2017 Acura TLX Owner's Guide

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S AFETY
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Important Facts About Your Airbags
Always wear your seat belt properly, and sit upright and as far back from the
steering wheel as possible while allowing full control of the vehicle. A front
passenger should move their seat as far back from the dashboard as possible.
Do not place hard or sharp objects between yourself and a front airbag.
Carrying hard or sharp objects on your lap, or driving with a pipe or other sharp
object in your mouth, can result in injuries if your front airbag inflates.
Do not attach or place objects on the front and driver’s knee airbag covers.
Objects on the covers marked SRS AIRBAG could interfere with the proper
operation of the airbags or be propelled inside the vehicle and hurt someone if
the airbags inflate.
Do not attach accessories on or near the side airbags. They can interfere with
the proper operation of the airbags, or hurt someone if an airbag inflates.
Do not attach any objects to the side windows or roof pillars. They can
interfere with the proper operation of the side curtain airbags.
Do not cover or replace the front seat-back covers. This can prevent your side
airbags from properly deploying during a side impact.
Ignoring the SRS indicator can result in serious injury or death if the airbag
systems or tensioners do not work properly.
Have your vehicle checked by a dealer as soon as possible if the SRS indicator
alerts you to a possible problem.
WARNING
Passenger Airbag Off indicator
The indicator comes on to alert you that the front
passenger’s front airbag has been turned off. This
occurs when the front passenger’s weight sensors
detect 65 lbs (29 kg) or less, the weight of an infant
or small child, on the seat.
Infants and small children should always ride
properly restrained in a back seat.
Objects placed on the seat can also cause the indicator to come on.
If the front passenger’s seat is empty, the passenger’s front airbag will not deploy
and the indicator will not come on.
If the indicator comes on with no occupant or objects in the front passenger’s
seat, something may be interfering with the weight sensors, such as:
•

An object
hanging on the seat or in the seat-back pocket.
•

A
child seat or other object pressing against the rear of the seat-back.
•

A r
ear passenger pushing or pulling on the back of the front passenger’s seat.
•

The
front seat or seat-back is forced against an object on the seat or floor
behind it.
•

An
object placed under the front passenger’s seat.
If none of these conditions exist, have your vehicle checked by a dealer as soon as
possible.
The passenger airbag off indicator may go on and off repeatedly if the total
weight on the seat is near the airbag cutoff threshold.
U.S. Canada
Airbag System Indicators
If a problem occurs in the airbag system, the SRS
indicator will come on and a message appears on
the multi-information display.
SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) indicator
If the indicator comes on at any other time besides
vehicle start-up, or does not come on at all, have
the system checked by a dealer as soon as possible.
If you don’t, your airbags and seat belt tensioners
may not work properly when they are needed. An open glove box can cause serious injury to your passenger in a crash, even
if the passenger is wearing the seat belt.
Always keep the glove box closed while driving.
WARNING
Model w/o
navigation Model w/
navigation

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Airbag System Components
1 Two SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) front airbags. The driver’s airbag
is stored in the center of the steering wheel; the front passenger’s airbag is
stored in the dashboard. Both are marked SRS AIRBAG.
2 Driver’s knee airbag. The knee airbag is stored under the steering column. It is marked SRS AIRBAG.
3 Two side airbags, one for the driver and one for the front passenger. The airbags are stored in the outer edges of the seat-backs. Both are marked
SIDE AIRBAG.
4 Two side curtain airbags, one for each side of the vehicle. The airbags are stored in the ceiling, above the side windows. The front and rear pillars are
marked SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG.
5 An electronic control unit that continually monitors information about the about the various impact sensors, seat and buckle sensors, rollover sensor,
airbag activators, and seat belt tensioners and other vehicle information
when the vehicle is on.
6 Automatic front seat belt tensioners. The driver’s and front passenger’s seat belts incorporate sensors that detect whether or not they are fastened.
On

