service Acura TL 2012 Workshop Manual

U.S. Owners:Canadian Owners:
When you call or write, please give
us this inf ormation:
If you are dissatisf ied with the
decision made by the dealership’s
management, contact Acura Client
Relations Acura dealership personnel are
trained prof essionals. They should
be able to answer all your questions.
If you encounter a problem that your
dealership does not solve to your
satisf action, please discuss it with
the dealership’s management. The
service manager or general manager
can help. Almost all problems are
solved in this way. Vehicle Identif ication Number
(see page )
Name and address of the dealer
who services your vehicle
Date of purchase
Odometer reading of your vehicle
Your name, address, and tele-
phone number
A detailed description of the
problem
Name of the dealer who sold the
vehicle to you
In Puerto Rico
and the U. S. Virgin Islands:
612
Client Service Inf ormation
630
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Acura Client Relations
Mail Stop 500-2N-7E
1919 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90501-2746
Tel: (800) 382-2238Honda Canada Inc.
Acura Client Services
180 Honda Boul
evard
Markham, ON
L6C 0H9
Tel: 1-888-9-ACURA-9
Fax: 1-877-939-0909
E-Mail: [email protected]
Vortex Motor Corp.
Bella International
P.O. Box 190816
San Juan, PR 00919-0816
Tel: (787) 620-7546
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Warrant y and Client Relat ions
2012 TL

T he publications shown below can be purchased f rom Helm
Incorporated. You can order by phone or online:Call Helm Inc. at 1-800-782-4356 (credit card orders only)
Go online at
If you are interested in other years or models, contact Helm Inc.
at 1-800-782-4356.
Covers maintenance and recommended procedures f or
repair to engine and chassis components. It is written
f or the journeyman mechanic, but it is simple enough
f or most mechanically inclined owners to understand.
Complements the Service Manual by providing in-depth
troubleshooting inf ormation f or each electrical circuit
in your vehicle.
Describes the procedures involved in the replacement
of damaged body parts.
Authorized Manuals
Purchasing Factory Authorized Manuals
(U.S. only) Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
Authorized Manuals
633
Form Description
2009-2012 Acura TL Service Manual
2012 Acura TL Electrical Troubleshooting Manual 2009-2011 Model Series Acura TLBody Repair Manual
2012 Acura TL Owner’s Manual
2012 Acura TL Navigation Manual
2012 Acura TL Maintenance Journal
2012 Acura TL Advanced Technology Guide Order Form for Previous Years-
Indicate Year and Model Desired
Publication
Form Number 61TK403
61TK403EL 61TK4300
31TK4630
31TK4820
31TK4M30 31TK4Q30 ACU-R
www.helminc.com
11/01/14 19:44:29 31TK4630_638
2012 TL

Bulb Replacement..........................
Back-up Lights .562
.........
Daytime Running Lights . 555
.................................
Fog Lights .560
.................................
Headlights .555
............................
Specif ications .615
............
Turn Signal Lights . 558,562
......................
Bulbs, Halogen .555, 560
............................
Capacities Chart .614
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 57
............................
Carrying, Cargo .481
.............
CAUTION, Explanation of . iii
.........................................
CD Care .381
...................................
CD Changer .253
.......................................
CD Player .307
........................
Certif ication Label .612
............................................
Chains .575
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .583
Changing Oil ........................................
How to .544
......................................
When to .531
...
Charging System Indicator . 65,596
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 486.....................................
Child Saf ety .37
..............................
Booster Seats .54
...................................
Child Seats .45
..........................................
Inf ants .42
............................
Large Children .53
.........................................
LATCH .47
......................
Risks with Airbags .38
.............................
Small Children .43
.........................................
Tethers .51
.....................
Warning Labels .39, 59
.........
Where Should a Child Sit? . 38
.......................................
Child Seats .45
.........................................
LATCH .47
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 51
................
Childproof Door Locks . 153
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts . 564
..........
Client Service Inf ormation . 630
.......
Climate Control System . 226,227
..........................
On/Off Button .229
..............................................
Clock .391
...................................
Clutch Fluid .554
..................
CO in the Exhaust . 57,623
....
Cold Weather, Starting in . 487,489
......................
Compact Spare Tire .582
.........................................
Compass .397
.................
Console Compartment . 216.................
Consumer Inf ormation . 630
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 61
Coolant ........................................
Adding .546
....................................
Checking .475
.........................
Proper Solution .546
...................
Temperature Gauge . 77
........
Water Temp Hot Message . 77
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .623
................
Cruise Control Indicator . 72
............
Cruise Control Operation . 401
...................................
Cup Holders .214
.............
Customer Service Of f ice . 630
........................
Customized Settings .94
...............
DANGER, Explanation of . iii
...................................
Dashboard .3, 62
..............
Daytime Running Lights . 142
.................................
Dead Battery .591
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 632
..............
Def ogger, Rear Window . 145
..............
Def rosting the Windows . 231
....................................
Dimensions .614
D
C
II
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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

