Acura TSX 2012 Owner's Manual
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120
uuAdjusting the SeatsuAdjusting the Seat Positions
Controls
The firmness of the seat-back can be adjusted.
To make it firmer:
Pull the lever backward.
To make it less firm:
Push the lever forward.
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Adjusting the Driver’s Seat Lumbar Support 
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uuAdjusting the SeatsuAdjusting the Seat Positions
Controls
After all occupants have adjusted their seats and head restraints, and put on their 
seat belts, it is very important that they continue to sit upright, well back in their 
seats, with their feet on the floor, until the vehicle is safely parked and the engine is 
off.
Sitting improperly can increase the chance of injury during a crash. For example, if 
an occupant slouches, lies down, turns sideways, sits forward, leans forward or 
sideways, or puts one or both feet up, the chance of injury during a crash is greatly 
increased.
In addition, an occupant who is out of position in the front seat can be seriously or 
fatally injured in a crash by striking interior parts of the vehicle or being struck by an 
inflating front airbag.â– 
Maintain a Proper Sitting Position
1Maintain a Proper Sitting Position
3
WARNING
Sitting improperly or out of position can 
result in serious injury or death in a crash.
Always sit upright, well back in the seat, 
with your feet on the floor. 
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uuAdjusting the SeatsuAdjusting the Seat Positions
122Controls
The driver’s and front passenger’s seats have active head restraints. In a rear impact, 
an occupant properly secured by a seat belt will be pushed against the seat-back and 
the head restraint will move forward. This reduces the distance between the 
restraint and the occupant’s head, which helps reduce the likelihood of whiplash 
and injuries to the neck and upper spine.â– 
Active Head Restraints
1Active Head Restraints
In order for the active head restraints to operate 
properly:•Do not hang any items on the head restraints, or 
from the restraint legs.•Do not place any object between an occupant and 
the seat-back.•Install each restraint in its proper location.
After a collision, the activated restraint should return 
to its normal position. If the restraint does not return 
to its normal position, or in the event of a severe 
collision, have the vehicle inspected by a dealer. 
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uuAdjusting the SeatsuRear Seats
Controls
Rear Seats
1.Remove the center shoulder belt from the 
guide.
2.Pull the release lever in the trunk to release 
the lock.
3.Fold the seat-back down.
If the rear head restraints get caught on the 
front seat-backs, remove the head restraints.
2Removing and Reinstalling the Head 
Restraints P. 119
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Folding Down the Rear Seats
1Folding Down the Rear Seats
The rear seat-backs can be folded down to 
accommodate bulkier items in the trunk.
Never drive with a seat-back folded down and the 
trunk lid open.
2Carbon Monoxide Gas P. 60
To lock a seat-back upright, push it backwards until it 
locks.
When returning a seat-back to it’s original position, 
push it firmly back. Also, make sure all rear shoulder 
belts are positioned in front of the seat-back, and the 
center shoulder belt is re-positioned in the guide.
Make sure that the folded seat-back does not press 
against the front passenger seat, as this can cause the 
weight sensors in the front passenger seat to work 
improperly.
2Passenger Airbag Off Indicator P. 45
Also make sure all items in the trunk or items 
extending through the opening into the rear 
seats are properly secured. Loose items can fly 
forward if you have to brake hard.
Guide
Center 
Shoulder 
Belt
Release 
Lever 
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uuAdjusting the SeatsuArmrest
Controls
Armrest
The console lid can be used as an armrest.
To adjust:
Push the release lever and slide the armrest to 
a desired position. Release the lever to lock 
the position.
Pull down the armrest in the center seat-back.
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Using the Front Seat Armrest
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Using the Rear Seat Armrest 
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Controls
Interior Lights/Interior Convenience ItemsInterior Lights
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ON
The interior lights come on regardless of 
whether the doors are open or closed.
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Door activated
The interior lights come on in the following 
situations:
•When any of the doors are opened.
•You unlock the driver’s door.
•You remove the key from the ignition 
switch.
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OFF
The interior lights remain off regardless of 
whether the doors are open or closed.
The map lights can be turned on and off by 
pressing the lenses.
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Interior Light Switches
1Interior Light Switches
In the door activated position, the interior lights fade 
out and go off about 30 seconds after the doors are 
closed.
The lights go off after 30 seconds in the following 
situations:•When you unlock the driver’s door but do not open 
it.•When you remove the key from the ignition switch 
but do not open a door.
You can change the interior lights dimming time.
2Customized Features P. 80
The interior lights go off immediately in the following 
situations:•When you lock the driver’s door.•When you close the driver’s door with the key in 
the ignition switch.•When you turn the ignition switch to ON 
(w
.
If you leave any of the doors open without the key in 
the ignition switch, the interior lights go off after 
about 15 minutes.
Door Activated Position
Off
Front
Door Activated Position
On
Off Rear
On
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Map Lights
1Map Lights
When the ceiling light switch is in the door activated 
position and any door is open, the map light will not 
go off when you press the lens. 
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uuInterior Lights/Interior Convenience ItemsuInterior Convenience Items
Controls
Interior Convenience Items
Pull the handle to open the glove box. You 
can lock the glove box with the master key.â– 
Detachable shelf
The shelf in the glove box is detachable. To 
remove it, disengage the tabs.
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Glove Box
1Glove Box
The glove box light comes on when the parking lights 
are on.
3
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.
Glove Box
To Lock
Shelf 
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uuInterior Lights/Interior Convenience ItemsuInterior Convenience Items
Controls
Pull the handle to open the console 
compartment.
To use the console lid as an armrest, slide it to 
the desired position while pulling up the 
release lever.
You can keep beverage bottles and cans cool 
with the air conditioning system.
1.Turn the dial counterclockwise to open the 
air vent in the console compartment.
2.Turn on the climate control system and 
adjust the temperature to cool.
3.Set the mode control   or  .
uThe cool air is diverted through the air 
vent.
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Console Compartment
1Console Compartment
Use only resealable containers or keep unopened 
cans in the console compartment.
Spilled liquids can damage the upholstery and 
electrical components in the console compartment.
When the heater begins to divert warm air, the 
airflow into the console compartment is shut off.
Close
Open 
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uuInterior Lights/Interior Convenience ItemsuInterior Convenience Items
128Controls
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Front seat beverage holders
Press the raised detent to open the lid. To 
close the lid, push it down until it latches.
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Rear seat beverage holders
Fold the armrest down to use the rear seat 
beverage holders.
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Beverage Holders
1Beverage Holders
NOTICESpilled liquids can damage the upholstery, carpeting, 
and electrical components in the interior.
Be careful when you are using the beverage holders. 
Hot liquid can scald you.
Push 
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uuInterior Lights/Interior Convenience ItemsuInterior Convenience Items
Controls
There are two accessory power sockets; one in 
the console compartment and the other at the 
front of the center console. They can be used 
when the ignition switch is in ACCESSORY 
(q
 
or ON 
(w
.
Open the cover to use it.
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Accessory Power Sockets
1Accessory Power Sockets
NOTICEDo not insert an automotive type cigarette lighter 
element.
This can overheat the power socket.
The accessory power socket is designed to supply 
power for 12 volt DC accessories that are rated 120 
watts or less (10 amps).
To prevent battery drain, only use the power socket 
with the engine running.
When both sockets are being used, the combined 
power rating of the accessories should not exceed 
120 watts (10 amps).