headlights Acura TSX 2009 User Guide

With the headlight switch of f or in
the position, the high beam
headlights and the high beam
indicator come on with reduced
brightness when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position and release the parking
brake. They remain on until you turn
the ignition switch of f , even if you
set the parking brake.
The headlights revert to normal
operation when you turn them on
with the switch.If you see a ‘‘CHECK DRL
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display, there is a
problem with the daytime running
light system. Take your vehicle to a
dealer to have it checked.
Headlights
Daytime Running L ights
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2009 TSX

You can use the f og lights only when
the headlights are on low beam.
Turn the f og lights on and of f by
turning the switch next to the
headlight switch. With the light switch in the AUTO
position, you can also use the f og
lights when the headlights turn on
automatically. They will go of f when
the headlights turn of f , or the
daytime running lights are on.
Theknobontheinstrumentpanel
controls the brightness of the
instrument panel lights. Turn the
knob to adjust the brightness with
the ignition switch in the ON (II)
position and the parking lights on.
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U.S. TSX and Canadian TSX Premium
Fog L ights Instrument Panel Brightness
Fog L ights, Instrument Panel Brightness
Inst rument s and Cont rols
115
INSTRUMENT PANEL BRIGHTNESS
CONTROL KNOB
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2009 TSX

Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position.
Move the selector switch to L
(driver’s side) or R (passenger’s
side).
Keeptheinsideandoutsidemirrors
clean and adjusted f or best visibility.
Be sure to adjust the mirrors bef ore
you start driving. The inside mirror can automatically
darken to reduce glare. To turn on
this feature, press the button on the
bottom of the mirror. The AUTO
indicator comes on as a reminder.
When it is on, the mirror darkens
when it senses the headlights of a
vehicle behind you, then returns to
normal visibility when the lights are
gone. Press the button again to turn
of f this f eature.
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Mirrors
A djusting the Power Mirrors
Inst rument s and Cont rols
145
SELECTOR
SWITCH
INDICATOR
SENSOR
AUTO BUTTON ADJUSTMENT
SWITCH
There is also a sensor on the back of
the mirror. Items hung on the mirror
may block this sensor and af f ect its
perf ormance.
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2009 TSX

The security system helps to protect
your vehicle and valuables f rom thef t.
The horn sounds and a combination
of headlights, parking lights, side
marker lights and taillights f lashes if
someone attempts to break into your
vehicle or remove the audio unit.
This alarm continues for two
minutes, then the system resets. To
reset an alarming system bef ore the
two minutes have elapsed, unlock
the driver’s door with the key or the
remote transmitter.
The security system automatically
sets 15 seconds after you lock the
doors, hood, and trunk. For the
system to activate, you must lock the
doors f rom the outside with the key,
driver’s lock tab, door lock master
switch, or remote transmitter. The
security system indicator on the
instrument panel starts blinking
immediately to show you the system
is setting itself .Once the security system is set,
opening any door (without using the
key or the remote transmitter), the
hood, or the trunk will cause the
system to alarm. It also alarms if the
audio unit is removed f rom the
dashboard or the wiring is cut.With the system set, you can still
open the trunk with the remote
transmitter without triggering the
alarm. The alarm will sound if the
trunk lock is f orced, or the trunk is
opened with the trunk release button
on the driver’s door or the
emergency trunk opener.
The security system will not set if
the hood, trunk, or any door is not
f ully closed. If the system will not set,
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position, and check the
indicators on the multi-information
display. Close any door or the trunk
indicatedonthedisplay.Checkthe
hood visually since it is not part of
the display, and shut it if necessary.
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Security System
Features
293
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR
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2009 TSX

µ
µ µ
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µ
Ì
µLights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page .
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed.
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
youfillthefueltank.Seepage .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page .
U.S. Vehicles:
According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all
maintenance services should be
perf ormed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the multi-
inf ormation display.
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page
.361
361
425 428
447 430
Maintenance Minder
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.
416
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2009 TSX

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.Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its base, and protect the glass
f rom contact with your skin or hard
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.High beam headlights on all models
Low beam headlights on Canadian TSX
U.S. TSX and Canadian TSX Premium
Headlight Aiming L ow Beam Headlight Bulb
ReplacementReplacing a Headlight Bulb
Lights
430
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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2009 TSX

Open the hood.
To change the turn signal bulb on
the passenger’s side, remove the
engine coolant reserve tank by
pulling it out of its stay.
Insert the new bulb into the hole,
making sure the tabs are in their
slots.
Push the electrical connector onto
the new bulb. Make sure it is
connected securely.
Pivot the hold-down wire back in
place, and clip the end into the slot.
Reinstall the cover over the back
of the headlight assembly and turn
it clockwise to lock it in place.
Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb.
Put the inner f ender cover in place.
Install the holding clip. Lock it in
placebypushingonthecenter.
Tighten the screw securely.
Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pulling the
connector straight back, then
remove the bulb.
Unclip the end of the hold-down
wire f rom its slot. Pivot it out of
the way.
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11.
12.
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6.
Lights
High Beam Headlights
432
STAY
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2009 TSX

Install the new bulb, and turn it
one-quarter turn clockwise to lock
it in place.
Push the electrical connector back
onto the bulb. Make sure it is on
all the way.
Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb.
Reinstall the coolant reserve tank.
Reinstall the f asteners. Reinstall
the cover and upper part of the air
intake duct securely.
Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pushing on the
tab to unlock it, then slide the
connector of f the bulb.
Remove the bulb by turning it
approximately one-quarter turn
counterclockwise.
To change a bulb on the lef t side,
remove the two f asteners by
turning the head of each f astener
with a flat-tip screwdriver, then
remove the cover and upper part
of the air intake duct.
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On the passenger’s side
On the driver’s side
Lights
Maint enance
433
COVER
AIR INTAKE DUCT
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2009 TSX

When you turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, you do not
hear the normal noise of the engine
trying to start. You may hear a
clicking sound, a series of clicks, or
nothing at all.
Diagnosing why the engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position:
Check these things:
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged. See on page .
Check the transmission interlock.
If you have a manual transmission,
the clutch pedal must be pushed
all the way to the f loor or the
starter will not operate. With an
automatic transmission, it must be
in Park or neutral. Turn the ignition switch to the
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the f uses. If the f uses
areOK,thereisprobably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit f or the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualif ied technician to
determine the problem. See
on page .
You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run.
You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is dis-
charged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of the
battery connections (see page ).
You can then try jump starting the
vehicle from a booster battery (see
page ).
466 481
466 454
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Jump Starting Emergency T owing
If theEngineWon’tStart
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2009 TSX

Also check the combined f use box in
the under-hood f use box.
If something electrical in your
vehicle stops working, the first thing
youshouldcheckforisablownfuse.
Determine f rom the chart on pages
, and , or the diagram on
thefuseboxlidorthefuselabel,
which f use or f uses control that
component. Check those f uses f irst,
but check all the f uses bef ore
deciding that a blown f use is not the
cause. Replace any blown f uses and
check if the device works. Check each of the large f uses in
the under-hood f use box by
looking at the wire inside.
Removing these f uses requires a
Phillips-head screwdriver.
Turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Make sure the
headlights and all other
accessories are of f .
On the under-hood and passenger’s
side interior f use boxes, remove
the cover f rom each f use box. 3.
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Fuses
Checking and Replacing Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
475
FUSE
BLOWN BLOWN
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2009 TSX