overheating Acura TSX 2011 Owner's Manual

This owner’s manual should be considered a permanent part of
the vehicle and should remain with the vehicle when it is sold.
This owner’s manual covers all models of the TSX. You may find
descriptions of equipment and features that are not on your
particular model.
Images throughout this owner’s manual (including the front cover)
represent features and equipment that are available on some, but
not all, models. Your particular model may not have some of these
features.
The information and specifications included in this publication
were in effect at the time of approval for printing. Honda Motor
Co., Ltd. reserves the right, however, to discontinue or change
specifications or design at any time without notice and without
incurring any obligation.
Safe Driving P. 2 1For Safe Driving P. 22 Seat Belts P. 26 Airbags P. 33 Instrument Panel P. 6 3Indicators P. 64 Gauges and Multi-Information Display P. 75 Controls P. 8 7Setting the Clock P. 88 Locking and Unlocking the Doors P. 89
Opening and Closing the Moonroof P. 103
Adjusting the Seats P. 116 Features P. 13 7Audio System P. 138 Audio System Basic Operation P. 141
General Information on the Audio System P. 161 Driving P. 1 8 1Before Driving P. 182 Towing a Trailer P. 187
Refueling P. 215 Fuel Economy P. 218 Maintenance P. 2 2 1Before Performing Maintenance P. 222 Maintenance Minder™ P. 225
Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades P. 257
Climate Control System Maintenance P. 270 Handling the Unexpected P. 2 7 5Tools P. 276 If a Tire Goes Flat P. 277
Overheating P. 288 Indicator, Coming On/Blinking P. 290
When You Cannot Unlock the Fuel Fill Door P. 299 Information P. 3 0 1Specifications P. 302 Identification Numbers P. 306
Emissions Testing P. 309 Warranty Coverages P. 311

16Quick Reference Guide
Flat Tire
P.277
Park in a safe location and replace the
flat tire with the compact spare tire in the
trunk.
Engine Won't Start
P.283
If the battery is dead, jump start using a
booster battery.
Overheating
P.288
Park in a safe location. If you do not see
steam under the hood, open the hood,
and let the engine cool down.
Handling the Unexpected

P.275
Indicators Come On

P.290 Identify the indicator and consult the
owner's manual.
Blown Fuse
P.294
Check for a blown fuse if an electrical
device does not operate.
Emergency Towing
P.298
Call a professional towing service if you
need to tow your vehicle.

Indicators
Multi-Information Display Warning and Information Messages
72Instrument Panel
Multi-Information Display Warning and Information Messages
Message Condition Explanation
t
"QQFBST
XIFO
UIF
FOHJOF
DPPMBOU
UFNQFSBUVSF
HFUT

abnormally high.
 Overheating P. 2 8 8
t
"QQFBST
XIFO
UIF
GVFM
mMM
DBQ
JT
MPPTF
PS
JT
OPU

installed.
 Tighten the Fuel Fill Cap P. 2 9 1
t
"QQFBST
JG
UIFSF
JT
B
QSPCMFN
XJUI
UIF
%3-
TZTUFN t
)BWF
ZPVS
WFIJDMF
DIFDLFE
CZ
B
EFBMFS
 Daytime Running Lights P.1 0 7
Canadian models
t
"QQFBST
XIFO
XBTIFS
nVJE
HFUT
MPX
t
3FmMMJOH
XBTIFS
GVJME
 Refilling Window Washer Fluid P. 2 4 6
The following messages appear only on the multi-information display. Press the
(information) button to see the message
again with the system message indicator on.

