engine overheat Acura TSX 2008 Owner's Manual

2008 TSX Online Reference Owner's Manual
Contents

Owner's Identification Form

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... i A Few Words About Safety .............................................................................................................................. iii
Your Vehicle at a Glance (main controls) .................................................................................................... 3
Driver and Passenger Safety (seat belts, SRS, and child protection) .................................................... 5
Instruments and Controls
(indicators, gauges, multi-information display, dashboard and steering column)
.......... 59
Features (
climate control,audio,steering wheel,security,cruise control,HomeLink®,and other convenience items
) ........... 159
Before Driving (fuel, vehicle break-in, and cargo loading) ...................................................................... 231
Driving (engine and transmission operation) ................................................................................................ 247
Maintenance (minder, fluid checking, minor services, and vehicle storage)........................................... 277
Taking Care of the Unexpected (flat tire, dead battery, overheating, and fuses) .............................. 323
Technical Information (vehicle specifications, tires, and emissions controls) ....................................... 347
Warranty and Customer Relations (U. S. and Canada only) (warranty and contact information) ... 365
Authorized Manuals (U. S. only) (how to order) ......................................................................................... 369
Index ............................................................................................................................... ........................................ I

Service Information Summary ( fluid capacities and tire pressures)

1
00X31-TL1-6000

Come to a full stop before you shift
into reverse. You can damage the
transmission by trying to shift into
reverse with the vehicle moving.
Push down the clutch pedal, and
pause f or a f ew seconds bef ore
shif ting into reverse, or shif t into one
of the f orward gears f or a moment.
This stops the gears so they won’t
‘‘grind.’’
The manual transmission is syn-
chronizedinallforwardgearsfor
smooth operation. When shif ting up
or down, make sure you push the
clutch pedal down all the way, shif t
to the next gear, and let the pedal up
gradually. When you are not shif ting,
do not rest your f oot on the clutch
pedal. This can cause your clutch to
wear out faster. When slowing down, you can get
extra braking f rom the engine by
shifting to a lower gear. This extra
braking can help you maintain a safe
speed and prevent your brakes f rom
overheating while going down a
steep hill. Bef ore downshif ting,
make sure the engine speed will not
go into the tachometer’s red zone in
the lower gear. Downshif t one gear
at a time.
Drive in the highest gear that lets
the engine run and accelerate
smoothly. This will give you good
f uel economy and ef f ective emis-
sions control. The f ollowing shif t
points are recommended:
Shif t up
1st to 2nd
2nd to 3rd 3rd to 4th4th to 5th
5th to 6th Normal acceleration
12 mph (19 km/h)
23 mph (37 km/h)
34 mph (54 km/h)
45 mph (72 km/h)
56 mph (90 km/h)
Manual T ransmission
Recommended Shif t Points
250
Rapid slowing or speeding up
can cause loss of control on
slippery surfaces. If you crash,
you can be injured.
Use extra care when driving on
slippery surfaces.
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Your vehicle is equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that turns on every time you start the
engine and monitors the pressure in
your tires while driving.When the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator is on, one or more of your
tires is signif icantly underinf lated.
Youshouldstopandcheckyourtires
as soon as possible, and inflate them
to the proper pressure as indicated
on the vehicle’s tire inf ormation
placard.If you think you can saf ely drive a
short distance to a service station,
proceed slowly to the station, then
inflate the tire to the recommended
pressure.
Driving on a signif icantly under-
inf lated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inf lation also reduces f uel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
af f ect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability.
Becausetirepressurevariesby
temperature and other conditions,
the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator may come on unexpectedly.
If the tire is flat, or if the tire
pressure is too low to continue
driving, replace the tire with the
compact spare tire (see page ).
Each tire has its own pressure
sensor. If the air pressure of a tire
becomes signif icantly low, the
sensor in that tire immediately sends
a signal that causes the low tire
pressure/TPMS indicator in the
instrument panel to come on. If this
happens, you will see which tire is
losing pressure on the multi-
inf ormation display along with a
‘‘CHECK TIRE PRESSURE’’
message. It is possible that the pressures
shown on the multi-inf ormation
display and the pressures you
manually measure are slightly
dif f erent.
If the dif f erence is signif icant or you
cannot make the low tire pressure/
TPMS indicator and message on the
multi-inf ormation display go out af ter
inf lating the tires to the specif ied
values, have your dealer check the
system as soon as possible. 324
CONT INUED
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Low Tire Pressure/
TPMS Indicator
Driving
263
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The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.Maketurnsmoreslowlyandwider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
canhitorrunoversomethingthe
vehicle misses. Allow more time and
distance f or braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknif e or turn over.
When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (Hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
If the automatic transmission shifts
f requently while going up a hill, shif t
to D .If you must stop when f acing uphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
