brakes Acura TL 2012 User Guide

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.
Braking System Design Brake Pad Wear Indicators
Braking System
Driving
507
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2012 TL

The anti-lock brake system (ABS)
helpspreventthewheelsfrom
locking up, and helps you retain
steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly, much f aster than a
person can do it.
The electronic brake distribution
(EBD) system, which is part of the
ABS, also balances the f ront-to-rear
braking distribution according to
vehicle loading.
Let the ABS work f or you by always
keeping f irm, steady pressure on the
brake pedal. This is sometimes
ref erred to as ‘‘stomp and steer.’’If this indicator comes on, the anti-
lock f unction of the braking system
has shut down. The brakes still work
like a conventional system, but
without anti-lock. You should have
your dealer inspect your vehicle as
soon as possible.
You will f eel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
you may hear some noise. This is
normal: it is the ABS rapidly
pumpingthebrakes.Ondry
pavement, you will need to press on
thebrakepedalveryhardbeforethe
ABS activates. However, you may
feel the ABS activate immediately if
you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
If the ABS indicator comes on while
driving, test the brakes as shown on
page . When the ABS indicator comes on,
you will also see a ‘‘CHECK ABS
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display.598
You should never pump the brake pedal.
ABS Indicator
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
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Driving
2012 TL

If the ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator come on together,
and the parking brake is f ully
released, the EBD system may also
be shut down.
Test your brakes as instructed on
page . If the brakes f eel normal,
drive slowly and have your vehicle
repaired by your dealer as soon as
possible. Avoid sudden hard braking
which could cause the rear wheels to
lock up and possibly lead to a losssuch as trying to take a
corner too f ast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe
speed f or the road and weather
conditions.
Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road. on loose or
uneven surfaces, such as gravel
or snow, than a vehicle without
anti- lock.
It only helps with the
steering control during braking.
598 Important Saf ety Reminders
A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly,
A BS cannot prevent a loss of
stability. A vehicle with ABS may require a
longer distance to stop
A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle.
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Driving
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of control.
2012 TL

The vehicle stability assist (VSA)
system helps to stabilize the
vehicle during cornering if the
vehicle turns more or less than
desired. It also assists you in
maintaining traction while
accelerating on loose or slippery
road surfaces. It does this by
regulating the engine’s output, and
by selectively applying the brakes.
The VSA system cannot enhance the
vehicle’s driving stability in all
situations and does not control your
vehicle’s entire braking system. It is
still your responsibility to drive and
corner at reasonable speeds and to
leave a sufficient margin of safety.When VSA is off, the VSA OFF
indicator comes on as a reminder.
When VSA activates, you will see the
VSA system indicator blink.
When VSA activates, you may notice
that the engine does not respond to
the accelerator in the same way it
does at other times. There may also
be some noise f rom the VSA
hydraulic system. You will also see
the VSA system indicator blink. The main f unction of the
VSA system is generally known as
Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
The system also includes a traction
control f unction.
If this indicator comes on while
driving, you will also see a ‘‘CHECK
VSA SYSTEM’’ and/or ‘‘CHECK
HILL START ASSIST SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-inf ormation
display. Drive cautiously as the VSA
may not be f unctioning. Without
VSA, your vehicle will have normal
braking and cornering ability, but it
will not have VSA traction and
stability enhancement. Also, the VSA
OFF switch will not operate. Pull to
the side of the road when it is saf e,
and turn of f the engine. Reset the
system by restarting the engine. If
the VSA system indicator stays on, have the VSA system inspected by
your dealer.
If there is a problem with the hill
start assist system, the VSA system
indicator comes on and stays on. The
multi-inf ormation display shows a
‘‘CHECK HILL START ASSIST
SYSTEM’’ message.
With the VSA system indicator on,
you may not be able to stop the
engine even if you park the vehicle
saf ely. To stop the engine, see
on
.
On models with SH-AWD
On models with keyless access system
Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA ) System IndicatorVSA OFF Indicator
Emergency Engine Stop
Vehicle Stability A ssist (VSA), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
510
NOTE:
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page 192
Driving
2012 TL

VSA is turned on every time you
start the engine, even if
you turned it off the last time
you drove the vehicle.
In certain unusual conditions when
your vehicle gets stuck in shallow
mud or f resh snow, it may be easier
to free it with the VSA temporarily
switched of f . When the VSA system
is of f , the traction control system is
alsooff.Youshouldonlyattemptto
f ree your vehicle with the VSA of f if
you are not able to f ree it when the
VSA is on.
Immediately af ter f reeing your
vehicle, be sure to switch the VSA on
again. We do not recommend driving
your vehicle with the VSA and
traction control systems switched off.Driving with varying tire or wheel
sizes may cause the VSA to
malf unction. When replacing tires,
make sure they are of the same size
and type as your original tires (see
page ).
If you install winter tires, make sure
they are the same size as those that
were originally supplied with your
vehicle. Exercise the same caution
during winter driving as you would
Your vehicle is equipped with a hill
start assist f eature to help prevent
the vehicle f rom rolling on inclines
as you move your f oot f rom the
brake pedal to the accelerator.
To activate hill start assist, you must
come to a complete stop and make
sure the shif t lever is either in D or S
when f acing uphill, or reverse when
f acing downhill. This f eature begins
working a few seconds after you are
in the correct gear position. Release
thebrakepedal.Thebrakesremain
engaged brief ly to keep the vehicle
f rom rolling f orward or backward.
Gently apply the accelerator pedal as
in normal driving. Hill start assist will
release brake pressure gradually as
you accelerate.
574
On models with SH-AWD
Vehicle Stability A ssist (VSA), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
VSA and Tire Sizes
Hill Start Assist
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if your vehicle was not equipped
wiht VSA.
Driving
2012 TL

