warning Acura TSX 2012 User Guide

49
uuChild SafetyuProtecting Child Passengers
Safe Driving
•Any child who is too small to wear a seat belt correctly must be restrained in an
approved child seat that is properly secured to the vehicle using either the lap belt
portion of the lap/shoulder belt or the lower anchors of the LATCH system.
•Never hold a child on your lap because it is impossible to protect them in the
event of a collision.
•Never put a seat belt over yourself and a child. During a crash, the belt would
likely press deep into the child and cause serious or fatal injuries.
•Never let two children use the same seat belt. Both children could be very
seriously injured in a crash.
•Do not allow children to operate the doors, windows or seat adjustments.
•Do not leave children in the vehicle unattended, especially in hot weather when
the inside of the vehicle can get hot enough to kill them. They could also activate
vehicle controls causing it to move unexpectedly.
1Protecting Child Passengers
To deactivate a lockable retractor, release the buckle
and allow the seat belt to wind up all the way.
To remind you of the passenger’s front airbag
hazards and child safety, your vehicle has warning
labels on the dashboard (U.S. models) and on the
front visors. Please read and follow the instructions
on these labels.
2Safety Labels P. 61
3
WARNING
Allowing a child to play with a seat belt or
wrap one around their neck can result in
serious injury or death.
Instruct children not to play with any seat
belt and make sure any unused seat belt a
child can reach is buckled, fully retracted,
and locked.

50
uuChild SafetyuSafety of Infants and Small Children
Safe Driving
Safety of Infants and Small ChildrenAn infant must be properly restrained in a rear-facing, reclining child seat until the
infant reaches the seat maker’s weight or height limit for the seat, and the infant is
at least one year old.
■
Positioning a rear-facing child seat
Child seats must be placed and secured in a
rear seating position.
When properly installed, a rear-facing child seat may prevent the driver or a front
passenger from moving their seat all the way back, or from locking their seat-back
in the desired position.
It can also interfere with proper operation of the passenger’s advanced front airbag
system.
2Airbags P. 33
If this occurs, we recommend that you install the child seat directly behind the front
passenger’s seat, move the seat as far forward as needed, and leave it unoccupied.
Or, you may wish to get a smaller rear-facing child seat.■
Protecting Infants
1Protecting Infants
Rear-facing child seats should never be installed in a
forward facing position.
Always refer to the child seat manufacturer’s
instructions before installation.
3
WARNING
Placing a rear-facing child seat in the front
seat can result in serious injury or death
during a crash.
Always place a rear-facing child seat in the
rear seat, not the front.

Continued
51
uuChild SafetyuSafety of Infants and Small Children
Safe Driving
If a child is at least one year old and within the weight range indicated by the child
seat manufacturer, the child should be properly restrained in a firmly secured
forward-facing child seat.
■
Forward-facing child seat placement
We strongly recommend placing a forward-
facing child seat in a rear seating position.
Placing a forward-facing child seat in the front seat can be hazardous, even with
advanced front airbags that automatically turn the passenger’s front airbag off. A
rear seat is the safest place for a child.
■
Protecting Smaller Children
1Protecting Smaller Children
Educate yourself about the laws and regulations
regarding child seat use where you are driving, and
follow the child seat manufacturer’s instructions.
Many experts recommend use of a rear-facing seat
up to age two, if the child’s height and weight are
appropriate for a rear-facing seat.
3
WARNING
Placing a forward-facing child seat in the
front seat can result in serious injury or
death if the front airbag inflates.
If you must place a forward-facing child
seat in front, move the vehicle seat as far
back as possible, and properly restrain the
child.

58
uuChild SafetyuSafety of Larger Children
Safe Driving
Safety of Larger ChildrenThe following pages give instructions on how to check proper seat belt fit, what kind
of booster seat to use if one is needed, and important precautions for a child who
must sit in front.
When a child is too big for a child seat, secure the child in a rear seat using the lap/
shoulder seat belt. Have the child sit upright and all the way back, then answer the
following questions.
■
Checklist
•Do the child’s knees bend comfortably over
the edge of the seat?
•Does the shoulder belt cross between the
child’s neck and arm?
•Is the lap part of the seat belt as low as
possible, touching the child’s thighs?
•Will the child be able to stay seated like this
for the whole trip?
If you answer yes to all these questions, the child is ready to wear the lap/shoulder
seat belt correctly. If you answer no to any question, the child needs to ride on a
booster seat until the seat belt fits properly without a booster seat.
■
Protecting Larger Children
■
Checking Seat Belt Fit
1Safety of Larger Children
3
WARNING
Allowing a child age 12 or under to sit in
front can result in serious injury or death if
the passenger’s front airbag inflates.
If a larger child must ride in front, move the
vehicle seat as far to the rear as possible,
have the child sit up properly and wear the
seat belt properly, using a booster seat if
needed.