models with CMBS
TM, the front seat belt tensioners also include the
e-pretensioners.
7 A driver’s seat position sensor. If the seat is too far forward, the airbag will inflate with less force.
8 Weight sensors in the front passenger’s seat. The front passenger’s airbag will be turned off if the weight on the seat is about 65 lbs (29 kg) or less
(the weight of an infant or small child).
Airbag Care
You do not need to, and should not, perform any maintenance on or replace
any airbag system components yourself. However, you should have your vehicle
inspected by a dealer in the following situations:
When the airbags have deployed
If an airbag has inflated, the control unit and other related parts must be
replaced. Similarly, once an automatic seat belt tensioner has been activated, it
must be replaced.
When the vehicle has been in a moderate-to-severe collision
Even if the airbags did not inflate, have your dealer inspect the following: the
driver’s seat position sensor, weight sensors in the passenger’s seat, front seat
belt tensioners, and each seat belt that was worn during the crash.
Do not remove or modify a front seat without first consulting a dealer
This would likely disable or affect the driver’s seat position sensor or the weight
sensors in the passenger’s seat. If it is necessary to remove or modify a front seat
to accommodate a person with disabilities, contact an Acura dealer. For U.S.
vehicles, call Acura Client Relations at (800) 382-2238. For Canadian vehicles,
call Acura Client Services at (888) 922-8729.
99 99
911 9194 98 93 94
96
91 910
9129
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9
9
99 9
6 9
9
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7
93 9
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913 9
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9 Impact sensors that can detect a moderate-to-severe front or side impact.
10 An indicator on the dashboard that alerts you that the front passenger’s front
airbag has been turned off.
11 An indicator on the instrument panel that alerts you to a possible problem with the airbag system or seat belt tensioners.
12 Safing sensor
13 A rollover sensor that detects whether the vehicle is about to roll over.

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Child Safety
Each year, many children are injured or killed in vehicle crashes because they are
either unrestrained or not properly restrained. In fact, vehicle collisions are the
number one cause of death of children ages 12 and under.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Transport Canada
recommend that all children ages 12 and under be properly restrained in a rear seat.
Some states or provinces/territories have laws restricting where children may ride.
To reduce the number of child deaths and injuries, every state, Canadian province,
and territory requires that infants and children be properly restrained when they
ride in a vehicle.
Protecting Child Passengers – Important Considerations
•
An inflating
front or side airbag can injure or kill a child sitting in the front seat.
•

A child in
the front seat is more likely to interfere with the driver’s ability to
safely control the vehicle.
•

Statistics show
that children of all sizes and ages are safer when they are
properly restrained in a rear seat.
•

An
y child who is too small to wear a seat belt correctly must be restrained in an
approved child seat that is properly secured to the vehicle using either the lap
belt portion of the lap/shoulder belt or the lower anchors of the LATCH system.
•

Nev
er hold a child on your lap because it is impossible to protect them in the
event of a collision.
•

Nev
er put a seat belt over yourself and a child. During a crash, the belt would
likely press deep into the child and cause serious or fatal injuries.
•

Nev
er let two children use the same seat belt. Both children could be very
seriously injured in a crash.
•

Do
not allow children to operate the doors, windows, or seat adjustments.
•

Do not leav
e children in the vehicle unattended, especially in hot weather
when the inside of the vehicle can get hot enough to kill them. They could also
activate vehicle controls, causing it to move unexpectedly.
Children who are unrestrained or improperly restrained can be seriously
injured or killed in a crash.
Any child too small for a seat belt should be properly restrained in a child
seat. A larger child should be properly restrained with a seat belt, using a
booster seat if necessary.
WARNING
Protecting Infants An infant must be properly restrained in a rear-facing, reclining child seat until
the infant reaches the seat maker’s weight or height limit for the seat, and the
infant is at least one year old. Many experts recommend use of a rear-facing seat
for a child up to two years old if the child’s height and weight are appropriate for
a rear-facing seat.
Child seats must be placed and secured in a rear
seating position. Rear-facing child seats should
never be installed in a forward-facing position.
When properly installed, a rear-facing child seat may prevent the driver or a front
passenger from moving their seat all the way back, or from locking their seat-
back in the desired position. If this occurs, we recommend that you install the
child seat directly behind the front passenger’s seat, move the seat as far forward
as needed, and leave it unoccupied. Or, you may wish to get a smaller rear-facing
child seat. Allowing a child to play with a seat belt or wrap one around their neck can
result in serious injury or death.
Instruct children not to play with any seat belt and make sure any unused
seat belt a child can reach is buckled, fully retracted, and locked.
WARNING
Placing a rear-facing child seat in the front seat can result in serious injury or
death during a crash.
Always place a rear-facing child seat in the rear seat, not the front.
WARNING

