check engine light Acura TL 2006 Owner's Manual

This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise to
about the middle of the gauge. In
severe driving conditions, the pointer
may rise to the upper zone. If it
reaches the red (hot) mark, pull
safely to the side of the road. Turn to
page f or instructions and
precautions on checking the engine’s
cooling system.
This shows how much f uel you have.
It may show slightly more or less
than the actual amount. Driving
uphill or making turns can cause the
needle to f luctuate or the low f uel
indicator to come on early. The
needle returns to the bottom after
you turn of f the ignition.254
Temperature Gauge
Fuel Gauge
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
66
FUEL GAUGE
TEMPERATURE GAUGE
SPEEDOMETER
TACHOMETER
Avoid driving with an extremely low f uel level. Running out of f uel could cause
the engine to misf ire, damaging the catalytic converter.

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 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.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely. When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel, and the
messages on the multi-inf ormation
display (see page , and
).
3. 2.
1.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.
16 59 68
9. 10.
98
101 88 73
Preparing to Drive
Driving188

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.
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. Your vehicle 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 anti-lock
brake system (ABS) helps you retain
steering control when braking very
hard. 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.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
200

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer. This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance messages in the multi-
inf ormation display, a maintenance
record, and instructions f or simple
maintenance tasks you may want to
take care of yourself .......................
Maintenance Saf ety .208
....................
Maintenance Minder .209
....................
Maintenance Record .214
..............................
Fluid Locations .216
......
Engine Compartment Covers .217
........................
Adding Engine Oil .218
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter .219
..............................
Engine Coolant .221
....................
Windshield Washers .222
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid .223
........
Manual Transmission Fluid .224
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid .225
....................
Power Steering Fluid .226
.............................................
Lights .227
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .231
.....................................
Floor Mats .232
.................................
Wiper Blades .232
...............................................
Tires .234
...................
Checking the Battery .240
.............................
Vehicle Storage .241
283
Maintenance
Maint enance
207

µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
Ì
U.S. Vehicles:
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed. Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page . Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page .
According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all
maintenance services should be
perf ormed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the multi-
inf ormation display.
179
180
223 225
236 227
Maintenance Minder
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
212

Diagnosing why the engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position:You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run. When you turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, you do not
hear the normal noise of the engine
trying to start. You may hear a
clicking sound or series of clicks, or
nothing at all.
Turn the ignition switch to the
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the f uses. If the f uses
are OK, there is probably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit f or the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualif ied technician to
determine the problem (see
on page ).
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is dis-
charged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the battery and terminal connec-
tions (see page ). You can
then try jump starting the vehicle
f rom a booster battery (see page ).
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged. See
on page .
Check the transmission interlock.
If you have a manual transmission,
the clutch pedal must be pushed
all the way to the f loor or the
starter will not operate. With an
automatic transmission, the shif t
lever must be in Park or neutral.
Check these things:
263
240
251
252
If theEngineWon’tStart
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Emergency T owing
Jump Starting
250

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications .181
................................
Accessories .181
............................
Modif ications .182
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .90
............
Accessory Power Sockets .115
................
Adding Engine Coolant .221
........................
Adding Engine Oil .218
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .219
.............................
Airbag (SRS) .11,23
...............
Additional Information .23
......................................
Servicing .32
...................
System Components .23
..............
Air Conditioning System .122
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .234
......................................
Antif reeze .221
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .61,201
...................................
Operation .201
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System .151
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock .90
................................
Audio System .127
...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature .86
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners .21 .............
Automatic Speed Control .153
..............
Automatic Transmission .193
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .270
...............
Checking Fluid Level .223
.......................................
Shif ting .193
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator .193
.......................................
Shif ting .193
....................
Shif t Lock Release .197
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .60,256
............................
Jump Starting .252
..............................
Maintenance .240
............................
Specif ications .271
..............................
Bef ore Driving .175
..................................
Belts, Seat .10,20
...........................
Beverage Holder .115
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) .201
.............
Break-in, New Linings .176
...........................................
Fluid .225
.......................................
Parking .112
.................
System Indicator .60,258 ........................
Wear Indicators .200
.............................
Braking System .200
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle .176
..
Brightness Control, Instruments .85
........................
Brights, Headlights .84
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .230
.................................
Fog Lights .227
............................
Specif ications .271
............
Turn Signal Lights .228,229
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .227
............................
Capacities Chart .270
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .53
............................
Carrying, Cargo .183
Cassette Player ............................................
Care .149
...................................
Operation .147
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of .ii
..................................
Ceiling Light .113
........................
Certif ication Label .268
...................................
Chains, tires .239
Index
A
BC
INDEX
I

