2010 Acura TSX Owner's Manual

The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Pourthecoolantslowlyand
caref ully so you do not spill any.
Clean up any spill immediately; it
could damage components in the
engine compartment.
Put the radiator cap back on, and
tighten it fully.
Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle’s
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components. Check the f luid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use.
Check the reservoir’s f luid level by
removing the cap and looking at the
level gauge attached to the cap.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.
4. 5.
6.
7.
Engine Coolant, Windshield Washers
Windshield Washers
422
LEVEL GAUGE
RADIATOR
CAP
6-cylinder models 4-cylinder models
2010 TSX

Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.Park the vehicle on level ground.
Start the engine, let it run until the
radiator f an comes on, then shut
of f the engine. For accurate
results, wait about 60 seconds (but
no longer than 90 seconds) bef ore
doing step 2.
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.
When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition the blade edges.
If the washer f luid is low, a
‘‘WASHER FLUID LOW’’ message
appears on the multi-inf ormation
display. 1.
CONT INUED
Canadian models only
Automatic Transmission
Windshield Washers, T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance
423
DIPSTICK
4-cylinder models
6-cylinder modelsDo not use engine antif reeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antif reeze
can damage your vehicle’s paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer f luid.
2010 TSX

Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth.Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
2.
3.4.
T ransmission Fluid
424
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
DIPSTICK UPPER MARK
LOWER MARKGUIDE
6-cylinder models 6-cylinder models
4-cylinder models
2010 TSX

If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the dipstick
hole to bring it to the level
between the upper and lower
marks.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully
so you do not spill any. Clean up
any spill immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Always use Acura ATF-Z1
(automatic transmission f luid).Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
Make sure the rubber cap on the
dipstick f its in the dipstick guide
and that you push the dipstick in
all the way.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid when this
service is indicated by a maintenance
message on the multi-inf ormation
display.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your dealer.
5.
6.
4-cylinder models
T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance
425
Use only Acura ATF-Z1 (automatic
transmission f luid). Do not mix with
other transmission f luids.
Using transmission f luid other than
Acura ATF-Z1 may cause deterioration
in transmission operation and
durability, and could result in damage
to the transmission.
Damage resulting f rom the use of
transmission f luid other than Acura
AT F-Z1 is not covered by the Acura
new vehicle warranty.
2010 TSX

Remove the transmission f iller bolt,
and caref ully f eel inside the bolt hole
with your f inger.
Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground.
The transmission should be drained
andrefilledwithnewfluidwhenthis
service is indicated by a maintenance
message on the multi-inf ormation
display.
If you are not sure how to check and
add f luid, contact your dealer.
To check the transmission f luid level,
remove the bolts with a wrench, then
remove the under cover caref ully. Reinstall the under cover and tighten
theboltssecurely.Makesurethe
under cover is installed under the
edge of the f ront bumper.
The f luid level should be up to the
edge of the bolt hole. If it is not, add
Acura Manual Transmission Fluid
(MTF) until it starts to run out of the
hole. Reinstall the f iller bolt, and
tighten it securely. If Acura MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certif ication seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES’’ as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives, and continued use can
cause stiffer shifting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.
Manual Transmission
T ransmission Fluid
426
Correct level
FILLER BOLT
BOLT UNDER COVER
2010 TSX

Check the f luid level in the
reservoirs monthly. There are up to
two reservoirs, depending on the
model. They are:The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
Brake f luid reservoir (all models)
Clutch f luid reservoir
(manual transmission models
only)
You will also see the ‘‘BRAKE
FLUID LOW’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display when the brake
f luid level is low.
Replace the brake f luid every 3 years,
independent of the maintenance
message in the multi-inf ormation
display. Always use Acura Heavy Duty Brake
Fluid DOT 3. If it is not available,
you should use only DOT 3 or DOT
4 fluid, from a sealed container, as a
temporary replacement.
Using any non-Acura brake f luid can
cause corrosion and decrease the lif e
of the system. Have the brake
system f lushed and ref illed with
Acura Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 as soon as possible.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle’s
braking system and can cause
extensive damage.
CONT INUED
Brake Fluid
Brake and Clutch Fluid
Maint enance
427
MAX
MIN
4-cylinder models
2010 TSX

µµ
A low f luid level can indicate a leak
in the clutch system. Have this
system inspected as soon as possible. The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If it is not, add
brake f luid to bring it up to that level.
Use the same fluid specified for the
brake system. The timing belt should be replaced
according to the maintenance
minder (see page ).
Replace the timing belt every 60,000
miles (U.S.) or every 100,000 km
(Canada) if you regularly drive your
vehicleinanyof thefollowing
conditions:
In very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C).
In very low temperatures
(under 20°F, 29°C).
If you f requently tow a trailer. 411
Manual Transmission only
6-cylinder models
Clutch FluidT iming Belt
Brake and Clutch Fluid, Timing Belt
428
MAX
MIN
MIN MAX
6-cylinder models
2010 TSX

Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk or pull a trailer, readjustment
may be required. Adjustments
should be done by your dealer or
another qualif ied technician.The low beam headlight bulbs are
high voltage discharge tube bulbs.
High voltage can remain in the
circuit even with the light switch of f
and the key removed. Because of
this, you should not attempt to
examine or change a low beam
headlight bulb yourself . If a low
beam headlight bulb fails, take the
vehicle to your dealer to have it
replaced.Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its base, and protect the glass
f rom contact with your skin or hard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.
CONT INUED
High beam headlights on all models
Low beam headlights on Canadian TSXwith 4-cylinder engine
All models except Canadian TSX with
4-cylinder engine
Headlight Aiming L ow Beam Headlight Bulb
ReplacementReplacing a Headlight Bulb
Lights
Maint enance
429
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
2010 TSX