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Protecting Smaller Children
If a child is at least one year old and within the weight range indicated by the
child seat manufacturer, the child should be properly restrained in a firmly
secured forward-facing child seat.
We strongly recommend placing a forward-facing
child seat in a rear seating position.
Placing a forward-facing child seat in the front seat
can be hazardous, even with advanced front airbags
that automatically turn the passenger’s front airbag
off. A rear seat is the safest place for a child.
Placing a forward-facing child seat in the front seat can result in serious
injury or death if the front airbag inflates.
If you must place a forward-facing child seat in front, move the vehicle seat
as far back as possible, and properly restrain the child.
WARNING
Selecting a Child Seat
Most child seats are LATCH-compatible (Lower Anchors and Tethers for
CHildren). Some have a rigid-type connector, while others have a flexible-type
connector. Both are equally easy to use. Some existing and previously owned
child seats can only be installed using the seat belt. Whichever type you choose,
follow the child seat manufacturer’s use and care instructions as well as the
instructions in this guide. Proper installation is key to maximizing your child’s
safety.
In seating positions and vehicles not equipped with LATCH, a LATCH compatible
child seat can be installed using the seat belt and a top tether for added security.
This is because all child seats are required to be designed so that they can be
secured with a lap belt or the lap part of a lap/shoulder belt. In addition, the
child seat manufacturer may advise that a seat belt be used to attach a LATCH-
compatible seat once a child reaches a specified weight. Please read the child
seat owner’s manual for proper installation instructions.
Important considerations when selecting a child seat
Make sure the child seat meets the following three requirements:
•

The child seat is
the correct type and size for the child.
•

The child seat is
the correct type for the seating position.
•

The child seat is compliant
with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 or
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.
Installing a LATCH-Compatible Child Seat
A LATCH-compatible child seat can be installed in either of the two outer rear
seats. A child seat is attached to the lower anchors in the outer seats with either
the rigid or flexible type of connectors. The center seat only has an upper tether
anchorage point.
1.

Locate
the lower anchors under the marks.
2.

Place the
child seat on the vehicle seat, then
attach the child seat to the lower anchors
according to the instructions that came with
the child seat. Make sure that the lower anchors
are not obstructed by the seat belt or any other
object.
3.

Open
the tether anchor cover behind the head
restraint.
4.

Raise
the head restraint to its highest position,
then route the tether strap between the head
restraint legs, and secure the tether strap hook
onto the anchor.
5.

Tighten
the tether strap as instructed by the
child seat maker.
6.

Mak
e sure the child seat is firmly secured by
rocking it forward and back and side to side;
little movement should be felt.
7.
Mak

e sure any unused seat belt that a child
can reach is buckled, the lockable retractor is
activated, and the belt is fully retracted and
locked.
Marks
Flexible type
Lower anchors
Rigid type
Tether strap hook
Anchor

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Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt
1.
Place the
child seat on the vehicle seat.
2.

R
oute the seat belt through the child seat
according to the seat maker’s instructions, and
insert the latch plate into the buckle. Insert the
latch plate fully until it clicks.
3.

Slowl
y pull the shoulder part of the belt all the
way out until it stops. This activates the lockable
retractor.
4.

Let
the seat belt completely wind up into the
retractor, then try to pull it out to make sure
the retractor is locked. If you are able to pull the
shoulder belt out, the lockable retractor is not
activated. Pull the seat belt all the way out, and
repeat steps 3 – 4.
5.

