2003 Acura TL engine

This shows how much f uel you have.
It is most accurate when the car is on
level ground. It may show slightly
more or less than the actual amount
whenyouaredrivingoncurvyor
hilly roads.
The needle returns to the bottom
after you turn off the ignition. The
gauge shows the f uel level reading
immediately af ter you turn the
ignition switch back ON (II).
This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom white mark to about
the middle of the gauge. In severe
driving 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 saf ely to the
side of the road. Turn to page f or
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine’s cooling
system.
This indicator displays the outside
temperature in Fahrenheit in U.S.
models, and in Centigrade in
Canadian models.
The temperature sensor is located in
the f ront bumper. Theref ore, the
temperature reading can be af f ected
by heat ref lection f rom the road sur-
f ace, engine heat, and the exhaust
f rom the surrounding traf f ic. This
can cause the temperature reading
not to be correct when your speed is
under 19 mph (30 km/h).
In certain weather conditions,
temperature readings near f reezing
(32°F, 0°C) could mean that ice is
f orming on the road surf ace.
299
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Gauges
Fuel Gauge
Temperature Gauge
Outside Temperature Indicator
66
Avoid driving with an extremely low
f uel level. Running out of f uel could
cause the engine to misf ire, damaging
the catalytic converter.

µTurn of f the engine.
Press and hold the select and reset
buttons on the instrument panel,
then turn the ignition switch ON
(II).
Between 6,000 miles (9,600 km) and
7,500 miles (12,000 km) this
indicator will light f or two seconds
when you first turn the ignition
switch ON (II), and then f lash f or
ten seconds.
If you exceed 7,500 miles (12,000
km) without having the scheduled
maintenance perf ormed, this
indicator will remain on as a constant
reminder.
Your dealer will reset this indicator
af ter completing the scheduled
maintenance. If this maintenance is
done by someone other than your
Acura dealer, reset the indicator as
f ollows.
For the f irst 6,000 miles (9,600 km)
af ter the Maintenance Required
Indicator is reset, it will come on f or
two seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II). This indicator reminds you that it is
time to take your car in for
scheduled maintenance.
Hold the buttons for
approximately ten seconds until
the indicator resets.
Ref er to the Maintenance Schedules
f or Normal and Severe Driving
Conditions on pages
. 1.
2.
3.
224 228
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Maintenance Required Indicator
67
S SE
EL
LEE C
CT T B
BUUT TT
TO
ON N
R
RE ES
SE ET
T B
BUUT TT
TO
ON N
M
M
A
AI
INNT TE
EN
NA AN
NC CEE R
REEQ
QU UIIRRE ED
D
I
IN ND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R

Donotdropthekeysorsetheavy
objects on them.
Keep the keys away f rom liquids.
If they get wet, dry them immedi-
ately with a soft cloth.
The keys do not contain batteries.
Do not try to take them apart.
These keys contain electronic
circuits that are activated by the
Immobilizer System. They will not
work to start the engine if the
circuits are damaged. Protect the keys f rom direct
sunlight, high temperature, and
high humidity. Your car also comes with two remote
transmitters; see page for an
explanation of the operation.
Your car comes with two master
keys and a valet key.
The master key fits all the locks on
your car;
 Ignition
 Doors
Glovebox
 Trunk pass-through cover Youshouldhavereceivedakey
number plate with your keys. You
will need this key number if you ever
have to get a lost key replaced. Keep
the plate stored in a saf e place. If you
need to replace a key, use only an
Acura-approved key blank. The valet key works only in the
ignition and the door locks. You can
keep the trunk pass-through cover,
and glove box locked when you leave
your car and the valet key at a
parking f acility.
81
Keys
Remote Transmitter
Keys and Locks
Inst rument s and Cont rols76
V V
A
AL
LEE T
T K
KEEY
Y
(
( G
GR REEY
Y) )
M
M
A
AS
STTE
ER
R
K
KE EY
Y
(
( B
BL LAA C
CKK))
K
KE
EY
Y
N
NU UMM B
BEER
R
P
P L
LAA T
TE
E

