Acura TSX 2010 Owner's Manual

If NHTSA receives similar com-
plaints, it may open an investigation,
and if it f inds that a saf ety def ect
exists in a group of vehicles, it may
order a recall and remedy campaign.
However, NHTSA cannot become
involved in individual problems
between you, your dealer, or
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
If you believe that your vehicle has a
def ect which could cause a crash or
could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inf orm the
National Highway Traf f ic Saf ety
Administration (NHTSA), in addition
to notifying American Honda Motor
Co., Inc.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the
VehicleSafetyHotlinetoll-freeat
1-888-327-4236
(TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go to
; or write to:
Administrator, NHTSA, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC
20590.
You can also obtain other
inf ormation about motor vehicle
safety from .
Reporting Saf ety Def ects (U.S. Vehicles)
508
http://www.saf ercar.gov
http://www.saf ercar.gov
2010 TSX

T he publications shown below can be purchased f rom Helm
Incorporated. You can order by phone or online:Call Helm Inc. at 1-800-782-4356 (credit card orders only)
Go online at
If you are interested in other years or models, contact Helm Inc.
at 1-800-782-4356.Covers maintenance and recommended procedures f or
repair to engine and chassis components. It is written
f or the journeyman mechanic, but it is simple enough
f or most mechanically inclined owners to understand.
Complements the Service Manual by providing in-depth
troubleshooting inf ormation f or each electrical circuit
in your vehicle.
Describes the procedures involved in the replacement
of damaged body parts.
Authorized Manuals
Purchasing Factory Authorized Manuals Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
(U.S. only)
Authorized Manuals
509
Form Description
2009-2010 Acura TSX Service Manual 2010 Acura TSX V6 Service Manual 2009-2010 Acura TSX
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual 2010 Acura TSX V6
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual
2009-2010 Acura TSX Body Repair Manual 2010 Acura TSX Owner’s Manual2010 Acura TSX NavigationSystem Owner’s Manual
2010 Acura TSX Maintenance Journal
2010 Acura TSX Advanced Technology Guide Order Form for Previous Years-
Indicate Year and Model Desired
Publication
Form Number 61TL201
61TP100
61TL201EL
61TP100EL 61TL230
31TL1610
31TL1810
31TL1M10 31TL1Q10 ACU-R
www. helminc. com
2010 TSX

CONT INUED
........................................
AAC .210, 271
....................................
Accessories .357
ACCESSORY ............
(Ignition Key Position) . 122
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 156
................
Active Head Restraints . 137
................
AcuraLink
(U.S. only) . 328
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 416
...........................
Advanced Airbags .27
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9, 23
..........
Airbag System Components . 23
..............
Air Conditioning System . 166
.........................................
Usage .167
.......
Air Pressure, Tires . 447,490,493
......................................
Antif reeze .420
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .62, 384
...................................
Operation .384
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 288
Anti-thef t Steering Column ............................................
Lock .122
................................
Audio System .174
Auto Door Locking/ ..........................
Unlocking .100, 106 ...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 21
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 298
..............
Automatic Transmission . 373
..................
Capacity, Fluid . 488, 491
..........................
Paddle Shif ters .377
.......................................
Shif ting .373
Shif t Lever Position ...............................
Indicators .373
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 374
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 375
......................
Auxiliary Input Jack .287
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .61, 471
............................
Jump Starting .466
..............................
Maintenance .453
....................
Specif ications .489, 492
..............................
Bef ore Driving .345
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,19
.........................
Beverage Holders .155
...................
Audio . 217,279
........
HandsFreeLink
. 304
..................................
Booster Seats .52 Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 384
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 346
....................
Bulb Replacement .435
...........................................
Fluid .427
.......................................
Parking .153
.................
System Indicator . 61,473
........................
Wear Indicators .383
.............................
Braking System .383
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 346
Brightness Control, ...............................
Instruments .115
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .436
..............................
Brake Lights .435
.................................
Fog Lights .439
................
Front Parking Lights . 434
.................................
Headlights .429
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 438
........................
Rear Lights .435, 436
....................
Specif ications .489, 492
............
Turn Signal Lights . 434,435
......................
Bulbs, Halogen .429, 439
Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Index
A
B
INDEX
I
2010 TSX

