One of the best ways to enhance the enjoyment of your new Acura is to read
this manual. In it, you will learn how to operate its driving controls and
convenience items. Af terwards, keep this owner’s manual in your car so you
can ref er to it at any time.
Several warranties protect your new Acura. Read the warranty booklet
thoroughly so you understand the coverages and are aware of your rights
and responsibilities.
Maintaining your car according to the schedules given in this manual helps
to keep your driving trouble-f ree while it preserves your investment. When
your car needs maintenance, keep in mind that your Acura dealer’s staf f is
specially trained in servicing the many systems unique to your Acura. Your
Acura dealer is dedicated to your satisf action and will be pleased to answer
any questions and concerns.As you read this manual, you will
f ind inf ormation that is preceded by
a
symbol. This
inf ormation is intended to help you
avoid damage to your Acura, other
property, or the environment.
Congratulations! Your selection of a 2001 Acura 3.2 TL was a wise
investment. It will give you years of driving pleasure.
Calif ornia Proposition 65 Warning
This product contains or emits chemicals known to the State of
Calif ornia to cause cancer and birth def ects or other reproductive harm.
Introduction
WARNING:
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To help you make inf ormed
decisions about saf ety, we have
provided operating procedures and
other inf ormation on labels and in
this manual. This inf ormation alerts
you to potential hazards that could
hurt you or others.
You will f ind this important saf ety inf ormation in a variety of f orms,
including:
preceded by a saf ety alert symbol and one of
three signal words: , , or .
These signal words mean:
such as Driver and Passenger Safety.
This entire book is f illed with important saf ety inf ormation please read it
caref ully. such as Important Saf ety Reminders or Important
Safety Precautions.
Of course, it is not practical or
possible to warn you about all the
hazards associated with operating or
maintaining your car. You must use
your own good judgement. on the car.
Your safety, and the safety of others,
is very important. And operating this
car saf ely is an important
responsibility.
how to use this car correctly and saf ely.
AFewWordsAboutSafety
Saf ety Messages
Saf ety Section Saf ety Headings Saf ety L abels
InstructionsDANGER WARNING CAUTION
ii
You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don’t follow instructions.
You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don’t follow instructions.
You CAN be HURT if you don’t follow
instructions.
You’ll f ind many saf ety
recommendations throughout this
section, and throughout this manual.
Therecommendationsonthispage
are the ones we consider to be the
most important.Excessive speed is a major f actor in
crash injuries and deaths. Generally,
the higher the speed the greater the
risk, but serious accidents can also
occur at lower speeds. Never drive
f aster than is saf e f or current
conditions, regardless of the
maximum speed posted.
A seat belt is your best protection in
all types of collisions. Airbags
supplement seat belts, but airbags
are designed to inf late only in a
moderate to severe f rontal collision.
So even though your car is equipped
with airbags, make sure you and
your passengers always wear your
seat belts, and wear them properly.
(See page .)
Children are saf est when they are
properly restrained in the back seat,
notthefrontseat.Achildwhoistoo
smallforaseatbeltmustbeproperly
restrained in a child saf ety seat. (See
page .) Having a tire blowout or a
mechanical f ailure can be extremely
hazardous. To reduce the possibility
of such problems, check your tire
pressures and condition f requently,
and perform all regularly scheduled
maintenance. (See page .)
Alcohol and driving don’t mix. Even
one drink can reduce your ability to
respond to changing conditions, and
your reaction time gets worse with
every additional drink. So don’t drink
and drive, and don’t let your f riends
drink and drive, either. While airbags can save lives, they
can cause serious or fatal injuries to
occupants who sit too close to them,
or are not properly restrained.
Inf ants, young children, and short
adults are at the greatest risk. Be
sure to f ollow all instructions and
warnings in this manual. (See page
.)
9
15
21 196
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Important Saf ety Precautions
Always Wear Your Seat Belt
Be Aware of Airbag Hazards Control Your Speed
K eep Your Car in Saf e Condition
Restrain All Children Don’t Drink and Drive
6
To remind you of the passenger’s
f ront airbag hazards, and that
children must be properly restrained
in the back seat, your car has
warninglabelsonthedashboardand
on the driver’s and f ront passenger’s
visors. Please read and f ollow the
instructions on these labels.To remind you of the f ront airbag
hazards, your car has warning labels
on the driver’s and f ront passenger’s
visors. Please read and f ollow the
instructions on these labels.
U.S. Models
Canadian Models
Protecting Children
Driver and Passenger Saf ety24
This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your Acura. All the essential controls
are within easy reach............................
Control Locations .54
...............................
Indicator Lights .55
.............................................
Gauges .60
...............................
Speedometer .60
.................................
Tachometer .60
.....................................
Odometer .61
...................................
