2008 Acura TL ignition

If the indicator comes on repeatedly,
even though it may go of f as you
continue driving, have the vehicle
checked by your dealer as soon as
possible.
If this indicator comes on
while driving, it means one
of the engine’s emissions control
systems may have a problem. Even
though you may f eel no dif f erence in
your vehicle’s perf ormance, it can
reduce your f uel economy and cause
increased emissions. Continued
operation may cause serious damage.
Your vehicle has certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that are part of the on-board
diagnostics f or the emissions
systems. In some states, part of the
emissions testing is to make sure
these codes are set. If they are not
set, the test cannot be completed.
If you have recently ref ueled your
vehicle, the indicator coming on
could be due to a loose or missing
f uel f ill cap. You will also see a
‘‘TIGHTEN FUEL CAP’’ message on
the multi-information display.
Tighten the cap until it clicks at least
once (see page ). Tightening the
cap will not turn the indicator of f
immediately; it can take several days
of normal driving. If the battery in your vehicle has
been disconnected or gone dead,
thesecodesmaybeerased.Ittakes
several days of driving under various
conditions to set the codes again.
To check if they are set, turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position, without starting the engine.
The malf unction indicator lamp will
come on f or 20 seconds. If it then
goes of f , the readiness codes are set.
If it blinks f ive times, the readiness
codes are not set. If possible, do not
take your vehicle f or an emissions
test until the readiness codes are set.
Refer to for
more information (see page ).
238 355
Malf unction Indicator L amp
Readiness Code
Emissions T estingT aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
331
If you keep driving with the
malf unction indicator lamp on, you can
damage your vehicle’s emissions
controls and engine. Those repairs may
not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranties.
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However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system’s dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will f eel the brake
pedal go down much f arther bef ore
the vehicle begins to slow down, and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully.If the ABS indicator and the VSA
system indicator come on with the
brake system indicator, have your
vehicle inspected by your dealer
immediately.
Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed and repaired by
your dealer as soon as possible (see on page ).
The brake system indicator normally
comes on when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position, and as
a reminder to check the parking
brake. It will stay on if you do not
f ully release the parking brake.
If the f luid level is low, take your
vehicle to a dealer, and have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
If the brake system indicator comes
on while driving, the brake f luid level
is probably low. Press lightly on the
brake pedal to see if it f eels normal.
If it does, check the brake f luid level
thenexttimeyoustopataservice
station (see page ).
337
295
Brake System Indicator
Emergency T owing
332
Canada
U.S.
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Turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Make sure the
headlights and all other
accessories are of f .
Remove the cover f rom the f use
box.
The vehicle’s f uses are contained in
two fuse boxes. The interior fuse
box is on the driver’s lower lef t side.
To remove the f use box lid, put your
f inger in the notch on the lid, pull it
toward you, and take it out of its
hinges.
The under-hood f use box is on the
driver’s side next to the air cleaner
housing.
Check each of the large f uses in
the under-hood f use box by
looking through the top at the wire
inside. Remove the screws with a
Phillips-head screwdriver.
If something electrical in your
vehicle stops working, check f or a
blown f use f irst. Determine f rom the
chart on pages and , or the
diagram on the f use box lid, which
f uses control that device. Check
those fuses first, but check all the
f uses bef ore deciding that a blown
f use is the cause. Replace any blown
f uses, and check if the device works. 1.
2.
3.
336
335
CONT INUED
Checking and Replacing Fuses
Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
333
UNDER-HOOD
INTERIOR
FUSE
BLOWN
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µµThe operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck. Release the parking brake.
Shif t the transmission to neutral.
Therearetwowaystotowyour
vehicle:
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the f ront tires and lif t them of f
the ground. The rear tires remain on
the ground.
If , due to damage, your vehicle must
be towed with the f ront wheels on
the ground, do this: Turn of f the engine.
ShifttoD,thentoN.
Start the engine.
Release the parking brake.
Leave the ignition switch in the
ACCESSORY (I) position so the
steering wheel does not lock.
Leave the ignition switch in the
ACCESSORY (I) position so the
steering wheel does not lock.With the f ront wheels on the ground,
it is best to tow the vehicle no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the
speedbelow35mph(55km/h).
If your vehicle is equipped with a
f ront spoiler, remove it bef ore
towing so it is not damaged.
Manual transmission:
Automatic transmission:
CONT INUED
Emergency Towing
Flat -bed EquipmentWheel-lif t Equipment
T his is the best way to
transport your vehicle.
This is an acceptable
way to tow your vehicle.
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
337
Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shif t the transmission or start the
engine (automatic transmission), your
vehicle must be transported with the
f ront wheels of f the ground. Trying to lif t or tow your vehicle by the
bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to
support the vehicle’s weight.
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For very short distances, such as
f reeing the vehicle, you can use the
detachable towing hook that mounts
on the anchor in the f ront bumper.
If your vehicle gets stuck in sand,
mud, or snow, call a towing service
to pull it out (see page ).
To use the towing hook:Remove the cover f rom the bumper by pushing the lower part
of the cover with your f inger.
Remove the towing hook, hook
extension, and wheel nut wrench
f rom the tool case in the spare tire.
Using the wheel nut wrench,
fasten the extension into the bolt
hole.
If you decide to tow your vehicle
with all f our wheels on the ground,
make sure you use a properly-
designed and attached tow bar.
Prepare the vehicle for towing as
described above, and leave the
ignition switched in the
ACCESSORY (I) position so the
steering wheel does not lock. Make
sure the radio and any items plugged
into the accessory power socket are
turned of f so they do not run down
the battery.
3.
1. 2.
337
Emergency Towing, If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
338
The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in the ACCESSORY (I)
position, and make sure the steering
wheel turns f reely bef ore you begin
towing.
