2009 Acura TL keyless

If there is a problem with the
starting system, you will see a
‘‘CHECK STARTING SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-inf ormation
display when the ignition switch is
turned to the ON (II) position. You
will also see this message when the
auto control mode of the starting
system has a problem.If this message is on, the ignition
switchhastobeheldintheSTART
(III) position manually until the
engine starts. The ignition switch
canbeheldinthatpositionupto15
seconds.
Even though you may be able to
start the engine manually without
the auto control mode of the starting
system, have your vehicle inspected
by a dealer.
Check Starting System Message
Starting the Engine (Models without Keyless Access System)
504
\f—\f—y
\f\f\fy
) \f\fy\f\fy
2009 TL

Your vehicle’s starting system has an
auto control mode. When you have
your keyless access remote and push
the engine start/stop button while
depressing the brake pedal, this
f eature keeps the engine’s starter
motor running until the engine starts.
Follow these instructions to start the
engine:Make sure the shif t lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal.
In cold weather, turn of f all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.
Apply the parking brake.
If the engine does not start, wait at
least 10 seconds bef ore trying
again.
If you hold the engine start/stop
button for more than 7 seconds,
the starter motor, depending on
the outside temperature, runs f or
about 10 to 25 seconds until the
engine starts.
Without touching the accelerator
pedal, push and release the engine
start/stop button. You do not need
to hold the engine start/stop
button to start the engine.
Depending on the outside
temperature, the starter motor
runs f or about 6 to 9 seconds until
the engine starts.
The keyless access remote system
main switch is of f . The keyless access remote battery
becomes weak or dead.
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.
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.
In either of the f ollowing cases, you
should insert the keyless access
remote into the keyless remote slot.
For more inf ormation, see pages and . 6.
1.
2.
3.
5.
4.
186187
CONT INUED
Starting the Engine (Models with Keyless Access System)
Driving
505
T he immobilizer system protects your
vehicle f rom thef t. If an improperly
coded keyless access remote (or other
device) is used, the engine’s f uel system
is disabled. For more inf ormation, see
page .143
\f—\f—y
\f
\fy
) \f\fy\f
\fy
2009 TL

If there is a problem with the
starting system, you will see a
‘‘CHECK STARTING SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-inf ormation
display with the power mode ON.You will also see this message when
the auto control mode of the starting
system has a problem.
If this message is on, you should
press and hold the engine start/stop
button until the engine starts. The
engine start/stop button can be
pressedupto15seconds.
Even though you may be able to
start the engine manually without
the auto control mode of the starting
system, have your vehicle inspected
by a dealer.
Your vehicle has the engine start/
stop button instead of an ignition
switch to select the power mode. For
more information, see page .
If you cannot start the engine using
the normal engine start procedure,
do the f ollowing:
Set the parking brake.
Put the shif t lever into Park.
Press the engine start/stop button
to turn on the ACCESSORY mode.
Press and hold the engine start/
stop button f or about 15 seconds
while pressing the brake pedal.
Do not f ollow this procedure unless
it is a case of emergency. Even if you
can start the engine using this
method, the system may have a
malf unction. Contact your dealer as
soon as possible.
178 1.
2.
3.
4.
Starting the Engine (Models with Keyless Access System)
Check Starting System Message
Emergency Engine Start
506
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.
\f—\f—y
\f
y
) \f\fy\f

y
2009 TL

Î
Î
CONT INUED
These indicators between the
tachometer and speedometer show
which position the shif t lever is in.Using a paddle shif t mode, the gear
position indicator shows you the
selected gear number (see page
).
The ‘‘D’’ indicator comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If it f lashes while driving (in
any shif t position), it indicates a
possible problem in the transmission. Models equipped with the
keyless access system have an
engine start/stop button instead
of an ignition switch. ON Mode
is the equivalent of ON (II). For
more inf ormation, see pages
and .
If the malf unction indicator lamp
comes on along with the ‘‘D’’
indicator, 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.
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.
512 :
180
178
Shif t L ever Position Indicators
Automatic Transmission
Driving
507
GEAR POSITION INDICATOR on
PADDLE SHIFT MODE
\f—
—y
\fy
) \f\fy\f
y
2009 TL

