maintenance Acura TSX 2011 Owner's Manual

This owner’s manual should be considered a permanent part of
the vehicle and should remain with the vehicle when it is sold.
This owner’s manual covers all models of the TSX. You may find
descriptions of equipment and features that are not on your
particular model.
Images throughout this owner’s manual (including the front cover)
represent features and equipment that are available on some, but
not all, models. Your particular model may not have some of these
features.
The information and specifications included in this publication
were in effect at the time of approval for printing. Honda Motor
Co., Ltd. reserves the right, however, to discontinue or change
specifications or design at any time without notice and without
incurring any obligation.
Safe Driving P. 2 1For Safe Driving P. 22 Seat Belts P. 26 Airbags P. 33 Instrument Panel P. 6 3Indicators P. 64 Gauges and Multi-Information Display P. 75 Controls P. 8 7Setting the Clock P. 88 Locking and Unlocking the Doors P. 89
Opening and Closing the Moonroof P. 103
Adjusting the Seats P. 116 Features P. 13 7Audio System P. 138 Audio System Basic Operation P. 141
General Information on the Audio System P. 161 Driving P. 1 8 1Before Driving P. 182 Towing a Trailer P. 187
Refueling P. 215 Fuel Economy P. 218 Maintenance P. 2 2 1Before Performing Maintenance P. 222 Maintenance Minder™ P. 225
Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades P. 257
Climate Control System Maintenance P. 270 Handling the Unexpected P. 2 7 5Tools P. 276 If a Tire Goes Flat P. 277
Overheating P. 288 Indicator, Coming On/Blinking P. 290
When You Cannot Unlock the Fuel Fill Door P. 299 Information P. 3 0 1Specifications P. 302 Identification Numbers P. 306
Emissions Testing P. 309 Warranty Coverages P. 311

Contents
Quick Reference Guide
P. 2
Safe Driving
P. 2 1
Instrument Panel
P. 6 3
Controls
P. 8 7
Features
P. 13 7
Driving
P. 1 8 1
Maintenance
P. 2 2 1
Handling the Unexpected
P. 2 7 5
Information
P. 3 0 1
Index
P. 3 15
Child Safety P. 48 Exhaust Gas Hazard P. 60 Safety Labels P. 61
Opening and Closing the Trunk P. 95 Security System P. 98 Opening and Closing the Windows P. 100
Operating the Switches Around the Steering Wheel P. 104 Adjusting the Mirror P. 114
Interior Lights/Interior Convenience Items P. 125 Climate Control System P. 133
Audio Error Messages P. 158 Audio Remote Controls P. 160
HomeLink
® Universal Transceiver P. 165Bluetooth
® HandsFreeLink
® P. 167 Compass P. 179
When Driving P. 191 Braking P. 210 Parking Your Vehicle P. 214
Accessories and Modifications P. 219
Maintenance Under the Hood P. 229 Replacing Light Bulbs P. 247
Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 259 Battery P. 268 Remote Transmitter Care P. 269
Cleaning P. 271
Engine Does Not Start P. 283 Jump Starting P. 284 Shift Lever Does Not Move P. 287
Fuses P. 294 Emergency Towing P. 298
When you Cannot Open the Trunk P. 300
Devices that Emit Radio Waves P. 307 Reporting Safety Defects P. 308
Authorized Manuals P. 313 Client Service Information P. 314

6Quick Reference Guide
Visual Index
Headlights
P.105, 247
Front Turn Signal/Parking/
Side Marker Lights
P.105, 252
Door Mirrors
P.114
Side Turn Signal Lights
P.105, 253
Maintenance Under the Hood
P.229
Windshield Wipers
P.108, 257
Door Lock/Unlock Control
P.91
Fog Lights
P.107, 251
Tires
P.259, 277
Opening/Closing the Trunk
P.95
Trunk Release Switch
P.96
Emergency Trunk Release Lever
P.97
Brake/Taillights
P.253
Rear Turn Signal Lights
P.253
Rear Side Marker Lights
P.253
Back-Up Lights
P.254
How to Refuel
P.216
Rearview Camera
*
See Navigation System Manual
High-Mount Brake Light
P.256

15Quick Reference Guide
Wiper Blades
P.257
Replace blades if they leave
streaks across the windshield.
Lights
P.247
Inspect all lights regularly.
Tires
P.259
Inspect tires and wheels regularly. Check tire pressures regularly. Install snow tires for winter driving.
Maintenance

P.221
Under the Hood
P.229
Check engine oil, engine coolant, and windshield washer fluid.
Add when necessary. Check brake fluid and clutch fluid. Check the battery regularly.
Pull the hood release handle under the corner of the
dashboard. Locate the hood latch lever, pull the lever up, and lift up the
hood. When finished, close the hood and make sure it is firmly
locked in place.

