Page 81 of 650
This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom mark to about the
middle of the gauge. In severe
driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill
driving, the pointer may rise to the
upper zone. If it reaches the red
(hot) mark, pull saf ely to the side of
the road. Turn to page for
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine cooling system. If the pointer of the temperaturegauge reaches to or above the red
mark, you will also see the ‘‘WATER
TEMP HOT’’ message on the multi-
information display. This will alert
you that the engine should be
593
Temperature Gauge
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
77
11/01/14 18:07:23 31TK4630_082
cooled down.
2012 TL
Page 233 of 650

When you set the temperature to its
lower limit ( ) or its upper limit
( ), the system runs at f ull
cooling or heating only. It does not
regulate the interior temperature.
When you adjust a f an control, the
f an is taken out of AUTO mode.To keep stale air and mustiness
f rom collecting, you should have
the f an running at all times. Keep the system completely of f
f or short periods only.
To turn the system completely of f ,
press the ON/OFF button. Each time you press this button, the
climate control system switches
between on and of f . Turning on the
system with this button selects your
last climate control selection.
You can also select the appropriate
mode on the driver’s side and the
passenger’s side separately. To
change a mode, press and release
the appropriate side mode control
button. This will take the mode
control out of AUTO mode.
In AUTO mode, the vehicle’s interior
temperature is independently
regulated f or the driver and f ront
passenger according to each
adjusted temperature. The system
also regulates each temperature
basedontheinformationof the
sunlight sensor and the sun’s position which is updated
automatically by the navigation’s
global positioning system (GPS). If
onesideof thevehicleisgettingtoo
much sun, the system lowers the
temperature only on that side.
When you press this button, the
indicator in the button comes on, and
the passenger’s side temperature
and mode control is synchronized to
thedriver’ssidesettemperatureand
mode control. Changing the
passenger’s side temperature or
mode control makes the indicator go
of f and takes the system out of
SYNC mode.
On models with navigation system
Climate Control System
To Turn Everything Off
ON/OFF Button
SYNC Button
Features
229
11/01/14 18:33:32 31TK4630_234
2012 TL
Page 550 of 650

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
Page 551 of 650

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
Page 583 of 650
Vacuum dirt and dust f rom the
leather f requently. Pay close
attention to the pleats and seams.
Clean the leather with a sof t cloth
dampened with a 90% water and 10%
neutral soap solution. Then buf f it
with a clean, dry cloth. Remove any
dust or dirt on leather surf aces
immediately.
Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Non-porous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches f ull
operating temperature (the
cooling f ans cycle on and of f
twice). Pref erably, do this once a
month. Leather
Vehicle Storage, Interior Care
Maint enance
579
11/01/14 19:35:39 31TK4630_584
2012 TL
Page 598 of 650

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