2011 Acura TSX transmission

181
This chapter discusses driving, refueling, and information on items such as accessories.
Driving
Cruise Control .................................... 201
VSA
® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka
ESC (Electronic Stability Control),
System ............................................ 204
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring
System) ............................................ 206
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)-
Required Federal Explanation ........... 208
Braking
Brake System ......................................210
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) .............212
Brake Assist System .............................213Parking Your Vehicle
When Stopped ....................................214
Parking ...............................................214
Refueling
Fuel Information .................................215
How to Refuel .....................................216
Fuel Economy ...................................... 218
Improving Fuel Economy .....................218
Accessories and Modifications
Accessories .........................................219
Modifications ......................................219 Before Driving
Driving Preparation ............................ 182
Maximum Load Limit ......................... 185
Towing a Trailer
Towing Preparation ............................ 187
Driving Safely with a Trailer ................ 189
Towing Your Vehicle .......................... 190
When Driving
Starting the Engine .............................191
Precautions While Driving ...................193
Automatic Transmissions .................... 194
Shifting (Automatic Transmission) ...... 195
Shifting (Manual Transmission) ........... 199

Towing a Trailer
Driving Safely with a Trailer
189
Continued
Driving
Things You Need To Know Before Towing a TrailerHave the trailer properly serviced and keep it in good condition. t
Make sure that all the weights and load in the vehicle and trailer are within t
limits.
Towing Load Limits

P.1 8 7
Securely attach the hitch, safety chains, and other necessary parts to the trailer. t
Securely store all the items in and on the trailer so that they do not shift while t
driving.
Check if the lights and brakes on the trailer are working properly. t
Check the pressures of the trailer tires, including the spare. t Towing Speeds and GearsDrive slower than normal. t
Obey posted speed limits for vehicles with trailers. t
Automatic transmission models
Use the tD
position when towing a trailer on level roads.
Turning and BrakingTurn more slowly and with a wider turning arc than normal. t
Allow more time and distance for braking. t
Do not brake or turn suddenly. t
Driving Safely with a Trailer
Driving Safely with a Trailer
Parking
In addition to the normal precautions, place wheel
chocks at each of the trailer's tires.

Towing a Trailer
Towing Your Vehicle
190Driving
Driving in Hilly TerrainMonitor your temperature gauge. If it nears the red (Hot) mark, turn off the air t
conditioning and reduce speed. Pull to the side of the road safely to cool down
the engine if necessary.
Automatic transmission models
Shift to the tS
position if the transmission shifts frequently.
Towing Your VehicleYour vehicle is not designed to be towed behind a motor home. If your vehicle
needs to be towed in an emergency, refer to the emergency towing information.
Emergency Towing

P. 2 9 8
Driving in Hilly Terrain
If you use the paddle shifters when driving
uphill and downhill, select 3rd, 2nd, or 1st
gear, depending on the vehicle speed and road
conditions. Do not use 4th and 5th gears. Automatic transmission models If the automatic transmission fluid temperature
exceeds the specified limit, the transmission will also
automatically downshift to the 1st gear, even in the
sequential shift mode. The gear position indicator
blinks for a few seconds, then stays on.Gear Position Speed Range
1st 0 - 42 mph (0 - 67 km/h)
2nd,3rd 19 - 62 mph (30 - 100 km/h)

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.

194Driving
When Driving
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission
Creeping
The following conditions cause the engine to run at high revolutions, and increase
creeping:
Immediately after the engine starts. t
When the climate control system is in use. t
Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed when stopped.
Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator pedal while driving uphill may cause the transmission
to drop to a lower gear, unexpectedly increasing vehicle speed. Depress the
accelerator pedal carefully, especially on slippery roads and curves.

195
Continued
Driving
When Driving
Shifting
Change the shift position in accordance with your driving need.
Shift lever positions
Shifting
You cannot turn the ignition switch to LOCK
0 and
remove the key unless the shift lever is in
P.
The vehicle may move forward very slightly even in
N
while the engine is cold.
Depress the brake pedal firmly and, when necessary,
apply the parking brake.
Auomatic transmission models Shifting
Park
Used when parking or starting the
engine
Reverse
Used when backing up
Neutral
Used when idling
Drive
Used for:
Normal driving (gears change t
between 1st and 5th automatically)
Temporarily driving in the sequential t
mode
Drive (S)
Used for:
Automatically changing gears t
between 1st and 4th (4th gear is
used only at high speed)
Driving in the sequential mode t
P
R
N
D
S