engine Acura TSX 2011 Owner's Guide

105
Continued
Controls
Operating the Switches Around the Steering Wheel
Turn Signals
Light Switches
Turn Signals
The turn signals can be used when the
ignition switch is in ON
II
.
Rotating the light switch turns the lights on
and off, regardless of the position of the
ignition switch.
High beams
Push the lever forward until you hear a click. Low beams
When in high beams, pull the lever back to
return to low beams. Flashing the high beams
Pull the lever back, and release it.
Manual Operation
Light Switches
If you remove the key from the ignition switch while
the light is on, a chime sounds when the driver’s
door is opened.
When the lights are on, the lights on indicator in
the instrument panel will be on.
Indicators


P. 6 4
Repeatedly turning the headlights on and off
reduces the life of the HID headlight bulbs.
If you sense that the level of the headlights is
abnormal, have the vehicle inspected by a dealer.
Do not leave the lights on when the engine is off
because it will cause the battery to discharge.
Light Switches
Right Turn
Left Turn
High Beams
Low BeamsFlashing the
high beams
Turns on side marker, tail and
license plate lights Turns on headlights, parking,
side marker, tail, and license
plate lights

Operating the Switches Around the Steering Wheel
Rear Defogger/Heated Door Mirror Button
110Controls
Rear Defogger/Heated Door Mirror Button
Press the rear defogger and heated door
mirror button to defog the rear window and
mirrors when the ignition is in ON
II
.
The rear defogger and heated door mirrors
automatically switch off after 10-30 minutes
depending on the outside temperature.
However, if the outside temperature is 32°F
(0°C) or below, they do not automatically
switch off.
Rear Defogger/Heated Door Mirror Button NOTICE When cleaning the inside of the rear window, be
careful not to damage the heating wires.
It is critical to wipe the window from side to side
along the defogger heating wires.
This system consumes a lot of power, so turn it off
when the window has been defogged.
Also, do not use the system for a long period when
the engine is idling. This may weaken the battery,
making it difficult to start the engine.

Adjusting the Seats
Adjusting the Seat Positions
121
Continued
Controls
Maintain a Proper Sitting Position
After all occupants have adjusted their seats and head restraints, and put on their
seat belts, it is very important that they continue to sit upright, well back in their
seats, with their feet on the floor, until the vehicle is safely parked and the engine
is off.
Sitting improperly can increase the chance of injury during a crash. For example,
if an occupant slouches, lies down, turns sideways, sits forward, leans forward or
sideways, or puts one or both feet up, the chance of injury during a crash is greatly
increased.
In addition, an occupant who is out of position in the front seat can be seriously or
fatally injured in a crash by striking interior parts of the vehicle or being struck by
an inflating front airbag.
WARNING
Sitting improperly or out of position can
result in serious injury or death in a crash.
Always sit upright, well back in the seat,
with your feet on the floor. Maintain a Proper Sitting Position

Interior Lights/Interior Convenience Items
Interior Convenience Items
129
Continued
Controls
Accessory Power Sockets
There are two accessory power sockets; one
in the console compartment and the other
at the front of the center console. They
can be used when the ignition switch is in
ACCESSORY
I or ON
II
.
Open the cover to use it.
Accessory Power Sockets NOTICE Do not insert an automotive type cigarette lighter
element.
This can overheat the power socket.
The accessory power socket is designed to supply
power for 12 volt DC accessories that are rated 120
watts or less (10 amps).
To prevent battery drain, only use the power socket
with the engine running.

Interior Lights/Interior Convenience Items
Interior Convenience Items
132Controls
Seat Heaters
If the ignition switch is in ON
II
. The HI
setting heats the seats faster than the LO
setting.
There is no heater in the passenger's seat-
back due to the side airbag cutoff system.
Seat Heaters
Do not use the seat heaters even in LO when the
engine is off. Under such conditions, the battery
may be weakened, making the engine difficult to
start.
In the LO setting, the heater runs continuously and
does not automatically turn off after a period of
time.
WARNING
Heat induced burns are possible when
using seat heaters.
Persons with a diminished ability to sense
temperature (e.g., persons with diabetes,
lower-limb nerve damage, or paralysis)
or with sensitive skin should not use seat
heaters.
While in HI, the heater cycles on and off. The appropriate indicator will be on while
the seat heater is on. Briefly press the
button on the opposite side to turn the
heater off. The indicator will be off.
When a comfortable temperature is
reached, select LO to keep the seat warm.

