engine Acura TSX 2004 Owners Manual

Î
ÎThe burning of gasoline in your car’s
engine produces several byproducts.
Some of these are carbon monoxide
(CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and
hydrocarbons (HC). Gasoline
evaporating from the tank also
produces hydrocarbons. Controlling
the production of NOx, CO, and HC
is important to the environment.
Under certain conditions of sunlight
and climate, NOx and HC react to
f orm photochemical ‘‘smog.’’ Carbon
monoxide does not contribute to
smog creation, but it is a poisonous
gas. The United States Clean Air Act
sets standards f or automobile
emissions. It also requires that
automobile manufacturers explain to
owners how their emissions controls
workandwhattodotomaintain
them. This section summarizes how
the emissions controls work.
Scheduled maintenance is on page
.
Your car has a Positive Crankcase
Ventilation System. This keeps
gasses that build up in the engine’s
crankcase from going into the
atmosphere. The Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve routes them from
the crankcase back to the intake
manif old. They are then drawn into
the engine and burned.
The Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
Recovery (ORVR) system captures
the f uel vapors during ref ueling. The
vapors are adsorbed in a canister
f illed with activated carbon. While
driving, the f uel vapors are drawn
into the engine and burned of f . As gasoline evaporates in the f uel
tank, an evaporative emissions
control canister f illed with charcoal
adsorbs the vapor. It is stored in this
canister while the engine is of f . Af ter
the engine is started and warmed up,
the vapor is drawn into the engine
and burned during driving.
In Canada, Acura vehicles comply
with the Canadian emission
requirements, as specif ied in an
agreement with Environment
Canada, at the time they are
manuf actured. 232
The Clean Air Act
Crankcase Emissions Control
System
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
Recovery Evaporative Emissions Control
System
Emissions Cont rols
T echnical Inf ormation342

The emissions control systems are
covered by warranties separate from
the rest of your car. Read your
warranty manual f or more informa-
tion. The emissions control systems are
designed and certif ied to work to-
gether in reducing emissions to
levels that comply with the Clean Air
Act. To make sure the emissions
remain low, you should use only new
Acura replacement parts or their
equivalent f or repairs. Using lower
qualitypartsmayincreasethe
emissions f rom your car.
The exhaust emissions controls
include three systems: PGM-FI,
Ignition Timing Control, and Three
Way Catalytic Converter. These
three systems work together to
control the engine’s combustion and
minimize the amount of HC, CO, and
NOx that comes out the tailpipe. The
exhaust emissions control systems
are separate from the crankcase and
evaporative emissions control
systems.
The PGM-FI System uses sequential
multiport f uel injection.
It has three subsystems: Air Intake,
Engine Control, and Fuel Control.
The Engine Control Module (ECM)
or the Powertrain Control Module
(PCM) uses various sensors to
determine how much air is going
into the engine. It then controls how
much f uel to inject under all operat-
ing conditions. This system constantly adjusts the
ignition timing, reducing the amount
of HC, CO, and NOx produced.
The three way catalytic converter is
in the exhaust system. Through
chemical reactions, it converts HC,
CO, and NOx in the engine’s exhaust
to carbon dioxide (CO ), nitrogen
(N ), and water vapor.
2
2
Replacement Parts
Exhaust Emissions Controls
Emissions Cont rols
T echnical Inf ormation
PGM-FI Syst em Ignit ion T iming Cont rol Syst em
Three Way Catalytic Converter
343

Always use unleaded gasoline.
Even a small amount of leaded
gasoline can contaminate the
catalyst metals, making the three
way catalytic converter inef f ective.
The three way catalytic converter
must operate at a high temperature
for the chemical reactions to take
place. It can set on f ire any com-
bustible materials that come near it.
Park your car away f rom high grass,
dry leaves, or other f lammables.
A defective three way catalytic
converter contributes to air pollution,
and can impair your engine’s per-
f ormance. Follow these guidelines to
protect your car’s three way catalytic
converter.
The three way catalytic converter
contains precious metals that serve
as catalysts, promoting chemical
reactions to convert the exhaust
gasses without af f ecting the metals.
The catalytic converter is ref erred to
as a three-way catalyst, since it acts
on HC, CO, and NOx. A replacement
unit must be an original Acura part
or its equivalent.
Keep the engine tuned-up.
Have your car diagnosed and
repaired if it is misf iring, back-
f iring, stalling, or otherwise not
running properly.
Three Way Catalytic Converter
T echnical Inf ormation344
THREE WAY CATALYTIC CONVERTER

Make sure the gas tank is nearly,
but not completely, f ull (around
3/4).
Make sure the ambient
temperature is between 20° and
95°F.Without touching the accelerator
pedal, start the engine and let it
idle f or 20 seconds.
If you take your car for a state
emissions test shortly af ter 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 f or 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.
Make sure the car has been
parked with the engine of f f or 8
hours or more.Keep the car in Park (automatic
transmission) or Neutral (manual
transmission). Increase the engine
speed to 2,000 rpm and hold it
there until the temperature gauge
rises to at least 1/4 of the scale
(approximately 3 minutes).
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 car re-tested within the next
two or three days, you can condition
the car for re-testing by doing the
f ollowing.
CONT INUED
T esting of Readiness Codes
St at e Emissions T est ing
T echnical Inf ormation345

