lights Acura TL 2009 Service Manual

Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).
Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel, and the
messages on the multi-inf ormation
display (see pages , and
).
Youshoulddothesechecksand
adjustments bef ore you drive your
vehicle:
Check that the hood is f ully closed.
Check that the trunk is f ully
closed.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely.
3.
2.
1.
7.
8.
9.
4.
5. 6.
155
63 75
77
16
161
140
10. 11.
Preparing to Drive
502
——y
y
) yy
2009 TL

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.
Lock the doors.
If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb.
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.
Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verif y that the
security system is set.If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb.
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.
If you are unable to stop the
engine normally while in the Park
position, see on page . 184
On models with keyless access system
Parking T ips
Emergency Engine
Stop
Parking
Driving
519
NOTE:
\f—
—y
\f\f
y
) \f\fy\fy
2009 TL

Your vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The emergency
brake assist system increases the
stopping f orce when you depress the
brake pedal hard in an emergency
situation. The anti-lock brake system
(ABS) helps you retain steering
control when braking very hard.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, reduces their ef f ectiveness and
reduces brake pad lif e. In addition,
f uel economy can be reduced. It also
keeps your brake lights on all the
time, conf using drivers behind you.Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.
Check your brakes af ter driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious and alert in your driving.
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.
All f our brakes have audible brake
wear indicators.
Brake Wear Indicators
Braking System Design
Braking System
520
\f—\f—y
\f\fy
) \f\fy\fy
2009 TL

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 minder messages on
the multi-information display, and
instructions f or simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself .......................
Maintenance Saf ety .534
....................
Maintenance Minder .535
..............................
Fluid Locations .545
......
Engine Compartment Covers .546
........................
Adding Engine Oil .547
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter .548
..............................
Engine Coolant .550
....................
Windshield Washers .552
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid .553
....................................
Brake Fluid .555
.............................................
Lights .556
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .564
.....................................
Floor Mats .565
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .566
.................................
Wiper Blades .566
...............................................
Tires .568
...................
Checking the Battery .577
.............................
Vehicle Storage .578
633
Maintenance
Maint enance
533
\f—\f—y
\f\fy
) \f\fy\fy
2009 TL

µ
µ µµ
µ
µ
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 oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel 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 . 491
556
490
553 555
568
CONT INUED
Maintenance Minder
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
Maint enance
543
\f—\f—y
\fy
) \f\fy\fy
2009 TL

Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk, readjustment may be required.
Adjustmentsshouldbedonebyyour
dealer or another qualif ied
technician.Your vehicle has halogen high beam
headlight bulbs which are also used
f or the daytime running light.
Handle it by its base and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass,
clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.
Open the hood.
Remove all engine compartment
covers (see page ). If youarereplacingthebulbon
the driver’s side, remove the three
holding clips with a f lat-tipped
screwdriver. Then remove the
upper part of the air intake duct by
pulling it straight up.
The low beam headlight bulbs are a
type of high voltage discharge tube.
High voltage can remain in the
circuit even with the light switch of f
and the key removed (or the vehicle
is in VEHICLE OFF (LOCK) mode
on models with keyless access
system). Because of this, you should
not attempt to examine or change a
low beam headlight bulb yourself . If
a low beam headlight bulb fails, take
the vehicle to your dealer to have it
replaced.
1.
2.
546
Headlight A iming
L ow Beam Headlight Bulb
Replacement
Replacing a High Beam
Headlight/Daytime Running
Light Bulb
Lights
556
HOLDING CLIP
Halogen bulbs get very hot when lit. Oil,
perspiration, or a scratch on the glass
can cause the bulb to overheat and
shatter.
\f—
—y

y
) \f\fy\f
y
2009 TL

Push the electrical connector back
onto the bulb. Make sure it is on
all the way.
Turn on the lights to test the new
bulb.
(Driver’s side)
Install the upper part of the air
intake duct.
Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pushing on the
tab and pulling the connector
down.
Remove the bulb by turning it one-
quarter turn counterclockwise.
Insert the new bulb into the hole,
and turn it one-quarter turn
clockwise to lock it in place. Install the engine coolant reserve
tank.
(Passenger’s side)
Install the all engine compartment
covers.
To change a bulb on the
passenger’s side, remove the
engine coolant reserve tank by
pulling it out of its stay.
4.
5. 6.
7.
8.
3. 9.
10.
Lights
Maint enance
557
RESERVE TANK BULB
CONNECTOR
STAY
\f—\f—y

\fy
) \f\fy\fy
2009 TL

Start the engine. If you are
replacing a driver’s side bulb, turn
the steering wheel all the way to
theright.If youarereplacinga
passenger’s side bulb, turn the
steering wheel to the lef t. Turn of f
the engine.Use a f lat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the holding clips f rom the
edge of the inner f ender cover,
and pull the inner f ender cover
back.
Remove the two undercover bolts
and the holding clip with a f lat-
tipped screwdriver.
3.
2.
1.
Replacing the Front Side Marker
Light Bulb
Lights
558
BOLTS
HOLDING CLIP
SPOILER
HOLDING
CLIP
\f—\f—y

\fy
) \f\fy\fy
2009 TL

CONT INUED
Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.Start the engine. If you are
replacing a driver’s side bulb, turn
the steering wheel all the way to
theright.If youarereplacinga
passenger’s side bulb, turn the
steering wheel to the lef t. Turn of f
the engine.
Remove the bulb by pulling it
straight out of its socket. Install the new bulb in the socket
by pushing it straight in the socket
until it bottoms.
Insert the socket into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Test the lights to make sure the
new bulb is working.
Set the spoiler and inner f ender
cover in the original position.
Install the bolts and holding clips,
andlocktheminplacebypushing
on their center.
4.
5. 6.
7.
8.
1.
9.
Lights
Replacing a Front T urn Signal/
Parking L ight Bulb
Maint enance
559
SOCKET
BULB
\f—\f—y


\fy
) \f\fy\fy
2009 TL

Remove the socket f rom the light
assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.
Remove the bulb f rom the socket
bypushingitinandturningit
counterclockwise until it unlocks.
Use a f lat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the three holding clips
f rom the inner f ender.
Use a 10 mm wrench to remove
the two mounting bolts and
remove the holding clip with a flat-
tipped screwdriver.
Pull down the under cover f rom
the bumper caref ully.
3.
2. 4.
5.
Lights
560
HOLDING CLIP
SOCKET
BULB
COVER
HOLDING
CLIP
SPOILERBOLTS
\f—\f—y



y
) \f\fy\fy
2009 TL