Page 1 of 311

2000 TL Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com.
Contents
Introduction ........................................................................\
................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safet y........................................................................\
.........................................ii
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
..................................... .5
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restr\
aint System.
Instruments and Control s........................................................................\
........................................ .51
Instrument panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering colu\
mn controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ........................................................................\
..................... 109
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
Before Driving........................................................................\
..........................................................145
What gasoline to use, how to break-in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
..................................................................... .159
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
.............................................................187
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take your vehicle to the dealer.
Appearance Car e........................................................................\
..................................................... .245
Tips on cleaning and protecting your vehicle. Things to look for if your\
vehicle ever needs body repairs.
Taking Care of the Unexpecte d........................................................................\
..............................253
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, a nd how to handle them.
Technical Informatio n........................................................................\
.............................................279
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................291
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact \
us.
Authorized Manu als (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................297
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index........................................................................\
........................................................................\
...... I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump. Owner's Identification Form
Your Vehicle at a Glance........................................................................\
............................................ 2
Page 5 of 311
Your Car at a Glance
MIRROR
CONTROLS(P.98) AIRBAGS
(P.9, 43)
DIGITAL CLOCK
(P. 100)
CLIMATE CONTROL (P.110, 118)
AUDIO SYSTEM (P.123)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION (P. 162)
HOOD RELEASE
HANDLE
(P.148)
FUEL FILL DOOR
HANDLE
(P.147)
TRUNK RELEASE
BUTTON
(P.82)
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
(P.95) POWER DOOR LOCK
SWITCH
(P.77)
Page 52 of 311

Carbon Monoxide Hazard
Your vehicle's exhaust containscarbon monoxide gas. You should
have no problem with carbon monoxide entering the vehicle in
normal driving if you maintain your
vehicle properly.
Have the exhaust system inspected
for leaks whenever:
• The vehicle is raised for an oil change.
• You notice a change in the sound of the exhaust.
• The vehicle was in an accident that may have damaged the under-side. Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and even kill
you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.
High levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidly in enclosed areas, such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.
Even with the door open, run the
engine only long enough to move the
vehicle out of the garage. With the trunk lid open, air flow can
pull exhaust gas into your car's
interior and create a hazardouscondition. If you must drive with the
trunk lid open, open all the windows and set the climate control system as
shown below.
If you must sit in your parked car, even in an unconfined area, with the
engine running, adjust the climate
control system as follows:
1. Push the button.
2. Select the mode.
3. Turn the fan on high speed.
4. Set the temperature control to a
comfortable setting.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Page 55 of 311
Control Locations
POWER DOOR LOCK
SWITCH
(P.77)
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES (P.96)
TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON
(P.82)
FUEL FILL DOOR
HANDLE
(P.147)HOOD RELEASE
HANDLE
(P.148) CLIMATE CONTROL
(P. 110, 118)
AUDIO SYSTEM (P.123)
Instruments and Controls DIGITAL CLOCK
(P.100)
MIRROR
CONTROLS
(P.98)
Page 112 of 311

Comfort and Convenience Features
The climate control system in your
Acura provides a comfortable drivingenvironment in all weather condi-
tions.
The standard audio system hasmany features. This section de-
scribes those features and how to
use them.
The security system helps to dis- courage vandalism and theft of your
Acura.
Climate Control System.......... .......... 110
3.2 TL without Navigation System
Fully-automatic Operation............ 112
Semi-automatic Operation............ 113
Rear Window Defogger
Button.......... .............................. 116
Sunlight Sensor/ Temperature Sensor............ 117
3.2 TL with Navigation System
Fully-automatic Operation.......... 118
Semi-automatic Operation.......... 119
Rear Window Defogger Button........................................ 122
Audio System.............................. 123 Operating the Radio.......... .......... 124
Adjusting the Sound.................... 128
Audio System Lighting.......... .... 129
Radio Frequencies.................... 129
Radio Reception............
........ 129
Operating the CD Player......... ... 131
Operating the CD Changer.......... .. 133
Protecting Compact Discs.......... 134
CD Player Error Indications.......... 135
CD Changer Error
Indications.......... .................... 136Operating the Cassette
Player........................................ 137
Tape Search Functions.......... .. 138
Caring for the Cassette
Player........................................ 140
Remote Audio Controls............ 141
Theft Protection.......... ............ 142
Security System.............................. 143
Comfort and Convenience Features
Page 113 of 311
Climate Control System
The automatic climate controlsystem in your Acura picks the
proper combination of air condi-
tioning, heating, and ventilation to maintain the interior temperature
you select. The system also adjusts the fan speed and air flow levels.
The direction of air flow from the vents in the center and each side ofthe dashboard, and in back of thecenter console is adjustable.
To adjust the air flow from each vent, move the tab in the center of each
vent up-and-down and side-to-side.
The side and rear vents can be opened and closed with the dials.CENTER VENTS
The climate control system draws airthrough the exterior vents at the
bottom of the windshield. Keep
these vents clear of leaves and otherdebris.
DRIVER'S-SIDE VENT
For the climate control system to
provide heating and cooling, the
engine must be running.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Page 114 of 311
Climate Control System
PASSENGER'S-SIDE VENTREAR VENTS DIAL TABS Comfort and Convenience Features
Page 115 of 311

Climate Control System
3.2 TL without Navigation System
Fully-automatic Operation
To put the Automatic Climate Control in fully-automatic mode,
press the AUTO button and set the
fan control dial to AUTO, then set
the desired temperature by turning
the temperature control dial. You will see FULL AUTO in the system's
display. The light above the
button also shows you which
mode, Recirculation or Fresh Air, is selected.
The system automatically selects the proper mix of conditioned and/or
heated air that will, as quickly as
possible, raise or lower the interior
temperature from its current level to
the set temperature.
TEMPERATURE
CONTROL DIAL FULL AUTO FAN CONTROL DIAL
DISPLAY
AUTO BUTTON OFF BUTTON
When you set the temperature to its lower limit (60°F/18°C) or its upper
limit (90°F/32°C), the system runsat full cooling or heating only. It does
not regulate the interior temperature.
When the temperature is set between the lower and upper limits,the system regulates the interior
temperature to the set value.
Comfort and Convenience Features