2004 Acura TSX brake

Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake. Open the hood and check the
physical condition of the battery
(see page ). 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.
To jump start your car, f ollow these
directions closely:
If your car’s battery has run down,
you may be able to start the engine
by using a booster battery. Although
this seems like a simple procedure,
you should take several precautions.
You cannot start an Acura with an
automatic transmission by pushing
or pulling it. Turn of f all the electrical acces-
sories: climate control, audio
system, lights, etc.
1.
2.
265
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Jump Starting
312
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.

CONT INUED
The pointer of your car’s tempera-
ture gauge should stay in the mid-
range under most conditions. It may
go higher if you are driving up a long
steep hill on a very hot day. If it
climbs to the red mark, you should
determine the reason.Your car can overheat f or several
reasons, such as lack of coolant or a
mechanical problem. 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.
In either case, you should take
immediate action. Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park and set the parking brake.
Turn of f the climate control and all
otheraccessories.Turnonthe
hazard warning indicators.
If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine.
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
(climbing a long, steep hill on a
hot day with the A/C running, for
example), the engine should start
to cool down almost immediately.
If it does, wait until the tempera-
ture gauge comes down to the mid-
point, then continue driving.
1.
2.
3.
If Your Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed315
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.

Î
ÎIf it comes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem with the car’s
brake system. In most cases, the
problem is a low f luid level in the
brake f luid reservoir. Press lightly on
the brake pedal to see if it f eels
normal. If it does, check the brake
f luid level the next time you stop at a
service station (see page ). If the
fluid level is low, take the car to your
dealer and have the brake system
inspected f or leaks or worn brake
pads.
However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. Because of the
brake system’s dual-circuit design, a
problem in one part of the system
will still give you braking at two
wheels. You will f eel the brake pedal
go down much f arther bef ore the car
begins to slow down, and you will
have to press harder on the pedal.
The distance needed to stop will be
much longer. Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the
longer distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the car. You
should have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible. (See
on page .)
The Brake System Indicator
normallycomesonwhenyouturn
the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to check the parking brake.
It comes on and stays lit if you do not
f ully release the parking brake. If you must drive the car a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and cautiously.
If the ABS indicator comes on with
this indicator, have the car inspected
by your Acura dealer immediately.
259
328Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed321
BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR
U.S. indicator shown

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Automatic Transmission:
Manual Transmission:
There are three popular types of
prof essional towing equipment. The tow
truck uses metal cables with hooks
on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the f rame or suspension and
the cables lif t that end of the car of f
the ground. Your car’s suspension
and body can be seriously damaged.
Release the parking brake.
Shif t the transmission to Neutral. With the f ront wheels on the ground,
it is best to tow the car no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the
speedbelow35mph(55km/h).
If your car needs to be towed, call a
prof essional towing service or, if you
belong to one, an organization that
provides roadside assistance. Never
tow your car behind another vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
Release the parking brake.
Start the engine.
ShifttoD,thentoN.
Turn of f the engine.
The operator
loads your car on the back of a truck.
The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (f ront or rear) and lif t
them of f the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground. If your Acura cannot be transported
by f lat-bed, it should be towed by
wheel-lif t equipment with the f ront
wheels of f the ground. If , due to
damage, your car must be towed
with the f ront wheels on the ground,
do the f ollowing.
If your car is equipped with a f ront
spoiler, remove it bef ore towing so it
is not damaged.
Sling-t ype Equipment
Flat -bed Equipment Wheel-lif t Equipment
T his method of towing is
unacceptable.
This is the best way to transport
your A cura.
T his is
an acceptable way to tow your
Acura.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed328
Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shif t the transmission or start the
engine (automatic transmission), your
car must be transported with the f ront
wheels of f the ground.

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CONT INUED
Specif ications
T echnical Inf ormation335
Alignment Engine
Fuses Battery Lights 12 V 21 W
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V 12 V21 W
21/5 W
5W
21 W
21 W
12 V 55 W
12 V 35 W
12 V 3 CP
Water cooled 4-stroke, DOHC
i-VTEC 4-cylinder, gasoline engine 3.43 x 3.90 in (87.0 x 99.0 mm) 144 cu-in (2,354 cm
)
10.5 : 1
Toe-in
Camber
Caster 0.00 in (0.0 mm)
0.08 in (2.0 mm)
0°1°
3°13’
Type
BorexStroke
Displacement
Compression ratio
Spark plugs
See spark plug maintenance sec-
tion page 264.
See page 326or the fuse box
cover. See page 327or the fuse label
attached to the inside of the fuse
box door on each side of the
dashboard.
Interior
Under-hood Capacity
12 V 38 AH/5 HR12 V 12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
1.1 W
2CP
5W
8W
8W
3CP
12 V 3 CP
Headlights
Front turn signal
Front parking lights
Rear turn signal lights
Stop/Taillights
Taillights
High-mount brake light
Back-up lights
Rear side marker light
License plate light
Ceiling light
Spotlights/Front ceiling lights
Trunk light
Door courtesy light
Vanity mirror lights
Front
Rear
Front
Rear
Front
High
Low

