Oil is a major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 5W-20
detergent oil displaying the API
Certif ication Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements.
Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on top of the valve cover.
Pour in the oil slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment. Install the engine oil
f ill cap, and tighten it securely. Wait
a f ew minutes, and recheck the oil
level (see page ). Do not f ill
above the upper mark; you could
damage the engine. Acura Motor Oil is the pref erred
5W-20 lubricant f or your vehicle. It is
highly recommended that you use
Acura Motor Oil in your vehicle f or
optimum engine protection. Make
sure the API Certif ication Seal says
‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’
490
CONT INUED
Recommended Engine Oil
A dding Engine Oil
Maint enance
547
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
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2009 TL
Always use Honda Long-lif e Anti-
f reeze/Coolant Type 2. This coolant
is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent distilled
water. Never add straight antif reeze
or plain water.
If Honda antif reeze/coolant is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporaryreplacement.Makesureit
is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
Continued use of any non-Honda
coolant can result in corrosion,
causing the cooling system to
malf unction or f ail. Have the cooling
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda antif reeze/coolant as soon as
possible.
Reinstall the engine oil f ill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator should go out within 5
seconds. If it does not, turn of f the
engine and check your work.
Let the engine run f or several
minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks.
Turn of f the engine, let it sit f or
several minutes, then check the oil
level on the dipstick. If necessary,
add more oil.
If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks.
To access the radiator reserve tank,
remove the right-side engine
compartment cover (see page ).
7.
8.
9.
546
Changing the Oil and Filter, Engine Coolant
A dding Engine Coolant
550
RESERVE TANK
MIN
MAX
Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmf ul to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container, and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.
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2009 TL
Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).
Start the engine, and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn of f the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving
(see on page).
Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
CHARGING SYSTEM’’ message on
the multi-information display (see
page ).
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
If the charging system indicator
comes on brightly when the engine
is running, the battery is not being
charged.
This indicator should never come on
when the engine is running. If it
starts flashing or stays on, the oil
pressure has dropped very low or
lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible, and you should
take immediate action.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
ENGINE OIL LEVEL’’ message on
the multi-information display when
this indicator comes on. 1.
2.
3.
4.
490
547
606 88
Emergency T owing Charging System
Indicator
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
595
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.
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2009 TL
CONT INUED
............................
Capacities Chart .614
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .57
Battery
Charging System ...........................
Indicator .65,595
............................
Jump Starting .591
..............................
Maintenance .577
............................
Specif ications .615
..............................
Bef ore Driving .485
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,20
...........................
Beverage Holder .203
.......
Bluetooth
HandsFreeLink.392 Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) .521
.............
Break-in, New Linings .486
...........................................
Fluid .555
.......................................
Parking .201
.................
System Indicator .65,597
........................
Wear Indicators .520
.............................
Braking System .520
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle .486
Brightness Control,
...............................
Instruments .137
....................................
Built-In Key .142
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .563
.........
Daytime Running Lights .556
.................................
Fog Lights .561
............................
Specif ications .345
............
Turn Signal Lights .559,563
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .556
................................
AAC .265,307,357
...
Accessories and Modif ications .495
................................
Accessories .495
............................
Modif ications .496
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .....................................
Position) .145
ACCESSORY Mode ...........................
(Power Mode) .178
............
Accessory Power Sockets .204
......................................
AcuraLink .467
................
Adding Engine Coolant .550
........................
Adding Engine Oil .547
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .548
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9,24
...............
Additional Information .24
......................................
Servicing .35
...................
System Components .24
..............
Air Conditioning System .214
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .568
......................................
Antif reeze .550
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .66,521
...................................
Operation .521
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System .376 Anti-thef t Steering Column
............................................
Lock .145
................................
Audio System .223
.
Automatic Lighting Off Feature .135
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners .22
.............
Automatic Speed Control .386
..............
Automatic Transmission .507
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .614
...............
Checking Fluid Level .553
.......................................
Shif ting .508
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator .507
....................
