Page 502 of 650
Put a cloth on the edge of the shif t
lock release slot cover to prevent
scratches. Use a small f lat-tip
screwdriver or metal f ingernail f ile
to caref ully pry up the edge of the
cover and remove it from the slot.Insert a key or built-in key in the
shif t lock release slot.
Push down on the key or built-in
key while you press the release
buttonontheshiftleverandmove
the shift lever out of Park to
neutral.Remove the key or built-in key
from the shift lock release slot,
then reinstall the cover. Make
sure the notch on the cover is on
the rear side. Press the brake
pedal, and restart the engine.
If you need to use the shif t lock
release, it means your vehicle is
developing a problem. Have it
checked by your dealer.
3. 6.
5. 4.
Automatic Transmission
498
SHIFT LOCK
RELEASE SLOT
Vehicle without keyless access system
is shown.
COVER
11/01/14 19:21:41 31TK4630_503
Driving
2012 TL
Page 510 of 650

Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly, or
your vehicle may roll if it is parked
on an incline.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, set the parking
brake before you put the
transmission in Park. This keeps
the vehicle from moving and
putting pressure on the parking
mechanism in the transmission.Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you.
Lock the doors.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire. Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verif y that the
security system is set.
If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb. If your vehicle has a manual
transmission, put it in f irst gear.If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb. If your vehicle has a manual
transmission, put it in reverse gear.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
If you are unable to stop the
engine normally when the vehicle is
parked(intheParkpositiononthe
automatic transmission models), see on
.
On models with keyless access system
Parking T ips
Emergency Engine Stop
Parking
506
NOTE:
11/01/14 19:23:08 31TK4630_511
page 192
Driving
2012 TL
Page 514 of 650

The vehicle stability assist (VSA)
system helps to stabilize the
vehicle during cornering if the
vehicle turns more or less than
desired. It also assists you in
maintaining traction while
accelerating on loose or slippery
road surfaces. It does this by
regulating the engine’s output, and
by selectively applying the brakes.
The VSA system cannot enhance the
vehicle’s driving stability in all
situations and does not control your
vehicle’s entire braking system. It is
still your responsibility to drive and
corner at reasonable speeds and to
leave a sufficient margin of safety.When VSA is off, the VSA OFF
indicator comes on as a reminder.
When VSA activates, you will see the
VSA system indicator blink.
When VSA activates, you may notice
that the engine does not respond to
the accelerator in the same way it
does at other times. There may also
be some noise f rom the VSA
hydraulic system. You will also see
the VSA system indicator blink. The main f unction of the
VSA system is generally known as
Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
The system also includes a traction
control f unction.
If this indicator comes on while
driving, you will also see a ‘‘CHECK
VSA SYSTEM’’ and/or ‘‘CHECK
HILL START ASSIST SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-inf ormation
display. Drive cautiously as the VSA
may not be f unctioning. Without
VSA, your vehicle will have normal
braking and cornering ability, but it
will not have VSA traction and
stability enhancement. Also, the VSA
OFF switch will not operate. Pull to
the side of the road when it is saf e,
and turn of f the engine. Reset the
system by restarting the engine. If
the VSA system indicator stays on, have the VSA system inspected by
your dealer.
If there is a problem with the hill
start assist system, the VSA system
indicator comes on and stays on. The
multi-inf ormation display shows a
‘‘CHECK HILL START ASSIST
SYSTEM’’ message.
With the VSA system indicator on,
you may not be able to stop the
engine even if you park the vehicle
saf ely. To stop the engine, see
on
.
On models with SH-AWD
On models with keyless access system
Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA ) System IndicatorVSA OFF Indicator
Emergency Engine Stop
Vehicle Stability A ssist (VSA), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
510
NOTE:
11/01/14 19:23:49 31TK4630_515
page 192
Driving
2012 TL
Page 519 of 650

Î
Although your tire pressure is
monitored, you must manually check
thetirepressuresmonthly.
Each tire, including the spare, should
be checked monthly when the
vehicle is cold, and set to the
recommended inflation pressure as
specified on the vehicle placard and
in the owner’s manual (see).
For example, if you check and f ill
your tires in a warm area, then drive
in extremely cold weather, the tire
pressure will be lower than
measured and could be underinf lated
and cause the low tire pressure/
TPMS indicator to come on. Or, if
youcheckandadjustyourtire
pressure in cooler conditions, and
drive into extremely hot conditions,
the tire may become overinf lated.
However, the low tire pressure/
TPMS indicator will not come on if
thetiresareoverinflated.
Refer to page for tire inflation
guidelines.
If there is a problem with the TPMS,
this indicator begins to f lash. It stops
flashing after approximately 1
minute, then stays on. You will also
see a ‘‘CHECK TPMS SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-inf ormation
display (see page ). Toselectthetirepressuremonitor,
press the INFO button several times
with the ignition switch in the ON
(II) position or with the power mode
ON.
You will see the above display on the
multi-inf ormation display when each
tire pressure is normal.
517
568
CONT INUED
Tire Pressure Monitor
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Driving
515
U.S.
Example: Technology Package is shown.
11/01/14 19:24:39 31TK4630_520
page 570
ÎModels equipped with the keyless access
system have an engine start/stop button
instead of an ignition switch. ON Mode
is the equivalent of ON (II). For more
information, see page s 184 and 187.
:
2012 TL
Page 529 of 650
ÎÎ
To turn the system off, press and
hold the BSI OFF button when the
ignition switch is in the ON (II)
position. The BSI indicator on the
instrument panel glows amber,
indicating that the system is turned
of f . The multi-inf ormation display
indicates that the system is of f .To turn the system on again, press
and hold the same button. The BSI
indicator on the instrument panel
turns off. The multi-information
display indicates that the system is
on.
When the ignition switch is turned
to the ON (II) position, the system
will be in the previously selected ON
or OFF setting.
Blind Spot Inf ormation System (BSI)
BSI OFF Button
Driving
525
U.S. model is shown.
Canadian model is shown.
11/01/14 19:26:13 31TK4630_530
Î
Models equipped with the keyless access
system have an engine start/stop button
instead of an ignition switch. ON Mode
is the equivalent of ON (II). For more
information, see
page s 184 and 187.
:
2012 TL
Page 530 of 650