µµ
µ
(


%
)
$
%

.
"

#
) This manual describes the procedures involved in the
replacement of damaged body parts. This manual covers maintenance and recommended
procedures f or repair to engine and chassis components.
It is written f or the Journeyman mechanic, but is simple
enough f or most mechanically-inclined owners to under-
stand.
This manual complements the Service Manual by
providing in-depth troubleshooting inf ormation f or each
electrical circuit in your car.
Authorized Manuals
Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
352
NOTE: Dealers and Companies please provide dealer or company name,
and also the name of the person to whose attention the shipment should
be sent. For purchases outside U.S.A. please write to the address shown
below for a quotation.
P.O. BOX 07280·DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48207·1-800-782-4356
Customer Name Attention
Apartment Number
State & Zip Code
City
Daytime Telephone Number
Check or money order enclosed payable to Helm Inc U.S. funds only.
Do not send cash
Master
Card VISA
Check here if your billing address is different
from the shipping address shown above.
Account Number Expiration: Mo. Yr.
CUSTOMER SIGNATURE DATE
Street Address No P.O. Box Number
()
These Publications cannot be returned for credit without receiving advance authorization within 14
days of delivery. On returns, a restocking fee may be applied against the original order.

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 191
................................
Accessories .191
.
Additional Safety Precautions . 192
............................
Modif ications .192
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .81
.............
Accessory Power Socket . 109
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 246
.....................................
Airbag (SRS) .9
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .261
............................
Air Conditioning .115
..............................
Maintenance .269
.........................................
Usage .115
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .273
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .340
......................................
Antif reeze .249
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ................................
Description .213
...............................
Indicator .61, 214
...................................
Operation .213
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 80
..........................
Appearance Care .295
..........................................
Armrest .105
........................
Audio System .129, 148 .............
Automatic Speed Control . 174
..............
Automatic Transmission . 204
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .334
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 256
.......................................
Shif ting .204
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 204
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 204
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 210
Battery ......
Charging System Light . 60,318
............................
Jump Starting .312
..............................
Maintenance .265
............................
Specif ications .335
..............................
Bef ore Driving .183
..........................................
Belts, Seat .8
.........................
Beverage Holders .106
...................................
Body Repair .312
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 213
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 184
....................
Bulb Replacement .286
...........................................
Fluid .259
.......................................
Parking .104 .........................
System Indicator .60
........................
Wear Indicators .212
.............................
Braking System .213
........................
Break-in, New Car .184
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 72
........................
Brights, Headlights .70
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .287
..............................
Brake Lights .286
..............................
Ceiling Light .290
................
Door Courtesy Light . 291
................
Front Parking Lights . 285
.................................
Headlights .282
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 289
...................
License Plate Light . 289
............................
Specif ications .335
...................................
Spotlights .290
...............................
Trunk Light .292
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 284
................
Vanity Mirror Lights . 291
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .282
Index
A
B
I

Î
............................
Capacities Chart .334
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 53
.............................
Carrying Cargo .193
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
..........................
CD Changer .136, 156
........................
CD Pocket, Center .107
........................
Certif ication Label .332
............................................
Chains .278
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .305
............
Changing Engine Coolant . 251
Changing Oil ........................................
How to .246
......................................
When to .234
...
Charging System Indicator . 60,318
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 198
..................
Childproof Door Locks . 87
.......................................
Child Seats .26
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 39
...................................
Cleaner, Air .261
Cleaning ....................
Aluminum Wheels .297
...................................
Carpeting .298
......................................
Exterior .296
.........................................
Fabric .299 .......................................
Interior .298
.......................................
Leather .299
...................................
Seat Belts .299
...........................................
Vinyl .299
......................................
Window .300
...............
Climate Control System . 114
.................
Clock, Setting the . 135,153
...................................
Clutch Fluid .260
........................
CO in the Exhaust .342
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 200
..............................
Compact Spare .304
.................
Console Compartment . 105
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 348
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 57
Coolant ........................................
Adding .249
....................................
Checking .189
.........................
Proper Solution .249
...................
Temperature Gauge . 66
....................
Corrosion Protection .311
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .342
............
Cruise Control Operation . 174
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 348................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
.......................................
Dashboard .58
................
Daytime Running Lights . 72
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 350
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 75
....................................
Dimensions .334
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 70
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 256
..................................
Engine Oil .187
..........................
Directional Signals .73
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 212
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .248
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 81
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 337
Downshif ting, 5-speed Manual
.............................
Transmission .201
.....................................
Drive Belts .272
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .197
....................................
Economy .190
.........................
In Bad Weather .219
................
In Foreign Countries . 341
Index
C D
II

