2012 Acura TSX climate control

133
Continued
Controls
Climate Control SystemUsing Automatic Climate ControlThe automatic climate control system maintains the interior temperature you select.
The system also selects the proper mix of heated or cooled air that will as quickly as
possible, raise or lower the interior temperature to your preference.
Use the system when the engine is running.
1.Press the AUTO button.
2.Adjust the interior temperature using the driver’s side or passenger’s side control
switch.
3.Press the ON/OFF button to cancel.■
Switching between the recirculation and fresh air modes
Press the (recirculation) button and switch the mode depending on
environmental conditions.
Recirculation Mode (indicator on): Recirculates air from the vehicle’s interior through
the system.
Fresh Air Mode (indicator off): Maintains outside ventilation. Keep the system in
fresh air mode in normal situations.
1Using Automatic Climate Control
If any buttons are pressed while using the climate
control system in auto, the function of the button
that was pressed will take priority.
The AUTO indicator will go off, but functions
unrelated to the button that was pressed will be
controlled automatically.
To prevent cold air from blowing in from outside, the
fan may not start immediately when the AUTO
button is pressed.
Once you have set the desired temperature, do not
use the temperature control switches more than
necessary.
Doing so may delay the time it takes to reach the set
temperature.
If the interior is very warm, you can cool it down
more rapidly by partially opening the windows,
turning the system on auto, and setting the
temperature to low. Change the fresh mode to
recirculation mode until the temperature cools down.
When you set the temperature to the lower or upper
limit, Lo or Hi is displayed.
Pressing the ON/OFF button switches the climate
control system between on and off. When turned on,
the system returns to your last selection.
Floor and
defroster
vents Floor vents Dashboard and floor
vents, and back of
the center console
*
Dashboard vents
and back of the
center console
*
AUTO Button
Driver’s Side
Temperature
Control Switch
(Recirculation) Button
(Fan Control) Bar
A/C (Air Conditioning)
Button
Passenger’s Side
Temperature
Control Switch
* Not available on all models

uuClimate Control SystemuUsing Automatic Climate Control
134Controls
Pressing the button turns the air
conditioner system on and automatically
switches the system to fresh air mode.
Press the button again to turn off, the
system returns to the previous settings.
■
To rapidly defrost the windows
1.Press the button.
2.Press the button.
■
Defrosting the Windshield and Windows
1Defrosting the Windshield and Windows
For your safety, make sure you have a clear view
through all the windows before driving.
Do not set the temperature near the upper or lower
limit.
When cold air hits the windshield, the outside of the
windshield may fog up.
If the side windows fog up, adjust the vents so that
the air hits the side windows.1To rapidly defrost the windows
After defrosting or defogging the windows, switch
over to fresh air mode. If you keep the system in
recirculation mode, the windows may fog up from
humidity. This impedes visibility.

135
uuClimate Control SystemuSynchronized Mode
Controls
Synchronized ModeYou can set the temperature synchronously for the driver side and the passenger
side in synchronized mode.
1.Press the SYNC button.
uThe system will switch to synchronized mode.
2.Adjust the temperature using driver’s side temperature control switch.
Press the SYNC button to return to dual mode.
1Synchronized Mode
When you press the button, the system changes
to synchronized mode.
When the system is in dual mode, the driver side
temperature and the passenger side temperature can
be set separately.

136
uuClimate Control SystemuAutomatic Climate Control Sensors
Controls
Automatic Climate Control Sensors
The automatic climate control system is
equipped with a sunlight sensor and an
interior temperature sensor. Do not cover or
spill any liquid on them.
Sunlight Sensor
Temperature Sensor

191
Continued
Driving
When DrivingStarting the Engine
1.Make sure the parking brake is applied.
2.Check that the shift lever is in
(P
, then
depress the brake pedal.
uAlthough it is possible to start the vehicle
in
(N
, it is safer to start it in
(P
.
2.Check that the shift lever is in
(N
. Then
depress the brake pedal with your right
foot, and the clutch pedal with your left
foot.
uThe clutch pedal must be fully depressed
to start the engine.
1Starting the Engine
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
starting the engine.
The engine is harder to start in cold weather and in
thinner air found at altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400
meters).
When starting the engine in cold weather, turn off all
electrical accessories such as the lights, climate
control system, and rear defogger in order to reduce
battery drain.
If exhaust sounds abnormal or you can smell exhaust
gas inside the vehicle, have your vehicle checked by a
dealer. There may be a problem with the engine or
exhaust system.
Brake Pedal
Automatic transmission models
Brake Pedal Clutch Pedal
Manual transmission models

194
uuWhen DrivinguAutomatic Transmission
Driving
Automatic TransmissionThe following conditions cause the engine to run at high revolutions, and increase
creeping:
•Immediately after the engine starts.
•When the climate control system is in use.
Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed when stopped.
Quickly depressing the accelerator pedal while driving uphill may cause the
transmission to drop to a lower gear, unexpectedly increasing vehicle speed. Depress
the accelerator pedal carefully, especially on slippery roads and curves.■
Creeping
■
Kickdown

221
Maintenance
This chapter discusses basic maintenance.
Before Performing Maintenance
Inspection and Maintenance ............ 222
Safety When Performing Maintenance...223Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance
Service ........................................... 224
Maintenance Minder
TM
..................... 225
Maintenance Under the Hood
Maintenance Items Under the Hood .. 229
Opening the Hood ........................... 231
Recommended Engine Oil ................ 234
Oil Check ......................................... 235
Adding Engine Oil ............................ 237Engine Coolant ................................ 240
Transmission Fluid ............................ 242
Brake/Clutch Fluid ............................ 244
Refilling Window Washer Fluid......... 246
Replacing Light Bulbs....................... 247
Checking and Maintaining Wiper
Blades.......................................... 257Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires ................................. 259
Tire and Loading Information Label .. 260
Tire Labeling .................................... 260
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles) ..262
Wear Indicators ............................... 264
Tire Service Life ................................ 264
Tire and Wheel Replacement ........... 265
Tire Rotation .................................... 266
Winter Tires ..................................... 267
Battery............................................... 268
Remote Transmitter Care................. 269
Replacing the Battery ....................... 269
Climate Control System Maintenance
.. 270
Cleaning
Interior Care .................................... 271
Exterior Care.................................... 273

262
uuChecking and Maintaining TiresuDOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
Maintenance
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)The tires on your vehicle meet all U.S. Federal Safety
Requirements. All tires are also graded for treadwear, traction,
and temperature performance according to Department of
Transportation (DOT) standards. The following explains these
gradings.
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and maximum section width.
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear
rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the norm due to variations in
driving habits, service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.■
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
■
Treadwear
1Uniform Tire Quality GradingFor example:
Treadwear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A
All passenger car tires must conform
to Federal Safety Requirements in
addition to these grades.