battery Acura TL 2012 Owner's Guide

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.
11/01/14 19:35:18 31TK4630_582
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
11/01/14 19:35:33 31TK4630_583
Maint enancepage 390
2012 TL

When you turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position or on
models with keyless access system,
press the engine start/stop button to
set START Mode (see page ),
you do not hear the normal noise of
the engine trying to start. You may
hear a clicking sound, a series of
clicks, or nothing at all.
Diagnosing why the engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position or on models with keyless
access system, press the engine
start/stop button to set START
Mode (see page ):
You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run. You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly. Check these things:
Check the transmission interlock.
If you have a manual transmission,
the clutch pedal must be pushed
all the way to the f loor or the
starter will not operate. With an
automatic transmission, it must be
in Park or neutral. Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position or on models with
keyless access system, press the
engine start/stop button to set ON
Mode (see page ). Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged. See
on page .
184
184
591
184
If theEngineWon’tStart
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Jump Starting
588
11/01/14 19:37:00 31TK4630_593
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
2012 TL

In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even f aster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position or on models with keyless
access system, press the engine
start/stop button to set START
Mode (see page ), but the engine
does not run.
Turn the ignition switch to the
START (III) position or on models
with keyless access system, press
the engine start/stop button to set
STARTMode(seepage ).If
the headlights do not dim, check
the condition of the fuses. If the
f uses are OK, there is probably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit for the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualif ied technician to
determine the problem. See
on page .If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is
discharged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the battery and terminal connec-
tions (see page ). You can
then try jump starting the vehicle
f rom a booster battery (see page
).
Are you using a properly coded
key or keyless access remote (on
models with keyless access
system)? An improperly coded key
or keyless access remote will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page ).65
184
184
607 591
577
CONT INUED
T he Starter Operates Normally
Emergency T owing
If theEngineWon’tStart
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
589
11/01/14 19:37:08 31TK4630_594
2012 TL

Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
You cannot start a vehicle with an
automatic transmission by pushing
or pulling it.Open the hood, and check the
physical condition of the battery.
In very cold weather, check the
condition of the electrolyte. If it
seems slushy or like ice, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.
To jump start your vehicle:
Turn of f all the electrical
accessories: climate control, audio
system, lights, etc. Put the
transmission in neutral (manual)
or Park (automatic), and set the
parking brake. Pull up the battery terminal cover
to remove. The battery terminal
cover can be removed without
removing the lef t side engine
compartment cover.
1.
2.
3.
CONT INUED
Jump Starting
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
591
BATTERY TERMINAL COVER
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone
nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.
11/01/14 19:37:29 31TK4630_596
2012 TL

´´ µStart the vehicle. If the starter
motor still operates slowly, check
that the jumper cables have good
metal-to-metal contact.
If the booster battery is in another
vehicle, have an assistant start
that vehicle and run it at a fast idle.
The numbers in the illustration
show you the order to connect the
jumper cables.
Connect one jumper cable to the
positive ( ) terminal on your
battery. Connect the other end to
the positive ( ) terminal on the
booster battery. Once the vehicle is running,
disconnect the negative cable f rom
your vehicle, then f rom the
booster battery. Disconnect the
positive cable f rom your vehicle,
and then from the booster battery.
Install the battery terminal cover.
Keep the ends of the jumper cables
away from each other and any metal
on the vehicle until everything is
disconnected. Otherwise, you may
cause an electrical short.
Connect the second jumper cable
to the negative ( ) terminal on
the booster battery. Connect the
other end to the engine hanger as
shown. Do not connect this jumper
cable to any other part of the
engine.
4. 5.
6.7.
8.
9.
Jump Starting
592
BOOSTER
BATTERY
11/01/14 19:37:41 31TK4630_597
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
2012 TL

Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
CHARGING SYSTEM’’ message on
the multi-information display.
If you see a ‘‘REPLACE BATTERY’’
message on the multi-inf ormation
display, along with this indicator on,
you may need to replace the battery.
Have your vehicle’s battery checked
andreplacedbyyourdealer.
Charging System Indicator
596
11/01/14 19:38:20 31TK4630_601
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
2012 TL

