2012 Acura TSX sensor

uuAirbagsuSide Airbags
42Safe Driving
To reduce the likelihood that a front passenger may be injured by an inflating side
airbag, the passenger side airbag is automatically turned off when:
•The height sensors detect a child or short-statured adult is seated in the front
passenger seat.
•The position sensor detects that the front passenger is leaning into the
deployment path of the side airbag.
When the side airbag cutoff system is activated, the side airbag off indicator comes
on.
2Side Airbag Off Indicator P. 46
If the side airbag off indicator comes on, have the passenger sit upright. A few
seconds after the passenger is sitting properly, the side airbag will automatically be
turned on, and the indicator will go off.
If the front passenger is a child, stop when it is safe to do so, and have the child sit
properly restrained in a rear seat.■
Side Airbag Cutoff System
■
Side Airbag Off Indicator
1Side Airbag Cutoff System
The sensors that monitor the front passenger’s height
and body position may not work if:•The seat-back is wet•The passenger is touching a metal or other
electrical conductive object•A seat cushion is on the seat•The passenger is wearing excessively thick clothing
Sensors that
monitor the
passenger’s height.
Sensors that monitor the
passenger’s position.

Continued
45
uuAirbagsuAirbag System Indicators
Safe Driving
■
When the passenger airbag off
indicator comes on
The indicator comes on to alert you that the
passenger’s front airbag has been turned off.
This occurs when the weight sensors detect
65 lbs (29 kg) or less, the weight of an infant
or small child, on the seat.
Infants and small children should always ride properly restrained in a back seat.
2Child Safety P. 48
Objects placed on the seat can also cause the indicator to come on.
If the front passenger seat is empty, the passenger’s front airbag will not deploy and
the indicator will not come on.■
Passenger Airbag Off Indicator
1Passenger Airbag Off Indicator
If the indicator comes on with no front passenger and
no objects on the passenger’s seat, or with an adult
riding there, something may be interfering with the
weight sensors. Such as:•An object hanging on the seat or in the seat-back
pocket.•A child seat or other object pressing against the
rear of the seat-back.•A rear passenger pushing or pulling on the back of
the front passenger’s seat.•The front seat or seat-back is forced back against
an object on the seat or floor behind it.•An object placed under the front passenger’s seat.
If none of these conditions exist, have your vehicle
checked by a dealer as soon as possible.
The passenger airbag off indicator may come on and
goes off repeatedly if the total weight on the seat is
near the airbag cutoff threshold.
U.S. Canada

47
uuAirbagsuAirbag Care
Safe Driving
Airbag CareYou do not need to, and should not, perform any maintenance on or replace any
airbag system components yourself. However, you should have your vehicle
inspected by a dealer in the following situations:■
When the airbags have deployed
If an airbag has inflated, the control unit and other related parts must be replaced.
Similarly, once an automatic seat belt tensioner has been activated, it must be
replaced.
■
When the vehicle has been in a moderate-to-severe collision
Even if the airbags did not inflate, have your dealer inspect the following: the driver’s
seat position sensor, weight sensors in the passenger’s seat, front seat belt
tensioners, and each seat belt that was worn during the crash.
■
Do not remove or modify a front seat without consulting a dealer
This would likely disable the driver’s seat position sensor or the weight sensors in the
passenger’s seat. If it is necessary to remove or modify a front seat to accommodate
a person with disabilities, contact an Acura dealer. For U.S. vehicles you can also
contact Acura Client Service at 800-382-2238. For Canadian vehicles you can also
contact Canadian Acura Client Service at 888-9-ACURA-9.
1Airbag Care
We recommend against the use of salvaged airbag
system components, including the airbag, tensioners,
sensors, and control unit.

66
uuIndicatorsu
Instrument Panel
Indicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
M (sequential shift
mode) Indicator/
Gear Position
Indicator
*
●
Comes on when the manual
sequential shift mode is applied.
●
Blinks if the transmission system
has a problem.
2Sequential Shift Mode P. 197
—
Seat Belt
Reminder
Indicator
●
Comes on and the beeper sounds
if you are not wearing a seat belt
when you turn the ignition switch
to ON
(w
. If the front passenger is
not wearing a seat belt, the
indicator comes on about a few
seconds later.
●
Blinks while driving if either you or
the front passenger has not
fastened a seat belt. The beeper
sounds and the indicator blinks at
regular intervals.
●
The beeper stops and the indicator goes
off when you and the front passenger
fasten their seat belts.
●
Stays on after you or the front
passenger has fastened the seat belt
- A detection error may have occurred in
the sensor. Have the vehicle checked by a
dealer.
2Seat Belt Reminder P. 27
Low Fuel
Indicator
●
Comes on when the fuel reserve is
running low (approximately 2.8
U.S. gal./10.5 Liter left).
●
Blinks if there is a problem with the
fuel gauge.
●
Comes on - Refuel your vehicle as soon
as possible.
●
Blinks - Have the vehicle checked by a
dealer.
ABS (Anti-lock
Brake System)
Indicator
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON (w
, then goes off.
●
If it comes on at any other time,
there is a problem with the ABS.
●
Stays on constantly - Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer. With this indicator
on, your vehicle still has normal braking
ability but no anti-lock function.
2ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) P. 212
Indicator* Not available on all models