µ
Î
Î
This position mechani-
cally locks the transmission. Use
Park whenever you are turning of f or
starting the engine. To shif t out of
Park, you must press on the brake
pedal and have your f oot of f the
accelerator pedal. Press the release
buttononthefrontof theshiftlever
to move it.
To shif t f rom Park to any position,
pressfirmlyonthebrakepedal,and
pressthereleasebuttononthefront
of the shift lever, then move the
lever. You cannot shift out of Park
when the ignition switch is in the
LOCK (0) or ACCESSORY (I)
position. Models equipped with the
keyless access system have an
engine start/stop button instead
of an ignition switch. VEHICLE
OFF (LOCK) Mode is the
equivalent of LOCK (0) and
ACCESSORY Mode is the
equivalent of ACCESSORY (I).
For more inf ormation, see pages
and .
178180
:
Do this:
Press the brake pedal and
press the shift lever release
button.
Press the shift lever release
button.
Move the shift lever.
To shift from:
PtoR
RtoP
NtoR DtoS
StoD
DtoN
NtoD RtoNShif ting
Park (P)
Automatic Transmission
508
RELEASE BUTTON
\f—
—y
\f\f\fy
) \f\fy\f
y
2009 TL

µ
µ µ
If you have done all of the above and
still cannot move the lever out of
Park, see on
page . Press the brake
pedal and press the release button
on the f ront of the shif t lever to shif t
f rom Park to reverse. To shif t f rom
reverse to neutral, come to a
completestop,andthenshift.Press
the release button bef ore shif ting
into reverse f rom neutral.
Use neutral if you
need to restart a stalled engine, or if
it is necessary to stop brief ly with
the engine idling. Shif t to the Park
position if you need to leave your
vehicle for any reason. Press on the
brake pedal when you are moving
the shift lever from neutral to
another gear. Use this position f or
your normal driving. The
transmission automatically selects a
suitable gear (1 through 5) f or your
speed and acceleration. You may
notice the transmission shifting up at
higher engine speeds when the
engine is cold. This helps the engine
warm up f aster.
You must also press the release
button to shift into Park. To avoid
transmission damage, come to a
complete stop bef ore shif ting into
Park.
TheshiftlevermustbeinPark
bef ore you can remove the key f rom
the ignition switch.
TheshiftlevermustbeinPark
bef ore you change the power mode
f rom ON to VEHICLE OFF (LOCK). 510
CONT INUED
On models with keyless access system
On models without keyless access
system
Automatic Transmission
Shif t L ock Release Reverse (R)
Neutral (N) Drive (D)
Driving
509
\f—\f—y
\fy
) \f\fy\f
y
2009 TL

µTo shift into the S
position, press the release button on
the front of the shift lever, and move
the lever to S. This position is similar
to D, except only gears f rom f irst to
f ourth are selected. The S position
keeps the transmission f rom cycling
between fourth and fifth gears in
stop-and-go driving.
With the shift lever in D or S, you
canalsousethepaddleshiftersto
shif t the transmission up or down.
With the paddle shifters, you can
operate the transmission much like a
manual transmission without a
clutch pedal. For more inf ormation
on driving with the paddle shif ters,
see page . 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.
This allows you to move the shif t
lever out of Park if the normal
method of pushing on the brake
pedal and pressing the release
button does not work.
Set the parking brake.
Remove the key from the ignition
switch.
Remove the built-in key from the
keyless access remote (see page ).
1.
2.
514 192
On models without keyless access
system
On models with keyless accesssystem
S Position (S) Shif t L ock Release
Engine Speed L imiter
Automatic Transmission
510
——y

y
) y
y
2009 TL

Put a cloth on the edge of the shif t
lock release slot cover. Use a small
f lat-tipped screwdriver or metal
f ingernail f ile to caref ully pry up
the edge of the cover and remove
it f rom the slot.Insert a key or built-in key in the
shif t lock release slot.
Push down on the key or built-in
key while you press the release
buttonontheshiftleverandmove
the shift lever out of Park to
neutral.Remove the key or built-in key
from the shift lock release slot,
then reinstall the cover. Make
sure the notch on the cover is on
the rear side. Press the brake
pedal, and restart the engine.
If you need to use the shif t lock
release, it means your vehicle is
developing a problem. Have it
checked by your dealer.
3. 6.
5.
4.
Automatic Transmission
Driving
511
COVER SHIFT LOCK
RELEASE SLOT
Vehicle without keyless access system
is shown.
\f—\f—y
\fy
) \f\fy\f
y
2009 TL