2006 Acura TL Transmission and clutch

Apply the parking brake.
In cold weather, turn of f all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.
Push the clutch pedal down all the
way.
Make sure the shif t lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal.If the engine still does not start,
press the accelerator pedal all the
way down and hold it there while
starting to clear flooding. If the
engine still does not start, return
to step 5.
If the engine does not start within
15 seconds, or starts but stalls
right away, repeat step 4 with the
accelerator pedal pressed halfway
down. If the engine starts, release
pressure on the accelerator pedal
so the engine does not race.
Without touching the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to the
START (III) position. Do not hold
the key in the START (III)
position f or more than 15 seconds
at a time. If the engine does not
start right away, pause for at least
10 seconds bef ore trying again.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.6.
Manual Transmission:
Automatic Transmission:
Starting the Engine
Driving
189
The engine is harder to start in cold
weather. Also, the thinner air f ound at
altitudes above 8,000 f eet (2,400
meters) adds to this problem.
T he immobilizer system protects your
vehicle f rom thef t. If an improperly-
coded key (or other device) is used, the
engine’s f uel system is disabled. For
more inf ormation, see page .
91

When slowing down, you can get
extra braking from the engine by
shifting to a lower gear. This extra
braking can help you maintain a safe
speed and prevent your brakes f rom
overheating while going down a
steep hill. Bef ore downshif ting,
make sure the engine speed will not
go into the tachometer’s red zone in
the lower gear.
The manual transmission is
synchronized in all f orward gears f or
smooth operation. It has a lockout so
you cannot accidentally shif t f rom
f if th to reverse instead of sixth (see
page ). When shif ting up or
down,makesureyoupushtheclutch
pedal down all the way, shift to the
next gear, and let the pedal up
gradually. When you are not shif ting,
do not rest your f oot on the clutch
pedal. This can cause your clutch to
wear out faster. Come to a full stop before you shift
into reverse. You can damage the
transmission by trying to shif t into
reverse with the vehicle moving.
Push down the clutch pedal, and
pause f or a f ew seconds bef ore
shif ting into reverse, or shif t into one
of the f orward gears f or a moment.
This stops the gears so they won’t
‘‘grind.’’
191The engine can be damaged if
you inadvertently downshif t into the wrong gear (f or example, going f romthird gear at high rpms to second gearinstead of upshif ting to f ourth gear; theengine speed limiter will not work in thissituation).
Manual T ransmission
190
Note:
Rapid slowing or speeding-up
can cause loss of control on
slippery surfaces. If you crash,
you can be injured.
Use extra care when driving on
slippery surfaces.

µµ
µ´
When you accelerate away f rom a
stop, the transmission will start in
first gear and then automatically
upshif t to second gear. You have to
manually upshif t between second
and f if th gears. Make sure you
upshif t bef ore the engine speed
reaches the tachometer’s red zone.
The transmission remains in the
selected gear (5, 4, 3). There is no
automatic downshif t when you push
the accelerator pedal to the floor.
When you move the
shif t lever to this position, the
transmission shifts to the lowest
gear that can be selected without
exceeding the engine redline. At
normal speeds, it selects third gear.
As the vehicle slows, it selects
second gear at about 53 mph
(85 km/h), and f irst gear at about 28
mph (45 km/h). Accelerating in f irst
gear, the transmission upshif ts to
second gear at about 37 mph
(59 km/h). You must move the shif t
lever to D f or the transmission to
upshif t to third gear.
In Sequential SportShif t mode, each
time you push f orward on the shif t
lever, the transmission shifts to a
higher gear. Pull back on the lever to
downshif t. The number of the gear
selected is displayed on the
instrument panel.
To enter the Sequential SportShif t
mode, move the shif t lever f urther to
the driver’s side. To return to ‘‘D,’’
move the shift lever to the passenger’s side.
When you move the shif t lever f rom
‘‘D’’ to the Sequential SportShift
mode, the display shows the selected
gear.
With
the shif t lever in ‘‘D’’ position, you
can select the Sequential SportShif t
mode to shif t gears much like a
manual transmission, but without a
clutch pedal.
CONT INUED
Automatic Transmission
Low (L)
Sequential SportShif t Mode
Driving
195
SELECTED GEAR Down shiftUp shift