CONT INUED
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 270
............................
Fabric, Cleaning .299
...................................
Fan, Interior .115
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .113
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 184
Filter .........................
Dust and Pollen .270
...............................................
Oil .246
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 75
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 305
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 256..........................................
Brake .259
.........................................
Clutch .260
..............
Manual Transmission . 257
..........................
Power Steering .260
..................
Windshield Washer . 255
...........................
Folding Rear Seat .94
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 341
..........................
Four-way Flashers .75
.................................................
Fuel .184
......................
Fill Door and Cap .185
...........................................
Gauge .67
................
Octane Requirement . 184
...............................
Oxygenated .340
........................
Tank, Filling the .184
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .324
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 190
..........................................
Gasohol .340
.........................................
Gasoline .184
...........................................
Gauge .67
................
Octane Requirement . 184
........................
Tank, Filling the .184
..............................
Economy, Fuel .190
............
Emergencies on the Road . 303
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 312
...........
Brake System Indicator . 321
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 305
.....
Charging System Indicator . 318
..................
Checking the Fuses . 324
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 317
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 319
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 322
..................
Overheated Engine . 315
.........................
Emergency Brake .104
......................
Emergency Flashers .75
......................
Emergency Towing .328
.......................
Emissions Controls .342
Engine ............................................
Belts .272
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 66
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .60, 319
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 60,317
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 244...............................
Overheating .315
............................
Specif ications .335
....................
Speed Limiter . 202,209
.......................................
Starting .199
..........
Engine Speed Limiter . 202,209
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .340
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 342
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .53
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 296
Index
E
FG
III

................
Gas Station Procedures . 184
Gauges ...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 66
...............................................
Fuel .67
...............................
Speedometer .65
.................................
Tachometer .65
Gearshif t Lever Positions ..........
Automatic Transmission . 204
6-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .201
..............................
Glass Cleaning .300
........................................
Glove Box .89
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 282
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 75
........................................
Headlights .70
........................................
Aiming .282
..............
Automatic Lighting Off . 71
............
Daytime Running Lights . 72
............
Low Beams, Turning on . 70
.........................
Reminder Chime .70
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 282
...................................
Turning on .70
..............................
Head Restraints .93 .....................
Heating and Cooling .114
...............................
Heated Mirror .103
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 200
HomeLink Wireless Control ........................................
System .177
.......................
Hood, Opening the .186
...........................
Hydraulic Clutch .260
.................................
Hydroplaning .220
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 332
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .77
...........................................
Switch .80
............
Timing Control System . 343
........................
Immobilizer System .79
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 59
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .30
......................................
Inf ant Seats .30
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 39
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 273
.................................
Inside Mirror .102
.............................
Inspection, Tire .275
............................
Instrument Panel .59 ........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 72
...........................
Interior Cleaning .298
...............................
Interior Lights .110
........................................
Introduction .i
........................
Jacking up the Car .307
.......................................
Jack, Tire .305
................................
Jump Starting .312
..................................................
Keys .77
.......................
Label, Certif ication .332
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 73
........................
Lap/Shoulder Belts .43
.........................
Leather, Cleaning .299
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .282
.......................................
Indicator .59
.........................................
Parking .70
..................................
Turn Signal .73
Index
H IJ
K
L
IV

CONT INUED
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 80
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 80
............................
Fuel Fill Door .184
....................................
Glove Box .89
...........................................
Trunk .87
........................
Low Coolant Level .189
...
Lower Gear, Downshif ting to a . 201
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 60,317
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 334
.........................................
Luggage .193
..................................
Maintenance .229
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 242
........................................
Record .239
......................
Required Indicator .67
..........................................
Saf ety .230
.............................
Schedule .234-238
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 60,319
...................
Manual Transmission . 202
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 257
...............................
Meters, Gauges .65
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 340
........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .102 .......................................
Moonroof .101
......................
Closing Manually .322
...................................
Operation .101
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 206
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 184
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds .202
..................
NOTICE, Explanation of . ii
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 332..............
Panel Brightness Control . 72
........................
Park Gear Position .205
...........................................
Parking .211
...............................
Parking Brake .104
.................................
Parking Lights .70
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 344
.............................
PGM-FI System .343
..................
Polishing and Waxing . 297
...................................
Pollen Filter .270
............
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist . 11
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 19
............................
Protecting Adults .12
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 20
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 19
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 184
.........................................
Odometer .65
Odometer/Outside Temperature ......................................
Indicator .66
...............................
Odometer, Trip .66
Oil ........................
Change, How to .246
......................
Change, When to .232
......................
Checking Engine .187
..............
Pressure Indicator . 60,317
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .245 ...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 81
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 341
............................
Outside Mirrors .102
.....................
Outside Temperature .66
....................
Overheating, Engine .315
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 242
..........................
Oxygenated Fuel .340
Index
MO N
P
V