75
Gauges and Multi-Information Display
Instrument Panel
GaugesGauges include the speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, and temperature gauge.
They are displayed when the ignition switch is in ON
II
.
Speedometer
Displays your driving speed in mph (U.S.) or km/h (Canada).
Fuel Gauge
Displays the amount of fuel left in the fuel tank.
Temperature Gauge
Displays the temperature of the engine coolant.
Ta c h o m e t e r
Shows the number of engine revolutions per minute.
Fuel Gauge NOTICE You should refuel when the reading approaches
E.
Running out of fuel can cause the engine to misfire,
damaging the catalytic converter.
The actual amount of remaining fuel may differ
from the fuel gauge reading.
Temperature Gauge NOTICE If the engine is in danger of overheating.
Driving with the temperature gauge pointer in the
upper zone can cause serious engine damage. Pull
safely to the side of the road and allow engine
temperature to return to normal.
Overheating


P. 2 8 8

259
Checking and Maintaining Tires
Maintenance
Checking TiresTo safely operate your vehicle, your tires must be of the proper type and size, in
good condition with adequate tread, and properly inflated.
Inflation guidelines
Properly inflated tires provide the best combination of handling, tread life, and
comfort. Refer to the driver’s doorjamb label or specification’s page for the
specified pressure.
Underinflated tires wear unevenly, adversely affect handling and fuel economy,
and are more likely to fail from overheating.
Overinflated tires make your vehicle ride harshly, are more prone to road hazard,
and wear unevenly.
Every day before you drive, look at each of the tires. If one looks lower than the
others, check the pressure with a tire gauge.
At least once a month or before long trips, use a gauge to measure the pressure in
all tires, including the spare. Even tires in good condition can lose 1 to 2 psi (10 to
20 kPa, 0.1 to 0.2 kgf/cm
2) per month.
Inspection guidelines
Every time you check inflation, also examine the tires and valve stems.
Look for:
Bumps or bulges on the side or in the tread. Replace the tire if you find any t
cuts, splits, or cracks in the side of the tire. Replace it if you see fabric or cord.
Remove any foreign objects and inspect for air leaks. t
Uneven tread wear. Have your dealer check the wheel alignment. t
Excessive tread wear. t
Wear Indicators

P. 2 6 4
Cracks or other damage around valve stem. t
WARNING
Using tires that are excessively worn or
improperly inflated can cause a crash
in which you can be seriously hurt or
killed.
Follow all instructions in this owner’s
manual regarding tire inflation and
maintenance. Checking Tires
Measure the air pressure when tires are cold. This
means the vehicle has been parked for at least
three hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km).
If necessary, add or release air until the specified
pressure is reached.
If checked when hot, tire pressure can be as mush
as 4 – 6 psi (30 – 40 kPa, 0.3– 0.4 kgf/cm
2) higher
than if checked when cold.
Have a dealer check the tires if you feel a consistent
vibration while driving. New tires and any that have
been removed and reinstalled should be properly
balanced.

Handling the Unexpected
This chapter explains how to handle unexpected troubles.
To o l s ..................................................... 276
Types of Tools .....................................276
If a Tire Goes Flat ................................ 277
Changing a Flat Tire ........................... 277
Engine Does Not Start
Checking the Engine .......................... 283
Jump Starting ..................................... 284
Shift Lever Does Not Move ............... 287
Overheating ........................................ 288
How to Handle Overheating .............. 288Indicator, Coming On/Blinking
If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator
Comes On ........................................ 290
If the Charging System Indicator
Comes On ........................................ 290
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Comes On or Blinks .......................... 291
If the Brake System Indicator
Comes On ........................................ 292
If the EPS Indicator Comes On ........... 292
If the Low Tire Pressure/ TPMS Indicator
Comes On or Blinks .......................... 293Fuses
Fuse Locations ................................... 294
Inspecting and Changing Fuses .......... 297
Emergency Towing ............................. 298
When You Cannot Unlock the Fuel
Fill Door ............................................. 299
When You Cannot Open the
Trunk .................................................. 300
275

Overheating
288Handling the Unexpected
How to Handle OverheatingOverheating symptoms are as follows:
The temperature gauge needle is at the tH
mark or the engine suddenly loses
power.
Steam is coming out of the engine compartment. t
First thing to do
1. Immediately park the vehicle in a safe place. Automatic transmission models
Move the shift lever to P
and set the parking brake. Turn off all accessories
and turn on the hazard warning lights.
Manual transmission models
Move the shift lever to N
and set the parking brake. Turn off all accessories
and turn on the hazard warning lights.
2. No steam coming out: Keep the engine running and open the hood.
Steam coming out: Turn off the engine and wait until steam goes away.
Then, open the hood.
How to Handle Overheating NOTICE Continuing to drive with the temperature gauge
needle at the
H
mark may damage the engine.WARNING
Steam and spray from an overheated
engine can seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood or engine
compartment if steam is coming out.

