2010 Acura TL Manual

Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly, or
your vehicle may roll if it is parked
on an incline.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake
bef ore you put the transmission in
Park. This keeps the vehicle f rom
moving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission.Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you.
Lock the doors.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire. Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verif y that the
security system is set.
If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb. If your vehicle has a manual
transmission, put it in f irst gear.If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb. If your vehicle has a manual
transmission, put it in reverse gear.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
If you are unable to stop the
engine normally when the vehicle is
parked(intheParkpositiononthe
automatic transmission models), see on page
.
186
On models with keyless access system
Parking T ips
Emergency Engine Stop
Parking
480
NOTE:
09/07/29 18:23:42 31TK4610_485
2010 TL

Hillstartassistmaynotpreventyour
vehicle f rom rolling downhill on a
very steep or slippery slope, and will
not operate on small inclines.
Hill start assist is not a replacement
f or the parking brake. If parking
your vehicle, ensure that the
transmission is in park, and/or the
parking brake is f ully applied bef ore
exiting the vehicle. For vehicles with
manual transmission, it is
recommended that you turn of f the
engine bef ore exiting the vehicle.If the VSA system indicator comes
on with a ‘‘CHECK HILL START
ASSIST SYSTEM’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display, there may
be a problem with the hill start assist.
The VSA also may not f unction.
Have your vehicle inspected by your
dealer.
Hill start assist will still operate even
when VSA is switched off.
On manual transmission models:
You must come to a complete stop,
press the clutch pedal, and shif t to
f irst gear when f acing uphill, or
reverse when f acing downhill.
Release the brake pedal. The brakes
remain engaged brief ly to keep the
vehicle f rom rolling f orward or
backward while you move your f oot
f rom the brake pedal to the
accelerator pedal. Gently apply the
accelerator pedal while
simultaneously releasing the clutch
pedal, as in normal driving. Hill start
assist will release brake pressure
gradually as you accelerate.
Hill start assist will also hold braking
brief ly if you select the neutral gear
position with the clutch pedal
depressed when f acing uphill.
Vehicle Stability A ssist (VSA), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
Driving
487
09/07/29 18:24:54 31TK4610_492
2010 TL

Your vehicle is equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that turns on every time you start the
engine and monitors the pressure in
your tires while driving.If you think you can saf ely drive a
short distance to a service station,
proceed slowly to the station, then
inflate the tire to the recommended
pressure shown on the driver’s
doorjamb.
If the tire is f lat, or if the tire
pressure is too low to continue
driving, replace the tire with the
compact spare tire (see page ).
Driving on a signif icantly under-
inf lated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inf lation also reduces f uel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
af f ect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability.
Becausetirepressurevariesby
temperature and other conditions,
the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator may come on unexpectedly.
When the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator is on, one or more of your
tires is signif icantly underinf lated.
Youshouldstopandcheckyourtires
as soon as possible, and inflate them
to the proper pressure as indicated
on the vehicle’s tire inf ormation
placard.
Each tire has its own pressure
sensor. If the air pressure of a tire
becomes signif icantly low, the
sensor in that tire immediately sends
a signal that causes the low tire
pressure/TPMS indicator in the
instrument panel to come on. If this
happens, you will see which tire is
losing pressure on the multi-
inf ormation display along with a
‘‘CHECK TIRE PRESSURE’’
message. It is possible that the pressures
shown on the multi-inf ormation
display and the pressures you
manually measure are slightly
dif f erent.
If the dif f erence is signif icant or you
cannot make the low tire pressure/
TPMS indicator and message on the
multi-inf ormation display go out af ter
inf lating the tires to the specif ied
values, have your dealer check the
system as soon as possible. 547
Low Tire Pressure/
TPMS Indicator
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
488
09/07/29 18:25:05 31TK4610_493
2010 TL

Î
Although your tire pressure is
monitored, you must manually check
thetirepressuresmonthly.
Each tire, including the spare, should
be checked monthly when the
vehicle is cold, and set to the
recommended inf lation pressure as
specif ied on the vehicle placard and
intheowner’smanual(seepage).
For example, if you check and f ill
your tires in a warm area, then drive
in extremely cold weather, the tire
pressure will be lower than
measured and could be underinf lated
and cause the low tire pressure/
TPMS indicator to come on. Or, if
youcheckandadjustyourtire
pressure in cooler conditions, and
drive into extremely hot conditions,
the tire may become overinf lated.
However, the low tire pressure/
TPMS indicator will not come on if
thetiresareoverinflated.
Refer to page for tire inflation
guidelines.
If there is a problem with the TPMS,
this indicator begins to f lash. It stops
flashing after approximately 1
minute, then stays on. You will also
see a ‘‘CHECK TPMS SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-inf ormation
display (see page ). Toselectthetirepressuremonitor,
press the INFO button several times
with the ignition switch in the ON
(II) position or with the power mode
ON.
You will see the above display on the
multi-inf ormation display when each
tire pressure is normal.
491
535
536
CONT INUED
Tire Pressure Monitor
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Driving
489
U.S. model
09/07/29 18:25:17 31TK4610_494
2010 TL