...............
DANGER, Explanation of . iii
...................................
Dashboard .3, 58
..............
Daytime Running Lights . 114
.................................
Dead Battery .466
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 508
..............
Def ogger, Rear Window . 117
..............
Def rosting the Windows . 170
............................
Dimensions .488, 491
.............
Dimming the Headlights . 111
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 423
..................................
Engine Oil .352
........................
Directional Signals .111
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 383
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .419
...................
Capacities Chart . 488,491
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 55
.............................
Carrying Cargo .359
.............
CAUTION, Explanation of . iii
.........................................
CD Care .256
...................................
CD Changer .244
.......................................
CD Player .189
........................
Certif ication Label .486
..................................
Ceiling Light .161
............................................
Chains .452
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .459
Changing Oil ........................................
How to .417
......................................
When to .403
...
Charging System Indicator . 61,471
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 366
.....................................
Child Saf ety .36
..............................
Booster Seats .52
.............................
Child Seats .43, 44
Important Saf ety ..........................
Reminders .36-54
..........................................
Inf ants .41
..........................
Larger Children .51
.........................................
LATCH .46 ......................
Risks with Airbags .37
.............................
Small Children .42
..........................................
Tether .50
...........................
Warning Labels .56
..........
Where Should a Child Sit . 37
.......................................
Child Seats .36
.........................................
LATCH .46
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 50
................
Childproof Door Locks . 125
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts . 441
..........
Client Service Inf ormation . 506
...............
Climate Control System . 166
..............................................
Clock .289
...................................
Clutch Fluid .428
..................
CO in the Exhaust . 55,500
....
Cold Weather, Starting in . 367,368
..............................
Compact Spare .458
.........................................
Compass .294
.................
Console Compartment . 156
.................
Consumer Inf ormation . 506
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 57
Coolant ........................................
Adding .420
....................................
Checking .353
.........................
Proper Solution .420
...................
Temperature Gauge . 69............................
Courtesy Lights .162
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .500
................
Cruise Control Indicator . 66
............
Cruise Control Operation . 298
.........................
Customer Service .506
.......................
Customized Settings .81
Index
D
C
II
2010 TSX

CONT INUED
...................................
Fan, Interior .169
.........................................
Features .165
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 347
Filters ........................
Dust and Pollen .442
...............................................
Oil .417
...........
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 117
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 459
.....................................
Floor Mats .441
Doors
................
Auto Door Lock . 100,124
............
Auto Door Unlock . 106,124
............
Childproof Door Locks . 125
............
Locking and Unlocking . 124
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 494
Downshif ting, Manual .............................
Transmission .370
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .365
....................................
Economy .354
Driving Position Memory ........................................
System .142
..........
Dual Temperature Control . 171
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 442
..............................
Economy, Fuel .354
Electric Power Steering (EPS) .......................................
Indicator .65
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ........................................
System .392
..................................
Emergencies .457
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 466
...........
Brake System Indicator . 473................
Changing a Flat Tire . 459
.....
Charging System Indicator . 471
..................
Checking the Fuses . 475
Fuel Fill Door, Opening ................................
Manually .474
.......
Hazard Warning Flashers . 117
............................
Jump Starting .466
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 471
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 472
..................
Overheated Engine . 469
.......................................
Towing .482
.........................
Emergency Brake .153
....................
Emergency Flashers .117
......................
Emergency Towing .482
.......................
Emissions Controls .500
........................
Emissions Testing .503
Engine ......................
4-cylinder Engine .489
......................
6-cylinder Engine .492
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 420
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 69
.........................
If It Won’t Start .464
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 472
.........................
Oil Lif e Display .403
..............
Oil Pressure Indicator . 471
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 415...............................
Overheating .469
....................
Specif ications .489, 492
....................
Speed Limiter . 371,375
..............................
Starting .367, 368
......
Engine Compartment Covers . 414
..........
Engine Speed Limiter . 371,375
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .347
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 500
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .55
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .17
Index
INDEX
E F
III
2010 TSX