Overheating
How to Handle Overheating
289
Handling the Unexpected
Last thing to do
Once the engine has cooled sufficiently, restart it and check the temperature
gauge.
If the temperature gauge needle has gone down, resume driving. If it has not
gone down, contact a dealer for repairs.
How to Handle Overheating
If the coolant is leaking, contact a dealer for repairs.
Use water as an emergency/temporary measure
only. Have a dealer flush the system with proper
antifreeze as soon as possible.
Next thing to do
1. Check that the cooling fan is operating
and stop the engine once the temperature
gauge needle comes down.
If the cooling fan is not operating,
immediately stop the engine.
2. Once the engine has cooled down, inspect
the coolant level and check the cooling
system components for leaks. If the coolant level in the reserve tank
is low, add coolant until it reaches the
MA X mark. If there is no coolant in the reserve tank,
check that the radiator is cool. Cover
the radiator cap with a heavy cloth and
open the cap. If necessary, add coolant
up to the base of the filler neck, and put
the cap back on.
WARNING
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.
Reserve Tank
MAX
MIN

316
Index
C to D
Index
Parking Brake
..............................................................
210
Brightness Control (Instrument Panel)
......
10 9
Bulb Replacement
.....................................................
247
Back-Up Lights
..........................................................
254
Brake, Taillight, Rear Turn Light and
Rear Side Marker Lights
......................................
253
Fog Lights
......................................................................
251
Front Turn/Parking/Side Marker Lights
.........
252
Headlights
.....................................................................
247
High-Mount Brake Light
......................................
256
License Plate
................................................................
255
Side Turn Signal/Emergency Indicator
Lights
.............................................................................
253
Bulb Specifications
.........................................
302,304
CCarbon Monoxide Hazard
.....................................
60
Cargo Hooks
..................................................................
13 0
Carrying Cargo
...................................................
183,185
Certification Label
...................................................
306
CD Player
..........................................................................
147
Changing Bulbs
............................................................
247
Charging System Indicator
..........................
65,290
Child Proof Door Locks
............................................
94
Child Safety
......................................................................
48
Emergency Trunk Opener
......................................
97
Child Seat
...........................................................................
48
Booster Seats
................................................................
59
Child Proof Door Locks
............................................
94
Child Seat for Infants
................................................
50Child Seat for Small Children
................................
51
Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder
Seat Belt
........................................................................
55
Larger Children
............................................................
58
Rear Facing Child Seat
.............................................
50
Selecting a Child Seat
..............................................
52
Using Tether
...................................................................
57
Cleaning the Exterior
..............................................
273
Cleaning the Interior
...............................................
271
Client Service Information
..................................
314
Climate Control System
.........................................
133
Changing the Mode
................................................
133
Defrosting the Windshield and Windows ..13 4
Dust and Pollen Filter
..............................................
270
Recirculation/Fresh Air Mode
............................
133
Sensors
............................................................................
13 6
Synchronized Mode
.................................................
135
Using Automatic Climate Control
...................
133
Clock
......................................................................................
88
Clutch Fluid
.....................................................................
245
Coat Hooks
......................................................................
13 0
Compact Spare Tire
..............................
277,303,305
Compass
............................................................................
17 9
Console Compartment
...........................................
127
Controls
...............................................................................
87
Coolant (Engine)
........................................................
240
Adding to the Radiator
..........................................
241
Adding to the Reserve Tank
..............................
240
Overheating
................................................................
288
Temperature Gauge
..................................................
75
Creeping (Automatic Transmission)
.............
19 4
Cruise Control
...............................................................
201
Indicator
............................................................................
71
Cup Holder
......................................................................
128
Customized Features
.................................................
80
DDaytime Running Lights
.......................................
107
Dead Battery
................................................................
284
Defrosting the Windshield and
Windows
........................................................................
13 4
Detachable Shelf
........................................................
126
Dimming
Headlights
.....................................................................
105
Rear View Mirror
.......................................................
114
Dipstick (Engine Oil)
................................................
235
Directional Signals (Turn Signals)
..................
105
Door Mirrors
..................................................................
114
Doors
.....................................................................................
89
Auto Door Lock
...........................................................
94
Auto Door Unlock
......................................................
94
Door and Trunk Open Indicator
..................
25,68
Keys
....................................................................................
89
Locking/Unlocking the Doors from Inside
....
93
Locking/Unlocking the Doors from
Outside
............................................................................
91
Lockout Prevention System
...................................
92
DOT Tire Quality Grading
....................................
262
Driving
................................................................................
181
Automatic Transmission
........................................
19 4
Braking
............................................................................
210

