Acura TL 2012 Owner's Manual

Bef ore you begin driving your
vehicle, you should know what
gasoline to use and how to check the
levels of important f luids. You also
need to know how to properly store
luggage or packages. The
inf ormation in this section will help
you. If you plan to add any
accessories to your vehicle, please
read the information in this section
first..............................
Break-in Period .468
.................
Fuel Recommendation . 468
.........
Service Station Procedures . 470
....................................
Ref ueling .470
.....
Tighten Fuel Cap Message . 471
Opening and Closing the .......................................
Hood .472
...................................
Oil Check .474
.............
Engine Coolant Check . 475
...............................
Fuel Economy .476
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 479
.............................
Carrying Cargo .481
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving
467
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2012 TL

Help assure your vehicle’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:
You should also f ollow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced.Do not change the oil until the
multi-inf ormation display indicates
it is needed. Avoidhardbrakingforthefirst
200 miles (300 km). Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Your vehicle is designed to operate
on premium unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane of 91 or higher. If this
octane grade is unavailable, regular
unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane of 87 or higher may be used
temporarily. The use of regular
unleaded gasoline can cause metallic
knocking noises in the engine and
will result in decreased engine
perf ormance. The long-term use of
regular-grade gasoline can lead to
engine damage. You may hear a knocking noise from
the engine if you drive the vehicle at
low engine speed (below about 1,000
rpm) in a higher gear. To stop this,
raise the engine speed by shif ting to
a lower gear.
On vehicles with manual transmissionBreak-in Period
Fuel Recommendation
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
468
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Bef ore Driving
2012 TL

For f urther important f uel-related
inf ormation f or your vehicle, or on
inf ormation on gasoline that does not
contain MMT, visit My Acura at. In Canada, visit
f or additional
inf ormation on gasoline. For more
inf ormation on top tier gasoline, visit .
Because the level of detergency and
additives in gasoline vary in the
market, Honda endorses the use of
‘‘TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline’’
where available to help maintain the
perf ormance and reliability of your
vehicle. TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline meets a new gasoline
standard jointly established by
leading automotive manuf acturers to
meet the needs of today’s advanced
engines. Qualif ying gasoline retailers
will, in most cases, identif y their
gasoline as having met ‘‘TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline’’ standards at the
retail location. This f uel is
guaranteed to contain the proper
level of detergent additives and be
f ree of metallic additives. The proper
level of detergent additives, and
absence of harmf ul metallic additives
in gasoline, help avoid build-up of
deposits in your engine and emission
control system.
owners.acura.com
www.acura.ca
www.toptiergas.com
Fuel Recommendation
Bef ore Driving
469
We recommend quality gasoline
containing detergent additives that help
prevent f uel system and engine deposits.
In addition, in order to maintain good
perf ormance, f uel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain harmf ul manganese-
based f uel additives such as MMT , if
such gasoline is available.
Use of gasoline with these additives
may adversely af f ect perf ormance, and
cause the malf unction indicator lamp
on your instrument panel to come on. If
this happens, contact your dealer f or
service. Some gasoline today is blended
with oxygenates such as ethanol. Your
vehicle is designed to operate on
oxygenated gasoline containing up to
10% ethanol by volume. Do not use
gasoline containing methanol. If you
notice any undesirable operating
symptoms, try another service station
or switch to another brand of gasoline.
11/01/14 19:16:29 31TK4630_474
2012 TL

Remove the f uel f ill cap slowly.
You may hear a hissing sound as
pressure inside the tank equalizes.
Place the cap in the holder on the
f uel f ill door.
The fuel fill cap is attached to the
f uel f ill door with a tether to avoid
losing the cap.
Park with the driver’s side closest
to the service station pump.
Open the f uel f ill door by pressing
the button in the driver’s door (to
open the f uel f ill door manually,
see page ). 3.
1.
2. 599
Service Station Procedures
Ref ueling
470
TETHER
FUEL FILL CAP
HOLDER
Push
Gasoline is highly flammable
and explosive. You can be
burned or seriously injured
when handling fuel.
Stop the engine, and keep
heat, sparks, and flame away.
Handle fuel only outdoors.
Wipe up spills immediately.
11/01/14 19:16:40 31TK4630_475
Bef ore Driving
2012 TL

