Acura TL 2010 Owner's Manual

Be sure items placed on the f loor
behind the f ront seats cannot roll
underneath and interf ere with the
proper operation of the seats, the
sensors under the seats, or the
driver’s ability to operate the
pedals.
Keep all cargo below the bottom
of the windows. If it is higher, it
could interf ere with the proper
operation of the side curtain
airbags.
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop.Cargo hook buttons in the trunk can
be used to install a net f or securing
items.
The cargo net can be used to help
hold down items stored in the trunk.
Distribute cargo evenly on the
f loor of the trunk, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as far forward as possible.
If you carry large items that
prevent you f rom closing the trunk
lid, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility of
, f ollow the instructions
on page . 57
If equipped
Cargo Nets
Carrying Cargo in the Trunk Cargo Hook Buttons
carbon monoxide
poisoning
Carrying Cargo
458
CARGO HOOK BUTTON
09/07/29 18:17:30 31TK4610_463
2010 TL

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
manual and automatic transmissions.
It also includes important
information on parking your vehicle,
the braking system, the Super
Handling-All Wheel Drive
(SH-AWD
) system, vehicle stability
assist (VSA
), aka electronic
stability control (ESC), system, and
the tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS). ........................
Preparing to Drive .460
Starting the Engine (Models without Keyless .....................
Access System) .461
Starting the Engine (Models with Keyless .....................
Access System) .463
...................
Manual Transmission . 465
..............
Automatic Transmission . 468
Driving with the Paddle .......................................
Shif ters .473
Super Handling-All Wheel ...
Drive (SH-AWD
) System . 478
...........................................
Parking .480
.............................
Braking System .481
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) . 482
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
),
aka Electronic Stability ........
Control (ESC), System . 484
.....................
Hill Start Assist .486
Tire Pressure Monitoring ........................
System (TPMS) .488
...........................
Towing a Trailer .493
...................
Towing Your Vehicle . 493
Driving
Driving
459
TM
TM
09/07/29 18:17:35 31TK4610_464
2010 TL

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
460
09/07/29 18:17:46 31TK4610_465
2010 TL

Your vehicle’s starting system has an
auto control mode. When you turn
the ignition switch to the START
(III) position, this f eature keeps the
engine’s starter motor running until
the engine starts. Follow these
instructions to start the engine:Without touching the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, then
release the ignition switch. You do
not need to hold the ignition
switch in the START (III) position
to start the engine. Depending on
the outside temperature, the
starter motor runs f or about 6 to 9 seconds until the engine starts.
Make sure the shif t lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal. In cold weather, turn of f all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery. Apply the parking brake. If the engine does not start, wait at
least 10 seconds bef ore trying
again. If you hold the ignition switch in
the START (III) position f or more
than 7 seconds, the starter motor,
depending on the outside
temperature, runs f or about 10 to
25 seconds until the engine starts.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Starting the Engine (Models without Keyless Access System)
Driving
461
T he immobilizer system protects your
vehicle f rom thef t. If an improperly
coded key (or other device) is used, the
engine’s f uel system is disabled. For
more inf ormation, see page . The engine is harder to start in cold
weather. Also, the thinner air f ound at
altitudes above 8,000 f eet (2,400
meters) adds to this problem.
143
09/07/29 18:17:58 31TK4610_466
2010 TL

If there is a problem with the
starting system, you will see a
‘‘CHECK STARTING SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-inf ormation
display when the ignition switch is
turned to the ON (II) position. You
will also see this message when the
auto control mode of the starting
system has a problem.If this message is on, the ignition
switchhastobeheldintheSTART
(III) position manually until the
engine starts. The ignition switch
canbeheldinthatpositionupto15
seconds.
Even though you may be able to
start the engine manually without
the auto control mode of the starting
system, have your vehicle inspected
by a dealer.
Check Starting System Message
Starting the Engine (Models without Keyless Access System)
462
09/07/29 18:18:04 31TK4610_467
2010 TL

If you hold the engine start/stop
button for more than 7 seconds,
the starter motor, depending on
the outside temperature, runs f orabout10to25secondsuntilthe
engine starts.
Without touching the accelerator
pedal, push and release the engine
start/stop button. You do not need
to hold the engine start/stop
button to start the engine.
Depending on the outside
temperature, the starter motor
runs f or about 6 to 9 seconds until
the engine starts. The keyless access remote battery
becomes weak or dead. The keyless access remote system
main switch is of f .
In either of the f ollowing cases, you
should insert the keyless access
remote into the keyless remote slot.
For more inf ormation, see pages
and . If the engine does not start, wait at
least 10 seconds bef ore trying
again.
Your vehicle’s starting system has an
auto control mode. When you have
your keyless access remote and push
the engine start/stop button while
depressing the brake pedal (A/T) or
clutch pedal (M/T), this f eature
keeps the engine’s starter motor
running until the engine starts.
Follow these instructions to start the
engine:
Make sure the shif t lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal. Press the clutch pedal down all the
way. The power mode f rom ON to
START does not f unction unless
the clutch pedal is pressed. In cold weather, turn of f all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery. Apply the parking brake.
1.
2.
3. 4.188 189Automatic transmission:
Manual transmission:
Starting the Engine (Models with Keyless Access System)
Driving
463
T he immobilizer system protects your
vehicle f rom thef t. If an improperly
coded keyless access remote (or other
device) is used, the engine’s f uel system
is disabled. For more inf ormation, see
page .
The engine is harder to start in cold
weather. Also, the thinner air f ound at
altitudes above 8,000 f eet (2,400
meters) adds to this problem. 143
09/07/29 18:18:19 31TK4610_468
2010 TL