Grab
the shoulder part of the seat belt near the
buckle, and pull up to remove any slack from the
lap part of the belt. When doing this, place your
weight on the child seat and push it into the
vehicle seat.
6.

Mak
e sure the child seat is firmly secured by
rocking it forward and back and side to side;
little movement should be felt.
7.
Mak

e sure any unused seat belt that a child
can reach is buckled, the lockable retractor is
activated, and the belt is fully retracted and
locked.
To deactivate a lockable retractor, release the buckle and allow the seat belt to
wind up all the way.
Protecting Larger Children When a child is too big for a child seat, secure the child in a rear seat using the
lap/shoulder seat belt.
Have the child sit upright and all the way back, then ensure the following:
•

The child’
s knees bend comfortably over the edge
of the seat.
•

The shoulder belt cr
osses between the child’s neck
and arm.
•

The lap part
of the seat belt is as low as possible,
touching the child’s thighs.
•

The child can stay seated
for the whole trip.
Adding Security with a Tether
A tether anchorage point is provided behind each rear seating position. If you
have a child restraint system that comes with a tether but can be installed with a
seat belt, the tether may be used for additional security.
1.

Locate
the appropriate tether anchorage point
and lift the cover.
2.

Raise
the head restraint to its highest position,
then route the tether strap through the head
restraint legs. Make sure the strap is not twisted.
3.

Secur
e the tether strap hook onto the anchor.
4.

Tighten
the tether strap as instructed by the
child seat manufacturer.
Tether
strap
hook
AnchorOuter position
Tether strap hook
AnchorCenter position
Tether anchorage points
Anchor
Cover

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Allowing a child age 12 or under to sit in the front can result in injury or
death if the passenger’s front airbag inflates.
If a larger child must ride in front, move the vehicle seat as far to the rear as
possible, have the child sit up properly and wear the seat belt properly, using
a booster seat if needed.
WARNING
Safety Label Locations
Safety labels are in the locations shown. They warn you of potential hazards that
can cause serious injury or death. Read these labels carefully.
Reporting Safety Defects
In the U.S.
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash or could
cause injury or death, you should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying American Honda Motor
Co., Inc.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and if it finds
that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in individual problems
between you, your dealer, or American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the Vehicle Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-888-
327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go to http://www.safercar.gov; or write to:
Administrator, NHTSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. You
can also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from http://www.
safercar.gov.
In Canada
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash or could
cause injury or death, you should immediately inform Honda Canada, Inc., and you
may also inform Transport Canada.
If Transport Canada receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and
if it finds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may lead to a recall
and remedy campaign. However, Transport Canada cannot become involved in
individual problems between you, your dealer, or Honda Canada, Inc.
To contact Transport Canada’s Defect Investigations and Recalls Division, you may
call 1-800-333-0510. For more information on reporting safety defects or about
motor vehicle safety, go to http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety.
If a lap/shoulder belt cannot be used properly, position the child in a booster seat
in a rear seating position. For the child’s safety, check that the child meets the
booster seat manufacturer’s recommendations.
Some U.S. states and Canadian provinces/territories require children to use a
booster seat until they reach a given age or weight (e.g., 6 years or 60 lbs). Be
sure to check current laws in the state or province/territory where you intend to
drive.
Radiator cap
Doorjambs
Sun visors
U.S. models
Canadian models
Dashboard
(U.S. models)

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I NSTRUMENT P
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ANEL
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)
There is a problem with the anti-lock brake system. Your vehicle still has
normal braking ability, but no anti-lock function.
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
There is a problem with one of the airbag systems or seat belt
tensioners*.
Electric Power Steering (EPS)
There is a problem with the electric power steering system. Stop in a
safe place and restart the engine.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
If the indicator blinks and stays on, there is a problem with the tire
pressure monitoring system.
Keyless Access system
There is a problem with the keyless access system.
Vehicle Stability Assist® (VSA®) system
There is a problem with the VSA system or hill start assist system.
Brake system
There is a problem with one of the braking systems. Avoid high speeds
and sudden braking. Your vehicle still has normal braking ability.

