cooling Acura TSX 2004 Owner's Manual

Your Car at a Glance
2
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
MIRROR CONTROLS
DOOR LOCK SWITCH HEATING/COOLING
CONTROLS
TRUNK RELEASE HANDLE/
FUEL FILL DOOR RELEASE HOOD RELEASE HANDLEHAZARD WARNING LIGHTS
DIGITAL CLOCK (P.135, 153) (P.75)
AUDIO SYSTEM
(P.129,148)
(P.115, 121)
(P.186)
(P.87/ 184)
(P.97) (P.81)
(P.102)

Your car’s exhaust contains carbon
monoxide gas. You should have no
problem with carbon monoxide
entering the car in normal driving if
you maintain your car properly.
Have the exhaust system inspected
f or leaks whenever:The car is raised f or an oil change.
You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust.
Thecarwasinanaccidentthat
may have damaged the underside. If you must sit in your parked car,
even in an unconf ined area, with the
engine running, adjust the heating
and cooling system as f ollows: With the trunk lid open, air f low can
pull exhaust gas into your car’s
interior and create a hazardous
condition. If you must drive with the
trunk lid open, open all the windows
and set the heating and cooling
system as shown below.
High levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidly in enclosed areas,
such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.
Even with the door open, run the
engine only long enough to move the
car out of the garage. Select the Fresh Air mode.
Select the mode.
Turn the f an on high speed.
Set the temperature control to a
comfortable setting.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
Driver and Passenger Saf ety53
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and even kill
you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or
activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.

Inst rument s and Cont rols
Control L ocations
58
MIRROR CONTROLS
DOOR LOCK SWITCH
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHESAUDIO SYSTEM
HEATING/COOLING
CONTROLS
TRUNK RELEASE HANDLE/
FUEL FILL DOOR RELEASE HAZARD WARNING
LIGHTS
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE DIGITAL CLOCK
(P.102)
(P.81)
(P.97)
(P.186) (P.115,
121)
(P.129,
148)
(P.
75)
(P.135,
153)
(P.87/ 184)

This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom white mark to about
the middle of the gauge. In severe
driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill
driving, the pointer may rise into the
upperhalfofthegauge.Ifitreaches
the red (Hot) mark, pull safely to the
side of the road. Turn to page f or
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine’s cooling
system.
This meter shows the number of
miles (U.S.) or kilometers (Canada)
driven since you last reset it.
This indicator displays the outside
Fahrenheit temperature in U.S.
models, and Centigrade temperature
in Canadian models.
The temperature sensor is located in
the f ront bumper. Theref ore, the
temperature reading can be af f ected
by heat ref lection f rom the road sur-
f ace, engine heat, and the exhaust
f rom surrounding traf f ic. This can
cause an incorrect temperature read-
ing when your speed is under
19 mph (30 km/h).
In certain weather conditions,
temperature readings near f reezing
(32°F, 0°C) could mean that ice is
f orming on the road surf ace. There are two trip meters: Trip A
and Trip B. Switch between these
displays by pressing the Select/
Reset knob repeatedly. Each trip
meter works independently, so you
can keep track of two dif f erent
distances.
When you turn the ignition switch to
ON (II), what you last selected is
displayed.
To reset a trip meter, display it and
then press and hold the Select/Reset
knob until the number resets to ‘‘0.0’’.
Both trip meters will reset if the car’s
battery goes dead or is disconnected.
315
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Temperature Gauge
Trip Meter
Outside Temperature Indicator
66

Thesideventscanbeopenedand
closed with the dials underneath
them.
The automatic climate control
system in your Acura picks the
proper combination of air condi-
tioning, heating, and ventilation to
maintain the interior temperature
you select. The system also adjusts
the fan speed and air flow levels.
The direction of air f low f rom the
vents in the center and each side of
the dashboard is adjustable.
The climate control system draws air
through the exterior vents at the
bottom of the windshield. Keep
these vents clear of leaves and other
debris.
For the climate control system to
provide heating and cooling, the
engine must be running.
To adjust the air f low f rom a vent,
move the tab up-and-down and side-
to-side.
Climat e Cont rol Syst em
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures114
CENTER VENTS
TAB
TABS
Close
SIDE VENT
Open