place by pressing on the accelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed, and shif t down to second
gear. Do not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and
remember, it will take longer to slow
downandstopwhentowingatrailer.
Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
If you have an automatic
transmission, use D position when
towing a trailer on level roads. D is
the proper shif t lever position to use
when towing a trailer in hilly terrain.
(See ‘‘ ’’ in the next
column f or additional gear
inf ormation.)
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
below.
3
3
Driving Saf ely With a T railerMaking T urns and Braking
Driving on Hills
Driving on Hills
T owing Speeds and Gears
Towing a Trailer
Driving
275
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This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely 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 vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .324
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .325
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start .329
................................
Jump Starting .331
..............
If the Engine Overheats .333
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .335
..........
Charging System Indicator .336
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .336
.......................
Readiness Codes .337
...............
Brake System Indicator .338
..................
Closing the Moonroof .339
..............................................
Fuses .340
..............................
Fuse Locations .343
......................
Emergency Towing .345
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
323
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If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (seeon page ).
If your vehicle overheats, you should
take immediate action. The only
indicationmaybethetemperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the hood.
The reading of the vehicle’s
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange. If it climbs to the red
mark, you should determine the
reason (hot day, driving up a steep
hill, etc.).
If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine. Wait until you see
no more signs of steam or spray,
then open the hood.
Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in neutral
(manual) or Park (automatic), and
set the parking brake. Turn of f all
accessories, and turn on the
hazard warning indicators.If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading,
the engine should start to cool
down almost immediately. If it
does, wait until the temperature
gauge comes down to the midpoint,
then continue driving.
1.
2. 3.
4.
5.
345
CONT INUED
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
333
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to the engine.
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Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and check
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (see
on page ).
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
If you do not f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark.
Start the engine, and set the
temperature to maximum heat
(climate control to AUTO at
‘‘ ’’). Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the
temperature gauge or lower
bef ore checking the radiator.
7.
6.
8.
9. 10.
11.
345
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
334
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.
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............
Emergencies on the Road .323
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .331
.....
Brake System Indicator .63,338
................
Changing a Flat Tire .325
Charging System
...........................
Indicator .62,336
..................
Checking the Fuses .340
..........................
Fuse Locations .343
.......
Hazard Warning Flashers .124
Low Oil Pressure
...........................
Indicator .62,335
Malf unction Indicator ..........................
Lamp .62,84,336
...
Manually Closing Moonroof .339
..................
Overheated Engine .333
.......................................
Towing .345
.........................
Emergency Brake .151
....................
Emergency Flashers .124
......................
Emergency Towing .345
..........
Emergency Trunk Opener .136
Emission, Check System
.......................................
Message .84
.......................
Emissions Controls .359
........................
Emissions Testing .362
Engine .......
Check Engine Oil Message .82 ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .68
.........................
If It Won’t Start .329
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .336
...................
Oil Lif e Display .73,280
........
Oil Pressure Indicator .62,335
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .291
...............................
Overheating .333
............................
Specif ications .351
....................
Speed Limiter .251,257
.......................................
Starting .249
Engine Speed Limiter .............................................
A/T .257
............................................
M/T .251
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .232
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls .359
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .55
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .17
...................................
Fan, Interior .164
.............
Fasten Seat Belt Message .78
.........................................
Features .159
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .233 Filter
.........................
Dust and Pollen .311
...............................................
Oil .293
...........
Flashers, Hazard Warning .124
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .325
.....................................
Floor Mats .310
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission .297
..........................................
Brake .300
.........................................
Clutch .301
..............
Manual Transmission .299
..........................
Power Steering .301
......
Washer Fluid Low Message .81
..................
Windshield Washer .296
.....................................
Fog Lights .122
.......................................
Indicator .66
.........................
