2007 Acura TL brakes

Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly, or
your vehicle may roll if it is parked
on an incline.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake
bef ore you put the transmission in
Park. This keeps the vehicle f rom
moving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission.Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you.
Lock the doors.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.
If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb. If you have a manual
transmission, put it in f irst gear.If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb. If you have a manual
transmission, put it in reverse gear.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Parking T ips
Parking
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Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderate ly to see if they feel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
frequently until they do. Be extra
cautious in your driving.
Your
vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes at all four wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the effort needed
on the brake pedal. The anti-lock
brake system (ABS) helps you retain
steering control when braking very
hard.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their effective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your foot off the
accelerator and downshifting to a
lower gear.
Resting
your foot on the brake pedal
applies the brakes slightly. This
builds up heat, and reduces brake
effectiveness and brake pad life. In
addition, fuel economy can be
reduced. It also keeps your brake
lights on all the time, confusing
drivers behind you. The
hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the left-front brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels, but the brake pedal
may not f eel normal (see page f or more inf ormation). If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time and braking
ef f ectiveness could be reduced. It is
normal for the brakes to occasionally
squeal or squeak when you apply
them.
326
Braking System Design
Brake Wear Indicators
Braking System
Driving
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The anti-lock brake system (ABS)
helpspreventthewheelsfrom
locking up, and helps you retain
steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly, much faster than a
person can do it.
The electronic brake distribution
(EBD) system, which is part of the
ABS, also balances the front-to-rear
braking distribution according to
vehicle loading.
Let the ABS work for you by always
keeping firm, steady pressure on the
brake pedal. This is sometimes
referred to as ‘‘stomp and steer.’’ You
will feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
may hear some noise. This is normal:
it is the ABS rapidly pumping the
brakes. On dry pavement, you will
need to press on the brake pedal
very hard before the ABS activates.
However, you may feel the ABS
activate immediately if you are trying
to stop on snow or ice. If
this indicator comes on, the anti-
lock function of the braking system
has shut down. The brakes still work
like a conventional system, but
without anti-lock. You should have
your dealer inspect your vehicle as
soon as possible.
If the indicator comes on while
driving, test the brakes as instructed
on page . 326
You should never pump the brake pedal.
ABS Indicator
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
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If the ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator come on together,
and the parking brake is fully
released, the EBD system may also
be shut down.
Test your brakes as instructed on
page . If the brakes f eel normal,
drive slowly and have your vehicle
repaired by your dealer as soon as
possible. Avoid sudden hard braking
which could cause the rear wheels to
lock up and possibly lead to a loss of
control.
The VSA indicator will come on
alongwiththeABSindicator. such as trying to take a
corner too f ast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe
speed f or the road and weather
conditions.
Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road. on loose or
uneven surf aces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock.
It only helps with steering
control during braking.
326 Important Saf ety Reminders
A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly,
A BS cannot prevent a loss of
stability. A vehicle with A BS may require a
longer distance to stop
A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle.
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Driving
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The vehicle stability assist (VSA)
system helps to stabilize the vehicle
during cornering if the vehicle turns
more or less than desired. It also
assists you in maintaining traction
while accelerating on loose or
slippery road surfaces. It does this
by regulating the engine’s output,
and by selectively applying the
brakes.
When VSA activates, you may notice
that the engine does not respond to
the accelerator in the same way it
does at other times.
The VSA system cannot enhance the
vehicle’s driving stability in all
situations and does not control your
vehicle’s entire braking system. It is
still your responsibility to drive and
corner at reasonable speeds and to
leave a sufficient margin of safety. If
the indicator does not come on
when the ignition switch is turned to
the ON (II) position, there may be a
problem with the VSA system. Have
your dealer inspect your vehic le as
soon as possible.
If this indicator comes on while
driving, pull to the side of the road
when it is safe, and turn off the
engine. Reset the system by
restarting the engine. If the VSA
system indicator stays on, or comes
back on while driving, have the VSA
system inspected by your dealer. When VSA activates, you will see the
VSA activation indicator blink (see
page ). On manual transmission models, if
the VSA system is of f and you
accelerate f rom a stop, the vehicle
may pull, and it may take extra effort
to return the steering wheel to
center.
Without VSA, your vehicle will have
normal braking and cornering ability,
but it will not have VSA traction and
stability enhancement.
61
VSA System Indicator VSA A ctivation Indicator
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) System
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U.S.
Vehicles:
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specified intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perform
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed. Lights
Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and licen se plate lights monthly.
See page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page .
Engine
oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Automatic transmission Check
the fluid level monthly. See page
.
Brakes Check the fluid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
.
According
to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all
maintenance services should be
perf ormed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the multi-
inf ormation display. 238
239
288
304 293
291
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
Maintenance Minder
Maint enance
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Maintenance
Minder
278
:
If the message ‘‘SERVICE DUE NOW’’ does not appear more than 12 months
after the disp lay is reset, change the engine oil every year.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty in the first column
on page .
Independent of the maintenance messages in the multi-information
display, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.
NOTE: 1:
277
Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect these items: Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and line (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every
15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Replace dust and pollen filter If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds results in higher transmission temperatures.
On vehicles with automatic transmission, this
requires transmission fluid changes more
frequently than recommended by the Maintenance
Minder. If you regularly drive your vehicle under
these conditions, have the transmission fluid
changed at 60,000 miles (100,000 km), then every
30,000 miles (48,000 km).
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over
110°F, 43°C), or in very low temperatures (under20°F, 29°C), replace every 60,000 miles (U.S.)/
100,000 km (Canada).
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
A
B
Symbol
Symbol
1
2
3
4
51
1
Maintenance Minder
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CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 240
................................
Accessories .240
............................
Modif ications .241
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .95
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 120
......................................
AcuraLink .217
................
Adding Engine Coolant . 286
........................
Adding Engine Oil .283
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 284
...............................
Airbag (SRS) . 9, 22
...............
Additional Information . 22
......................................
Servicing .31
...................
System Components . 22
..............
Air Conditioning System . 126
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .303
......................................
Antif reeze .286
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator . 60, 262
...................................
Operation .262
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 182
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 95
................................
Audio System .133
...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature . 88 ...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 20
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 184
..............
Automatic Transmission . 253
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .338
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 288
.......................................
Shif ting .253
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 253
.......................................
Shif ting .253
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 258
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator . 59, 324
............................
Jump Starting .320
..............................
Maintenance .308
............................
Specif ications .339
..............................
Bef ore Driving .233
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,18
...........................
Beverage Holder .120
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 262
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 234
...........................................
Fluid .291
.......................................
Parking .117 .................
System Indicator . 59, 326
........................
Wear Indicators .261
.............................
Braking System .261
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 234
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 89
........................
Brights, Headlights .86
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .297
.........
Daytime Running Lights . 293
.................................
Fog Lights .295
............................
Specif ications .339
............
Turn Signal Lights . 294, 296
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .293
............................
Capacities Chart .338
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 52
............................
Carrying, Cargo .243
Cassette Player ....................................
Care . 154, 175
...........................
Operation . 152, 173
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
..................................
Ceiling Light .118
Index
A
BC
INDEX
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