climate control Acura TSX 2011 User Guide

Climate Control System
Synchronized Mode
135
Controls
You can set the temperature synchronously for the driver side and the passenger
side in synchronized mode.
1. Press the SYNC button.
The system will switch to synchronized mode.
2. Adjust the temperature using driver’s side temperature control switch.
Press the SYNC button to return to dual mode.
Synchronized Mode
Synchronized Mode
When you press the
button, the system
changes to synchronized mode.
When the system is in dual mode, the driver side
temperature and the passenger side temperature
can be set separately.

Climate Control System
Automatic Climate Control Sensors
136Controls
Automatic Climate Control Sensors
The automatic climate control system is
equipped with a sunlight sensor and an
interior temperature sensor. Do not cover or
spill any liquid on them.
Temperature Sensor
Sunlight Sensor

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

194Driving
When Driving
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission
Creeping
The following conditions cause the engine to run at high revolutions, and increase
creeping:
Immediately after the engine starts. t
When the climate control system is in use. t
Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed when stopped.
Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator pedal while driving uphill may cause the transmission
to drop to a lower gear, unexpectedly increasing vehicle speed. Depress the
accelerator pedal carefully, especially on slippery roads and curves.

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

Checking and Maintaining Tires
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
262Maintenance
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)The tires on your vehicle meet all U.S. Federal Safety Requirements. All
tires are also graded for treadwear, traction, and temperature performance
according to Department of Transportation (DOT) standards. The following
explains these gradings.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire sidewall between
tread shoulder and maximum section width.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the
tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government
test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
(1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire graded 100. The
relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their
use, however, and may depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in road characteristics
and climate.
Uniform Tire Quality GradingFor example:
Treadwear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A
All passenger car tires must conform to
Federal Safety Requirements in addition
to these grades.

Climate Control System Maintenance
270Maintenance
The climate control system is equipped with a dust and pollen filter that collects
pollen, dust, and other debris in the air. The Maintenance Minder
™ messages will
let you know when to replace the filter.
We recommend that you replace the dust and pollen filter sooner when using your
vehicle in areas with high concentrations of dust.
Dust and Pollen Filter
Dust and Pollen Filter
Using an air freshener may reduce the deodorizing
effect of the dust and pollen filter, and may reduce
its life.
If the air flow from the climate control system
deteriorates noticeably, and the windows fog up
easily, the filter may need to be replaced. Please
contact a dealer for replacement.

Indicator, Coming On/Blinking
290Handling the Unexpected
If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes On
Reasons for the indicator to come on
Comes on when the engine oil pressure is low. What to do as soon as the indicator comes on
1. Immediately park the vehicle in a safe place.
2. If necessary, turn the hazard warning lights on. What to do after parking the vehicle
1. Stop the engine and let it sit for about one minute.
2. Open the hood and check the oil level.
Add oil as necessary.
3. Start the engine and check the low oil pressure indicator. The light goes out: Start driving again. The light does not go out within 10 seconds: Stop the engine and
contact a dealer for repairs immediately.
If the Charging System Indicator Comes On
Reasons for the indicator to come on
Comes on when the battery is not being charged. What to do when the indicator comes on
Turn the climate control system, rear defogger, and other electrical
systems, and immediately contact a dealer for repairs.
If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes On NOTICE Running the engine with low oil pressure can cause
serious mechanical damage almost immediately. If the Charging System Indicator Comes On
If you need to stop temporarily, do not turn off the
engine. Restarting the engine may rapidly discharge
the battery.

315
Continued
Index
Index
A ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
...........................
212
Accessories and Modifications
.........................
219
Accessory Power Sockets
......................................
12 9
Active Head Restraints
...........................................
12 2
Adding
................................................................................
237
Coolant
..........................................................................
240
Engine Oil
......................................................................
237
Washer
...........................................................................
246
Additives, Engine Oil
..............................................
234
Adjusting
..........................................................................
113
Armrest
...........................................................................
124
Front Seats
....................................................................
11 6
Head Restraints
..........................................................
11 8
Headlights
.....................................................................
247
Mirrors
............................................................................
114
Rear Seats
.....................................................................
12 3
Steering Wheel
...........................................................
113
Temperature
..................................................................
78
Airbags
.................................................................................
33
Advanced Airbags
......................................................
39
After a Collision
...........................................................
37
Airbag Care
....................................................................
47
Event Data Recorder
..................................................
19
Front Airbags (SRS)
....................................................
36
Indicator
.............................................................
44,67,70
Passenger Airbag Off Indicator
..........................
45
Sensors
..............................................................................
33
Side Airbag
.....................................................................
40
Side Airbag Cutoff System
....................................
42
Side Airbag Off Indicator
.......................................
42Side Curtain Airbag
...................................................
43
Air Conditioning System (Climate Control
System)
............................................................................
133
Changing the Mode
................................................
133
Defrosting the Windshield and Windows ..13 4
Dust and Pollen Filter
..............................................
270
Recirculation/Fresh Air Mode
............................
133
Sensors
............................................................................
13 6
Synchronized Mode
.................................................
135
Using Automatic Climate Control
...................
133
Air Pressure
................................................
260,303,305
AM/FM Audio
...............................................................
143
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
...........................
212
Indicator
...........................................................................
66
Armrest
..............................................................................
124
Auto Door Lock /Unlock
...........................................
94
Customize
................................................................
81,83
Automatic Lighting
..................................................
10 6
Audio System
................................................................
13 8
Adjusting the Sound
...............................................
142
Auxiliary Input Jack
..................................................
14 0
Error Messages
...........................................................
15 8
General Information
................................................
161
MP3/ WMA /AAC
.......................................................
153
Recommended Devices
.........................................
16 4
Recommended CDs
.................................................
162
Remote Controls
.......................................................
16 0
Security Code
..............................................................
14 0
Theft Protection
.........................................................
14 0
USB Adapter Cable
..................................................
13 9
USB Flash Drives
........................................................
16 4
Authorized Manual
..................................................
313
Automatic Transmission
........................................
19 4
Creeping
........................................................................
19 4
Fluid
..................................................................................
242
Kickdown
......................................................................
19 4
Operating the Shift Lever
.....................
13 ,19 5 ,19 6
Sequential Shift Mode
...........................................
197
Shifting
...........................................................................
195
Shift Lever Dose Not Move
.................................
287
Auxiliary Input Jack
..................................................
14 0
Average Fuel Economy
............................................
78
Average Speed
...............................................................
79
BBattery
...............................................................................
268
Charging System Indicator
..........................
65,290
Jump Starting
.............................................................
284
Maintenance (Checking the Battery)
............
268
Replacing
.......................................................................
269
Belts (Seat)
........................................................................
26
Beverage Holders
.......................................................
128
Bluetooth
® Audio
......................................................
15 6
Bluetooth
® HandsFreeLink
® ...............................
167
Booster Seats (For Children)
................................
59
Brake System
.................................................................
210
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
............................
212
Brake Assist System
.................................................
213
Fluid
.................................................................................
24 4
Foot Brake
.....................................................................
211
Indicator
.................................................................
64,292

