2013 Acura ILX Hybrid Charging system

10Quick Reference Guide
The Acura Hybrid SystemThe main power source for the Acura hybrid system is the engine. The IMA motor
assists the engine to improve fuel economy, based on current operating
conditions.
Tips to Improve Fue
l Economy
To help your vehicle’s fuel economy:
●Avoid aggressive acceleration/braking
●Monitor the fuel economy indicator displayed on
the multi-information display.
It reflects your driving style. (P9, 90)
Start-up/Low speed cruise/
Aggressive acceleration
●The IMA motor assists the
engine.Low speed cruise
●Only IMA motor is powering
the vehicle and IMA battery is
discharging.Slow acceleration/High
speed cruise
●Only the engine powers
the vehicle.Deceleration
●The IMA motor charges the
IMA battery.
Stop
●Auto Idle Stop is in
operation.
Vehicle
Speed
TimeFuel Economy
Indicator
Hybrid
SystemHybrid
System Hybrid
System
Hybrid
System
Hybrid
System
IMA
Motor
AssistEngine
ONIMA
Motor
AssistIMA
Motor
OFF
Charging Engine
OFFEngine
ON
Engine
OFF
Engine
OFF
IMA
BatteryIMA
BatteryIMA
Battery
IMA
Battery
IMA
Battery FuelFuelFuel
Fuel
Fuel
IMA
Motor
OFF

11Quick Reference Guide
To Keep the IMA Battery in Good Condition Drive your vehicle at least once a month, and drive for more than 30 minutes at a time. Parking your vehicle for an
extended period can cause the IMA battery to weaken or decrease the IMA battery life.Safety Precautions Do not cover the air intake.Air IntakeIf the air intake is obstructed during
vehicle operation, the IMA battery can
become too hot. To protect the battery,
the system may start limiting IMA battery
output power and cause the Acura hybrid
system and 12 volt battery charging system
indicators to come on.
IMA System Indicator (P77)
12 Volt Battery Charging
System Indicator (P72)
Do not touch the Acura hybrid systemA high voltage current runs through the Acura hybrid system. Consult your authorized
dealer when maintenance or repair is needed.
IMA Battery
Electric Power Cable
If a crash occurs●Be careful of electric shock hazard.
uIf a crash severely damaged your vehicle, there is a possibility of electrical shock. Do
not touch the Acura hybrid system components or their wiring (orange).
●Avoid contact with IMA battery fluid.
uThe battery fluid may leak as a result of a severe crash. Avoid any skin or eye
contact with the fluid. The battery fluid is corrosive. If you accidentally touch it,
flush the affected area(s) with a large quantity of water for at least five minutes,
and medical attention immediately.
●Use a fire extinguisher for an electrical fire.
uAttempting to extinguish an electrical fire with a small quantity of water can be
dangerous.When the vehicle is disposed●The IMA battery is a Lithium ion battery. Acura collects and recycles used IMA batteries
– consult with your dealer for proper battery disposal in the event your vehicle is not
repairable.

13Quick Reference Guide
Instrument Panel
(P69)
Canada
ECO
N
Gauges
(P86)
/Multi-Information Display
(P87)
/System Indicators
(P70)
System Indicators
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp
Low Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator
Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS) Indicator
Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA®) System
Indicator
VSA® OFF IndicatorElectric Power Steering
(EPS) System Indicator
Lights Reminders
Lights On Indicator
High Beam Indicator
Fog Light Indicator Immobilizer System
IndicatorSeat Belt Reminder
Indicator
System Indicators
CRUISE CONTROL
Indicator
System Message
Indicator Parking Brake and
Brake System
Indicator (Red)Supplemental
Restraint System
Indicator
Side Airbag Off
Indicator Door and Trunk Open
Indicator
CRUISE MAIN
Indicator Low Fuel IndicatorLow Tire Pressure/
TPMS Indicator
Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators Keyless Access System
Indicator
Charge/Assist Gauge
Security System Alarm Indicator
Fuel Gauge
Tachometer
Multi-Information Display
Speedometer
Shift Lever Position Indicator
Shift Indicator
Low Temperature Indicator
ECON Mode Indicator
Auto Idle Stop Indicator
IMA System Indicator
U.S.
Brake System
Indicator (Amber)
CanadaU.S.
System Indicators

72
uuIndicatorsu
Instrument Panel
Indicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
12 Volt Battery
Charging System
Indicator
●Comes on when you set the power
mode to ON, and goes off when the
engine starts.●Comes on when the 12 volt battery is
not charging.
●Comes on while driving - Turn off the
climate control system and rear defogger in
order to reduce electricity consumption.
2If the Charging System Indicator
Comes On P. 336
Shift Lever
Position Indicator
●Indicates current shift lever position.
2Shifting P. 231
—
Transmission
Indicator
●Blinks if the transmission system has
a problem.
●Blinks while driving - Avoid sudden starts
and acceleration and have the vehicle
checked by a dealer immediately.
M (7-speed
manual shift
mode) Indicator/
Shift Indicator
●Comes on when the 7-speed manual
shift mode is applied.
27-Speed Manual Shift Mode P. 233
—

