lights Acura TL 2004 User Guide

The automatic lighting of f f eature
turns off the headlights, all other
exterior lights, and the instrument
panel lights within 15 seconds of
removing the key from the ignition
switch and closing the driver’s door.
You can change this 15 second timer
to 0, 30, or 60 seconds (see page ).The lights will turn on again when
you unlock or open the driver’s door.
If you unlock the door, but do not
open it within 15 seconds, the lights
will go off. With the driver’s door
open, you will hear a lights-on
reminder chime.
Push the button between the center
vents to turn on the hazard warning
lights (f our-way f lashers). This
causes all f our outside turn signals
and both indicators in the instrument
panel to f lash. Use the hazard
warning lights if you need to park in
a dangerous area near heavy traffic,
or if your vehicle is disabled.
The automatic lighting of f f eature
activates if you leave the headlight
switch in the ‘‘ ’’ or ‘‘ ’’
position, remove the key, open, then
close the driver’s door.
If you remove the key f rom the
ignition switch with the headlight
switch on, but do not open the door
and get out, the lights will turn of f
af ter 10 minutes. 69
Automatic Lighting Of f , Hazard Warning Button
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Automatic L ighting Of f Feature
Hazard Warning Button
76

µµµ
µ
Press this button once to
lock all doors. Some exterior lights
will f lash. When you push LOCK
twice within 5 seconds, you will hear
a beep to verify that the doors are
locked and the security system has
set. You cannot lock the doors if any
door is not f ully closed or if the key
is in the ignition switch. Press this button once
to unlock the driver’s door or all the
doors (depending on the Keyless
Memory Setting). Press it twice to
unlock the other doors. Some
exterior lights will f lash twice each
time you press the button.
The ceiling light (if the ceiling light
switch is in the center position) will
come on when you press the
UNLOCK button. If you do not open
anydoorswithin30seconds(or
whatever setting the relock timer is
set to), the light f ades out. If you
relock the doors with the remote
transmitter before 30 seconds have
elapsed, the light will go of f
immediately. Pressthisbuttonfor
about 1 second to open the trunk.
You cannot open the trunk with the
remote transmitter if the trunk main
button is turned of f .
Pressthisbuttonfor
about 2 seconds to attract attention:
thehornwillsoundandtheexterior
lights will f lash f or about 30 seconds.
To cancel panic mode, press any
other button on the remote
transmitter or turn the ignition
switch to ON (II).
If you unlock the doors with the
remote transmitter, but do not open
anydoorswithin30seconds,the
doors automatically relock and the
security system sets. To change this
setting, ref er to Keyless Memory
Settings on page . 66
Remote Transmitter
Inst rument s and Cont rols
LOCK UNL OCK
T RUNK
PA NIC
85
TRUNK
RELEASE
BUTTON
LOCK
BUTTON
UNLOCK
BUTTON PANIC
BUTTON
LED

Keeptheinsideandoutsidemirrors
clean and adjusted f or best visibility.
Be sure to adjust the mirrors bef ore
you start driving.The inside mirror can automatically
darken to reduce glare. To turn on
this feature, press the button on the
bottom of the mirror. The AUTO
indicator comes on as a reminder.
When it is on, the mirror darkens
when it senses the headlights of a
vehicle behind you, then returns to
normal visibility when the lights are
gone. Press the button again to turn
of f this sensing. Move the selector switch to L
(driver’s side) or R (passenger’s
side).
Push the appropriate edge of the
adjustment switch to move the
mirrorright,left,up,ordown.
1.
2.
Mirrors
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Adjusting the Power Mirrors
91
SELECTOR SWITCH
ADJUSTMENT
SWITCH

The f ront ceiling light has a three-
position switch; ON, Door Activated,
and OFF.
Whenthe‘‘ ’’sideof theswitch
is pushed in, both f ront and rear
ceiling lights are ON all the time.
Whenthe‘‘ ’’sideispushedin,
the lights are of f all the time.When neither side is pushed in
(Door Activated), the lights come on
when you:
Open any door.
Unlock the doors with the key or
remote transmitter.
After all doors are closed tightly,
both f ront and rear ceiling lights
f ade out in 5, 15, or 30 seconds
depending on your custom setting
(see page ). Both f ront and rear ceiling lights
work as individual map lights. To
turn a map light on or of f , press its
lens. You can use the f ront map
lights regardless of the position of
the f ront ceiling light switch.
With the f ront ceiling light switch in
the OFF position, the rear map lights
do not work, and the interior lights
do not come on when you open a
door.
70
Interior Lights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Ceiling L ight
104

