Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause the trailer to
sway. When being passed by a large
vehicle, keep a constant speed, and
steer straight ahead. Do not try to
make quick steering or braking
corrections.
Make sure to set the parking brake
whenstartingoff onanincline. If you must stop when f acing uphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
placebypressingontheaccelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat. If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, when driving down
hills, reduce your speed and use the
S mode. You can also use the paddle
shifters to change the gear position.
Select third, second or f irst gear
depending on the vehicle speeds and
road condition. When going down a
steep hill, use second gear to provide
greater engine braking. Shif t down
to f irst gear when driving up steep
hills.
Do not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and
remember, it will take longer to slow
downandstopwhentowingatrailer. Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering wheel,
then turn the wheel to the left to get
the trailer to move to the lef t. Turn
the wheel to the right to move the
trailer to the right.Your vehicle is not designed to be
towed behind a motor home. If your
vehicle needs to be towed in an
emergency, see page . Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including f irmly setting the
parking brake and putting the
transmission in Park (automatic) or
in 1st or reverse (manual). Also,
place wheel chocks at each of the
trailer’s tires.
482
bottom
Towing a Trailer
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Backing Up Parking
Towing Your Vehicle
400
2010 TSX
All service items not detailed in this
section should be perf ormed by a
certif ied technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.
To eliminate potential hazards, read
the instructions bef ore you begin,
and make sure you have the tools
and skills required.Make sure your vehicle is parked
on level ground, the parking brake
is set, and the engine is of f .
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.Do
not run the engine unless
instructed to do so.
Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
down bef ore touching any parts. Be sure
there is adequate ventilation
whenever you operate the
engine.
Wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working
with the battery or compressed air. To reduce the possibility of f ire or
explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks,
and flames away from the battery
and all f uel-related parts. To clean parts, use a commercially
available degreaser or parts
cleaner, not gasoline.
Maintenance Saf ety
Important Saf ety Precautions Injury f rom moving parts.
Burns f rom hot parts. Carbon Monoxide poison
f rom engine exhaust.
Potential Vehicle Hazards
402
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.
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 and
schedules in this owner’s
manual.
2010 TSX
µ
µ µ
µ
µ
Ì
µLights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page .
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed.
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
youfillthefueltank.Seepage .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page .
U.S. Vehicles:
According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all
maintenance services should be
perf ormed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the multi-
inf ormation display.
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page
.352
353
423 427
446 429
Maintenance Minder
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.
410
2010 TSX
µ
µ
Î
Î
Ì Ì
Ì Î
Maintenance Minder
411
:If the message ‘‘SERVICE DUE NOW’’ does not appear more than 12 months
after the display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 only if they are noisy. Independent of the maintenance messages on the multi-information
display, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty in the first column
on page .
NOTE: :
410
Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Replace dust and pollen filter If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds or trailer towing results in higher
transmission temperatures. This requires
transmission fluid changes more frequently than
recommended by the maintenance minder. If you
regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions,
have the transmission fluid changed at 60,000 miles
(100,000 km), then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km).
(For A/T only.)
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump
(6-cylinder models only) If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over
110°F, 43°C), in very low temperatures (under 20°F,29°C), or towing a trailer, replace every 60,000
miles (U.S.)/100,000 km (Canada).
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect these items: Tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and line (including ABS/VSA)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Symbol
Symbol
B A 1
2
3
4
5
Maintenance Minder
2010 TSX
If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches f ull
operating temperature (the
cooling f ans cycle on and of f
twice). Pref erably, do this once a
month. Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and trunk seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and trunk seals.
Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Non-porous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in reverse
(manual) or Park (automatic).
Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Vehicle Storage
Maint enance
455
2010 TSX
CONT INUED
If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area that is
far away from the traffic lanes.Open the trunk. Pull up the handle
on the trunk f loor lid. Raise the lid
by lif ting it up with the handle,
then hook the handle to the trunk
opening to keep the lid open.
Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park (automatic)
or reverse (manual). Apply the
parking brake.
Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
2. 1.
3.
Changing a Flat Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
459
TRUNK FLOOR LID
HANDLE
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.
2010 TSX
Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.Open the hood, and check the
physical condition of the battery.
In very cold weather, check the
condition of the electrolyte. If it
seems slushy or f rozen, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.
To jump start your vehicle:
You cannot start your vehicle with an
automatic transmission by pushing
or pulling it. Turn of f all the electrical
accessories: climate control, audio
system, lights, etc. Put the
transmission in neutral (manual)
or Park (automatic), and set the
parking brake.Slide out the battery terminal
cover. The battery terminal cover
can be removed without removing
theleftsideenginecompartment
cover.
1.
2.
3.
6-cylinder models
Jump Starting
466
COVER
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone
nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.
2010 TSX
If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (seeon page ).
If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading,
the engine should start to cool
down almost immediately. If it
does, wait until the temperature
gauge comes down to the midpoint,
then continue driving.
The pointer of the vehicle’s
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange. If it climbs to the red
mark, you should determine the
reason (hot day, driving up a steep
hill, etc.).
You will also see a ‘‘WATER TEMP
HOT’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).
If your vehicle overheats, you should
take immediate action. The only
indicationmaybethetemperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the hood.
Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in neutral
(manual) or Park (automatic), and
set the parking brake. Turn of f all
accessories, and turn on the
hazard warning lights.
If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine. Wait until you see
no more signs of steam or spray,
then open the hood.
1.
2. 3.
4.
5.
69
482
CONT INUED
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
469
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to the engine.
2010 TSX