maintenance Acura TL 2008 Owner's Guide

µ
Check the condition of the battery
monthlybylookingatthetest
indicator window. The label on the
battery explains the test indicator’s
colors. Check the terminals f or corrosion (a
white or yellowish powder). To
remove it, cover the terminals with a
solution of baking soda and water. It
will bubble up and turn brown. When
this stops, wash it of f with plain
water. Dry off the battery with a
cloth or paper towel. Coat the
terminals with grease to help prevent
f urther corrosion.
If additional battery maintenance is
needed, see your Acura dealer or a
qualif ied technician.
Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damaging your vehicle’s
electrical system. Always disconnect
the negative ( ) cable first, and
reconnect it last.
WARNING:
Wash your hands af ter handling.
Checking the Battery
314
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
technician do the battery
maintenance.
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Each tire, including the spare (if
provided), should be checked
monthly when cold and inf lated to
the inf lation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manuf acturer on the
vehicle placard or tire inf lation
pressure label.
(If your vehicle has tires of a
dif f erent size than the size indicated
on the vehicle placard or tire
inf lation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inf lation
pressure f or those tires.)As an added safety feature, your
vehicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that illuminates a low tire pressure
telltale
when one or more of your tires is
signif icantly under-inf lated.
Accordingly, when the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inf late them to
the proper pressure.Driving on a signif icantly under-
inf lated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inf lation also reduces f uel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
af f ect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a
substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver’s
responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under-inf lation has
not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the TPMS low tire
pressure telltale.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Required Federal Explanation
350
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T he publications shown below can be purchased f rom Helm
Incorporated. You can order by phone or online:Call Helm Inc. at 1-800-782-4356 (credit card orders only)
Go online at
If you are interested in other years or models, contact Helm Inc.
at 1-800-782-4356.
Covers maintenance and recommended procedures f or
repair to engine and chassis components. It is written
f or the journeyman mechanic, but it is simple enough
f or most mechanically inclined owners to understand.
Complements the Service Manual by providing in-depth
troubleshooting inf ormation f or each electrical circuit
in your vehicle.
Describes the procedures involved in the replacement
of damaged body parts.
Authorized Manuals
Purchasing Factory Authorized Manuals
(U.S. only) Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
Authorized Manuals
361
Publication
Form Number 61SEP04
61SEP04EL 61SEP30
31SEP640
31SEP810
31SEPM00 31SEPQ40 ACU-R Form Description
2008 Acura TL Service Manual
2008 Acura TL Electrical Troubleshooting Manual
2004 Model Series Acura TL Body Repair Manual 2008 Acura TL Owner’s Manual
2008 Acura TL Navigation Manual
2008 Acura TL Maintenance Journal 2008 Acura TL Quick Start GuideOrder Form for Previous Years-
Indicate Year and Model Desired
www. helminc. com
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CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications .245
................................
Accessories .245
............................
Modif ications .246
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .95
............
Accessory Power Sockets .120
......................................
AcuraLink .219
................
Adding Engine Coolant .290
........................
Adding Engine Oil .287
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .288
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9,22
...............
Additional Information .22
......................................
Servicing .31
...................
System Components .22
..............
Air Conditioning System .126
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .306
......................................
Antif reeze .290
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............................
Indicator .60,268
...................................
Operation .268
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System .184
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock .95
................................
Audio System .133
...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature .88 ...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners .20
.............
Automatic Speed Control .186
..............
Automatic Transmission .259
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .344
...............
Checking Fluid Level .292
.......................................
Shif ting .259
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator .259
....................
Shif t Lock Release .264
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .59,330
............................
Jump Starting .326
..............................
Maintenance .314
............................
Specif ications .345
..............................
Bef ore Driving .235
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,18
...........................
Beverage Holder .120
.......
Bluetooth
HandsFreeLink.192
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) .268
.............
Break-in, New Linings .236
...........................................
Fluid .295
.......................................
Parking .117 .................
System Indicator .59,332
........................
Wear Indicators .267
.............................
Braking System .267
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle .236
..
Brightness Control, Instruments .89
........................
Brights, Headlights .86
Bulb Replacement
..........................
Back-up Lights .301
.........
Daytime Running Lights .297
.................................
Fog Lights .299
............................
Specif ications .345
............
Turn Signal Lights .298,300
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .297
............................
Capacities Chart .344
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .52
............................
Carrying, Cargo .247
Cassette Player
....................................
Care .154,175
...........................
Operation .152,173
.............
CAUTION, Explanation of .iii
..................................
Ceiling Light .118
Index
A
BC
INDEX
I
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CONT INUED
..................................................
Keys .92
...............
Keyless Memory Setting .76
...................
Neutral Gear Position .260
..................
New Vehicle Break-in .236
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of .i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication .342
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline .236
.........................................
Odometer .70
...............................
Odometer, Trip .70
.................
Jacking up the Vehicle .320
.......................................
Jack, Tire .319
................................
Jump Starting .326
..................................
Maintenance .277
........................................
Minder .279
...
Owner Maintenance Checks .283
..........................................
Saf ety .278
Malf unction Indicator ....................................
Lamp .59,331
...................
Manual Transmission .256
........
Manual Transmission Fluid .294
...........
Memory, Driving Position .108
...............................
