2004 Acura TSX wiper blades

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 ).
119 126
Visibility
Traction
Driving
Driving in Bad Weather
220

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 .230
.
Important Safety Precautions . 231
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 232
...
Required Maintenance Record . 239
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 242
..............................
Fluid Locations .243
......................................
Engine Oil .244
..................................
Adding Oil .244
....................
Recommended Oil .244
..............................
Synthetic Oil .245
....................................
Additives .246
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 246
.............................
Cooling System .249
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 249
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 251
....................
Windshield Washers .255
.......................
Transmission Fluid .256
Automatic .........................
Transmission .256
6-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .257
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 259
............................
Brake System .259
...........................
Clutch System .260
..............................
Power Steering .260
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .261 ....................................
Hood Latch .262
....................................
Spark Plugs .262
..............................
Replacement .262
............................
Specif ications .264
...........................................
Battery .265
.................................
Wiper Blades .267
..............
Air Conditioning System . 269
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 270
.......................................
Drive Belt .272
...............................................
Tires .273
......................................
Inf lation .273
..................................
Inspection .275
..............................
Maintenance .275
.............................
Tire Rotation .276
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 276
......................
Wheels and Tires .277
..........................
Winter Driving .278
.............................
Snow Tires .278
............................
Tire Chains .278
.............................................
Lights .280
........................
Replacing Bulbs .282
...........................
Storing Your Car .293
351
Maintenance
Maint enance229

Check the level in the windshield
washer reservoir at least monthly
during normal usage. In bad weather,
when you use the washers of ten,
check the level every time you stop
for fuel.
Check the reservoir’s f luid level by
removing the cap and looking at the
level gauge attached to the cap.
The low washer level indicator will
light when the level is low (see page).
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather. The windshield washer reservoir is
located behind the right headlight.
When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition the blade edges.
64
Canadian Models
Windshield Washers
Maint enance255
LEVEL GAUGE
Do not use engine antif reeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir.
Antif reeze can damage your car’s paint,
while a vinegar/water solution can
damage the windshield washer pump.
Use only commercially-available
windshield washer f luid.

Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every six months.
Look f or signs of cracking in the
rubber, or areas that are getting
hard. Replace the blades if you f ind
these signs, or if they leave streaks
and unwiped areas when used.Disconnect the blade assembly
fromthewiperarmbypushingin
the lock tab. Hold the lock tab in
while you push the blade assembly
toward the base of the arm.
Raise the wiper arm of f the
windshield.
To replace the blade:
Raise the driver’s side f irst, then
the passenger’s side. 2.
1.
CONT INUED
Wiper Blades
Maint enance267
WIPER ARMS
LOCK TAB
Do not open the hood when the wiper
arms are raised, or you will damage the
hood and the arms.

Remove the blade f rom its holder
by grasping the tabbed end of the
blade. Pull f irmly until the tabs
come out of the holder.Examine the new wiper blades. If
they have no plastic or metal rein-
f orcement along the back edge,
remove the metal reinf orcement
strips f rom the old wiper blade and
install them in the slots along the
edge of the new blade.Slide the new wiper blade into the
holder until the tabs lock.
Lower the wiper arm down against
the windshield. Slide the wiper blade assembly
onto the wiper arm. Make sure it
locks in place.
Lower the passenger’s side f irst,
then the driver’s side.
3. 4. 5.
6.
7.
Wiper Blades
Maint enance268
BLADE BLADE
REINFORCEMENT

ÎÎ
...................
Radiator Overheating . 315
.....
Radio/CD Sound System . 129,148
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 286
..........................
Rear Seat Armrest .95
..........................
Rear Seat, Folding .94
..........................
Rear View Mirror .102
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 75
.........
Reclining the Seat Backs . 91,92
.......
Recommended Shif t Speeds . 202
.............................
Reminder Lights .59
.......................
Remote Transmitter .83
Replacement Inf ormation .................
Air Cleaner Element . 261
.......................................
Coolant .251
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 246
..........................................
Fuses .324 ................................
Light Bulbs .282
....................................
Schedule .232
................................
Spark Plugs .262
...........................................
Tires .276
.............................
Wiper Blades .267
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .45
.................
Reserve Tank, Coolant . 189
...............................
Restraint, Child .21
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 206
................................
Rotation, Tire .276
........................................
Saf ety Belts .8
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 350
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
...........................................
Airbags .9
..................................
Door Locks .11
..........................
Head Restraints .11
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
..................
Seats and Seat-Backs . 10
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 54
...............................
Saf ety Messages .ii
...........................................
Seat Belts .8
...............
Additional Information . 43Automatic Seat Belt
...............................
Tensioners .44
.....................................
Cleaning .299
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .43
................................
Maintenance .45
Reminder Light and ................................
Beeper .43, 60
...................
System Components . 43
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 19
........................
Seats, Adjusting the .90
............................
Security System .173
.........................
Select/Reset Knob .68
...............................
Serial Number .332
...........................
Service Intervals .234
...........................
Service Manual .351
.........
Service Station Procedures . 184
..................
Setting the Clock . 135,153
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 204
........................
Shif t Lock Release .210
....................................
Side Airbags .48
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 48
How The SIDE Airbag Cutof f ...........
Indicator Light Works . 50
......................
Side Curtain Airbags .49
How Your Side Curtain ..........................
Airbags Work .49
........................
Protecting Children .21
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .30
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 36
.........
Protecting Small Children . 33
Using Child Seats with .....................................
Tethers .39
.............................
Using LATCH .41
Index
R
S
VI

ÎÎ
Transmission
Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .256
Checking Fluid Level, ...................................
Manual .257
..................
Fluid Selection . 256,257
..............
Identif ication Number . 332
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 204
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 201
.....................................
Treadwear .337
.......................................
Trip Meter .66
................................................
Trunk .87
....................
Emergency Opener .88
.................................
Opening the .87
...................
Open Monitor Light . 62
....................................
Turn Signals .73
.....................
Underside, Cleaning .311
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the .303
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 337
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .184
.....................
Upholstery Cleaning .298
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 248.................................
Utility Pocket .107
................................
Vanity Mirror .108
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 193
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .334
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 332
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) ....................................
System .216
........
VSA System Indicator . 62,217
...
VSA Activation Indicator . 62,216
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .217
.............................
Vehicle Storage .293
.................................................
VIN .332
...............................
Vinyl Cleaning .299
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .245
.............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 54
..................
Warranty Coverages .349
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level . 255
.....................................
Operation .75 .........................................
Washing .296
..................
Waxing and Polishing . 297
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering . 76
............
Alignment and Balance . 275
..........................
Compact Spare .304
......................................
Wrench .307
Windows .....................................
Cleaning .300
..................
Operating the Power . 97
...........................
Rear, Def ogger .75
Windshield .......................................
Cleaning .73
.......................................
Washers .75
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .267
.....................................
Operation .73
....................................
Worn Tires .275
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing . 328
:U.S.only
Index
U V
W
VIII