2011 Acura TSX maintenance

208Driving
When Driving
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required Federal Explanation
U.S. models Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required
Federal ExplanationEach tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly
when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the
vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label.
(If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should determine the
proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure
telltale
when one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should stop
and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper
pressure.
Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and
can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire
tread life, and may affect the vehicle's handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance,
and it is the driver's responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even
if under-inflation has not reached the level to trigger illumination of the
TPMS low tire pressure telltale.

Fuel Economy
218Driving
Improving Fuel EconomyFuel economy depends on several conditions, including driving conditions, your
driving habits, the condition of your vehicle, and loading. Depending on these
and other conditions, you may or may not achieve the rated fuel economy of this
vehicle.
Improving Fuel Economy
Direct calculation is the recommended method to
determine actual fuel consumed while driving.
In Canada, posted fuel economy numbers are
established following a simulated test. For more
information on how this test is performed, please
visit http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/Miles driven
Gallons of
fuel
Miles per
Gallon
100
Liter
Kilometers
L per 100 km
Maintenance and Fuel Economy
You can optimize your fuel economy with proper maintenance of your vehicle.
Always maintain your vehicle in accordance with the messages displayed on the
multi-information display.
Use the recommended viscosity engine oil, displaying the API Certification Seal. t
Maintain the specified tire pressure. t
Do not load the vehicle with excess cargo. t
Keep your vehicle clean. A buildup of snow or mud on your vehicle's underside t
adds weight and increases wind resistance.

Maintenance
This chapter discusses basic maintenance.
Before Performing Maintenance
Inspection and Maintenance .............. 222
Safety When Performing
Maintenance .................................... 223
Parts and Fluids Used in
Maintenance Service ........................ 224
Maintenance Minder
™ ........................ 225
Maintenance Under the Hood
Maintenance Items Under the Hood .. 229
Opening the Hood ............................. 231
Recommended Engine Oil .................. 234
Oil Check ........................................... 235
Adding Engine Oil .............................. 237Engine Coolant .................................. 240
Transmission Fluid .............................. 242
Brake/Clutch Fluid .............................. 244
Refilling Window Washer Fluid ........... 246
Replacing Light Bulbs ......................... 247
Checking and Maintaining Wiper
Blades ................................................ 257
Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires ................................... 259
Tire and Loading Information Label .... 260
Tire Labeling ...................................... 260
DOT Tire Quality Grading
(U.S. Vehicles)
.................................... 262Wear Indicators .................................. 264
Tire Service Life .................................. 264
Tire and Wheel Replacement ............. 265
Tire Rotation ...................................... 266
Winter Tires ....................................... 267
Battery ................................................. 268
Remote Transmitter Care ................... 269
Replacing the Battery ........................ 269
Climate Control System
Maintenance ..................................... 270
Cleaning
Interior Care ........................................271
Exterior Care ...................................... 273
221

Before Performing Maintenance
222Maintenance
Inspection and MaintenanceFor your safety, perform all listed inspections and maintenance to keep your
vehicle in good condition. If you become aware of any abnormality (noise, smell,
insufficient brake fluid, oil residue on the ground, etc.), have your vehicle inspected
by a dealer. (Note, however, that service at a dealer is not mandatory to keep
your warranties in effect.) Refer to the separate maintenance booklet for detailed
maintenance and inspection information.
Types of Inspection and Maintenance Daily inspections
Perform inspections before long distance trips, when washing the vehicle, or when
refueling. Periodic inspections
Check the automatic transmission fluid level monthly. t
Automatic Transmission Fluid

P. 2 4 2
Check the brake fluid level monthly. t
Brake/Clutch Fluid

P. 2 4 4
Check the tire pressure monthly. Examine the tread for wear and foreign t
objects.
Checking and Maintaining Tires

P. 2 5 9
Check the operation of the exterior lights monthly. t
Replacing Light Bulbs

P. 2 4 7
Check the condition of the wiper blades at least every six months. t
Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades

P. 2 5 7
Inspection and Maintenance U.S. models Maintenance, replacement, or repair of
emissions control devices and systems may be
done by any automotive repair establishment
or individuals using parts that are "certified"
to EPA standards.