Stop f illing the tank af ter the f uel
nozzle automatically clicks of f . Do
not try to ‘‘top off’’ the tank. This
leaves some room in the f uel tank
for the fuel to expand with
temperature changes.
If the fuel nozzle keeps clicking off
even though the tank is not full,
there may be a problem with your
vehicle’s fuel vapor recovery
system. The system helps keep
fuel vapor from going into the
atmosphere. Try filling at another
pump. If this does not fix the
problem, consult your dealer. Screw the f uel f ill cap back on
until it clicks at least once. If you
do not properly tighten the cap,
you will see a ‘‘TIGHTEN FUEL
CAP’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display. If the system
still detects an evaporative system
leak af ter retightening the cap, the
malf unction indicator lamp may
come on (see page ).
Push the fuel fill door closed until
it latches.
Your vehicle’s on board diagnostic
system will detect a loose or missing
fuel fill cap as an evaporative system
leak. The first time a leak is
detected a ‘‘TIGHTEN FUEL CAP’’
message appears on the multi-
information display.
4.
5.
6.597
CONT INUED
Tighten Fuel Cap Message
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
471
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2012 TL

Park the vehicle, and set the
parking brake. Pull the hood
release handle located under the
lower lef t corner of the dashboard.
The hood will pop up slightly.
Turn the engine of f , and conf irm the
f uel f ill cap is installed. If it is, loosen
it, then retighten it until it clicks at
least once. The message should go
off after several days of normal
driving once you tighten or replace
the f uel f ill cap. To scroll to another
message, press the INFO button.
The ‘‘TIGHTEN FUEL CAP’’
message will appear each time you
restart the engine until the system
turns the message of f .
If the system still detects a leak in
your vehicle’s evaporative emissions
system, the malf unction indicator
lamp (MIL) comes on. If the f uel f ill
cap was not already tightened, turn
the engine of f , and check or
retighten the f uel f ill cap until it
clicks at least once. The MIL should
go off after several days of normal
driving once the cap is tightened or
replaced. If the MIL does not go of f ,
have your vehicle inspected by a
dealer. For more inf ormation, see
page .
1.
597 Opening and Closing the Hood
Service Station Procedures
472
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE
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Bef ore Driving
2012 TL

Lift the hood up most of the
way. The hydraulic supports will
lift it up the rest of the way and
hold it up.
If the hood latch handle moves
stif f ly, or if you can open the hood
without lifting the handle, the
mechanism should be cleaned and
lubricated. Put your f ingers between the f ront
edge of the hood and the f ront
grille to locate the hood latch
handle. Push this handle up until it
releases the hood. Lif t the hood. To close the hood, lower it to about a
f oot (30 cm) above the f ender, then
press down f irmly with your hands.
Make sure the hood is securely
latched.
3.
2.
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
473
LATCH
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2012 TL

Park the vehicle on a level surf ace.
Wait a f ew minutes af ter turning the
engine of f bef ore you check the oil.Remove the dipstick (orange loop).
Wipe of f the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into its hole.Remove the dipstick again, and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page .
1.
3. 2.
4.
543
Service Station Procedures
Oil Check
A dding Engine Oil
474
DIPSTICKUPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
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2012 TL

Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, seeon page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant. To access the radiator reserve tank,
remove the right-side engine
compartment cover (see page ).
See page f or the engine coolant
location.
Refer to
on page f or inf ormation
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
546 542
539
541
Service Station Procedures
Engine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coolant Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
Bef ore Driving
475
MAX RESERVE TANK
MIN
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2012 TL

µµ
µ µ
Fuel economy is not a f ixed number.
It varies based on driving conditions,
driving habits, and vehicle condition.
Theref ore, it is not possible f or one
set of estimates to predict f uel
economy precisely f or all drivers in
all environments.
Represents urban
driving in light traf f ic. A range of
miles per gallon achieved is also
provided. The EPA f uel economy estimates
shownintheexampletotheright
are a usef ul tool f or comparison
when buying a vehicle. EPA
estimates include:
Represents a combination of city and
highway driving. The scale
represents the range of combined
f uel economy f or other vehicles in
the class.
Represents a
mixture of rural and interstate
driving, in a warmed-up vehicle,
typical of longer trips in f ree-f lowing traf f ic. A range of miles per gallon
achieved is also provided.
Provides an estimated annual f uel
cost, based on 15,000 miles (20,000 km) per year multiplied by the
cost per gallon (based on EPA
fuel cost data) divided by the
combined fuel economy.
For more inf ormation on f uel
economy ratings and factors that
af f ect f uel economy, visit
(Canada: Visit )
www.fueleconomy.gov
www.vehicles.gc.ca
Actual Mileage and EPA Fuel
Economy Estimates Comparison.
City MPG Combined Fuel Economy
Highway MPG Estimated Annual Fuel Cost
Fuel Economy
476
Combined Fuel
Economy
(Sample U.S. EPA label shown) Estimated Annual
Fuel Cost
City MPG
Highway MPG
11/01/14 19:17:37 31TK4630_481
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2012 TL