2003 Acura TL trunk

The pass-through cover can be
opened f rom either side; it f olds
f orward onto the center armrest.
Open the cover by sliding the knob
downward and pushing or pulling on
the cover. To close the cover, swing
it up and push f irmly on the top.
Make sure it latches properly.Make sure all items in the trunk and
those extending through the pass-
through are secured.
For security, this cover can be
locked and unlocked only with the
master key. To lock the cover, insert
thekeyandturnitclockwise.
Never drive with this cover open and
the trunk lid open.
See
on
page . 53
Inst rument s and Cont rols
T runk Pass-through Cover
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
Armrest
93
K KNNO OBB
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CO OV VE
ER
R

Once the security system is set,
opening any door (without using the
key or the remote transmitter), or
the hood, will cause it to alarm. It
also alarms if the radio is removed
f rom the dashboard or the wiring is
cut.
The security system sets auto-
matically fifteen seconds after you
lock the doors, hood, and trunk. For
the system to activate, you must lock
the doors f rom the outside with the
key, lock tab, door lock switch, or
remote transmitter. The security
system light next to the driver’s door
lock starts blinking immediately to
show you the system is setting itself . The security system helps to protect
your car and valuables f rom thef t.
The horn sounds and a combination
of headlights, parking lights, side
marker lights and taillights f lashes if
someone attempts to break into your
carorremovetheradio.Thisalarm
continues f or two minutes, then the
system resets. To reset an alarming
system bef ore the two minutes have
elapsed, unlock either f ront door
with the key or the remote
transmitter. With the system set, you can still
open the trunk with the remote
transmitter without triggering the
alarm. The alarm will sound if the
trunk is opened with the trunk
releasebuttononthedriver’sdoor,
thetrunkreleasehandlebehindthe
trunk pass-through cover, or the
emergency trunk opener.
The security system will not set if
the hood, trunk, or any door is not
f ully closed. If the system will not set,
check the Door and Trunk Open
Monitor on the instrument panel
(see page ), to see if the doors
and trunk are f ully closed. Since it is
notpartofthemonitordisplay,
manually check the hood.
Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it.
62
Security System
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures152
S SE
EC
CU UR RIITT Y
Y S
SYYSSTTE
EM
M L
LIIGGH HT
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Your car has several convenient
storage areas so you can stow cargo
saf ely.
The glove box, and the pockets in
the f ront doors and seat-backs, are
designed f or small, lightweight items.
The trunk is intended f or larger,
heavier items.
In addition, the trunk pass-through
allows you to carry longer items.
However, carrying too much cargo,
or improperly storing it, can af f ect
your car’s handling, stability, and
operation and make it unsafe. Before
carrying any type of cargo, be sure to
read the f ollowing pages.
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving183
F FRRO ON NTT D
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CO ON NSSOOL LEE C
COOM M P
PA
A R
RTTM
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BOOX X
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Distribute cargo evenly on the
f loor of the trunk, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as far forward as possible.If you can carry any items on a
roof rack,besurethetotalweight
of the rack and the items does not
exceed the maximum allowable
weight. Please contact your Acura
dealer f or f urther inf ormation.
When you are not using the cargo
net, store it in the pocket in the lef t
side of the trunk. The cargo net can be used to help
hold down items stored in the trunk.
To use the cargo net, hook it to the
buttons on the f loor and sides of the
trunk. You can use the cargo net in
several conf igurations by hooking it
to dif f erent buttons.
If you carry large items that
prevent you f rom closing the trunk
lid, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility of carbon monoxide
poisoning, f ollow the instructions
on page .
53
Carrying Cargo in the Trunk or on
a Roof Rack
Cargo Net
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving185
T T
R
RU UN NKK N
NEET
T H
HO
OO OKK
C
CA
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RGGO O N
NEET
T

Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Check that the hood and trunk are
f ully closed.Check the adjustment of the seat
(see page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
steering wheel (see page ).
Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Check the indicator lights in the
instrument panel.
Start the engine (see page ).
Check the gauges and indicator
lights in the instrument panel (see
page ).
Check that any items you may be
carrying with you inside are stored
properly or f astened down
securely. Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments every day bef ore
you drive your car.
3.2.
1.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.
9. 11.
12. 10.
15 75
57
88
94 189
Preparing to Drive
Driving188

µMake sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you. Turn of f the lights.
Always use the parking brake when
you park your car. The indicator on
the instrument panel shows that the
parking brake is not f ully released; it
does not indicate that the parking
brakeisfirmlyset.Makesurethe
parking brake is set f irmly or your
car may roll if it is parked on an
incline. If the car is f acing uphill, turn the
f ront wheels away f rom the curb.
If the car is f acing downhill, turn the
f ront wheels toward the curb.
Make sure the parking brake is f ully
released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or damage
the rear brakes.
Set the parking brake bef ore you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the car from moving and putting
pressure on the parking mechanism
in the transmission making it
easier to move the shif t lever out of
Park when you want to drive away. Lockthedoorswiththekeyorthe
remote transmitter. Check the
indicator on the driver’s door to
verify that the security system is
set.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The three way catalytic
converter gets very hot, and could
cause these materials to catch on
fire.
Parking T ips
Parking
Driving199

If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electronically actuated.
Do not attempt to tap into your
vehicle’s hydraulic system. No
matter how successf ul it may seem,
any attempt to attach trailer brakes
to your vehicle’s hydraulic system
will lower braking ef f ectiveness and
create a potential hazard.Since lighting and wiring vary in
trailer type and brand, you should
also have a qualif ied mechanic install
a suitable connector between the
vehicle and the trailer. If you use a converter, you can get
the connector and pins that mate
with the connector in your car f rom
your Acura dealer.
Your car has a trailer lighting
connector located in the trunk by the
lef t taillight. To use the connector,
undo the f astener and unscrew the
cargo net mounting button on the
lef t side of the trunk lining. Ref er to
the drawing in this page for the
wiring color code and purpose of
each pin.
Acura recommends that any trailer
having a total weight of 1,000 lbs
(450 kg) or more be equipped with
its own electric or surge-type brakes.
Trailer Brakes
Trailer Lights
Driving
Towing a Trailer
214
G GRROOU UNNDD
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The low beam headlight bulbs are a
type of high voltage discharge tube.
High voltage can remain in the
circuit even with the light switch of f
and the key removed. Because of
this, you should not attempt to
examine or change a low beam
headlight bulb yourself . If a low
beam headlight bulb fails, take the
cartoyourdealertohaveitreplaced.
Halogen bulbs are used f or the high
beam headlight bulbs. When
replacing a high beam headlight bulb,
handle it by its base and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass,
clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.
Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your car was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk or pull a trailer, readjustment
may be required. Adjustment of the
headlights should be perf ormed by
an Acura technician or other
qualif ied mechanic.
CONT INUED
Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Headlight A iming
Lights
Maint enance269
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.