light Acura TSX 2011 Service Manual

Before Driving
182Driving
Driving PreparationCheck the following items before you start driving.
Exterior ChecksMake sure there are no obstructions on the windows, door mirrors, exterior t
lights, or other parts of the vehicle.
Remove any frost, snow, or ice. Remove any snow on the roof, as this can slip down and obstruct your field
of vision while driving. If frozen solid, remove ice once it has softened. When removing ice from around the wheels, be sure not to damage the
wheel or wheel components.
Make sure the hood is securely closed. t If the hood opens while driving, your front view will be blocked.
Make sure the tires are in good condition. t Check air pressures, check for damage and excessive wear.
Checking and Maintaining Tires

P. 2 5 9
Make sure there are no people or objects behind or around the vehicle. t
There are blind spots from the inside.

Exterior Checks NOTICE When doors are frozen shut, use warm water
around the door edges to melt any ice. Do not try
to force them open, as this can damage the rubber
trim around the doors. When done, wipe dry to
avoid further freezing.
Do not pour warm water into the key cylinder.
You will be unable to insert key if the water freezes
in the hole.

Before Driving
Driving Preparation
183
Continued
Driving
Do not pile items higher than the seat height. t
They can block your view and may be thrown forward in the event of sudden
braking.
Do not place anything in the front seat footwells. Make sure to secure the floor t
mat. An object or unsecured floor mat can interfere with your brake and
accelerator pedal operation while driving.
If you have any animals on board, do not let them move around in the vehicle. t They may interfere with driving and a crash could occur.
Securely close and lock all doors and the trunk. t
Locking/Unlocking the Door from Inside

P. 9 3
Adjust your seating position properly. t
Adjusting the head restraint, too.
Adjusting the Seats

P.11 6
Adjusting the Head Restraints


P.11 8
Adjust the mirrors and steering wheel properly for your driving. t
Adjust them while sitting in the proper driving position.
Adjusting the Mirrors

P.114
Steering Wheel Adjustments


P.113
Interior ChecksStore or secure all items on board properly. t
Carrying too much cargo, or improperly storing it, can affect your vehicle's
handling, stability, stopping distance, and tires, and make it unsafe.
Maximum Load Limit

P.1 8 5
Interior Checks
The headlight aim is set by the factory, and typically
does not need to be adjusted. However, if you
regularly carry heavy items in the trunk or tow a
trailer, have the aiming readjusted at a dealer or by
a qualified technician.

Towing a Trailer
Towing Preparation
188Driving
Towing Equipment and Accessories
Towing equipment varies by the size of your trailer, how much load you are
towing, and where you are towing.
Hitches
The hitch must be of an approved type and properly bolted to the underbody. Safety chains
Always use safety chains when you tow a trailer. Leave enough slack to allow the
trailer to turn corners easily, but do not allow the chains to drag on the ground. Trailer brakes
There are two common types of trailer brakes: surge and electric. Surge brakes
are common for boat trailers, since the brakes will get wet. If you choose electric
brakes, be sure they are electronically actuated. Do not attempt to attach trailer
brakes to your vehicle's hydraulic system, as it will lower braking effectiveness and
create a potential hazard. Additional towing equipment
Many states and provinces/territories require special outside mirrors when towing
a trailer. Even if mirrors are not required in your locale, you should install special
mirrors if visibility is restricted in any way. Trailer light
Trailer lights and equipment must comply with federal, state, province/territory,
and local regulations. Check with your local trailer sales or rental agency for the
requirements in the area where you plan to tow.
Towing Equipment and Accessories
Make sure that all equipment is properly installed
and maintained, and that it meets federal, state,
province/territory, and local regulations.
Consult your trailer sales or rental agency if any
other items are recommended or required for your
towing situation.
The lighting and wiring of trailers can vary by type
and brand. If a connector is required, it should only
be installed by a qualified technician.

Towing a Trailer
Driving Safely with a Trailer
189
Continued
Driving
Things You Need To Know Before Towing a TrailerHave the trailer properly serviced and keep it in good condition. t
Make sure that all the weights and load in the vehicle and trailer are within t
limits.
Towing Load Limits

P.1 8 7
Securely attach the hitch, safety chains, and other necessary parts to the trailer. t
Securely store all the items in and on the trailer so that they do not shift while t
driving.
Check if the lights and brakes on the trailer are working properly. t
Check the pressures of the trailer tires, including the spare. t Towing Speeds and GearsDrive slower than normal. t
Obey posted speed limits for vehicles with trailers. t
Automatic transmission models
Use the tD
position when towing a trailer on level roads.
Turning and BrakingTurn more slowly and with a wider turning arc than normal. t
Allow more time and distance for braking. t
Do not brake or turn suddenly. t
Driving Safely with a Trailer
Driving Safely with a Trailer
Parking
In addition to the normal precautions, place wheel
chocks at each of the trailer's tires.

