2011 Acura TSX check engine

74Instrument Panel
Indicators
Multi-Information Display Warning and Information Messages
Message Condition Explanation
6-cylinder models U.S. Canada
t
"QQFBST
XIFO
UIF
TUBSUFS
TZTUFN
IBT
B
QSPCMFN t
"T
B
UFNQPSBSZ
NFBTVSF

IPME
UIF
JHOJUJPO

switch to START
III
for up to 15 seconds and
start the engine. Have the vehicle checked by
a dealer.

187
Towing a Trailer
Continued
Driving
Towing Load Limits
Your vehicle can tow a tralier if you carefully observe the load limits, use the
proper equipment, and follow the towing guidelines. Check the load limits before
driving.
Total trailer weight
Maximum allowable weight of the trailer,
cargo, and everything in or on it must not
exceed 1,000 lbs (450 kg). Towing loads in
excess of this can seriously affect vehicle
handling and performance and can damage
the engine and drivetrain. Tongue load
The weight of the tongue with a fully loaded
trailer on the hitch should be approximately
10% of the total trailer weight.
Excessive tongue load reduces front tire t
traction and steering control. Too little
tongue load can make the trailer unstable
and cause it to sway.
To achieve a proper tongue load, start by t
loading 60% of the load toward the front
of the trailer and 40% toward the rear.
Readjust the load as needed.
Towing Load Limits
Check if all loads are within limits at a public scale.
If a public scale is not available, add the estimated
weight of your cargo load to the weight of your
trailer (as quoted by the manufacturer), and the
tongue load.
Break-in Period
Avoid towing a trailer during your vehicle's first 600
miles (1,000 km).
WARNING
Exceeding any load limit or improperly
loading your vehicle and trailer can cause
a crash in which you can be seriously hurt
or killed.
Check the loading of your vehicle and
trailer carefully before starting to drive.
Total Load
Tongue Load
Towing Preparation

191
Continued
Driving
When DrivingStarting the Engine
1. Make sure the parking brake is applied.
Starting the Engine
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
starting the engine.
The engine is harder to start in cold weather and
in thinner air found at altitudes above 8,000 feet
(2,400 meters).
When starting the engine in cold weather, turn off
all electrical accessories such as the lights, climate
control system, and rear defogger in order to reduce
battery drain.
If exhaust sounds abnormal or you can smell
exhaust gas inside the vehicle, have your vehicle
checked by a dealer. There may be a problem with
the engine or exhaust system.
Automatic transmission models 2. Check that the shift lever is in P
, then
depress the brake pedal.
Although it is possible to start the
vehicle in N
, it is safer to start it in P
.
Manual transmission models 2. Check that the shift lever is in N
. Then
depress the brake pedal with your right
foot, and the clutch pedal with your left
foot.
The clutch pedal must be fully depressed
to start the engine.
Brake Pedal
Brake Pedal Clutch Pedal

192Driving
When Driving
Starting the Engine
3. Turn the ignition switch to START III

without depressing the accelerator pedal.
Starting the Engine
Do not hold the key in START
III
for more than 15
seconds.
If the engine does not start right away, wait for at
tleast 10 seconds before trying again.
If the engine starts, but then immediately stops, twait at least 10 seconds before repeating step 3
while gently depressing the accelerator pedal.
Release the accelerator pedal once the engine
starts.
The immobilizer system protects your vehicle from
theft. If an improperly coded key (or other device) is
used, the engine's fuel system is disabled
Immobilizer System


P. 9 8
Starting to Drive
Automatic transmission models 1. Keeping your right foot on the brake pedal, release the parking brake. Check
that the brake system indicator has gone off.
Parking Brake

P. 2 1 0
2. Put the shift lever in D
. Select R
when reversing.
3. Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator pedal to
pull away.

193
Driving
When Driving
Precautions While Driving
Precautions While Driving
In Rain
Avoid driving in deep water and on flooded roads. This can damage the engine or
cause electrical component failure.
Other Precautions
If there is a strong impact with something under the vehicle, stop in a safe
location. Check the underside of the vehicle for damage any fluid leaks.
Precautions While Driving NOTICE Do not operate the shift lever while pressing
the accelerator pedal. You could damage the
transmission.
If the ignition switch is turned to ACCESSORY
I or
LOCK
0 while driving, the engine will shut down
and all steering and brake power assist functions
will stop, making it difficult to control the vehicle.
Do not put the shift lever in
N
, as you will lose
engine braking (and acceleration) performance.
During the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of operation,
avoid sudden acceleration or full throttle operation
so as to not damage the engine or powertrain.
Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles (300 km).
You should also follow this when the brakes are
replaced.

196Driving
When Driving
Shifting
Shift Lever Operation
Shift Lever Operation NOTICE When you change the shift lever from
D
to
R and
vice versa, come to a complete stop and keep the
brake pedal depressed.
Operating the shift lever before the vehicle has
come to a complete standstill can damage the
transmission.
Use the shift lever position indicator to check the
lever position before pulling away.
Whichever position the shift lever is in when driving,
a blinking
D
indicator indicates a transmission
problem.
Avoid sudden acceleration and have the
transmission checked by a dealer as soon as
possible.
The fuel supply may be cut off if you drive at engine
speeds in or over the tachometer red zone (engine
speed limit). If this happens, you may experience a
slight jolt.
It may not be possible to operate the shift lever
if the brake pedal is applied while the shift lever
release button is held down.
Depress the brake pedal first.
Tachometer's red zone
Shift Lever Position Indicator
Depress the brake pedal and
press the shift lever release button to
shift.
Shift without pressing the shift lever
release button.
Press the shift lever release button
and shift.M (Sequential Shift mode) Indicator/
Gear Position Indicator

200Driving
When Driving
Shifting
Reverse Lockout
The manual transmission has a lockout mechanism that stops you from accidentally
shifting into
R
from a forward gear while the vehicle is moving at a certain
speed.
If you cannot shift to
R
when the vehicle is stopped, do the following:
1. Depress the clutch pedal, move the shift
lever all the way to the left, and shift
to
R
.
2. If you still cannot shift into
R
, apply the
parking brake, and turn the ignition switch
to ACCESSORY
I or LOCK
0
.
3. Depress the clutch pedal and shift into
R
.
4. Keep depressing the clutch pedal and start
the engine.
Have the vehicle checked by a dealer if you
have to go through this procedure repeatedly.

204Driving
When Driving
VSA
® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic Stability Control), System
VSA
® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic
Stability Control), System
VSA
® helps to stabilize the vehicle during cornering if the vehicle turns more or less
than what was intended. It also assists in maintaining traction on slippery surfaces.
It does so by regulating engine output and selectively applying the brakes.
VSA
® Operation
VSA
® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic Stability
Control), System
The VSA
® may not function properly if tire type and
size are mixed. Make sure to use the same size and
type of tire, and the air pressures as specified.
When the VSA
® indicator comes on and stays on
while driving, there may be a problem with the
system. While this may not interfere with normal
driving, have your vehicle checked by a dealer
immediately.
VSA
® cannot enhance stability in all driving
situations and does not control the entire braking
system. You still need to drive and corner at speeds
appropriate for the conditions and always leave a
sufficient margin of safety.
The main function of the VSA
® system is generally
known as Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The
system also includes a traction control function.
When VSA
® activates, you may notice
that the engine does not respond to the
accelerator. You may also notice some noise
from the hydraulic system. You will also see
the indicator blink.
VSA
® System
Indicator