2012 Acura TSX Owner's Manual

224
uuBefore Performing MaintenanceuParts and Fluids Used in Maintenance Service
Maintenance
Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance ServiceThe use of Acura genuine parts and fluids is recommended when maintaining and
servicing your vehicle. Acura genuine parts are manufactured according to the same
high quality standards used in Acura vehicles.

225
Continued
Maintenance
Maintenance Minder
TM
If the engine oil life is less than 15%, you will see the Maintenance Minder messages
appear on the multi-information display every time you turn the ignition switch to
ON
(w
. The messages notify you when to change the engine oil, or when to bring
your vehicle to a dealer for indicated maintenance services.
1.Turn the ignition switch to ON
(w
.
2.Press the SEL/RESET button repeatedly until the engine oil life appears on the
multi-information display.
The system message indicator ( ) comes on along with the Maintenance Minder
message.
■
Displaying the Engine Oil Life
1Displaying the Engine Oil Life
Based on the engine operating conditions, the
remaining engine oil life is calculated and displayed
as a percentage.
Displayed Engine Oil
Life (%)
Calculated Engine Oil
Life (%)
100 100 to 91
90
90 to 81
80 80 to 71
70
70 to 61
60 60 to 51
50
50 to 41
40 40 to 31
30
30 to 21
20 20 to 16
15
15 to 11
10 10 to 6
5
5 to 1
00
SEL/RESET
ButtonMaintenance
Service Items
Remaining
Engine Oil Life

226
uuMaintenance Minder
TMu
Maintenance
■
Maintenance Minder Messages on the Multi-Information
DisplayMaintenance Message
Oil Life Display
Explanation
Information
SERVICE DUE SOON
15%
The remaining engine oil life is 15 to 6
percent. Once you switch the display
by pressing the (Information)
button this message will go off.
The engine oil is approaching the
end of its service life, and the
maintenance items should be
inspected and serviced soon.
SERVICE DUE NOW
5%
The remaining engine oil life is 5 to 1
percent. Press the button to
switch to another display.
The engine oil has almost reached
the end of its service life, and the
maintenance items should be
inspected and serviced as soon as
possible.
SERVICE PAST DUE
Negative Distance
The remaining engine oil life has
passed its service life, and a negative
distance appears after driving over 10
miles (U.S. models) or 10 km
(Canadian models). Press the
button to switch to another display.
The engine oil life has passed.
The maintenance items must be
inspected and serviced immediately.
U.S.
Canada
U.S.
Canada

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uuMaintenance Minder
TMu
Continued
Maintenance
■
Maintenance Service Items
1Maintenance Service Items•Independent of the Maintenance Minder
information, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.•Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000
km).•Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if
they are noisy.
Maintenance Minder Message System Message
Indicator
Sub Items Main Items
*1: If message, SERVICE DUE NOW does not appear more than 12 months after the display is reset,
change the engine oil every year.
*2: If you drive primarily in dusty conditions, replace the air cleaner element every 15,000 miles (24,000
km).
*3: If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-
powered vehicles, re
place the dust and
pollen filter ever
y 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
CODE
Maintenance Main Items
A
●
Replace engine oil
*1
B
●
Replace engine oil
*1 and oil filter
●
Inspect front and rear brakes
●
Check parking brake adjustment
●
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
●
Inspect suspension components
●
Inspect driveshaft boots
●
Inspect brake hoses and lines (Including ABS)
●
Inspect all fluid levels and condition of fluids
●
Inspect exhaust system
#
●
Inspect fuel lines and connections
#
*4: Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or trailer towing results in higher transmission
temperatures. This requires transmission fluid changes more frequently than recommended by the
Maintenance Minder. If you regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions, have the transmission
fluid changed at 60,000 miles (100,000 km), then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km). (For A/T only.)
*5: If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110°F, 43 °C), in very low temperatures (under
-20°F, -29°C), or tow a trailer, replace every 60,000 miles/100,000 km. (6-cylinder models only)
# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty.CODE
Maintenance Sub Items
1
●
Rotate tires
2
●
Replace air cleaner element
*2
●
Replace dust and pollen filter
*3
●
Inspect drive belt
3
●
Replace transmission fluid
*4
4
●
Replace spark plugs
●
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump
*5
●
Inspect valve clearance
5
●
Replace engine coolant

uuMaintenance Minder
TMu
228Maintenance
Reset the engine oil life display if you have performed the maintenance service.
1.Turn the ignition switch to ON
(w
.
2.Display the engine oil life by repeatedly pressing the SEL/RESET button.
3.Press and hold the SEL/RESET button for 10 seconds or more.
uThe oil life reset mode is displayed on the multi-information display.
4.Select RESET with the button.
uThe service code will disappear and the engine oil life display will return to
100%.
To cancel the oil life reset mode, select CANCEL, then press the SEL/RESET button.
■
Resetting the Display
1Resetting the Display
NOTICEFailure to reset the engine oil life after a maintenance
service results in the system showing incorrect
maintenance intervals, which can lead to serious
mechanical problems.
The dealer will reset the engine oil life display after
completing the required maintenance service. If
someone other than a dealer performs maintenance
service, reset the engine oil life display yourself.
Maintenance
Item Codes
Engine Oil Life
SEL/RESET Button (Information)
Button

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Continued
Maintenance
Maintenance Under the HoodMaintenance Items Under the Hood4-cylinder models
Brake Fluid
(Black Cap)
Engine Coolant
Reservoir
Radiator Cap Washer Fluid
(Blue Cap) Engine Oil Dipstick
(Orange Handle)Clutch Fluid
(Light Gray Cap)
Manual transmission modelsEngine Oil Fill Cap
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Dipstick (Yellow Loop)Automatic transmission models

230
uuMaintenance Under the HooduMaintenance Items Under the Hood
Maintenance
6-cylinder models
Engine Oil Dipstick
(Orange Loop)
Washer Fluid
(Blue Cap)
Engine Coolant
Reservoir
*
Radiator Cap
*
Brake Fluid
(Black Cap)
Engine Oil Fill Cap
Automatic Transmission
Fluid Dipstick
(Yellow Loop)
*: Located under the cover

231
uuMaintenance Under the HooduOpening the Hood
Continued
Maintenance
Opening the Hood
1.Park the vehicle on a level surface, and set
the parking brake.
2.Pull the hood release handle under the
lower left corner of the dashboard.
uThe hood will pop up slightly.
3.Push up the hood latch lever in the center
of the hood to release the lock mechanism,
and open the hood.
4.Remove the support rod from the clamp
using the grip. Mount the support rod in
the hood.
When closing, remove the support rod, and
stow it in the clamp, then gently lower the
hood. Remove your hand at a height of
approximately 12 inches (30 cm) and let the
hood close.
1Opening the Hood
NOTICEDo not open the hood when the wiper arms are
raised.
The hood will strike the wipers, and may damage
either the hood or the wipers.
When closing the hood, check that the hood is
securely latched.
If the hood latch lever moves stiffly, or if you can
open the hood without lifting the lever, the latch
mechanism should be cleaned and lubricated.
Hood Release Handle
Pull
Lever
Support Rod Grip
Clip
4-cylinder models