2011 Acura TSX Owner's Manual

16Quick Reference Guide
Flat Tire
P.277
Park in a safe location and replace the
flat tire with the compact spare tire in the
trunk.
Engine Won't Start
P.283
If the battery is dead, jump start using a
booster battery.
Overheating
P.288
Park in a safe location. If you do not see
steam under the hood, open the hood,
and let the engine cool down.
Handling the Unexpected

P.275
Indicators Come On

P.290 Identify the indicator and consult the
owner's manual.
Blown Fuse
P.294
Check for a blown fuse if an electrical
device does not operate.
Emergency Towing
P.298
Call a professional towing service if you
need to tow your vehicle.

17Quick Reference Guide
What to Do If
The ignition switch does not
turn from
to
. Why?t The steering wheel may be locked.
Try to turn the steering wheel left and
t
right while turning the ignition key.
The ignition switch does
not turn from
to
and I
cannot remove the key. Why?
The shift lever should be moved to
P
.
Why does the brake pedal
pulsate slightly when applying
the brakes?
This can occur when the ABS activates, and does not indicate
a problem. Apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
Never pump the brake pedal.
The rear door cannot be
opened from inside the
vehicle. Why?
Check if the childproof lock is in the
LOCK position. If so, open the rear
door with the outside door handle.
To cancel this function, push the
lever to the UNLOCK position.
Why do the doors lock after
I unlocked the doors using a
remote transmitter?
If you do not open the doors within 30 seconds, the doors are
relocked automatically for security.

18Quick Reference Guide
Why does the beeper sound
when I open the driver's door?
The beeper sounds when:
The key is left in the ignition switch.
t
The exterior lights are left on.
t
Why does the beeper sound
when I start driving?
The beeper sounds when:
Driver and/or front passenger are not wearing their seat
t
belts.
The parking brake lever is not fully released.
t
Why do I hear a screeching
sound when I apply the brake
pedal?
The brake pads may need to be replaced. Have your vehicle
inspected by a dealer.
Is it possible to use unleaded
gasoline with a Pump Octane
Number (PON) of 87 or higher
on this vehicle?
If premium unleaded gasoline with a PON of 91 or higher is
not available, you can temporarily use the gasoline with a PON
of 87 or higher.
This will result in decreased engine performance, and can
cause occasional metallic knocking noise in the engine. 4-cylinder models

Unleaded gasoline with a PON of 91 or higher is recommended.
6-cylinder models

Unleaded gasoline with a PON of 91 or higher is required.
The long-term use of a lower PON gasoline can lead to engine
damage.

19Quick Reference Guide
California Proposition 65 Warning
WARNING: This product contains or emits chemicals
known to the state of California to cause cancer and birth
defects or other reproductive harm.
Event Data Recorders
This vehicle is equipped with one or more devices
commonly referred to as event data recorders. These
devices record front seat belt use, front passenger
seat occupancy, airbag deployment data, and the
failure of any airbag system component. This data
belongs to the vehicle owner and may not be accessed
by anyone else except as legally required or with the
permission of the vehicle owner.
Service Diagnostic Recorders
This vehicle is equipped with service-related devices that
record information about powertrain performance. The
data can be used to verify emissions law requirements
and/or help technicians diagnose and solve service
problems. It may also be combined with data from other
sources for research purposes, but it remains confidential.
California Perchlorate Contamination Prevention Act
The airbags, seat belt tensioners, and CR type batteries
in this vehicle may contain perchlorate materials - special
handling may apply. See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate/Information preceded by a
symbol is intended to
help you avoid damage to your vehicle, other property, or
the environment.

20Quick Reference Guide
A Few Words About SafetyYour safety, and the safety of others, is very important. And
operating this vehicle safely is an important responsibility.
To help you make informed decisions about safety, we have
provided operating procedures and other information on labels
and in this manual. This information alerts you to potential
hazards that could hurt you or others.
Of course, it is not practical or possible to warn you about all the
hazards associated with operating or maintaining your vehicle.
You must use your own good judgement.You will find this important safety information in a variety of
forms, including:
Safety Labels M - on the vehicle.
Safety Messages M - preceded by a safety alert symbol

and one of three signal words: DANGER, WARNING, or
CAUTION.
These signal words mean:
You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT
if you don't follow instructions. You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT if
you don't follow instructions. You CAN be HURT if you don't follow
instructions.
Safety Headings M - such as Important Safety Precautions.
Safety Section M - such as Safe Driving.
Instructions M - how to use this vehicle correctly and safely.
This entire book is filled with important safety information -
please read it carefully.

Safe Driving
You can find many safety recommendations throughout this chapter, and
throughout this manual.
For Safe Driving
Important Safety Precautions ............... 22
Your Vehicle's Safety Features .............. 24
Seat Belts
About Your Seat Belts .......................... 26
Fastening a Seat Belt ............................ 29
Seat Belt Inspection ............................. 32
Airbags
Airbag System Components ................. 33
Types of Airbags .................................. 36
Front Airbags (SRS) .............................. 36
Side Airbags ......................................... 40Side Curtain Airbags ............................ 43
Airbag System Indicators ...................... 44
Airbag Care ......................................... 47
Child Safety
Protecting Child Passengers ................. 48
Safety of Infants and Small Children..... 50
Safety of Larger Children ..................... 58
Exhaust Gas Hazard
Carbon Monoxide Gas ......................... 60
Safety Labels
Label Locations .....................................61
21

For Safe Driving
22Safe Driving
The following pages explain your vehicle's safety features and how to use them
properly. The safety precautions below are ones that we consider to be among the
most important.Important Safety Precautions
Always wear your seat belt
A seat belt is your best protection in all types of collisions. Airbags are designed to
supplement seat belts, not replace them. So even though your vehicle is equipped
with airbags, make sure you and your passengers always wear your seat belts, and
wear them properly. Restrain all children
Children age 12 and under should ride properly restrained in a back seat, not the
front seat. Infants and small children should be restrained in a child seat. Larger
children should use a booster seat and a lap/shoulder seat belt until they can use
the belt properly without a booster seat. Be aware of airbag hazards
While airbags can save lives, they can cause serious or fatal injuries to occupants
who sit too close to them, or are not properly restrained. Infants, young children,
and short adults are at the greatest risk. Be sure to follow all instructions and
warnings in this manual. Don't drink and drive
Alcohol and driving don't mix. Even one drink can reduce your ability to respond
to changing conditions, and your reaction time gets worse with every additional
drink. So don't drink and drive, and don't let your friends drink and drive, either.
Important Safety Precautions
Some states, provinces and territories prohibit the
use of cell phones other than hands-free devices by
the driver while driving.

For Safe Driving
Important Safety Precautions
23Safe Driving
Pay appropriate attention to the task of driving safely
Engaging in cell phone conversation or other activities that keep you from paying
close attention to the road, other vehicles, and pedestrians could lead to a crash.
Remember, situations can change quickly, and only you can decide when it is safe
to divert some attention away from driving. Control your speed
Excessive speed is a major factor in crash injuries and deaths. Generally, the higher
the speed, the greater the risk, but serious injuries can also occur at lower speeds.
Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions, regardless of the maximum
speed posted. Keep your vehicle in safe condition
Having a tire blowout or a mechanical failure can be extremely hazardous.
To reduce the possibility of such problems, check your tire pressures and condition
frequently, and perform all regularly scheduled maintenance.