ABS Acura TSX 2011 Owner's Manual

8Quick Reference Guide
Instrument Panel
P.63
Lights On IndicatorHigh Beam IndicatorFog Light Indicator
Temperature
Gauge
Fuel Gauge Speedometer
Tachometer
Low Fuel
Indicator
Security System Alarm
Indicator Multi-Information Display
Shift Lever Position Indicator
*
Gear Position Indicator
*
Gauges

P.75
Multi-Information Display

P.76
System Indicators

P.64
Lights Reminders
System IndicatorsSystem Indicators
VSA
® OFF Indicator
Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
IndicatorsElectric Power
Steering (EPS)
IndicatorMalfunction
Indicator LampLow Oil Pressure
IndicatorCharging System
IndicatorAnti-lock Brake
System (ABS)
IndicatorVehicle Stability
Assist (VSA
®) System
Indicator
Seat Belt Reminder
IndicatorImmobilizer System
IndicatorSupplemental
Restraint System
IndicatorLow Tire Pressure/
TPMS IndicatorDoor and Trunk
Open IndicatorCruise Main IndicatorCruise Control
IndicatorSystem Message
Indicator Parking Brake
and Brake System
Indicator
U. S.Canada
Side Airbag Off
Indicator
U. S.Canada

17Quick Reference Guide
What to Do If
The ignition switch does not
turn from
to
. Why?t The steering wheel may be locked.
Try to turn the steering wheel left and
t
right while turning the ignition key.
The ignition switch does
not turn from
to
and I
cannot remove the key. Why?
The shift lever should be moved to
P
.
Why does the brake pedal
pulsate slightly when applying
the brakes?
This can occur when the ABS activates, and does not indicate
a problem. Apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
Never pump the brake pedal.
The rear door cannot be
opened from inside the
vehicle. Why?
Check if the childproof lock is in the
LOCK position. If so, open the rear
door with the outside door handle.
To cancel this function, push the
lever to the UNLOCK position.
Why do the doors lock after
I unlocked the doors using a
remote transmitter?
If you do not open the doors within 30 seconds, the doors are
relocked automatically for security.

38Safe Driving
Airbags
Front Airbags (SRS)
When front airbags should not deploy
Minor frontal crashes: Front airbags were designed to supplement seat belts
and help save lives, not to prevent minor scrapes, or even broken bones that might
occur during a less than moderate-to-severe frontal crash.
Side impacts: Front airbags can provide protection when a sudden deceleration
causes a driver or front passenger to move towards the front of the vehicle. Side
airbags and side curtain airbags have been specifically designed to help reduce the
severity of injuries that can occur during a moderate-to-severe side impact which
can cause the driver or passenger to move towards the side of the vehicle.
Rear impacts: Head restraints and seat belts are your best protection during a
rear impact. Front airbags cannot provide any significant protection and are not
designed to deploy in such collisions.
Rollovers: Seat belts, and in vehicles equipped with a rollover sensor, side airbags,
and side curtain airbags offer the best protection in a rollover. Because front
airbags could provide little if any protection, they are not designed to deploy
during a rollover. When front airbags deploy with little or no visible damage
Because the airbag system senses sudden deceleration, a strong impact to the
vehicle framework or suspension might cause one or more of the airbags to
deploy. Examples include running into a curb, the edge of a hole, or other low
fixed object that causes a sudden deceleration in the vehicle chassis. Since the
impact is underneath the vehicle, damage may not be readily apparent. When front airbags may not deploy, even though exterior damage
appears severe
Since crushable body parts absorb crash energy during an impact, the amount of
visible damage does not always indicate proper airbag operation. In fact, some
collisions can result in severe damage but no airbag deployment because the
airbags would not have been needed or would not have provided protection even
if they had deployed.

