Acura TSX 2004 Owner's Manual

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

Removethelensbycarefully
prying on the edge of the lens with
a f ingernail f ile or a small f lat-tip
screwdriver. Do not pry on the
edge of the housing around the
lens.
Door light:Pry on the top lef t or right of the
lens.
Ceiling light: Pry on the f ront edge of the lens
near both sides.
Spotlights: Pry on the inner edge of both
spotlights. Remove the bulb by pulling it
straight out of its metal tabs.
Push the new bulb into the metal
tabs. Carefully snap the lens back
in place.
The ceiling light, door lights and
vanity mirror lights come apart the
same way, but they do not use the
same type of bulb.
1.
2.
3.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing Bulbs in the Interior
Lights
290
CEILING LIGHT
BULB SPOTLIGHTS
BULBS

Lights
Maint enance291
BULB
DOOR COURTESY LIGHT
BULB
VANITY MIRROR LIGHT

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

294

Regular cleaning and polishing of
your Acura helps to keep it ‘‘new’’
looking. This section gives you hints
on how to clean your car and
preserve its appearance: the paint,
brightwork, wheels and interior. Also
included are several things you can
do to help prevent corrosion..................................
Exterior Care .296
.....................................
Washing .296
.......................................
Waxing .297
....................
Aluminum Wheels .297
..........................
Paint Touch-up .297
..................................
Interior Care .298
...................................
Carpeting .298
.................................
Floor Mats .298
.........................................
Fabric .299
...........................................
Vinyl .299
.......................................
Leather .299
...................................
Seat Belts .299
....................................
Windows .300
..........................
Air Fresheners .300
....................
Corrosion Protection .311
.................................
Body Repairs .312
Appearance Care
Appearance Care295

When you have washed and rinsed
the whole exterior, dry it with a
chamois or sof t towel. Letting it
air-dry will cause dulling and water
spots.
Fill a bucket with cool water. Mix
in a mild detergent, such as
dishwashing liquid or a product
made especially f or car washing.
Only use the solvents and cleaners
recommendedinthisOwner’s
Manual. Frequent washing helps preserve
your car’s beauty. Dirt and grit can
scratch the paint, while tree sap and
bird droppings can permanently ruin
the f inish.
Wash your car in a shady area, not in
direct sunlight. If the car is parked in
the sun, move it into the shade and
let the exterior cool down bef ore you
start. Rinse the car thoroughly with cool
water to remove loose dirt.
As you dry the car, inspect it f or
chips and scratches that could allow
corrosion to start. Repair them with
touch-up paint (see page ).
Wash the car using the water and
detergent solution and a sof t-
bristle brush, sponge, or sof t cloth.
Start at the top and work your way
down. Rinse f requently.
Check the body f or road tar, tree
sap, etc. Remove these stains with
tar remover or turpentine. Rinse it
of f immediately so it does not
harm the f inish. Remember to re-
wax these areas, even if the rest of
the car does not need waxing. 297
Exterior Care
Appearance Care
Washing
296
Chemical solvents and strong cleaners
can damage the paint, metal, and
plastic on your car.

µµ
Always wash and dry the whole car
bef ore waxing it. You should wax
your car, including the metal trim,
whenever water sits on the surf ace
in large patches. It should f orm into
beads or droplets af ter waxing.
You should use a quality liquid or
paste wax. Apply it according to the
instructions on the container. In
general, there are two types of
products:
Cleaning tar, insects, etc. with
removers also takes off the wax.
Remember to re-wax those areas,
even if the rest of the car does not
need waxing.
Your dealer has touch-up paint to
match your car’s color. The color
code is printed on a sticker on the
driver’s doorjamb. Take this code to
your dealer so you are sure to get
the correct color.
Inspect your car f requently f or chips
or scratches in the paint. Repair
them right away to prevent corrosion
of the metal underneath. Use the
touch-up paint only on small chips
and scratches. More extensive paint
damage should be repaired by a
prof essional.
Waxes A wax coats the finish and
protects it f rom damage by exposure
to sunlight, air pollution, etc. You
should use a wax on your Acura
when it is new.
Polishes Polishes and cleaner/
waxes can restore the shine to paint
that has oxidized and lost some of its
shine. They normally contain mild
abrasives and solvents that remove
the top layer of the f inish. You should use a polish on your Acura if
the f inish does not have its original
shine af ter using a wax.
Clean your Acura’s aluminum alloy
wheels as you do the rest of the
exterior.Washthemwiththesame
solution, and rinse them thoroughly.
The wheels have a protective clear-
coat that keeps the aluminum from
corroding and tarnishing. Using
harsh chemicals, including some
commercial wheel cleaners or stif f
brushes, can damage this clear-coat.
Only use a mild detergent and sof t
brush or sponge to clean the wheels.
Exterior Care
Appearance Care
Waxing
A luminum WheelsPaint T ouch-up
297