Hillstartassistmaynotpreventyour
vehicle f rom rolling downhill on a
very steep or slippery slope, and will
not operate on small inclines.
Hill start assist is not a replacement
f or the parking brake. If parking
your vehicle, ensure that the
transmission is in park, and/or the
parking brake is f ully applied bef ore
exiting the vehicle. For vehicles with
manual transmission, it is
recommended that you turn of f the
engine bef ore exiting the vehicle.If the VSA system indicator comes
on with a ‘‘CHECK HILL START
ASSIST SYSTEM’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display, there may
be a problem with the hill start assist.
The VSA also may not f unction.
Have your vehicle inspected by your
dealer.
Hill start assist will still operate even
when VSA is switched off.
On manual transmission models:
You must come to a complete stop,
press the clutch pedal, and shif t to
f irst gear when f acing uphill, or
reverse when f acing downhill.
Release the brake pedal. The brakes
remain engaged brief ly to keep the
vehicle f rom rolling f orward or
backward while you move your f oot
f rom the brake pedal to the
accelerator pedal. Gently apply the
accelerator pedal while
simultaneously releasing the clutch
pedal, as in normal driving. Hill start
assist will release brake pressure
gradually as you accelerate.
Hill start assist will also hold braking
brief ly if you select the neutral gear
position with the clutch pedal
depressed when f acing uphill.
Vehicle Stability A ssist (VSA), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
Driving
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2012 TL

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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 fluid level monthly. See
.
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 .
474
475
553 555
CONT INUED
Maintenance Minder
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
Maint enance
539
TM
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page
549
page 568
2012 TL

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Maintenance Minder
540
:
TM
If the message ‘‘SERVICE DUE NOW’’ does not appear more than 12 months
after the display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty on page .
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km). Independent of the Maintenance Minder information, replace the brake
fluid every 3 years.
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.
NOTE:
2:
1:
SH-AWD only
538
Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect these items: Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and line (including ABS/VSA)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every
15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Replace dust and pollen filter If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission fluid
Replace transmission and transfer fluid
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over
110°F, 43°C), or in very low temperatures (under20°F, 29°C), replace every 60,000 miles (U.S.)/
100,000 km (Canada).
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
Replace rear differential fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds results in higher level of mechanical (shear)
stress to fluid. This requires differential fluid changes
more frequently than recommended by the
Maintenance Minder. If you regularly drive your
vehicle under these conditions, have the differential
fluid changed at 7,500 miles (12,000 km), then every
15,000 miles (24,000 km).
A
B
Symbol
Symbol
3
4
5 1
2
61
1
2
2
Maintenance Minder
11/01/14 19:28:31 31TK4630_545
2012 TL

................................
AAC .273, 313,365
....................................
Accessories .479
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .....................................
Position) .151
ACCESSORY Mode ...................
(Power Mode) . 184,185
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 215
................
Active Head Restraints . 165
....................................
AcuraLink
. 449
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 544
...........................
Advanced Airbags .28
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9, 24
..........
Airbag System Components . 24
......
Air Conditioning System . 226,227
.........................................
Usage .228
...............
Air Pressure, Tires . 568,570
......................................
Antif reeze .546
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .66, 508
...................................
Operation .508
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 390
Anti-thef t Steering Column ....................................
Lock .151, 189
................................
Audio System .235 .
Automatic Lighting Off Feature . 141
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 22
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 401
..............
Automatic Transmission . 494
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .614
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 549
..........................
Paddle Shif ters .499
.......................................
Shif ting .495
Shif t Lever Position ...............................
Indicators .494
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 497
......................
Auxiliary Input Jack .389
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .65, 596
............................
Jump Starting .591
..............................
Maintenance .577
.................
Management System . 87
............................
Specif ications .615
..............................
Bef ore Driving .467
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,20
.........................
Beverage Holders .214 Blind Spot Inf ormation System
...........................................
(BSI) .519
...................
Audio . 281,376
...............
HandsFreeLink. 407, 424
..................................
Booster Seats .54
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 508
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 468
...........................................
Fluid .553
.......................................
Parking .212
.................
System Indicator . 65,598
........................
Wear Indicators .507
.............................
Braking System .507
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 468
Brightness Control, ...............................
Instruments .143
....................................
Built-In Key .201
Bluetooth
Bluetooth
A
B
I
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INDEXA B C D E F G H I J K L \℮M N O P Q R S T U V W X \℮Y Z
2012 TL