The Immobilizer System indicator
will also blink several times when
you turn the ignition switch f rom ON
(II) to ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK (0).
Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it. Electrical
problems could result that may make
your car undriveable.
If you have lost your key and you
cannot start the engine, contact your
Acura dealer.
The system may not recognize your
key’s coding if another immobilizer
key or other metal object is near the
ignition switch when you insert the
key. To make sure the system
recognizes the key code:
Do not keep other immobilizer
keys on the same key ring.
Use a plastic or leather key f ob,
not metal.
Keep other keys away f rom your
car’s key and the ignition switch
while trying to start the engine.
If the system repeatedly does not
recognize the coding of your key,
contact your Acura dealer.
The Immobilizer System protects
your car f rom thef t. A properly-
coded master or valet key must be
used in the ignition switch f or the
engine to start. If an improperly-
coded key (or other device) is used,
the engine’s f uel system is disabled.
When you turn the ignition switch to
ON (II), the Immobilizer System
indicator should come on f or a f ew
seconds, then go out. If the indicator
starts to blink, it means the system
does not recognize the coding of the
key. Turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0), remove the key, reinsert
it, and turn the switch to ON (II)
again.
CONT INUED
Immobilizer System
Keys and Locks
Inst rument s and Cont rols77

µµ
µ
This is the normal key
position when driving. All f eatures
and accessories on the car are usable.
Several of the lights on the instru-
ment panel come on as a test when
you turn the ignition switch f rom
ACCESSORY to ON. In this position,
you can operate the audio system
and the accessory power sockets.
Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to ON (II) when you let go of
the key.
The engine will not start if the
Immobilizer System does not
recognize the key’s coding (see page ). You will hear a reminder beeper if
you leave the key LOCK (0) or
ACCESSORY (I) position and open
thedriver’sdoor.Removethekeyto
turn of f the beeper.
Each f ront door has a master door
lock switch. Either switch locks and
unlocks all doors. Push the switch
down to lock all doors, and up to
unlock them.
77
CONT INUED
ON (II) A CCESSORY (I)
ST A RT (III) Power Door L ocks
Keys and Locks
Inst rument s and Cont rols79
M M
A
AS
STTE
ER
R D
DO
OO ORR L
LOOC CKK S
SWWI ITT C
CH H

The HI or LO indicator lights and
remains lit until you turn it of f by
pushing the opposite side of the
switch lightly. The indicator will turn
off.
In HI, the heater turns of f when the
seat gets warm, and turns back on
after the seat’s temperature drops. It
continues to cycle as long as you
leave it set on HI. The HI indicator
remains lit as a reminder that you
have the heater on.
In LO, the heater runs continuously.
It does not cycle with temperature
changes.
Both f ront seats are equipped with
seat heaters. The ignition switch
must be ON (II) to use them. Push
the front of the switch, HI, to rapidly
heat up the seat. After the seat
reaches a comf ortable temperature,
select LO by pushing the back of the
switch. This will keep the seat warm. Follow these precautions whenever
you use the seat heaters:
Do not use the seat heaters, even
on the LO setting, if the engine is
lef t idling f or an extended period.
They can weaken the battery,
causing hard starting. Use the HI setting only to heat the
seats quickly. Select the LO
setting when the seats f eel warm.
The HI setting draws large
amounts of current f rom the
battery.
Because of the sensors f or the side
airbag system, there is no heater in
the passenger’s seat-back.
Seat Heaters
Inst rument s and Cont rols99
S SE EA
A T
T H
HE
EA
A T
TE
ER
RS S

The power window system has a key-
of f delay f unction. The windows will
stilloperateforuptotenminutes
after you turn off the ignition.
Opening either f ront door cancels
the delay function. You must turn
the ignition switch ON (II) again
bef ore you can raise or lower the
windows.
If your car’s battery is disconnected
or goes dead, or the driver’s window
f use is removed, the AUTO f unction
will be disabled. The power window
system needs to be reset af ter
reconnecting the battery or installing
the f use. You should do the f ollowing.
Start the engine. Push down on
the driver’s window switch until
the window is f ully open.
Pull back on the driver’s window
switch to close the window
completely, then hold the switch
f or a second or two more.
If the power windows do not operate
properly af ter resetting, have your
car checked by an Acura dealer. 1.
2.
Power Windows
Inst rument s and Cont rols102

To apply the parking brake, push the
parking brake pedal down with your
f oot. To release the parking brake,
push on the pedal again. The parking
brake light on the instrument panel
should go out when the parking
brake is f ully released with the
engine running. (see page .)59
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Parking Brake
104
P PA
A R
RKKIINNG G B
BRRAA K
KEE P
PE
ED
D A
AL
L
Driving the car with the parking brake
applied can damage the rear brakes
and axles.