display Acura TL 2008 Owners Manual
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Unread messages have a closed 
envelope icon next to them. The icon
disappears when it has already been 
read.Only Diagnostic Inf o
messages overlay the navigation 
screen while driving. They indicate if 
your vehicle has a problem that may
need immediate attention (see page
).
Af ter purchasing your vehicle,
messages may not appear
immediately.
Your dealer has to register the
vehicle identif ication bef ore you can
receive messages. This can take
several days to process. When you open a message, you can
read a summary of it, and then
choose one of several options. If an
option is not available f or a message,
that button will not be highlighted.
Select ‘‘Messages’’, then select a
message category by touching it on
thescreen.Youwillseetheabove
display. Select the message you want
to read by touching it on the screen. 226
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AcuraLink
Message Options
Features
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NOTE:
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Select this button to
delete the current message.
Select this button to hear a
voice read the entire message. This 
gives you more inf ormation than the
screen can display at one time. When
you select the Voice button, it 
changes to a Stop Reading button.
Select the button again to stop the
voice.
Select this button to call a
phone number embedded in the
message. When you select , the
Bluetooth
HandsFreeLink(HFL)
dials the number f or you. To set your AcuraLink pref erences 
(thetypesof messagesyouwantto
receive, if any), visit the Owner Link
website at
www.owners.acura.com,
and choose what you would like to
receive. If you do not have internet 
access, call Acura Client Services at 
(800) 382-2238; they can set your
message pref erences f or you.
Select this button to f ind the nearest 
Acura dealer using the navigation
system.
Select
this button to call the Acura dealer
you purchased your vehicle f rom.
AcuraLink also directs you to this
dealer so you can schedule a 
maintenance appointment or receive
inf ormation about a message. If your
assigned servicing dealer changes,
AcuraLink will reset to call that
dealer.
To make a call, your Bluetooth
compatible phone must be paired to
the vehicle’s HandsFreeLink system,
powered on, and located within the 
vehicle(seepage). Select this
button to get more inf ormation about
the current diagnostic message. To
use this option, your phone must be
paired with the HFL. In addition, the
paired phone must have a compatible
data service and be set up with the
AcuraLink system to make a data
connection. Access the
handsf reelink.com website to f ind
out which data services are currently
compatible with AcuraLink.
199
Delete 
Voice 
Call
Call Message Pref erences
Find Nearest Acura Dealer 
Call Your A cura Dealer
Diagnostic Inf o
AcuraLink
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If your vehicle is af f ected by a recall 
or other important saf ety
inf ormation, a letter will be mailed to 
you about the issue and how to f ix it. 
If you don’t get your vehicle f ixed,
you will also receive a reminder
message through AcuraLink. You
can then use the message options to 
call your dealer f or an appointment
or to f ind the nearest dealer.
You can then use the message
options to call your dealer f or an
appointment or to f ind the nearest
dealer.
These messages provide detailed 
inf ormation about the service
needed f or your vehicle. When a 
maintenance message appears on 
the multi-information display, a list of
needed maintenance items is
provided through an AcuraLink
message. These messages tell you 
the exact maintenance needed,
helping you to avoid unnecessary
maintenance costs. Recall/Campaigns
Maintenance Minder
AcuraLink
Features
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Depending on the severity of the 
problem, the message will let you
know if you should see your dealer 
immediately or if you can wait until a 
later date.
When an instrument panel indicator
comes on or a message is displayed
on the multi-information display 
(MID), AcuraLink can provide 
inf ormation about the cause of the
indicator or message and the
recommended action to address it.
This helps you handle the problem
as it occurs, preventing or limiting 
costly repairs.
When an instrument panel indicator
comes on or a message is displayed
on the MID, AcuraLink immediately
notif ies you with the message, ‘‘An
indicator is on. AcuraLink can help
you decide what to do.’’ If you do not
want the inf ormation right away,
select the Check Later option. If you
want the inf ormation now, select the
Check Now option. (If the navigation
screen is not active, you must select
OK from the navigation disclaimer
screen bef ore you can check theinf ormation.)
For more inf ormation on the
instrument panel indicators, see page .
The AcuraLink system cannot
determinesomemechanical
problems (such as squeaks or
rattles) that are not triggered by the
diagnostic indicator monitors.
57
Diagnostic Inf o
AcuraLink
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Compass operation can be af f ected 
by driving near power lines or
stations, across bridges, through 
tunnels, over railroad crossings, past 
large vehicles, or driving near large
objects that can cause a magnetic
disturbance. It can also be af f ected
by accessories such as antennas and 
roof racks that are mounted by
magnets. 
In most areas, there is a variation 
between magnetic north and true
north. Zone selection is required so
the compass can compensate f or this
variation. To check and select the
zone, do this:Press and hold the and buttons simultaneously until
the temperature display changes
(about 5 seconds). Verif y the zone f or your area on
the map on page . 
Press the button to cycle the 
count down, or the button to 
cycle the count up. Once the 
correct zone is displayed, continue
to step 4.
Press the OFF button to save the
zone selection. 
To exit the zone setting mode, 
either press the button and
button simultaneously f or
about 5 seconds, or press any
climate control button on either
side of the display other than the or button.
1. 2. 
3.
4.
5.
232
On models without navigation system
Compass Operation 
Compass Zone Selection
Compass
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If you see ‘‘ ’’ in the compass 
display, the compass is self -
calibrating. The compass may need 
to be manually calibrated af ter 
exposure to a strong magnetic f ield.
If the compass seems to be
continuously showing the wrong
direction and is not self -calibrating, 
do the f ollowing.