ÛÝPressing the OFF button shuts the
climate control system completely
of f . Keep the system completely of f
only f or short periods. To keep stale
air and mustiness f rom collecting,
you should have the f an running at
all times.
The system automatically selects the
proper mix of conditioned and/or
heated air that will, as quickly as
possible, raise or lower the interior
temperature f rom its current level to
the set temperature.
When you set the temperature to its
lower limit ‘‘ ’’ or its upper
limit ‘‘ ’’, the system runs at
f ull cooling or heating only. It does
not regulate the interior temperature.
In cold weather, the f an will not
come on automatically until the car
has been driven f or a short time and
the heater starts to develop warm air.
To put the Automatic Climate
Control in f ully-automatic mode,
press the AUTO button, then set the
desired temperature by pressing
‘‘ ’’ or ‘‘ ’’ on the driver’s side
temperature control bar. You will see
AUTO in the system’s display. Fully-automatic Operation
Without Navigation System
Climat e Cont rol Syst em
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures115
RECIRCULATION BUTTON
TEMPERATURE DISPLAY
AUTO BUTTON OFF BUTTON
FAN CONTROL BAR
DRIVER’S SIDE
TEMPERATURE
CONTROL BAR PASSENGER’S SIDE
TEMPERATURE
CONTROL BAR

Pressing the OFF button shuts the
climate control system completely
off. No air flow can cause the
windows to fog up. It is
recommended that you keep the f an
on at all times so stale air and
moisture do not build up in the
interior and cause f ogging.
When you set the temperature to its
lower limit ‘‘ ’’ or its upper
limit ‘‘ ’’, the system runs at
f ull cooling or heating only. It does
not regulate the interior temperature.
When the temperature is set
between the lower and upper limits,
the system regulates the interior
temperature to the set value.
In cold weather, the f an will not
come on automatically until the car
has been driven f or a short time and
the heater starts to develop warm air. You can manually select various
f unctions of the Climate Control
system when it is in f ully automatic
mode. All other f eatures remain
automatically controlled. Some of
these functions appear in the
Navigation System display. Press the
A/C button under the display to
show these functions. Making any
manual selection causes the
indicator in the AUTO button to go
out. Semi-automatic Operation
Climat e Cont rol Syst em
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures122

Many states and Canadian provinces
require special outside mirrors when
towing a trailer. Even if they don’t,
you should install special mirrors if
you cannot clearly see behind you, or
if the trailer creates a blind spot.
Askyourtrailersalesorrental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required f or your
towing situation.When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:
All weights and loads are within
limits (see pages and ).
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
Allitemsonandinthetrailerare
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive. The car has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, and cooling system
are in good operating condition.
The lights and brakes on your car
and the trailer are working
properly. Your car tires and spare are
properly inf lated (see page ),
and the trailer tires and spare are
inflated as recommended by the
trailer maker.
221 222 274
Additional Trailer EquipmentPre-T ow Checklist
Towing a Trailer
Driving225

This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself . This section explains why it is
important to keep your car well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Acura, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Acura
dealer.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .230
.
Important Safety Precautions . 231
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 232
...
Required Maintenance Record . 239
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 242
..............................
Fluid Locations .243
......................................
Engine Oil .244
..................................
Adding Oil .244
....................
Recommended Oil .244
..............................
Synthetic Oil .245
....................................
Additives .246
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 246
.............................
Cooling System .249
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 249
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 251
....................
Windshield Washers .255
.......................
Transmission Fluid .256
Automatic .........................
Transmission .256
6-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .257
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 259
............................
Brake System .259
...........................
Clutch System .260
..............................
Power Steering .260
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .261 ....................................
Hood Latch .262
....................................
Spark Plugs .262
..............................
Replacement .262
............................
Specif ications .264
...........................................
Battery .265
.................................
Wiper Blades .267
..............
Air Conditioning System . 269
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 270
.......................................
Drive Belt .272
...............................................
Tires .273
......................................
Inf lation .273
..................................
Inspection .275
..............................
Maintenance .275
.............................
Tire Rotation .276
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 276
......................
Wheels and Tires .277
..........................
Winter Driving .278
.............................
Snow Tires .278
............................
Tire Chains .278
.............................................
Lights .280
........................
Replacing Bulbs .282
...........................
Storing Your Car .293
351
Maintenance
Maint enance229

CONT INUED
Always use Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2. This
coolant is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent water. It
does not require any additional
mixing. If it is not available, you may
use another major-brand non-silicate
coolant as a temporary replacement.
Make sure it is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
However, continued use of any non-
Honda coolant can result in
corrosion, causing the cooling
system to malf unction or f ail. Have
the cooling system f lushed and
ref illed with Honda antif reeze/
coolant as soon as possible.
If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks.
The coolant you add should always
be a mixture of 50 percent antif reeze
and 50 percent water. Never add
straight antif reeze or plain water.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance
A dding Engine Coolant
249
RESERVE TANK
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.