2008 Acura TSX engine

Always use unleaded gasoline.
Even a small amount of leaded
gasoline can contaminate the
catalyst metals, making the three
way catalytic converter inef f ective.
The three way catalytic converter
must operate at a high temperature
for the chemical reactions to take
place. It can set on f ire any
combustible materials that come
near it. Park your vehicle away from
high grass, dry leaves, or other
f lammables.
A defective three way catalytic
converter contributes to air pollution,
and can impair your engine’s per-
f ormance. Follow these guidelines to
protect your vehicle’s three way
catalytic converter.
The three way catalytic converter
contains precious metals that serve
as catalysts, promoting chemical
reactions to convert the exhaust
gasses without af f ecting the metals.
The catalytic converter is ref erred to
as a three-way catalyst, since it acts
on HC, CO, and NOx. A replacement
unit must be an original Acura part
or its equivalent.
Keep the engine well maintained.
Have your vehicle diagnosed and
repaired if it is misf iring, back-
f iring, stalling, or otherwise not
running properly.
Three Way Catalytic Converter
Technical Inf ormation
361
THREE WAY CATALYTIC CONVERTER
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Make sure the gas tank is nearly,
but not completely, f ull (around
3/4).Without touching the accelerator
pedal, start the engine, and let it
idle f or 20 seconds.
If you take your vehicle f or an
emissions test shortly af ter the
battery has been disconnected or
gone dead, it may not pass the test.
This is because of certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that must be set in the on-
board diagnostics f or the emissions
systems. These codes are erased
when the battery is disconnected,
and set again only after several days
of driving under a variety of
conditions. If the testing f acility determines that
the readiness codes are not set, you
will be requested to return at a later
date to complete the test. If you must
get the vehicle retested within the
next two or three days, you can
condition the vehicle f or retesting by
doing the f ollowing.
Make sure the vehicle has been
parked with the engine of f f or 6
hours or more.
Make sure the ambient
temperature is between 40° and
95°F. Keep the vehicle in Park
(automatic) or neutral (manual).
Increase the engine speed to 2,000
rpm,andholditthereuntilthe
temperature gauge rises to at least
1/4of thescale(about3minutes).
Without touching the accelerator
pedal, let the engine idle f or 20
seconds.
1.
2.
3. 4.
5.
6.
T esting of Readiness Codes
Emissions T esting
362
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Then drive in city/suburban
traffic for at least 10 minutes.
When traf f ic conditions allow, let
the vehicle coast f or several
seconds without using the
accelerator pedal or the brake
pedal.
If the testing f acility determines the
readiness codes are still not set, see
your dealer.
Select a nearby lightly traveled
major highway where you can
maintain a speed of 50 to 60 mph
(80to97km/h)foratleast20
minutes. Drive on the highway in
D (automatic) or 6th (manual). Do
notusethecruisecontrol.When
traffic allows, drive for 90 seconds
without moving the accelerator
pedal. (Vehicle speed may vary
slightly; this is okay.) If you cannot
do this f or a continuous 90
seconds because of traf f ic
conditions, drive f or at least 30
seconds, then repeat it two more
times (for a total of 90 seconds).
Make sure the vehicle has been
parked with the engine of f f or 30
minutes.
7.
8.
9.
Emissions T esting
Technical Inf ormation
363
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T he publications shown below can be purchased f rom Helm
Incorporated. You can order by phone or online:Call Helm Inc. at 1-800-782-4356 (credit card orders only)
Go online at
If you are interested in other years or models, contact Helm Inc.
at 1-800-782-4356.Covers maintenance and recommended procedures f or
repair to engine and chassis components. It is written
f or the journeyman mechanic, but it is simple enough
f or most mechanically inclined owners to understand.
Complements the Service Manual by providing in-depth
troubleshooting inf ormation f or each electrical circuit
in your vehicle.
Describes the procedures involved in the replacement
of damaged body parts.
