The three way catalytic converter
contains platinum, palladium, and
rhodium. These metals 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.
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.
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. Have your vehicle diagnosed and
repaired if it is misf iring, back-
f iring, stalling, or otherwise not
running properly.
Keep the engine well maintained.
Three Way Catalytic Converter
Technical Inf ormation
625
THREE WAY CATALYTIC CONVERTER
WARM UP THREE WAY CATALYTIC
CONVERTERS
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2009 TL
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 (4° and 35°C). Keep the vehicle in Park. Increase
the engine speed to 2,000 rpm, and
hold it there until the temperature
gauge rises to at least 1/4 of the
scale (about 3 minutes).
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
626
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y
2009 TL
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. Make sure the vehicle has been
parked with the engine of f f or 30
minutes.
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. Do not use the cruise control.
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).
7.
8.
9.
Emissions T esting
Technical Inf ormation
627
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2009 TL
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
(U.S. only) Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
Authorized Manuals
633
Form Description
2009 Acura TL Service Manual
2009 Acura TL Electrical Troubleshooting Manual
2009 Model Series Acura TL Body Repair Manual 2009 Acura TL Owner’s Manual
2009 Acura TL Navigation Manual
2009 Acura TL Maintenance Journal 2009 Acura TL Quick Start GuideOrder Form for Previous Years-
Indicate Year and Model Desired
Publication
Form Number 61TK400
61TK400EL 61TK430
31TK4600
31TK4800
31TK4M00 31TK4Q00 ACU-R
www. helminc. com
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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
——y
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2009 TL
ÎÎ Î
..............................
Economy, Fuel .492
............................
Carrying, Cargo .497
.............
CAUTION, Explanation of .iii
..................................
Ceiling Light .209
........................
Certif ication Label .612
...................................
Chains, tires .575
Changing Oil ........................................
How to .548
......................................
When to .535
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .583
...
Charging System Indicator .65,595
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving .502
................
Childproof Door Locks .147
.....................................
Child Saf ety .37
..............................
Booster Seats .54
...................................
Child Seats .45
..........................................
Inf ants .42
............................
Large Children .53
.........................................
LATCH .47
......................
Risks with Airbags .38
.............................
Small Children .43
.........................................
Tethers .51
.........
Where Should a Child Sit? .38
Cleaning ...................................
Seat Belts .564
..........
Client Service Inf ormation .630
...............
Climate Control System .214 ..............................................
Clock .377
..................
CO in the Exhaust .57,624
.......................
Compact Spare tire .582
.........................................
Compass .382
.................
Console Compartment .205
...............
Consumer Inf ormation .630
.............
Controls, Instruments and .61
Coolant
........................................
Adding .550
....................................
Checking .491
.........................
Proper Solution .550
...................
Temperature Gauge .76
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .623
................
Cruise Control Indicator .72
............
Cruise Control Operation .386
...................................
Cup Holders .203
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice .630
...............
DANGER, Explanation of .iii
...................................
Dashboard .3,62
..............
Daytime Running Lights .136
.
Daytime Running Light Indicator .72
.........
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety .632 ..............
Def ogger, Rear Window .139
..............
Def rosting the Windows .219
....................................
Dimensions .614
.............
Dimming the Headlights .133
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission .553
..................................
Engine Oil .490
........................
Directional Signals .133
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .520
.................................
Disc Changer .240
...
Disc Changer Error Messages .250
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .550
Doors ........
Door Lock Sensor Button .170
.................
Monitor Indicator .11,88
....................
Power Door Locks .146
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .617
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .5
...........................................
Driving .501
....................................
Economy .492
Driving Position Memory ........................................
System .164
Index
D
E
II
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2009 TL
CONT INUED
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving .492
Electronic Stability Control
..........................................
(ECS) .523
............
Emergencies on the Road .581
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .591
...........
Brake System Indicator .597
................
Changing a Flat Tire .583
.....
Charging System Indicator .595
..................
Checking the Fuses .599
.......
Hazard Warning Flashers .139
......
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck .608
............................
Jump Starting .591
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .595
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .596
..................
Overheated Engine .593
.......................................
Towing .606
.........................
Emergency Brake .201
....................
Emergency Flashers .139
......................
Emergency Towing .606
..........
Emergency Trunk Opener .150
.......................
Emissions Controls .623
.............
Emissions Testing, State .626
Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .76
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .64,596
.................................
Oil Lif e .84,535 ........
Oil Pressure Indicator .64,595
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .547
...............................
Overheating .593
............................
Specif ications .615
............................
Speed Limiter .510
.......................................
Starting .503
.................
Engine, if it won’t start .588
............
Engine Start/Stop Button .177
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .487
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls .623
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .57
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
...................................
Fan, Interior .218
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .213
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .487
........................................
Filter, Oil .548
...........
Flashers, Hazard Warning .139
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .583
.....................................
Floor Mats .565
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission .553 ..........................................
Brake .555
................
Windshield Washers .552
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .372
.....................................
Fog Lights .137
..............................
Front Airbags .9,26
....................................
Front Seats .155
....................................
Adjusting .155
.......................................
Heaters .193
.....................................
Airbags .9,26
.................................................
Fuel .486
......................
Fill Door and Cap .487
...........................................
Gauge .75
................
Octane Requirement .486
........................
Reserve Indicator .73
........................
Tank, Filling the .487
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .599
Index
F
G
INDEX
III
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2009 TL
.................
Jacking up the Vehicle .584
.......................................
Jack, Tire .583
................................
Jump Starting .591
.......................
Halogen Fog Bulbs .556
......
HandsFreeLink
(HFL) .392,420
............
Hazard Warning Flashers .139
.....................................
Headlights .133
........................................
Aiming .556
Automatic Lighting Off ...................................
Feature .135
.........
Daytime Running Lights .136
..................
High Beam Indicator .71 .......................
Reminder Chime .133
.................................
Turning on .133
............................
Head Restraints .156
...............
High-Low Beam Switch .133
HomeLink
Universal
................................
Transceiver .389
.......................
Hood, Opening the .489
.........................................
Gasoline .486
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator .73
...........................................
Gauge .75
................
Octane Requirement .486
........................
Tank, Filling the .487
................
Gas Station Procedures .487
Gauges
...
Engine Coolant Temperature .76
...............................................
Fuel .75
...............................
Speedometer .75
.................................
Tachometer .75
Gearshif t Lever Positions ..........
Automatic Transmission .507
......................................
Glove Box .205 ...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle .612
Ignition
............................................
Keys .141
.........................................
Switch .145
............
Timing Control System .624
......................
Immobilizer System .143
.........
Important Safety Precautions .6
.........................................
Indicators .64
......
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake) .66,521
Brake (Parking and Brake
............................
System) .65,597
................
Charging System .65,595
.............................
Cruise Control .72
.....................................
Fog Light .71
...................................
High Beam .71
........
Key (Immobilizer System) .65 ......................................
Low Fuel .73
................
Low Oil Pressure .64,595
.....................
Side Airbag Of f .33,67
.........................................
SRS .26,67
Turn Signal and Hazard ...................................
Warning .70
............................
VSA Activation .68
.................................
VSA System .68
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .42
......................................
Inf ant Seats .42
..........
Tether Anchorage Points .51
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire .568
.................................
Inside Mirror .161
.............................
Inspection, Tire .571
............................
Instrument Panel .63
..........
Instrument Panel Indicators .64
......
Instrument Panel Brightness .137
...............................
Interior Lights .209
........................................
Introduction .i
Index
H I
J
IV
——y
y
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2009 TL