2012 Acura TL brake

The anti-lock brake system (ABS)
helpspreventthewheelsfrom
locking up, and helps you retain
steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly, much f aster than a
person can do it.
The electronic brake distribution
(EBD) system, which is part of the
ABS, also balances the f ront-to-rear
braking distribution according to
vehicle loading.
Let the ABS work f or you by always
keeping f irm, steady pressure on the
brake pedal. This is sometimes
ref erred to as ‘‘stomp and steer.’’If this indicator comes on, the anti-
lock f unction of the braking system
has shut down. The brakes still work
like a conventional system, but
without anti-lock. You should have
your dealer inspect your vehicle as
soon as possible.
You will f eel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
you may hear some noise. This is
normal: it is the ABS rapidly
pumpingthebrakes.Ondry
pavement, you will need to press on
thebrakepedalveryhardbeforethe
ABS activates. However, you may
feel the ABS activate immediately if
you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
If the ABS indicator comes on while
driving, test the brakes as shown on
page . When the ABS indicator comes on,
you will also see a ‘‘CHECK ABS
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display.598
You should never pump the brake pedal.
ABS Indicator
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
508
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Driving
2012 TL

If the ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator come on together,
and the parking brake is f ully
released, the EBD system may also
be shut down.
Test your brakes as instructed on
page . If the brakes f eel normal,
drive slowly and have your vehicle
repaired by your dealer as soon as
possible. Avoid sudden hard braking
which could cause the rear wheels to
lock up and possibly lead to a losssuch as trying to take a
corner too f ast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe
speed f or the road and weather
conditions.
Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road. on loose or
uneven surfaces, such as gravel
or snow, than a vehicle without
anti- lock.
It only helps with the
steering control during braking.
598 Important Saf ety Reminders
A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly,
A BS cannot prevent a loss of
stability. A vehicle with ABS may require a
longer distance to stop
A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle.
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Driving
509
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of control.
2012 TL

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:
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page 192
Driving
2012 TL

VSA is turned on every time you
start the engine, even if
you turned it off the last time
you drove the vehicle.
In certain unusual conditions when
your vehicle gets stuck in shallow
mud or f resh snow, it may be easier
to free it with the VSA temporarily
switched of f . When the VSA system
is of f , the traction control system is
alsooff.Youshouldonlyattemptto
f ree your vehicle with the VSA of f if
you are not able to f ree it when the
VSA is on.
Immediately af ter f reeing your
vehicle, be sure to switch the VSA on
again. We do not recommend driving
your vehicle with the VSA and
traction control systems switched off.Driving with varying tire or wheel
sizes may cause the VSA to
malf unction. When replacing tires,
make sure they are of the same size
and type as your original tires (see
page ).
If you install winter tires, make sure
they are the same size as those that
were originally supplied with your
vehicle. Exercise the same caution
during winter driving as you would
Your vehicle is equipped with a hill
start assist f eature to help prevent
the vehicle f rom rolling on inclines
as you move your f oot f rom the
brake pedal to the accelerator.
To activate hill start assist, you must
come to a complete stop and make
sure the shif t lever is either in D or S
when f acing uphill, or reverse when
f acing downhill. This f eature begins
working a few seconds after you are
in the correct gear position. Release
thebrakepedal.Thebrakesremain
engaged brief ly to keep the vehicle
f rom rolling f orward or backward.
Gently apply the accelerator pedal as
in normal driving. Hill start assist will
release brake pressure gradually as
you accelerate.
574
On models with SH-AWD
Vehicle Stability A ssist (VSA), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
VSA and Tire Sizes
Hill Start Assist
512
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if your vehicle was not equipped
wiht VSA.
Driving
2012 TL

Hillstartassistmaynotpreventyour
vehicle f rom rolling downhill on a
very steep or slippery slope, and will
not operate on small inclines.
Hill start assist is not a replacement
f or the parking brake. If parking
your vehicle, ensure that the
transmission is in park, and/or the
parking brake is f ully applied bef ore
exiting the vehicle. For vehicles with
manual transmission, it is
recommended that you turn of f the
engine bef ore exiting the vehicle.If the VSA system indicator comes
on with a ‘‘CHECK HILL START
ASSIST SYSTEM’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display, there may
be a problem with the hill start assist.
The VSA also may not f unction.
Have your vehicle inspected by your
dealer.
Hill start assist will still operate even
when VSA is switched off.
On manual transmission models:
You must come to a complete stop,
press the clutch pedal, and shif t to
f irst gear when f acing uphill, or
reverse when f acing downhill.
Release the brake pedal. The brakes
remain engaged brief ly to keep the
vehicle f rom rolling f orward or
backward while you move your f oot
f rom the brake pedal to the
accelerator pedal. Gently apply the
accelerator pedal while
simultaneously releasing the clutch
pedal, as in normal driving. Hill start
assist will release brake pressure
gradually as you accelerate.
Hill start assist will also hold braking
brief ly if you select the neutral gear
position with the clutch pedal
depressed when f acing uphill.
Vehicle Stability A ssist (VSA), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
Driving
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2012 TL

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
Maintenance Minder messages on
the multi-information display, and
instructions f or simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.U.S. Vehicles:
......................
Maintenance Saf ety .530
.................
Maintenance Minder . 531
..............................
Fluid Locations .541
......
Engine Compartment Covers . 542
........................
Adding Engine Oil .543
Changing the Engine Oil and ...........................................
Filter .544
..............................
Engine Coolant .546
....................
Windshield Washers .548
.......................
Transmission Fluid .549
..........
Automatic Transmission . 549
..............
Manual Transmission . 551
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 553
....................................
Timing Belt .554
.............................................
Lights .555
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts . 564
.....................................
Floor Mats .565
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 566
.................................
Exterior Care .566
.................................
Wiper Blades .566
...............................................
Tires .568
...................
Checking the Battery . 577
.............................
Vehicle Storage .578
..................................
Interior Care .579
633
Maintenance
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.
Maint enance
529
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2012 TL

To eliminate potential hazards, read
the instructions bef ore you begin,
and make sure you have the tools
and skills required. All service items not detailed in this
section should be perf ormed by a
certif ied technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.Make sure your vehicle is parked
on level ground, the parking brake
is set, and the engine is of f .
To clean parts, use a commercially
available degreaser or parts
cleaner, not gasoline.
To reduce the possibility of f ire or
explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks,
and flames away from the battery
and all f uel-related parts.
Wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working
with the battery or compressed air. Do
not run the engine unless
instructed to do so.
Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.
Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
down bef ore touching any parts. Be sure there is
adequate ventilation whenever you
operate the engine.
Maintenance Saf ety
Important Saf ety Precautions Injury f rom moving parts.
Burns f rom hot parts. Carbon Monoxide poison f rom
engine exhaust.
Potential Vehicle Hazards
530
Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.
Improperly maintaining this
vehicle, or failing to correct a
problem before driving can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations and
schedules in this owner’s
manual.
11/01/14 19:26:56 31TK4630_535
Maint enance
2012 TL

µ
µ
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Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed.
Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page .
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .
Automatic transmission Check
the fluid level monthly. See
.
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See .
474
475
553 555
CONT INUED
Maintenance Minder
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
Maint enance
539
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page
549
page 568
2012 TL