service indicator Acura TSX 2004 Owner's Manual

This section gives you important
inf ormation about how to protect
yourself and your passengers. It
shows you how to use seat belts
properly. It explains your Supple-
mental Restraint System. And it tells
you how to properly restrain inf ants
andchildreninyourcar..........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
.............
Your Car’s Saf ety Features . 7
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
...........................................
Airbags .9
..................
Seats and Seat-Backs . 10
..........................
Head Restraints .11
..................................
Door Locks .11
........
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist . 11
............................
Protecting Adults .12
.....
1. Close and Lock the Doors . 12
...........
2. Adjust the Front Seats . 13 ............
3. Adjust the Seat-Backs . 14
...
4. Adjust the Head Restraints . 15
5. Fasten and Position the Seat .....................................
Belts .15
....
6. Adjust the Steering Wheel . 18
7. Maintain a Proper Sitting ................................
Position .18
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 19
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 20
........................
Protecting Children .21
All Children Must Be ...............................
Restrained .21
Children Should Sit in the Back ...........................................
Seat .22
The Passenger’s Front Airbag Poses Serious Risks to ...............................
Children .22
If You Must Drive with Several ...................................
Children .24
If a Child Requires Close ..................................
Attention .25
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 25
General Guidelines f or Using ...............................
Child Seats .26
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .30
.........
Protecting Small Children . 33 .......
Protecting Larger Children . 36
Using Child Seats with .....................................
Tethers .39
.............................
Using LATCH .41
Additional Inf ormation About Your .................................
Seat Belts .43
..
Seat Belt System Components . 43
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .43
Automatic Seat Belt ...............................
Tensioners .44
...............
Seat Belt Maintenance . 45
Additional Inf ormation About ...........................
Your Airbags .46
........................
SRS Components .46
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work .46
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 48
How Your Side Curtain ..........................
Airbags Work .49
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 49
How the Side Airbag Cutof f ...........
Indicator Light Works . 50
.............................
Airbag Service .51
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 52
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 53
...................................
Saf ety Labels .54
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
5

A f ront seat passenger should not
use a cushion or other object as a
backrest. It may prevent the cutof f
system f rom working properly.
When you turn the ignition switch to
ON (II), the indicator should light
brief ly and go out (see page ). If it
doesn’t light, stays on, or comes on
while driving without a passenger in
the front seat, have the system
checked.
If a small-statured adult leans
sideways, or larger adult slouches
and leans sideways into the
deployment path of the side airbag,
the system may also shut of f the side
airbag.
If the side airbag cutof f indicator
light comes on, you should have the
passenger sit upright. Once the
passenger is out of the deployment
path of the side airbag, the system
will turn the airbag back on and the
light will go out. Although Acura does not encourage
children to ride in the f ront seat, this
system is designed to shut of f the
side airbag if a child leans sideways
and the child’s head is in the side
airbag deployment path. Your airbag systems are virtually
maintenance-f ree, and there are no
parts you can saf ely service.
However, you must have your car
serviced if :
Any
airbag that has deployed must be
replaced along with the control
unit, automatic seat belt
tensioners and other related parts.
Do not try to remove or replace
anyairbagbyyourself.Thismust
be done by an Acura dealer or a
knowledgeable body shop.
Take your car to an
authorized Acura dealer as soon as
possible. If you ignore this
indication, the airbags might not
inf late when you need them.
61
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Airbag Service
Your airbags ever inf late.
T he SRS indicat or light alert s yout o a problem.
51

During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration. We recommend gasolines containing
detergent additives that help prevent
f uel system and engine deposits.
Avoidhardbraking.Newbrakes
need to be broken-in by moderate
use f or the f irst 200 miles (300
km).
Open the f uel f ill door by pushing
onthehandletotheleftof the
driver’s seat.
Help assure your car’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
Because the f uel f ill cap is on the
driver’s side of the car, park with
that side closest to the service
station pumps.
Using gasoline containing lead will
damage your car’s emissions
controls. This contributes to air
pollution.
Youshouldfollowthesesamere-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are relined. Do not change the oil until the
recommended time or mileage
intervalshowninthemaintenance
schedule. Your Acura is designed to operate on
premium unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane number of 91 or higher.
Useof aloweroctanegasolinecan
cause a persistent, heavy metallic
rapping noise in the engine that can
lead to mechanical damage.
In Canada, some gasolines contain
an octane-enhancing additive called
MMT. If you use such gasolines,
your emissions control system
perf ormance may deteriorate and
the Malf unction Indicator Lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on.
If this happens, contact your
authorized Acura dealer f or service.
1.
2.
Bef ore Driving
Break-in Period
GasolineFilling the Fuel Tank
Break-in Period, Gasoline, Service Station Procedures
184
Push