317
Index
E to H
Continued
Index
Cruise Control
.............................................................
201
Shifting Gear
...............................................................
19 9
Starting the Engine
..................................................
191
Driving Position Memory System
..................
111
Dust and Pollen Filter
.............................................
270
EElapsed Time
....................................................................
79
Electric Power Steering System (EPS)
..68,292
Indicator
.................................................................
68,292
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
..................
204
Emergency
......................................................................
298
Emergency Trunk Opener
.....................................
97
Emissions Testing (Readiness Codes)
..........
309
Engine
................................................................................
306
Coolant
..........................................................................
240
Jump Starting
.............................................................
284
Oil
.....................................................................................
234
Starting
...........................................................................
191
Switch Buzzer
..............................................................
10 4
Engine Coolant
...........................................................
240
Adding to the Radiator
..........................................
241
Adding to the Reserve Tank
..............................
240
Overheating
................................................................
288
Temperature Gauge
..................................................
75
Engine Oil
.......................................................................
234
Adding
............................................................................
237
Checking
........................................................................
235
Displaying Oil Life
.....................................................
225
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
...........................
64,290
Recommended Engine Oil
..................................
234
EPS (Electric Power Steering System)
..68,292
Exhaust Hazard (Carbon Monoxide) .............
60
Exterior Mirrors
...........................................................
114
Exterior Care (Cleaning)
.......................................
273
FFeatures
.............................................................................
137
Filters
Dust and Pollen
..........................................................
270
Oil
.....................................................................................
238
Flat Tire
..............................................................................
277
Floor Mats
........................................................................
272
Fluids
Automatic Transmission
........................................
242
Brake/Clutch
...............................................................
24 4
Engine Coolant
..........................................................
240
Manual Transmission
..............................................
243
Windshield Washer
.................................................
246
Fog Light Indicator
.....................................................
70
Folding Down the Rear Seats
...........................
12 3
Foot Brake
.......................................................................
211
Front Airbags (SRS)
.....................................................
36
Front Seats
.......................................................................
11 6
Adjusting
.......................................................................
11 6
Fuel
................................................................................
14 , 215
Economy
........................................................................
218
Gauge
................................................................................
75
Instant Fuel Economy
...............................................
78
Low Fuel Indicator
......................................................
66
Range
.................................................................................
78
Recommendation
.....................................................
215
Refueling
........................................................................
215
Fuel Economy
................................................................
218
Fuel Fill Cap
.............................................................
14 , 217
Message
.........................................................................
291
Fuel Fill Door
..........................................................
14 , 217
Unable to Unlock
...............................................
14 , 216
Fuses
....................................................................................
294
Inspecting and Changing
.....................................
297
Locations
..................................................
294,295,296
GGasoline (Fuel)
Economy
........................................................................
218
Gauge
................................................................................
75
Information
..................................................................
215
Instant Fuel Economy
...............................................
78
Low Fuel Indicator
......................................................
66
Refueling
........................................................................
215
Gauges
.................................................................................
75
Gear Shift Lever Positions
...................................
19 9
Automatic Transmission
........................................
195
Manual Transmission
..............................................
19 9
Glass (care)
......................................................................
274
Glove Box
.........................................................................
126
HHalogen Bulbs
..............................................................
247