ÎÎÎ
ÎÎ
Changing Oil ........................................
How to .219
......................................
When to .209
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .245
...
Charging System Indicator .60,256
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving .188
..................
Childproof Door Locks .94
.....................................
Child Saf ety .34
..............................
Booster Seats .50
...................................
Child Seats .42
..........................................
Inf ants .39
............................
Large Children .49
.........................................
LATCH .44
......................
Risks with Airbags .35
.............................
Small Children .40
.........................................
Tethers .47
.........
Where Should a Child Sit? .35
Cleaning .................................
Floor Mats .232
...................................
Seat Belts .231
...............
Climate Control System .125
..............................................
Clock .112
..........................
CO in the Exhaust .53
.......................
Compact Spare tire .244
.................
Console Compartment .116
...............
Consumer Inf ormation .279 .............
Controls, Instruments and .57
Coolant
........................................
Adding .221
....................................
Checking .180
.........................
Proper Solution .221
...................
Temperature Gauge .66
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .274
................
Cruise Control Indicator .62
............
Cruise Control Operation .153
...................................
Cup Holders .115
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice .280
................
DANGER, Explanation of .ii
...................................
Dashboard .4,58
............
Daytime Running Lights .84
Daytime Running Light
...................................
Indicator .63
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety .282
................
Def ogger, Rear Window .87
..............
Def rosting the Windows .124
....................................
Dimensions .270
...............
Dimming the Headlights .84 Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission .223
..................................
Engine Oil .179
..........................
Directional Signals .84
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .200
.................................
Disc Changer .140
...
Disc Changer Error Messages .146
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .220
Doors ..............................
Monitor Light .69
......................
Power Door Locks .92
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .272
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .7
...........................................
Driving .187
....................................
Economy .180
Driving Position Memory ........................................
System .103
..............................
Economy, Fuel .186
............
Emergencies on the Road .243
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .252
...........
Brake System Indicator .258
................
Changing a Flat Tire .245
.....
Charging System Indicator .256
Index
D
E
II

ÎCONT INUED
..................
Checking the Fuses .259
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers .86
......
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck .264
............................
Jump Starting .252
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .256
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .257
..................
Overheated Engine .254
.......................................
Towing .263
.........................
Emergency Brake .112
......................
Emergency Flashers .86
......................
Emergency Towing .263
............
Emergency Trunk Opener .94
.......................
Emissions Controls .274
.............
Emissions Testing, State .277
Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .66
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .60,257
.........................................
Oil Lif e .73
........
Oil Pressure Indicator .60,256
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .218
...............................
Overheating .254
............................
Specif ications .271
....................
Speed Limiter .191,197
.......................................
Starting .189
.................
Engine, if it won’t start .250 ......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .177
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls .274
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .53
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving .180
.........................................
Gasoline .176
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator .64
...........................................
Gauge .66
................
Octane Requirement .176
........................
Tank, Filling the .177
................
Gas Station Procedures .177
...................................
Fan, Interior .122
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .119
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .177
........................................
Filter, Oil .219
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning .86
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .245
.....................................
Floor Mats .232
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission .223
..........................................
Brake .225
.........................................
Clutch .225
..............
Manual Transmission .224
..........................
Power Steering .226
................
Windshield Washers .222
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .132
.....................................
Fog Lights .85..........................
Four-way Flashers .86
............................
Front Airbags .11,23
......................................
Front Seats .98
......................................
Adjusting .98
.......................................
Heaters .106
...................................
Airbags .11,23
.................................................
Fuel .176
......................
Fill Door and Cap .177
...........................................
Gauge .66
................
Octane Requirement .176
........................
Reserve Indicator .64
........................
Tank, Filling the .177
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .259
Index
F
G
INDEX
III

CONT INUED
..................................................
Keys .89
...............
Keyless Memory Setting .76
.......................
Label, Certif ication .268
.................
Lane Change, Signaling .84
........................
Lap/Shoulder Belts .20
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .227
.......................................
Indicator .60
.........................................
Parking .84
..................................
Turn Signal .84
.....................................
Load Limit .184
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) .90
........................
Lockout Prevention .92
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column .90
..................................
Glove Box .116
.................................
Power Door .92
...........................................
Trunk .93
........................
Low Coolant Level .180
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .60,256
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart .270 ...........
Luggage, Storing (Cargo) .183
..................................
Maintenance .207
.....................................
Messages .73
........................................
Minder .209
...
Owner Maintenance Checks .212
........................................
Record .214
..........................................
Saf ety .208
Malf unction Indicator ....................................
Lamp .60,257
...................
Manual Transmission .190
........
Manual Transmission Fluid .224
...........
Memory, Driving Position .103
...............................
Meters, Gauges .66
........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .101
...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle .182
.......................................
Moonroof .110
.............
Multi-Inf ormation Display .67
............................
Engine Oil Lif e .73
...........................
HandsFreeLink .80
.........
Keyless Memory Settings .76
.............
Maintenance Messages .73
.....................................
Odometer .71
.................
Outside Temperature .72 ............................
Trip Computer .75
...................................
Trip Meter .71
...................
Neutral Gear Position .194
..................
New Vehicle Break-in .176
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of. i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication .268
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline .176
.........................................
Odometer .71
...............................
Odometer, Trip .71
Oil ........................
Change, How to .219
......................
Change, When to .209
......................
Checking Engine .179
..............
Pressure Indicator .60,256
Selecting Proper Viscosity
......................................
Chart .218
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) .90
Index
K
L N
O
M
INDEX
V