If the indicator comes on repeatedly,
even though it may go of f as you
continue driving, have the vehicle
checked by your dealer as soon as
possible.
If this indicator comes on
while driving, it means one
of the engine’s emissions control
systems may have a problem. Even
though you may f eel no dif f erence in
your vehicle’s perf ormance, it can
reduce your f uel economy and cause
increased emissions. Continued
operation may cause serious damage. Your vehicle has certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that are part of the on-board
diagnostics f or the emissions
systems. In some states, part of the
emissions testing is to make sure
these codes are set. If they are not
set, the test cannot be completed.
If the battery in your vehicle has
been disconnected or gone dead,
thesecodesmaybeerased.Ittakes
several days of driving under various
conditions to set the codes again.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, the malf unction
indicator lamp may also come on
with the ‘‘D’’ indicator.
If you have recently ref ueled your
vehicle, the indicator coming on
could be due to a loose or missing
f uel f ill cap. Tighten the cap until it
clicks at least once. Tightening the
cap will not turn the indicator of f
immediately; it can take several days
of normal driving.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
EMISSION SYSTEM’’ message on
the multi-information display.
CONT INUED
Readiness Code
Malf unction Indicator L amp
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
597
If you keep driving with the
malf unction indicator lamp on, you can
damage your vehicle’s emissions
controls and engine. Those repairs may
not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranties.
11/01/14 19:38:32 31TK4630_602
2012 TL

µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µµ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ µ
µ
µ
Î
Î
Î
Î
Î
Î
Î
Î
Î Î
No.
Circuits Protected
No.
Amps. Amps.
Circuits Protected Amps.
No. Circuits Protected
11
12
21
22
23
24
25
26 IG Main
Sub Fan Motor
Sub Fan Motor
Driver’s Side Fuse Box
Main Fan Motor
Driver’s Side Light Main
Wiper Motor
Passenger’s Side Light Main
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
120 A
40 A
70 A
40 A
30 A
40 A
30 A
30 A 50 A
40 A
30 A
60 A
40 A
30 A
30 A
30 A
30 A
Battery
Passenger’s Side Fuse Box
EPS
ABS/VSA MTR
ABS/VSA
Passenger’s Side Fuse Box
Option
Headlight Washer
SH-AWD
If equipped
40 A
40 A
15 A
20 A
7.5 A
7.5 A
15 A
15 A
10 A
7.5 A 15 A
15 A
7.5 A
7.5 A
7.5 A
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21 Rear Defroster
Not Used
Not Used
Not Used
Heater Motor
Hazard
Horn and Stop
Keyless Access System
BMS (Battery Management
System)
IG Coil
FI Sub
Back Up
Interior Lights
FI Main
DBW
Back Up FI ECU
MG Clutch
Radiator Fan Timer
Used on SH-AWD models
1 :
2 :
3 :Used on 2WD models
1
2
1
2
3
1 1
Fuse Locations
604
UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOX
11/01/14 19:39:42 31TK4630_609
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
2012 TL

To use the towing hook:Remove the cover f rom the f ront
bumper using your f ingers, or pry
it of f using a cloth and a f lat-tip
screwdriver to prevent scratches.
If your vehicle gets stuck in sand,
mud, or snow, call a towing service
to pull it out (see page ).
When you need to release the
steering lock while your vehicle’s
battery is dead, do this:
Follow the proper jump starting
procedures, Step 1 through Step 5,
to apply the power to your vehicle
(see pages and ).
Follow the jump starting
procedures, Step 8 and Step 9, and
the instructions to disconnect the
jumpercable(seepage ).The
steering will remain unlocked even
if the battery is dead.
Failure to comply means the steering
lockmaybedamaged. Press the ENGINE START/STOP
button to set the power mode to
ACCESSORY (see page ) and
verif y the steering lock is released.
Remove the towing hook and
wheel nut wrench f rom the tool
case in the spare tire (see).
For very short distances, such as
f reeing the vehicle, you can use the
detachable towing hook that mounts
on the anchor in the f ront bumper. If you slip the clutch f or a long time
while trying to get unstuck, you may
overheat and damage the
transmission. Use a tow service to
prevent transmission damage.
1.
2.
1.
2.
3.
591 592
184
592 607
CONT INUED
On models with keyless access systemIf Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
Emergency Towing, If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
609
11/01/14 19:40:39 31TK4630_614
page
584
2012 TL