Fluids..........
Automatic Transmission . 423
..........................................
Brake .427
.........................................
Clutch .428
..............
Manual Transmission . 426
..........
Windshield Washer . 110,423
.....................................
Fog Lights .115
........................
Folding Rear Seats .138
........................
Four-way Flashers .117
..............................
Front Airbags .9 ,25
.................................................
Fuel .346
......................
Fill Door and Cap .347
...........................................
Gauge .68
.....................
Low Fuel Indicator .67
................
Octane Requirement . 346
...............................
Oxygenated .347
........................
Tank, Ref ueling .347
.....
Tighten Fuel Cap Message . 349
...............................
Fuel Economy .354
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .475
......
Gas Mileage, Improving . 354,355
.........................................
Gasoline .346
...........................................
Gauge .68 .....................
Low Fuel Indicator .67
................
Octane Requirement . 346
........................
Tank, Ref ueling .347
................
Gas Station Procedures . 347
Gauges ...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 69
...............................................
Fuel .68
Gearshif t Lever Positions ..........
Automatic Transmission . 373
..............
Manual Transmission . 370
......................................
Glove Box .157
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating .............................
(GVWR) .361, 395
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 429
...........................
HandsFreeLink
. 304
............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 117
.....................................
Headlights .111
........................................
Aiming .429
............
Automatic Lighting Off . 113
............
Automatic Lighting On . 112
.........
Daytime Running Lights . 114
..................
High Beam Indicator . 66
....................
Lights On Indicator .66 .......................
Reminder Chime .111
Replacing Halogen ..............................
Bulbs .429, 439
.................................
Turning on .111
......................
Head Restraints .14, 135
.............................
Heated Mirrors .146
.................................
Heaters, Seat .141
HomeLink
Universal ................................
Transceiver .301
........
Hood, Opening and Closing . 350
...........................................
Horn .4,109
...........................
Hydraulic Clutch .428
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 486
Ignition ............................................
Keys .119
.........................................
Switch .122
............
Timing Control System . 501
......................
Immobilizer System .121
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
Index
G H
I
IV
2010 TSX

CONT INUED
.................
Jacking up the Vehicle . 461
.......................................
Jack, Tire .460
................................
Jump Starting .466
................................................
Keys .119
...
Indicators, Messages (MID) . 60,79
...............
ABS (Anti-lock Brake) . 62
Brake (Parking and Brake ............................
System) .61, 473
................
Charging System . 61,471
.............................
Cruise Control .66
.................................
Cruise Main .66
................
Door/Trunk Open . 11,65
DRL (Daytime Running ....................................
Lights) .114
.
EPS (Electric Power Steering) . 65
.....................................
Fog Light .66
...................................
High Beam .66
....
High Temperature (Coolant) . 69
........
Key (Immobilizer System) . 61
.....................................
Lights On .66
......................................
Low Fuel .67
................
Low Oil Pressure . 60,471
Low Tire Pressure/ ...............................
TPMS .64, 386
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 472
..........................
Security System .67
...........................
Side Airbag Of f .62
.................................
Seat Belt .19, 60
.........................................
SRS .31, 62
.........................
Starting System .369 .........................
System Message .67
.................................
TPMS .386, 389
Turn Signal and Hazard ...................................
Warning .64
............................
VSA Activation .63
.................................
VSA System .63
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 60
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .41
......................................
Inf ant Seats .41
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 50
...
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 447,490,493
..................................
INFO Buttons .71
.................................
Inside Mirror .145
.............................
Inspection, Tire .448
....................
Installing a Child Seat .44
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 50
.............................
Using LATCH .46
............................
Instrument Panel .59
......
Instrument Panel Brightness . 115
..............
Instruments and Controls . 57
.................................
Interf ace Dial .222
...............................
Interior Lights .161
........................................
Introduction .i
.......................................
iPod
. 199, 259 .......................
Label, Certif ication .486
...............
Lane Change, Signaling . 111
........................
Language Selection .87
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 15,20
...............................
LATCH System .46
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .429
.......................................
Indicator .59
.......................................
Parking .111
................................
Turn Signal .111
....................................
Load Limits .360
....
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 122
Index
INDEX
J
K
L
V
2010 TSX

Locks.....
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 122
........................
Childproof Door .125
............................
Fuel Fill Door .347
..................................
Glove Box .157
..................
Lockout Prevention . 125
...............................
Power Door .124
.........................................
Trunk .130
........................
Low Coolant Level .353
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .67
...
Lower Gear, Downshif ting to a . 370
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 60,471
................................
Lower Anchors . 46
Lubricant Specif ications ..................................
Chart .488, 491
...........
Luggage, Storing (Cargo) . 359
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 346.........................................
Odometer .73
Oil ........................
Change, How to .417
......................
Change, When to .403
......................
Checking Engine .352
..............
Pressure Indicator . 60,471
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .416
.........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 122
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ....................................
Recovery .500
............................
Outside Mirrors .145
.....................
Outside Temperature .74
....................
Overheating, Engine .469
....
Owner’s Maintenance Checks . 410
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .347
..............................
Paddle Shif ters .377
............
Panel Brightness Control . 115
........................
Park Gear Position .374
...........................................
Parking .382
...............................
Parking Brake .153
Parking Brake and Brake .................
System Indicator . 61,473
..................................
Maintenance .401
.........
Automated Appointment . 334
........................................
Minder .403
......
Main Items and Sub Items . 408
Owner’s Maintenance ...................................
Checks .410
..........................................
Saf ety .402 .......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 472
...................
Manual Transmission . 370
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 426
...........
Memory, Driving Position . 142
.........................
Meters, Gauges .59, 68
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 347
...........................................
Mirrors .145
....................................
Adjusting .145
........................................
Heated .146
...............................
Reverse Tilt .146
...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle . 358
.......................................
Moonroof .151
........................
MP3 .190, 210,251,271
..............
Multi-inf ormation Display . 70
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 374
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 346
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds .371
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 486
Index
N
O
M
P
VI
2010 TSX