82
uuIndicatorsuMulti-Information Display Warning and Information Messages
Instrument Panel
Message
Condition
Explanation
●Appears when the IMA battery is significantly low.
●Drive continuously or, if necessary, allow the vehicle to
idle in an open area until the message disappears.
●Appears when the engine coolant temperature gets
abnormally high.
2Overheating P. 334
●Appears when the engine coolant temperature gets
high.
●Drive slowly to prevent overheating.
●Appears when there is a problem with the sensor on the
battery.●Appears when the 12 volt battery is not charging.
●Have your vehicle checked by a dealer.
2Checking the 12 Volt Battery P. 303
●Appears along with the 12 volt battery charging
system indicator - Turn off the climate control system
and rear defogger to reduce electricity consumption.
2If the Charging System Indicator Comes On P. 336

Continued
93
uuGauges and Multi-Information DisplayuMulti-Information Display
Instrument Panel
Displays engine and IMA motor power flow – whether the system is assisting the
engine or charging the battery.■IMA Battery Charge Level Indicator/Power Flow Monitor
1IMA Battery Charge Level Indicator/Power Flow Monitor
The IMA battery charge level may decrease rapidly
under the following conditions:•When the 12 volt battery has been replaced.•When the IMA battery has been disconnected.•When the IMA battery control system corrects its
reading.
The charge level reading will be corrected
automatically while driving.
If the IMA battery is too hot or too cold, the battery
stops outputting power for protection when it gets
too hot or cold. This disables the hybrid system assist
and Auto Idle Stop, even though the battery is well-
charged.
It takes a short time to normalize the IMA battery’s
output power depending on the weather.
Engine Operation Icon
IMA Battery Icon
Shows Charge Level
Power is supplied by
only the IMA motor. Power is supplied by the
engine and the IMA motor is
assisting the engine.
The IMA motor is
charging the IMA
battery.Power is only supplied
by the engine.Power is only supplied
by the engine and the
IMA motor is charging
the IMA battery. Power Flow
Operating
Not operating

303Maintenance
12 Volt BatteryChecking the 12 Volt BatteryThe battery condition is being monitored by the sensor on the negative terminal. If
there is a problem with the sensor, the warning message on multi-information
display will let you know. Have your vehicle checked by a dealer
Check the battery terminals for corrosion monthly.
If your vehicle's battery is disconnected or goes dead:
•The audio system is disabled.
2Reactivating the audio system P. 154
•The clock resets.
2Setting the Clock P. 104
•The navigation system
* is disabled.
2Refer to the navigation system manual
Charging the BatteryDisconnect both battery cables to prevent damaging your vehicle's electrical system.
Always disconnect the negative (-) cable first, and reconnect it last.
112 Volt BatteryWARNING: Battery post, terminals,
and related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds.
Wash your hands after handling.When you find corrosion, clean the battery terminals
by applying a baking powder and water solution.
Rinse the terminals with water. Cloth/towel dry the
battery. Coat the terminals with grease to help
prevent future corrosion.
3
WARNING
The battery gives off explosive hydrogen
gas during normal operation.
A spark or flame can cause the battery to
explode with enough force to kill or
seriously hurt you.
When conducting any battery
maintenance, wear protective clothing and
a face shield, or have a skilled technician do
it.
* Not available on all models

311
Handling the Unexpected
This chapter explains how to handle unexpected troubles.
Tools
*
Types of Tools .................................. 312
If a Tire Goes Flat
Temporarily Repairing a Flat Tire....... 313
Changing a Flat Tire
*....................... 321
Engine Does Not Start
Checking the Engine ........................ 328
If the Keyless Access Remote Battery is
Weak ............................................. 329
Emergency Engine Stop ................... 330
Jump Starting.................................... 331
Shift Lever Does Not Move.............. 333Overheating
How to Handle Overheating............. 334
Indicator, Coming On/Blinking
If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes
On ............................................. 336If the Charging System Indicator Comes
On ................................................. 336
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes
On or Blinks ................................... 337If the Brake System Indicator (Red) Comes
On .................................................338If the EPS System Indicator Comes On... 338If the IMA Indicator Comes On ........ 339
If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator
Comes On or Blinks ....................... 339
Fuses
Fuse Locations ................................. 340
Inspecting and Changing Fuses ........ 342
Emergency Towing........................... 343