2004 Acura TSX ignition

Use the f ollowing procedure:Turn of f all electrical accessories
to reduce the drain on the battery.
Push the accelerator pedal half-
way to the f loor and hold it there
while starting the engine. Do not
hold the ignition key in START
(III) f or more than 15 seconds.
When the engine starts, release
the accelerator pedal gradually as
the engine speeds up and smooths
out.
An engine is harder to start in cold
weather. The thinner air f ound at
high altitude above 8,000 f eet
(2,400 meters) adds to the problem.
If the engine fails to start in step 2,
push the accelerator pedal to the
f loor and hold it there while you
try to start the engine for no more
than 15 seconds. If the engine
does not start, return to step 2.
1.
2.
3.
Driving
Starting in Cold Weather at High
A ltitude (A bove 8,000 f eet/
2,400 meters)
Starting the Engine
200

The 6-speed manual transmission
has an electric lockout so you cannot
accidentally shif t f rom Fif th to
Reverse instead of Sixth while the
car is moving. If you cannot shif t to
Reverse when the car is stopped:If you are still unable to shif t to
Reverse, apply the parking brake
and turn the ignition key to
ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK (0).
If you need to use this procedure to
shif t to Reverse, your car may be
developing a problem. Have the car
checked by your Acura dealer.
With the clutch pedal pressed,
move the shift lever to the First/
Second gear side of the Neutral
gate, then shif t to Reverse. Press the clutch pedal, and shif t to
Reverse.
With the clutch pedal still pressed,
start the engine.
1. 2.
3.
4.
Driving
6-speed Manual T ransmission
Reverse Lockout
203

Your Acura’s transmission has f ive
f orward speeds, and is electronically
controlled f or smoother shif ting. It
also has a ‘‘lock-up’’ torque converter
forbetterfueleconomy.Youmay
f eel what seems like another shif t
when the converter locks.The shift lever has five positions. It
must be in Park or Neutral to start
the engine. When you are stopped in
D, D , N, R or the manual mode,
press firmly on the brake pedal and
keep your f oot of f the accelerator
pedal.
This indicator on the instrument
panel shows which position the shif t
lever is in.
The ‘‘D’’ indicator comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II). If it f lashes
at any time (in any shif t position), it
indicates a possible problem in the
transmission. Avoid rapid
acceleration and have the
transmission checked by an
authorized Acura dealer as soon as
possible.
3
Driving
Automatic Transmission
Shif t L ever Position Indicator Shif t L ever Positions
204
SHIFT LEVER

µIf you have done all of the above and
still cannot move the lever out of
Park, see Shif t Lock Release on page
.
To avoid transmission damage, come
to a complete stop bef ore shif ting
into Park. The shif t lever must be in
Park bef ore you can remove the key
from the ignition switch.
YoucannotshiftoutofParkwiththe
brake pedal pressed when the
ignition switch is in the LOCK (0) or
ACCESSORY (I). This position mechani-
cally locks the transmission. Use
Park whenever you are turning of f or
starting the engine. To shif t out of
Park, you must press on the brake
pedal and have your f oot of f the
accelerator pedal. Move the shif t
lever to the side to shif t out of Park. 210
CONT INUED
To shift from:
PtoR
RtoN
NtoD
DtoD
DtoD DtoNNtoR RtoP Do this:
Press the brake pedal, then
move the shift lever.
Move the lever.
3
3
Automatic Transmission
Driving
Park (P)
205

Set the Parking brake.
Make sure the key is in the
ignition switch LOCK (0) position.Push down on the key while you
move the shift lever out of Park to
Neutral.Remove the key from the Shift
Lock Release slot, then install a
new cover. Depress the brake
pedal and restart the engine.
If you need to use the Shif t Lock
Release, it means your car is
developing a problem. Have the car
checked by your Acura dealer.
This allows you to move the shif t
lever out of Park if the normal
method of pushing on the brake
pedal does not work. This procedure
is also used to release the Reverse
Lockout.
[To release the Reverse Lockout,
make sure the ignition switch is in
the ACCESSORY (I) position.]
Put a cloth on the edge of the Shif t
Lock Release slot cover next to
theshiftlever.Useasmallflat-
tipped screwdriver or small metal
plate (neither are included in the
tool kit) to remove the cover by
caref ully prying on its edge. Insert the ignition key in the Shif t
Lock Release slot.
5.
1.
2.
3.
4.
6.
Shif t L ock Release
Automatic Transmission
Driving210
SHIFT LOCK RELEASE SLOT

The VSA system indicator (see page) comes on and stays on when
there is a problem with the VSA
system. The VSA Activation
indicator will also come on.
The VSA system indicator may come
on along with the ABS indicator if
there is a problem with the anti-lock
brake system. If the VSA indicator comes on while
driving, pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e and turn of f the
engine. Reset the system by
restarting the engine, and watch the
VSA system indicator. If the
indicator remains on, or comes back
on while driving, have the VSA
system inspected by your Acura
dealer.
If the indicator does not come on
when the ignition switch is turned
ON(II),theremaybeaproblem
with the VSA system. Have your
dealer inspect your car as soon as
possible.
When VSA is off, the VSA Activation
Indicator light comes on as a
reminder. Pressing the switch again
turns the system back on. This switch is under the lef t vent.
Press it to turn the Vehicle Stability
Assist system on and of f .
Without VSA, your car will have
normal braking and cornering ability,
but it will not have VSA traction and
stability enhancement.
61
CONT INUED
VSA Syst em Indicat or
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) System
Driving
VSA Of f Switch
217
VSA SYSTEM INDICATOR
VSA OFF SWITCH

CONT INUED
Thecoolingsystemshouldbe
completely drained and ref illed with
new coolant according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. Only use
Honda All Season Antif reeze/
Coolant Type 2.
Draining the coolant requires access
to the underside of the car. Unless
you have the tools and knowledge,
you should have this maintenance
done by a skilled mechanic.Openthehood.Makesurethe
engine and radiator are cool to the
touch.
Remove the radiator cap.
Turn the ignition to ON (II). Make
sure the DUAL indicator is off. Set
the temperature of the climate
control system to its upper limit
‘‘Hi’’. Then turn of f the ignition,
and remove the key.
1.
2.
Replacing Engine Coolant
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance251

Clean up any dirt and oil that have
collected around the ignition coils.
Use a wrench to remove the bolt
holding the ignition coil. Pull the
ignition coil up slightly.
Disconnect the wire connector
f rom the ignition coil by pushing
on the lock tab and pulling on the
connector. Pull on the plastic
connector, not the wires.Remove the ignition coil.
Remove the spark plug with
a f ive-eighths inch (16 mm) spark
plug socket.
Torque the spark plug. (If you do
not have a torque wrench, tighten
the spark plug two-thirds of a turn
after it contacts the cylinder head.)
Tightening torque:
Put the new spark plug into the
socket, then screw it into the hole.
Screw it in by hand so you do not
crossthread it.
5.
2.
4. 3. 6.
7.8.
CONT INUED
Spark Plugs
Maint enance263
BOLT
CONNECTOR
IGNITION COIL LOCK TAB
13 lbf·ft (18 N·m , 1.8 kgf·m)