service Acura TSX 2009 Owner's Guide

If the system still detects a leak in
the vehicle’s evaporative emissions
system, the malf unction indicator
lamp (MIL) comes on. If the f uel f ill
cap was not already tightened, turn
the engine of f , and check or
retighten the f uel f ill cap until it
clicks at least once. The MIL should
go off after several days of normal
driving once the cap is tightened or
replaced. If the MIL does not go of f ,
have your vehicle inspected by a
dealer. For more inf ormation, see
page .
Turn the engine of f , and conf irm the
f uel f ill cap is installed. If it is, loosen
it, then retighten it until it clicks at
least once. The message should go
off after several days of normal
driving once you tighten or replace
the f uel f ill cap. To scroll to another
message, press the INFO button.
The ‘‘TIGHTEN FUEL CAP’’
message will appear each time you
restart the engine until the system
turns the message of f .
Park the vehicle, and set the
parking brake. Pull the hood
release handle located under the
lower lef t corner of the dashboard.
The hood will pop up slightly.
1.
471
CONT INUED
Opening and Closing the Hood
Service Station Procedure
Bef ore Driving
359
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE
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Reach in between the hood and
the f ront grille with your f ingers.
The hood latch handle is above
the ‘‘A’’ logo. Push this handle up
to the right until it releases the
hood. Lif t the hood.To close the hood, lif t it up slightly to
remove the support rod f rom the
hole. Put the support rod back into
its holding clip. Lower the hood to
about a f oot (30 cm) above the
f ender, then let it drop. Make sure it
is securely latched.
If the hood latch handle moves
stif f ly, or if you can open the hood
without lifting the handle, the
mechanism should be cleaned and
lubricated. Holding the grip, pull the support
rod out of its clip. Insert the end
into the designated hole in the
hood marked by an arrow.
3.
2.
Service Station Procedure
360
LATCH SUPPORT ROD
GRIP
CLIP
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Remove the dipstick again, and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
on page f or
informationonaddingtheproper
coolant.
Refer to
on page f or inf ormation
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page .
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into its hole.
Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Remove the dipstick (orange
handle).
Wait a f ew minutes af ter turning the
engine of f bef ore you check the oil.
Park the vehicle on a level surf ace.
1.
2.
3. 4.
419 423
416
Oil Check Engine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coolant
Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
A dding Engine Oil
Service Station Procedure
Bef ore Driving
361
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
MIN
DIPSTICK (orange handle) MAXRESERVE TANK
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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.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.
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.458Low Tire Pressure/
TPMS Indicator
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
392
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This indicator and the warning
message on the multi-inf ormation
display will go of f , af ter several miles
(kilometers) driving, when the spare
tire is replaced with the specified
regular tire equipped with the tire
pressure monitor sensor.
Each wheel is equipped with a tire
pressure sensor mounted inside the
tire behind the valve stem. You must
use TPMS specif ic wheels. It is
recommended that you always have
your tires serviced by your dealer or
a qualif ied technician.
If you have a f lat tire, the low tire
pressure/TPMS and tire monitor
indicators will come on. Replace the
indicated f lat tire with the compact
sparetire(seepage).
After the flat tire is replaced with the
spare tire, the low tire pressure/
TPMS indicator stays on while
driving. Af ter several miles
(kilometers) driving, this indicator
begins to f lash, then stays on again.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK TPMS
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display. This is normal;
the system cannot monitor the spare
tire pressure. Manually check the
sparetirepressuretobesureitis
correct.
Also, the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator begins to f lash, then stays
on (see page ).
If the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator comes on, or the multi-
inf ormation display shows a
‘‘CHECK TPMS SYSTEM’’ message,
the VSA system automatically turns
on even when the VSA system is
turned of f by pressing the VSA OFF
switch (see page ). If this
happens, you cannot turn the VSA
system of f by pressing the VSA OFF
switch again.
When you restart the vehicle with
thecompactsparetire,theTPMS
system message will also be
displayed on the multi-inf ormation
display af ter several miles
(kilometers) driving. 393
399 458
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Changing a T ire with T PMS
396
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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.
Trailer lights and equipment must
comply with f ederal, state, province,
and local regulations. Check with
your local trailer sales or rental
agencies f or the requirements in the
area where you plan to tow, and use
only equipment designed f or your
vehicle.
