2011 Acura TSX Owner's Manual

Replacing Light Bulbs
High-Mount Brake Light Bulbs
256Maintenance
High-Mount Brake Light BulbsWhen replacing, use the following bulbs.
High-Mount Brake Light: 21W
1. Open the trunk.
2. Turn the socket to the left and remove it.
3. Remove the old bulb and insert the new
bulb.
BulbSocket

257
Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades
Continued
Maintenance
Checking Wiper BladesIf the wiper blade rubber has deteriorated, it will leave streaks and the metal wiper
arm may scratch the window glass.Changing the Wiper Blade Rubber
1. Lift the driver side wiper arms first, then
the passenger side.
2. Place a cloth on the edge of the lock tab.
Push the lock tab up with a flat-tip screw
driver.
3. Slide the blade from the wiper arm.
Changing the Wiper Blade Rubber NOTICE Avoid dropping the wiper blade; it may damage the
windshield.
Lock Tab

Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades
Changing the Wiper Blade Rubber
258Maintenance
4. Slide the wiper blade out from its holder
by pulling the tabbed end out.
5. Remove the retainer from the rubber blade
that has been removed, and mount to a
new rubber blade.
Correctly align the rubber protrusion
and the retainer groove.
6. Slide the new wiper blade onto the holder
from the bottom end. The tab on the blade should fit in the
indent of the wiper blade.
7. Slide the wiper blade onto the wiper arm,
then push down the lock tab.
8. Lower the passenger side wiper arm first,
then the driver side.
Blade
To p
Blade Retainer
Ta bIndent

259
Checking and Maintaining Tires
Maintenance
Checking TiresTo safely operate your vehicle, your tires must be of the proper type and size, in
good condition with adequate tread, and properly inflated.
Inflation guidelines
Properly inflated tires provide the best combination of handling, tread life, and
comfort. Refer to the driver’s doorjamb label or specification’s page for the
specified pressure.
Underinflated tires wear unevenly, adversely affect handling and fuel economy,
and are more likely to fail from overheating.
Overinflated tires make your vehicle ride harshly, are more prone to road hazard,
and wear unevenly.
Every day before you drive, look at each of the tires. If one looks lower than the
others, check the pressure with a tire gauge.
At least once a month or before long trips, use a gauge to measure the pressure in
all tires, including the spare. Even tires in good condition can lose 1 to 2 psi (10 to
20 kPa, 0.1 to 0.2 kgf/cm
2) per month.
Inspection guidelines
Every time you check inflation, also examine the tires and valve stems.
Look for:
Bumps or bulges on the side or in the tread. Replace the tire if you find any t
cuts, splits, or cracks in the side of the tire. Replace it if you see fabric or cord.
Remove any foreign objects and inspect for air leaks. t
Uneven tread wear. Have your dealer check the wheel alignment. t
Excessive tread wear. t
Wear Indicators

P. 2 6 4
Cracks or other damage around valve stem. t
WARNING
Using tires that are excessively worn or
improperly inflated can cause a crash
in which you can be seriously hurt or
killed.
Follow all instructions in this owner’s
manual regarding tire inflation and
maintenance. Checking Tires
Measure the air pressure when tires are cold. This
means the vehicle has been parked for at least
three hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km).
If necessary, add or release air until the specified
pressure is reached.
If checked when hot, tire pressure can be as mush
as 4 – 6 psi (30 – 40 kPa, 0.3– 0.4 kgf/cm
2) higher
than if checked when cold.
Have a dealer check the tires if you feel a consistent
vibration while driving. New tires and any that have
been removed and reinstalled should be properly
balanced.

Checking and Maintaining Tires
Tire and Loading Information Label
260Maintenance
Tire and Loading Information LabelThe label attached to the driver’s doorjamb provides necessary tire and
loading information.
124
3
Label
Example

  







 
  
Tire SizeFollowing is an example of tire size with
an explanation of what each component
means.
P225/50 R17 93V
P: Vehicle type (P indicates passenger
vehicle).
225: Tire width in millimeters.
50: Aspect ratio (the tire’s section height
as a percentage of its width).
R: Tire construction code (R indicates
radial).
17: Rim diameter in inches.
93: Load index (a numerical code
associated with the maximum load the
tire can carry).
V: Speed symbol (an alphabetical code
indicating the maximum speed rating).
Tire Labeling
The tires that came on your vehicle have
a number of markings. Those you should
be aware of are described below.
Tire Size
Whenever tires are replaced, they should be replaced with tires of the
same size.
Tire and Loading Information LabelThe tire and loading information label
attached to the driver’s doorjamb
contains:1 The number of people your vehicle can
carry.2 The total weight your vehicle can carry.
Do not exceed this weight.3 The original tire sizes for front, rear and
spare.4 The proper cold tire pressure for front,
rear and spare.

Checking and Maintaining Tires
Tire Labeling
261
Maintenance
Tire Identification Number (TIN)
The tire identification number (TIN) is a group of numbers and letters that
look like the example in the side column. TIN is located on the sidewall of
the tire.
Glossary of Tire Terminology
Cold Tire Pressure – The tire air pressure when the vehicle has been
parked for at least three hours or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Load Rating – Means the maximum load that a tire is rated to carry for a
given inflation pressure.
Maximum Inflation Pressure – The maximum tire air pressure that the
tire can hold.
Maximum Load Rating – Means the load rating for a tire at the
maximum permissible inflation pressure for that tire.
Recommended Inflation Pressure – The cold tire inflation pressure
recommended by the manufacturer.
Treadwear Indicators (TWI) – Means the projections within the principal
grooves designed to give a visual indication of the degrees of wear of the
tread.
Tire Identification Number (TIN)DOT B97R FW6X 2209
DOT: This indicates that the tire meets all
requirements of the U.S. Department of
Transportation.
B97R: Manufacturer’s identification mark.
FW6X: Tire type code.
2209: Date of manufacture.
Ye a r
Week

Checking and Maintaining Tires
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
262Maintenance
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)The tires on your vehicle meet all U.S. Federal Safety Requirements. All
tires are also graded for treadwear, traction, and temperature performance
according to Department of Transportation (DOT) standards. The following
explains these gradings.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire sidewall between
tread shoulder and maximum section width.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the
tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government
test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
(1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire graded 100. The
relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their
use, however, and may depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in road characteristics
and climate.
Uniform Tire Quality GradingFor example:
Treadwear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A
All passenger car tires must conform to
Federal Safety Requirements in addition
to these grades.

Checking and Maintaining Tires
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
263
Maintenance
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the
tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
Trac tionWarning: The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics. TemperatureWarning: The temperature grade for
this tire is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and
possible tire failure.