Trip Meter .61
Outside Temperature ...................................
Indicator .62
...................
Temperature Gauge . 62
..................................
Fuel Gauge .62
Maintenance Required ...................................
Indicator .63
Controls Near the Steering .......................................
Wheel .64
...................................
Headlights .65
Automatic Lighting Off .....................................
Feature .66 ............
Daytime Running Lights . 66
....
Instrument Panel Brightness . 67
................................
Turn Signals .67
.....................
Windshield Wipers .68
..................
Windshield Washers . 69
..........................
Hazard Warning .69
.............
Rear Window Def ogger . 70
......
Steering Wheel Adjustment . 71
...............
Steering Wheel Controls . 72
.............................
Cruise Control .72
.............
Remote Audio Controls . 75
...............................
Keys and Locks .76
..............................................
Keys .76
....................
Immobilizer System . 77
............................
Ignition Switch .78
......................
Power Door Locks .79
...................
Remote Transmitter . 81
..............
Childproof Door Locks . 84
...........................................
Trunk .84
........
Emergency Trunk Opener . 86
....................................
Glove Box .87
HomeLink Universal .................................
Transmitter .88
............................
Seat Adjustments .93
Driver’s Seat Full Power ............................
Adjustments .93 Front Passenger’s Seat
............................
Adjustments .94
...........
Driver’s Lumbar Support . 95
..........................
Head Restraints .95
............
Center Console Armrest . 96
......................
Rear Seat Armrest .97
........
Trunk Pass-through Cover . 97
....................................
Seat Heaters .98
..............................
Power Windows .99
.......................................
Moonroof .100
...........................................
Mirrors .101
..
Adjusting the Power Mirrors . 102
...............................
Parking Brake .103
..................................
Digital Clock .104
.................
Console Compartment . 105
........................................
Coin Box .105
Armrest Storage ..........................
Compartments .106
...........................
Beverage Holder .107
........................................
Sun Visor .108
................................
Vanity Mirror .108
........................
Sunglasses Holder .109
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 109
...............................
Interior Lights .110
......................................
CD Holder .111
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols53
Canadian models only
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch to ON (II) with
the headlight switch of f and the
parking brake set. It should go of f if
youturnontheheadlightsorrelease
the parking brake. If it comes on at
any other time, it means there is a
problem with the DRL. There may
also be a problem with the high
beam headlights.
This light comes on with the high
beam headlights. See page f or
inf ormation on the headlight
controls.
On Canadian models, this indicator
comes on with reduced brightness
when the Daytime Running Lights
(DRL) are on (see page ).
The lef t or right turn signal light
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If the light does not blink or
blinks rapidly, it usually means one
of the turn signal bulbs is burned out
(see page ). Replace the bulb as
soon as possible, since other drivers
cannot see that you are signalling.
The appropriate light comes on in
this display if the trunk or any door
is not closed tightly.
WhenyouturnontheHazard
Warning switch, both turn signal
lights blink. All turn signals on the
outside of the car should f lash.
All the lights in the monitor display
come on f or a f ew seconds when you
turn the ignition switch ON (II). 241
65
66
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
‘‘Daytime Running
Lights’’ Indicator
High Beam Indicator
Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
Door and T runk Open Monitor
58
To clean the windshield, pull back on
the wiper control lever. The washers
spray until you release the lever. The
wipers run at low speed while you’re
pulling the lever, then complete one
more sweep of the windshield af ter
you release it.
To operate the wipers in mist mode,
push the control lever down. The
wipers run at high speed until you
release the lever. This gives you a
quick way to clear the windshield.
Push the button to the right of the
clocktoturnonthehazardwarning
lights (f our-way f lashers). This
causes all f our outside turn signals
and both indicators in the instrument
panel to flash. Use the hazard
warning lights if you need to park in
a dangerous area near heavy traffic,
or if your car is disabled.
CONT INUED
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Hazard Warning
Windshield Washers
69
C Ca arrss w
wi itth h o
ou
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na
avviigg a
attiioo n
n s
syys stteem m
µ
Pull up or push down on the f ront of
the switch to move the seat bottom’s
f ront edge up or down. Pull up or
push down on the rear of the switch
to move the rear of the seat bottom
up or down.
Push the horizontal switch forward
or backward to move the seat
forward or backward.
You can adjust the seat with the
ignition switch in any position. Make
all adjustments bef ore you start
driving. The two power seat adjustment
switches are on the outside edge of
the seat bottom. The horizontal
switch adjusts the seat bottom in
several directions. The short vertical
switch adjusts the seat-back angle.
See pages f or important saf ety
inf ormation and warnings about how toproperly position seats and seat-backs. 1413
CONT INUED
Driver’s Seat Full Power
Adjustments
Seat A djustments
Inst rument s and Cont rols93