engine overheat Acura TSX 2004 Owner's Manual

Come to a full stop before you shift
into Reverse. You can damage the
transmission by trying to shif t into
Reverse with the car moving. Push
down the clutch pedal, and pause f or
a f ew seconds bef ore shif ting into
Reverse, or shif t into one of the
f orward gears f or a moment. This
stops the gears so they won’t ‘‘grind.’’
When slowing down, you can get
extra braking f rom the engine by
shifting to a lower gear. This extra
braking can help you maintain a safe
speed and prevent your brakes f rom
overheating while going down a
steep hill. Bef ore downshif ting,
make sure engine speed will not go
into the tachometer’s red zone in the
lower gear.
The manual transmission is synchro-
nizedinallforwardgearsforsmooth
operation. It has a lockout so you
cannot accidentally shif t f rom Fif th
to Reverse instead of sixth (see page
) while the car is moving. When
shif ting up or down, make sure you
push the clutch pedal down all the
way, shif t to the next gear, and let
the pedal up gradually. When you
are not shif ting, do not rest your f oot
on the clutch pedal. This can cause
your clutch to wear out f aster. 203
Driving
6-speed Manual T ransmission
201
Rapid slowing or speeding-up
can cause loss of control on
slippery surfaces. If you crash,
you can be injured.
Use extra care when driving on
slippery surfaces.

Maketurnsmoreslowlyandwider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your car, and it can
hit or run over something the car
misses. Allow more time and
distance f or braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknif e or turn over.
When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (Hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shif t down to 2nd
gear. Do not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and
remember it will take longer to slow
downandstopwhentowingatrailer. If you must stop when f acing uphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the car in place by
pressing on the accelerator, as this
can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
If the automatic transmission shif ts
f requently within 3rd, 4th, and 5th
gears while going up a hill, shif t to
D. Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause trailer
swaying. When being passed by a
large car, keep a constant speed and
steer straight ahead. Do not try to
make quick steering or braking
corrections.Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; then turn the wheel to the lef t
to get the trailer to move to the lef t,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.
Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including f irmly setting the
parking brake and putting the
transmission in Park (automatic) or
in 1st or Reverse (manual). Also,
place wheel chocks at each of the
trailer’s tires.
3
bottom
Towing a Trailer
Driving
Making T urns and Braking
Driving on Hills Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ingBacking Up
Parking
227

Install the ignition coil into the
hole.
Connect the wire connector to the
ignition coil. Make sure it locks in
place.
Push the ignition coil down all the
way. Install the bolt.
Repeat this procedure f or the
other three spark plugs.
Reinstall the coil cover, and
tighten the two nuts and two bolts
securely.
9.
10.
11.
13. NGK:
DENSO:
12.
Spark Plugs
Maint enance
Specif ications:
264
IZFR6K-11
SKJ20DR-M11
Tighten the spark plugs caref ully. A
spark plug that is too loose can
overheat and damage the engine.
Overtightening can cause damage to
the threads in the cylinder head.

This section covers the more-
common problems that motorists
experience with their cars. It gives
you inf ormation about how to saf ely
evaluate the problem and what to do
to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your car towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .304
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .305
..........
If Your Engine Won’t Start . 310
Nothing Happens or the Starter Motor Operates ............................
Very Slowly .310
The Starter Operates ................................
Normally .311
................................
Jump Starting .312
............
If Your Engine Overheats . 315
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 317
..........
Charging System Indicator . 318
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 319
.......................
Readiness Codes .320
...............
Brake System Indicator . 321
..................
Closing the Moonroof . 322
..............................................
Fuses .323
..........
Checking and Replacing . 324
......................
Emergency Towing .328
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed303

CONT INUED
The pointer of your car’s tempera-
ture gauge should stay in the mid-
range under most conditions. It may
go higher if you are driving up a long
steep hill on a very hot day. If it
climbs to the red mark, you should
determine the reason.Your car can overheat f or several
reasons, such as lack of coolant or a
mechanical problem. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the hood.
In either case, you should take
immediate action. Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park and set the parking brake.
Turn of f the climate control and all
otheraccessories.Turnonthe
hazard warning indicators.
If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine.
If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading
(climbing a long, steep hill on a
hot day with the A/C running, for
example), the engine should start
to cool down almost immediately.
If it does, wait until the tempera-
ture gauge comes down to the mid-
point, then continue driving.
1.
2.
3.
If Your Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed315
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to your engine.