Then drive in city/suburban
traffic for at least 10 minutes.
When traf f ic conditions allow, let
the car coast for several seconds
without using the accelerator
pedal or the brake pedal.
If the testing f acility determines the
readiness codes are still not set, see
your Acura dealer.
Select a nearby lightly traveled
major highway where you can
maintain a speed of 50 to 60 mph
(80to97km/h)foratleast20
minutes. Drive on the highway in
D (A/T) or 6th (M/T). Do not use
thecruisecontrol.Whentraffic
allows, drive f or 90 seconds
without moving the accelerator
pedal. (Car speed may vary
slightly; this is okay.) If you cannot
do this f or a continuous 90
seconds because of traf f ic
conditions, drive f or at least 30
seconds, then repeat it two more
times (for a total of 90 seconds).
St at e Emissions T est ing
T echnical Inf ormation346

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 191
................................
Accessories .191
.
Additional Safety Precautions . 192
............................
Modif ications .192
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .81
.............
Accessory Power Socket . 109
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 246
.....................................
Airbag (SRS) .9
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .261
............................
Air Conditioning .115
..............................
Maintenance .269
.........................................
Usage .115
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .273
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .340
......................................
Antif reeze .249
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ................................
Description .213
...............................
Indicator .61, 214
...................................
Operation .213
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 80
..........................
Appearance Care .295
..........................................
Armrest .105
........................
Audio System .129, 148 .............
Automatic Speed Control . 174
..............
Automatic Transmission . 204
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .334
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 256
.......................................
Shif ting .204
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 204
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 204
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 210
Battery ......
Charging System Light . 60,318
............................
Jump Starting .312
..............................
Maintenance .265
............................
Specif ications .335
..............................
Bef ore Driving .183
..........................................
Belts, Seat .8
.........................
Beverage Holders .106
...................................
Body Repair .312
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 213
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 184
....................
Bulb Replacement .286
...........................................
Fluid .259
.......................................
Parking .104 .........................
System Indicator .60
........................
Wear Indicators .212
.............................
Braking System .213
........................
Break-in, New Car .184
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 72
........................
Brights, Headlights .70
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .287
..............................
Brake Lights .286
..............................
Ceiling Light .290
................
Door Courtesy Light . 291
................
Front Parking Lights . 285
.................................
Headlights .282
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 289
...................
License Plate Light . 289
............................
Specif ications .335
...................................
Spotlights .290
...............................
Trunk Light .292
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 284
................
Vanity Mirror Lights . 291
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .282
Index
A
B
I

Î
............................
Capacities Chart .334
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 53
.............................
Carrying Cargo .193
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
..........................
CD Changer .136, 156
........................
CD Pocket, Center .107
........................
Certif ication Label .332
............................................
Chains .278
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .305
............
Changing Engine Coolant . 251
Changing Oil ........................................
How to .246
......................................
When to .234
...
Charging System Indicator . 60,318
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 198
..................
Childproof Door Locks . 87
.......................................
Child Seats .26
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 39
...................................
Cleaner, Air .261
Cleaning ....................
Aluminum Wheels .297
...................................
Carpeting .298
......................................
Exterior .296
.........................................
Fabric .299 .......................................
Interior .298
.......................................
Leather .299
...................................
Seat Belts .299
...........................................
Vinyl .299
......................................
Window .300
...............
Climate Control System . 114
.................
Clock, Setting the . 135,153
...................................
Clutch Fluid .260
........................
CO in the Exhaust .342
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 200
..............................
Compact Spare .304
.................
Console Compartment . 105
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 348
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 57
Coolant ........................................
Adding .249
....................................
Checking .189
.........................
Proper Solution .249
...................
Temperature Gauge . 66
....................
Corrosion Protection .311
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .342
............
Cruise Control Operation . 174
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 348................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
.......................................
Dashboard .58
................
Daytime Running Lights . 72
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 350
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 75
....................................
Dimensions .334
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 70
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 256
..................................
Engine Oil .187
..........................
Directional Signals .73
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 212
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .248
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 81
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 337
Downshif ting, 5-speed Manual
.............................
Transmission .201
.....................................
Drive Belts .272
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .197
....................................
Economy .190
.........................
In Bad Weather .219
................
In Foreign Countries . 341
Index
C D
II