dead battery Acura TL 2012 Owner's Manual

If your vehicle’s battery goes dead or
is disconnected, you can open the
trunk f rom the rear seat by pulling
the trunk release tab through the
trunk pass-through.
To close the trunk, use the inner
handle to lower the lid, then press
down on the back edge. Pull down the rear seat armrest, then
press on the button to f ully release
the cover. Reach in and locate the
trunk release tab, and pull it out.
Keep the trunk lid closed at all times
while driving to avoid damaging it,
and to prevent exhaust gas from
getting into the interior. See
,page .57
CONT INUED
On all models
Trunk
Carbon
Monoxide Hazard
Inst rument s and Cont rols
155
INNER
HANDLE BUTTON
COVERTRUNK RELEASE TAB
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2012 TL

Always keep the remote and the
built-in key away from any magnetic
material.
Youshouldhavereceivedakey
number tag with your built-in key.
You will need this key number if you
ever have to get a lost key replaced.
UseonlyAcura-approvedkeyblanks.
Your vehicle has a keyless access
system. This system allows you to
operate the vehicle without an
ignition key. When you carry the
remote with you, you can lock/
unlock the door(s), unlock the trunk,
and start the engine.
When the vehicle battery is dead. When the remote battery is dead. A vehicle is being operated with a
transmitter nearby. The remote is covered by metal. You carry a cell phone, a laptop
computer, or other electrical
device near the remote. There is strong electrical current
nearby. Thebatteryof theremoteisweak.
The system may not work if: 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.
Make sure the driver always carries
the remote/built-in key set.
Protect the remote and the built-in
key f rom direct sunlight, high
temperature, and high humidity.
Do not drop the remote or the
built-in key, and do not set heavy
objects on them.
Keep the remote and the built-in key
away f rom liquids. If they get wet,
dry them immediately with a sof t
cloth.
The built-in keys do not contain
batteries.On models with navigation system
K eyless A ccess System
Inst rument s and Cont rols
173
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2012 TL

Bef ore locking the doors, make sure
theremoteisnotinsidethevehicle. When you press the door lock button
on the f ront door, all the doors and
the trunk will lock.
Theremoteisnotwithinthe
operating range.
The remote is too close to the
vehicle.
When the doors are unlocked.
The vehicle battery is dead. Theremotebatteryisdead.
Each unlock sensor does not operate
when:
If you wear a glove while grabbing a
f ront door handle, the door sensor
maybeslowtorespondormaynot
respond by unlocking the doors.
If you do not open any of the doors
within 30 seconds, they will
automatically relock.
If a remote is within operating range
while you wash your vehicle or when
it is raining heavily, the door sensors
may respond by unlocking the doors.
K eyless A ccess System
L ocking the Doors
176
DOOR LOCK BUTTON
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Inst rument s and Cont rols
2012 TL

When you lock the doors, some
exterior lights blink and the system
beeps once. If no exterior lights blink
and/or no beeper sounds, check to
see if the trunk or hood is open.
To change the ‘‘KEYLESS ACCESS
LIGHT FLASH’’ setting, see.
To change the ‘‘KEYLESS ACCESS
BEEP’’ setting, see page .
Within 2 seconds of pressing the
door lock button or locking the doors
with the remote, pull the handle to
make sure the doors are actually
locked. The door unlock sensors will
not operate f or about 2 seconds af ter
the doors are locked. The door lock button does not
work if:
Theremoteisnotwithinthe
operating range. If you open the driver’s door, pull its
locktabrearwardonthedoor,and
shutitwhentheremoteisinsidethe
vehicle, the driver’s door will unlock.
Make sure you carry the remote
with you when you lock the doors.
Any door is open.
The power mode is not set to
VEHICLE OFF (LOCK).
The remote is in the keyless
access slot.
The remote is too close to the
vehicle.
Theremotebatteryisdead.
The vehicle battery is dead. This function is also activated on the
f ront passenger’s door. If you open
the f ront passenger’s door, and shut
it af ter pulling its lock tab rearward
whentheremoteisinsidethevehicle,
all doors will unlock.
The door lock prevention will also
activate if you try to lock the doors
with the master door lock switch
whentheremoteisinsidethevehicle.
118
K eyless A ccess System
Door L ock Prevent ion
Inst rument s and Cont rols
177
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page
117
2012 TL

If your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected or goes dead, the
audio system disables itself. If
this happens, you will see ‘‘ENTER
CODE’’ in the frequency display
next time you turn on the system.
Use the preset buttons to enter the
five-digit code. The code is on the
Anti-theft Identification Card
included in your owner’s manual kit.
When it is entered correctly, the
radio will start playing.
The Anti-theft Identification Card
also lists your audio serial number. It
is best to store the card in a safe
place at home. In addition, you
should write the audio system’s
serial number in this owner’s manual.
If you make a mistake entering the
code, do not start over; complete the
f ive-digit sequence, then enter the
correct code. You have ten tries to
enter the correct code. If you are
unsuccessful in ten attempts, youmust then leave the system on for
one hour bef ore trying again.
The system will retain your AM and
FM presets even if power is
disconnected.
If you have a My Acura account, it is
easy to retrieve the anti-theft code
online without having to access the
serial number.
We recommend that you register the
security code at My Acura (myacura.
registering the code at My Acura,
you must obtain the code from your
dealer or
To do this, you will need the audio system’s serial number. If you
do not have the serial number with you,askyourdealerorgoto
for
inf ormation on how to retrieve it.
If you lose the Anti-thef t
Identif ication Card, you must obtain
thecodefromyourdealer.Todothis,
you will need the audio system’s
serial number. If you do not have the
serial number with you, ask your
dealer how to retrieve it.
You need to enter a separate code
f or the navigation system to
reactivate. The Anti-theft Card also
lists the navigation system’s security
code and serial number. Follow the
same procedure to retrieve the serial
number and obtain the code, and
read the navigation system manual
f or details.
https://radionavicode.acura. com/.https://
radionavicode.acura.com/
Canadian owners
Models with navigation system
U.S. owners
Radio T hef t Protection
390
NOTE:
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Features
myacura.com). If you lose the
Anti-theft Identification Card before
2012 TL

µ
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

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
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Maint enancepage 390
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.
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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
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page
584
2012 TL

Make sure the gas tank
is nearly, but not completely, full
(around 3/4).Without touching the accelerator
pedal, start the engine, and let it
idle f or 20 seconds.
If you take your vehicle for an
emissions test shortly after the
battery has been disconnected or
gone dead, it may not pass the test.
This is because of certain
‘‘readiness codes’’ that must be set
in the on- board diagnostics for the
emissions systems. These codes
are erased when the battery is
disconnected, and set again only
after several days of driving under a
variety of conditions. If the testing f acility determines that
the readiness codes are not set, you
will be requested to return at a later
date to complete the test. If you must
get the vehicle retested within the
next two or three days, you can
condition the vehicle f or retesting by
doing the f ollowing.
Make sure the vehicle has been
parked with the engine of f f or 6
hours or more.
Make sure the ambient
temperature is between 40° and
95°F (4° and 35°C). Keep the vehicle in Park
(automatic) or neutral (manual).
Increase the engine speed to 2,000
rpm,andholditthereuntilthe
temperature gauge rises to at least
1/4of thescale(about3minutes).
Without touching the accelerator
pedal, let the engine idle f or 20
seconds.
1.
2.
3. 4.
5.
6.
T esting of Readiness Codes
Emissions T esting
626
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Technical Inf ormation
2012 TL