keyless Acura TL 2012 Repair Manual

Youshouldhavereceivedakey
number tag with your key. You will
need this key number if you ever
have to get a lost key replaced. Use
only an Acura-approved key blank.Donotdropthekeysorsetheavy
objects on them. Protect the key f rom direct
sunlight, high temperature, and
high humidity.
Keep the keys away f rom liquids.
If they get wet, dry them
immediately with a sof t cloth.
These keys contain electronic
circuits that are activated by the
immobilizer system. They will not
work to start the engine if the
circuits are damaged.
The valet key does not contain a
battery. Do not try to take it apart.
The valet key works only in the
ignition and the driver’s door lock.
You can keep the trunk pass-through
cover and the glove box locked when
you leave your vehicle and the valet
key at a parking f acility. The master key fits all the locks on
your vehicle.
CONT INUED
On models without keyless access
system
Keys and Locks
Inst rument s and Cont rols
147
VALET
KEY
(GRAY)
KEY
NUMBER
TAG MASTER KEY
WITH REMOTE
TRANSMITTER
11/01/14 18:18:53 31TK4630_152
2012 TL

Always make sure the key is f ully
extended when you insert it to the
ignition switch. If the key is not f ully
extended, the immobilizer system
may not operate properly and
prevent the engine f rom starting.
The master key can be retracted into
theremotetransmitter.Tousethe
key, push the release button to
release the key f rom the transmitter.
The key should be f ully extended.
To retract the key, push the release
buttonandatthesametimepushthe
key into the remote transmitter until
it is securely latched. Thekeymaycomeincontactwith
your f inger while being retracted or
extended. Make sure your f ingers do
not touch the pivot of the key when
retracting or extending it.
Each keyless access remote has a
built-in key. This key is used to lock/
unlock the doors when the remote
battery becomes weak and the
power door lock/unlock operation is
disabled. You cannot start the engine
with this key.
The built-in key (see page ) f its
all the locks on your vehicle.201On models with keyless access system
Retractable Master Key
Keys and Locks
148
Push
RELEASE BUTTON
KEY NUMBER TAG
BUILT-IN KEYS
11/01/14 18:19:02 31TK4630_153
Inst rument s and Cont rols
2012 TL

Î
Î Î
CONT INUED
Youshouldhavereceivedakey
number tag with your keys. You will
need this key number if you ever
have to get a lost key replaced. Use
only Acura-approved key blanks.The immobilizer system protects
your vehicle f rom thef t. If an
improperly coded key or keyless
access remote (or other device) is
used, the engine’s f uel system is
disabled.
When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, or select the
ON mode with the engine start/
stop button, the immobilizer system
indicator should come on brief ly,
then go off. If the indicator starts to
blink, it means the system does not
recognizethecodingof thekeyor
keyless access remote.
On models without keyless access
system, turn the ignition switch to
the LOCK (0) position, remove the
key, reinsert it, and turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position again.On models with keyless access
system, set the power mode to
VEHICLE OFF (LOCK), then select
theONmodeagain.
The system may not recognize your
key’s or remote’s coding if another
immobilizer key or other metal
object (i.e. key chain) is near the
ignition switch or the keyless access
remote when you insert the key or
set the power mode to ON.
Keys and Locks, Immobilizer System
Immobilizer System
Inst rument s and Cont rols
149
11/01/14 18:19:12 31TK4630_154
Your vehicle has the engine
stop button instead of an
See page
187 for
conventional power switches
engine start/stop button. For more
information on
see page 184. start/
ignition switch.
a comparison between and your
selecting the power mode,
Î
:On models with keyless access system
2012 TL

If the system repeatedly does not
recognize the coding of your key or
keyless access remote, contact your
dealer.
Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it. Electrical
problems could result that may make
your vehicle inoperable.
If you have lost your key or keyless
access remote and you cannot start
the engine, contact your dealer.As required by the FCC:This device complies with Part 15 of theFCC rules. Operation is subject to thef ollowing two conditions: (1) This devicemay not cause harmf ul interf erence, and(2) this device must accept anyinterf erence received, includinginterf erence that may cause undesiredoperation.
Changes or modif ications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible f orcompliance could void the user’sauthority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with IndustryCanada Standard RSS-210.Operation is subject to the f ollowing twoconditions: (1) this device may not causeinterf erence, and (2) this device mustaccept any interf erence that may causeundesired operation of the device.
Immobilizer System
150
Always take the ignition key or the
keyless access remote with the built-in
key with you whenever you leave the
vehicle alone.
11/01/14 18:19:21 31TK4630_155
Inst rument s and Cont rols
2012 TL

