2011 Acura TSX ECU

Before Driving
Driving Preparation
183
Continued
Driving
Do not pile items higher than the seat height. t
They can block your view and may be thrown forward in the event of sudden
braking.
Do not place anything in the front seat footwells. Make sure to secure the floor t
mat. An object or unsecured floor mat can interfere with your brake and
accelerator pedal operation while driving.
If you have any animals on board, do not let them move around in the vehicle. t They may interfere with driving and a crash could occur.
Securely close and lock all doors and the trunk. t
Locking/Unlocking the Door from Inside

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Adjust your seating position properly. t
Adjusting the head restraint, too.
Adjusting the Seats

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Adjusting the Head Restraints


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Adjust the mirrors and steering wheel properly for your driving. t
Adjust them while sitting in the proper driving position.
Adjusting the Mirrors

P.114
Steering Wheel Adjustments


P.113
Interior ChecksStore or secure all items on board properly. t
Carrying too much cargo, or improperly storing it, can affect your vehicle's
handling, stability, stopping distance, and tires, and make it unsafe.
Maximum Load Limit

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Interior Checks
The headlight aim is set by the factory, and typically
does not need to be adjusted. However, if you
regularly carry heavy items in the trunk or tow a
trailer, have the aiming readjusted at a dealer or by
a qualified technician.

Towing a Trailer
Driving Safely with a Trailer
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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

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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.

Maintenance Under the Hood
Opening the Hood
231
Continued
Maintenance
Opening the Hood
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface, and set
the parking brake.
2. Pull the hood release handle under the
lower left corner of the dashboard.

The hood will pop up slightly.
3. Push up the hood latch lever in the center
of the hood to release the lock mechanism,
and open the hood.
4-cylinder models 4. Remove the support rod from the clamp
using the grip. Mount the support rod in
the hood.
When closing, remove the support rod, and
stow it in the clamp, then gently lower the
hood. Remove your hand at a height of
approximately 12 inches (30 cm) and let the
hood close.
Opening the Hood NOTICE Do not open the hood when the wiper arms are
raised.
The hood will strike the wipers, and may damage
either the hood or the wipers.
When closing the hood, check that the hood is
securely latched.
If the hood latch lever moves stiffly, or if you can
open the hood without lifting the lever, the latch
mechanism should be cleaned and lubricated.
Grip
ClipSupport Rod
Hood Release Handle
Pull
Lever

Maintenance Under the Hood
Adding Engine Oil
237
Maintenance
Adding Engine Oil
1. Unscrew and remove the engine oil fill cap.
2. Add oil slowly.
3. Reinstall the engine oil fill cap, and tighten
it securely.
4. Wait for three minutes and recheck the
engine oil dipstick.
Adding Engine Oil
If any oil spills, wipe it up immediately. Spilled oil
may damage the engine compartment components. NOTICE Do not fill the engine oil above the upper mark.
Overfilling the engine oil can result in leaks and
engine damage.
6-cylinder models 4-cylinder models
Engine Oil Fill Cap
Engine Oil Fill Cap

Maintenance Under the Hood
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter
239
Maintenance
6. Check that the filter gasket is not stuck to
the engine contact surface.
If it is stuck, you must detach it.
7. Wipe away dirt and dust adhering to the
contact surface of the engine block, and
install a new oil filter.
8. Put a new washer on the drain bolt, then
reinstall the drain bolt. Tightening torque: 29 lbf∙ft (39 N∙m, 4.0
kgf∙m)
9. Pour the recommended engine oil into the
engine. Engine oil change capacity (including
filter):
4-cylinder models 4.2 US qt (4.0 L) 6-cylinder models

4.5 US qt (4.3 L)
10. Reinstall the engine oil fill cap securely
and start the engine.
11. Run the engine for a few minutes, and
then check that there is no leak from the
drain bolt or oil filter.
12 . Stop the engine, wait for three minutes,
and then check the oil level on the
dipstick.
If necessary, add more engine oil.
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter
You will need a special wrench to replace the oil
filter. You can buy this wrench from a dealer.

