
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

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)

Instruments and Controls
This section gives information aboutthe controls and displays thatcontribute to the daily operation of
your Acura. All the essential controls are within easy reach.
Control Locations................... 52
Indicator Lights........................ 53
Gauges................................58
Speedometer........................ 58
Tachometer.......................... 58
Odometer.......................... 58
Trip Meter............................. 59
Temperature Gauge..................60
Fuel Gauge............................60
Maintenance Required Indicator.......................... 60
Controls Near the Steering
Wheel................................... 62
Headlights..............................63
Automatic Lighting Off
Feature........................... 64
Daytime Running Lights............ 64
Instrument Panel Brightness ........64
Turn Signals......................... 65
Windshield Wipers.................65
Windshield Washers............. 67 Hazard Warning....................... 67
Rear Window Defogger............ 67
Steering Wheel Adjustment....... 68
Steering Wheel Controls............. 69 Cruise Control.........................69
Remote Audio Controls 72
Keys and Locks.........................73
Keys............................... 73
Immobilizer System............... 74
Ignition Switch ......................... 75
Power Door Locks.................77
Remote Transmitter.................78
Childproof Door Locks.............. 81
Trunk.................................. 82
Glove Box ................................ 83
HomeLink Universal Transmitter........................... 84
Seat Adjustments........................ 89
Driver's Seat Full PowerAdjustments........................ 89
Front Passenger's Seat Adjustments.........................90
Driver's Lumbar Support........... 91Head Restraints...................... 91
Center Console Armrest............92
Rear Seat Armrest....................4 92
Trunk Pass-through Cover........ 92
Seat Heaters........................... 94
Power Windows........................... 95
Moonroof...............................96
Mirrors.................................97
Adjusting the Power Mirrors....... 98
Parking Brake......................... 99
Digital Clock...........................100
Console Compartment................ 101
Coin Box..................................101
Armrest Storage
Compartments.......................102
Beverage Holder........................ 103
Sun Visor...............................104
Vanity Mirror........................... 104
Sunglasses Holder.....................105
Accessory Power Sockets.......... 105
Interior Lights..........................106
CD Holder................................ 107
Instruments and Controls

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)

Indicator Lights
The instrument panel has manyindicators to give you important
information about your car.LOW OIL HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
PRESSURE
INDICATOR CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCKBRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR
CHARGING DOOR-OPEN LOW FUEL
SYSTEM INDICATOR INDICATOR INDICATOR
TRACTION CONTROL
SYSTEM INDICATOR BRAKE LAMP
INDICATOR SIDE AIRBAG
INDICATOR
PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR*
* The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Differences for Canadian models ar\
e
noted in the text.
Instruments and Controls
MALFUNCTION
INDICATOR
LAMP SEAT BELT
REMINDER
LIGHT

Indicator Lights
CRUISECONTROLCruise Control Indicator
This lights when you set the cruise control. See page 69 for informationon operating the cruise control.
Low Fuel Indicator
This light comes on as a reminder that you must refuel soon.
BRAKE LAMPParking Brake and
Brake System Indicator
If a brake light does not work, the BRAKE LAMP indicator comes on
when you push the brake pedal with the ignition switch ON (II).
A burned out brake light is a hazard
when drivers behind you cannot tell
you are braking. Have your brake lights repaired right away. Immobilizer System
Indicator
This indicator comes on for a few seconds when you turn the ignition
switch ON (II). It will then go off if
you have inserted a properly-coded ignition key. If it is not a properly-
coded key, the indicator will blink
and the engine will not start (see
page 74).
This indicator also blinks several times when you turn the ignition switch from ON (II) to ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK (0). Washer Level Indicator
Canadian models only
This light comes on when the
washer fluid level is low. Add washerfluid when you see this light come on (see page 212).
Instruments and Controls

Gauges
TACHOMETER SPEEDOMETER TRIP METER FUEL GAUGE TEMPERATUREGAUGE
MAINTENANCE TRIP METER
REQUIRED INDICATOR OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR RESET BUTTON
Speedometer
U.S. Models
This shows your speed in miles per hour (mph). The smaller innernumbers are the speed in kilometers
per hour (km/h).
Canadian Models
This shows your speed in kilometers per hour (km/h). The smaller innernumbers are the speed in miles per
hour (mph). Tachometer
The tachometer shows the engine
speed in revolutions per minute (rpm). To protect the engine from
damage, never drive with the
tachometer needle in the red zone. Odometer
The odometer shows the total dis- tance your car has been driven. It
measures miles in U.S. models and
kilometers in Canadian models. It is illegal under U.S. federal law andCanadian provincial regulations to
disconnect, reset, or alter the
odometer with the intent to change
the number of miles or kilometers
indicated.
Instruments and Controls ODOMETER

Gauges
Temperature Gauge
This shows the temperature of theengine's coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom white mark to about the middle of the gauge. In severedriving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill driving, the pointer may rise to near
the upper red mark. If it reaches the red (Hot) mark, pull safely to theside of the road. Turn to page 265 for
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine's cooling system. Fuel Gauge
This shows how much fuel you have. It is most accurate when the car is on
level ground. It may show slightly
more or less than the actual amount
when you are driving on curvy or hilly roads.
The needle returns to the bottom after you turn off the ignition. The
gauge shows the fuel level reading
immediately after you turn the
ignition switch back ON (II). Maintenance Required Indicator
MAINTENANCE REQUIRED
INDICATOR
This indicator reminds you that it is
time to take your car in forscheduled maintenance.Refer to the Maintenance Schedules
for Normal and Severe Driving Conditions on pages 192 — 196.
Instruments and Controls