µ
µ
µ
µ If the f ront wheels are turned, the
anti-theft lock may make it difficult
to turn the key. Firmly turn the
steering wheel to the lef t or right as
you turn the key.
You can
operate the audio system and the
accessory power sockets in this
position.
This is the normal key
position when driving. Several of the
indicators on the instrument panel
come on as a test when you turn the
ignition switch f rom the
ACCESSORY (I) to the ON (II)
position. You will hear a reminder beeper if
you leave the key in the ignition
switch in the LOCK (0) or the
ACCESSORY (I) position and open
the driver’s door. Remove the key to
turn of f the beeper.
Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to the ON (II) position when
you let go of the key.
The ignition switch has f our
positions: LOCK (0), ACCESSORY
(I), ON (II), and START (III). You will also see a ‘‘REMOVE KEY’’
message on the multi-information
display.
TheshiftlevermustbeinPark
bef ore you can remove the key f rom
the ignition switch.
You can insert or
remove the key only in this position.
To turn the key, you must push the
key in slightly. The shif t lever must
also be in Park. Go to page f or inf ormation on
the engine start/stop button.
184
On models without keyless access
system
On models with keyless access system
A CCESSORY (I)
ON (II)
ST A RT (III)
LOCK (0)
Ignition Switch
Inst rument s and Cont rols
151
11/01/14 18:19:33 31TK4630_156
2012 TL

Î
You can customize the door lock/
unlock settings (see page ).
Youcanopenorclosethewindows
and the moonroof by using the key
in the driver’s door (see page ).
To lock all doors, push the f ront of
the master door lock switch on
either f ront door, pull the lock tab
rearward on the driver’s door, or
turn the key counterclockwise in
the outside lock on the driver’s door. All doors can be locked f rom the
outsidebyusingthekeyinthe
driver’s door. To unlock only the
driver’s door, insert the key, turn it
clockwise, and release it. The
remaining doors unlock when you
turn the key a second time within a
f ew seconds.
When the door is unlocked, you can
seetheredindicatoronthelocktab
above the inner door handle. The lock tab on any passenger’s door
locks and unlocks that door. Pushing the rear of either master
door lock switch will unlock all doors.
Pushing f orward the lock tab on the
driver’s door unlocks only that door. 125208
Door L ocks
152
MASTER DOOR LOCK SWITCH
UnlockLock
LOCK TAB
RED INDICATOR
Lock
Unlock
11/01/14 18:19:45 31TK4630_157
Inst rument s and Cont rols
The built-in key can be used to lock/ unlock
the doors when the remote battery becomes
becomes weak and the power door lock/unlock
operation is disabled for more information,
s ee
page
201
.
Î
:On models with keyless access system
2012 TL

If you f orget and leave the key in the
ignition switch, lockout prevention
will not allow you to lock the driver’s
door. With any door open and the
key in the ignition switch, locking
with the master door lock switch is
disabled. If the driver’s door is
closed, the lock tab on the driver’s
door is not disabled. Pulling the
driver’s lock tab rearward will lock
all doors. If you try to lock an open
driver’s door by pulling the lock tab
rearward, the driver’s door lockThe childproof door locks are
designed to prevent children seated
in the rear f rom accidentally opening
the rear doors. Each rear door has a
lock lever near the edge. With the
lever in the LOCK position (lever is
down), the door cannot be opened
fromtheinsideregardlessof the
position of the lock tab. To open the
door, push the lock tab f orward and
use the outside door handle.
To lock any passenger’s door when
getting out of the vehicle, pull the
lock tab rearward and close the door.
To lock the driver’s door, remove the
key f rom the ignition switch, pull the
locktabrearwardorpushthefront
of the master switch, then close the
door.
When the vehicle speed reaches
about 10 mph (15 km/h) or more, all
the doors lock automatically.
When you shif t to P af ter driving, the
driver’s door unlocks.
When you set the power mode to
VEHICLE OFF (LOCK) af ter
driving, the driver’s door unlocks.
Def ault setting
Automatic transmission:Manual transmission:
On models without keyless access
system On models without keyless access
system
Door L ocks
L ockout Prevention Childproof Door L ocks
Inst rument s and Cont rols
153
LEVER
Unlock
Lock
11/01/14 18:19:59 31TK4630_158
tab pops out and unlocks the ’
driver's door.
2012 TL