60Safe Driving
Exhaust Gas HazardCarbon Monoxide GasThe engine exhaust from this vehicle contains carbon monoxide, a colorless,
odorless, and highly toxic gas. As long as you properly maintain your vehicle, carbon
monoxide gas will not get into the interior.■
Have the exhaust system inspected for leaks whenever
•The exhaust system is making an unusual noise.
•The exhaust system may have been damaged.
•The vehicle is raised for an oil change.
When you operate a vehicle with the trunk open, airflow can pull exhaust gas into
the interior and create a hazardous condition. If you must drive with the trunk open,
open all the windows and set the climate control system as shown below.
1.Select the fresh air mode.
2.Select the mode.
3.Set the fan speed to high.
4.Set the temperature control to a comfortable setting.
Adjust the climate control system in the same manner if you sit in your parked
vehicle with the engine running.
1Carbon Monoxide Gas
An enclosed area such as a garage can quickly fill up
with carbon monoxide gas.
Do not run the engine with the garage door closed.
Even when the garage door is open, drive out of the
garage immediately after starting the engine.
3
WARNING
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause unconsciousness and
even kill you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or activities that
expose you to carbon monoxide.

63
Instrument Panel
This chapter describes the buttons, indicators, and gauges that are used while driving.
Indicators............................................ 64
Multi-Information Display Warning and
Information Messages ...................... 72
Gauges and Multi-Information Display
Gauges .............................................. 75
Multi-Information Display .................. 76

69
uuIndicatorsu
Continued
Instrument Panel
Indicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
System Message
Indicator
●
Comes on along with a beep when
a problem is detected. A system
message on the multi-information
display appears at the same time.
●
While the indicator is on, press the
(information) button to see the
message again.
●
Refer to the Indicators information in this
chapter when a system message appears
on the multi-information display. Take
the appropriate action for the message.
●
The multi-information display does not
return to the normal screen unless the
warning is canceled, or the
button is pressed.
—
Turn Signal
Indicators
●
The turn signal indicators blink
when you operate the turn signal
lever.
●
If you press the hazard warning
button, both indicators and all turn
signals blink at the same time.
●
Does not blink or blinks rapidly - A
turn signal light bulb has blown. Change
the bulb immediately.
2Replacing Light Bulbs
P. 252, 253
—
High Beam
Indicator
●
Comes on when the high beam
headlights are on.
●
Comes on with reduced brightness
when DRL (daytime running lights)
are on.
—
—
Lights On
Indicator
●
Comes on whenever the light
switch is on, or in AUTO when the
exterior lights are on.
●
If you remove the key from the ignition
switch while the lights are on, a chime
sounds when the driver’s door is opened.
—

72
uuIndicatorsuMulti-Information Display Warning and Information Messages
Instrument Panel
Multi-Information Display Warning and Information MessagesThe following messages appear only on the multi-information display. Press the (information) button to see the message again
with the system message indicator on.
Message
Condition
Explanation
●
Appears when the engine coolant temperature gets
abnormally high.
2Overheating P. 288
●
Appears when the fuel fill cap is loose or is not
installed.
2Tighten Fuel Fill Cap Message P. 291
●
Appears if there is a problem with the DRL system.
●
Have your vehicle checked by a dealer.
2Daytime Running Lights P. 107
●
Appears when washer fluid gets low.
●
Refill washer fluid.
2Refilling Window Washer Fluid P. 246
Canadian models

73
uuIndicatorsuMulti-Information Display Warning and Information Messages
Continued
Instrument Panel
Message
Condition
Explanation
●
Appears when the scheduled maintenance is due
soon.
●
Consequently, SERVICE DUE NOW and SERVICE
PAST DUE follow.
2Maintenance Minder Messages on the Multi-
Information Display P. 226
●
Appears when you open the driver’s door while the
ignition key is in ACCESSORY
(q
.
●
Turn the ignition switch to LOCK
(0
, then remove the
key.
●
Appears when the ignition key is turned to
ACCESSORY
(q
from ON
(w
. (The driver’s door is
closed.)
—
●
Appears when you open the driver’s door while the
ignition key is in LOCK
(0
.
●
Remove the key from the ignition switch.

74
uuIndicatorsuMulti-Information Display Warning and Information Messages
Instrument Panel
Message
Condition
Explanation
●
Appears when the starter system has a problem.
●
As a temporary measure, hold the ignition switch to
START
(e
for up to 15 seconds and start the engine.
Have the vehicle checked by a dealer.
6-cylinder models
U.S.Canada