ECO mode Acura TSX 2011 Owner's Guide

Towing a Trailer
Towing Your Vehicle
190Driving
Driving in Hilly TerrainMonitor your temperature gauge. If it nears the red (Hot) mark, turn off the air t
conditioning and reduce speed. Pull to the side of the road safely to cool down
the engine if necessary.
Automatic transmission models
Shift to the tS
position if the transmission shifts frequently.
Towing Your VehicleYour vehicle is not designed to be towed behind a motor home. If your vehicle
needs to be towed in an emergency, refer to the emergency towing information.
Emergency Towing

P. 2 9 8
Driving in Hilly Terrain
If you use the paddle shifters when driving
uphill and downhill, select 3rd, 2nd, or 1st
gear, depending on the vehicle speed and road
conditions. Do not use 4th and 5th gears. Automatic transmission models If the automatic transmission fluid temperature
exceeds the specified limit, the transmission will also
automatically downshift to the 1st gear, even in the
sequential shift mode. The gear position indicator
blinks for a few seconds, then stays on.Gear Position Speed Range
1st 0 - 42 mph (0 - 67 km/h)
2nd,3rd 19 - 62 mph (30 - 100 km/h)

192Driving
When Driving
Starting the Engine
3. Turn the ignition switch to START III

without depressing the accelerator pedal.
Starting the Engine
Do not hold the key in START
III
for more than 15
seconds.
If the engine does not start right away, wait for at
tleast 10 seconds before trying again.
If the engine starts, but then immediately stops, twait at least 10 seconds before repeating step 3
while gently depressing the accelerator pedal.
Release the accelerator pedal once the engine
starts.
The immobilizer system protects your vehicle from
theft. If an improperly coded key (or other device) is
used, the engine's fuel system is disabled
Immobilizer System


P. 9 8
Starting to Drive
Automatic transmission models 1. Keeping your right foot on the brake pedal, release the parking brake. Check
that the brake system indicator has gone off.
Parking Brake

P. 2 1 0
2. Put the shift lever in D
. Select R
when reversing.
3. Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator pedal to
pull away.

197
Continued
Driving
When Driving
Shifing
Sequential Shift Mode
Use the paddle shifters to change between 1st and 5th gears without removing
your hands from the steering wheel. The transmission will switch to the sequential
shift mode.
When the shift lever is in
D
:
The vehicle will go into the sequential shift mode momentarily, and the gear
position indicator will come on.
Once you start traveling at a constant speed, the sequential shift mode will
automatically switch off, and the gear position indicator will go off.
Hold the
+ paddle shifter for two seconds to return to normal drive.
When the shift lever is in
S
:
The vehicle will go into the sequential shift mode, and the
M
(sequential shift)
indicator and gear position indicator will come on. At speeds of 6 mph (10 km/h)
or less, the vehicle automatically shifts down into 1st gear. It will not automatically
shift up, even if vehicle speed increases.
You can only pull away in 1st or 2nd gear.
When switching out of the sequential shift mode, move the shift lever from
S

to
D
. When the sequential shift mode is canceled, the sequential shift mode
indicator and shift indicator go off.

198Driving
When Driving
Shifting
Sequential Shift Mode Operation
Sequential Shift Mode Operation
Each paddle shift operation makes a single gear
change.
To change gears continuously, release the paddle
shifter before pulling it again for the next gear.
Recommended Shift Points
Use this table as a guidleline for efficient fuel
economy and effective emission control.
Shift Up Normal Acceleration
1st to 2nd 15 mph (24 km/h)
2nd to 3rd 25 mph (40 km/h)
3rd to 4th 40 mph (64 km/h)
4th to 5th 45 mph (72 km/h)
If the gear position indicator blinks when you try to
shift up or down, this means your vehicle speed is
not in its allowable gear shifting range.
Slightly accelerate to shift up and decelerate to shift
down while the indicator is blinking.
Second gear lock mode
If you pull the
+
paddle shifter while stopped or driving at 6 mph (10 km/h) or
less, the gear position will be locked in 2nd gear. This makes it easier to pull away
on slippery surfaces such as snow covered roads.
To cancel the 2nd gear lock mode, pull the
–
paddle shifter, or move the shift
lever from
S
to
D
.
–
Paddle Shifter
(Shift down)
+
Paddle Shifter
(Shift up)
Downshifting when pulling
the
–
paddle shifter.
(Changes to a lower gear)Upshifting when pulling
the
+
paddle shifter
(Changes to a higher gear)

199
Continued
Driving
When Driving
Shifting
Shift Lever Operation
Fully depress the clutch pedal to operate the shift lever and change gears, then
slowly release the pedal.
Depress the clutch pedal, and pause for a few seconds before shifting into
R
, or
shift into one of the forward gears for a moment. This stops the gears so they do
not “grind.”
Shifting NOTICE Do not shift to
R before the vehicle comes to a
complete stop.
Shifting to
R before stopping can damage the
transmission.
NOTICE Before downshifting, make sure the engine will
not go into the tachometer's red zone. Should this
occur, it can severely damage your engine.
There is a metallic part on the shift lever. If you
leave the vehicle parked outside for a long time on
a hot day, be careful before moving the shift lever.
Because of heat, the shift lever may be extremely
hot. If the outside temperature is low, the shift lever
may feel cold.
Recommended Shift Points
Driving in the highest gear that allows the engine
to run and accelerate smoothly helps to optimize
fuel economy and effective emissions control. The
following shift points are recommended:
Shift Up Normal Acceleration
1st to 2nd 17 mph (27 km/h)
2nd to 3rd 29 mph (46 km/h)
3rd to 4th 37 mph (59 km/h)
4th to 5th 43 mph (69 km/h)
5th to 6th 49 mph (79 km/h)
If you exceed the maximum speed for the gear
you are in, the engine speed will enter into the
tachometer's red zone. When this happens, you
may experience a slight jolt.
Manual transmission models Shifting
When you are not shifting, do not rest your
foot on the clutch pedal. This can cause your
clutch to wear out faster.