133
Climate Control System
Continued
Controls
Using Automatic Climate Control
Using Automatic Climate Control
If any buttons are pressed while using the climate
control system in AUTO, the function of the button
that was pressed will take priority.
The AUTO indicator will go off, but functions
unrelated to the button that was pressed will be
controlled automatically.
To prevent cold air from blowing in from outside,
the fan may not start immediately when the AUTO
button is pressed.
Once you have set the desired temperature, do not
use the temperature control switches more than
necessary.
Doing so may delay the time it takes to reach the
set temperature.
If the interior is very warm, you can cool it down
more rapidly by partially opening the windows,
turning the system on AUTO, and setting the
temperature to low. Change the fresh mode to
recirculation mode until the temperature cools
down.
When you set the temperature to the lower or
upper limit, Lo or Hi is displayed.
Pressing the
button switches the climate
control system between on and off. When turned
on, the system returns to your last selection.
Use the system when the engine is running.
1. Press the AUTO button.
2. Adjust the interior temperature using the driver's side or passenger's side
control switch.
3. Press the
button to cancel.
Switching between the recirculation and fresh air modes
Press the
button and switch the mode depending on environmental
conditions.
Recirculation Mode (indicator on) : Recirculates air from the vehicle’s interior
through the system.
Fresh Air Mode (indicator off): Maintains outside ventilation. Keep the system in
fresh air mode in normal situations. The automatic climate control system maintains the interior temperature you
select. The system also selects the proper mix of heated or cooled air that will as
quickly as possible, raise or lower the interior temperature to your preference.
* Not available on all models
(Recirculation) Button
(Fan Control) BarFloor and
defroster
vents Floor vents Dashboard and floor
vents, and back of
the center console
*
Dashboard vents
and back of the
center console
*
A /C (Air Conditioning)
Button AUTO Button
Driver's Side
Temperature
Control SwitchPassenger's Side
Temperature
Control Switch

181
This chapter discusses driving, refueling, and information on items such as accessories.
Driving
Cruise Control .................................... 201
VSA
® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka
ESC (Electronic Stability Control),
System ............................................ 204
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring
System) ............................................ 206
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)-
Required Federal Explanation ........... 208
Braking
Brake System ......................................210
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) .............212
Brake Assist System .............................213Parking Your Vehicle
When Stopped ....................................214
Parking ...............................................214
Refueling
Fuel Information .................................215
How to Refuel .....................................216
Fuel Economy ...................................... 218
Improving Fuel Economy .....................218
Accessories and Modifications
Accessories .........................................219
Modifications ......................................219 Before Driving
Driving Preparation ............................ 182
Maximum Load Limit ......................... 185
Towing a Trailer
Towing Preparation ............................ 187
Driving Safely with a Trailer ................ 189
Towing Your Vehicle .......................... 190
When Driving
Starting the Engine .............................191
Precautions While Driving ...................193
Automatic Transmissions .................... 194
Shifting (Automatic Transmission) ...... 195
Shifting (Manual Transmission) ........... 199

187
Towing a Trailer
Continued
Driving
Towing Load Limits
Your vehicle can tow a tralier if you carefully observe the load limits, use the
proper equipment, and follow the towing guidelines. Check the load limits before
driving.
Total trailer weight
Maximum allowable weight of the trailer,
cargo, and everything in or on it must not
exceed 1,000 lbs (450 kg). Towing loads in
excess of this can seriously affect vehicle
handling and performance and can damage
the engine and drivetrain. Tongue load
The weight of the tongue with a fully loaded
trailer on the hitch should be approximately
10% of the total trailer weight.
Excessive tongue load reduces front tire t
traction and steering control. Too little
tongue load can make the trailer unstable
and cause it to sway.
To achieve a proper tongue load, start by t
loading 60% of the load toward the front
of the trailer and 40% toward the rear.
Readjust the load as needed.
Towing Load Limits
Check if all loads are within limits at a public scale.
If a public scale is not available, add the estimated
weight of your cargo load to the weight of your
trailer (as quoted by the manufacturer), and the
tongue load.
Break-in Period
Avoid towing a trailer during your vehicle's first 600
miles (1,000 km).
WARNING
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 before starting to drive.
Total Load
Tongue Load
Towing Preparation

Towing a Trailer
Towing Your Vehicle
190Driving
Driving in Hilly TerrainMonitor your temperature gauge. If it nears the red (Hot) mark, turn off the air t
conditioning and reduce speed. Pull to the side of the road safely to cool down
the engine if necessary.
Automatic transmission models
Shift to the tS
position if the transmission shifts frequently.
Towing Your VehicleYour vehicle is not designed to be towed behind a motor home. If your vehicle
needs to be towed in an emergency, refer to the emergency towing information.
Emergency Towing

P. 2 9 8
Driving in Hilly Terrain
If you use the paddle shifters when driving
uphill and downhill, select 3rd, 2nd, or 1st
gear, depending on the vehicle speed and road
conditions. Do not use 4th and 5th gears. Automatic transmission models If the automatic transmission fluid temperature
exceeds the specified limit, the transmission will also
automatically downshift to the 1st gear, even in the
sequential shift mode. The gear position indicator
blinks for a few seconds, then stays on.Gear Position Speed Range
1st 0 - 42 mph (0 - 67 km/h)
2nd,3rd 19 - 62 mph (30 - 100 km/h)

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