When installing the new oil filter follow the
instructions supplied with the oil filter.

Reinstall the engine oil fill cap. Start the engine.
The low oil pressure indicator should go off within
five seconds. If it does not, turn off the engine, and
check your work.
Oil Filter
4-cylinder models 6-cylinder models 6-cylinder models
Oil Filter Drain Bolt
Washer

Maintenance Under the Hood
Transmission Fluid
242Maintenance
1. Park on level ground, and start the engine.
2. Wait until the radiator fan starts and then
turn off the engine.
Perform step 3 after waiting for about
60 seconds (less than 90 seconds).
3. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop) from the
transmission and wipe it with a clean cloth.
4. Insert the dipstick all the way back into the
transmission securely, as shown in the image.
5. Remove the dipstick and check the fluid
level. It should be between the upper and
lower marks in the HOT range.
6. If the level is below the lower mark, add
fluid into the dipstick hole to bring it to the
level between the upper and lower marks,
and have your vehicle checked by a dealer
immediately.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Transmission FluidCheck the fluid level when the engine is at normal operating temperature.Specified fluid: Acura ATF DW-1 (automatic transmission fluid)
Automatic Transmission Fluid NOTICE Do not mix Acura ATF DW-1 with other
transmission fluids.
Using a transmission fluid other than Acura ATF
DW-1 may adversely affect the operation and
durability of your vehicle's transmission, and
damage the transmission.
Any damage caused by using a transmission fluid
that is not equivalent to Acura ATF DW-1 is not
covered by Acura's new vehicle warranty. NOTICE Pour the fluid slowly and carefully so you do not
spill any. Clean up any spills immediately; they can
damage components in the engine compartment.
Upper
Lower
MarksRubber
Cap
Guide
4-cylinder models 6-cylinder models
HOT
RangeUpper Mark
Lower Mark

Battery
268Maintenance
Checking the Battery
Check the battery condition monthly. Look
at the test indicator window and check the
terminals for corrosion.
If your vehicle's battery is disconnected or goes dead:
The audio system is disabled. t
Entering the audio security code

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The clock resets. t
Setting the Clock

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The navigation system is disabled. A PIN code will be required. t
Refer to the navigation system manual

Charging the BatteryDisconnect both battery cables to prevent damaging your vehicle's electrical
system. Always disconnect the negative (-) cable first, and reconnect it last.
BatteryWARNING: Battery post, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead and lead
compounds.
Wash your hands after handling.The test indicator's color information is on the
battery.
When you find corrosion, clean the battery terminals
by applying a baking powder and water solution.
Rinse the terminals with water. Cloth/towel dry
the battery. Coat the terminals with grease to help
prevent future corrosion.
WARNING
The battery gives off explosive hydrogen
gas during normal operation.
A spark or flame can cause the battery
to explode with enough force to kill or
seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a face
shield, or have a skilled technician do any
battery maintenance.
Test Indicator Window

Cleaning
Interior Care
272Maintenance
Maintaining Genuine Leather
*
Vacuum dirt and dust from the leather frequently. Pay close attention to the pleats
and seams. Clean the leather with a soft cloth dampened with a 90% water and
10% neutral soap solution. Then buff it with a clean, dry cloth. Remove any dust
or dirt on leather surfaces immediately.
Floor Mats
If you use any floor mats that were not originally
provided with your vehicle, make sure they are
designed for your specific vehicle, fit correctly, and
are securely anchored by the floor anchors.
Position the rear seat floor mats properly. If they
are not, the floor mat can interfere with the front
passenger seat's weight sensors.
Floor Mats
The front floor mats hook over the floor
anchors, which keep the mats from sliding
forward. To remove a mat for cleaning, turn
the anchor knobs to the unlock position.
When reinstalling the mat after cleaning, turn
the knobs to the lock position.
Do not put additional floor mats on top
of the anchored mats.
* Not available on all models
Driver's floor mat is shown.To unlock