Meters, Gauges .65
........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .106
...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle .246
.......................................
Moonroof .115
.............
Multi-Inf ormation Display .66
.....
Bluetooth
HandsFreeLink.73
............................
Engine Oil Lif e .72 .........................
HandsFreeLink
.73
.........
Keyless Memory Settings .76
................
Maintenance Minder .279
.....................................
Odometer .70
.................
Outside Temperature .71
............................
Trip Computer .73
...................................
Trip Meter .70
.......................
Label, Certif ication .342
.................
Lane Change, Signaling .86
........................
Lap/Shoulder Belts .19
Lights
....................
Bulb Replacement .297
.......................................
Indicator .62
.........................................
Parking .86
..................................
Turn Signal .86
.....................................
Load Limit .248
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) .95
........................
Lockout Prevention .96
Locks
.......
Anti-thef t Steering Column .95 ..................................
Glove Box .121
.................................
Power Door .96
...........................................
Trunk .97
........................
Low Coolant Level .241
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .59,330
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart .344
...........
Luggage, Storing (Cargo) .247
Index
L N
M
K J
O
INDEX
V
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Oil........................
Change, How to .288
......................
Change, When to .279
......................
Checking Engine .240
..............
Pressure Indicator .59,330
Selecting Proper Viscosity
......................................
Chart .287
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) .95
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
....................................
Recovery .352
............................
Outside Mirrors .106
.....................
Outside Temperature .71
....................
Overheating, Engine .328
....
Owner’s Maintenance Checks .283
..................................
Saf ety Belts .8,18
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting .360
...................
Radiator Overheating .328
Radio/Cassette/Disc Sound
........................................
System .133
...................
Readiness Codes .331,355
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement .300 ........................
Rear Seat Armrest .105
.
Rear View Camera and Monitor .233
..........................
Rear View Mirror .106
.................
Rear Window Def ogger .90
.............
Reclining the Seat Backs .103
.............................
Reminder Lights .58
................
Remote Audio Controls .183
.......................
Remote Transmitter .99
Replacement Inf ormation
................
Engine Oil and Filter .288
..........................................
Fuses .333
................................
Light Bulbs .297
...........................................
Tires .311
.............................
Wiper Blades .304
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .21
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant .241
.........................
Restraint, Child .38,39
..................
Reverse Gear Position .260
................................
Rotation, Tire .310
..............
Panel Brightness Control .89
........................
Park Gear Position .260
...........................................
Parking .266
...............................
Parking Brake .117
Parking Brake and Brake
.................
System Indicator .59,332
.................................
Parking Lights .86
..
Parking Over Things that Burn .266
....
Passenger Airbag Of f Indicator .30 .............................
PGM-FI System .353
...............
Power Socket Locations .120
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts .16
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens .11
...
Additional Safety Precautions .17
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women .16
........................
Protecting Children .33
Installing a Child Seat Using
........................................
Latch .43
Installing a Child Seat with a ..................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .45
Installing a Child Seat with a ......................................
Tether .46
.................
Selecting a Child Seat .41
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .38
.......
Protecting Larger Children .48
.........
Protecting Small Children .39
..................
Protecting Your Discs .177
Index
P
RS
VI
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Î
CONT INUED
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
...........................................
Airbags .9
..................................
Door Locks .11
..........................
Head Restraints .13
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
..................
Seats and Seat-Backs .12
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of .53
..............................
Saf ety Messages .iii
.......................
Satellite Radio .139,159
.....................................
Seat Belts .8,18
...............
Additional Information .18
.....................................
Cleaning .303
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .19
................................
Maintenance .21
Reminder Light and
................................
Beeper .18,58
...................
System Components .18
...............
Use During Pregnancy .16
..................................
Seat Heaters .111
......................
Seats, Adjusting the .103
............................
Security System .185
........
Sequential SportShif t Mode .261
...............................
Serial Number .342
...........................
Service Intervals .279
...........................
Service Manual .361
.........
Service Station Procedures .237 ..........................
Setting the Clock .116
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator .259
........................
Shif t Lock Release .264
...................................
Shif ting .256,259
................................
Side Airbags .9,27
........
Side Airbag Of f Indicator .30,60
......................
Side Curtain Airbags .29
...............................
Signaling Turns .86
.....................................
Snow Tires .312
................................
Sound System .133
Spare Tire
......................................
Inf lating .318
............................
Specif ications .345
....................
Specif ications Charts .344
................................
Speed Control .186
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation .37
...
Additional Safety Precautions .32
....................
Airbag Components .22
.............................
Airbag Service .31
How the SRS Indicator
.......................................
Works .29
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work .24
...
How Your Side Airbags Work .27
How Your Side Curtain Airbags
.........................................
Work .29 .............................
SRS Indicator .29,60
....
START (Ignition Key Position) .95
..............
Starting the Engine .253,254
................
With a Dead Battery .326
..............
State Emissions Testing .355
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine .328
Steering Wheel
..................................
Adjustment .91
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock .95
...................
Stereo Sound System .133
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .315
........................
Sunglasses Holder .123
....
Supplemental Restraint System .22
......................................
Servicing .31
...............................
SRS Indicator .29
...................
System Components .22
.....................................
Tachometer .65
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected .317
...........................
Tape Player .152,173
Index
T
INDEX
VII
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