Page 490 of 650

Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).
Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel, and the
messages on the multi-information
display (see pages , and
).
Youshoulddothesechecksand
adjustments bef ore you drive your
vehicle:
Check that the hood is f ully closed.
Check that the trunk is f ully
closed.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely.
3.
2.
1.
7.
8.
9.
4.
5. 6.
63
16
10. 11.
76
167
146
161
Preparing to Drive
486
11/01/14 19:19:40 31TK4630_491
and 78
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 559 of 650

Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk, readjustment may be required.
Adjustmentsshouldbedonebyyour
dealer or another qualif ied
technician.Your vehicle has halogen high beam
headlight bulbs which are also used
f or the daytime running light.
Handle it by its base and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass,
clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.
Open the hood.
Remove all engine compartment
covers (see page ).
The low beam headlight bulbs are a
type of high voltage discharge tube.
High voltage can remain in the
circuit even with the light switch off
and the key removed (or the vehicle
is in VEHICLE OFF (LOCK) mode
on models with keyless access
system). Because of this, you
should not attempt to examine or
change a low beam headlight
bulb yourself. If a low beam
headlight bulb fails, take the vehicle
to your dealer to have it replaced.
If youarereplacingthebulbon
the driver’s side, remove the
holding clips with a f lat-tip
screwdriver. Then remove the
upper part of the air intake duct by
pulling it straight up.
1.
2. 542
CONT INUED
Headlight A iming
L ow Beam Headlight Bulb
Replacement Replacing a High Beam
Headlight/Daytime Running
Light Bulb
Lights
Maint enance
555
HOLDING CLIP
Halogen bulbs get very hot when lit. Oil,
perspiration, or a scratch on the glass
can cause the bulb to overheat and
shatter.
11/01/14 19:31:11 31TK4630_560
2012 TL
Page 564 of 650

Your vehicle uses halogen light
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its plastic case, and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass,
clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.Start the engine. If you are
replacing a driver’s side bulb, turn
the steering wheel all the way to
theright.If youarereplacinga
passenger’s side bulb, turn the
steering wheel to the lef t. Turn of f
the engine.
Thefoglightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk, readjustment may be required.
Adjustment should be done by your
dealer or another qualif ied
technician.
Install the new bulb in the socket
by pushing it straight in the socket
until it bottoms.
Push the under cover in place and
set the inner f ender cover in the
original position. Install the bolts
and tighten them securely. Insert
each holding clip, and lock it by
pushingonitscenter. Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working. Insert the socket into the light
assembly. Turn it clockwise to
lock it in place.
6.
7.
8.
9. 1.
Replacing a Front Fog L ight Bulb
Lights
560
Halogen bulbs get very hot when lit. Oil,
perspiration, or a scratch on the glass
can cause the bulb to overheat and
shatter.
11/01/14 19:32:08 31TK4630_565
Maint enance
2012 TL
Page 566 of 650
Remove the nuts f rom the stud
bolts with a socket or wrench.
Open the trunk.
Remove the screw in the center of
theholdingcliponthesideof the
trunk lining. Pull the lining back.
Insert the new bulb into the hole,
and turn it one-quarter turn
clockwise to lock it in place.
Push the electrical connector back
onto the bulb. Make sure it is on
all the way.
Turn on the f og lights to test the
new bulb.
Push the under cover in place and
set the inner f ender cover in the
original position. Install the bolts
and tighten them securely. Insert
each holding clip, and lock it by
pushingonitscenter.
1.
2.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Lights
Replacing Rear Bulbs
562
SCREW
NUTS
11/01/14 19:32:31 31TK4630_567
Maint enance
2012 TL
Page 567 of 650
Push a new bulb straight into the
socket until it bottoms, and
reinstall the socket into the light
assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.
Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
Reinstall the trunk lining. Make
sure it is installed under the edge
of the trunk seal.
Put the holding clip into the hole
on the side of the trunk lining.
Reinstall the screw.
Determine which of the three
bulbs is burned out: back-up light,
turn signal, or side marker.
Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise,
and pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Pull the taillight assembly straight
back out of the body. 6.
7.
8.
9.
5. 4.
3.
Lights
Maint enance
563
BULB SOCKET
11/01/14 19:32:42 31TK4630_568
2012 TL
Page 582 of 650

Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and trunk seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and trunk seals.
If you need to park your vehicle f or
an extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in reverse
(manual) or Park (automatic). Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry. Wash and dry the exterior
completely. Fill the f uel tank.
If your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected or goes dead, the audio
system may disable itself . The next
timeyouturnontheradio,youwill
see ‘‘ENTER CODE’’ in the
frequency display. Use the preset
buttons to enter the code (see
).
If your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected, or goes dead, the time
setting may be lost. To reset the time,
see page .
The navigation system will also
disableitself.Thenexttimeyouset
to the ON mode, the system will
require you to enter a PIN bef ore it
can be used. Ref er to the navigation
system manual. 391On models without navigation system
On models with navigation system
Checking the Battery, Vehicle Storage
Vehicle Storage
578
11/01/14 19:35:33 31TK4630_583
Maint enancepage 390
2012 TL
Page 587 of 650

Î
CONT INUED
If you have a f lat tire while driving,
pull over saf ely. Drive slowly along
the shoulder until you get to an area
far away from traffic lanes.Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park (automatic)
or reverse (manual). Apply the
parking brake.
Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to
the LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
Open the trunk. Raise the trunk
f loor lid by lif ting up on the back
edge.
3.
2. 1.
Changing a Flat Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
583
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.
11/01/14 19:36:08 31TK4630_588
Î
Models equipped with the keyless access
system have an engine start/stop button
instead of an ignition switch. VEHICLE OFF
(LOCK) Mode is the equivalent of LOCK (0).
For more information, see pages 184 and 187.
:
2012 TL