steering Acura TSX 2010 Owner's Guide

Your vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The emergency
brake assist system increases the
stopping f orce when you depress the
brake pedal hard in an emergency
situation. The anti-lock brake system
(ABS) helps you retain steering
control when braking very hard.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, reduces their ef f ectiveness and
reduces brake pad lif e. In addition,
f uel economy can be reduced. It also
keeps your brake lights on all the
time, conf using drivers behind you.The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
All f our brakes have audible brake
wear indicators.
If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.
Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious and alert in your driving.
Braking System
Brake Pad Wear Indicators Braking System DesignDriving
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2010 TSX

If this indicator comes on, the anti-
lock f unction of the braking system
has shut down. The brakes still work
like a conventional system, but
without anti-lock. You should have
your dealer inspect your vehicle as
soon as possible.
The anti-lock brake system (ABS)
helpspreventthewheelsfrom
locking up, and helps you retain
steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly, much f aster than a
person can do it.
The electronic brake distribution
(EBD) system, which is part of the
ABS, also balances the f ront-to-rear
braking distribution according to
vehicle loading. You will f eel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
you may hear some noise. This is
normal: it is the ABS rapidly
pumpingthebrakes.Ondry
pavement, you will need to press on
thebrakepedalveryhardbeforethe
ABS activates. However, you may
feel the ABS activate immediately if
you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
Let the ABS work f or you by always
keeping f irm, steady pressure on the
brake pedal. This is sometimes
ref erred to as ‘‘stomp and steer.’’ When the ABS indicator comes on,
you will also see a ‘‘CHECK ABS
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display.
If the ABS indicator comes on while
driving, test the brakes as shown on
page .
473
You should never pump the brake pedal.
ABS Indicator
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
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2010 TSX

It only helps with the
steering control during braking.
such as trying to take a
corner too f ast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe
speed f or the road and weather
conditions.
Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road. on loose or
uneven surfaces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock.
The VSA indicator will come on
alongwiththeABSindicator. Test your brakes as instructed on
page . If the brakes f eel normal,
drive slowly and have your vehicle
repaired by your dealer as soon as
possible. Avoid sudden hard braking
which could cause the rear wheels to
lock up and possibly lead to a loss of
control. If the ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator come on together,
and the parking brake is f ully
released, the EBD system may also
be shut down. 473
Import ant Saf et y Reminders
A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle.
A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly,
A BS cannot prevent a loss of
stability. A vehicle with A BS may require a
longer distance to stop
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Driving
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2010 TSX

Your vehicle has been designed
primarily to carry passengers and
their cargo. You can also use it to
tow a trailer if you caref ully observe
the load limits, use the proper
equipment, and f ollow the guidelines
in this section.The
maximum allowable weight of the
trailer and everything in or on it
must not exceed 1,000 lbs (450 kg).
Towing a load that is too heavy
can seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and perf ormance. It can
also damage the engine and
drivetrain. The weight that
the tongue of a f ully-loaded trailer
puts on the hitch should be
approximately 10% of the total
trailer weight. Too much tongue
load reduces front-tire traction and
steering control. Too little tongue
load can make the trailer unstable
and cause it to sway.
Avoid towing a trailer during your
vehicle’s f irst 600 miles (1,000 km)
(see page ).
346 Load Limits
T otal T railer Weight:
T ongue L oad:
Towing a Trailer
Break-In Period
394
Exceeding any load limit or
improperly loading your vehicle
and trailer can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously hurt
or killed.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
beforestartingtodrive.
2010 TSX

Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause the trailer to
sway. When being passed by a large
vehicle, keep a constant speed, and
steer straight ahead. Do not try to
make quick steering or braking
corrections.
Make sure to set the parking brake
whenstartingoff onanincline. If you must stop when f acing uphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
placebypressingontheaccelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat. If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, when driving down
hills, reduce your speed and use the
S mode. You can also use the paddle
shifters to change the gear position.
Select third, second or f irst gear
depending on the vehicle speeds and
road condition. When going down a
steep hill, use second gear to provide
greater engine braking. Shif t down
to f irst gear when driving up steep
hills.
Do not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and
remember, it will take longer to slow
downandstopwhentowingatrailer. Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering wheel,
then turn the wheel to the left to get
the trailer to move to the lef t. Turn
the wheel to the right to move the
trailer to the right.Your vehicle is not designed to be
towed behind a motor home. If your
vehicle needs to be towed in an
emergency, see page . Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including f irmly setting the
parking brake and putting the
transmission in Park (automatic) or
in 1st or reverse (manual). Also,
place wheel chocks at each of the
trailer’s tires.
482
bottom
Towing a Trailer
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Backing Up Parking
Towing Your Vehicle
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2010 TSX

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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 the 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
403
ENGINE OIL LIFE DISPLAY
REMAINING ENGINE OIL LIFE
2010 TSX

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
404
MAIN ITEM(S) REMAINING ENGINE
OIL LIFE
MAINTENANCE SUB ITEM CODE(S)
MAINTENANCE MAIN ITEM CODE(S) SUB ITEM(S)
2010 TSX

µ
ÛÝ
When the remaining oil lif e is 5 to 1
percent, the multi-information
display shows a ‘‘SERVICE DUE
NOW’’ message with the same
maintenance items ‘‘SERVICE DUE
SOON’’ was displayed with. When
you see this message, have the
indicated maintenance perf ormed as
soon as possible. Press the SEL/RESET button on the
steering wheel repeatedly to select
the engine oil lif e. The message
‘‘SERVICE,’’ along with ‘‘5%,’’ and the
maintenance item code are displayed
on the multi-information display
when the calculated engine oil lif e is
1 5 percent (see page ).
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 .
403
CONT INUED
Maintenance Minder
Maint enance
405
2010 TSX

Ûݵ
If the indicated maintenance service
is not done and the remaining engine
oil lif e reaches 0%, the multi-
inf ormation display will show the
message ‘‘SERVICE PAST DUE’’
and the maintenance item code(s).
This message is displayed when the
total distance traveled is less than 10
miles (f or U.S. models) or 10 km (f or
Canadian models) af ter the engine
oillifebecame0%. These messages will come on every
time you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position.
Immediately have the service
perf ormed, and make sure to reset
the display as described on page .
Pressing either INFO button ( / )
switches the display f rom the
message to another display. To see
the message again, press either
INFO button repeatedly.
Press the SEL/RESET button on the
steering wheel repeatedly to select
the engine oil lif e. The message
‘‘SERVICE,’’ along with ‘‘0%,’’ and the
maintenance item code are displayed
on the multi-information display
when the calculated engine oil lif e is
01percent.
408
Maintenance Minder
406
2010 TSX

ÛÝ
All the maintenance items displayed
in the multi-information display are
in code.
For an explanation of the
maintenance codes, see page .Your dealer will reset the display
af ter completing the required
maintenance service. You will see
‘‘OIL LIFE 100%’’ on the display the
next time you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position.
If maintenance service is done by
someone other than your dealer,
reset the maintenance minder as
f ollows:
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. If the engine oil lif e is not
displayed, press the SEL/RESET
buttononthesteeringwheel
repeatedly.
Press and hold the SEL/RESET
button on the steering wheel f or
more than 10 seconds. The
remaining engine oil lif e reset
modewillbeshownonthemulti-
inf ormation display.
1.
2.
3.
411
Maintenance Main Items and Sub
Items
Resetting the Engine Oil Lif e
Display
Maintenance Minder
408
MAINTENANCE
MAIN ITEMENGINE OIL LIFE
DISPLAY
MESSAGE
DISPLAY SEL/RESET BUTTON
INFO BUTTONS ( / )
MAINTENANCE
SUB ITEMS
2010 TSX