Î
Î
Î
If the doors are unlocked, press
thetrunkreleaseswitchonthe
trunk lid.
If the doors are locked, press the
trunk release switch on the trunk
lid with the remote in keyless
access operating range.
To open the trunk f rom the outside,
push the release switch, then lif t up.
The built-in key can be used to lock/unlock
the doors and trunk when the remote battery
becomes weak and the power door lock/
unlock operation is disabled. For more
information, see page .
To unlock the trunk, turn the key
twice to unlock the doors, push the
rear of either master door lock
switch, or push UNLOCK twice on
the keyless access remote. The trunk will lock when you lock
the driver’s door with the key , the
keyless access remote, either master
door lock switch, or the lock tab on
the driver’s door.
Youcanopenthetrunkinanyof the
following ways:
Press the trunk release button on
the driver’s door.
Press and hold the trunk release
button on the remote transmitter
or the keyless access remote.
:
201
On models with keyless access system
On models with keyless access system
Trunk
154
TRUNK RELEASE SWITCH
TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON On models with keyless access system
11/01/24 12:55:03 31TK4630_159
Inst rument s and Cont rols
2012 TL

To protect items in the trunk, you
can disable the trunk release button
on the driver’s door by turning off
the trunk main switch in the glove
box, locking the glove box, and
locking the trunk pass-through cover
with the master key or the
built-in key.If you need to give the key to
someone else, give them the
valet key.
As a saf ety f eature, your vehicle has
a release lever on the trunk latch so
the trunk can be opened f rom the
inside.
To open the trunk, push the release
lever in the direction indicated by
the arrow.
Parents should decide if their
children should be shown how to use
this f eature. For more inf ormation
about child saf ety, see page .
To use the valet f unction, remove
thebuilt-inkeyfromtheremoteby
pressing the button, then give that
remote to someone else as a valet
key(seepage ).
Your vehicle is equipped with the
emergency f uel lid release in the
trunk. Refer to page for how to
access it.
40
201
599
On models without keyless accesssystem
On models with keyless access system
Trunk
Emergency T runk Opener
Emergency Fuel L id Release
156
TRUNK RELEASE LEVER
TRUNK MAIN SWITCH
Vehicle with keyless access system is
shown.
11/01/14 18:20:34 31TK4630_161
Inst rument s and Cont rols
OFF
2012 TL

µ
µ
CONT INUED
Press this button once
to unlock the driver’s door or all the
doors (depending on the keyless
memory setting). Press it twice to
unlock the other doors. Some
exterior lights will f lash twice each
time you press the button.
Press this button once to
lock all doors. Some exterior lights
will f lash. When you push LOCK
twice within 5 seconds, you will hear
a beep to verify that the doors are
locked and the security system has
set. You cannot lock the doors if any
door is not f ully closed or if the key
is in the ignition switch. If you do not open any door within 30
seconds, the doors automatically
relock and the security system sets.
The keyless lock acknowledgment
beep and f lashing of the lights can
be deactivated (see page ).
The door activated map lights come
on when you press the UNLOCK
button if the door activated position
is selected. If you do not open any
door within 30 seconds (or whatever
setting of the interior light dimming
time is set to), the light(s) will f ade
out. If you relock the doors with the
remote transmitter before 30
seconds have elapsed, the light(s)
will go of f immediately. To change the lock/unlock setting
and the relock timer setting, refer to
the customized settings on page .
You can also open all power windows
and the moonroof f rom outside the
vehicle with the remote transmitter
(see page ).
125
131
207
On models without keyless access system
Remote Transmitter
UNL OCK
LOCK
Inst rument s and Cont rols
157
LOCK
BUTTON PANIC
BUTTONTRUNK
BUTTON
LED
UNLOCK
BUTTON
11/01/14 18:20:46 31TK4630_162
2012 TL