service indicator Acura TSX 2011 Owner's Manual

16Quick Reference Guide
Flat Tire
P.277
Park in a safe location and replace the
flat tire with the compact spare tire in the
trunk.
Engine Won't Start
P.283
If the battery is dead, jump start using a
booster battery.
Overheating
P.288
Park in a safe location. If you do not see
steam under the hood, open the hood,
and let the engine cool down.
Handling the Unexpected

P.275
Indicators Come On

P.290 Identify the indicator and consult the
owner's manual.
Blown Fuse
P.294
Check for a blown fuse if an electrical
device does not operate.
Emergency Towing
P.298
Call a professional towing service if you
need to tow your vehicle.

215
Refueling
Driving
Fuel Information
Fuel recommendation

Unleaded premium gasoline, pump octane number 91 or higher
4-cylinder models Use of a lower octane gasoline can cause occasional metallic knocking noise in the
engine and will result in decreased engine performance.
Use of a gasoline with a pump octane less than 87 can lead to engine damage. 6-cylinder models Your vehicle is designed to operate on premium unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane of 91 or higher.
If this octane grade is unavailable, regular unleaded gasoline with a pump octane
of 87 or higher may be used temporally.
The use of regular unleaded gasoline can cause metallic knocking noises in the
engine and will result in decreased engine performance. The long-term use of
regular-grade gasoline can lead to engine damage.
Top tier detergent gasoline
Because the level of detergency and additives in gasoline vary in the market,
Honda endorses the use of "TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline" where available to
help maintain the performance and reliability of your vehicle. TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline meets a new gasoline standard jointly established by leading automotive
manufacturers to meet the needs of today's advanced engines.
Fuel Information NOTICE We recommend quality gasoline containing
detergent additives that help prevent fuel system
and engine deposits. In addition, in order to
maintain good performance, fuel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly recommend, the
use of gasoline that does NOT contain harmful
manganese-based fuel additives such as MMT, if
such gasoline is available.
Use of gasoline with these additives may adversely
affect performance, and cause the malfunction
indicator lamp on your instrument panel to come
on. If this happens, contact your dealer for service.
Some gasoline today is blended with oxygenates
such as ethanol or MTBE. Your vehicle is designed
to operate on oxygenated gasoline containing up
to 10% ethanol by volume. Do not use gasoline
containing methanol. If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another service station or
switch to another brand of gasoline.

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

225
Continued
Maintenance
If the engine oil life is less than 15%, you will see the Maintenance Minder
messages appear on the multi-information display every time you turn the ignition
switch to ON
II
. The messages notify you when to change the engine oil, or
when to bring your vehicle to a dealer for indicated maintenance services.
Displaying the Engine Oil Life
1. Turn the ignition switch to ON
II
.
2. Press the SEL /RESET button repeatedly until the engine oil life appears on the
multi-information display.
The system message indicator (
) comes on along with the Maintenance Minder
message.
Displaying the Engine Oil Life
Based on the engine operating conditions, the
remaining engine oil life is calculated and displayed
as a percentage.
Displayed Engine Oil
Life (%)Calculated Engine Oil
Life (%)
10 0 10 0 to 91
90 90 to 81
80 80 to 71
70 70 to 61
60 60 to 51
50 50 to 41
40 40 to 31
30 30 to 21
20 20 to 16
15 15 to 11
10 10 to 6
5 5 to 1
00
Maintenance Minder™
Maintenance
Service Items
Remaining
Engine Oil Life
SEL /RESET
Button

227
Maintenance
Continued
Maintenance Minder™
Maintenance Service ItemsCODE Maintenance Main Items
A Replace engine oilt
*1
B Replace engine oilt
*1 and oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes t
Check parking brake adjustment t
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots t
Inspect suspension components t
Inspect driveshaft boots t
Inspect brake hoses and lines (Including ABS) t
*OTQFDU
BMM
nVJE
MFWFMT
BOE
DPOEJUJPO
PG
nVJET t
Inspect exhaust system t
#
Inspect fuel lines and connections t
#
CODE Maintenance Sub Items
1 Rotate tirest
2 Replace air cleaner elementt
*2
Replace dust and pollen filter t
*3
Inspect drive belt t
33FQMBDF
USBOTNJTTJPO
nVJE t
*4
4 Replace spark plugst
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump t
*5
Inspect valve clearance t
5 Replace engine coolantt
*4: If you drive regularly in mountainous areas or tow a trailer, replace the transmission fluid at 60,000
miles (100,000 km), then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km). (automatic transmission models only)
*5: If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110 °F, 43 °C ), in very low temperatures (under
-20 °F, -29 °C), or tow a trailer, replace every 60,000 miles/100,000 km. (6-cylinder models only)
#: See information on maintenance and emissions warranty. *1: Change the engine oil according to the Maintenance Minder, or annually, whichever comes first.
*2: If you drive primarily in dusty conditions, replace the air cleaner element every 15,000 miles (24,000
km).
*3: If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace the dust and pollen filter every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Maintenance Service Items
Independent of the Maintenance Minder tinformation, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 tkm).
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 tonly if they are noisy. Maintenance Minder
Message System Message
Indicator
Main Items
Sub Items

