2008 Acura TL Owner's Manual

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 your 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. Modif ying your steering wheel or
any other part of your vehicle’s
safety features can make the
systems inef f ective.
If you plan to modif y your vehicle,
consult your dealer.
Non-Acura wheels, can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components and may not be
compatible with the tire pressure
monitoring system.
Modif ying Your Vehicle
A ccessories and Modif ications
246
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Your vehicle has several convenient
storage areas:Glove box
Front door and seat-back pockets
Console compartment
Trunk
Roof -rack (if installed)
In addition, the trunk pass-through
allows you to carry longer items.
However, carrying too much cargo,
or improperly storing it, can af f ect
your vehicle’s handling, stability,
stopping distance, and tires, and
make it unsaf e. Bef ore carrying any
type of cargo, be sure to read the
f ollowing pages.
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
247
CONSOLE COMPARTMENT FRONT DOOR POCKET
GLOVE BOX
SEAT-BACK POCKET
TRUNK
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µµ·
The maximum load f or your vehicle
is 850 lbs (385 kg).
Label Example
See Tire And Loading Inf ormation
label attached to the driver’s
doorjamb.
This f igure includes the total weight
of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if
you are towing a trailer. Steps f or Determining Correct Load
Limit
Locate the statement ‘‘The
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX
kg or XXX lbs.’’ on your vehicle’s
placard.
Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers f rom
XXX kg or XXX lbs. The resulting f igure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For
example, if the ‘‘XXX’’ amount
equals 1,400 lbs. and there will be
f ive 150 lb. passengers in your
vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs.
(1,400 750 (5 150) = 650 lbs.)
Determine the combined weight
of luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may
not saf ely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load f rom your trailer will
be transf erred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle.
(1)
(2)
(3) (4)
(5)
(6)
Load Limits
Carrying Cargo
248
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.
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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
areonalabelonthedriver’s
doorjamb.Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.
Do not put any items on top of the
trunk panel. They can block your
view and be thrown around the
vehicle during a crash.
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
CONT INUED
Carrying Cargo
Carrying Cargo in the Passenger
CompartmentBef ore Driving
249
Max Load (850 lbs) Cargo Weight
(550 lbs)
Max Load (850 lbs)
Max Load (850 lbs) Cargo Weight
(250 lbs)
Cargo Weight
(100 lbs)
Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs)
Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 4 = 600 lbs)
Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 5 = 750 lbs)
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Distribute cargo evenly on the
f loor of the trunk, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as far forward as possible.The cargo net can be used to help
hold down items stored in the trunk.
To use the cargo net, hook it to the
buttons on the f loor and sides of the
trunk. You can use the cargo net in
several conf igurations by hooking it
to dif f erent buttons. There is also a
side net that can be used on either
side of the trunk.
When you are not using the cargo
net, store it in the pocket in the spare
tire tool case.
If you carry large items that
prevent you f rom closing the trunk
lid, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility of
, f ollow the instructions
on page .
If you carry any items on a roof
rack,besurethetotalweightof
the rack and the items does not
exceed 165 lbs (75 kg).
If you use an accessory roof rack,
the roof rack weight limit may be
lower. Ref er to the inf ormation
that came with your roof rack.
Be sure items placed on the f loor
behind the f ront seats cannot roll
underneath and interf ere with the
proper operation of the seats, the
sensors under the seats, or the
driver’s ability to operate the
pedals.
Also, keep all cargo below the
bottom of the windows. If it is
higher, it could interf ere with the
proper operation of the side
curtain airbags.
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop.
52
Carrying Cargo in the Trunk or on
a Roof Rack
Cargo Nets
carbon monoxide
poisoning
Carrying Cargo
250
CARGO NET
TRUNK HOOK BUTTONS
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This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
manual and the automatic
transmission. It also includes
important inf ormation on parking
your vehicle, the braking system, the
vehicle stability assist (VSA) system
and the tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS).........................
Preparing to Drive .252
.......................
Starting the Engine .253
...................
Manual Transmission .256
..............
Automatic Transmission .259
...........................................
Parking .266
.............................
Braking System .267
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) .268
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
........................................
System .270
Tire Pressure Monitoring ........................
System (TPMS) .272
...........................
Towing a Trailer .276
Driving
Driving
251
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Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments every day bef ore
you drive your vehicle.Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Check that the hood and trunk are
f ully closed.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure. Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).
Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely. When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel, and the
messages on the multi-inf ormation
display (see pages , and
).
3. 2.
1.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.
9. 10.
103
107 91
14 57 65
68
Preparing to Drive
252
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Apply the parking brake.
In cold weather, turn of f all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.
Press the clutch pedal down all the
way. The START (III) position
does not f unction unless the clutch
pedal is pressed.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.
If the engine fails to 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.
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.
6.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Starting the Engine (Models with Manual Transmission)
Driving
253
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 .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.
94
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