(f luid capacities and tire pressures)
(main controls)
(seat belts, SRS, and child protection)
(indicators, gauges, multi-inf ormation display, dashboard, and steering column)
()
(fuel, vehicle break-in, and cargo loading)
(engine and transmission operation)
(minder, f luid checking, minor services, and vehicle storage)
(f lat tire, jump starting, overheating, and f uses)
(vehicle specif ications, tires, and emissions controls)
(warranty and contact inf ormation)
(how to order)
climate control, audio, steering wheel, security, cruise control, HomeLink, and other convenience items
Contents
................................................................................................................................................Index.I
Service Inf ormation Summary
...............................................................................................Your Vehicle at a Glance.3
............................................................Driver and Passenger Saf ety.5
.......Instruments and Controls.61
..............Features.225
.......................................................................Bef ore Driving.467
.........................................................................................Driving.485
.................................................Maintenance.529
........................................T aking Care of the Unexpected.581
..............................................T echnical Inf ormation.611
.......................Warranty and Client Relations (U.S. and Canada only).629
..................................................................................A uthorized Manuals (U.S. only).633
1
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Owner's Identification Form
Index
Book Table of Contents
Chapter Table of Contents
Navigation KeyYour Vehicle at a Glance00X31-TK4-6310
ÎThe lef t or right turn signal indicator
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If an indicator does not blink
or blinks rapidly, it usually means
one of the turn signal bulbs is
burned out (see pages and ).
Replace the bulb as soon as possible,
since other drivers cannot see that
you are signaling.
When you press the hazard warning
button, both turn signal indicators
and all turn signals on the outside of
the vehicle f lash.This indicator normally comes on
when you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position and goes of f
af ter the engine starts. If it comes on
at any other time, there is a problem
in the electric power steering system.
If this happens, stop the vehicle in a
saf e place and turn of f the engine.
Reset the system by restarting the
engine. The indicator will stay on,
but should go of f af ter driving a
short distance. If it does not go of f ,
or comes back on again while driving,
take the vehicle to your dealer to
have it checked. With the indicator
on, the EPS may be turned of f ,
making the vehicle harder to steer. If you turn the steering wheel to the
f ull lef t or right position repeatedly
while stopping or driving at very low
speed, you may f eel slightly harder
steering in order to prevent damage
to the steering system caused by
overheating. This may also happen if
you hold the steering wheel on the
f ull lef t or right position f or a while.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK POWER
STEERING SYSTEM’’ message on
the multi-information display.
558 562
Instrument Panel Indicators
Turn Signal and Hazard
Warning Indicators
Electric Power Steering
(EPS) Indicator
70
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Inst rument s and Cont rols
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
When shif ting up or down, make
sure you push the clutch pedal down
all the way, shif t to the next gear,
and let the pedal up gradually. When
you are not shif ting, do not rest your
f oot on the clutch pedal. This can
cause your clutch to wear out f aster.
Come to a full stop before you shift
into reverse. You can damage the
transmission by trying to shift into
reverse with the vehicle moving.
Push down the clutch pedal, and
pause for a few seconds before
shifting into reverse, or shift
into one of the forward gears for a
moment. This stops the
gears so they won’t ‘‘grind.’’When slowing down, you can get
extra braking from the engine by
shifting to a lower gear. This extra
braking can help you maintain a safe
speed and prevent your brakes f rom
overheating while going down a
steep hill. Bef ore downshif ting,
make sure the engine speed will not
go into the tachometer’s red zone in
the lower gear.
The manual transmission is
synchronized in all f orward gears f or
smooth operation. It has a lockout so
you cannot accidentally shif t f rom
any forward gear to reverse while
the vehicle is moving at a certain
speed (see page ). 493
CONT INUED
Manual T ransmission
Driving
491
Rapid slowing or speeding up
can cause loss of control on
slippery surfaces. If you crash,
you can be injured.
Use extra care when driving on
slippery surfaces.
11/01/14 19:20:35 31TK4630_496
2012 TL
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
Your vehicle is equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that turns on every time you start the
engine and monitors the pressure in
your tires while driving.If you think you can saf ely drive a
short distance to a service station,
proceed slowly to the station, then
inflate the tire to the recommended
pressure shown on the driver’s
doorjamb.
If the tire is f lat, or if the tire
pressure is too low to continue
driving, replace the tire with the
compact spare tire (see page ).
Driving on a signif icantly under-
inf lated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inf lation also reduces f uel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
af f ect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability.
Becausetirepressurevariesby
temperature and other conditions,
the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator may come on unexpectedly.
When the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator is on, one or more of your
tires is significantly underinflated.
You should stop and check your
tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper pressure
as indicated on the vehicle’s tire
information placard.
Each tire has its own pressure
sensor (not including the spare tire).
If the air pressure of a tire becomes
signif icantly low, the sensor in that
tire immediately sends a signal that
causes the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator in the instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, you will see
which tire is losing pressure on the
multi-inf ormation display along with
a ‘‘CHECK TIRE PRESSURE’’
message. It is possible that the pressures
shown on the multi-inf ormation
display and the pressures you
manually measure are slightly
dif f erent.
If the dif f erence is signif icant or you
cannot make the low tire pressure/
TPMS indicator and message on the
multi-inf ormation display go out af ter
inf lating the tires to the specif ied
values, have your dealer check the
system as soon as possible. 583
Low Tire Pressure/
TPMS Indicator
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
514
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Driving
2012 TL
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
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
This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .582
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .583
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start . 588
................................
Jump Starting .591
..............
If the Engine Overheats . 593
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 595
..........
Charging System Indicator . 596
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 597
...............
Brake System Indicator . 598
Opening the Fuel Fill Door ....................................
Manually .599
..............................................
Fuses .600
..............................
Fuse Locations .604
......................
Emergency Towing .607
..........
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck . 609
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
581
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2012 TL