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The exhaust emissions controls
include f our systems: PGM-FI,
ignition timing control, exhaust gas
recirculation, and three way catalytic
converter. These f our systems work
together to control the engine’s
combustion and minimize the
amount of HC, CO, and NOx that
come out the tailpipe. The exhaust
emissions control systems are
separate f rom the crankcase and
evaporative emissions control
systems.The emissions control systems are
designed and certif ied to work
together in reducing emissions to
levels that comply with the Clean Air
Act. To make sure the emissions
remain low, you should use only new
Acura replacement parts or their
equivalent f or repairs. Using lower
qualitypartsmayincreasethe
emissions f rom your vehicle.
The emissions control systems are
covered by warranties separate from
the rest of your vehicle. Read your
warranty manual for more informa-
tion.
The three way catalytic converter is
in the exhaust system. Through
chemical reactions, it converts HC,
CO, and NOx in the engine’s exhaust
to carbon dioxide (CO ), nitrogen
(N ), and water vapor.
The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR)
system takes some of the exhaust
gas and routes it back into the intake
manif old. Adding exhaust gas to the
air/f uel mixture reduces the amount
of NOx produced when the f uel is
burned.
This system constantly adjusts the
ignition timing, reducing the amount
of HC, CO, and NOx produced.
The PGM-FI system uses sequential
multiport f uel injection.
It has three subsystems: air intake,
engine control, and f uel control. The
powertrain control module (PCM) in
automatic transmission vehicles or
the engine control module (ECM) in
manual transmission vehicles uses
various sensors to determine how
much air is going into the engine. It then controls how much f uel to inject
under all operating conditions.
2
2
Exhaust Emissions Controls Replacement Parts
PGM-FI System
Three Way Catalytic Converter
Exhaust Gas Recirculat ion (EGR)
Syst em
Ignit ion T iming Cont rol Syst em
Emissions Cont rols
Technical Inf ormation
353
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CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications .245
................................
Accessories .245
............................
Modif ications .246
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .95
............
Accessory Power Sockets .120
......................................
AcuraLink .219
................
Adding Engine Coolant .290
........................
Adding Engine Oil .287
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .288
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9,22
...............
Additional Information .22
......................................
Servicing .31
...................
System Components .22
..............
Air Conditioning System .126
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .306
......................................
Antif reeze .290
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............................
Indicator .60,268
...................................
Operation .268
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System .184
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock .95
................................
Audio System .133
...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature .88 ...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners .20
.............
Automatic Speed Control .186
..............
Automatic Transmission .259
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .344
...............
Checking Fluid Level .292
.......................................
Shif ting .259
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator .259
....................
Shif t Lock Release .264
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .59,330
............................
Jump Starting .326
..............................
Maintenance .314
............................
Specif ications .345
..............................
Bef ore Driving .235
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,18
...........................
Beverage Holder .120
.......
Bluetooth
HandsFreeLink.192
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) .268
.............
Break-in, New Linings .236
...........................................
Fluid .295
.......................................
Parking .117 .................
System Indicator .59,332
........................
Wear Indicators .267
.............................
Braking System .267
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle .236
..
Brightness Control, Instruments .89
........................
Brights, Headlights .86
Bulb Replacement
..........................
Back-up Lights .301
.........
Daytime Running Lights .297
.................................
Fog Lights .299
............................
Specif ications .345
............
Turn Signal Lights .298,300
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .297
............................
Capacities Chart .344
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .52
............................
Carrying, Cargo .247
Cassette Player
....................................
Care .154,175
...........................
Operation .152,173
.............
CAUTION, Explanation of .iii
..................................
Ceiling Light .118
Index
A
BC
INDEX
I
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.........................................
Gasoline .236
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator .63
...........................................
Gauge .65
................
Octane Requirement .236
........................
Tank, Filling the .237
................
Gas Station Procedures .237
Gauges
...
Engine Coolant Temperature .65
...............................................
Fuel .65
...............................
Speedometer .65
.................................
Tachometer .65
Gearshif t Lever Positions ..........
Automatic Transmission .259
6-speed Manual
.........................
Transmission .256
......................................
Glove Box .121 ...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle .342
Ignition
..............................................
Keys .92
...........................................
Switch .95
............
Timing Control System .353
........................
Immobilizer System .94
.........
Important Safety Precautions .6
.........................................
Indicators .58
......
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake) .60,268
Brake (Parking and Brake
............................
System) .59,332
................
Charging System .59,330
.............................
Cruise Control .61 DRL (Daytime Running
......................................
Lights) .62
.....................................
Fog Light .63
...................................
High Beam .62
........
Key (Immobilizer System) .63
......................................
Low Fuel .63
................
Low Oil Pressure .59,330
.....................
Side Airbag Of f .30,60
.........................................
SRS .29,60
Turn Signal and Hazard
...................................
Warning .62
............................
VSA Activation .61
.................................
VSA System .61
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .38
......................................
Inf ant Seats .38
..........
Tether Anchorage Points .46
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire .306
.................................
Inside Mirror .106
.............................
Inspection, Tire .309
............................
Instrument Panel .57
..........
Instrument Panel Indicators .58
........
Instrument Panel Brightness .89
...............................
Interior Lights .118
........................................
Introduction .i
.......................
Halogen Fog Bulbs .297
...............
HandsFreeLink
(HFL) .192
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers .90
........................................
Headlights .86
........................................
Aiming .297
Automatic Lighting Off
.....................................
Feature .88 ............
Daytime Running Lights .88
..................
High Beam Indicator .62
.........................
Reminder Chime .86
...................................
Turning on .86
............................
Head Restraints .104
.................
High-Low Beam Switch .86
HomeLink
Universal
................................
Transceiver .189
.......................
Hood, Opening the .239
Index
H I
IV
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