2003 Acura TL winter tires

You should still install winter tires on
your car during the winter. Make
sure to use the same size originally
supplied with vehicle. Exercise the
samecautioninwinterdrivingasyou
would if your car was not equipped
with TCS.
Driving with the compact spare tire
installed (see page ) may
activate the TCS. You should turn of f
the system.
If the brakes overheat while TCS is
activating, the TCS indicator will
stop flashing and stay on temporarily.
This indicates that TCS has turned
off. After the brakes have cooled
down (usually f or about 10 minutes),
TCSwillturnbackonandthe
indicator will turn of f .This switch is under the side vent. It
letsyouturntheTractionControl
System on and of f . You cannot turn
of f the TCS while the TCS indicator
light is f lashing.Deactivate the system by pressing
the TCS On/Off switch. The TCS
indicator light comes on as a
reminder. Pressing the switch again
turns the system back on.
The Traction Control System turns
on every time you start the engine,
even if you turned it of f the last time
you drove the vehicle.
288
Traction Control System
Driving
TCS ON/OFF Switch
204

VSA is turned on every time you
start the engine, even if you turned it
off the last time you drove the car.Driving with varying tire or wheel
sizes may cause the VSA to
malf unction. When replacing tires,
make sure they are of the same size
and type as your original tires (see
page ).
Deactivate the VSA system if you
need to drive with the compact spare
tire installed (see page ).
If you install winter tires, make sure
they are the same size as those that
were originally supplied with your
car. Exercise the same caution
during winter driving as you would if
your car was not equipped with VSA.264
288
VSA and Tire Sizes
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) System
Driving208

µµBeing able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important
in all weather conditions. This is
more dif f icult in bad weather. To be
seen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights. Check your tires
f requently f or wear and proper
pressure. Both are important in
preventing ‘‘hydroplaning’’ (loss of
traction on a wet surface). In the
winter, mount snow tires on all f our
wheels f or the best handling.
Watch road conditions caref ully,
they can change f rom moment to
moment. Wet leaves can be as slip-
pery as ice. ‘‘Clear’’ roads can have
patches of ice. Driving conditions
can be very hazardous when the
outside temperature is near f reezing.
The road surf ace can become
covered with areas of water puddles
mixed with areas of ice, so your
traction can change without warning.
Be caref ul when downshif ting. If
traction is low, you can lock up the
drive wheels f or a moment and cause
askid. Be very cautious when passing, or
beingpassedbyothervehicles.The
spray f rom large vehicles reduces
your visibility, and the wind buf f eting
can cause you to lose control.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers f requently. Keep the wind-
shield washer reservoir f ull of the
proper f luid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to
streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the def roster and air
conditioning to keep the windows
f rom f ogging up on the inside (see
pages and ).
122 127
Visibility
Traction
Driving in Bad Weather
Driving210

This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself . This section explains why it is
important to keep your car well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Acura, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Acura
dealer.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .220
.
Important Safety Precautions . 221
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 222
...
Required Maintenance Record . 229
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 231
..............................
Fluid Locations .232
......................................
Engine Oil .233
..................................
Adding Oil .233
....................
Recommended Oil .233
..............................
Synthetic Oil .234
....................................
Additives .235
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 235
.............................
Cooling System .238
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 238
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 240
....................
Windshield Washers .243
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 244
....................................
Brake Fluid .246
............................
Brake System .246
..............................
Power Steering .247
....................................
Hood Latch .247
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .248
....................................
Spark Plugs .250
..............................
Replacement .250
............................
Specif ications .252
...........................................
Battery .253 .................................
Wiper Blades .256
..............
Air Conditioning System . 258
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 259
.....................................
Drive Belts .259
....................................
Timing Belt .260
...............................................
Tires .260
......................................
Inf lation .261
..................................
Inspection .262
..............................
Maintenance .263
.............................
Tire Rotation .264
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 264
......................
Wheels and Tires .265
..........................
Winter Driving .266
.............................
Snow Tires .266
...................
Traction Devices . 266
.............................................
Lights .267
.....................
Headlight Aiming .269
........................
Replacing Bulbs .269
...........................
Storing Your Car .277
333
Maintenance
Maint enance219

´
Tires that are marked ‘‘M S’’ or
‘‘All Season’’ on the sidewall have an
all-weather tread design. They
should be suitable f or most winter
driving conditions. Tires without
these markings are designed f or
optimum traction in dry conditions.
They may not provide adequate
perf ormance in winter driving.
For the best perf ormance in snowy
or icy conditions, you should install
snow tires or tire chains. They may
be required by local laws under
certain conditions.
If you mount snow tires on your
Acura, make sure they are radial
tires of the same size and load range
as the original tires. Mount snow
tiresonallfourwheelstobalance
your car’s handling in all weather
conditions. Keep in mind the traction
provided by snow tires on dry roads
may not be as high as your car’s original equipment tires. You should
drive cautiously even when the roads
are clear. Check with the tire dealer
f or maximum speed recommen-
dations.
Because your Acura has limited tire
clearance, mount only SAE Class ‘‘S’’
cable-type traction devices on the
front tires. Use traction devices only
when required by driving conditions
or local laws. Make sure they are the
correct size f or your tires.
Metal link-type ‘‘chains’’ should not
be used. No matter how tight they
seem to be installed, they can come
into contact with the body and
suspension, causing serious damage.
When installing cables, f ollow the
manuf acturer’s instructions and
mount them as tightly as you can.
Drive slowly with them installed. Ifyouhearthemcomingincontact
with the body or chassis, stop and
investigate. Make sure the cables are
installed tightly, and that they are
not contacting the brake lines or
suspension. Remove them as soon as
you begin driving on cleared roads.
Do not install any types of chains
or cable-type traction devices on
your vehicle.
Premium model only
Type-S
Winter Driving
Snow T iresT ract ion Devices
Tires
Maint enance266
Traction devices that are the wrong
size or improperly installed can
damage your car’s brake lines,
suspension, body, and wheels. Stop
driving if they are hitting any part of
the car.

Î
...............................................
Tires .260
..............................
Air Pressure .261
.........................
Checking Wear .262
..........................
Compact Spare .288
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 320
......................................
Inf lation .261
..................................
Inspection .262
...................................
Replacing .264
......................................
Rotating .264
...........................................
Snow .266
............................
Specif ications .319
.......................
Traction Devices .266
..........................
Winter Driving .266
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 289
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .211
................
Emergency Wrecker . 312
Traction Control System (TCS) ...............................
Indicator .61, 205
...................................
Operation .203
...........................
Traction Devices .266
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .244
...........................
Fluid Selection .245
..............
Identif ication Number . 317 .............
Shif ting the Automatic . 190
.............................
Treadwear .262, 320
.......................................
Trip Meter .65
................................................
Trunk .85
........
Emergency Trunk Release . 86
.................................
Opening the .85
...................
Open Monitor Light . 62
....................................
Turn Signals .71
.....................
Underside, Cleaning .285
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the .287
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 320
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .174
.....................
Upholstery Cleaning .282
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 237
................................
Vanity Mirror .109
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 184
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .318
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 316Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
....................................
System .206
........
VSA System Indicator . 61,206
...
VSA Activation Indicator . 61,207
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .207
.............................
Vehicle Storage .277
.................................................
VIN .316
...............................
Vinyl Cleaning .283
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .234
.............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 54
..................
Warranty Coverages .331
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level . 243
.......................................
Indicator .63
.....................................
Operation .73
.........................................
Washing .280
..................
Waxing and Polishing . 281
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering . 75
............
Alignment and Balance . 263
..........................
Compact Spare .288
Index
U
V W
VIII