µ
Î
Î
ÎÎ
Multi-Inf ormationDisplay Message BSI Indicator
System
Status
ON
OFF
ON/OFF OFF Description
2
When you press and hold the BSI OFF button with the ignition switch in the ON (II) position, a
BSI ON or OFF message is displayed on the multi-information display for about 5 seconds.
The BSI indicator will remain on while the system is off.
The BSI alert indicator illuminates or flashes according to the system status.
A chime sounds to indicate that the system has been turned ON or OFF.
If while driving, mud, snow, or ice accumulates in the vicinity of sensor:
The system may shut down
The BSI indicator illuminates, a message is displayed on the multi-information display, and a
chime sounds.
The BSI indicator will turn off and the system will return to normal once the obstacle is removed,
and you begin to drive.
Always keep the area around the radar sensors clean. BSI may not operate properly if the sensors
are obstructed.
The BSI alert indicator: May come on when a vehicle enters one of the alert zones, even if this message is displayed.
May not come on due to obstruction (splashes, etc.) even if this message is not displayed.
2:
If the system is faulty, the BSI indicator illuminates and a message is displayed on the multi-
information display.
Have your vehicle inspected by your Acura dealer.
1
Blind Spot Inf ormation System (BSI)
BSI Status Displays
526
11/01/14 19:26:25 31TK4630_531
Driving
1: ON mode on models with keyless access system (see pages 184 and 187).
System status may remain on even when the BLIND SPOT NOT AVAILABLE messa\
ge is displayed.
2012 TL
Page 535 of 650
Î
CONT INUED
Your vehicle displays engine oil lif e
and maintenance service items on
the multi-information display to show
youwhenyoushouldhaveyour
dealer perf orm engine oil
replacement and indicated
maintenance service.To see the current engine oil lif e
displayed on the multi-inf ormation
display, turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, and press the
SEL/RESET button on the steering
wheel repeatedly until the engine oil
lif e is displayed.
Based on the engine operating
conditions, the onboard computer in
your vehicle calculates the remaining
engine oil lif e and displays it as a
percentage.
Maintenance Minder
Engine Oil L if e Display
Maint enance
531
REMAINING ENGINE OIL LIFE
U.S. model is shown.
TM
11/01/14 19:27:06 31TK4630_536
Î Models equipped with the keyless access
system have an engine start/stop button
instead of an ignition switch. ON Mode
is the equivalent of ON (II). For more
information, see
page s 184 and 187.
:
2012 TL
Page 536 of 650

ÛÝ
Î
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ µ
µ
Pressing either INFO button ( / )
switches the display f rom the
message to another display. Once
you switch the display, this message
will go of f .
Along with the message, the system
message indicator comes on (see
page ).
When the remaining engine oil lif e is
15 to 6 percent, the multi-inf ormation
display shows a ‘‘SERVICE DUE
SOON’’ message along with the
maintenance item code(s) indicating
themainandsubitemsrequiredat
thetimeof theoilchange.Referto
page f or a complete list of the
maintenance main items and sub
items.
The remaining engine oil lif e is
shown on the multi-inf ormation
display according to this table:
The message appears on the multi-
inf ormation display each time you
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position.72
540
Calculated Engine Oil Lif e (%)
100% 91% 90% 81%
80% 71%
70% 61%
60% 51%
50% 41%
40% 31%
30% 21%
20% 16%
15% 11%10% 6% 5% 1% 0% Displayed
Engine Oil Lif e (%) 100%90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
15%
10%5%
0%
Maintenance Minder
532
MAINTENANCE MAIN ITEM CODE
MAINTENANCE SUB ITEM CODE(S)
TM
11/01/14 19:27:17 31TK4630_537
Maint enance
Î
Models equipped with the keyless access
system have an engine start/stop button
instead of an ignition switch. ON Mode
is the equivalent of ON (II). For more
information, see
page s 184 and 187.
:
2012 TL