uuGauges and Multi-Information DisplayuMulti-Information Display
78Instrument Panel
Shows the outside temperature in Fahrenheit (U.S.) or Celsius (Canada).■
Adjusting the outside temperature display
Adjust the temperature reading up to ±5°F or ±3°C if the temperature reading
seems incorrect.
Shows the instant fuel economy as a bar graph in mpg or l/100 km.
Shows the estimated average fuel economy of each trip meter in mpg (U.S.) or l/100
km (Canada). The display is updated at set intervals. When a trip meter is reset, the
average fuel economy is also reset.
Shows the estimated distance you can travel on the fuel remaining. This distance is
estimated from the fuel economy of your trips in the past.
■
Outside Temperature
■
Instant Fuel Economy
■
Average Fuel Economy
■
Range
1Outside Temperature
The temperature sensor is in the front bumper. Road
heat and exhaust from another vehicle can affect the
temperature reading when your vehicle speed is less
than 19 mph (30 km/h).
It may take several minutes for the display to be
updated after the temperature reading has stabilized.
Use the multi-information display’s customized
features to correct the temperature.
2Customized Features P. 801Average Fuel Economy
You can choose to reset either Trip A or average fuel
economy A when you refuel.
2Customized Features P. 80

87
Controls
This chapter explains how to operate the various controls necessary for driving.
Setting the Clock................................ 88
Locking and Unlocking the Doors
Key Types and Functions .................... 89
Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the
Outside ............................................ 91
Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the
Inside ............................................... 93
Childproof Door Locks ....................... 94
Auto Door Lock/Unlock ...................... 94
Opening and Closing the Trunk......... 95
Security System.................................. 98
Immobilizer System ............................ 98
Security System Alarm ........................ 98
Opening and Closing the Windows... 100Opening and Closing the Moonroof.. 103
Operating the Switches Around the
Steering Wheel
Ignition Switch ................................. 104
Turn Signals ..................................... 105
Light Switches.................................. 105
Fog Lights ........................................ 107
Daytime Running Lights ................... 107
Wipers and Washers ........................ 108
Brightness Control ........................... 109
Rear Defogger/Heated Door Mirror
Button........................................ 110Driving Position Memory System
*.... 111
Adjusting the Steering Wheel........... 113Adjusting the Mirror........................ 114
Interior Rearview Mirror ................... 114
Power Door Mirrors ......................... 114
Adjusting the Seats.......................... 116
Adjusting the Seat Positions ............. 116
Interior Lights/Interior Convenience
Items................................................ 125
Interior Lights .................................. 125
Interior Convenience Items .............. 126
Climate Control System................... 133
Using Automatic Climate Control .... 133
Automatic Climate Control Sensors ... 136
* Not available on all models

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

114Controls
Adjusting the MirrorInterior Rearview MirrorAdjust the angle of the rearview mirror when you are sitting in the correct driving
position.
When driving after dark, the automatic
dimming rearview mirror reduces the glare
from headlights behind you. Press the auto
button to turn this function on and off.
When activated, the auto indicator comes on.Power Door Mirrors
You can adjust the door mirrors when the
ignition switch is in ON
(w
.
■
Mirror position adjustment
L/R selector switch: Select the left or right
mirror. After adjusting the mirror, return the
switch to the center position.
Mirror position adjustment switch: Press
the switch left, right, up, or down to move the
mirror.
■
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
1Adjusting the Mirror
Keep the inside and outside mirrors clean and
adjusted for best visibility.
Adjust the mirrors before you start driving.
2Adjusting the Seat Positions P. 1161Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
The auto dimming function cancels when the shift
position is in
(R
.
Indicator
Auto ButtonSensor
Selector Switch
Adjustment Switch