Acura TL 2009 Owner's Manual

Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and trunk seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and trunk seals.
If you need to park your vehicle f or
an extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.
Fill the f uel tank.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Park.
If your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected, or goes dead, the time
setting may be lost. To reset the time,
see page .
If your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected or goes dead, the audio
system may disable itself . The next
timeyouturnontheradio,youwill
see ‘‘ENTER CODE’’ in the
f requency display. Use the preset
buttons to enter the code (see page
).
The navigation system will also
disableitself.Thenexttimeyouset
to the ON mode, the system will
require you to enter a PIN bef ore it
can be used. Ref er to the navigation
system manual. 377
376On models without navigation system
On models with navigation system
Vehicle Storage
578
\f—
—y
\f
y
) \f\fy\fy
2009 TL

Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Non-porous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches f ull
operating temperature (the
cooling f ans cycle on and of f
twice). Pref erably, do this once a
month.
Vehicle Storage
Maint enance
579
\f—\f—y

y
) \f\fy\fy
2009 TL

580
\f—\f—y

\f\fy
) \f\fy\fy
2009 TL

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .582
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .583
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start .588
................................
Jump Starting .591
..............
If the Engine Overheats .593
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .595
..........
Charging System Indicator .595
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .596
...............
Brake System Indicator .597
Opening the Fuel Fill Door
....................................
Manually .598
..............................................
Fuses .599
..............................
Fuse Locations .603
......................
Emergency Towing .606
..........
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck .608
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
581
\f—\f—y

\fy
) \f\fy\fy
2009 TL

Use the compact spare tire as a
temporary replacement only. Get
your regular tire repaired or replaced,
and put it back on your vehicle as
soon as you can.
Check the inf lation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inf lated to:Replace the tire when you can see
the tread wear indicator bars. The
replacement should be the same size
and design tire, mounted on the
same wheel. The spare tire is not
designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the spare wheel is not
designed f or mounting a regular tire.
Follow these precautions:
Never exceed 50 mph (80 km/h).
This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road
surf aces. Use greater caution
while driving. Do not mount snow chains on the
compact spare tire.
Do not use your compact spare
tire on another vehicle unless it is
thesamemakeandmodel.
After the flat tire is replaced with
the spare tire, the low tire
pressure/TPMS indicator stays on.
Af ter several miles (kilometers)
driving with the spare, this
indicator begins to f lash, then
stays on again. You will also see a
‘‘CHECK TPMS SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-inf ormation
display (see page ).
529
Compact Spare Tire
582
INDICATOR LOCATION MARK
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR BAR
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm)
\f—\f—y


y
) \f\fy\fy
2009 TL

Take the tool case out of the spare
tire.
Unscrew the wing bolt and take
the spare tire out of its well.
If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area that is
far away from the traffic lanes.
Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park. Apply the
parking brake.
Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
Models equipped with the keyless
access system have an engine start/
stop button instead of an ignition
switch. VEHICLE OFF (LOCK)
Mode is the equivalent of LOCK (0).
See page f or ignition switch and
power mode comparison. Open the trunk. Raise the trunk
f loor by lif ting up on the back edge.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.
180
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
583
EXTENSION WHEEL NUT
WRENCH
JACK
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.
\f—\f—\fy\f

\fy
) \f\fy\fy
2009 TL

Locate the jacking point nearest
thetireyouneedtochange.Itis
pointed to by an arrow molded into
the underside of the body. Place
the jack under the jacking point.
Turn the end bracket clockwise
until the top of the jack contacts
the jacking point. Make sure the
jacking point tab is resting in the
jack notch.Use the extension and the wheel
nut wrench as shown to raise the
vehicle until the f lat tire is of f the
ground.
Loosen each wheel nut 1/2 turn
with the wheel nut wrench.
6.
7.8.
Changing a Flat Tire
584
WHEEL NUT WRENCH
WHEEL NUT WRENCHEXTENSION
JACKING POINT
\f—\f—y

y
) \f\fy\fy
2009 TL

Bef ore mounting the spare tire,
wipeanydirtoff themounting
surface of the wheel and hub with
a clean cloth. Wipe the hub
carefully;itmaybehotfrom
driving.Put on the spare tire. Put the
wheel nuts back on f inger-tight,
then tighten them in a crisscross
pattern with the wheel nut wrench
until the wheel is f irmly against
the hub. Do not try to tighten the
wheel nuts f ully.
Remove the wheel nuts, then
remove the f lat tire. Handle the
wheel nuts caref ully; they may be
hot from driving. Place the flat tire
on the ground with the outside
surface facing up.
9.
10. 11.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
585
BRAKE HUB
\f—\f—y

y
) \f\fy\f\fy
2009 TL

Lower the vehicle to the ground,
and remove the jack.Remove the spacer cone f rom the
wing bolt, turn it over, and put it
back on the bolt.
Place the flat tire face down in the
spare tire well.
Tighten the wheel nuts securely in
the same crisscross pattern. Have
the wheel nut torque checked at
the nearest automotive service
f acility.
Tighten the wheel nuts to:
Remove the center cap before
storing the f lat tire in the trunk
well.
14.
12.
13.
15.
16.
Changing a Flat Tire
586
WING BOLT
For normal
tire
SPACER CONE For compact
spare tire
94 lbf·ft (127 N·m , 13 kgf·m)
\f—\f—\fy\f


y
) \f\fy\f
y
2009 TL

To remove the spacer cone,
squeeze the tabs on the wing bolt
to disengage it f rom the center of
the spacer cone, then pull the bolt
downward.
To install the wing bolt to the
spacer cone, reverse this
procedure.
Securetheflattirebyscrewing
the wing bolt back into its hole.Store the jack and tools in the tool
kit case. Place the tool kit case in
the f lat tire.
Store the center cap in the trunk.
Make sure it does not get
scratched or damaged.
Unhookthehandlefromthetrunk
opening and lower the trunk f loor
lid, then close the trunk lid.
Your vehicle’s original tire has a
tire pressure monitoring system
sensor. To replace a tire, ref er to
(see
page ).
17. 18. 19.
20.530
Changing a Flat Tire
Changing a T ire with T PMS
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
587
SPACER CONE
TAB
Loose items can fly around the
interiorinacrashandcould
seriously injure the occupants.
Store the wheel, jack, and tools
securely before driving.
\f—\f—y


y
) \f\fy\fy
2009 TL