2004 Acura TL open hood

The security system sets
automatically 15 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 indicator next to the driver’s
door lock starts blinking immediately
to show you the system is setting
itself .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 multi-inf ormation
display (see page ) to see if the
doors and trunk are f ully closed.
Since it is not part of the monitor
display, manually check the hood.
Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it.
The security system helps to protect
your vehicle and valuables f rom thef t.
The horn sounds and a combination
of headlights, parking lights, side
marker lights and taillights f lash if
someone attempts to break into your
vehicleorremovetheradio.This
alarm continues f or 2 minutes, then
the system resets. To reset an
alarming system bef ore the 2
minutes have elapsed, unlock the
driver’s door with the key or use the
remote transmitter.
Once the security system is set,
opening any door or the hood
without using the key or the remote
transmitter will cause the system to
alarm. It also alarms if the radio is
removed f rom the dashboard or the
wiring is cut. 60
Security System
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures141
SECURITY SYSTEM LIGHT

Park the vehicle, and set the
parking brake. Pull the hood
release handle located under the
lower lef t corner of the dashboard.
The hood will pop up slightly.
Put your f ingers between the f ront
edge of the hood and the f ront
grille to locate the hood latch
handle. Push this handle up until it
releases the hood. Lif t the hood.If the hood latch handle moves
stif f ly, or if you can open the hood
without lifting the handle, the
mechanism should be cleaned and
lubricated (see page ).
Lif t the hood up most of the way.
The hydraulic supports will lif t it
uptherestof thewayandholdit
up.
Lower the hood to about a f oot (30
cm) above the f ender, then press
down firmly with your hands. Make
sure it is securely latched.
1.
2.
3.212
Service Station Procedures
Opening the Hood
T o Close the Hood
Bef ore Driving166
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE
LATCH

You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certif ication Seal
and it is the proper weight. You must
f ollow the oil and f ilter change
intervals shown on the Multi-
Inf ormation Display.
Your Acura does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect your engine’s or transmission’s
perf ormance and durability.Always change the oil and f ilter
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the Multi-
Inf ormation Display. The oil and
f ilter collect contaminants that can
damage your engine if they are not
removed regularly.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lif t f or this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
Open the hood, and remove the
engine oil f ill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer f rom the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.
2. 1.
A dding Engine Oil, Changing the Oil and Filter
Maint enance
Synthetic Oil
Engine Oil A dditives Changing the Oil and Filter
205
DRAIN BOLT
WASHER

´´ µ
Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
Turn of f all the electrical acces-
sories: heater, A/C, stereo system,
lights, etc. Put the transmission in
Neutral or Park, and set the
parking brake.
Connect one jumper cable to the
positive ( ) terminal on your
battery. Connect the other end to
the positive ( ) terminal on the
booster battery.Connect the second jumper cable
to the negative ( ) terminal on
the booster battery. Connect the
other end to the grounding strap
as shown. Do not connect this
jumper cable to any other part of
the engine.
You cannot start an Acura with an
automatic transmission by pushing
or pulling it. Open the hood, and check the
physical condition of the battery.
In very cold weather, check the
condition of the electrolyte. If it
seems slushy or like ice, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.
1.
2.
3. 4.
Jump Starting
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
To Jump Start Your Vehicle:
238
NOTICE:
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone
nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery. If a battery sits in extreme
cold, the electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.

If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running, and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading,
the engine should start to cool
down almost immediately. If it
does, wait until the temperature
gauge comes down to the midpoint,
then continue driving.
Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake.
Turn of f all accessories, and turn
on the hazard warning indicators.
If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine. Wait until you see
no more signs of steam or spray,
then open the hood.
The pointer of the vehicle’s
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange. If it climbs to the red
mark, you should determine the
reason (hot day, driving up a steep
hill, etc.).
If the vehicle overheats, you should
take immediate action. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the hood.
If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (see
on page ).
1.
2. 3.
4.
5.
249
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency
Towing
240
NOTICE: Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
Driving with the temperature
gauge pointer at the red mark can
cause serious damage to your engine.

Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).
Start the engine, and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn of f the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving
(seeon page
).
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing
or stays on, the oil pressure has
dropped very low or lost pressure.
Serious engine damage is possible
and you should take immediate
action. Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers. If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running,
the battery is not being charged.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
1.
2.
3.
4.
167
204
249
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
Emergency T owingCharging System Indicator
242
NOTICE:
Running the engine with low
oil pressure can cause serious
mechanical damage almost immediately.
Turn of f the engine as soon as you can
saf ely get the vehicle stopped.

ÎÎÎ
ÎÎ.................
Jacking up the Vehicle . 232
.......................................
Jack, Tire .231
................................
Jump Starting .238
Gauges
...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 57
...............................................
Fuel .57
...............................
Speedometer .57
.................................
Tachometer .57
Gearshif t Lever Positions ..........
Automatic Transmission . 181
6-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .178
......................................
Glove Box .107 ...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 254
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .79
...........................................
Switch .80
............
Timing Control System . 261
........................
Immobilizer System .81
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
.........................................
Indicators .52
......
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake) . 53,189
Brake (Parking and Brake ............................
System) .52, 244
................
Charging System . 52,242
.............................
Cruise Control .54
DRL (Daytime Running ..................................
Lights) .55
...................................
Fog Light .56
...................................
High Beam .55
........
Key (Immobilizer System) . 56
......................................
Low Fuel .56 ................
Low Oil Pressure . 54,242
...........................
Side Airbag Of f .53
.........................................
SRS .26, 53
Turn Signal and Hazard ...................................
Warning .55
............................
VSA Activation .54
.................................
VSA System .54
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .34
......................................
Inf ant Seats .34
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 41
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 221
...................................
Inside Mirror .91
.............................
Inspection, Tire .222
............................
Instrument Panel .51
..........
Instrument Panel Indicators . 52
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 75
...............................
Interior Lights .104
........................................
Introduction .i
.......................
Halogen Fog Bulbs .213
..........
HandsFree Link (HFL) . 70,149
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 76
........................................
Headlights .74
........................................
Aiming .213
Automatic Lighting Off .....................................
Feature .76
.......
Daytime Running Lights . 74
..................
High Beam Indicator . 55
.........................
Reminder Chime .74
...................................
Turning on .74
..............................
Head Restraints .89
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 74HomeLink Universal
................................
Transceiver .145
....................................
Hood Latch .212
.......................
Hood, Opening the .166
Index
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