Î
Recommended Shif t................................
Speeds .492, 503
........................................
Ref ueling .470
.......................
Reminder Indicators .64
Remote, Keyless Access ................................
System .174, 179
................
Remote Audio Controls . 387
.....................
Remote Transmitter .157
Replacement Inf ormation ..............
Dust and Pollen Filter . 566
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 544
..........................................
Fuses .600
................................
Light Bulbs .555
........................................
Minder .531
................................
Timing Belt .554
...........................................
Tires .573
.............................
Wiper Blades .566
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .23
.............
Reporting Saf ety Def ects . 632
Reserve Tank, Engine ...............................
Coolant .475, 546
......................
Reverse Tilt Mirror .168
...............................
Restraint, Child .37
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 496
................................
Rotation, Tire .573 ..................................
Saf ety Belts .8, 20
............
Safety Defects, Reporting . 632
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
...........................................
Airbags .9
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 58
..............................
Saf ety Messages .iii
.....................................
Seat Belts .8, 20
...............
Additional Information . 20
Automatic Seat Belt ...............................
Tensioners .22
.....................................
Cleaning .564
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .21
................................
Maintenance .23
Reminder Indicator and ................................
Beeper .20, 64
...................
System Components . 20
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 18
..........................
Seat Heaters .202, 204
......................
Seats, Adjusting the .161
.............................
Seat Ventilation .204
............................
Security System .395
.....................
Selecting a Child Seat .45
...
Selector Knob (Disc Changer) . 236..................
Sequential Shif t Mode . 501
...............................
Serial Number .612
..............................
Service Minder .531
...........................
Service Manual .633
.........
Service Station Procedures . 470
..........................
Setting the Clock .391
........................
SH-AWD
Indicator .73
...
Shif t Lever Position Indicators . 494
........................
Shif t Lock Release .497
................................
Side Airbags .9 ,30
........
Side Airbag Of f Indicator . 33,67
......................
Side Curtain Airbags .32
.............................
Signaling Turns .139
.....................................
Snow Tires .575
................................
Sound System .235
Spare Tire ......................................
Inf lating .582
....................
Specif ications .582, 616
....................................
Spark Plugs .615
................................
Specif ications .614
................................
Speed Control .401
...................................
Speedometer .76
S
VIII
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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
Î
U. S
:
2012 TL

Î
.....................................
Tachometer .76
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 581
Technical Descriptions ....
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 617
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 623
Three Way Catalytic .......................
Converter .624, 625 .......................
Temperature Gauge .77
....................
Temperature, Outside . 85
........
Temperature, Inside Sensor . 234
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 51
................
Thef t Protection, Radio . 390
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 625
.........
Tighten Fuel Cap Message . 471
................
Tilt the Steering Wheel . 146
..........................
Time, Setting the .391
....................................
Tire Chains .575
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 583
...........................
Tire Inf ormation .617
.................................
Tire Labeling .619
Tire Pressure Monitoring ....................
System (TPMS) .514
Low Tire Pressure/TPMS ...........................
Indicator .69, 514
......................
Pressure Monitor .515
Required Federal ............................
Explanation .621
..............
TPMS System Failure . 517
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 24
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 36
.............................
Airbag Service .35
......
Airbag System Components . 24
How the Passenger Airbag Of f ......................
Indicator Works .34
How the Side Airbag Of f ......................
Indicator Works .33
How the SRS Indicator .......................................
Works .32
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work .26
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 30
How Your Side Curtain Airbags .........................................
Work .32
.............................
SRS Indicator .32 ,67
..
START (Ignition Key Position) . 151
START Mode ...................
(Power Mode) . 184,185
...
Start/Stop Button, Engine . 183,188
..............
Starting the Engine . 487,489
....
Check Starting System . 488,490
In Cold Weather at High ..........................
Altitude .487, 489
................
With a Dead Battery . 591
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 593Steering Wheel
..............................
Adjustments .146
...
Anti-thef t Column Lock . 151,189
Steering Wheel ..............
Buttons . 387,401,407,424
...................
Stereo Sound System . 235
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .578
......................................
Sun Visors .217
........................
Sunglasses Holder .218
Super Handling All-Wheel ...
Drive (TM) (SH-AWD
) . 73,504
....
Supplemental Restraint System . 24
......................................
Servicing .35
...............................
SRS Indicator .32
...................
System Components . 24
..................................
Synthetic Oil .544
T
IX
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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
Î U. S
:
2012 TL

