charging Acura TSX 2004 Owner's Manual

Î
The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in the text.
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols59
CRUISE CONTROL INDICATORHIGH BEAM INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM INDICATOR
CRUISE MAIN INDICATOR LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
DOOR AND TRUNK OPEN MONITOR
VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST (VSA)
SYSTEM INDICATORLOW FUEL INDICATOR
VSA ACTIVATION
INDICATOR
SIDE AIRBAG CUTOFF INDICATOR
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR SEAT BELT
REMINDER
LIGHT
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR
MAINTENANCE REQUIRED
INDICATOR
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE
SYSTEM INDICATOR
LIGHTS ON INDICATOR
(P.62)
(P.64)
(P.64)
(P.63)(P.60) (P.61)
(P.61)
(P.60)
(P. 60)
(P.67)
(P.60)
(P.61)
(P.63)
(P.62)
(P.61)
(P.64)
(P.64)
(P.63)
(P.60)

The instrument panel has many
indicators to give you important
inf ormation about your car.
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to you and your passengers
to protect yourselves by f astening
the seat belts. A beeper also sounds
if you have not fastened your seat
belt.
If you do not f asten your seat belt,
the beeper will stop af ter a f ew
seconds but the light stays on until
you do. Both the light and the beeper
stay of f if you f asten your seat belt
bef ore turning on the ignition.The engine can be severely damaged
if this light f lashes or stays on when
the engine is running. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
If this light comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
See page .
This light has two f unctions:
This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch ON (II). It
is a reminder to check the parking
brake. A beeper sounds if you try
to drive with the parking brake not
f ully released. Driving with the
parking brake not f ully released
can damage the brakes and tires.
If the indicator remains lit after
you have f ully released the
parking brake while the engine is
running, or if it comes on while
driving, it can indicate a problem
in the brake system. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
1.
2.
317
318
319
321
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Seat Belt Reminder L ightL ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator
Malf unction Indicator
LampParking Brake and Brake
System Indicator
60
U.S. Canada

µ
If the terminals are severely cor-
roded, clean them with baking soda
and water. Then use a wrench to
loosen and remove the cables f rom
the terminals. Always disconnect the
negative ( ) cable f irst and recon-
nect it last. Clean the battery termi-
nals with a terminal cleaning tool or
wire brush. Reconnect and tighten
the cables, then coat the terminals
with grease. If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damage to the car’s
electrical system.
If your car’s battery is disconnected
or goes dead, the audio system, the
driver’s window AUTO f unction, and
the navigation system (if equipped)
will be disabled.To restore the audio system, enter
the audio system anti-theft code
(see page ).
To restore the driver’s window
AUTO f unction, see page .
To restore the navigation system,
enter the navigation system
security code (see System
Security in the Navigation System
Owner’s manual). 172
99
Maint enance
Battery
266
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
mechanic do the battery
maintenance. Charging the battery with the cables
connected can seriously damage your
car’s electronic controls. Detach the
battery cables bef ore connecting the
battery to a charger.

Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it f or at least ten
minutes while you are driving at a
steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the ref rigerant.If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Ref rigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specif ications on page
.)
Your car’s air conditioning is a sealed
system. Any major maintenance,
such as recharging, should be done
by a qualif ied mechanic. You can do
a couple of things to make sure the
air conditioning works ef f iciently.
Periodically check the engine’s
radiator and air conditioning
condenser f or leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the f ront surf ace. These
block the air f low and reduce cooling
ef f iciency. Use a light spray f rom a
hose or a sof t brush to remove them. 334
A ir Condit ioning Syst em
Maint enance269
AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER
Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
f acility uses a ref rigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
ref rigerant f or reuse. Releasing
ref rigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.
The condenser and radiator f ins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or sof t-bristle brush to clean them.

This section covers the more-
common problems that motorists
experience with their cars. It gives
you inf ormation about how to saf ely
evaluate the problem and what to do
to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your car towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .304
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .305
..........
If Your Engine Won’t Start . 310
Nothing Happens or the Starter Motor Operates ............................
Very Slowly .310
The Starter Operates ................................
Normally .311
................................
Jump Starting .312
............
If Your Engine Overheats . 315
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 317
..........
Charging System Indicator . 318
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 319
.......................
Readiness Codes .320
...............
Brake System Indicator . 321
..................
Closing the Moonroof . 322
..............................................
Fuses .323
..........
Checking and Replacing . 324
......................
Emergency Towing .328
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed303

By eliminating as much of the
electrical load as possible, you can
drive several miles (kilometers)
before the battery is too discharged
to keep the engine running. Drive to
a service station or garage where
you can get technical assistance.
This indicator should come on when
the ignition switch is ON (II), and go
out af ter the engine starts. If it
comes on brightly when the engine
is running, it indicates that the
charging system has stopped
charging the battery. Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories: radio, climate control,
rear def ogger, cruise control, etc.
Try not to use other electrically-
operated controls such as the power
windows. Keep the engine running
and take extra care not to stall it.
Starting the engine will discharge
the battery rapidly.
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Charging System Indicator
318
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR

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