Airbags
Side Airbags
41
Continued
Safe Driving
When a side airbag deploys with little or no visible damage
Because the airbag system senses sudden acceleration, a strong impact to the side
of the vehicle's framework can cause a side airbag to deploy. In such cases, there
may be little or no damage, but the side impact sensors detected a severe enough
impact to deploy the airbag. When a side airbag may not deploy, even though visible damage
appears severe
It is possible for a side airbag to not deploy during an impact that results in
apparently severe damage. This can occur when the point of impact was towards
the far front or rear of the vehicle, or when the vehicle's crushable body parts
absorbed most of the crash energy. In either case, the side airbag would not have
been needed nor provided protection even if it had deployed.

Indicators
64Instrument Panel
Indicator Name On/Blinking Explanation Message
U.S.Canada
Parking Brake
and
Brake System
Indicatort
$PNFT
PO
CSJFnZ
XIFO
ZPV
UVSO

the ignition switch to ON
II
,
then goes off (comes on when
the parking brake is applied).
t
$PNFT
PO
XIFO
UIF
CSBLF
nVJE

level is low.
t
$PNFT
PO
JG
UIFSF
JT
B
QSPCMFN

with the brake system.
t
5IF
CFFQFS
TPVOET
BOE
UIF

indicator comes on if you drive
with the parking brake not fully
released.t
Comes on while driving - Make sure
the parking brake is released. Check the
CSBLF
nVJE
MFWFM
 What to do when it comes on while
driving P. 2 9 2
t
Comes on along with the ABS
indicator - Have the vehicle checked by
a dealer.
 If the Brake System Indicator Comes
On P. 2 9 2
Low Oil
Pressure
Indicatort
$PNFT
PO
XIFO
ZPV
UVSO
UIF

ignition switch to ON
II
, and
goes off when the engine starts.
t
$PNFT
PO
XIFO
UIF
FOHJOF
PJM

pressure is low.t
Comes on during driving -
Immediately stop in a safe place.
 If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator
Comes On P. 2 9 0
U.S.
Canada

66Instrument Panel
Indicators
Indicator Name On/Blinking Explanation Message
Seat Belt
Reminder
Indicatort
$PNFT
PO
BOE
UIF
CFFQFS
TPVOET

if you are not wearing a seat belt
when you turn the ignition switch
to ON
II
. If the front passenger
is not wearing a seat belt, the
indicator comes on about six
seconds later.
t
#MJOLT
EVSJOH
ESJWJOH
JG
FJUIFS
ZPV

or the front passenger has not
fastened a seat belt. The beeper
sounds and the indicator blinks at
regular intervals.t
5IF
CFFQFS
TUPQT
BOE
UIF
JOEJDBUPS

goes off when you and the front
passenger fasten their seat belts.
t
Stays on after you or the front
passenger has fastened the seat
belt - A detection error may have
occurred in the sensor. Have the
vehicle checked by a dealer.
 Seat Belt Reminder Indicator P. 2 7
Indicator
Low Fuel
Indicatort
$PNFT
PO
XIFO
UIF
GVFM
SFTFSWF
JT

running low (approximately 2.8 U.S.
gal./10.5 Liter left).

t
#MJOLT
JG
UIFSF
JT
B
QSPCMFN
XJUI
UIF

fuel gauge.t
Comes on - Refuel your vehicle as
soon as possible.
t
Blinks - Have the vehicle checked by
a dealer.ABS (Anti-lock
Brake System)
Indicatort
$PNFT
PO
GPS
B
GFX
TFDPOET
XIFO

you turn the ignition switch to ON
II
, then goes off.
t
*G
JU
DPNFT
PO
BU
BOZ
PUIFS
UJNF


there is a problem with the ABS.t
Stays on constantly - Have the
vehicle checked by a dealer. With
this indicator on, your vehicle still has
normal braking ability but no anti-lock
function.
 ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
P. 2 12