Do this procedure in an open
area, away f rom buildings, power
lines, and other vehicles.
Press and hold the and buttons simultaneously until
the temperature display changes
(about 5 seconds). 
Verify that the zone setting is 
correct by f inding your area on the
map on page . Press the button to cycle the
count down, or the button to
count up. Once the correct zone is
displayed, continue to step 4. 
Press the OFF button to save the 
zone selection. 
Press the OFF button again to 
begin calibrating the compass.
The heading should now show
‘‘ ’’.Drive the vehicle slowly in two
complete circles. 
When the display goes f rom 
‘‘ ’’ to an actual heading, the 
unit is calibrated and the display
returns to normal.
1. 
2. 3.
4. 
5.6.
7.
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Compass
Compass Calibration
Features
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On vehicles with navigation systemSince the rearview camera display 
area is limited, you should always
back up slowly and caref ully, and 
look behind you f or obstacles.
Whenever you shif t to reverse (R)
with the ignition switch in the ON 
(II) position, the rear view is shown 
on the navigation system screen. 
For the best picture, always keep the 
rearview camera clean, and do not
cover the camera lens. To avoid
scratching the lens when you clean it,
use a moist, sof t cloth.
Rearview Camera and Monitor
Features
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Help assure your vehicle’s f uture 
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive 
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km). 
During this period: 
You should also f ollow these 
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced.Do not change the oil until the
multi-inf ormation display indicates
it is needed. 
Avoidhardbrakingforthefirst 
200 miles (300 km). 
Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid 
acceleration.
Your vehicle is designed to operate
on premium unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane of 91 or higher. If this
octane grade is unavailable, regular
unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane of 87 or higher may be used
temporarily. The use of regular 
unleaded gasoline can cause metallic
knocking noises in the engine and
will result in decreased engine
perf ormance. The long-term use of
regular-grade gasoline can lead to
engine damage. 
Your vehicle 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. Use
of a gasoline with a pump octane
number less than 87 can lead to engine damage. 
We recommend quality gasolines 
containing detergent additives that 
help prevent f uel system and engine
deposits. 
In addition, in order to maintain good 
perf ormance, f uel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly 
recommend, in areas where it is
available, the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain manganese-based
f uel additives such as MMT. 
Use of gasoline with these additives 
may adversely af f ect perf ormance, 
and cause the malfunction indicator 
lamp on your instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, contact
your dealer f or service.Type S
All models except Type S
Break-in Period Fuel Recommendation
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
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Your vehicle’s on board diagnostic 
system will detect a loose or missing
f uel f ill cap as an evaporative system 
leak. The f irst time a leak is detected 
a ‘‘TIGHTEN FUEL CAP’’ message
appears on the multi-inf ormation
display. Turn the engine of f , and
conf irm the f uel f ill cap is installed. If 
it is, loosen it, then retighten it until
it clicks at least once. The message
should go of f af ter several days of
normal driving once you tighten orreplace the f uel f ill cap. To scroll to
another message, press the INFO
button. The ‘‘TIGHTEN FUEL CAP’’
message will appear each time you
restart the engine until the system
turns the message of f .
even
though the tank is not full, there may
be a problem with your vehicle’s f uel
vapor recovery system. The system
helps keep f uel vapor f rom going
into the atmosphere. Try f illing at
another pump. If this does not f ix the 
problem, consult your dealer.
Screw the fuel fill cap back on
until it clicks at least once. If you
do not properly tighten the cap,
you will see a ‘‘TIGHTEN FUEL
CAP’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display, and the
malf unction indicator lamp may
also come on (see page ). 
Push the f uel f ill door closed until 
it latches.
5. 
6.
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If the f uel nozzle keeps clicking of fTighten Fuel Cap Message
Service Station Procedure
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Aggressive driving (hard 
acceleration and braking) 
Excessive idling, accelerating and
braking in stop-and-go traf f ic
Cold engine operation (engines
aremoreefficientwhenwarmed 
up)
Driving with a heavy load or the
air conditioner running
Improperly inf lated tires
The f ollowing f actors can lower your 
vehicle’s f uel economy: 
A properly maintained vehicle 
maximizes f uel economy. Poor
maintenance can signif icantly reduce
f uel economy. Always maintain your
vehicle according to the maintenance
messages displayed on the
inf ormation display (see
on page ).
For example: Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering, 
and hard braking increase fuel 
consumption. 
Aerodynamic drag has a big ef f ect 
on f uel mileage at speeds above 45
mph (75 km/h). Reduce your 
speed and you reduce the drag.
Trailers, car top carriers, roof
racks and bike racks are also big
contributors to increased drag.
If your vehicle has a
manual transmission, you can
boost your f uel economy by up
shif ting as early as possible.
Idling
results in 0 miles per gallon.
It puts a heavier
load on the engine, increasing f uel
consumption.
In
particular, a build-up of snow or 
mud on your vehicle’s underside 
adds weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
economy. An under-inf lated tire increases
‘‘rolling resistance,’’ which reduces 
f uel economy.
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Fuel Economy
Fuel Economy Factors Use the recommended viscosity motor oil, displaying the A PI
Certif ication Seal (see page
).
Improving Fuel Economy Owner’s
Maintenance Checks Drive moderately 
Observe the speed limit 
Always drive in the highest gear 
possible 
Avoid excessive idling
A void carrying excess weight in 
your vehicle 
K eep your vehicle clean 
Maintain proper tire inf lation
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Vehicle Maint enance Drive Ef f icient ly
Bef ore Driving
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