If you cannot start the engine using
the normal engine start procedure,
do the f ollowing:Set the parking brake.
If there is a problem with the
starting system, you will see a
‘‘CHECK STARTING SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-inf ormation
display with the power mode ON.
You will also see this message when
the auto control mode of the starting
system has a problem. If this message is on, you should
press and hold the engine start/stop
button until the engine starts. The
engine start/stop button can be
pressedupto15seconds.
Even though you may be able to
start the engine manually without
the auto control mode of the starting
system, have your vehicle inspected
by a dealer.
Your vehicle has the engine start/
stop button instead of an ignition
switch to select the power mode. For
more information, see page .
Do not f ollow this procedure unless
it is a case of emergency. Even if you
can start the engine using this
method, the system may have a
malf unction. Contact your dealer as
soon as possible.Press and hold the engine start/
stop button f or about 15 seconds
while pressing the brake pedal
(automatic) or the clutch pedal
(manual). Press the engine start/stop button
to turn on the ACCESSORY mode. Put the shif t lever into Park.
178 1.
2.
3.
4.
Automatic transmission:
Starting the Engine (Models with Keyless Access System)
Emergency Engine Start
Check Starting System Message
464
09/07/29 18:21:03 31TK4610_469
2010 TL

When shif ting up or down, make
sure you push the clutch pedal down
all the way, shif t to the next gear,
and let the pedal up gradually. When
you are not shif ting, do not rest your
f oot on the clutch pedal. This can
cause your clutch to wear out f aster.
Come to a full stop before you shift
into reverse. You can damage the
transmission by trying to shif t into
reverse with the vehicle moving.
Push down the clutch pedal, and
pause f or a f ew seconds bef ore
shif ting into reverse, or shif t into one
of the f orward gears f or a moment.
This stops the gears so they won’t
‘‘grind.’’When slowing down, you can get
extra braking from the engine by
shifting to a lower gear. This extra
braking can help you maintain a safe
speed and prevent your brakes f rom
overheating while going down a
steep hill. Bef ore downshif ting,
make sure the engine speed will not
go into the tachometer’s red zone in
the lower gear.
The manual transmission is
synchronized in all f orward gears f or
smooth operation. It has a lockout so
you cannot accidentally shif t f rom
any forward gear to reverse while
the vehicle is moving at a certain
speed (see page ). 467
CONT INUED
Manual T ransmission
Driving
465
Rapid slowing or speeding up
can cause loss of control on
slippery surfaces. If you crash,
you can be injured.
Use extra care when driving on
slippery surfaces.
09/07/29 18:21:12 31TK4610_470
2010 TL

Drive in the highest gear that lets
the engine run and accelerate
smoothly. This will give you good
f uel economy and ef f ective
emissions control. The f ollowing
shif t points are recommended:Shif t up
1st to 2nd
2nd to 3rd 3rd to 4th4th to 5th
5th to 6th Normal acceleration
17 mph (28 km/h)
27 mph (44 km/h)
36 mph (58 km/h)
41 mph (66 km/h)
44 mph (71 km/h) 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.
Bef ore downshif ting, make sure the
engine will not go into the
tachometer’s red zone.
Manual T ransmission
Recommended Shif t Points Engine Speed L imiter
466
09/07/29 18:21:20 31TK4610_471
2010 TL

Press the clutch pedal, and shif t to
reverse.
The manual transmission has a
lockout so you cannot accidentally
shif t f rom any f orward gear to
reverse while the vehicle is moving
at a certain speed. If you cannot shif t
to reverse when the vehicle is
stopped, do the f ollowing:
With the clutch pedal pressed,
move the shift lever to the first/
second gear side of the neutral
gate, then shif t to reverse.If you are still unable to shif t to
reverse, apply the parking brake,
and select the ACCESSORY or
VEHICLE OFF (LOCK) mode
(see page ).
With the clutch pedal still pressed
f ully, press the engine start/stop
button to start the engine.
If you need to use this procedure to
shif t to reverse, your vehicle may be
developing a problem. Have it
checked by your dealer.
1. 2.
3.
4.
179
Reverse Lockout
Manual T ransmission
Driving
467
Move the shift lever in sequence.
09/07/29 18:21:30 31TK4610_472
2010 TL