Unexpected, Taking Care..........................................
of the .581
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 617
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .468 USB Adapter
..................
Cable . 266,275,356,367
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 546
............
WARNING, Explanation of . iii
................................
Vanity Mirror .217
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 482
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .614
VEHICLE OFF Mode ...................
(Power Mode) . 184,185
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 612
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
),
aka Electronic Stability ....
Control (ESC), System . 510
...............
VSA Of f Indicator . 68,510
.......................
VSA OFF Switch .511
........
VSA System Indicator . 68,510
.............................
Vehicle Storage .578
.................................................
VIN .612
.........................
Viscosity, Oil .543, 544
...........
Voice Control System . 228,285
...............................................
Tires .568
......................
Air Pressure .568, 570
........................................
Chains .575
.........................
Checking Wear .571
..........................
Compact Spare .582
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 617
.
Glossary of Tire Terminology . 620
......................................
Inf lation .568
..................................
Inspection .571
...................................
Replacing .573
......................................
Rotating .573
................................
Service Lif e .572
...........................................
Snow .575
....................
Specif ications .574, 616
.......................
Traction Devices .575
..........................
Winter Driving .575
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 584
Torque Distribution Monitor ...............................
(SH-AWD
) .504
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .528
................
Emergency Wrecker . 607
...........................................
Hook .609
...........................
Traction Devices .575 Transmission
Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .549
Checking Fluid Level, ...................................
Manual .551
..................
Fluid Selection . 550,551
..............
Identif ication Number . 613
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 495
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 491
.....................................
Treadwear .617
................................
Trip Computer .83
.......................................
Trip Meter .83
..............................................
Trunk .154
..................
Emergency Opener . 156
...............................
Opening the .154
............................
Open Indicator .71
.............
Open Monitor Indicator . 12
..................................
Turn Signals .139
U V
W
X
11/01/17 13:18:59 31TK4630_649
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

Service Inf ormation Summary
Gasoline:Transfer Assembly Fluid: Rear Differential Fluid:
Fuel Tank Capacity:
Recommended Engine Oil: Tire Pressure (measured cold): Brake Fluid:
Manual Transmission Fluid:
Automatic Transmission Fluid: SpareTirePressure:
Capacity:
Premium unleaded gasoline,
pump octane number of 91 or
higher required (see ‘‘Fuel
Recommendations’’ on page ).
18.5 US gal (70
) Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 preferred, or a DOT 3 or
DOT 4 brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page ).
Use Acura All-Wheel Drive Fluid
(DPSF) only.
SH-AWD differential case
2.67 US qt (2.53)
SAE 90 or SAE 80W-90 viscosity
hypoid gear oil, API service
classified GL4 or GL5 only.
Capacity:
2.2 US qt (2.1
)
Acura ATF DW-1 (automatic
transmission fluid) (see page ). 4.5 US qt (4.3)
Oil change capacity (including
filter): API Premium grade 0W-20
detergent oil (see page ).
API Premium grade 5W-20
detergent oil (see page ).
Acura Manual Transmission Fluid
preferred, or an SAE 0W-20 or
5W-20 motor oil as a temporary
replacement (see page ). 32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm
)
Front/Rear:
34 psi (235 kPa , 2.4 kgf/cm
)
Front/Rear:
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm
)
468
552 553
544 543
550 All models except SH-AWD with
Advance Package and Canadian
SH-AWD Elite Package
SH-AWD with Advance Package
and Canadian SH-AWD Elite
Package
2WD models
SH-AWD modelsAll models SH-AWD models
11/01/17 18:34:20 31TK4630_653
2012 TL