Page 239 of 379

Before installing any accessory:
Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interfere
with proper vehicle operation or
performance.
Befo re installing any electronic
accessory, have the installer
contact your dealer for assistance.
If possible, have your dealer
inspect the final installation.
Do not install accessories on the
side pillars or across the rear
windows. In these areas,
accessories may interfere with
proper operation of the side
cu rtain airbags.
Modifying
your vehicle, or installing
some non-Acura accessories, can
make your vehicle unsafe. Before
you make any modifi cations or add
anyaccessories,besuretoreadthe
following information.
Your dealer has Acura accessories
that allow you to personalize your
vehicle. These accessories have
been designed and approved for your
vehicle, and are covered by warranty.
Although non-Acura accessories may
fit on your vehicle, they may not
meet factory specifications, and
could adversely affect your vehicle’s
handling and stability. Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits
(see page ) or interf ere with
proper operation of your vehicle.
When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interf ere with your vehicle’s
computer controlled systems, such
as your airbags, anti-lock brakes, and
tire pressure monitoring system. 336
A ccessories
A ccessories and Modif ications
236
Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your
vehicle’s handling, stability, and
performance, and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt
or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding
accessories and modifications.
Page 240 of 379

Some examples are:Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interf ere with the operation of
your vehicle’s anti-lock brakes and
other systems.
Removing parts f rom your vehicle,
or replacing components with non-
Acura components could seriously
af f ect your vehicle’s handling,
stability, and reliability.
Lowering the vehicle with a non-
Acura suspension kit that
signif icantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to hit speed bumps
or other raised objects, which
could cause the airbags to deploy.
Raising your vehicle with a non-
Acura suspension kit can af f ect
the handling and stability. If you plan to modif y your vehicle,
consult your dealer.
Modif ying your steering wheel or
any other part of your vehicle’s
saf ety systems could make the
systems inef f ective.
Non-Acura wheels can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components and are not
compatible with the tire pressure
monitoring system.
Modif ying Your Vehicle
A ccessories and Modif ications
Bef ore Driving
237
Page 243 of 379

Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.
If
you carry large items that
prevent you from closing the trunk
lid, exhaust gas can enter the
pa ssenger area. To avoid the
possibility of
, f ollow the instructions
on page . Be sure items placed on the f loor
behind the f ront seats cannot roll
under the seats and interf ere with
the driver’s ability to operate the
pedals or the seat.
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop.
Do not put any items on top of the
rear shelf . They can block your
viewandbethrownaroundthe
vehicle during a crash.
In addition, the total weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, accessories,
cargo, and trailer tongue load must
not exceed the gross vehicle weight
rating (GVWR) or the gross axle
weight rating (GAWR). Both are on
a label on the driver’s doorjamb.
Distribute cargo evenly on the
f loor of the trunk, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as far forward as possible. Tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop.
If youfolddownthebackseat,tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop. 55
Carrying Items in the Passenger
Compartment
carbon monoxide
poisoning
Carrying Cargo in the Trunk
Carrying Cargo
240
Page 244 of 379
This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
manual and automatic transmissions.
It also includes important
information on parking your vehicle,
the braking system, the vehicle
stability assist (VSA) system, the tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS),
and f acts you need if you are
planning to tow a trailer.........................
Preparing to Drive .242
.......................
Starting the Engine .243
...................
Manual Transmission . 244
..............
Automatic Transmission . 246
...........................................
Parking .253
.............................
Braking System .254
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) . 255
Tire Pressure Monitoring ........................
System (TPMS) .257
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) ........................................
System .262
...........................
Towing a Trailer .264
Driving
Driving
241
Page 245 of 379
Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove frost, snow,
or ice.
Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have fastened
their seat belts (see page ).
Check
the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).
Check that the hood is fully closed.
Check that the trunk is fully
closed.
Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
fastened down securely. Check
the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
pages and ).
Youshoulddothesechecksand
adjustments
before you drive your
vehicle:
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure (see page ). Check
the seat adjustment (see
page ). When
you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicato rs in the
instrument panel, and the
messages on the multi-inform ation
display (see pages , and ).
11.
61
76
3. 2. 1.
4.
5. 6.
7.
8.
9.
10. 145
15
146
138
125
310 68
Preparing to Drive
242
Page 248 of 379

