor Mats .232
.................................
Wiper Blades .232
...............................................
Tires .234
...................
Checking the Battery .240
.............................
Vehicle Storage .241
283
Maintenance
Maint enance
207

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U.S. Vehicles:
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed. Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page . Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page .
According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all
maintenance services should be
perf ormed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the multi-
inf ormation display.
179
180
223 225
236 227
Maintenance Minder
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
212

Fluid Locations
216
ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap)BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
ENGINE
COOLANT
RESERVOIR
RADIATOR CAP
CLUTCH FLUID
(Manual Transmission
only)

Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.Park the vehicle on level ground.
Shut of f the engine.
Within 60 to 90 seconds, remove
the dipstick (yellow loop) f rom the
transmission, and wipe it with a
clean cloth.
Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely. Remove the dipstick, and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the f iller hole
to bring it to the upper mark.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid when this
service is shown on a maintenance
message in the multi-inf ormation
display.Always use Honda ATF-Z1
(automatic transmission f luid). If
it’s not available, you may use a
DEXRON
III automatic
transmission f luid as a temporary
replacement. However, continued
use can af f ect the shif t quality.
Have the transmission f lushed and
ref illed with Honda ATF-Z1 as
soon as it is convenient.
To thoroughly f lush the
transmission, the technician
should drain and ref ill it with
Honda ATF-Z1, then drive the
vehicle f or a short distance. Do
this three times. Then drain and
ref ill the transmission a f inal time.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
in the transmission.
1.
2.
3. 4.
5.
6.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Maint enance
223
UPPER
MARK
LOWER
MARK
DIPSTICK