Acura TSX 2008 Owner's Manual

Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.Make sure the rubber cap on the
dipstick f its in the dipstick guide
and that you push the dipstick in
all the way.
Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the dipstick
hole to bring it to the level
between the upper and lower
marks.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully
so you do not spill any. Clean up
any spill immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.Always use Honda ATF-Z1
(automatic transmission f luid).
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
If youarenotsurehowtoaddfluid,
contact your dealer.
2.
3.
5.
4.
6.
T ransmission Fluid
298
LOWER MARK
UPPER MARK
Use only Honda Genuine ATF-Z1
(Automatic Transmission Fluid). Do
not mix with other transmission f luids.
Using transmission f luid other than
Honda Genuine ATF-Z1 may cause
deterioration in transmission operation
and durability, and could result in
damage to the transmission.
Damage resulting f rom the use of
transmission f luid other than Honda
Genuine ATF-Z1 is not covered by the
Honda new vehicle warranty.
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2008 TSX

Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground. Remove the
transmission f iller bolt, and caref ully
f eel inside the bolt hole with your
f inger. The f luid level should be up
to the edge of the bolt hole. If it is
not, add Honda Manual
Transmission Fluid (MTF) until it
starts to run out of the hole. Reinstall
the f iller bolt, and tighten it securely.
To check the transmission f luid level,
remove the two bolts, then pull the
lef t part of the under cover down. Af ter checking and adding the f luid,
put the under cover back in place
and tighten the bolts securely.
If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certif ication seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES’’ as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives, and continued use can
cause stiffer shifting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.
If youarenotsurehowtoaddfluid,
contact your dealer.
Manual Transmission
T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance
299
FILLER BOLT
Correct level
BOLT
UNDER COVER
BOLT
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2008 TSX

Check the f luid level in the
reservoirs monthly. There are up to
two reservoirs, depending on the
model. They are:Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 f luid, f rom a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement.
Using any non-Honda brake f luid can
cause corrosion and decrease the lif e
of the system. Have the brake
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 as soon as possible.
The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle’s
braking system and can cause
extensive damage.
Brake f luid reservoir (all models)
Clutch f luid reservoir
(manual transmission models
only)
Replace the brake f luid every 3 years,
independent of mileage. Brake Fluid
Brake and Clutch Fluid
300
MAX
MIN
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2008 TSX

Check the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The f luid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not, add power steering f luid to the
UPPER LEVEL.Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully
so you do not spill any. Clean up
any spill immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
A low f luid level can indicate a leak
in the clutch system. Have this
system inspected as soon as possible.
The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If it is not, add
brake f luid to bring it up to that level.
Use the same fluid specified for the
brake system. Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering f luid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Manual Transmission only
Clutch Fluid
Power Steering Fluid
Brake and Clutch Fluid, Power Steering Fluid
Maint enance
301
MAX
MIN UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL
Turning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
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2008 TSX

Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs, one on each side. When
replacing a bulb, handle it by its steel
base and protect the glass from
contactwithyourskinorhard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.
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
vehicle to your dealer to have it
replaced.
Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk or pull a trailer, readjustment
may be required. Adjustments
should be done by your dealer or
other qualif ied technician.
Headlight A iming
Replacing a High Beam Headlight
Bulb
L ow Beam Headlight Bulb
Replacement
Lights
302
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
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2008 TSX

Open the hood. To change a bulb
on the driver’s side, undo the
three fasteners and remove the air
intake cover.Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pulling the
connector straight back.
Remove the rubber weather seal
by pulling on the tab.Unclip the end of the hold-down
wire f rom its slot. Pivot it out of
the way, and remove the bulb
socket.
Pull the burned out bulb straight
out of its socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
1.
2.
3. 4.
5.
CONT INUED
Lights
Maint enance
303
FASTENER
AIR INTAKE COVER
HOLD-DOWN WIREBULB
CONNECTOR
RUBBER WEATHER SEAL
SOCKET
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2008 TSX

Open the hood.
Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Turn on the lights to test the new
bulb.
Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Make sure
the bulb is installed correctly by
looking through the headlight lens.
Pivot the hold-down wire back in
place, and clip the end into the slot.
Install the rubber weather seal
over the back of the headlight
assembly.Makesureitisright
side up; it is marked with an arrow.
Push the electrical connector onto
the socket. Make sure it is
connected securely.
Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb.
On the driver’s side, reinstall the
air intake cover. Reinstall the
three fasteners and secure them
by pushing on the heads until they
lock. 3.
4.
5.
2.
1.
9.
8.
10. 7.
6.
Replacing the Turn Signal L ight
Bulb
Lights
304
BULB
SOCKET
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2008 TSX

To change the bulb on the driver’s
side, start the engine, turn the
steering wheel all the way to the
right, then turn of f the engine. To
change the bulb on the passenger’s
side, turn the steering wheel to the
lef t.Use a f lat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the two holding clips f rom
the inner f ender.
Pull the inner f ender cover away
f rom the f ender and bumper.Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
4. 5.
2.
1.
3.
CONT INUED
Replacing a Front Side Marker/
FrontParkingLightBulb
Lights
Maint enance
305
HOLDING CLIPS BULBSOCKET
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2008 TSX

Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Turn on the lights to test the new
bulb.
Put the inner f ender cover in place.
Install and lock each holding clip
bypushingonthecenter.Open the trunk.
Remove the light assembly cover
by pulling its outside edge.
Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise,
and pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.Push a new bulb straight into the
socket until it bottoms, and
reinstall the socket into the light
assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.
Test the new bulb to make sure it
works.
Reinstall the light assembly cover.
1.
3.
2.
6.
7.
8.
4.
5.
6.
Replacing Rear Bulbs
(In Fenders)
Lights
306
COVER
SOCKETBULB
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2008 TSX

Open the trunk.
Pull the lining back caref ully.Determine which of the two bulbs
is burned out: taillight or back-up
light.
To replace a bulb on the right side,
remove the trim clip. For the lef t
side, remove the two trim clips. Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.Insert the socket back into the
light assembly. Turn it clockwise
to lock it in place.
Turn on the lights to test the new
bulb.
Reinstall the trunk lid trim. Make
sure it is installed under the edge
of the trunk lid seal.
Press the trim clips back into their
holes.
1.
2. 5.
6.
4.
3. 7.
8.
9.
10.
Replacing Rear Bulbs
(in T runk L id)
Lights
Maint enance
307
BULBS
TRIM CLIPS SOCKETS
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2008 TSX