The security system sets
automatically 15 seconds after you
lock the doors, hood, and trunk. For
the system to activate, you must lock
the doors f rom the outside with the
key, lock tab, door lock switch, or
remote transmitter. The security
system indicator next to the driver’s
door lock starts blinking immediately
to show you the system is setting
itself .With the system set, you can still
open the trunk with the remote
transmitter without triggering the
alarm. The alarm will sound if the
trunk is opened with the trunk
releasebuttononthedriver’sdoor,
thetrunkreleasehandlebehindthe
trunk pass-through cover, or the
emergency trunk opener.
The security system will not set if
the hood, trunk, or any door is not
f ully closed. If the system will not set,
check the Door and Trunk Open
Monitor on the multi-inf ormation
display (see page ) to see if the
doors and trunk are f ully closed.
Since it is not part of the monitor
display, manually check the hood.
Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it.
The security system helps to protect
your vehicle and valuables f rom thef t.
The horn sounds and a combination
of headlights, parking lights, side
marker lights and taillights f lash if
someone attempts to break into your
vehicleorremovetheradio.This
alarm continues f or 2 minutes, then
the system resets. To reset an
alarming system bef ore the 2
minutes have elapsed, unlock the
driver’s door with the key or use the
remote transmitter.
Once the security system is set,
opening any door or the hood
without using the key or the remote
transmitter will cause the system to
alarm. It also alarms if the radio is
removed f rom the dashboard or the
wiring is cut. 60
Security System
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures141
SECURITY SYSTEM LIGHT

CONT INUED
Your vehicle is equipped with the
HandsFreeLink (HFL). HFL uses
Bluetooth technology as a wireless
link between it and your Bluetooth
compatible cell phone. When you are
in your vehicle and your phone is
linked to the HFL, you’ll enjoy saf e,
hands-f ree phone use. The HFL is
available only in English.When the HFL is in use, the sound
comes through the vehicle’s f ront
audio system speakers. If the audio
system is in use while making a call,
the HFL over-rides the audio system.
To change the volume level, use the
audio system volume knob. The HFL microphone is on the
ceiling, between the f ront seat
spotlights. On models with
navigation system, the microphone is
shared with the navigation system. Here are the main components of
the HFL system: The HFL can store up to 50 names
and phone numbers in its phonebook.
Withalinkedphone,youcanthen
automatically dial any name or
number in the phonebook.
Here are the main f eatures of the
HFL. Instructions f or using the HFL
begin on page .
HFL recognizes simple voice
commands, such as phone numbers
and names. It uses these commands
to automatically dial, receive, and
store numbers. For more
inf ormation on voice control, see
UsingVoiceControlonpage . Bluetooth
is a registered trademark
of Bluetooh SIG, Inc.
Bluetooth is the wireless technology
that links your phone to the HFL.
TheHFLusesaClass3Bluetooth,
which means the maximum range
between your phone and vehicle is
30 f eet (10 meters) or less.
To use the HFL, your phone must
have Bluetooth capability along with
the Hands Free Prof ile. This type of
phone is available through many
phone makers and cellular carriers.
You can also f ind a phone by visiting In Canada, visit
With a linked phone, the HFL allows
you to send and receive calls in your
vehicle without holding the phone.
152
152
www.acura.com.www.acura.ca.
HandsFreeL ink
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
BluetoothWireless Technology
Audio System Microphone Phonebook
Voice Control Incoming/Outgoing Calls
149
TM

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.

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

Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly or
your vehicle may roll if it is parked
on an incline.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake
bef ore you put the transmission in
Park. This keeps the vehicle f rom
moving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission.Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you. Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.
If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the f ront wheels away f rom the
curb. If you have a manual
transmission, put it in f irst gear.
If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb. If you have a manual
transmission, put it in reverse gear.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Lock the doors.
Parking T ips
Parking
Driving187

Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious in your driving.
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
Your Acura is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The ABS helps
you retain steering control when
braking very hard.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their ef f ectiveness.
It also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, conf using drivers behind
you.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear. If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.
Braking System Design
Brake Wear Indicators
Braking System
Driving188
Front