Folding Rear Seat .141
........................
Four-way Flashers .124
..................................
Front Airbags .26
.......................
Front Wiper Action .117
Index
F
IV
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CONT INUED
Locks.....
Anti-thef t Steering Column .128
........................
Childproof Door .130
............................
Fuel Fill Door .233
..................................
Glove Box .158
..................
Lockout Prevention .130
...............................
Power Door .129
.........................................
Trunk .135
........................
Low Coolant Level .236
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .66
...
Lower Gear, Downshif ting to a .250
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .62,335
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart .350
..........................
Luggage, Storing .242
..................................
Maintenance .277
...
Owner Maintenance Checks .288
................................
Main Items .289
.....................................
Messages .74
........................................
Minder .280
..........................................
Saf ety .278
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .62,336
...................
Manual Transmission .250
........
Manual Transmission Fluid .299 ...........
Memory, Driving Position .143
.................
Memory Position Link .104
..........................
Messages, System .75
...............................
Meters, Gauges .68
........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .146
.................................
Modif ications .241
.......................................
Moonroof .150
......................
Closing Manually .339
...................................
Operation .150
.............
Multi-Inf ormation Display .69
............................
Change Setting .92
...................
Customized Settings .86
....................................
Def ault All .90
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline .232
.........................................
Odometer .70Oil
........................
Change, How to .293
......................
Change, When to .280
......................
Checking Engine .236
................
Level Check Message .82
.................................
Life Display .73
..............
Pressure Indicator .62,335
......................
Pressure Message .82
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .292
.........
ON (Ignition Key Position) .128
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
....................................
Recovery .359
............................
Outside Mirrors .146
.....................
Outside Temperature .73
....................
Overheating, Engine .333
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks .288
...................
Neutral Gear Position .253
..................
New Vehicle Break-in .232
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds .250
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of .i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication .348 ............
Panel Brightness Control .123
........................
Park Gear Position .253
...............................
Parking Brake .151
Index
INDEX
M N
OP
VII
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Radiator Overheating .333
.............
Radio/CD Sound System .170
...................
Readiness Codes .337,362
Rear Lights,
............
Bulb Replacement .306,307
........................
Rear Seat, Folding .141
..........................
Rear View Mirror .145
...............
Rear Window Def ogger .124
.............
Reclining the Seat Backs .138
.......
Recommended Shif t Speeds .250
..
Release Parking Lever Message .78
.......................
Reminder Indicators .62
.....................
Remote Transmitter .131
....................
Remove Key Message .79
Replacement Inf ormation
................
Engine Oil and Filter .293
..........................................
Fuses .340
................................
Light Bulbs .302........................................
Minder .280
...........................................
Tires .317
.............................
Wiper Blades .312
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .22
.................
Reserve Tank, Coolant .295
...............................
Restraint, Child .36
..................
Reverse Gear Position .253
...........................
Reverse Lockout .251
................................
Rotation, Tire .317
........................................
Saf ety Belts .8
............
Safety Defects, Reporting .368
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
...........................................
Airbags .9
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of .56
..............................
Saf ety Messages .iii
...................
Satellite Digital Radio .179
Parking Brake and Brake System
...................................
Indicator .63
.......................................
Message .84
Release Parking Lever ...................................
Message .78
...............................
Parking Lights .121
Parking Over Things that ....................................
Burn .259,360
..................................
Parking Tips .259
....
Passenger Airbag Of f Indicator .33
Passenger Side Airbag Of f
..............................
Indicator .32,64
.......................................
Message .82
.............................
PGM-FI System .360
...................................
Pollen Filter .311
........................
Power Door Locks .129
..................
Power Mirror Heaters .146
...............
Power Socket Locations .156
............................
Power Windows .147
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts .17
........................
Preparing to Drive .248
...........
Primary Display Selection .102
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens .11
...
Additional Safety Precautions .18
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women .17
........................
Protecting Children .36Protecting Inf ants and Small
.......................................
Children .41
...........
Protecting Larger Children .51
..................
Using a Booster Seat .52
....................
Protecting Your CDs .194
Index
R
S
VIII
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