Shif t Lock Release .510
Index
A
BC
INDEX
I
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y
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2009 TL
CONT INUED
................................................
Keys .141
........................................
Built-In .142
.......
Keyless Access Remote .168,173
Keyless Access Remote System
....................
Entry Main Switch .187
................
Keyless Access System .167
.............
Keyless Memory Setting .176 ..................................
Maintenance .533
........................................
Minder .535
...
Owner Maintenance Checks .543
..........................................
Saf ety .534
Malf unction Indicator ....................................
Lamp .64,596
...........
Memory, Driving Position .164
.........................
Meters, Gauges .63,75
........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .161
...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle .496
.......................................
Moonroof .199
.............
Multi-Inf ormation Display .77
.......................
Label, Certif ication .612
...............
Lane Change, Signaling .133
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts .16,21
Lights
....................
Bulb Replacement .556
.......................................
Indicator .63
.......................................
Parking .133
..........................
Turn Signal .70,133
....
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) .145
......................
Lockout Prevention .147
Locks .....
Anti-thef t Steering Column .145
..................................
Glove Box .205
...............................
Power Door .146.........................................
Trunk .148
........................
Low Coolant Level .491
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .64,595
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart .614
...........
Luggage, Storing (Cargo) .497
...................
Neutral Gear Position .509
..................
New Vehicle Break-in .486
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of .i ...............
Numbers, Identif ication .612
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline .486
.........................................
Odometer .81
...............................
Odometer, Trip .81
Oil ........................
Change, How to .548
......................
Change, When to .544
......................
Checking Engine .490
..............
Pressure Indicator .64,595
Selecting Proper Viscosity
......................................
Chart .547
.........
ON (Ignition Key Position) .145
.............
ON Mode (Power Mode) .178
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
....................................
Recovery .623
...........................
Operating Range .168
............................
Outside Mirrors .161
.....................
Outside Temperature .84
....................
Overheating, Engine .593
....
Owner’s Maintenance Checks .543
Index
L
N M
K
O
INDEX
V
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y
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2009 TL
Unexpected, Taking Care..........................................
of the .581
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading .617
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .486
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of .550
........
Temperature, Inside Sensor .222
..............
Tether Anchorage Points .51
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter .625
................
Tilt the Steering Wheel .140
..........................
Time, Setting the .377
....................................
Tire Chains .575
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat .583
Tire Pressure Monitoring
....................................
System .526
Low Tire Pressure/TPMS ...........................
Indicator .69,526
..............
TPMS System Failure .529
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ...................................
Messages .527
...............................................
Tires .568
..............................
Air Pressure .568
.........................
Checking Wear .571
..........................
Compact Spare .582
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading .617
......................................
Inf lation .568
..................................
Inspection .571
...................................
Replacing .574
......................................
Rotating .573
...........................................
Snow .575
............................
Specif ications .616
.............................
Summer Tire .575.......................
Traction Devices .575
..........................
Winter Driving .575
...................
Tools, Tire Changing .583
Torque Distribution Monitor
...............................
(SH-AWD
) .517
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .531
................
Emergency Wrecker .606
...........................
Traction Devices .575
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .553
.
Checking Fluid Level Manual .555
..................
Fluid Selection .554,555
..............
Identif ication Number .612
.............
Shif ting the Automatic .508
.....................................
Treadwear .617
................................
Trip Computer .82
.......................................
Trip Meter .81
..............................................
Trunk .148
......
Emergency Trunk Release .150
...............................
Opening the .148
.............
Open Monitor Light .11,88
..................................
Turn Signals .133.................
Vehicle Capacity Load .498
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .614
VEHICLE OFF Mode ...........................
(Power Mode) .178
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number .612
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
),
aka Electronic Stability ....
Control (ESC), System .523
........
VSA System Indicator .68,523
...
VSA Activation Indicator .68,523
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .524
.............................
Vehicle Storage .578
.................................................
VIN .612
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .548
Index
U
V
VIII
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2009 TL