191
Continued
Driving
When DrivingStarting the Engine
1. Make sure the parking brake is applied.
Starting the Engine
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
starting the engine.
The engine is harder to start in cold weather and
in thinner air found at altitudes above 8,000 feet
(2,400 meters).
When starting the engine in cold weather, turn off
all electrical accessories such as the lights, climate
control system, and rear defogger in order to reduce
battery drain.
If exhaust sounds abnormal or you can smell
exhaust gas inside the vehicle, have your vehicle
checked by a dealer. There may be a problem with
the engine or exhaust system.
Automatic transmission models 2. Check that the shift lever is in P
, then
depress the brake pedal.
Although it is possible to start the
vehicle in N
, it is safer to start it in P
.
Manual transmission models 2. Check that the shift lever is in N
. Then
depress the brake pedal with your right
foot, and the clutch pedal with your left
foot.
The clutch pedal must be fully depressed
to start the engine.
Brake Pedal
Brake Pedal Clutch Pedal

195
Continued
Driving
When Driving
Shifting
Change the shift position in accordance with your driving need.
Shift lever positions
Shifting
You cannot turn the ignition switch to LOCK
0 and
remove the key unless the shift lever is in
P.
The vehicle may move forward very slightly even in
N
while the engine is cold.
Depress the brake pedal firmly and, when necessary,
apply the parking brake.
Auomatic transmission models Shifting
Park
Used when parking or starting the
engine
Reverse
Used when backing up
Neutral
Used when idling
Drive
Used for:
Normal driving (gears change t
between 1st and 5th automatically)
Temporarily driving in the sequential t
mode
Drive (S)
Used for:
Automatically changing gears t
between 1st and 4th (4th gear is
used only at high speed)
Driving in the sequential mode t
P
R
N
D
S

196Driving
When Driving
Shifting
Shift Lever Operation
Shift Lever Operation NOTICE When you change the shift lever from
D
to
R and
vice versa, come to a complete stop and keep the
brake pedal depressed.
Operating the shift lever before the vehicle has
come to a complete standstill can damage the
transmission.
Use the shift lever position indicator to check the
lever position before pulling away.
Whichever position the shift lever is in when driving,
a blinking
D
indicator indicates a transmission
problem.
Avoid sudden acceleration and have the
transmission checked by a dealer as soon as
possible.
The fuel supply may be cut off if you drive at engine
speeds in or over the tachometer red zone (engine
speed limit). If this happens, you may experience a
slight jolt.
It may not be possible to operate the shift lever
if the brake pedal is applied while the shift lever
release button is held down.
Depress the brake pedal first.
Tachometer's red zone
Shift Lever Position Indicator
Depress the brake pedal and
press the shift lever release button to
shift.
Shift without pressing the shift lever
release button.
Press the shift lever release button
and shift.M (Sequential Shift mode) Indicator/
Gear Position Indicator

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.

206Driving
When Driving
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)Monitors the tire pressure while you are driving. If your vehicle's tire pressure
becomes significantly low, the low tire pressure/ TPMS indicator comes on and a
message appears on the multi-information display.
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
Conditions such as low ambient temperature and
altitude change directly affect tire pressure and
can trigger the low tire pressure/ TPMS indicator to
come on.
If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator

Comes On or Blinks P. 2 9 3
To select the tire pressure monitor, turn
the ignition switch to ON
II
and press the
(information) button until you see
the tire pressure screen.
If all the tire pressures are normal, "TIRE
PRESSURE OK" will be displayed.
Tire Pressure Monitor
To display the pressure of all four tires, press
the SEL /RESET button.
The pressure for each tire is displayed in PSI
(U.S.) or kPa (Canada).
Tire Pressure Monitor
The pressure displayed on the multi-information
display can be slightly different from the actual
pressure as measured by a gauge. If there is a
significant difference between the two values, or
if the low tire pressure/ TPMS indicator and the
message on the multi-information display do not go
off after you have inflated the tire to the specified
pressure, have the system checked by a dealer.
"SYSTEM FUNCTION ERROR" may appear if you
drive with the compact spare tire, or there is a
problem with the TPMS.