If you exceed the maximum speed
f or the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer’s
red zone. If this occurs, you may f eel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine’s
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
rpm below the red zone.The 6-speed manual transmission
has an electric lockout so you cannot
accidentally shif t f rom f if th to
reverse instead of sixth while the
vehicle is moving. If you cannot shif t
to reverse when the vehicle is
stopped:
Apply the parking brake, and turn
the ignition key to the
ACCESSORY (I) or the LOCK (0)
position.
Press the clutch pedal, and shif t to
reverse.
With the clutch pedal still pressed,
start the engine.
If you need to use this procedure to
shif t to reverse, your vehicle may be
developing a problem. Have the
vehicle checked by your dealer.
The engine speed limiter only works
when you upshif t; engine speed is
not limited during downshif ts.
Bef ore downshif ting, make sure the
engine will not go into the
tachometer’s red zone. 1.
2.
3.
Manual T ransmission
Engine Speed L imiter
Reverse L ockout
Driving
245
Page 249 of 379
The ‘‘D’’ indicator comes on for a
few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If it flashes while driving (in
any shift position), it indicates a
possible problem in the transmission. If
the malfunction indicator lamp
comes on along with the ‘‘D’’
indicato r, there is a problem with the
automatic transmission control
system. Avoid rapid acceleration, and
have the transmission checked by
your dealer as soon as possible.
These indicators in the tachometer
show which position the shift lever is
in. When
the ‘‘D’’ indicator warns of a
possible problem with the
transmission, you will see a ‘‘CHECK
TRANSMISSION’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display (see page ). To shif t f rom any position, move the
shiftlever.Youcannotshiftoutof
Park when the ignition switch is in
the LOCK (0) or the ACCESSORY
(I) position.
83
Automatic Transmission
Shif t L ever Position Indicators
Shif ting
246
SHIFT LEVER
Page 250 of 379

µµµ µ
µ
µ
CONTINUED
To
shift from:
PtoR
RtoP
NtoR
DtoD DtoN
DtoD NtoDRtoN Do
this:
Press the brake pedal
and move the lever.
Move the lever.
3
3
To avoid transmission damage, come
to a complete stop before shifting
into Park. The shift lever must be in
Park before you can remove the key
from the ignition switch.
Press the brake
pedal, and move the shift lever from
Park to reverse. To shift from
reverse to neutral, come to a
completestop,andthenshift.
Your vehicle has a reverse lockout so
you cannot accidentally shift to
reverse from neutral or any other
driving position when the vehicle
speed exceeds 5 6 mph (8 10
km/h).
If you cannot shift to reverse when
the vehicle is stopped, press the
brake pedal, slowly shift to neutral,
andthenshifttoreverse. Use
neutral if you
need to restart a stalled engine, or if
it is necessary to stop briefly with
the engine idling. Shift to the Park
position if you need to leave your
vehicle and apply the parking brake.
Press on the brake pedal when you
are moving the shift lever from
neutral to another gear.
Use this position for
your normal driving. The
transmission automatically selects a
suitable gear for the vehicle speed
and acceleration. You may notice the
transmission shifting up at higher
speeds when the engine is cold. This
helps the engine warm up faster.
If
you have done all of the above and
still cannot move the lever out of
Park, see on
page .This
position mechani-
cally locks the transmission. Use
Park whenever you are turning off or
starting the engine. To shift out of
Park, you must press on the brake
pedal and have your foot off the
accelerator pedal. Move the shift
levertotherighttoshiftoutofPark.
If there is a problem in the reverse
lockout system, or your vehicle’s battery
is disconnected or goes dead,
you cannot shif t to reverse. (Ref er to on page ).
251 251
Automatic Transmission
Reverse (R)
Neutral (N)
Drive (D)
Shif t L ock Release
Park (P)
Shif t L ock Release
Driving
247