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer. This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance messages in the multi-
inf ormation display, a maintenance
record, and instructions f or simple
maintenance tasks you may want to
take care of yourself .......................
Maintenance Saf ety .208
....................
Maintenance Minder .209
....................
Maintenance Record .214
..............................
Fluid Locations .216
......
Engine Compartment Covers .217
........................
Adding Engine Oil .218
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter .219
..............................
Engine Coolant .221
....................
Windshield Washers .222
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid .223
........
Manual Transmission Fluid .224
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid .225
....................
Power Steering Fluid .226
.............................................
Lights .227
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .231
.....................................
Floor Mats .232
.................................
Wiper Blades .232
...............................................
Tires .234
...................
Checking the Battery .240
.............................
Vehicle Storage .241
283
Maintenance
Maint enance
207

Check the brake f luid level in the
reservoirs monthly af ter removing
the engine compartment rear cover
(see page ).The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If it is not, add
brake f luid to bring it up to that level.
Use the same fluid specified for the
brake system.
A low f luid level can indicate a leak
in the clutch system. Have this
system inspected as soon as possible.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle’s
braking system and can cause
extensive damage. Replace the brake f luid every 3 years,
independent of mileage.
Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 f luid, f rom a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement.
Using any non-Honda brake f luid can
cause corrosion and decrease the lif e
of the system. Have the brake
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 as soon as possible. 217
Manual Transmission only
Brake and Clutch Fluid
Brake Fluid
Clutch Fluid
Maint enance
225
MAX
MIN MAX
MIN

Diagnosing why the engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position:You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run. When you turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, you do not
hear the normal noise of the engine
trying to start. You may hear a
clicking sound or series of clicks, or
nothing at all.
Turn the ignition switch to the
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the f uses. If the f uses
are OK, there is probably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit f or the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualif ied technician to
determine the problem (see
on page ).
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is dis-
charged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the battery and terminal connec-
tions (see page ). You can
then try jump starting the vehicle
f rom a booster battery (see page ).
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged. See
on page .
Check the transmission interlock.
If you have a manual transmission,
the clutch pedal must be pushed
all the way to the f loor or the
starter will not operate. With an
automatic transmission, the shif t
lever must be in Park or neutral.
Check these things:
263
240
251
252
If theEngineWon’tStart
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Emergency T owing
Jump Starting
250

ÎCONT INUED
..................
Checking the Fuses .259
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers .86
......
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck .264
............................
Jump Starting .252
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .256
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .257
..................
Overheated Engine .254
.......................................
Towing .263
.........................
Emergency Brake .112
......................
Emergency Flashers .86
......................
Emergency Towing .263
............
Emergency Trunk Opener .94
.......................
Emissions Controls .274
.............
Emissions Testing, State .277
Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .66
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .60,257
.........................................
Oil Lif e .73
........
Oil Pressure Indicator .60,256
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .218
...............................
Overheating .254
............................
Specif ications .271
....................
Speed Limiter .191,197
.......................................
Starting .189
.................
Engine, if it won’t start .250 ......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .177
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls .274
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .53
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving .180
.........................................
Gasoline .176
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator .64
...........................................
Gauge .66
................
Octane Requirement .176
........................
Tank, Filling the .177
................
Gas Station Procedures .177
...................................
Fan, Interior .122
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .119
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .177
........................................
Filter, Oil .219
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning .86
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .245
.....................................
Floor Mats .232
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission .223
..........................................
Brake .225
.........................................
Clutch .225
..............
Manual Transmission .224
..........................
Power Steering .226
................
Windshield Washers .222
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .132
.....................................
Fog Lights .85..........................
Four-way Flashers .86
............................
Front Airbags .11,23
......................................
Front Seats .98
......................................
Adjusting .98
.......................................
Heaters .106
...................................
Airbags .11,23
.................................................
Fuel .176
......................
Fill Door and Cap .177
...........................................
Gauge .66
................
Octane Requirement .176
........................
Reserve Indicator .64
........................
Tank, Filling the .177
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .259
Index
F
G
INDEX
III