check engine Acura TSX 2011 User Guide

191
Continued
Driving
When DrivingStarting the Engine
1. Make sure the parking brake is applied.
Starting the Engine
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
starting the engine.
The engine is harder to start in cold weather and
in thinner air found at altitudes above 8,000 feet
(2,400 meters).
When starting the engine in cold weather, turn off
all electrical accessories such as the lights, climate
control system, and rear defogger in order to reduce
battery drain.
If exhaust sounds abnormal or you can smell
exhaust gas inside the vehicle, have your vehicle
checked by a dealer. There may be a problem with
the engine or exhaust system.
Automatic transmission models 2. Check that the shift lever is in P
, then
depress the brake pedal.
Although it is possible to start the
vehicle in N
, it is safer to start it in P
.
Manual transmission models 2. Check that the shift lever is in N
. Then
depress the brake pedal with your right
foot, and the clutch pedal with your left
foot.
The clutch pedal must be fully depressed
to start the engine.
Brake Pedal
Brake Pedal Clutch Pedal

192Driving
When Driving
Starting the Engine
3. Turn the ignition switch to START III

without depressing the accelerator pedal.
Starting the Engine
Do not hold the key in START
III
for more than 15
seconds.
If the engine does not start right away, wait for at
tleast 10 seconds before trying again.
If the engine starts, but then immediately stops, twait at least 10 seconds before repeating step 3
while gently depressing the accelerator pedal.
Release the accelerator pedal once the engine
starts.
The immobilizer system protects your vehicle from
theft. If an improperly coded key (or other device) is
used, the engine's fuel system is disabled
Immobilizer System


P. 9 8
Starting to Drive
Automatic transmission models 1. Keeping your right foot on the brake pedal, release the parking brake. Check
that the brake system indicator has gone off.
Parking Brake

P. 2 1 0
2. Put the shift lever in D
. Select R
when reversing.
3. Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator pedal to
pull away.

193
Driving
When Driving
Precautions While Driving
Precautions While Driving
In Rain
Avoid driving in deep water and on flooded roads. This can damage the engine or
cause electrical component failure.
Other Precautions
If there is a strong impact with something under the vehicle, stop in a safe
location. Check the underside of the vehicle for damage any fluid leaks.
Precautions While Driving NOTICE Do not operate the shift lever while pressing
the accelerator pedal. You could damage the
transmission.
If the ignition switch is turned to ACCESSORY
I or
LOCK
0 while driving, the engine will shut down
and all steering and brake power assist functions
will stop, making it difficult to control the vehicle.
Do not put the shift lever in
N
, as you will lose
engine braking (and acceleration) performance.
During the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of operation,
avoid sudden acceleration or full throttle operation
so as to not damage the engine or powertrain.
Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles (300 km).
You should also follow this when the brakes are
replaced.

196Driving
When Driving
Shifting
Shift Lever Operation
Shift Lever Operation NOTICE When you change the shift lever from
D
to
R and
vice versa, come to a complete stop and keep the
brake pedal depressed.
Operating the shift lever before the vehicle has
come to a complete standstill can damage the
transmission.
Use the shift lever position indicator to check the
lever position before pulling away.
Whichever position the shift lever is in when driving,
a blinking
D
indicator indicates a transmission
problem.
Avoid sudden acceleration and have the
transmission checked by a dealer as soon as
possible.
The fuel supply may be cut off if you drive at engine
speeds in or over the tachometer red zone (engine
speed limit). If this happens, you may experience a
slight jolt.
It may not be possible to operate the shift lever
if the brake pedal is applied while the shift lever
release button is held down.
Depress the brake pedal first.
Tachometer's red zone
Shift Lever Position Indicator
Depress the brake pedal and
press the shift lever release button to
shift.
Shift without pressing the shift lever
release button.
Press the shift lever release button
and shift.M (Sequential Shift mode) Indicator/
Gear Position Indicator

200Driving
When Driving
Shifting
Reverse Lockout
The manual transmission has a lockout mechanism that stops you from accidentally
shifting into
R
from a forward gear while the vehicle is moving at a certain
speed.
If you cannot shift to
R
when the vehicle is stopped, do the following:
1. Depress the clutch pedal, move the shift
lever all the way to the left, and shift
to
R
.
2. If you still cannot shift into
R
, apply the
parking brake, and turn the ignition switch
to ACCESSORY
I or LOCK
0
.
3. Depress the clutch pedal and shift into
R
.
4. Keep depressing the clutch pedal and start
the engine.
Have the vehicle checked by a dealer if you
have to go through this procedure repeatedly.

204Driving
When Driving
VSA
® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic Stability Control), System
VSA
® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic
Stability Control), System
VSA
® helps to stabilize the vehicle during cornering if the vehicle turns more or less
than what was intended. It also assists in maintaining traction on slippery surfaces.
It does so by regulating engine output and selectively applying the brakes.
VSA
® Operation
VSA
® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic Stability
Control), System
The VSA
® may not function properly if tire type and
size are mixed. Make sure to use the same size and
type of tire, and the air pressures as specified.
When the VSA
® indicator comes on and stays on
while driving, there may be a problem with the
system. While this may not interfere with normal
driving, have your vehicle checked by a dealer
immediately.
VSA
® cannot enhance stability in all driving
situations and does not control the entire braking
system. You still need to drive and corner at speeds
appropriate for the conditions and always leave a
sufficient margin of safety.
The main function of the VSA
® system is generally
known as Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The
system also includes a traction control function.
When VSA
® activates, you may notice
that the engine does not respond to the
accelerator. You may also notice some noise
from the hydraulic system. You will also see
the indicator blink.
VSA
® System
Indicator