If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
Wait until you see no more signs
of steam or spray, then open the
hood.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may also have to
add coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointerreaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator.
Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. This
releases any remaining pressure in
the cooling system. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap and turn it until it comes
off.
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page
). If the level is below the
MIN mark, add coolant to halfway
between the MIN and MAX marks. Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (see on page ). Start the engine and set the
temperature control to its upper
limit, . Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.
Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair. (See
on page .)
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8. 9.10.
328
189 11.
12.
328
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
If Your Engine Overheats
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
316
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

CONT INUED
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 270
............................
Fabric, Cleaning .299
...................................
Fan, Interior .115
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .113
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 184
Filter .........................
Dust and Pollen .270
...............................................
Oil .246
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 75
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 305
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 256..........................................
Brake .259
.........................................
Clutch .260
..............
Manual Transmission . 257
..........................
Power Steering .260
..................
Windshield Washer . 255
...........................
Folding Rear Seat .94
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 341
..........................
Four-way Flashers .75
.................................................
Fuel .184
......................
Fill Door and Cap .185
...........................................
Gauge .67
................
Octane Requirement . 184
...............................
Oxygenated .340
........................
Tank, Filling the .184
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .324
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 190
..........................................
Gasohol .340
.........................................
Gasoline .184
...........................................
Gauge .67
................
Octane Requirement . 184
........................
Tank, Filling the .184
..............................
Economy, Fuel .190
............
Emergencies on the Road . 303
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 312
...........
Brake System Indicator . 321
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 305
.....
Charging System Indicator . 318
..................
Checking the Fuses . 324
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 317
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 319
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 322
..................
Overheated Engine . 315
.........................
Emergency Brake .104
......................
Emergency Flashers .75
......................
Emergency Towing .328
.......................
Emissions Controls .342
Engine ............................................
Belts .272
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 66
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .60, 319
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 60,317
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 244...............................
Overheating .315
............................
Specif ications .335
....................
Speed Limiter . 202,209
.......................................
Starting .199
..........
Engine Speed Limiter . 202,209
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .340
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 342
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .53
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 296
Index
E
FG
III

CONT INUED
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 80
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 80
............................
Fuel Fill Door .184
....................................
Glove Box .89
...........................................
Trunk .87
........................
Low Coolant Level .189
...
Lower Gear, Downshif ting to a . 201
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 60,317
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 334
.........................................
Luggage .193
..................................
Maintenance .229
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 242
........................................
Record .239
......................
Required Indicator .67
..........................................
Saf ety .230
.............................
Schedule .234-238
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 60,319
...................
Manual Transmission . 202
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 257
...............................
Meters, Gauges .65
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 340
........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .102 .......................................
Moonroof .101
......................
Closing Manually .322
...................................
Operation .101
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 206
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 184
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds .202
..................
NOTICE, Explanation of . ii
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 332..............
Panel Brightness Control . 72
........................
Park Gear Position .205
...........................................
Parking .211
...............................
Parking Brake .104
.................................
Parking Lights .70
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 344
.............................
PGM-FI System .343
..................
Polishing and Waxing . 297
...................................
Pollen Filter .270
............
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist . 11
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 19
............................
Protecting Adults .12
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 20
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 19
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 184
.........................................
Odometer .65
Odometer/Outside Temperature ......................................
Indicator .66
...............................
Odometer, Trip .66
Oil ........................
Change, How to .246
......................
Change, When to .232
......................
Checking Engine .187
..............
Pressure Indicator . 60,317
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .245 ...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 81
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 341
............................
Outside Mirrors .102
.....................
Outside Temperature .66
....................
Overheating, Engine .315
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 242
..........................
Oxygenated Fuel .340
Index
MO N
P
V

ÎÎ
...................
Radiator Overheating . 315
.....
Radio/CD Sound System . 129,148
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 286
..........................
Rear Seat Armrest .95
..........................
Rear Seat, Folding .94
..........................
Rear View Mirror .102
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 75
.........
Reclining the Seat Backs . 91,92
.......
Recommended Shif t Speeds . 202
.............................
Reminder Lights .59
.......................
Remote Transmitter .83
Replacement Inf ormation .................
Air Cleaner Element . 261
.......................................
Coolant .251
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 246
..........................................
Fuses .324 ................................
Light Bulbs .282
....................................
Schedule .232
................................
Spark Plugs .262
...........................................
Tires .276
.............................
Wiper Blades .267
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .45
.................
Reserve Tank, Coolant . 189
...............................
Restraint, Child .21
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 206
................................
Rotation, Tire .276
........................................
Saf ety Belts .8
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 350
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
...........................................
Airbags .9
..................................
Door Locks .11
..........................
Head Restraints .11
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
..................
Seats and Seat-Backs . 10
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 54
...............................
Saf ety Messages .ii
...........................................
Seat Belts .8
...............
Additional Information . 43Automatic Seat Belt
...............................
Tensioners .44
.....................................
Cleaning .299
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .43
................................
Maintenance .45
Reminder Light and ................................
Beeper .43, 60
...................
System Components . 43
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 19
........................
Seats, Adjusting the .90
............................
Security System .173
.........................
Select/Reset Knob .68
...............................
Serial Number .332
...........................
Service Intervals .234
...........................
Service Manual .351
.........
Service Station Procedures . 184
..................
Setting the Clock . 135,153
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 204
........................
Shif t Lock Release .210
....................................
Side Airbags .48
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 48
How The SIDE Airbag Cutof f ...........
Indicator Light Works . 50
......................
Side Curtain Airbags .49
How Your Side Curtain ..........................
Airbags Work .49
........................
Protecting Children .21
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .30
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 36
.........
Protecting Small Children . 33
Using Child Seats with .....................................
Tethers .39
.............................
Using LATCH .41
Index
R
S
VI