2012 Acura TSX Owner's Manual

104Controls
Operating the Switches Around the Steering WheelIgnition Switch
1Ignition Switch
You cannot take the key out unless the shift lever is
in
(P
.
If you open the driver’s door when the key is in LOCK
(0
or ACCESSORY
(q
, a warning buzzer will sound
to remind you to take the key out.
When this happens, the following messages appear
on the multi-information display:
•In LOCK
(0
: REMOVE KEY.
•In ACCESSORY
(q
: REMOVE KEY. The buzzer will
stop when you take the key out.
If the key won’t turn from LOCK
(0
to ACCESSORY
(q
, turn the key while moving the steering wheel left
and right. The steering wheel will unlock, allowing
the key to turn.
3
WARNING
Removing the key from the ignition switch
while driving locks the steering. This can
cause you to lose control of the vehicle.
Remove the key from the ignition switch
only when parked.Manual transmission modelsAutomatic transmission modelsAll models
(0
LOCK: Insert and remove the key in this
position.
(q
ACCESSORY: Operate the audio system and
other accessories in this position.
(w
ON: This is the position when driving.
(e
START: This position is for starting the engine.
The switch returns to ON
(w
when you let go of
the key.

105
uuOperating the Switches Around the Steering WheeluTurn SignalsContinued
Controls
Turn Signals
The turn signals can be used when the ignition
switch is in ON
(w
.
Light Switches
Rotating the light switch turns the lights on
and off, regardless of the position of the
ignition switch.■
High beams
Push the lever forward until you hear a click.
■
Low beams
When in high beams, pull the lever back to
return to low beams.
■
Flashing the high beams
Pull the lever back, and release it.
Right Turn
Left Turn
■
Manual Operation
1Light Switches
If you remove the key from the ignition switch while
the light is on, a chime sounds when the driver’s door
is opened.
When the lights are on, the lights on indicator in the
instrument panel will be on.
2Indicators P. 64
Repeatedly turning the headlights on and off reduces
the life of the HID headlight bulbs.
If you sense that the level of the headlights is
abnormal, have the vehicle inspected by a dealer.
Do not leave the lights on when the engine is off
because it will cause the battery to discharge.
High Beams
Flashing the high beams
Low Beams
Turns on parking, side marker,
tail and license plate lights
Turns on headlights, parking, side
marker, tail, and license plate
lights

uuOperating the Switches Around the Steering WheeluLight Switches
106Controls
Automatic lighting control can be used when
the ignition switch is in ON
(w
.
When you turn the light switch to AUTO, the
headlights and other exterior lights will switch
on and off automatically depending on the
ambient brightness.
uYou can change the auto light sensitivity
setting.
2Customized Features P. 80
■
Automatic lighting off feature
The headlights, all other exterior lights, and the instrument panel lights turn off
within 15 seconds after you remove the key and close the driver’s door.
uYou can change the headlight auto off timer setting.
2Customized Features P. 80
If you turn the ignition switch to LOCK
(0
with the headlight switch on, but do not
open the door, the lights turn off after 10 minutes (3 minutes, if the switch is in the
AUTO position).
The lights turn on again when you unlock or open the driver’s door. If you unlock
the door, but do not open it within 15 seconds, the lights go off. If you open the
driver’s door, you will hear a lights on reminder chime.
■
Automatic Operation (automatic lighting control)
1Automatic Operation (automatic lighting control)
We recommend that you turn on the lights manually
when driving at night, in a dense fog, or in dark areas
such as long tunnels or parking facilities.
The light sensor is in the location shown below.
Do not cover this light sensor with anything;
otherwise, the automatic lighting system may not
work properly.
Adjust the auto light sensitivity as follows:
2Customized Features P. 80
Light Sensor
Setting
Sensor Sensitivity
Ambient Light at
More Sensitive
Less SensitiveBright
Dark
MAXMINMIDHIGHLOW

107
uuOperating the Switches Around the Steering WheeluFog Lights
Controls
Fog Lights
When the low beam headlights are on, turn
the fog light switch on to use the fog lights.
Daytime Running LightsThe high beam headlights come on slightly dimmer than normal when the following
conditions have been met:
•The ignition switch is in ON
(w
.
•The headlight switch is off, or in .
•The parking brake is released.
The lights remain on even if you set the parking brake. Turning off the ignition
switch will turn off the daytime running lights.
The high beam headlights return to the original brightness once the headlight
switch is turned on.
1Fog Lights
When the fog lights are on, the indicator in the
instrument panel will be on.
They go off when the headlights turn off, or when
the daytime running lights are on.
2Indicators P. 64
Fog Light Switch