Since lighting and wiring vary by
trailer type and brand, you should
have a qualif ied technician install a
suitable connector between the
vehicle and the trailer. Improper
equipment or installation can cause
damage to your vehicle’s electrical
system and af f ect your vehicle
warranty. 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:
The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive.
All weights and loads are within
limits.
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the suspension and
the cooling system are in good
operating condition.
CONT INUED
T railer L ight s A ddit ional T owing Equipment
Towing a Trailer
Pre-T ow Checklist
Driving
403
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This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the multi-information display, and
instructions f or simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself .......................
Maintenance Saf ety .408
....................
Maintenance Minder .409
..............................
Fluid Locations .418
........................
Adding Engine Oil .419
Changing the Engine Oil and
...........................................
Filter .421
..............................
Engine Coolant .423
....................
Windshield Washers .424
.......................
Transmission Fluid .425
..........
Automatic Transmission .425
..............
Manual Transmission .427
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid .428
.............................................
Lights .430
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .442
.....................................
Floor Mats .442
..................
DustandPollenFilter .443
.................................
Exterior Care .443
.................................
Wiper Blades .444
...............................................
Tires .447
...................
Checking the Battery .454
.............................
Vehicle Storage .455
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.
505
Maintenance
Maint enance
407
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All service items not detailed in this
section should be perf ormed by a
certif ied technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.
To eliminate potential hazards, read
the instructions bef ore you begin,
and make sure you have the tools
and skills required.
Make sure your vehicle is parked
on level ground, the parking brake
is set, and the engine is of f .
Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.
Do
not run the engine unless
instructed to do so.
Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
down bef ore touching any parts.
Be sure
there is adequate ventilation
whenever you operate the
engine.
Wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working
with the battery or compressed air.
To reduce the possibility of f ire or
explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks,
and flames away from the battery
and all f uel-related parts.
To clean parts, use a commercially
available degreaser or parts
cleaner, not gasoline.
Maintenance Saf ety
Important Saf ety Precautions
Injury f rom moving parts.
Burns f rom hot parts.
Carbon Monoxide poison
f rom engine exhaust.
Potential Vehicle Hazards
408
Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.
Improperly maintaining this
vehicle, or failing to correct a
problem before driving can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations and
schedules in this owner’s
manual.
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µ
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The remaining engine oil lif e is
shownonthedisplayaccordingto
this table:
Calculated Engine Oil Lif e (%)
100% 91% 90% 81%
80% 71%
70% 61%
60% 51%
50% 41%
40% 31%
30% 21%
20% 16%
15% 11%
10% 6% 5% 1% 0% Displayed
Engine Oil Lif e (%)
100% 90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Your vehicle displays engine oil lif e
and maintenance service items on
the multi-information display to show
youwhenyoushouldhaveyour
dealer perf orm engine oil
replacement and indicated
maintenance service.
To see the current engine oil lif e
displayed on the multi-inf ormation
display, turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, and press the
SEL/RESET button on the steering
wheel repeatedly until engine oil lif e
is displayed.
Based on the engine operating
conditions, the onboard computer in
your vehicle calculates the remaining
engine oil lif e and displays it as a
percentage.
CONT INUED
Engine Oil L if e Display
Maintenance Minder
Maint enance
409
ENGINE OIL LIFE DISPLAY
REMAINING ENGINE OIL LIFE
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ÛÝ
When the remaining engine oil lif e is
15 to 6 percent, the multi-inf ormation
display shows a ‘‘SERVICE DUE
SOON’’ message along with the
maintenance item code(s) indicating
themainandsubitemsrequiredat
thetimeof theoilchange.Referto
page f or a complete list of the
maintenance main items and sub
items. Pressing either INFO button ( / )
switches the display f rom the
message to another display. Once
you switch the display, this message
will go of f .
Along with the message, the system
message indicator comes on (see
page ).
The message appears on the multi-
inf ormation display each time you
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position.
This message reminds you that your
vehicle will soon be due f or
scheduled maintenance.
Press the SEL/RESET button on the
steering wheel repeatedly to select
the engine oil lif e inf ormation. Along
with the ‘‘OIL LIFE’’ message, you
will see the percentage of the
remaining engine oil lif e and the
maintenance item codes on the
multi-inf ormation display.
67
417
Maintenance Minder
410
MAIN ITEM(S) REMAINING ENGINE
OIL LIFE
MAINTENANCE SUB ITEM CODE(S)
MAINTENANCE MAIN ITEM CODE(S) SUB ITEM(S)
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