engine Acura TL 2003 3.2 User Guide

Donotdropthekeysorsetheavy
objects on them.
Keep the keys away f rom liquids.
If they get wet, dry them immedi-
ately with a soft cloth.
The keys do not contain batteries.
Do not try to take them apart.
These keys contain electronic
circuits that are activated by the
Immobilizer System. They will not
work to start the engine if the
circuits are damaged. Protect the keys f rom direct
sunlight, high temperature, and
high humidity. Your car also comes with two remote
transmitters; see page for an
explanation of the operation.
Your car comes with two master
keys and a valet key.
The master key fits all the locks on
your car;
 Ignition
 Doors
Glovebox
 Trunk pass-through cover Youshouldhavereceivedakey
number plate with your keys. You
will need this key number if you ever
have to get a lost key replaced. Keep
the plate stored in a saf e place. If you
need to replace a key, use only an
Acura-approved key blank. The valet key works only in the
ignition and the door locks. You can
keep the trunk pass-through cover,
and glove box locked when you leave
your car and the valet key at a
parking f acility.
81
Keys
Remote Transmitter
Keys and Locks
Inst rument s and Cont rols76
V V
A
AL
LEE T
T K
KEEY
Y
(
( G
GR REEY
Y) )
M
M
A
AS
STTE
ER
R
K
KE EY
Y
(
( B
BL LAA C
CKK))
K
KE
EY
Y
N
NU UMM B
BEER
R
P
P L
LAA T
TE
E

The Immobilizer System indicator
will also blink several times when
you turn the ignition switch f rom ON
(II) to ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK (0).
Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it. Electrical
problems could result that may make
your car undriveable.
If you have lost your key and you
cannot start the engine, contact your
Acura dealer.
The system may not recognize your
key’s coding if another immobilizer
key or other metal object is near the
ignition switch when you insert the
key. To make sure the system
recognizes the key code:
Do not keep other immobilizer
keys on the same key ring.
Use a plastic or leather key f ob,
not metal.
Keep other keys away f rom your
car’s key and the ignition switch
while trying to start the engine.
If the system repeatedly does not
recognize the coding of your key,
contact your Acura dealer.
The Immobilizer System protects
your car f rom thef t. A properly-
coded master or valet key must be
used in the ignition switch f or the
engine to start. If an improperly-
coded key (or other device) is used,
the engine’s f uel system is disabled.
When you turn the ignition switch to
ON (II), the Immobilizer System
indicator should come on f or a f ew
seconds, then go out. If the indicator
starts to blink, it means the system
does not recognize the coding of the
key. Turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0), remove the key, reinsert
it, and turn the switch to ON (II)
again.
CONT INUED
Immobilizer System
Keys and Locks
Inst rument s and Cont rols77

µµ
µ
This is the normal key
position when driving. All f eatures
and accessories on the car are usable.
Several of the lights on the instru-
ment panel come on as a test when
you turn the ignition switch f rom
ACCESSORY to ON. In this position,
you can operate the audio system
and the accessory power sockets.
Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to ON (II) when you let go of
the key.
The engine will not start if the
Immobilizer System does not
recognize the key’s coding (see page ). You will hear a reminder beeper if
you leave the key LOCK (0) or
ACCESSORY (I) position and open
thedriver’sdoor.Removethekeyto
turn of f the beeper.
Each f ront door has a master door
lock switch. Either switch locks and
unlocks all doors. Push the switch
down to lock all doors, and up to
unlock them.
77
CONT INUED
ON (II) A CCESSORY (I)
ST A RT (III) Power Door L ocks
Keys and Locks
Inst rument s and Cont rols79
M M
A
AS
STTE
ER
R D
DO
OO ORR L
LOOC CKK S
SWWI ITT C
CH H

The HI or LO indicator lights and
remains lit until you turn it of f by
pushing the opposite side of the
switch lightly. The indicator will turn
off.
In HI, the heater turns of f when the
seat gets warm, and turns back on
after the seat’s temperature drops. It
continues to cycle as long as you
leave it set on HI. The HI indicator
remains lit as a reminder that you
have the heater on.
In LO, the heater runs continuously.
It does not cycle with temperature
changes.
Both f ront seats are equipped with
seat heaters. The ignition switch
must be ON (II) to use them. Push
the front of the switch, HI, to rapidly
heat up the seat. After the seat
reaches a comf ortable temperature,
select LO by pushing the back of the
switch. This will keep the seat warm. Follow these precautions whenever
you use the seat heaters:
Do not use the seat heaters, even
on the LO setting, if the engine is
lef t idling f or an extended period.
They can weaken the battery,
causing hard starting. Use the HI setting only to heat the
seats quickly. Select the LO
setting when the seats f eel warm.
The HI setting draws large
amounts of current f rom the
battery.
Because of the sensors f or the side
airbag system, there is no heater in
the passenger’s seat-back.
Seat Heaters
Inst rument s and Cont rols99
S SE EA
A T
T H
HE
EA
A T
TE
ER
RS S

