2015 Acura TLX Owner's Manual

uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
328Driving
■Hill Start Assist System
Hill start assist keeps the brake engaged briefly to help prevent the vehicle from
rolling on inclines as you move your foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator.
Change the gear position to
(D
when facing uphill, or
(R
when facing downhill,
then release the brake pedal.
1 Hill Start Assist System
Hill start assist may not prevent the vehicle from
rolling downhill on a very steep or slippery slope, and
does not operate on small inclines.
Hill start assist is not a replacement for the parking
brake.

329
uuWhen Driving uPrecautions While Driving
Continued
Driving
Precautions While DrivingAvoid driving in deep water and on flooded roads. This can damage the engine,
driveline, or cause electrical component failure.■
In Rain
1Precautions While DrivingNOTICEDo not change the gear position while pressing the
accelerator pedal. You could damage the
transmission.NOTICEThe following can damage the under spoiler:•Parking the vehicle by a parking block•Parallel parking along the road shoulder•Driving toward the bottom of a hill•Driving up or down to a different surface level
(such as a road shoulder)•Driving on a rutted or bumpy road•Driving on a road with potholes.NOTICEIf you repeatedly turn the steering wheel at an
extremely low speed, or hold the steering wheel on
the full left or right position for a while, the electric
power steering (EPS) system heats up. The system
goes into a protective mode, and limits its
performance. The steering wheel becomes harder
and harder to operate. Once the system cools down,
the EPS system is restored.
Repeated operation under these conditions can
eventually damage the system.
If the power mode is set to ACCESSORY or VEHICLE
OFF (LOCK) while driving, the engine will shut down
and all steering and brake power assist functions will
stop, making it difficult to control the vehicle.

uuWhen Driving uAutomatic Transmission
*
330Driving
If there is a strong impact with something under the vehicle, stop in a safe location.
Check the underside of the vehicle for damage or any fluid leaks.Automatic Transmission
*
The engine runs at a higher idle speed and creeping increases.
Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed when stopped.
Quickly depressing the accelerator pedal while driving uphill may cause the
transmission to drop to a lower gear, unexpectedly increasing vehicle speed. Depress
the accelerator pedal carefully, especially on slippery roads and curves.Dual Clutch Transmission
*
As with a conventional automatic transmission, this vehicle will creep.
Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed when stopped.
Quickly depressing the accelerator pedal while driving uphill may cause the
transmission to drop to a lower gear, unexpectedly increasing vehicle speed. Depress
the accelerator pedal carefully, especially on slippery roads and curves.■
Other Precautions
■
Creeping
■
Kickdown
■
Creeping
■
Kickdown
1Precautions While Driving
Do not change the gear position to
(N, as you will
lose engine braking (and acceleration) performance.
During the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of operation,
avoid sudden acceleration or full throttle operation so
as to not damage the engine or powertrain.
Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles (300 km).
You should also follow this when the brake pads are
replaced.
* Not available on all models

331
uuWhen Driving uShifting
Continued
Driving
ShiftingChange the gear position in accordance with your driving needs.■Shift button positions■
(P
(park) button
Park your vehicle in a safe place with the
power mode in ON, then apply the brakes and
press the
(P
button to put the transmission in
Park.
The indicators on the sides of the
(P
button
come on.
Models with electronic gear selector
1 Shifting
To prevent malfunction and unintended
engagement:•Do not spill any liquids on or around shift buttons.•Do not place or drop any objects on or around shift
buttons.•Do not let passengers or children operate the shift
buttons.
The beeper sounds when you depress the accelerator
pedal with the gear position in
( N.
Change the gear position to
( D or
(R with the brake
pedal depressed.
When shifting gears in extremely low temperatures
(−22°F/−30°C), there may be a short delay before the
shift is indicated in the display. Always confirm you
are in the correct gear before driving.
3
WARNING
The vehicle can roll away if left unattended
without confirming that Park is engaged.
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal
until you have confirmed that
( P is shown
on the gear position Indicator.
Park
Used when parking or starting the engine
Reverse
Used when reversing
Neutral
Used when idling
Drive
Used for:●Normal driving (gears change between 1st
and 9th automatically)●Temporarily driving in the sequential
mode●Driving in the sequential mode (when
driving in Sport+ mode)
( P Button

