Acura TL 2004 Owner's Manual

Always maintain your vehicle
according to the maintenance
messages given by the multi-
inf ormation display. Seeon page
.
an underinf lated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses f uel.
The build-up of snow or mud on
your vehicle’s underside adds
weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
mileage and reduces the chance of
corrosion.
Drive moderately. Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking use more f uel.
Always drive in the highest gear
possible. Try to maintain a constant speed.
Everytimeyouslowdownand
speed up, your vehicle uses extra
fuel.Usethecruisecontrolwhen
appropriate.
Combine several short trips into
one.
The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
usemorefuel.Usethefresh-air
ventilation when possible.
198
For example,
Fuel Economy
Improving Fuel Economy
Owner’s
Maintenance Checks
Bef ore Driving168

Modif ying your vehicle, or installing
some non-Acura accessories, can
make it unsaf e. Bef ore you make any
modif ications or add any accessories,
be sure to read the f ollowing
inf ormation.
Your dealer has Acura accessories
that allow you to personalize your
vehicle. These accessories have
been designed and approved f or your
vehicle, and are covered by warranty.Bef ore installing any accessory:
Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interf ere
with proper vehicle operation or
perf ormance.
Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits
(see page ) or interf ere with
proper operation.
Have the installer contact your
Acura dealer f or assistance bef ore
installing any electronic accessory.
When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interf ere with your vehicle’s
computer controlled systems, such
as the SRS and the anti-lock brake
system.
Although aftermarket accessories
may f it on your vehicle, they may not
meet f actory specif ications, and
could adversely af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and stability (see page ). 245
170
A ccessories
Bef ore Driving
A ccessories and Modif ications
169
Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your
vehicle’s handling, stability, and
performance, and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt
or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding
accessories and modifications.

Removing parts f rom your vehicle,
or replacing components with non-
Acura (aftermarket) components
could seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling, stability, and reliability.
Some examples are:Lowering your vehicle with an
aftermarket suspension kit that
signif icantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to hit speed bumps
or other raised objects, which
could cause the airbags to deploy.
Raising your vehicle with an
af termarket suspension kit can
af f ect the handling and stability.
Af termarket wheels, because they
are a universal design, can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components. Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interf ere with the operation of
your vehicle’s anti-lock brakes and
other systems.
Do not modif y your steering wheel
or any other part of your
Supplemental Restraint System.
Modif ications could make the
system inef f ective. See the saf ety
precautions on page .
If you plan to modif y your vehicle,
consult your Acura dealer. 28
Modif ying Your Vehicle
Bef ore Driving
A ccessories and Modif ications
170

Your vehicle has several convenient
storage areas:Glove box
Front door and seat-back pockets
Console compartment
Trunk
Roof -rack (if installed)
In addition, the trunk pass-through
allows you to carry longer items.
However, carrying too much cargo,
or improperly storing it, can af f ect
your vehicle’s handling, stability,
stopping distance, and tires, and
make it unsaf e. Bef ore carrying any
type of cargo, be sure to read the
f ollowing pages.
Bef ore Driving
Carrying Cargo
171
CONSOLE COMPARTMENT FRONT DOOR POCKET
TRUNK SEAT-BACK POCKET GLOVE BOX

·µ
The maximum load f or your vehicle
is 850 lbs (395 kg). This f igure
includes total weight of all occupants,
cargo, and accessories.
To determine the correct cargo and
luggage load limit:
Locate the statement, ‘‘the
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed 850 lbs
(395 kg)’’ on your vehicle’s placard
(on the driver’s doorjamb).
Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in the vehicle.
(Five is seating capacity of your
vehicle.)
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers f rom
850 lbs (395 kg).
The resulting f igure equals the
available load capacity. For example, if there will be f our 150
lbs (70 kg) occupants in your vehicle,
the amount of available cargo and
luggage load capacity is 250 lbs (115
kg).
4 150 lbs (70 kg) = 600 lbs (280
kg)
850 lbs (395 kg) 600 lbs (280 kg) =
250 lbs (115 kg)
Determine the combined weight
of accessories, luggage, and cargo
beingloadedinthevehicle.The
weight may not saf ely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load
capacity calculated in step 4.
1.
5.
3. 2.
4.
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving172
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.

Distribute cargo evenly on the
f loor of the trunk, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as f ar f orward as possible.
If you carry large items that
prevent you f rom closing the trunk
lid, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility of, f ollow the instructions
on page .
If you carry any items on a roof
rack,besurethetotalweightof
the rack and the items does not
exceed the maximum allowable
weight. Please contact your Acura
dealer f or f urther inf ormation.
Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop. Be sure items placed on the f loor
behind the f ront seats cannot roll
under the seats and interf ere with
the pedals or seat operation. Do not put any items on top of the
trunk panel. They can block your
view and be thrown around the
vehicle during a crash.
The cargo net can be used to help
hold down items stored in the trunk.
To use the cargo net, hook it to the
buttons on the f loor and sides of the
trunk. You can use the cargo net in
several conf igurations by hooking it
to dif f erent buttons. There is also a
side net that can be used on either
side of the trunk.
When you are not using the cargo
net, store it in the pocket in the spare
tire tool case.
46
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
Carrying Cargo in the Trunk or on
a Roof Rack
carbon monoxide
poisoning
Carrying Items in the Passenger
Compartment
Cargo Nets
173
CARGO NET
TRUNK NET HOOK SIDE NET

174

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
6-speed manual and the automatic
transmission. It also includes
important inf ormation on parking
your vehicle, the braking system and
the Vehicle Stability Assist System.........................
Preparing to Drive .176
.......................
Starting the Engine .177
....
6-Speed Manual Transmission . 178
..............
Automatic Transmission . 181
...........................................
Parking .187
.............................
Braking System .188
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) . 189
...
Vehicle Stability Assist System . 190
...........................
Towing a Trailer .192
Driving
Driving175

Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments every day bef ore
you drive your vehicle.Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Check that the hood and trunk are
f ully closed.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
Check that any items you may be
carrying with you inside are stored
properly or f astened down
securely. Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).
Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.
When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicator lights in the
instrument panel (see page ).
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
3. 2.
1.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.
9. 88
91 78
14 51
Preparing to Drive
Driving176

Apply the parking brake.
In cold weather, turn of f all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.
Push the clutch pedal down all the
way.
Make sure the shif t lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal.
Without touching the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to the
START (III) position. Do not hold
the key in START for more than
15 seconds at a time. If the engine
does not start right away, pause
f or at least 10 seconds bef ore
trying again.If the engine does not start within
15 seconds, or starts but stalls
right away, repeat step 4 with the
accelerator pedal pressed halfway
down. If the engine starts, release
pressure on the accelerator pedal
so the engine does not race.
If the engine fails to start, press
the accelerator pedal all the way
downandholdittherewhile
starting to clear flooding. If the
engine still does not start, return
to step 5.
1.
2.
3.
4. 5.
6.
Manual Transmission:
Automatic Transmission:
Driving
Starting the Engine
177
NOTICE: The engine is harder to start
in cold weather. Also, the thinner air
f ound at altitudes above 8,000 f eet
(2,400 meters) adds to this problem.