trunk Acura TSX 2004 Owner's Guide

Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Check that the hood and trunk are
f ully closed.Check the adjustment of the seat
(see page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
steering wheel (see page ).
Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Check the indicator lights in the
instrument panel.
Start the engine (see page ).
Check the gauges and indicator
lights in the instrument panel (see
page ).
Check that any items you may be
carrying with you inside are stored
properly or f astened down
securely. Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments every day bef ore
you drive your car.
3.2.
1.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.
9. 11.
12. 10.
15
90
102 76 199
59
Preparing to Drive
Driving198

µMake sure the parking brake is f ully
released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or damage
the rear brakes.
Always use the parking brake when
you park your car. The indicator on
the instrument panel shows that the
parking brake is not f ully released; it
does not indicate that the parking
brakeisfirmlyset.Makesurethe
parking brake is set f irmly or your
car may roll if it is parked on an
incline.
If your car has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake
bef ore you put the transmission in
Park.Thiskeepsthecarfrom
moving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission making it easier to
move the shift lever out of Park
when you want to drive away. If the car is f acing uphill, turn the
f ront wheels away f rom the curb. If
you have a manual transmission, put
it in f irst gear.
If the car is f acing downhill, turn the
f ront wheels toward the curb. If you
have a manual transmission, put it in
reverse gear.
Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you.
Lockthedoorswiththekeyorthe
remote transmitter.
Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verif y that the
security system is set.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The three way catalytic
converter gets very hot, and could
cause these materials to catch on
fire.
Parking T ips
Parking
Driving211

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.

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

Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb in until
it bottoms in the socket.
Insert the socket back into the
light assembly. Turn it clockwise
to lock it in place.
Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.Reinstall the trunk lid trim. Make
sure it is installed under the edge
of the trunk lid seal.
Put each trim clip in the hole on
the trunk lid trim and push on the
center until it locks (the center is
flushwiththehead).
Each outside mirror has side turn
signal lights. The lights should be
replaced by your Acura dealer.
5.
6.
7.
8. 9.
10. Side T urn Signal L ight
Lights
Maint enance288

Open the trunk and remove the
socket f rom the light assembly by
turning it one-quarter turn counter-
clockwise.
Remove the burned-out bulb by
pulling it straight out of the socket.
Install the new bulb and reinstall
the socket. Make sure the new
bulb is working.The license plate has two lights
above it. The bulbs should be
replaced by your Acura dealer.
1. 2.
3. Replacing a High-mount Brake
Light Bulb Rear L icense Plate Bulb
Lights
Maint enance289

Pull the bulb straight out of the
holder. Push the new bulb straight
into the holder until it bottoms.Put the light assembly back into
the hole, left side first. Push on
the right side until it snaps into
place.
Open the trunk.
Put a cloth on the right side edge
of the trunk light assembly.
Remove the trunk light assembly
by using a small f lat-tipped
screwdriver to pry caref ully on the
right edge of the assembly.
1.
2. 3.
Replacing the T runk L ight Bulb
Lights
Maint enance292

Block the rear wheels.
Fill the f uel tank.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
If you need to park your car f or an
extended period (more than one
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 car back on the road. If
possible, store your car indoors.
If the car is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the car 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 car
body wax to the painted surf aces
that mate with the door and trunk
seals.
Change the engine oil and f ilter
(see page ).
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse
(manual) or Park (automatic). Coverthecarwitha‘‘breathable’’
cover, one made f rom a porous
material such as cotton.
Nonporous materials, such as
plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
If possible, run the engine f or a
while periodically (pref erably once
amonth).
If you store your car f or 12 months
or longer, have your Acura dealer
perf orm the inspections called f or in
the 24 months maintenance schedule
(Normal Conditions) as soon as you
take it out of storage (see page ).
The replacements called f or in the
maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the car has actually
reached that time or mileage.
246
234
St oring Your Car
Maint enance293

If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Stopping in traf f ic or on the shoulder
of a busy road is dangerous. Drive
slowly along the shoulder until you
gettoanexitoranareatostopthat
is far away from the traffic lanes.Park the car on f irm, level and
non-slippery ground away f rom
traffic. Put the transmission in
Park (automatic) or Reverse
(manual). Apply the parking brake.
Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0). Have all the
passengers get out of the car while
you change the tire.
2. 1.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed305
TRUNK FLOOR
JACK TOOLS
TOOL TRAY
The car can easily roll off the
jack, seriously injuring anyone
underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the car when it
is supported only by the jack.