205
Driving
When Driving
VSA
® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic Stability Control), System
VSA
® On and Off
This button is on the driver side control
panel. To turn the VSA
® system on and off,
press and hold it until you hear a beep.
VSA
® will stop and the indicator will come
on.
To turn it on again, press the
(VSA
® OFF)
button until you hear a beep.
VSA
® is turned on every time you start the
engine, even if you turned it off the last time
you drove the vehicle.
VSA
® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic Stability
Control), System
Without VSA
®, your vehicle will have normal braking
and cornering ability, but it will not have VSA
®
traction and stability enhancement.
In certain unusual conditions when your vehicle gets
stuck in shallow mud or fresh snow, it may be easier
to free it with the VSA
® temporarily switched off.
When the VSA
® system is off, the traction control
system is also off. You should only attempt to free
your vehicle with the VSA
® off if you are not able to
free it when the VSA
® is on.
Immediately after freeing your vehicle, be sure
to switch VSA
® on again. We do not recommend
driving your vehicle with the VSA
® and traction
control systems switched off.
If the low tire pressure/ TPMS indicator comes on or
blinks, the VSA
® system comes on automatically.
In this case, you cannot turn the system off by
pressing the

button.
You may hear a motor sound coming from the
engine compartment while system checks are being
performed immediately after starting the engine or
while driving. This is normal.
VSA
® OFF
Indicator

Braking
Brake System
211
Driving
Foot Brake
Your vehicle is equipped with disc brakes at all four wheels. A power assist helps
reduce the effort needed on the brake pedal. The brake assist system increases the
stopping force 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.
Brake Assist System

P. 2 13
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)


P. 2 12
Foot Brake
Check the brakes after driving through deep water,
or if there is a buildup of road surface water. If
necessary, dry the brakes by lightly depressing the
pedal several times.
If you hear a continuous metallic friction sound
when applying the brakes, the brake pads need to
be replaced. Have the vehicle checked by a dealer.
Constantly using the brake pedal while going down
a long hill builds up heat, which reduces the brake
effectiveness. Apply engine braking by taking your
foot off the accelerator pedal and downshifting to
a lower gear. With manual transmission use a lower
gear for greater engine braking.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, as it will lightly apply the brakes and cause
them to lose effectiveness over time and reduce pad
life. It will also confuse drivers behind you.

Braking
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
212Driving
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
ABS
Helps prevent the wheels from locking up, and helps you retain steering control by
pumping the brakes rapidly, much faster than you.
The electronic brake distribution (EBD) system, which is part of the ABS, also
balances the front-to-rear braking distribution according to vehicle loading.
You should never pump the brake pedal. Let the ABS work for you by always
keeping firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. This is sometimes referred to as
"stomp and steer."
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) NOTICE The ABS may not function correctly if you use an
incorrect tire type and size.
When the ABS indicator comes on while driving,
there may be a problem with the system.
While normal braking is not affected, there is a
possibility of the ABS not operating. Have the
vehicle checked by a dealer immediately.
The ABS does not reduce the time or distance it
takes to stop the vehicle. It only helps with steering
control during hard braking.
In the following cases, your vehicle may need more
stopping distance than a vehicle without ABS:
When driving on rough road surfaces, including twhen driving on uneven surfaces, such as gravel
or snow.
When tire chains are installed. tYou may hear a motor sound coming from the
engine compartment while system checks are being
performed immediately after starting the engine or
while driving. This is normal.
ABS operation
The brake pedal may pulsate slightly when the ABS is working. Keep holding the
pedal firmly down. On dry pavement, you will need to press on the brake pedal
very hard before the ABS activates. However, you may feel the ABS activate
immediately if you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
When the vehicle speed goes under 6 mph (10 km/h), the ABS stops.

Maintenance
This chapter discusses basic maintenance.
Before Performing Maintenance
Inspection and Maintenance .............. 222
Safety When Performing
Maintenance .................................... 223
Parts and Fluids Used in
Maintenance Service ........................ 224
Maintenance Minder
™ ........................ 225
Maintenance Under the Hood
Maintenance Items Under the Hood .. 229
Opening the Hood ............................. 231
Recommended Engine Oil .................. 234
Oil Check ........................................... 235
Adding Engine Oil .............................. 237Engine Coolant .................................. 240
Transmission Fluid .............................. 242
Brake/Clutch Fluid .............................. 244
Refilling Window Washer Fluid ........... 246
Replacing Light Bulbs ......................... 247
Checking and Maintaining Wiper
Blades ................................................ 257
Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires ................................... 259
Tire and Loading Information Label .... 260
Tire Labeling ...................................... 260
DOT Tire Quality Grading
(U.S. Vehicles)
.................................... 262Wear Indicators .................................. 264
Tire Service Life .................................. 264
Tire and Wheel Replacement ............. 265
Tire Rotation ...................................... 266
Winter Tires ....................................... 267
Battery ................................................. 268
Remote Transmitter Care ................... 269
Replacing the Battery ........................ 269
Climate Control System
Maintenance ..................................... 270
Cleaning
Interior Care ........................................271
Exterior Care ...................................... 273
221