12Quick 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 Fuel 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. (P11, 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
System Hybrid
System
Hybrid
System
Hybrid
System
Hybrid
System
IMA
Motor Assist Engine
ON IMA
Motor Assist IMA
Motor OFF
Charging
Engine
OFF Engine
ON
Engine OFF
Engine OFF
IMA
Battery IMA
Battery IMA
Battery
IMA
Battery
IMA
Battery
Fuel
Fuel Fuel
Fuel
Fuel
IMA
Motor OFF
13Quick 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.
u If 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.
u The 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.
u Attempting 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.
15Quick Reference Guide
Instrument Panel
(P69)
Canada
ECON
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 Indicator Electric Power Steering
(EPS) System Indicator
Lights Indicators
Lights On Indicator
High Beam Indicator
Fog Light Indicator
Immobilizer System
Indicator
Seat 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 Indicator
Low 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
CanadaU.S.
72
uuIndicators u
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.
2 If the Charging System Indicator
Comes On P. 337
Shift Lever
Position Indicator
●Indicates the 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.
2 7-Speed Manual Shift Mode P. 233
—
82
uuIndicators uMulti-Information Display Warn ing 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. 335
●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.
2 If the Charging System Indicator Comes On P. 337
Continued
93
uuGauges and Multi-Information Display uMulti-Information Display
Instrument Panel
Displays engine and IMA motor power flow and 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 cha rge 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 becomes too hot or too cold, the
battery stops outputting to protect itself from
damages. This disables the hybrid system assist and
Auto Idle Stop, even though the battery is
wellcharged.
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.
2 Reactivating the audio system P. 154
•The clock resets.
2 Setting the Clock P. 104
•The navigation system
* is disabled.
2 Refer 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.
1 12 Volt BatteryWARNING: Battery post, terminals,
and related accessori es 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.
When replacing the battery, the replacement must be
of the same specifications.
Please consult a dealer for more information.
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 ......................... 322
Engine Does Not Start Checking the Engine ........................ 329
If the Keyless Access Remote Battery is Weak ............................................. 330
Emergency Engine Stop ................... 331
Jump Starting .................................... 332
Shift Lever Does Not Move .............. 334Overheating
How to Handle Overheating............. 335
Indicator, Coming On/Blinking
If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes On ............................................. 337If the Charging System Indicator Comes
On ................................................. 337
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes On or Blinks ................................... 338If the Brake System Indicator (Red) Comes On .................................................339
If the Electric Power Steering (EPS) System
Indicator Comes On......................... 339
If the IMA Indicator Comes On ........ 340
If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator Comes On or Blinks ....................... 340
Fuses Fuse Locations ................................. 341
Inspecting and Changing Fuses ........ 343
Emergency Towing ........................... 344