Acura TSX 2012 Repair Manual

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.

61Safe Driving
Safety LabelsLabel LocationsThese labels are in the locations shown. They warn you of potential hazards that can cause serious injury or death. Read these labels
carefully.
If a label comes off or becomes hard to read (except for the U.S. dashboard label which may be removed by the owner), contact a dealer
for a replacement.
Sun Visor
U.S. models
Canadian models
Radiator CapDoorjambs
U.S. models U.S. models onlyDashboard
Canadian
models

62

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

64Instrument Panel
IndicatorsIndicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
Parking Brake and
Brake System
Indicator
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON (w
, then goes off.
●
Comes on when the parking brake
is applied, and goes off when it is
released.
●
Come on when the brake fluid
level is low.
●
Comes on if there is a problem
with the brake system.
●
The beeper sounds and the
indicator comes on if you drive
with the parking brake not fully
released.
●
Comes on while driving - Make sure
the parking brake is released. Check the
brake fluid level.
2What to do when the indicator
comes on while driving P. 292
●
Comes on along with the ABS
indicator - Have the vehicle checked by
a dealer.
2If the Brake System Indicator
Comes On P. 292
Low Oil Pressure
Indicator
●
Comes on when you turn the
ignition switch to ON
(w
, and goes
off when the engine starts.
●
Comes on when the engine oil
pressure is low.
●
Comes on while driving - Immediately
stop in a safe place.
2If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator
Comes On P. 290
Shift Position
Indicator
*
●
Indicates the current shift lever
position.
2Shifting P. 195
—
U.S.Canada
U.S.
Canada
* Not available on all models

65
uuIndicatorsu
Continued
Instrument Panel
Indicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp
●
Comes on when you turn the
ignition switch to ON
(w
, and goes
off either when the engine starts
or after several seconds if the
engine is not started. If “readiness
codes” have not been set, it blinks
five times before it goes off.
●
Comes on if there is a problem
with the emissions control system.
●
Blinks when a misfire in the
engine’s cylinders is detected.
●
Readiness codes are part of the on board
diagnostics for the emissions control
systems.
2Testing of Readiness Codes P. 311
●
Comes on while driving - Have the
vehicle checked by a dealer.
●
Blinks while driving - Stop in a safe
place where there are no flammable
objects. Stop the engine for 10 minutes
or more, and wait for it to cool down.
Then, take the vehicle to a dealer.
2If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Comes On or Blinks P. 291
Charging System
Indicator
●
Comes on when you turn the
ignition switch to ON
(w
, and goes
off when the engine starts.
●
Comes on when the battery is not
charging.
●
Comes on while driving - Turn off the
climate control system and rear defogger
in order to reduce electricity
consumption.
2If the Charging System Indicator
Comes On P. 290
Transmission
Indicator
*
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON (w
, then goes off.
●
Blinks if the transmission system
has a problem.
●
Blinks while driving - Avoid sudden
starts and acceleration and have the
vehicle checked by a dealer immediately.
* Not available on all models

66
uuIndicatorsu
Instrument Panel
Indicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
M (sequential shift
mode) Indicator/
Gear Position
Indicator
*
●
Comes on when the manual
sequential shift mode is applied.
●
Blinks if the transmission system
has a problem.
2Sequential Shift Mode P. 197
—
Seat Belt
Reminder
Indicator
●
Comes on and the beeper sounds
if you are not wearing a seat belt
when you turn the ignition switch
to ON
(w
. If the front passenger is
not wearing a seat belt, the
indicator comes on about a few
seconds later.
●
Blinks while driving if either you or
the front passenger has not
fastened a seat belt. The beeper
sounds and the indicator blinks at
regular intervals.
●
The beeper stops and the indicator goes
off when you and the front passenger
fasten their seat belts.
●
Stays on after you or the front
passenger has fastened the seat belt
- A detection error may have occurred in
the sensor. Have the vehicle checked by a
dealer.
2Seat Belt Reminder P. 27
Low Fuel
Indicator
●
Comes on when the fuel reserve is
running low (approximately 2.8
U.S. gal./10.5 Liter left).
●
Blinks if there is a problem with the
fuel gauge.
●
Comes on - Refuel your vehicle as soon
as possible.
●
Blinks - Have the vehicle checked by a
dealer.
ABS (Anti-lock
Brake System)
Indicator
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON (w
, then goes off.
●
If it comes on at any other time,
there is a problem with the ABS.
●
Stays on constantly - Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer. With this indicator
on, your vehicle still has normal braking
ability but no anti-lock function.
2ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) P. 212
Indicator* Not available on all models

67
uuIndicatorsu
Continued
Instrument Panel
Indicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
Supplemental
Restraint System
Indicator
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON (w
, then goes off.
●
Comes on if a problem with any of
the following is detected:
-Supplemental restraint system
-Side airbag system
-Side curtain airbag system
-Seat belt tensioner
●
Stays on constantly or does not come
on at all - Have the vehicle checked by a
dealer.
VSA® (Vehicle
Stability Assist)
System Indicator
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON (w
, then goes off.
●
Blinks when VSA® is active.
●
Comes on if there is a problem
with the VSA® system.
●
Stays on constantly - Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer.
2VSA® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka
ESC (Electronic Stability Control),
System P. 204
VSA® (Vehicle
Stability Assist)
OFF Indicator
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON (w
, then goes off.
●
Comes on when you deactivate
VSA®.
2VSA® On and Off P. 205
—

68
uuIndicatorsu
Instrument Panel
Indicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
Door and Trunk
Open Indicator
●
Comes on for a few seconds if you
turn the ignition switch to ON
(w
,
then goes off.
●
Comes on if the trunk or any door
is not completely closed.
●
Goes off if a door or the trunk is closed.
EPS (Electric
Power Steering
System) Indicator
●
Comes on when you turn the
ignition switch to ON
(w
, and goes
off when the engine starts.
●
Comes on if there is a problem
with the EPS (Electric Power
Steering System).
●
Stays on constantly or does not come
on at all - Have the vehicle checked by a
dealer.
2If the EPS Indicator Comes On P. 292
Low Tire Pressure/
TPMS Indicator
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON (w
.
●
Comes on if the tire pressure of
any of the tires becomes
significantly low.
●
Blinks for about one minute, and
then stays on if there is a problem
with the TPMS, or when a compact
spare tire is temporarily installed.
●
Comes on while driving - Stop in a
safe place, check tire pressures, and
inflate the tire(s) if necessary.
●
Blinks and remains on - Have the
vehicle checked by a dealer. If the vehicle
is fitted with a compact spare, get your
regular tire repaired or replaced and put
back on your vehicle as soon as you can.

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.
—