fuel Acura TSX 2004 Owner's Manual

2004 TSX Online Reference Owner's Manual Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.helminc.com.

Contents

Owner's Identification Form
Introduction ........................................................................\
............................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safety ........................................................................\
.................................................. ii
Your Vehicle at a Glance ........................................................................\
....................................................... 2
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
............................................... 5
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restraint System.
Instruments and Controls........................................................................\
.................................................. .57
Instrument panel indica tor and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering column controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features........................................................................\
.............................. .113
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other convenience features.
Before Driving ........................................................................\
...................................................... ...............183
What gasoline to use, how to break-in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving........................................................................\
...................................................................................197
The proper way to start the engine, shift the tr ansmission, and park, plus towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
...................................................... ...................229
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take your vehicle to the dealer.
Appearance Care........................................................................\
...................................................... ...........295
Tips on cleaning and protecting your vehicle. Things to look for if your car ever needs body repairs.
Taking Care of the Unexpected........................................................................\
.......................................303
This section covers several problems motorists someti mes experience, and how to handle them.
Technical Information........................................................................\
...................................................... .331
ID numbers, dimensions, capaciti es, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)..................................................................... .347
A summary of the warranties covering your new Honda, and how to contact us.
Authorized Manuals (U.S. only )........................................................................\
......................................
.351
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index ........................................................................\
......................................................................................... I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.

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)

This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your Acura. All the essential controls
are within easy reach............................
Control Locations .58
...............................
Indicator Lights .59
.............................................
Gauges .65
...............................
Speedometer .65
.................................
Tachometer .65
.....................................
Odometer .65
Outside Temperature ...................................
Indicator .66
...................................
Trip Meter .66 ...................
Temperature Gauge . 66
..................................
Fuel Gauge .67
Maintenance Required ...................................
Indicator .67
Controls Near the Steering .......................................
Wheel .69
...................................
Headlights .70
Automatic Lighting Off .....................................
Feature .71
............
Daytime Running Lights . 72
....
Instrument Panel Brightness . 72
................................
Turn Signals .73
.....................
Windshield Wipers .73
..................
Windshield Washers . 75
..........................
Hazard Warning .75
.............
Rear Window Def ogger . 75
......
Steering Wheel Adjustment . 76
...............................
Keys and Locks .77
..............................................
Keys .77
....................
Immobilizer System . 79
............................
Ignition Switch .80
......................
Power Door Locks .81
...................
Remote Transmitter . 83
..............
Childproof Door Locks . 87
...........................................
Trunk .87
........
Emergency Trunk Opener . 88....................................
Glove Box .89
............................
Seat Adjustments .90
Driver’s Seat Full Power ............................
Adjustments .90
...........
Driver’s Lumbar Support . 91
Front Passenger’s Seat ............................
Adjustments .92
..........................
Head Restraints .93
.......................
Folding Rear Seat .94
......................
Rear Seat Armrest .95
....................................
Seat Heaters .96
..............................
Power Windows .97
.......................................
Moonroof .101
...........................................
Mirrors .102
..
Adjusting the Power Mirrors . 102
...............................
Parking Brake .104
.................
Console Compartment . 105
..........................................
Armrest .105
.........................
Beverage Holders .106
.........................
Center CD Pocket .107
.................................
Utility Pocket .107
........................................
Sun Visor .108
................................
Vanity Mirror .108
........................
Sunglasses Holder .109
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 109
...............................
Interior Lights .110
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols57

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)

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)

This indicator reminds you that the
exterior lights are on. It comes on
when the light switch is in either theor position. If you turn the
ignition switch to ACCESSORY (I)
or LOCK (0) without turning of f the
light switch, this indicator will
remain on. A reminder chime will
also sound when you open the driver’s
door.
This indicator is located in the f uel
gauge. It comes on as a reminder
that you must ref uel soon.This indicator lights when the
security system is set. See page
f or complete inf ormation on the
security system. 173
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Lights On Indicator Low Fuel Indicator
Security System Indicator
63
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR
LOW FUEL INDICATOR