CONT INUED
...............................
Parking Lights .111
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 382
....
Passenger Airbag Of f Indicator . 33
.............................
PGM-FI System .501
...................................
Pollen Filter .442
........................
Power Door Locks .124
..............
Power Seat Adjustments . 134
......
Power Socket Locations . 154,156
............................
Power Windows .147
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 17
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens . 11
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 18
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 17
........................
Protecting Children .36
.....................
General Guidelines .36
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .41
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 51
.........
Protecting Small Children . 42
Using Child Seats with .....................................
Tethers .50
.............................
Using LATCH .46 ..................................
Saf ety Belts .8, 19
............
Safety, Reporting Defects . 508
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
...........................................
Airbags .9
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 56
..............................
Saf ety Messages .iii
...................
Radiator Overheating . 469
...........
Radio/Disc Sound System . 174.................
Radio Thef t Protection . 288
............................
Radio, XM
. 183, 236
........................................
RDS .179, 227
.............................
Readiness Code .472
Rear Lights, Bulb ......................
Replacement .435, 436
.......................
Rear Seats, Folding .138
..........................
Rearview Camera .344
...........................
Rearview Mirror .145
...............
Rear Window Def ogger . 117
.............
Reclining the Seat Backs . 134
.......
Recommended Shif t Speeds . 371
........................................
Ref ueling .347
.......................
Reminder Indicators .60
................
Remote Audio Controls . 286
.....................
Remote Transmitter .126
Replacement Inf ormation ................
Engine Oil and Filter . 417
..........................................
Fuses .475
................................
Light Bulbs .429
...........................................
Tires .450
.............................
Wiper Blades .443
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .22
.............
Reporting Saf ety Def ects . 508Reserve Tank, Engine
...............................
Coolant .353, 420
...............................
Restraint, Child .36
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 374
...........................
Reverse Lockout .372
................................
Rotation, Tire .450
Index
INDEX
S
R
VII
2010 TSX

.....................................
Seat Belts .8, 19
...............
Additional Information . 19
Automatic Seat Belt ...............................
Tensioners .21
.....................................
Cleaning .441
................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 15,20
................................
Maintenance .22
Reminder Indicator and ................................
Beeper .19, 60
...................
System Components . 19
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 17
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt . 20
Seats ....................................
Adjusting .134
.......................................
Folding .138
.......................................
Heaters .141
............................
Security System .292
.....................
Selecting a Child Seat .43
.......
Selector Knob (Disc Player) . 175
..................
Sequential Shif t Mode . 379
..........................
Paddle Shif ters .377
...............................
Serial Number .486
..............................
Service Minder .403
.............................
Service Manual .509
.........
Service Station Procedures . 347
..........................
Setting the Clock .289 ...
Shif t Lever Position Indicators . 373
........................
Shif t Lock Release .375
................................
Side Airbags .9 ,29
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 29
How the Side Airbag Of f ......................
Indicator Works .32
..................
Side Curtain Airbags . 9,31
How Your Side Curtain ..........................
Airbags Work .31
.............................
Signaling Turns .111
.....................................
Snow Tires .451
................................
Sound System .174
Spare Tire ......................................
Inf lating .458
....................
Specif ications .490, 493
............................
Spark Plugs .489, 492
........................
Specif ications .488, 491
................................
Speed Control .298
........................
Speed Limiter .371, 375
...................................
Speedometer .68
.......................................
Spotlights .161
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 23
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 34
.............................
Airbag Service .34
......
Airbag System Components . 23How the Passenger Airbag Of f
......................
Indicator Works .33
How the Side Airbag Of f ......................
Indicator Works .32
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 31
How Your Front Airbags .......................................
Works .25
.
How Your Side Airbags Works . 29
How Your Side Curtain Airbags .........................................
Work .31
.............................
SRS Indicator .31 ,62
..
START (Ignition Key Position) . 123
Starting the Engine (4-cylinder ..................................
Models) .367
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .367
................
With a Dead Battery . 466
Starting the Engine (6-cylinder ..................................
Models) .368
Check Starting System .................................
Message .369
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .368
................
With a Dead Battery . 466
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 469
Index
VIII
2010 TSX