108
uuOperating the Switches Around the Steering WheeluWipers and Washers
Controls
Wipers and Washers
The windshield wipers and washers can be
used when the ignition switch is in ON
(w
.
■
MIST
The wipers run at high speed until you release
the lever.
■
Wiper switch (OFF, INT, LO, HI)
Change the wiper switch setting according to
the amount of rain.
■
Adjusting the delay
Turn the adjustment ring to adjust the wiper
delay.
■
Washer
Sprays while you pull the lever toward you.
When you release the lever, the wipers make
two or three more sweeps before stopping.
■
Front Wiper/Washer
1Wipers and Washers
NOTICEDo not use the wipers when the windshield is dry.
The windshield will get scratched, or the rubber
blades will get damaged.NOTICEIn cold weather, the blades may freeze to the
windshield, becoming stuck.
Operating the wipers in this condition may damage
the wipers. Use the defroster to warm the
windshield, then turn the wipers on.
If the vehicle speeds up while the wipers are
operating intermittently, the length of the wipe
interval shortens. When the vehicle starts moving, the
wipers make a single sweep.
The wiper operation of the shortest delay setting ( )
and the LO setting become the same when the
vehicle speeds up.
Turn the washers off if no washer fluid comes out.
The pump may get damaged.
Intermittent Time
Adjustment Ring
a MIST
b OFF
c INT: Low speed with
intermittent
d LO: Low speed wipe
e HI: High speed wipePull to
use
washer.
a
b
c
d
e
Long delay
Short delay

109
uuOperating the Switches Around the Steering WheeluBrightness Control
Controls
Brightness Control
When the parking lights are turned on and the
ignition switch is in ON
(w
, you can use the
brightness control knob to adjust instrument
panel brightness.
Brighten: Turn the knob to the right.
Dim: Turn the knob to the left.
You will hear the beeper when the brightness
reaches minimum or maximum. The multi-
information display will return to its original
state several seconds after you adjust the
brightness.
■
Brightness level indicator
The brightness level is shown on the multi-
information display while you are adjusting it.
As the brightness level increases to the right,
the instrument panel gets brighter.
1Brightness Control
Instrument panel brightness varies, depending on
whether the exterior lights are on or off. The
instrument panel dims to reduce glare when they are
on.
Pressing either (information) button
switches the display.
If you turn the knob to the right until the brightness
display is up to max, the beeper sounds. This cancels
the reduced instrument panel brightness when the
parking lights are on.
The brightness can be set differently for when the
exterior lights are on, and when they are off.
Control Knob

110
uuOperating the Switches Around the Steering WheeluRear Defogger/Heated Door Mirror Button
Controls
Rear Defogger/Heated Door Mirror Button
Press the rear defogger and heated door
mirror button to defog the rear window and
mirrors when the ignition is in ON
(w
.
The rear defogger and heated door mirrors
automatically switch off after 10-30 minutes
depending on the outside temperature.
However, if the outside temperature is 32°F
(0°C) or below, they do not automatically
switch off.
1Rear Defogger/Heated Door Mirror Button
NOTICEWhen cleaning the inside of the rear window, be
careful not to damage the heating wires.
It is critical to wipe the window from side to side
along the defogger heating wires.
This system consumes a lot of power, so turn it off
when the window has been defogged.
Also, do not use the system for a long period when
the engine is idling. This may weaken the battery,
making it difficult to start the engine.

111
uuOperating the Switches Around the Steering WheeluDriving Position Memory System
*
Continued
Controls
Driving Position Memory System
*
You can store two driver’s seat positions with the driving position memory system.
When you unlock and open the driver’s door with a remote transmitter, the seat
adjusts automatically to one of the two preset positions.
The multi-information display shows you which remote transmitter you used to
unlock the vehicle when you enter.
•Driver 1 transmitter is linked to memory button 1.
•Driver 2 transmitter is linked to memory button 2.
1Driving Position Memory System
*
Using the multi-information display, you can disable
the automatic seat adjustment function.
2Customized Features P. 80
You can cancel the driving position memory link and
customized settings. Press and hold the lock and
unlock buttons at the same time. The LED in the
remote transmitter blinks twice and the default
settings are restored.
To turn the memory position link settings back on,
repeat this procedure. The LED will blink once.
Driver 1 Driver 2
* Not available on all models