According to state and federal regulations, failure
to perform maintenance on the maintenance main
items marked with # will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all maintenance services
should be performed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the multi-information display.
Maintenance Service Items


P. 2 2 7
If you want to perform complex maintenance tasks
that require more skills and tools, purchase the
service manual.
Authorized Manual


P. 3 13

If you want to perform maintenance yourself, make
sure that you have the necessary tools and skills
first.
After performing maintenance, update the records
in the separate maintenance booklet.

Before Performing Maintenance
Safety When Performing Maintenance
223
Maintenance
Safety When Performing Maintenance
Safety When Performing Maintenance
Some of the most important safety precautions are given here.
However, we cannot warn you of every conceivable hazard that can arise in
performing maintenance. Only you can decide whether or not you should perform a
given task.
Maintenance SafetyTo reduce the possibility of fire or explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks, and flames t
away from the battery and all fuel related parts.
To clean parts, use a commercially available degreaser or parts cleaner, not t
gasoline.
Wear eye protection and protective clothing when working with the battery or t
compressed air.
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, which is poisonous and can kill you. t
Only operate the engine if there is sufficient ventilation.
Vehicle Safet yThe vehicle must be in a stationary condition. t
Make sure your vehicle is parked on level ground, the parking brake is set,
and the engine is off.
Be aware that hot parts can burn you. t Make sure to let the engine and exhaust system cool thoroughly before
touching vehicle parts.
Be aware that moving parts can injure you. t Do not start the engine unless instructed, and keep your hands and limbs
away from moving parts.
WARNING
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 according
to the schedules in this owner's manual.
WARNING
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.

Before Performing Maintenance
Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance Service
224Maintenance
The use of Acura genuine parts and fluids is recommended when maintaining and
servicing your vehicle. Acura genuine parts are manufactured according to the
same high quality standards used in Acura vehicles
Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance Service

225
Continued
Maintenance
If the engine oil life is less than 15%, you will see the Maintenance Minder
messages appear on the multi-information display every time you turn the ignition
switch to ON
II
. The messages notify you when to change the engine oil, or
when to bring your vehicle to a dealer for indicated maintenance services.
Displaying the Engine Oil Life
1. Turn the ignition switch to ON
II
.
2. Press the SEL /RESET button repeatedly until the engine oil life appears on the
multi-information display.
The system message indicator (
) comes on along with the Maintenance Minder
message.
Displaying the Engine Oil Life
Based on the engine operating conditions, the
remaining engine oil life is calculated and displayed
as a percentage.
Displayed Engine Oil
Life (%)Calculated Engine Oil
Life (%)
10 0 10 0 to 91
90 90 to 81
80 80 to 71
70 70 to 61
60 60 to 51
50 50 to 41
40 40 to 31
30 30 to 21
20 20 to 16
15 15 to 11
10 10 to 6
5 5 to 1
00
Maintenance Minder™
Maintenance
Service Items
Remaining
Engine Oil Life
SEL /RESET
Button

226Maintenance
Maintenance Minder™ Maintenance Minder Messages on the Multi-Information DisplayMaintenance Message
Oil Life Display Explanation Information
The remaining engine oil life is 15
to 6 percent. Once you switch the
display by pressing the

(Information) button this message
will go off.The engine oil is approaching
the end of its service life, and
the maintenance items should be
inspected and serviced soon.
The remaining engine oil life is 5 to
1 percent. Press the
button
to switch to another display.The engine oil has almost reached
the end of its service life, and
the maintenance items should be
inspected and serviced as soon as
possible.
The remaining engine oil life
has passed its service life, and a
negative distance appears after
driving over 10 miles (U.S. models)
or 10 km (Canadian models). Press
the
button to switch to
another display.The engine oil life has passed.
The maintenance items must
be inspected and serviced
immediately.
SERVICE DUE SOONSERVICE DUE NOWSERVICE PAST DUE
U.S.
Canada
Negative Distance
5 % 15 %
U.S.
Canada