2004 Acura TSX ESP

If you are in a remote area, Auto
Select may not f ind six strong AM
stations or twelve strong FM stations.
If this happens, you will not see a
station number on the corresponding
preset icon.
If you do not like the stations Auto
Select has stored, you can store
other f requencies in the preset icons.
UsetheTUNE,SEEK,orSCAN
function to find the desired
f requencies, then store them in the
selected preset icons as described
previously.
Auto Select does not erase the
f requencies that you preset pre-
viously. When you return home, turn
of f Auto Select by touching the
AUTO SELECT icon. The preset
icons will then select the f requencies
you originally set.
Audio System
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures151
UPPER DISPLAYTUNE KNOB
PWR/VOL KNOB A. SEL INDICATOR
PRESET ICONS
AM/FM BUTTON AUDIO DISPLAY BUTTON
SEEK BAR
SCAN BUTTON
AUTO SELECT
ICON

Radio signals, especially on the FM
band, are def lected by large objects
such as buildings and hills. Your
radio then receives both the direct
signal f rom the station’s transmitter,
and the def lected signal. This causes
the sound to distort or flutter. This is
a main cause of poor radio reception
in city driving.Radio reception can be af f ected by
atmospheric conditions such as
thunderstorms, high humidity, and
even sunspots. You may be able to
receive a distant radio station one
day and not receive it the next day
because of a change in conditions.
Electrical interf erence f rom passing
vehicles and stationary sources can
cause temporary reception problems.
As required by the FCC:
Changes or modif ications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible f orcompliance could void the user’sauthority to operate the equipment.
Audio System
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures155

As required by the FCC:This device complies with Part 15 of theFCC rules. Operation is subject to thef ollowing two conditions: (1) This devicemay not cause harmf ul interf erence, and(2) this device must accept anyinterf erence received, includinginterf erence that may cause undesiredoperation.
Changes or modif ications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible f orcompliance could void the user’sauthority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with IndustryCanada Standard RSS-210.Operation is subject to the f ollowing twoconditions: (1) this device may not causeinterf erence, and (2) this device mustaccept any interf erence that may causeundesired operation of the device.
Youshoulderaseallthreecodes
bef ore selling the car.
Select the HomeLink button you
want to train.
Press and hold the HomeLink
button until the red light begins to
f lash slowly (approximately 20
seconds).
While continuing to hold the
HomeLink button, place the
remotecontrolforthedevice2to
5inchesfromHomeLink. Release both buttons. HomeLink
should now be trained to operate
the device.
Press and hold the button on the
remote control. Hold both buttons
until the red light begins to f lash
rapidly.
Totrainanalreadyprogrammed
HomeLink button to operate a new
device:
Toerasethecodesstoredinallthree
HomeLink buttons, press and hold
the two outside buttons until the red
light begins to f lash, then release the
buttons.
1.
2.
3.
4. 5.
Retraining a Button
Erasing Codes
HomeL ink Wireless Control System
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures181

The Vehicle Stability Assist system
helps to stabilize the car during
cornering if the car turns more or
less than desired. It also assists you
in maintaining traction while
accelerating on loose or slippery
road surf aces. It does this by
regulating the engine’s output, and
by selectively applying braking.
When VSA activates, you may notice
that the engine does not respond to
the accelerator in the same way it
does at other times. You will also see
the VSA Activation Indicator blink.The VSA system cannot enhance the
car’s driving stability in all situations
and does not control your car’s entire
braking system. It is still your
responsibility to drive and corner at
reasonable speeds and to leave a
suf f icient margin of saf ety.
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) System
Driving
VSA A ct ivat ion Indicat or
216
VSA ACTIVATION INDICATOR

µ
CONT INUED
Rain, f og, and snow conditions
require a dif f erent driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your car well-
maintained and exercise greater
caution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control
should not be used in these
conditions.Always drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your car longer to
react, even in conditions that may
seem just barely damp. Apply
smooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli-
cation of the brakes can cause loss of
control in wet weather. Be extra
cautious f or the f irst f ew miles
(kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in
snow. A person can f orget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills. Exercise extra caution when driving
in rain af ter a long dry spell. Af ter
months of dry weather, the f irst
rains bring oil to the surf ace of the
roadway, making it slippery.
Driving in Bad Weather
Driving
Driving T echnique
219

If you ever hear the chains
contacting the body or chassis, stop
and investigate. If the chains have
loosened, retighten them. Make sure
they do not contact the brake lines
or suspension.
Removethechainsassoonasyou
begin driving on cleared roads.
Thesechainsaretheonlyonesthat
have been approved by Acura f or use
on your car. Since Acura cannot test
all chains, you must be personally
responsible f or proper selection,
installation, and use of snow chains.
The chains listed here are available
at many auto supply stores. For a
complete list of stores, visit the SCC
website at www.scc-chain.com.
When installing chains, f ollow the
manuf acturer’s instructions, and
mount them as tightly as you can.
Drive slowly with chains installed.
Tires
Maint enance279
Using the wrong chains, or not
properly installing chains, can
damage the brake lines and
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously injured or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding the
selection and use of tire chains.

When you have washed and rinsed
the whole exterior, dry it with a
chamois or sof t towel. Letting it
air-dry will cause dulling and water
spots.
Fill a bucket with cool water. Mix
in a mild detergent, such as
dishwashing liquid or a product
made especially f or car washing.
Only use the solvents and cleaners
recommendedinthisOwner’s
Manual. Frequent washing helps preserve
your car’s beauty. Dirt and grit can
scratch the paint, while tree sap and
bird droppings can permanently ruin
the f inish.
Wash your car in a shady area, not in
direct sunlight. If the car is parked in
the sun, move it into the shade and
let the exterior cool down bef ore you
start. Rinse the car thoroughly with cool
water to remove loose dirt.
As you dry the car, inspect it f or
chips and scratches that could allow
corrosion to start. Repair them with
touch-up paint (see page ).
Wash the car using the water and
detergent solution and a sof t-
bristle brush, sponge, or sof t cloth.
Start at the top and work your way
down. Rinse f requently.
Check the body f or road tar, tree
sap, etc. Remove these stains with
tar remover or turpentine. Rinse it
of f immediately so it does not
harm the f inish. Remember to re-
wax these areas, even if the rest of
the car does not need waxing. 297
Exterior Care
Appearance Care
Washing
296
Chemical solvents and strong cleaners
can damage the paint, metal, and
plastic on your car.

Repair chips and scratches in the
paint as soon as you discover them.
Inspect and clean out the drain
holes in the bottom of the doors
and body.
Check the f loor coverings f or
dampness. Carpeting and f loor
mats may remain damp f or a long
time, especially in winter. This
dampness can eventually cause
the f loor panels to corrode.
Two f actors normally contribute to
causing corrosion in your car:
Moisture trapped in body cavities.
Dirtandroadsaltthatcollectsin
hollows on the underside of the
car stays damp, promoting
corrosion in that area.
Removal of paint and protective
coatings f rom the exterior and
underside of the car. Have the corrosion-preventive
coatings on the underside of your
car inspected and repaired
periodically. Use a high-pressure spray to clean
the underside of your car. This is
especially important in areas that
useroadsaltinwinter.Itisalsoa
good idea in humid climates and
areas subject to salt air. Be careful
not to damage the ABS wheel
sensors and wiring at each wheel.
Many corrosion-preventive measures
are built into your Acura. You can
help keep your car f rom corroding
by perf orming some simple periodic
maintenance:
1.
2.
Appearance Care
Corrosion Prot ect ion
301