coolant level Acura TSX 2009 Owner's Manual

Bef ore you begin driving your
vehicle, you should know what
gasoline to 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 vehicle, please
read the information in this section
first..............................
Break-in Period .356
.................
Fuel Recommendation .356
...........
Service Station Procedure .357
....................................
Ref ueling .357
.....
Tighten Fuel Cap Message .358
OpeningandClosingthe
.......................................
Hood .359
...................................
Oil Check .361
.............
Engine Coolant Check .361
...............................
Fuel Economy .362
...
Accessories and Modif ications .365
.............................
Carrying Cargo .367
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving
355
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2009 TSX

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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µ
µ µ
µ
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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Î
Î
Ì Ì
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Maintenance Minder
417
:If the message ‘‘SERVICE DUE NOW’’ does not appear more than 12 months
after the display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 only if they are noisy.
Independent of the maintenance messages in the multi-information
display, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty in the first column
on page .
NOTE: 416
:
Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect these items: Tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and line (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Replace dust and pollen filter If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds or trailer towing results in higher
transmission and transfer temperatures. This
requires transmission and transfer fluid changes
more frequently than recommended by the
maintenance minder. If you regularly drive your
vehicle under these conditions, have the transmission
and transfer fluid changed at 60,000 miles (100,000
km), then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km). (For A/T
only.)
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
Symbol
Symbol
B
A 1
2
3
4
5
Maintenance Minder
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CONT INUED
If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks.
Always use Honda Long-Lif e
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2. This
coolant is pre-mixed with 50 %
antif reeze and 50 % water. Never add
straight antif reeze or plain water.
If Honda antif reeze/coolant is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporaryreplacement.Makesureit
is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
Continued use of any non-Honda
coolant can result in corrosion,
causing the cooling system to
malf unction or f ail. Have the cooling
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda antif reeze/coolant as soon as
possible.
A dding Engine Coolant
Engine Coolant
Maint enance
423
RESERVE TANK
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.
If you regularly drive your vehicle
under severe conditions in very low
temperature (under 31°F, 35°C), a
higher concentration of coolant should
be used. Consult your Acura dealer f or
more inf ormation of the proper coolant.
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Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.
Relieve any pressure in the cooling
system by turning the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without
pressing down.The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Pourthecoolantslowlyand
caref ully so you do not spill any.
Clean up any spill immediately; it
could damage components in the
engine compartment.
Put the radiator cap back on, and
tighten it fully.
Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle’s
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components. Check the f luid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use.
Check the reservoir’s f luid level by
removing the cap and looking at the
level gauge attached to the cap.
4.
1.
2.
3. 5.
6.
Engine Coolant, Windshield Washers
Windshield Washers
424
RADIATOR CAP
LEVEL GAUGE
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2009 TSX

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.
481
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
469
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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Locks.....
Anti-thef t Steering Column .122
........................
Childproof Door .125
............................
Fuel Fill Door .357
..................................
Glove Box .157
..................
Lockout Prevention .125
...............................
Power Door .124
.........................................
Trunk .130
........................
Low Coolant Level .361
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .67
...
Lower Gear, Downshif ting to a .376
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .60,470
................................
Lower Anchors .46
Lubricant Specif ications
..........................................
Chart .486
...........
Luggage, Storing (Cargo) .367
...................
Neutral Gear Position .380
..................
New Vehicle Break-in .356
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds .377
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of .i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication .484 ..............................
Paddle Shif ters .383
............
Panel Brightness Control .115
........................
Park Gear Position .380
...........................................
Parking .388
...............................
Parking Brake .153
Parking Brake and Brake
.................
System Indicator .61,472
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline .356 .........................................
Odometer .73
Oil
........................
Change, How to .421
......................
Change, When to .409
......................
Checking Engine .361
..............
Pressure Indicator .60,470
Selecting Proper Viscosity
......................................
Chart .420
.........
ON (Ignition Key Position) .122
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
....................................
Recovery .495
............................
Outside Mirrors .145
.....................
Outside Temperature .74
....................
Overheating, Engine .468
....
Owner’s Maintenance Checks .416
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .357
..................................
Maintenance .407
.........
Automated Appointment .343
........................................
Minder .409
......
Main Items and Sub Items .414
Owner’s Maintenance
...................................
Checks .416
..........................................
Saf ety .408 .......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .471
...................
Manual Transmission .376
........
Manual Transmission Fluid .427
...........
Memory, Driving Position .142
.........................
Meters, Gauges .59,68
....................
Methanol in Gasoline .357
...........................................
Mirrors .145
....................................
Adjusting .145
........................................
Heated .146
...............................
Reverse Tilt .146
...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle .366
.......................................
Moonroof .151
........................
MP3 .190,210,251,271
..............
Multi-inf ormation Display .70
Index
N
O
M
P
VI
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