Authorized Manuals
Purchasing Factory Authorized Manuals Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
(U.S. only)
Authorized Manuals
369
Publication
Form Number 61SEA04
61SEA04EL
61SEA30
31SEA640
31SEA810
31SEAM10 31SEAQ40 ACU-R Form Description
2008 Acura TSX Service Manual 2004-2008 Acura TSX
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual
2004-2008 Acura TSX Body Repair Manual 2008 Acura TSX Owner’s Manual2008 Acura TSX NavigationSystem Owner’s Manual
2008 Acura TSX Maintenance Journal 2008 Acura TSX Quick Start GuideOrder Form for Previous Years-
Indicate Year and Model Desired
www. helminc. com
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CONT INUED
....................................
Accessories .240
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
.....................................
Position) .128
............
Accessory Power Sockets .156
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .291
.....................
Adjusting the Sound .175
Adjust Outside Temperature ...................................
Display .73,96
........
Advice For Pregnant Women .17
.....................................
Airbag (SRS) .9
.....
Airbag, Additional Information .23
...
Additional Safety Precautions .35
.............................
Airbag Service .34
Check Airbag System ...................................
Message .83
How the Passenger Airbag Of f ......................
Indicator Works .33
How the Side Airbag Of f ......................
Indicator Works .32
..
How the SRS Indicator Works .32
How Your Front Airbags
.........................................
Work .26
...
How Your Side Airbags Work .30 How Your Side Curtain
..........................
Airbags Work .31
........................
SRS Components .23
............................
Air Conditioning .160
.........................................
Usage .162
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .315
......................................
Alignment .317
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .232
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .65,261
.......................................
Message .83
...................................
Operation .261
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System .203
Anti-thef t Steering Column
............................................
Lock .128
................................
Audio System .170
................
Automatic Lighting Off .122
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners .21
..............
Automatic Transmission .252
..........................
Capacity,Fluid .350
...............
Checking Fluid Level .297
..............
Engine Speed Limiter .251
....
Sequential SportShif t Mode .254
.......................................
Shif ting .252
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator .252
................
Shif t Lever Positions .252 ....................
Shif t Lock Release .257
......................
Auxiliary Input Jack .184
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .62,336
.......................................
Message .84
............................
Jump Starting .331
..............................
Maintenance .320
............................
Specif ications .351
..............................
Bef ore Driving .231
..........................................
Belts, Seat .8
.........................
Beverage Holders .156
.....
Bluetooth
Hands Free Link.213
..................................
Booster Seats .52
Index
A
B
INDEX
I
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Brakes...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) .261
.............
Break-in, New Linings .232
....................
Bulb Replacement .306
....
Check ABS System Message .83
.
Check Brake System Message .84
...........................................
Fluid .300
....................
Fluid Low Message .79
.......................................
Parking .151
.................
System Indicator .63,338
.........................
System Message .84
........................
Wear Indicators .260
.........
Braking Fluid Low Message .79
.............................
Braking System .260
.................
Brake-in, New Vehicle .232
Brightness Control,
...............................
Instruments .123
......................
Brights, Headlights .122
Bulb Replacement ..............................
Brake Lights .306
.................................
Fog Lights .308
................
Front Parking Lights .305
.................................
Headlights .302
.........
High-mount Brake Light .308
....................
Rear License Plate .308
............................
Specif ications .351.............
Turn Signal Light .304,306
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .302
............................
Capacities Chart .350
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .55
.............................
Carrying Cargo .242
.............
CAUTION, Explanation of .iii
.........................................
CD Care .194
...................................
CD Changer .185
.....................
CD Error Messages .193
...............................
Center Pocket .155
........................
Certif ication Label .348
............................................
Chains .319
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .325
Changing Oil ........................................
How to .293
......................................
When to .280
...
Charging System Indicator .62,336
.......................................
Message .84
........
Check ABS System Message .83
....
Check Airbag System Message .83
.....
Check Brake System Message .84
Check Charging System
.......................................
Message .84 .......
Check DRL System Message .85
Check Emission System
.......................................
Message .84
Check Engine Oil Level .......................................
Message .82
Check Tire Pressure ...............................
Message .81,265
Check TPMS System ...............................
Message .80,267
......
Check Transmission Message .83
........
Check VSA System Message .82
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving .248
.....................................
Child Saf ety .36
..............................
Booster Seats .52
...................................
Child Seats .44
.....
Important Saf ety Reminders .36
..........................................
Inf ants .41
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .48
..........................
Larger Children .51
.........................................
LATCH .46
.........................
Risk with Airbag .37
.............................
