2011 Acura TSX engine

Interior Lights/Interior Convenience Items
Interior Convenience Items
132Controls
Seat Heaters
If the ignition switch is in ON
II
. The HI
setting heats the seats faster than the LO
setting.
There is no heater in the passenger's seat-
back due to the side airbag cutoff system.
Seat Heaters
Do not use the seat heaters even in LO when the
engine is off. Under such conditions, the battery
may be weakened, making the engine difficult to
start.
In the LO setting, the heater runs continuously and
does not automatically turn off after a period of
time.
WARNING
Heat induced burns are possible when
using seat heaters.
Persons with a diminished ability to sense
temperature (e.g., persons with diabetes,
lower-limb nerve damage, or paralysis)
or with sensitive skin should not use seat
heaters.
While in HI, the heater cycles on and off. The appropriate indicator will be on while
the seat heater is on. Briefly press the
button on the opposite side to turn the
heater off. The indicator will be off.
When a comfortable temperature is
reached, select LO to keep the seat warm.

133
Climate Control System
Continued
Controls
Using Automatic Climate Control
Using Automatic Climate Control
If any buttons are pressed while using the climate
control system in AUTO, the function of the button
that was pressed will take priority.
The AUTO indicator will go off, but functions
unrelated to the button that was pressed will be
controlled automatically.
To prevent cold air from blowing in from outside,
the fan may not start immediately when the AUTO
button is pressed.
Once you have set the desired temperature, do not
use the temperature control switches more than
necessary.
Doing so may delay the time it takes to reach the
set temperature.
If the interior is very warm, you can cool it down
more rapidly by partially opening the windows,
turning the system on AUTO, and setting the
temperature to low. Change the fresh mode to
recirculation mode until the temperature cools
down.
When you set the temperature to the lower or
upper limit, Lo or Hi is displayed.
Pressing the
button switches the climate
control system between on and off. When turned
on, the system returns to your last selection.
Use the system when the engine is running.
1. Press the AUTO button.
2. Adjust the interior temperature using the driver's side or passenger's side
control switch.
3. Press the
button to cancel.
Switching between the recirculation and fresh air modes
Press the
button and switch the mode depending on environmental
conditions.
Recirculation Mode (indicator on) : Recirculates air from the vehicle’s interior
through the system.
Fresh Air Mode (indicator off): Maintains outside ventilation. Keep the system in
fresh air mode in normal situations. The automatic climate control system maintains the interior temperature you
select. The system also selects the proper mix of heated or cooled air that will as
quickly as possible, raise or lower the interior temperature to your preference.
* Not available on all models
(Recirculation) Button
(Fan Control) BarFloor and
defroster
vents Floor vents Dashboard and floor
vents, and back of
the center console
*
Dashboard vents
and back of the
center console
*
A /C (Air Conditioning)
Button AUTO Button
Driver's Side
Temperature
Control SwitchPassenger's Side
Temperature
Control Switch

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

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

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.