Never use a puncture-repairing agent
in a f lat tire. If used, you will have to
replace the tire pressure sensor.
Havetheflattirerepairedbyyour
dealer as soon as possible.
This indicator and the warning
message on the multi-inf ormation
display will go of f , af ter several miles
(kilometers) driving, when the spare
tire is replaced with the specified
regular tire equipped with the tire
pressure monitor sensor.
Each wheel is equipped with a tire
pressure sensor mounted inside the
tire behind the valve stem. You must
use TPMS specif ic wheels. It is
recommended that you always have
your tires serviced by your dealer or
a qualif ied technician.
If you have a f lat tire, the low tire
pressure/TPMS indicator and tire
monitor indicator will come on.
Replace the indicated f lat tire with
thecompactsparetire(seepage
).
After the flat tire is replaced with the
spare tire, the low tire pressure/
TPMS indicator stays on while
driving. Af ter several miles
(kilometers) driving, this indicator
begins to f lash, then stays on again.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK TPMS
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display. This is normal;
the system cannot monitor the spare
tire pressure. Manually check the
spare tire pressure to be sure it is
correct. If the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator and the low tire position on
the low tire pressure monitor do not
go out af ter inf lating the tires to the
specified values, have your dealer
check the system as soon as possible.
547
Changing a T ire with T PMS
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
492
09/07/29 18:25:46 31TK4610_497
2010 TL

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer. This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the multi-information display, and
instructions f or simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself .......................
Maintenance Saf ety .496
....................
Maintenance Minder . 497
..............................
Fluid Locations .507
......
Engine Compartment Covers . 508
........................
Adding Engine Oil .509
Changing the Engine Oil and ...........................................
Filter .510
..............................
Engine Coolant .512
....................
Windshield Washers .514
.......................
Transmission Fluid .515
..........
Automatic Transmission . 515
..............
Manual Transmission . 517
.................
Rear Dif f erential Fluid . 518
.............
Transf er Assembly Fluid . 518
..................
Brake and Cluth Fluid . 519
....................................
Timing Belt .520
.............................................
Lights .521
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts . 530
.....................................
Floor Mats .531
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 532
.................................
Exterior Care .532
.................................
Wiper Blades .532
...............................................
Tires .534
...................
Checking the Battery . 542
.............................
Vehicle Storage .544
597
Maintenance
Maint enance
495
09/07/29 18:26:01 31TK4610_500
2010 TL

To eliminate potential hazards, read
the instructions bef ore you begin,
and make sure you have the tools
and skills required. All service items not detailed in this
section should be perf ormed by a
certif ied technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.Make sure your vehicle is parked
on level ground, the parking brake
is set, and the engine is of f .
To clean parts, use a commercially
available degreaser or parts
cleaner, not gasoline.
To reduce the possibility of f ire or
explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks,
and flames away from the battery
and all f uel-related parts.
Wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working
with the battery or compressed air. Be sure there is
adequate ventilation whenever you
operate the engine.
Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
down bef ore touching any parts. Do
not run the engine unless
instructed to do so.
Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.
Maintenance Saf ety
Important Saf ety Precautions Potential Vehicle HazardsCarbon Monoxide poison f rom
engine exhaust.
Burns f rom hot parts. Injury f rom moving parts.
496
Improperly maintaining this
vehicle, or failing to correct a
problem before driving can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations in this owner’s
manual.
Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.
09/07/29 18:26:15 31TK4610_501
2010 TL

Î
ÎÎ
Î
Fluid Locations
Maint enance
507
WASHER FLUID
(Black cap)
ENGINE OIL FILL CAPAUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
: Located under the cover RADIATOR CAP BRAKE FLUID
(Black cap)
ENGINE COOLANT
RESERVOIR CLUTCH FLUID
(Manual
Transmission only)
(Light gray cap)
09/07/29 18:27:54 31TK4610_512
2010 TL