Blind spot information (BSI)*
There is a problem with the system, or the sensor is blocked.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow*
There is a problem with the ACC system.
Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)*
There is a problem with the LKAS.
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)*/Collision Mitigation Braking
System™ (CMBS™)*
There is a problem with the system,
the system is turned off, the
camera temperature is too high, or the camera is blocked.
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)*/Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)*
There is a problem with the system, the camera temperature is too high,
or the camera is blocked.
Electric parking brake system
There is a problem with the electric parking brake system. Stop in a safe
place and avoid using the parking brake.
Precision All-Wheel Steer™ (P-AWS®)*
There is a problem with the system. Vehicle speed may be limited to 50 mph (80 km/h) or less. Have your vehicle checked by a dealer.
Indicators briefly appear with each engine start and then go out. Red and amber
indicators are most critical. Blue and green indicators are used for general
information.
Malfunction Indicators
These are the most critical indicators. If they come on and stay lit while driving or
at any other time, there may be a problem. See your dealer if necessary.
Brake system
•

Brak
e fluid is low.
•

Ther
e is a malfunction in the brake system.
Press the brake pedal lightly to check pedal pressure. If normal, check
the brake fluid level when you stop. If abnormal, take immediate action.
If necessary, downshift the transmission to slow the vehicle using engine
braking. Have your vehicle repaired immediately.
Low oil pressure
Engine oil pressure is low. Stop in a safe place. Open the hood and check
the oil level, and add oil if necessary (see page 120). If the indicator does
not turn off, have your vehicle repaired immediately.
Malfunction indicator lamp (check engine light)
•

The emissions contr
ol system may have a problem.
•

(Blinks)
A misfire in the engine’s cylinders is detected. Stop in a safe place,
and wait for the engine to cool down.
Charging system
The battery is not charging. Turn all electrical items off, but do not turn the
vehicle off to prevent further battery discharge. Have your vehicle repaired
immediately.
Ca nada
U.S.
INSTRUMENT PANEL
Learn about the indicators, gauges, and displays related to driving the vehicle.
Ca
nada
U.S.
*if equipped

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I NSTRUMENT P
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BSI* off
ACC* on
LKAS* on
SPORT mode on ECON mode on
Automatic brake hold on
Automatic brake activated
Auto idle stop* activated
Auto idle stop* off
Ca nada
U.S.
Condition Indicators
These indicators may require you to perform an action.
Electric parking brake
Release the parking brake before driving. You will hear a beep if you drive
with it not fully released.
Seat belt reminder
Make sure seat belts are fastened for you and all passengers. The indicator
blinks and beeps sound continuously if you or your front passenger has not
fastened your seat belts when you begin driving. If the indicator remains on
after seat belts are fastened, see your dealer.
Low fuel
Refuel as soon as possible. If the indicator blinks, there is a problem with
the fuel gauge. See your dealer.
Low tire pressure
Stop in a safe place, check tire pressures, and inflate tire(s) if necessary.
System message
When a condition or malfunction indicator comes on, a message also
appears on the multi-information display. Check the display for more
information.
Immobilizer
Your remote transmitter cannot be recognized by the vehicle. If the
indicator blinks, you may not be able to start the engine. Turn the vehicle
off, and then on again. If it continues to blink, there may be a problem with
the system. See your dealer.
Canada
U.S.
On/Off Indicators
These indicators remind you when an item is on or off.
*if equipped
*if equipped
Electric parking brake
If the indicator blinks, there is a problem with the electric parking brake.
Auto idle stop*
If the indicator blinks, there is a problem with the system.
Super Handling-All Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®)*
There is a problem with the system. The engine drives only the front wheels.
If the indicator blinks, the differential temperature is too high. Stop in a safe
place, shift to Park (P), and idle until the indicator goes off.
VSA offVSA engaged (blinks)
CRUISE

MAIN on
CRUISE

CONTROL
on
Turn

signals/hazards on
Exterior lights on
Fog lights* on
High beams on
FCW*/CMBS
TM* off
U.S.
Canada