The power window system has a key-
of f delay f unction. The windows will
stilloperateforuptotenminutes
after you turn off the ignition.
Opening either f ront door cancels
the delay function. You must turn
the ignition switch ON (II) again
bef ore you can raise or lower the
windows.
If your car’s battery is disconnected
or goes dead, or the driver’s window
f use is removed, the AUTO f unction
will be disabled. The power window
system needs to be reset af ter
reconnecting the battery or installing
the f use. You should do the f ollowing.
Start the engine. Push down on
the driver’s window switch until
the window is f ully open.
Pull back on the driver’s window
switch to close the window
completely, then hold the switch
f or a second or two more.
If the power windows do not operate
properly af ter resetting, have your
car checked by an Acura dealer. 1.
2.
Power Windows
Inst rument s and Cont rols102

To apply the parking brake, push the
parking brake pedal down with your
f oot. To release the parking brake,
push on the pedal again. The parking
brake light on the instrument panel
should go out when the parking
brake is f ully released with the
engine running. (see page .)59
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Parking Brake
104
P PA
A R
RKKIINNG G B
BRRAA K
KEE P
PE
ED
D A
AL
L
Driving the car with the parking brake
applied can damage the rear brakes
and axles.

The automatic climate control
system in your Acura picks the
proper combination of air condi-
tioning, heating, and ventilation to
maintain the interior temperature
you select. The system also adjusts
the fan speed and air flow levels.
The direction of air f low f rom the
vents in the center and each side of
the dashboard, and in back of the
center console is adjustable.For the climate control system to
provide heating and cooling, the
engine must be running. The climate control system draws air
through the exterior vents at the
bottom of the windshield. Keep
these vents clear of leaves and other
debris.
To adjust the air f low f rom each vent,
move the tab in the center of each
vent up-and-down and side-to-side.
The side and rear vents can be
opened and closed with the dials.
Climat e Cont rol Syst em
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures116
C CE
EN
NT TE
ER
R V
VE
EN
NT TS
S D
DR
RIIVV E
ER
R’ ’SS- -S
SI IDD E
E V
VE
EN
NT T

Bef ore you begin driving your Acura,
youshouldknowwhatgasolineto
use, and how to check the levels of
important f luids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggage
or packages. The inf ormation in this
section will help you. If you plan to
add any accessories to your car,
please read the inf ormation in this
section f irst..............................
Break-in Period .174
.........................................
Gasoline .174
.........
Service Station Procedures . 175
................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 175
....................
Opening the Hood .176
...............................
Oil Check .178
.........
Engine Coolant Check . 179
...............................
Fuel Economy .180
.....................
Vehicle Condition .180
...........................
Driving Habits .180
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 181
.............................
Carrying Cargo .183
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving173

During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Avoidhardbraking.Newbrakes
need to be broken-in by moderate
use f or the f irst 200 miles (300
km).
Help assure your car’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
Do not change the oil until the
recommended time or mileage
intervalshowninthemaintenance
schedule.
Youshouldfollowthesesamere-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are relined. In Canada, some gasolines contain
an octane-enhancing additive called
MMT. If you use such gasolines,
your emissions control system
perf ormance may deteriorate and
the Malf unction Indicator Lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on.
If this happens, contact your
authorized Acura dealer f or service.
Your Acura is designed to operate on
premium unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane number of 91 or higher.
Useof aloweroctanegasolinecan
cause occasional, metallic knocking
noises in the engine and will result in
decreased engine perf ormance.
We recommend gasolines containing
detergent additives that help prevent
f uel system and engine deposits.
Using gasoline containing lead will
damage your car’s emissions
controls. This contributes to air
pollution.
Bef ore Driving
Break-in Period
Gasoline
Break-in Period, Gasoline
174

Because the f uel f ill cap is on the
driver’s side of the car, park with
that side closest to the service
station pumps.
Open the f uel f ill door by pulling
onthehandleattheoutsideof the
driver’s seat.Remove the f uel f ill cap slowly.
You may hear a hissing sound as
pressure inside the tank escapes.
Place the cap in the holder on the
fuel fill door.
1.
2. 3.
CONT INUED
Filling the Fuel Tank
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving175
F FU
UE EL
L F
FIILLL L C
CAA P
P
P
P
u
ul
lll
Gasoline is highly flammable
and explosive. You can be
burned or seriously injured
when handling fuel.
Stop the engine and keep
heat, sparks, and flame away.
Handle fuel only outdoors.
Wipe up spills immediately.