208Driving
When Driving
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required Federal Explanation
U.S. models Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required
Federal ExplanationEach tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly
when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the
vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label.
(If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should determine the
proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure
telltale
when one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should stop
and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper
pressure.
Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and
can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire
tread life, and may affect the vehicle's handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance,
and it is the driver's responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even
if under-inflation has not reached the level to trigger illumination of the
TPMS low tire pressure telltale.

215
Refueling
Driving
Fuel Information
Fuel recommendation

Unleaded premium gasoline, pump octane number 91 or higher
4-cylinder models Use of a lower octane gasoline can cause occasional metallic knocking noise in the
engine and will result in decreased engine performance.
Use of a gasoline with a pump octane less than 87 can lead to engine damage. 6-cylinder models 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 temporally.
The use of regular unleaded gasoline can cause metallic knocking noises in the
engine and will result in decreased engine performance. The long-term use of
regular-grade gasoline can lead to engine damage.
Top tier detergent gasoline
Because the level of detergency and additives in gasoline vary in the market,
Honda endorses the use of "TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline" where available to
help maintain the performance and reliability of your vehicle. TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline meets a new gasoline standard jointly established by leading automotive
manufacturers to meet the needs of today's advanced engines.
Fuel Information NOTICE We recommend quality gasoline containing
detergent additives that help prevent fuel system
and engine deposits. In addition, in order to
maintain good performance, fuel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly recommend, the
use of gasoline that does NOT contain harmful
manganese-based fuel additives such as MMT, if
such gasoline is available.
Use of gasoline with these additives may adversely
affect performance, and cause the malfunction
indicator lamp on your instrument panel to come
on. If this happens, contact your dealer for service.
Some gasoline today is blended with oxygenates
such as ethanol or MTBE. Your vehicle is designed
to operate on oxygenated gasoline containing up
to 10% ethanol by volume. Do not use gasoline
containing methanol. If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another service station or
switch to another brand of gasoline.

Before Performing Maintenance
222Maintenance
Inspection and MaintenanceFor your safety, perform all listed inspections and maintenance to keep your
vehicle in good condition. If you become aware of any abnormality (noise, smell,
insufficient brake fluid, oil residue on the ground, etc.), have your vehicle inspected
by a dealer. (Note, however, that service at a dealer is not mandatory to keep
your warranties in effect.) Refer to the separate maintenance booklet for detailed
maintenance and inspection information.
Types of Inspection and Maintenance Daily inspections
Perform inspections before long distance trips, when washing the vehicle, or when
refueling. Periodic inspections
Check the automatic transmission fluid level monthly. t
Automatic Transmission Fluid

P. 2 4 2
Check the brake fluid level monthly. t
Brake/Clutch Fluid

P. 2 4 4
Check the tire pressure monthly. Examine the tread for wear and foreign t
objects.
Checking and Maintaining Tires

P. 2 5 9
Check the operation of the exterior lights monthly. t
Replacing Light Bulbs

P. 2 4 7
Check the condition of the wiper blades at least every six months. t
Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades

P. 2 5 7
Inspection and Maintenance U.S. models Maintenance, replacement, or repair of
emissions control devices and systems may be
done by any automotive repair establishment
or individuals using parts that are "certified"
to EPA standards.

According to state and federal regulations, failure
to perform maintenance on the maintenance main
items marked with # will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all maintenance services
should be performed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the multi-information display.
Maintenance Service Items


P. 2 2 7
If you want to perform complex maintenance tasks
that require more skills and tools, purchase the
service manual.
Authorized Manual


P. 3 13

If you want to perform maintenance yourself, make
sure that you have the necessary tools and skills
first.
After performing maintenance, update the records
in the separate maintenance booklet.

228Maintenance
Maintenance Minder™ Resetting the Display
Reset the engine oil life display if you have performed the maintenance service.
1. Turn the ignition switch to ON
II
.
2. Display the engine oil life by repeatedly pressing the SEL /RESET button.
3. Press and hold the SEL /RESET button for 10 seconds or more.

The oil life reset mode is displayed on the multi-information display.
4. S e l e c t ”R E S E T” w i t h t h e
button.

The service code will disappear and the engine oil life display will return to
10 0 %.
To cancel the oil life reset mode, select ”CANCEL”, then press the SEL /RESET
button.
Resetting the Display NOTICE Failure to reset the engine oil life after a
maintenance service results in the system showing
incorrect maintenance intervals, which can lead to
serious mechanical problems.
The dealer will reset the engine oil life display after
completing the required maintenance service. If
someone other than a dealer performs maintenance
service, reset the engine oil life display yourself.
SEL /RESET
Button

(Information)
ButtonEngine Oil LifeMaintenance
Item Codes

Maintenance Under the Hood
Oil Check
235
Continued
Maintenance
Oil CheckWe recommend that you check the engine oil level every time you refuel.

Park the vehicle on level ground.
Wait approximately three minutes after turning the engine off before you check
the oil.
4-cylinder models 1. Remove the dipstick (orange handle). 6-cylinder models 1. Remove the dipstick (orange loop). All models 2. Wipe the dipstick with a clean cloth or
paper towel.
3. Insert the dipstick back all the way into its
hole.
Oil Check
If it is near or below the lower mark, slowly add oil
being careful not to overfill.
6-cylinder models 4-cylinder models