316
Index
C to D
Index
Parking Brake
..............................................................
210
Brightness Control (Instrument Panel)
......
10 9
Bulb Replacement
.....................................................
247
Back-Up Lights
..........................................................
254
Brake, Taillight, Rear Turn Light and
Rear Side Marker Lights
......................................
253
Fog Lights
......................................................................
251
Front Turn/Parking/Side Marker Lights
.........
252
Headlights
.....................................................................
247
High-Mount Brake Light
......................................
256
License Plate
................................................................
255
Side Turn Signal/Emergency Indicator
Lights
.............................................................................
253
Bulb Specifications
.........................................
302,304
CCarbon Monoxide Hazard
.....................................
60
Cargo Hooks
..................................................................
13 0
Carrying Cargo
...................................................
183,185
Certification Label
...................................................
306
CD Player
..........................................................................
147
Changing Bulbs
............................................................
247
Charging System Indicator
..........................
65,290
Child Proof Door Locks
............................................
94
Child Safety
......................................................................
48
Emergency Trunk Opener
......................................
97
Child Seat
...........................................................................
48
Booster Seats
................................................................
59
Child Proof Door Locks
............................................
94
Child Seat for Infants
................................................
50Child Seat for Small Children
................................
51
Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder
Seat Belt
........................................................................
55
Larger Children
............................................................
58
Rear Facing Child Seat
.............................................
50
Selecting a Child Seat
..............................................
52
Using Tether
...................................................................
57
Cleaning the Exterior
..............................................
273
Cleaning the Interior
...............................................
271
Client Service Information
..................................
314
Climate Control System
.........................................
133
Changing the Mode
................................................
133
Defrosting the Windshield and Windows ..13 4
Dust and Pollen Filter
..............................................
270
Recirculation/Fresh Air Mode
............................
133
Sensors
............................................................................
13 6
Synchronized Mode
.................................................
135
Using Automatic Climate Control
...................
133
Clock
......................................................................................
88
Clutch Fluid
.....................................................................
245
Coat Hooks
......................................................................
13 0
Compact Spare Tire
..............................
277,303,305
Compass
............................................................................
17 9
Console Compartment
...........................................
127
Controls
...............................................................................
87
Coolant (Engine)
........................................................
240
Adding to the Radiator
..........................................
241
Adding to the Reserve Tank
..............................
240
Overheating
................................................................
288
Temperature Gauge
..................................................
75
Creeping (Automatic Transmission)
.............
19 4
Cruise Control
...............................................................
201
Indicator
............................................................................
71
Cup Holder
......................................................................
128
Customized Features
.................................................
80
DDaytime Running Lights
.......................................
107
Dead Battery
................................................................
284
Defrosting the Windshield and
Windows
........................................................................
13 4
Detachable Shelf
........................................................
126
Dimming
Headlights
.....................................................................
105
Rear View Mirror
.......................................................
114
Dipstick (Engine Oil)
................................................
235
Directional Signals (Turn Signals)
..................
105
Door Mirrors
..................................................................
114
Doors
.....................................................................................
89
Auto Door Lock
...........................................................
94
Auto Door Unlock
......................................................
94
Door and Trunk Open Indicator
..................
25,68
Keys
....................................................................................
89
Locking/Unlocking the Doors from Inside
....
93
Locking/Unlocking the Doors from
Outside
............................................................................
91
Lockout Prevention System
...................................
92
DOT Tire Quality Grading
....................................
262
Driving
................................................................................
181
Automatic Transmission
........................................
19 4
Braking
............................................................................
210