Interior Lights/Interior Convenience Items
Interior Convenience Items
126Controls
Interior Convenience Items
Glove Box
Pull the handle to open the glove box. You
can lock the glove box with the master key.
Glove Box
The glove box light comes on when the parking
lights are on.
WARNING
An open glove box can cause serious
injury to your passenger in a crash, even if
the passenger is wearing the seat belt.
Always keep the glove box closed while
driving.
Detachable shelf
The shelf in the glove box is detachable.
To remove it, disengage the tabs.
ShelfGlove Box
To L o c k

181
This chapter discusses driving, refueling, and information on items such as accessories.
Driving
Cruise Control .................................... 201
VSA
® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka
ESC (Electronic Stability Control),
System ............................................ 204
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring
System) ............................................ 206
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)-
Required Federal Explanation ........... 208
Braking
Brake System ......................................210
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) .............212
Brake Assist System .............................213Parking Your Vehicle
When Stopped ....................................214
Parking ...............................................214
Refueling
Fuel Information .................................215
How to Refuel .....................................216
Fuel Economy ...................................... 218
Improving Fuel Economy .....................218
Accessories and Modifications
Accessories .........................................219
Modifications ......................................219 Before Driving
Driving Preparation ............................ 182
Maximum Load Limit ......................... 185
Towing a Trailer
Towing Preparation ............................ 187
Driving Safely with a Trailer ................ 189
Towing Your Vehicle .......................... 190
When Driving
Starting the Engine .............................191
Precautions While Driving ...................193
Automatic Transmissions .................... 194
Shifting (Automatic Transmission) ...... 195
Shifting (Manual Transmission) ........... 199

Braking
Brake System
211
Driving
Foot Brake
Your vehicle is equipped with disc brakes at all four wheels. A power assist helps
reduce the effort needed on the brake pedal. The brake assist system increases the
stopping force when you depress the brake pedal hard in an emergency situation.
The anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps you retain steering control when braking
very hard.
Brake Assist System

P. 2 13
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)


P. 2 12
Foot Brake
Check the brakes after driving through deep water,
or if there is a buildup of road surface water. If
necessary, dry the brakes by lightly depressing the
pedal several times.
If you hear a continuous metallic friction sound
when applying the brakes, the brake pads need to
be replaced. Have the vehicle checked by a dealer.
Constantly using the brake pedal while going down
a long hill builds up heat, which reduces the brake
effectiveness. Apply engine braking by taking your
foot off the accelerator pedal and downshifting to
a lower gear. With manual transmission use a lower
gear for greater engine braking.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, as it will lightly apply the brakes and cause
them to lose effectiveness over time and reduce pad
life. It will also confuse drivers behind you.

Braking
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
212Driving
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
ABS
Helps prevent the wheels from locking up, and helps you retain steering control by
pumping the brakes rapidly, much faster than you.
The electronic brake distribution (EBD) system, which is part of the ABS, also
balances the front-to-rear braking distribution according to vehicle loading.
You should never pump the brake pedal. Let the ABS work for you by always
keeping firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. This is sometimes referred to as
"stomp and steer."
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) NOTICE The ABS may not function correctly if you use an
incorrect tire type and size.
When the ABS indicator comes on while driving,
there may be a problem with the system.
While normal braking is not affected, there is a
possibility of the ABS not operating. Have the
vehicle checked by a dealer immediately.
The ABS does not reduce the time or distance it
takes to stop the vehicle. It only helps with steering
control during hard braking.
In the following cases, your vehicle may need more
stopping distance than a vehicle without ABS:
When driving on rough road surfaces, including twhen driving on uneven surfaces, such as gravel
or snow.
When tire chains are installed. tYou may hear a motor sound coming from the
engine compartment while system checks are being
performed immediately after starting the engine or
while driving. This is normal.
ABS operation
The brake pedal may pulsate slightly when the ABS is working. Keep holding the
pedal firmly down. On dry pavement, you will need to press on the brake pedal
very hard before the ABS activates. However, you may feel the ABS activate
immediately if you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
When the vehicle speed goes under 6 mph (10 km/h), the ABS stops.