Bef ore you begin driving your
vehicle, you should know what
gasoline to use and how to check the
levels of important f luids. You also
need to know how to properly store
luggage or packages. The
inf ormation in this section will help
you. If you plan to add any
accessories to your vehicle, please
read the information in this section
first..............................
Break-in Period .468
.................
Fuel Recommendation . 468
.........
Service Station Procedures . 470
....................................
Ref ueling .470
.....
Tighten Fuel Cap Message . 471
Opening and Closing the .......................................
Hood .472
...................................
Oil Check .474
.............
Engine Coolant Check . 475
...............................
Fuel Economy .476
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 479
.............................
Carrying Cargo .481
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving
467
11/01/14 19:16:12 31TK4630_472
2012 TL
Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, seeon page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant. To access the radiator reserve tank,
remove the right-side engine
compartment cover (see page ).
See page f or the engine coolant
location.
Refer to
on page f or inf ormation
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
546 542
539
541
Service Station Procedures
Engine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coolant Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
Bef ore Driving
475
MAX RESERVE TANK
MIN
11/01/14 19:17:25 31TK4630_480
2012 TL
µ
µ
µµ
µ
µ
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
TM
11/01/14 19:28:20 31TK4630_544
page
549
page 568
2012 TL
Î
Î
Ì Ì Î
Î
µµ
Ì
Î
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Maintenance Minder
540
:
TM
If the message ‘‘SERVICE DUE NOW’’ does not appear more than 12 months
after the display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty on page .
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km). Independent of the Maintenance Minder information, replace the brake
fluid every 3 years.
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.
NOTE:
2:
1:
SH-AWD only
538
Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect these items: Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and line (including ABS/VSA)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every
15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Replace dust and pollen filter If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission fluid
Replace transmission and transfer fluid
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over
110°F, 43°C), or in very low temperatures (under20°F, 29°C), replace every 60,000 miles (U.S.)/
100,000 km (Canada).
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
Replace rear differential fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds results in higher level of mechanical (shear)
stress to fluid. This requires differential fluid changes
more frequently than recommended by the
Maintenance Minder. If you regularly drive your
vehicle under these conditions, have the differential
fluid changed at 7,500 miles (12,000 km), then every
15,000 miles (24,000 km).
A
B
Symbol
Symbol
3
4
5 1
2
61
1
2
2
Maintenance Minder
11/01/14 19:28:31 31TK4630_545
2012 TL
Always use Honda Long-lif e Anti-
f reeze/Coolant Type 2. This coolant
is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent distilled
water. Never add straight antif reeze
or plain water.
If Honda antifreeze/coolant is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as
recommended for aluminum engines.
Continued use of any non-Honda
coolant can result in corrosion,
causing the cooling system to
malfunction or fail. Have the cooling
system flushed and refilled with
Honda antifreeze/coolant as soon
Reinstall the engine oil f ill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator should go out within 5
seconds. If it does not, turn of f the
engine and check your work.
Let the engine run f or several
minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks.
Turn of f the engine, let it sit f or
several minutes, then check the oil
level on the dipstick. If necessary,
add more oil.
If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks.
To access the radiator reserve tank,
remove the right-side engine
compartment cover (see page ).
7.
8.
9.
542
A dding Engine Coolant
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter, Engine Coolant
546
RESERVE TANK
MIN
MAX
Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmf ul to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container, and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.
11/01/14 19:29:32 31TK4630_551
Maint enance
as possible. it is a high-quality coolant a temporary replacement. Make sure
2012 TL
The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Remove all engine compartment
covers (see page ).
When the radiator and engine are
cool, relieve any pressure in the
cooling system by turning the
radiator cap counterclockwise,
without pressing down.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.
If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
Pour the coolant slowly and
caref ully so you do not spill any.
Clean up any spill immediately; it
could damage components in the
engine compartment.
Put the radiator cap back on and
tighten it.
Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Reinstall the engine compartment
covers.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle’s
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components.
1.
2. 4.
5.
3. 6.
7.
542
Engine Coolant
Maint enance
547
RADIATOR CAP
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
11/01/14 19:29:45 31TK4630_552
2012 TL
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark
(seeon
page ).
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, before
checking the radiator. If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back
on tightly. Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and check
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (seeon page ).
Start the engine, and set the
interior temperature to maximum
heat (each temperature control
sets to ‘‘ ’’). Add coolant to
the radiator up to the base of the
f iller neck. If you do not have the proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and refilled with
the proper mixture
as soon as you can.
Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the first stop. After the
pressure releases, push down
8.
9.
7. 6.
10.
11.
546
607
A dding Engine Coolant
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
594
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
11/01/14 19:38:04 31TK4630_599
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
on the cap, and turn it until it
comes off.
2012 TL
.................
Jacking up the Vehicle . 584
.......................................
Jack, Tire .584
................................
Jump Starting .591
.......
Keyless Access Remote . 174,179
Keyless Access Remote System ...............................
Main Switch .195
................
Keyless Access System . 173
................................................
Keys .147
........................................
Built-In .201 ..................................
Maintenance .529
Main Items and Sub ..............................
Items .536, 540
........................................
Minder .531
Owner’s Maintenance ...................................
Checks .539
..........................................
Saf ety .530
Malf unction Indicator ....................................
Lamp .64, 597
...................
Manual Transmission . 491
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 551
....................................
Map Lights .221
...........
Memory, Driving Position . 170
.........................
Meters, Gauges .63, 76
........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .167
...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle . 480
.......................................
Moonroof .210
.............
Multi-Inf ormation Display . 78
..............................
Music by Voice .334
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 496
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 468
.......................
Label, Certif ication .612
...............
Lane Change, Signaling . 139
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 16,21
...............................
LATCH System .47
................
Lights Control Buttons . 220
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .555
.......................................
Indicator .63
.......................................
Parking .139 ..........................
Turn Signal .70, 139
....................................
Load Limits .482
....
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 151
LOCK VEHICLE OFF ...................
(Power Mode) . 184,185
..............
Lockout Prevention . 153,177
Locks Anti-thef t Steering ...........................
Column .151, 189
........................
Childproof Door .153
............................
Fuel Fill Door .470
..................................
Glove Box .216
...............................
Power Door .152
.........................................
Trunk .154
......
Trunk Pass-through Cover . 166
........................
Low Coolant Level .475
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .73
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 64,595
................................
Lower Anchors .47
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 614
...........
Luggage, Storing (Cargo) . 481
M
N
L J
K
VI
11/01/17 13:18:44 31TK4630_645
INDEXA B C D E F G H I J K L \℮M N O P Q R S T U V W X \℮Y Z
2012 TL