Checking and Maintaining Tires
Wear Indicators
264Maintenance
Tire Service LifeThe life of your tires is dependent on many factors, including driving habits, road
conditions, vehicle loading, inflation pressure, maintenance history, speed, and
environmental conditions (even when the tires are not in use).
In addition to regular inspections and inflation pressure maintenance, it is
recommended that you have annual inspections performed once the tires reach
five years old. All tires, including the spare, should be removed from service after
10 years from the date of manufacture, regardless of their condition or state of
wear.
Checking TiresHigh speed driving
We recommend that you do not drive faster than
the posted speed limits and conditions allow. If you
drive at sustained high speeds (over 118 mph or
190 km/h), adjust the tire pressures as shown below
to avoid excessive heat build up and sudden tire
failure. 6-cylinder models Tire Size P235/45R18 94V
Pressure 35 psi (240 kPa, 2.4 kgf/cm
2)
4-cylinder models Tire Size P225/50R17 93V
Pressure 35 psi (240 kPa, 2.4 kgf/cm
2)
If you do not, excessive heat can build up and cause
sudden tire failure.
The groove where the wear indicator is
located is 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) shallower than
elsewhere on the tire. If the tread has worn
so that the indicator is exposed, replace the
tire. Worn out tires have poor traction on
wet roads.
Wear Indicators
Example of a
Wear Indicator mark

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

319
Index
M to P
Continued
Index
Bulb Replacement
.....................................................
247
Daytime Running Lights
........................................
107
Fog Lights
......................................................................
107
High Beam Indicator Light
.....................................
69
Interior
............................................................................
125
Light Switches
.............................................................
105
Lights On Indicator
....................................................
69
Turn Signals
..................................................................
105
Load Limits
......................................................................
185
Locking/Unlocking
.....................................................
89
Auto Door Lock /Unlock
..........................................
94
Childproof Door Locks
.............................................
94
From Inside
.....................................................................
93
From Outside
..................................................................
91
Keys
....................................................................................
89
Lockout Prevention System
...................................
92
Using a Key
.....................................................................
92
Lockout Prevention System
..................................
92
Low Battery Charge
................................................
290
Lower Anchors
...............................................................
53
Low Fuel Indicator
.......................................................
66
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
..........................
64,290
Lubricant Specifications Chart
..............
303,305
Luggage (Maximum Load Limit)
....................
185
MMaintenance
..................................................................
221
Battery
............................................................................
268
Brake/Clutch Fluid
....................................................
24 4
Cleaning
.........................................................................
271Climate Control
..........................................................
270
Coolant
..........................................................................
240
Maintenance Minder
™ ............................................
225
Oil
.....................................................................................
235
Precautions
..................................................................
222
Radiator
..........................................................................
241
Remote Transmitter
.................................................
269
Replacing Light Bulbs
.............................................
247
Safety
..............................................................................
223
Service Items
................................................................
226
Tires
..................................................................................
259
Transmission Fluid
.....................................................
242
Under the Hood
........................................................
229
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.....................
65,291
Manual Transmission
...............................................
19 9
Map Lights
.......................................................................
125
Maximum Load Limit
..............................................
185
Meters, Gauges
.............................................................
75
Mirrors
................................................................................
114
Adjusting
.......................................................................
114
Automatic Dimming
................................................
114
Door
.................................................................................
114
Exterior
...........................................................................
114
Interior Rearview
.....................................................
114
Modifications (and Accessories)
.....................
219
Moonroof
.........................................................................
103
MP3
..............................................................................
147,153
Multi-information Display
.....................................
76
NNumbers (Identification)
.....................................
306
OOdometer
..........................................................................
77
Oil (Engine)
....................................................................
234
Adding
............................................................................
237
Checking
........................................................................
235
Displaying Oil Life
.....................................................
225
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
...........................
64,290
Recommended Engine Oil
..................................
234
Viscosity
........................................................................
234
Opening/Closing
Hood
................................................................................
231
Moonroof
......................................................................
103
Power Windows
........................................................
10 0
Tr u n k
..................................................................................
95
Outside Temperature Display
.............................
78
Overheating
..................................................................
288
PPaddle Shifters (Sequential Shift
Mode)
........................................................................
13,197
Panic Mode
.......................................................................
99
Parking
...............................................................................
214
Parking Brake
................................................................
210
Parking Brake and Brake System
Indicator
.................................................................
64,292
Passenger Airbag Off Indicator
........................
45