Canadian Models
U.S. Models
This shows your speed in kilometers
per hour (km/h). The smaller inner
numbers are the speed in miles per
hour (mph).
The tachometer shows the engine
speed in revolutions per minute
(rpm). To protect the engine f rom
damage, never drive with the
tachometer needle in the red zone.
This shows your speed in miles per
hour (mph). The smaller inner
numbers are the speed in kilometers
per hour (km/h). The gauges illuminate when you
turn the ignition switch to ON (II). The odometer shows the total dis-
tance your car has been driven. It
measures miles in U.S. models and
kilometers in Canadian models.
It is illegal under U.S. f ederal law and
Canadian provincial regulations to
disconnect, reset, or alter the
odometer with the intent to change
the number of miles or kilometers
indicated.
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
T achometer
Speedometer Odometer
65
SPEEDOMETER
FUEL GAUGE
TRIP METER
U.S. model is shown. TEMPERATURE
GAUGE
SELECT/RESET KNOB MAINTENANCE REQUIRED
INDICATOR
OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR
TACHOMETER ODOMETER

µ
This shows how much f uel you have.
It is most accurate when the car is on
level ground. It may show slightly
more or less than the actual amount
whenyouaredrivingoncurvyor
hilly roads.
This indicator reminds you that it is
time to take your car in for
scheduled maintenance per the
Normal Conditions maintenance
schedule. The indicator light does
not ref lect severe maintenance
intervals.Ref er to the Maintenance Schedules
f or Normal and Severe Driving
Conditions on pages
.
For the f irst 8,000 miles (12,800 km)
after the Maintenance Required
Indicator is reset, it will come on f or
two seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to ON (II).
The needle returns to the bottom
after you turn off the ignition. The
gauge shows the f uel level reading
immediately af ter you turn the
ignition switch to ON (II). 234 238
CONT INUED
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Maintenance Required Indicator
Fuel Gauge
67
MAINTENANCE REQUIRED
INDICATOR
Avoid driving with an extremely low
f uel level. Running out of f uel could
cause the engine to misf ire, damaging
the catalytic converter.

Bef ore you begin driving your Acura,
youshouldknowwhatgasolineto
use, and how to check the levels of
important f luids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggage
or packages. The inf ormation in this
section will help you. If you plan to
add any accessories to your car,
please read the inf ormation in this
section f irst..............................
Break-in Period .184
.........................................
Gasoline .184
.........
Service Station Procedures . 184
................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 184
....................
Opening the Hood .186
...............................
Oil Check .187
.........
Engine Coolant Check . 189
...............................
Fuel Economy .190
............................
Car Condition .190
...........................
Driving Habits .190
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 191
.............................
Carrying Cargo .193
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving183

During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration. We recommend gasolines containing
detergent additives that help prevent
f uel system and engine deposits.
Avoidhardbraking.Newbrakes
need to be broken-in by moderate
use f or the f irst 200 miles (300
km).
Open the f uel f ill door by pushing
onthehandletotheleftof the
driver’s seat.
Help assure your car’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
Because the f uel f ill cap is on the
driver’s side of the car, park with
that side closest to the service
station pumps.
Using gasoline containing lead will
damage your car’s emissions
controls. This contributes to air
pollution.
Youshouldfollowthesesamere-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are relined. Do not change the oil until the
recommended time or mileage
intervalshowninthemaintenance
schedule. Your Acura is designed to operate on
premium unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane number of 91 or higher.
Useof aloweroctanegasolinecan
cause a persistent, heavy metallic
rapping noise in the engine that can
lead to mechanical damage.
In Canada, some gasolines contain
an octane-enhancing additive called
MMT. If you use such gasolines,
your emissions control system
perf ormance may deteriorate and
the Malf unction Indicator Lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on.
If this happens, contact your
authorized Acura dealer f or service.
1.
2.
Bef ore Driving
Break-in Period
GasolineFilling the Fuel Tank
Break-in Period, Gasoline, Service Station Procedures
184
Push