Push the f uel f ill door closed until
it latches.
Remove the f uel f ill cap slowly.
You may hear a hissing sound as
pressure inside the tank escapes.
The fuel fill cap is attached to the
f uel f iller with a tether. Put the
attachment on the f uel f ill cap into
the slit on the f uel f ill door.
Stop f illing the tank af ter the f uel
nozzle automatically clicks of f . Do
not try to ‘‘top off’’ the tank, leave
some room f or the f uel to expand
with temperature changes.
Your car has an on-board ref ueling
vapor recovery system to help
keep f uel vapors f rom going into
the atmosphere. If the fuel nozzle
keeps clicking of f even though the
tank is not f ull, there may be a
problem with this system. Consult
your dealer. Screw the f uel f ill cap back on,
tighten it until it clicks at least
three times. If you do not properly
tighten the cap, the Malfunction
Indicator Lamp may come on (see
page ).
3.
4. 5.
6.
319
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving185
FUEL FILL CAP TETHER
Gasoline is highly flammable
and explosive. You can be
burned or seriously injured
when handling fuel.
Stop the engine and keep
heat, sparks, and flame away.
Handle fuel only outdoors.
Wipe up spills immediately.

By eliminating as much of the
electrical load as possible, you can
drive several miles (kilometers)
before the battery is too discharged
to keep the engine running. Drive to
a service station or garage where
you can get technical assistance.
This indicator should come on when
the ignition switch is ON (II), and go
out af ter the engine starts. If it
comes on brightly when the engine
is running, it indicates that the
charging system has stopped
charging the battery. Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories: radio, climate control,
rear def ogger, cruise control, etc.
Try not to use other electrically-
operated controls such as the power
windows. Keep the engine running
and take extra care not to stall it.
Starting the engine will discharge
the battery rapidly.
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Charging System Indicator
318
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR

Î
ÎIf it comes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem with the car’s
brake system. In most cases, the
problem is a low f luid level in the
brake f luid reservoir. Press lightly on
the brake pedal to see if it f eels
normal. If it does, check the brake
f luid level the next time you stop at a
service station (see page ). If the
fluid level is low, take the car to your
dealer and have the brake system
inspected f or leaks or worn brake
pads.
However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. Because of the
brake system’s dual-circuit design, a
problem in one part of the system
will still give you braking at two
wheels. You will f eel the brake pedal
go down much f arther bef ore the car
begins to slow down, and you will
have to press harder on the pedal.
The distance needed to stop will be
much longer. Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the
longer distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the car. You
should have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible. (See
on page .)
The Brake System Indicator
normallycomesonwhenyouturn
the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to check the parking brake.
It comes on and stays lit if you do not
f ully release the parking brake. If you must drive the car a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and cautiously.
If the ABS indicator comes on with
this indicator, have the car inspected
by your Acura dealer immediately.
259
328Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed321
BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR
U.S. indicator shown

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

CONT INUED
...............................
Signaling Turns .73
.....................................
Snow Tires .278
...................
Solvent-type Cleaners . 296
........................
Sound System .129, 148
Spare Tire ......................................
Inf lating .304
............................
Specif ications .336
................
Spark Plugs, Replacing . 262
....................
Specif ications Charts . 334
................................
Speed Control .174
........................
Speed Limiter .202, 209
...................................
Speedometer .65
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 46
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 52
How Your Airbags ............................
Work .46, 48,49
How Your SRS Indicator .......................................
Works .49
........................
SRS Components .46
..................................
SRS Service .51
.............................
SRS Indicator .49 ,61
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 81
.......................
Starting the Engine .199
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .200
................
With a Dead Battery . 312 ........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 315
Steering Wheel ..................................
Adjustment .76
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 80
Stereo Sound ................................
System .129, 148
...........................
Storing Your Car .323
........................................
Sun Visor .108
........................
Sunglasses Holder .109
Supplemental Restraint System ......................................
Servicing .51
.........................
SRS Indicator .49 ,61
...................
System Components . 46
..................................
Synthetic Oil .245
.....................................
Tachometer .65
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in . 286
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 303
Technical Descriptions ......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 337
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 342
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels .340
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .344 ...........................
Tire Inf ormation .339
.......................
Temperature Gauge .66
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 39
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 344
..................
Time, Setting the . 135,153
....................................
Tire Chains .278
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 305
...............................................
Tires .273
..............................
Air Pressure .273
.........................
Checking Wear .275
..........................
Compact Spare .304
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 337
......................................
Inf lation .273
..................................
Inspection .275
...................................
Replacing .276
......................................
Rotating .276
...........................................
Snow .278
............................
Specif ications .336
.............
Technical Inf ormation . 339
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 305
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .221
................
Emergency Wrecker . 328
Index
T
VII