uuWhen Driving uShifting
332Driving
■
Shift Operation
1Shift OperationNOTICEWhen you change
(D to
(R and visa versa, depress
the brake pedal to come to a complete stop, then
select the intended gear position while maintaining
brake pressure.
Use the gear position indicator and the shift button
indicator to check the gear position before selecting
a shift button.
If the indicator of the currently selected gear position,
or all the gear position indicators are blinking
simultaneously, there is a problem with the
transmission.
Avoid sudden acceleration and have the transmission
checked by a dealer as soon as possible.
The fuel supply may be cut off if you drive at engine
speeds in or over the tachometer’s red zone (engine
speed limit). If this happens, you may experience a
slight jolt.
When the engine speed is increased while the
transmission is in
( N, (P or
(R, the fuel supply may
be cut off even without the engine speed entering
the tachometer’s red zone.
The beeper sounds once when you change to
( R.
Gear Position Indicator
Tachometer’s red zone
Press the
(P button.
Pull back the
(R button.
Press the
( N button.
Press the ( D button.
Shift Button
Indicator
M (sequential mode) Indicator
Sequential Mode
Gear Selection
Indicator
Models without
full color display

Continued
333
uuWhen Driving uShifting
Driving
In freezing or sub-freezing conditions, the electronic gear selector response may be
slow.
Always depress the brake pedal before changing the gear position to
(P
, and
confirm that
(P
is shown on the gear position indicator before releasing the brake.
■When opening the driver’s door
If you open the driver’s door under the following conditions, the gear position
automatically changes to
(P
.
• The vehicle is stationary with the engine running, or moving at 1 mph (2 km/h) or
slower.
• The transmission is in other than
(P
.
• You have unfastened the driver side seat belt.
u If you manually change the gear position from
(P
with the brake pedal
depressed, the gear position will automatically return to
(P
once you release
the brake pedal.
■When turning off the power mode
If you turn the engine off while the vehicle is stationary, and the transmission is in
other than
(P
, the gear position automatically changes to
(P
.
1 When opening the driver’s door
You should always select
(P before opening the
driver’s door.
Make sure to park the vehicle in a safe place. 2 When Stopped P. 411
If you want to drive the vehicle after the gear position
has automatically changed to ( P under the described
conditions, close the door, fasten the seat belt,
depress the brake pedal, then change the gear
position.
If you leave the vehicle, turn off the engine and lock
the doors.

334
uuWhen Driving uShifting
Driving
■If you want to keep the transmission in
(N
position [car wash mode]
With the engine running:
1. Press and hold the brake pedal.
2. Select
(N
.
3. With in five seconds, press the ENGINE START/STOP button.
The power mode changes to ACCESSORY. u This puts the vehicle in car wash mode which must be used when your vehicle
is pulled through a conveyor type automatic car wash where you or an
attendant do not remain in the vehicle.
u The gear position remains in
(N
with the power mode in ACCESSORY for 15
minutes, then, it automatically changes to
(P
and the power mode changes to
OFF.
Manually changing to
(P
cancels ACCESSORY mode. The
(P
indicator comes on
and the power mode changes to OFF.

335
uuWhen Driving uShifting
Continued
Driving
■Restriction on selecting a gear position
You cannot select a gear position under certain circumstances that may lead to unexpected crashes or damage.1. When the
transmission is in:
1. Under the circumstances
of that:
2. You cannot select:
3. The gear position
remains in/changes to:
How to change the
gear position
(P
The brake pedal is not
depressed.
Other gear position
(P
Release the accelerator
pedal and depress the
brake pedal.
The accelerator pedal is
depressed.
(N
The vehicle is moving at low
speed without the brake pedal
depressed.
(N
The vehicle is moving at low
speed with the accelerator
pedal depressed.
(N
or
(D
The vehicle is moving forward.
(R
Stop your vehicle in a
safe place, depress the
brake pedal, and select
the appropriate gear
position.
(R
or
(N
The vehicle is moving backward.
(D
(R
, (N
, or
(D
The vehicle is moving.
You cannot press the
(P

button.