For Safe Driving
Important Safety Precautions
23Safe Driving
Pay appropriate attention to the task of driving safely
Engaging in cell phone conversation or other activities that keep you from paying
close attention to the road, other vehicles, and pedestrians could lead to a crash.
Remember, situations can change quickly, and only you can decide when it is safe
to divert some attention away from driving. Control your speed
Excessive speed is a major factor in crash injuries and deaths. Generally, the higher
the speed, the greater the risk, but serious injuries can also occur at lower speeds.
Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions, regardless of the maximum
speed posted. Keep your vehicle in safe condition
Having a tire blowout or a mechanical failure can be extremely hazardous.
To reduce the possibility of such problems, check your tire pressures and condition
frequently, and perform all regularly scheduled maintenance.

Airbags
Airbag Care
47Safe Driving
Airbag CareYou do not need to perform any maintenance to your airbag system. However,
you should have your vehicle inspected by a dealer in the following situations:
When the airbags have deployed
If an airbag has inflated, the control unit and other related parts must be replaced.
Similarly, once an automatic seat belt tensioner has been activated, it must be
replaced. When the vehicle has been in a moderate-to-severe collision
Even if the airbags did not inflate, have your dealer inspect the following: the
driver’s seat position sensor, weight sensors in the passenger’s seat, front seat belt
tensioners, and each seat belt that was worn during the crash. Do not remove or modify a front seat without consulting a dealer
This would likely disable the driver’s seat position sensor or the weight sensors
in the passenger’s seat. If it is necessary to remove or modify a front seat to
accommodate a person with disabilities, contact an Acura dealer. For U.S. vehicles
you can also contact Acura Client Service at 800-382-2238. For Canadian vehicles
you can also contact Canadian Acura Client Service at 888-9-ACURA-9.

73Instrument Panel
Indicators
Multi-Information Display Warning and Information Messages
Message Condition Explanation
t
"QQFBST
XIFO
UIF
TDIFEVMFE
NBJOUFOBODF
JT
EVF
TPPO
t
$POTFRVFOUMZ

4&37*$&
%6&
/08
BOE
4&37*$&

PAST DUE" follow.
 Maintenance Minder
™ P. 2 2 5
t
"QQFBST
XIFO
ZPV
PQFO
UIF
ESJWFShT
EPPS
XIJMF
UIF

ignition key is in ACCESSORY
I. t
5VSO
UIF
JHOJUJPO
TXUJDI
UP
-0$,

0
, then
remove the key.
t
"QQFBST
XIFO
UIF
JHOJUJPO
LFZ
JT
UVSOFE
UP
"$$&4403:

I from ON
II
. (The driver's door is closed.)
—
t
"QQFBST
XIFO
ZPV
PQFO
UIF
ESJWFShT
EPPS
XIJMF
UIF

ignition key is in LOCK
0
. t
3FNPWF
UIF
LFZ
GSPN
UIF
JHOJUJPO
TXJUDI
Continued

Gauges and Multi-Information Display
Multi-Information Display
79
Continued
Instrument Panel
Elapsed Time
The elapsed time display shows the time during one drive cycle.
Average Speed
The display shows the average speed in mph (U.S.) or km/h (Canada) since the last
time Trip A was reset.
Engine Oil Life
Shows the remaining oil life and Maintenance Minder
™.
Maintenance Minder

™ P. 2 2 5
Tire Pressure Monitor
Shows each tire's pressure.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System

P. 2 0 6
Bluetooth
® HandsFreeLink
®
Shows your paired cell phone's information.
Bluetooth

® HandsFreeLink
® P.1 6 7
Elapsed Time
You can change the elapsed time reset criteria.
Customized Features


P. 8 0

208Driving
When Driving
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required Federal Explanation
U.S. models Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required
Federal ExplanationEach tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly
when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the
vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label.
(If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should determine the
proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure
telltale
when one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should stop
and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper
pressure.
Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and
can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire
tread life, and may affect the vehicle's handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance,
and it is the driver's responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even
if under-inflation has not reached the level to trigger illumination of the
TPMS low tire pressure telltale.

Fuel Economy
218Driving
Improving Fuel EconomyFuel economy depends on several conditions, including driving conditions, your
driving habits, the condition of your vehicle, and loading. Depending on these
and other conditions, you may or may not achieve the rated fuel economy of this
vehicle.
Improving Fuel Economy
Direct calculation is the recommended method to
determine actual fuel consumed while driving.
In Canada, posted fuel economy numbers are
established following a simulated test. For more
information on how this test is performed, please
visit http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/Miles driven
Gallons of
fuel
Miles per
Gallon
100
Liter
Kilometers
L per 100 km
Maintenance and Fuel Economy
You can optimize your fuel economy with proper maintenance of your vehicle.
Always maintain your vehicle in accordance with the messages displayed on the
multi-information display.
Use the recommended viscosity engine oil, displaying the API Certification Seal. t
Maintain the specified tire pressure. t
Do not load the vehicle with excess cargo. t
Keep your vehicle clean. A buildup of snow or mud on your vehicle's underside t
adds weight and increases wind resistance.