tow Acura TL 2012 User Guide

Slide the new wiper blade into the
holder until the tabs lock.
Slide the wiper blade assembly
onto the wiper arm. Make sure it
locks in place.
Lower the wiper arm down against
the windshield, the passenger’s
side first, then the driver’s side.
Remove the blade f rom its holder
by grabbing the tabbed end of the
blade. Pull up f irmly until the tabs
come out of the holder.
Examine the new wiper blades.
reinf orcement along the back
edge, remove the metal
reinf orcement strips f rom the old
wiper blade, and install them in
the slots along the edge of the
Disconnect the blade assembly
fromthewiperarmbypushingin
the lock tab. Hold the lock tab in
while you push the blade assembly
toward the base of the arm.
When replacing a wiper blade,
make sure not to drop the wiper
blade or wiper arm down on the
windshield.
3.
5.
4. 6.
7.
2.
Wiper Blades
Maint enance
567
BLADE
BLADE
LOCK TAB REINFORCEMENT STRIP
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new blade. If they have no plastic or metal
2012 TL

µ
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.
Check the terminals f or corrosion (a
white or yellowish powder) af ter
removing all engine compartment
covers (see page ). To remove
corrosion, 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.
The sensor on the negative terminal
monitors your vehicle’s battery
condition.
If there is a problem with the sensor,
you will see a ‘‘CHECK BATTERY
SENSOR’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display. Have the vehicle
checked by your dealer.
To see the battery label, remove the
lef t side engine compartment cover
(see page ).
542 542
CONT INUED
Checking the Battery
WARNING:
Wash your hands af ter handling.
Maint enance
577
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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2012 TL

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.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in reverse
(manual) or Park (automatic). Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry. Wash and dry the exterior
completely. Fill the f uel tank.
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
frequency display. Use the preset
buttons to enter the code (see
).
If your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected, or goes dead, the time
setting may be lost. To reset the time,
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. 391On models without navigation system
On models with navigation system
Checking the Battery, Vehicle Storage
Vehicle Storage
578
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Maint enancepage 390
2012 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 . 596
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 597
...............
Brake System Indicator . 598
Opening the Fuel Fill Door ....................................
Manually .599
..............................................
Fuses .600
..............................
Fuse Locations .604
......................
Emergency Towing .607
..........
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck . 609
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
581
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2012 TL

Do you have your keyless access
system remote with you? The
vehicle will not start without the
remote within operating range and
with the keyless access main
switch in the glove box turned on.
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er to
on pages and .
If you are unable to stop the
engine normally while in the Park
position, see on page .
You may need to hold the start/
stop button down or hold the key
in the START (III) position until
the engine starts. It can be held
forupto15seconds.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ). Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the warning indicator may
not be working. If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See
on page .
487 489
600 192 607
On models with keyless access system
If theEngineWon’tStart
Starting the
Engine
Emergency Engine
Stop Emergency
Towing
590
NOTE:
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T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
2012 TL

If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading,
the engine should start to cool
down almost immediately. If it
does, wait until the temperature
gauge comes down to the midpoint,
then continue driving.
The pointer of the vehicle’s
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange. If it climbs to the red
mark, you should determine the
reason (hot day, driving up a steep
hill, etc.).
If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn off the engine.
Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (seeon page ).
Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in neutral
(manual) or Park (automatic), and
set the parking brake. Turn of f all
accessories, and turn on the
hazard warning lights.
If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine. Wait until you see
no more signs of steam or spray,
then open the hood.
If the vehicle overheats, you should
take immediate action. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the hood. You will also see a ‘‘WATER TEMP
HOT’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
1.
2.3.
4.
5.
607
77
CONT INUED
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
593
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to the engine.
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2012 TL

If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark
(seeon
page ).
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, before
checking the radiator. If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back
on tightly. Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and check
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (seeon page ).
Start the engine, and set the
interior temperature to maximum
heat (each temperature control
sets to ‘‘ ’’). Add coolant to
the radiator up to the base of the
f iller neck. If you do not have the proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and refilled with
the proper mixture
as soon as you can.
Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the first stop. After the
pressure releases, push down
8.
9.
7. 6.
10.
11.
546
607
A dding Engine Coolant
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
594
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
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T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
on the cap, and turn it until it
comes off.
2012 TL

Start the engine, and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
outwithin10seconds,turnoff the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving
(seeon
).
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ). Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers. Saf ely pull of f the road and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning lights.
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible, and you should
take immediate action.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
ENGINE OIL LEVEL’’ message on
the multi-information display when
this indicator comes on.
The indicator notif ies you of low oil
pressure and does not measure the
oil level. Check your vehicle’s oil
level at each ref ueling. 2.
3.4.
1. 474
543 607
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
Emergency Towing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
595
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.
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page
2012 TL

If the f uel f ill door release button
does not work, use the release lever
inside the lef t maintenance lid in the
trunk.To open the f uel f ill door, pull the
release lever rearward.
Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed and repaired by
your dealer as soon as possible (see
on page ).
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully.
If the ABS indicator and the VSA
system indicator come on with the
brake system indicator, have your
vehicle inspected by your dealer
immediately.
If you also cannot unlock the trunk
due to the power door lock system
malf unction, see page and open
the trunk manually.
607
155
Opening the Fuel Fill
Door Manually
Emergency T owing
Brake System Indicator, Opening the Fuel Fill Door Manually
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
599
RELEASE LEVER
MAINTENANCE LID
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2012 TL

The vehicle’s f uses are contained in
threefuseboxes.
The interior f use box is located
under the dashboard on the driver’s
side. The f use label is attached
under the steering column.The passenger’s side interior f use
box is on the lower passenger’s side
panel. To remove the f use box lid,
put your f inger in the notch on the
lid, and pull it upward slightly, then
pull it toward you and take it out of
its hinges.The under-hood f use box is on the
driver’s side next to the air cleaner
housing.
To access the under-hood f use box,
remove the lef t-side engine
compartment cover (see page ).
Toaccessthefusebox,turnthe
knob on the under cover one-quarter
turn and pull the f ront of the cover
straight down to remove it from the
dashboard. 542
Fuses
600
FUSE LABEL
NOTCH
DRIVER’S SIDE
PASSENGER’S SIDE
UNDER-HOOD
AIR CLEANER HOUSING
TAB
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T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
2012 TL