Small Children .42
.........................................
Tethers .49
.........
Where Should a Child Sit? .37
................
Childproof Door Locks .130
Index
C
II
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CONT INUED
.......................................
Child Seats .36
......
LATCH Anchorage System .46
...........
Lower Anchorage Points .46
..........
Tether Anchorage Points .49
....................
Client Service Of f ice .366
..............
Climate Control Sensors .169
.........................
Clock, Setting the .204
...................................
Clutch Fluid .301
............
Cold Weather, Starting in .249
......................
Compact Spare Tire .324
.................
Console Compartment .157
.................
Consumer Inf ormation .366
.............
Controls, Instruments and .59
Coolant
........................................
Adding .295
....................................
Checking .236
.........................
Proper Solution .295
...................
Temperature Gauge .68
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .359
........
Cruise Control Message .85,206
............
Cruise Control Operation .206
....................
Cruise Main Indicator .66
...................................
Cup Holders .156
.......................
Customized Settings .86
....................................
Def ault All .90...............
Door · Window Setup .110
...........................
Lighting Setup .106
.................................
Meter Setup .93
...........................
Position Setup .104
........................
Setting to Def ault .90
...............................
Wiper Setup .117
...............
DANGER, Explanation of .iii
...................................
Dashboard .3,60
..............
Daytime Running Lights .122
........................................
Def ault All .90
............
Defects, Reporting Safety .368
..............
Def ogger, Rear Window .124
....................................
Dimensions .350
.............
Dimming the Headlights .121
Dipstick
.
Automatic Transmission .297,298
..................................
Engine Oil .236
........................
Directional Signals .121
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .260
.............
Display, Multi-inf ormation .69
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .294
Doors ............
Locking and Unlocking .129 ..................
Lockout Prevention .130
...................
And Trunk Open .11,78
......................
Power Door Lock .129
.......................
Door Lock Mode .111
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .353
Downshif ting, 6-speed Manual
.............................
Transmission .250
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .5
.......................................
Driver’s ID .86
...........................................
Driving .247
....................................
Economy .237
Driving Position ........................
Memory System .143
......
DRL, Check System Message .85
..........
Dual Temperature Control .167
..................
DustandPollenFilter .311
..............................
Economy, Fuel .237
....
Elapsed Time Reset Condition .100
Index
INDEX
DD
E
III
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............
Emergencies on the Road .323
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .331
.....
Brake System Indicator .63,338
................
Changing a Flat Tire .325
Charging System
...........................
Indicator .62,336
..................
Checking the Fuses .340
..........................
Fuse Locations .343
.......
Hazard Warning Flashers .124
Low Oil Pressure
...........................
Indicator .62,335
Malf unction Indicator ..........................
Lamp .62,84,336
...
Manually Closing Moonroof .339
..................
Overheated Engine .333
.......................................
Towing .345
.........................
Emergency Brake .151
....................
Emergency Flashers .124
......................
Emergency Towing .345
..........
Emergency Trunk Opener .136
Emission, Check System
.......................................
Message .84
.......................
Emissions Controls .359
........................
Emissions Testing .362
Engine .......
Check Engine Oil Message .82 ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .68
.........................
If It Won’t Start .329
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .336
...................
Oil Lif e Display .73,280
........
Oil Pressure Indicator .62,335
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .291
...............................
Overheating .333
............................
Specif ications .351
....................
Speed Limiter .251,257
.......................................
Starting .249
Engine Speed Limiter .............................................
A/T .257
............................................
M/T .251
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .232
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls .359
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .55
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .17
...................................
Fan, Interior .164
.............
Fasten Seat Belt Message .78
.........................................
Features .159
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .233 Filter
.........................
Dust and Pollen .311
...............................................
Oil .293
...........
Flashers, Hazard Warning .124
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .325
.....................................
Floor Mats .310
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission .297
..........................................
Brake .300
.........................................
Clutch .301
..............
Manual Transmission .299
..........................
Power Steering .301
......
Washer Fluid Low Message .81
..................
Windshield Washer .296
.....................................
Fog Lights .122
.......................................
Indicator .66
.........................
Folding Rear Seat .141
........................
Four-way Flashers .124
..................................
Front Airbags .26
.......................
Front Wiper Action .117
Index
F
IV
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