Acura TL 2012 Owner's Manual

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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:
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. 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. The starter
motor runs until the engine starts
or a maximum of 10 25 seconds
depending on engine coolant
temperature.
If the engine does not start, wait
at least 10 seconds before
trying again.
1.
2.
3. 4.
Starting the Engine (Models without Keyless Access System)
Driving
487
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.
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 . 149
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2012 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)
488
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Driving
2012 TL

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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 .
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. 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. The
starter motor runs until the engine
starts or a maximum of 10 25
seconds depending on engine
coolant temperature.If the engine does not start, wait
at least 10 seconds before
trying again.
1.
2.
3. 4.
194 195
Automatic transmission:
Manual transmission:
Starting the Engine (Models with Keyless Access System)
Driving
489
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. 149
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2012 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. 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.
If this message is on, you should
press and hold the engine start/stop
button until the engine starts. The
engine start/stop button may need to
be held several seconds bef ore the
starter motor runs. The starter
motor can be run up to 15 seconds.
Your vehicle has the engine start/
stop button instead of an ignition
switch to select the power mode. For
more information, see page . 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.
1.
2.
3.
4.
184
Automatic transmission:
Starting the Engine (Models with Keyless Access System)
Emergency Engine Start
Check Starting System Message
490
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Driving
2012 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 shift into
reverse with the vehicle moving.
Push down the clutch pedal, and
pause for a few seconds before
shifting into reverse, or shift
into one of the forward gears for 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 ). 493
CONT INUED
Manual T ransmission
Driving
491
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.
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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
492
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Driving
2012 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.
185
Reverse Lockout
Manual T ransmission
Driving
493
Move the shift lever in sequence.
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These indicators between the
tachometer and speedometer show
which position the shif t lever is in.Using a paddle shif t mode, the gear
position indicator shows you the
selected gear number (see page
).
The ‘‘D’’ indicator comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If it f lashes while driving (in
any shif t position), it indicates a
possible problem in the transmission. If the malf unction indicator lamp
comes on along with the ‘‘D’’
indicator, there is a problem with the
automatic transmission control
system. Avoid rapid acceleration and
have the transmission checked by
your dealer as soon as possible.
When the ‘‘D’’ indicator warns of a
possible problem with the
transmission, you will see a ‘‘CHECK
TRANSMISSION’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display.
499
Shif t L ever Position Indicators
Automatic Transmission
494
GEAR POSITION INDICATOR on
PADDLE SHIFT MODE
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page
Driving
Î
Models equipped with the keyless access
system have an engine start/stop button
instead of an ignition switch. ON Mode
is the equivalent of ON (II). For more
information, see
page s 184 and 187.
:
2012 TL

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This position mechani-
cally locks the transmission. Use
Park whenever you are turning of f or
starting the engine. To shif t out of
Park, you must press on the brake
pedal and have your f oot of f the
accelerator pedal. Press the release
buttononthefrontof theshiftlever
to move it.
To shif t f rom Park to any position,
pressfirmlyonthebrakepedal,and
pressthereleasebuttononthefront
of the shift lever, then move the
lever. You cannot shift out of Park
when the ignition switch is in the
LOCK (0) or ACCESSORY (I)
position.Do this:
Press the brake pedal and
press the shift lever release
button.
Press the shift lever release
button.
Move the shift lever.
To shift from:
PtoR
RtoP
NtoR DtoS
StoD
DtoN
NtoD RtoN
CONT INUED
Shif ting Park (P)
Automatic Transmission
Driving
495
RELEASE BUTTON
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Î
Models equipped with the keyless access
system have an engine start/stop button
instead of an ignition switch. VEHICLE
OFF (LOCK) Mode is the equivalent of
LOCK (0) and ACCESSORY Mode is the
equivalent of ACCESSORY (I). For more
information, see pages 184 and 187.
:
If you have done all of the above and
still cannot move the lever out of
Park, see
on
page . 497Shif t L ock Release
2012 TL

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Press the brake
pedal and the release button on the
frontoftheshiftlevertoshiftfrom
Park to reverse. To shif t f rom
reverse to neutral, come to a
completestop,andthenshift.Press
the release button bef ore shif ting
into reverse f rom neutral.
Use neutral if you
need to restart a stalled engine, or if
it is necessary to stop brief ly with
the engine idling. Shif t to the Park
position if you need to leave your
vehicle for any reason. Press on the
brake pedal when you are moving
the shift lever from neutral to
another gear.
You must also press the release
button to shift into Park. To avoid
transmission damage, come to a
complete stop before shifting
into Park.
TheshiftlevermustbeinPark
bef ore you can remove the key f rom
the ignition switch.
TheshiftlevermustbeinPark
bef ore you change the power mode
f rom ON to VEHICLE OFF (LOCK).
Use this position f or
your normal driving. The
transmission automatically selects a
suitable gear (1 through 6 gear) to
keep the engine at the best speed f or
the driving conditions.
On models with keyless access system
On models without
keyless access system
Reverse (R)
Neutral (N) Drive (D)
Automatic Transmission
496
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Driving
2012 TL