Acura TSX 2004 Owner's Manual

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Tires that are marked ‘‘M S’’ or
‘‘All Season’’ on the sidewall have an
all-weather tread design. They
should be suitable f or most winter
driving conditions. Tires without
these markings are designed f or
optimum traction in dry conditions.
They may not provide adequate
perf ormance in winter driving.
For the best perf ormance in snowy
or icy conditions, you should install
snow tires or tire chains. They may
be required by local laws under
certain conditions. Mount snow chains on your tires
when required by driving conditions
or local laws. Install them only on the
f ront tires.
Because your car has limited tire
clearance, Acura strongly
recommends using the chains listed
below, made by Security Chain
Company (SCC).
If you mount snow tires on your
Acura, make sure they are radial
tires of the same size and load range
as the original tires. Mount snow
tiresonallfourwheelstobalance
your car’s handling in all weather
conditions. Keep in mind the traction
provided by snow tires on dry roads
may not be as high as your car’s
original equipment tires. You should
drive cautiously even when the roads
are clear. Check with the tire dealer
f or maximum speed recommen-
dations.
Winter Driving
Snow T ires
T ire Chains
Maint enance
Tires
278
CH2412T

If you ever hear the chains
contacting the body or chassis, stop
and investigate. If the chains have
loosened, retighten them. Make sure
they do not contact the brake lines
or suspension.
Removethechainsassoonasyou
begin driving on cleared roads.
Thesechainsaretheonlyonesthat
have been approved by Acura f or use
on your car. Since Acura cannot test
all chains, you must be personally
responsible f or proper selection,
installation, and use of snow chains.
The chains listed here are available
at many auto supply stores. For a
complete list of stores, visit the SCC
website at www.scc-chain.com.
When installing chains, f ollow the
manuf acturer’s instructions, and
mount them as tightly as you can.
Drive slowly with chains installed.
Tires
Maint enance279
Using the wrong chains, or not
properly installing chains, can
damage the brake lines and
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously injured or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding the
selection and use of tire chains.

Check the operation of your car’s
exterior lights at least once a month.
A burned out bulb can create an
unsaf e condition by reducing your
car’s visibility and the ability to
signal your intentions to other
drivers.
Lights
Maint enance280
HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTLOW BEAM HEADLIGHTSIDE TURN
SIGNAL LIGHT
FRONT TURN SIGNAL
PARKING LIGHT/
SIDE MARKER LIGHT

Check the f ollowing:Headlights (low and high beam)
Parking lights
Taillights
Brake lights
High-mount brake light
Turn signals
Back-up lights
Hazard light f unction
License plate light
Side marker lights
Daytime running lights
(Canadian models)
If you f ind any bulbs are burned out,
replace them as soon as possible.
Refer to the chart on page to
determine what type of replacement
bulb is needed. 335
Lights
Maint enance281
HIGH-MOUNT BRAKE LIGHT
TAILLIGHT
TURN SIGNAL LIGHT
BRAKE/TAILLIGHT
SIDE MARKER LIGHT
BACK-UP LIGHTLICENSE PLATE LIGHTS

The low beam headlight bulbs are a
type of high voltage discharge tube.
High voltage can remain in the
circuit even with the light switch of f
and the key removed. Because of
this, you should not attempt to
examine or change a low beam
headlight bulb yourself . If a low
beam headlight bulb fails, take the
cartoyourdealertohaveitreplaced.
Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your car was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk or pull a trailer, readjustment
may be required. Adjustment of the
headlights should be perf ormed by
an Acura technician or other
qualif ied mechanic.
Halogen bulbs are used f or the high
beam headlight bulbs. When
replacing a high beam headlight bulb,
handle it by its base and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass,
clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.
Headlight Aiming
L ow Beam Headlight Bulb
ReplacementReplacing a High Beam Headlight
Bulb
Lights
Maint enance282
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.

CONT INUED
Open the hood. If you need to
change a bulb on the driver’s side,
undo the three f asteners and
remove the air intake cover.Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pulling the
connector straight back.
Remove the rubber weather seal
by pulling on the tab.Unclip the end of the hold-down
wire f rom its slot. Pivot it out of
the way and remove the bulb.
Insert the new bulb into the hole,
making sure the tabs are in their
slots. Pivot the hold-down wire
back in place, and clip the end into
the slot.
Install the rubber seal over the
back of the headlight assembly.
Make sure it is right side up; it is
marked with an arrow.
1. 2.
3.6. 4.
5.
Lights
Maint enance283
FASTENER
AIR INTAKE COVER
HOLD-DOWN WIREBULB
WEATHER SEAL
CONNECTOR

Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
Open the hood.
Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Push the electrical connector onto
the new bulb. Make sure it is
connected securely.
Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb.
On the driver’s side, reinstall the
air intake cover. Reinstall the
three fasteners and secure them
by pushing on the heads until they
lock.
3.
4.
5.
2. 1.
7.
8.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing a Front T urn Signal
Light Bulb
284
SOCKET

Pull the inner f ender cover back.Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
Use a f lat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the two holding clips f rom
the inner f ender.
If you are changing the bulb on
the driver’s side, start the engine,
turn the steering wheel all the way
to the right, and turn off the
engine. If you are changing the
bulb on the passenger’s side, turn
the steering wheel to the left.
Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
4. 5.
2.
1.
3.
CONT INUED
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing a Front Parking L ight
Bulb
285
HOLDING CLIPS

Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
Put the inner f ender cover in place.
Install the holding clips. Lock each
oneinplacebypushingonthe
center.
Remove the light assembly cover
by pulling its outside edge.Remove the socket f or that bulb
by turning it one-quarter turn
counterclockwise.
Turn on the parking lights to
make sure the new bulb works.
Open the trunk.
Determine which of the three
bulbs is burned out: brake/
taillight turn signal light or side
marker light.
1.
3.
2.
6.
7.
8.
4.
Replacing Rear Bulbs
(in Fenders)
Lights
Maint enance286
COVER

Reinstall the socket into the light
assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.
Install the light assembly cover.
Make sure it snaps into place.To replace a bulb on the lef t side,
remove the screws in the center of
each of the two f asteners. On the
right side, remove the screw of the
f astener.
Pull the lining back caref ully.
Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
Open the trunk. Determine which of the two bulbs
is burned out: taillight or back-up
light.
1.
2.
5.
6.
7.
4.
3.
CONT INUED
Replacing Rear Bulbs
(in T runk L id)
Lights
Maint enance287