2013 Acura TL Owner's Manual

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With the shif t lever in the S position,
you can select the sequential shif t
mode to shif t gears; much like a
manual transmission using the
paddle shifters, but without a
Shif ting between f irst and second
gears may occur automatically.
Downshif ting f rom second to f irst
with the accelerator pedal off is When you move the shif t lever f rom
‘‘D’’ to ‘‘S’’ and pull either paddle
shif ter, the gear position indicator
displays ‘‘M’’ along with the selected
gear number.
To upshift, pull the (right) paddle
shif ter. To downshif t, pull the
(lef t) paddle shif ter.
To enter the sequential shif t mode,
pressthereleasebuttononthefront
of the shift lever, move the lever to
the S position, then pull either paddle
shif ter. To cancel the sequential shif t
mode and return to the ordinary
automatic transmission, move the
shif t lever f rom the S position. When
moving the shift lever, be careful not
to operate incorrectly. While you are
driving in the sequential shif t mode,
the transmission will not
automatically return to ordinary
automatic transmission.
Using the Paddle Shif ters in the S
position (Sequential Shif t Mode)
Driving with the Paddle Shif ters (A utomatic Transmission Only)
Driving
501
GEAR POSITION INDICATOR
‘‘M’’ INDICATOR
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not allowed. clutch pedal.
2013 TL

The automatic transmission will not
allow you to shif t up or down if :If the vehicle speed decreases
below the redline of the selected
lowergearwhiletheindicatoris
f lashing, the transmission
downshif ts, and the indicator
displays the selected gear.
You upshif t bef ore the engine
speed reaches the lowest
threshold of the higher gear.
You pull both paddle shif ters at
thesametime. You downshif t bef ore the engine
speed reaches the highest
threshold of the lower gear.
If you try to do this, the gear
position indicator will f lash the
numberof thelowergearseveral
times, then return to a higher gear.
Downshifting with the paddle shifter
allows you to increase the engine
braking when going down steep or
long hills, and provides more power
when climbing uphills. You can
upshif t the transmission manually to
reduce the rpm.
When you accelerate f rom a stop,
the transmission starts in f irst gear,
and shif ts f rom f irst to second
automatically. You must manually
upshif t between second and sixth
gears. Make sure you upshif t bef ore
the engine speed reaches the
tachometer’s red zone.
The transmission remains in the
selected gear (6, 5, 4, 3, or 2).
There is no automatic downshift
when you push the accelerator
pedal to the floor.
When you are driving, the
transmission downshifts to the lower
gear under the f ollowing conditions:
The vehicle slows down to a
certain speed.
You press the brake pedal.
The vehicle detects that you are
driving uphill or downhill. The transmission also shif ts
automatically as the vehicle comes to
a complete stop. It downshif ts to f irst
gear when the vehicle speed reaches
6mph(10km/h)orless.
Driving with the Paddle Shif ters (A utomatic Transmission Only)
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Driving
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When you are in sequential shif t
mode, and the vehicle is stopped,
pull the (right) paddle shifter to
shif t to second gear. You will see
‘‘M2’’ in the display. Starting in
second gear helps to reduce
wheelspin in deep snow or on a
slippery surf ace. Drive in the highest gear that lets
the engine run and accelerate
smoothly. This will give you good
f uel economy and ef f ective
emissions control. The f ollowing
shif t points are recommended:
Normal acceleration15 mph (24 km/h)
25 mph (40 km/h)
40 mph (64 km/h)
45 mph (72 km/h)
50 mph (81 km/h)
Shif t up
1st to 2nd
2nd to 3rd 3rd to 4th4th to 5th
5th to 6th
Driving with the Paddle Shif ters (A utomatic Transmission Only)
St art ing in Second Gear Recommended Shif t Point s
Driving
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The SH-AWD torque distribution
monitor on the multi-inf ormation
display shows you the amount of
torque being sent to the wheels.
Each wheel right f ront (RF), lef t
front(LF),rightrear(RR),andleft
rear (LR) has its own torque
indicator. Each torque indicator is displayed as
a bar graph divided into 5 segments.
The number of segments represents
the amount of torque distributed to
each wheel.
When there is only a slight change
in torque distribution while driving,
such as cruising on level roads at
the same speed, the torque
distribution monitor may stop
displaying the amount of torque.
This is not a system problem. The
monitor will show the amount if
the system senses any change
in torque distribution.
While the SH-AWD system helps to
enhance the vehicle’s driving
stability in all situations, it is still
your responsibility to drive and
corner at reasonable speeds and to
leave a sufficient margin of safety. The super handling-all wheel drive
(SH-AWD) system is a f ull time all-
wheel-drive system that
automatically controls and transfers
varying amounts of engine torque to
all wheels independently, according
to the driving conditions.
If equippedSH-AWD Torque
Distribution Monitor
Super Handling-A ll Wheel Drive (SH-A WD)System
504
TORQUE INDICATOR TORQUE INDICATOR
U.S. model is shown.
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Driving
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Your vehicle still has normal f ront-
wheel drive with vehicle stability
assist (VSA), but does not have the
advantages of SH-AWD. Have your
vehicle checked by a dealer as soon
as possible.
If the SH-AWD indicator begins to
blink while driving, it indicates the
dif f erential temperature is too high.
You will also see an ‘‘SH-AWD DIFF
TEMP. HIGH’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display.
If this happens, pull to the side of the
road when it is safe, park the vehicle
and shift to Park (automatic), and let the engine idle until the indicator
goes out. If the indicator does not go
out, take your vehicle to a dealer to
have it checked.
If the SH-AWD indicator on the
instrument panel stays on, and the
‘‘CHECK SH-AWD SYSTEM’’
message also appears on the multi-
inf ormation display, there is a
problem with the SH-AWD system.
Super Handling-A ll Wheel Drive (SH-A WD)System
Driving
505
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2013 TL

Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly, or
your vehicle may roll if it is parked
on an incline.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, set the parking
brake before you put the
transmission in Park. This keeps
the vehicle from moving and
putting pressure on the parking
mechanism in the transmission.Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you.
Lock the doors.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire. Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verif y that the
security system is set.
If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb. If your vehicle has a manual
transmission, put it in f irst gear.If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb. If your vehicle has a manual
transmission, put it in reverse gear.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
If you are unable to stop the
engine normally when the vehicle is
parked (in the Park position on the
automatic transmission models), see on
page .192
On models with keyless access system
Parking T ips
Emergency Engine Stop
Parking
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NOTE:
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Driving
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Your vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The emergency
brake assist system increases the
stopping f orce when you depress the
brake pedal hard in an emergency
situation. The anti-lock brake system
(ABS) helps you retain steering
control when braking very hard.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, reduces their ef f ectiveness and
reduces brake pad lif e. In addition,
f uel economy can be reduced. It also
keeps your brake lights on all the
time, conf using drivers behind you.Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.
Check your brakes af ter driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious and alert in your driving.
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them. All f our brakes have audible brake
wear indicators.
Braking System Design Brake Pad Wear Indicators
Braking System
Driving
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2013 TL

The anti-lock brake system (ABS)
helpspreventthewheelsfrom
locking up, and helps you retain
steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly, much f aster than a
person can do it.
The electronic brake distribution
(EBD) system, which is part of the
ABS, also balances the f ront-to-rear
braking distribution according to
vehicle loading.
Let the ABS work f or you by always
keeping f irm, steady pressure on the
brake pedal. This is sometimes
ref erred to as ‘‘stomp and steer.’’If this indicator comes on, the anti-
lock f unction of the braking system
has shut down. The brakes still work
like a conventional system, but
without anti-lock. You should have
your dealer inspect your vehicle as
soon as possible.
You will f eel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
you may hear some noise. This is
normal: it is the ABS rapidly
pumpingthebrakes.Ondry
pavement, you will need to press on
thebrakepedalveryhardbeforethe
ABS activates. However, you may
feel the ABS activate immediately if
you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
If the ABS indicator comes on while
driving, test the brakes as shown on
page . When the ABS indicator comes on,
you will also see a ‘‘CHECK ABS
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display.598
You should never pump the brake pedal.
ABS Indicator
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
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Driving
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