Acura 2004 TSX - Owner's Manual User Manual

2004 TSX Online Reference Owner's Manual Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through this reference. For a printed own

＊＊Your car is equipped with manyfeatures that work together toprotect you and your passengersduring a crash.Some safety features do not requireanyacti

The driver’s door armrest has amaster power window control panel.To open any of the passenger’s win-dows, push down on the appropriateswitch and hold

−The master control panel also con-tains these extra features:To open the driver’swindow fully, push the windowswitch firmly down, then release it.The

If your car’s battery is disconnectedor goes dead, or the driver’s windowfuse is removed, the AUTO functionwill be disabled. The power windowsystem ne

Turnthekeyclockwiseagain,andhold it. All four windows start toopen. To stop the windows,release the key.You can open all of the windowsfrom the outsid

To tilt up the back of the moonroof,press and hold the center button( ). To close the moonroof,press and hold the upper part of theswitch ( ). To open

Keeptheinsideandoutsidemirrorsclean and adjusted for best visibility.Be sure to adjust the mirrors beforeyou start driving.Adjust the outside mirrors

When you finish, turn theadjustment knob to the center(off) position. This turns off theadjustment knob so you can’tmove a mirror out of position byac

To apply the parking brake, pull thelever up fully. To release it, pull upslightly, push the button, and lowerthe lever. The parking brake light onthe

To open the console compartment,pull up on the right lever and lift thearmrest.You can put small items in the traylocated in the console compartmentli

Be careful when you are using thebeverage holders. A spilled liquidthat is very hot can scald you or yourpassengers. Spilled liquids can alsodamage th

In addition, most states and allCanadian provinces require you towear seat belts.When properly worn, seat belts:Help protect you in almost everytype o

To open the utility pocket, push onthe bottom of the lid. The lid willswing open automatically.To close it, push the lid down until itlatches.The comp

To use the sun visor, pull it down.You can also use the sun visor at theside window. Remove the supportrod from the clip and swing the sunvisor toward

Some larger styles of sunglassesmay not fit in the holder.To open the sunglasses holder, pushon the front edge. It will unlatch andswing down. To clos

These sockets are intended to supplypower for 12 volt DC accessoriesthat are rated 120 watts or less (10amps).They will not power an automotivetype ci

The courtesy light between thespotlights comes on when you turnthe parking lights on. To adjust itsbrightness, turn the Select/Resetknob on the instru

112Main Menu

...Climate Control System . 114...Fully-automatic Operation . 115...Semi-automatic Operation . 116...Fully-automatic Operation

Thesideventscanbeopenedandclosed with the dials underneaththem.The automatic climate controlsystem in your Acura picks theproper combination of air co

▲▼Pressing the OFF button shuts theclimate control system completelyoff. Keep the system completely offonly for short periods. To keep staleair and mu

Press the A/C button to turn the airconditioningonandoff.YouwillseeA/C ON or A/C OFF in the display.You can manually select variousfunctions of the Cl

Of course, seat belts cannotcompletely protect you in everycrash.Butinmostcases,seatbeltscan reduce your risk of seriousinjury.Always wearyour seat be

▲▼ Use the MODE button to select thevents the air flows from. Some airwill flow from the dashboard cornervents in all modes; you can turn it offwith t

The main air flow is dividedbetween the dashboard vents andthe floor vents.The main air flow comesfrom the floor vents.The main air flow comesfrom the

This button turns the rear windowdefogger on and off (see page ).When you turn off bypressing the button again, thesystem returns to its former settin

▲▼▲▼Your car is equipped with twotemperature control bars, one for thedriver, and one for the passenger.Thedriver’ssideandthepassenger’sside can be co

▲▼To put the Automatic ClimateControl in fully-automatic mode,press the AUTO button. Theindicator in the button will light.Then set the desired temper

Pressing the OFF button shuts theclimate control system completelyoff. No air flow can cause thewindows to fog up. It isrecommended that you keep the

Touching ‘‘ON’’ or ‘‘OFF’’ in thedisplay turns the air conditioning onandoff.YouwillseeA/CONorA/COFF in the display.When you turn the A/C off, the sys

Use the MODE icons in the A/Cdisplay to select the vents the airflows from. Some air will flow fromthe dashboard corner vents and theside vents in all

You can manually select the fanspeed by touching any of the fancontrol icons on the display.This button controls the source of airgoing into the syste

The button directs the mainair flow to the windshield for fasterdefrosting. It also overrides anyMODE selection you may have made.When you select , th

Your car’s seats are designed to keepyou in a comfortable, uprightposition so you can take fulladvantage of the protection offeredby seat belts and th

▲▼▲▼▲▼When you set the temperature to itslower limit or its upper limit, it will bedisplayed as ‘‘ ’’ or ‘‘ ’’.To set the driver’s side temperatureto

Theclimatecontrolsystemhastwosensors. A sunlight sensor is locatedin the top of the dashboard and atemperature sensor is next to thesteering column. D

Your Acura’s audio system providesclear reception on both AM and FMbands, while the preset buttons allowyou to easily select your favoritestations.The

−−The band and frequency that theradio was last tuned to is displayed.To change bands, press the AM/FMbutton. On the FM band, ST will bedisplayed if t

−−To store a frequency:UsetheTUNE,SEEK,orSCANfunction to tune the radio to adesired station.You can store thefrequencies of your favorite radiostation

− If you aretraveling far from home and can nolonger receive the stations youpreset, you can use the Auto Selectfeature to find stations in the locala

If you do not like the stations AutoSelect has stored, you can storeother frequencies in the presetbuttons. Use the TUNE, SEEK, orSCAN function to fin

−−These twomodes adjust the strength of thesound coming from each speaker.BAL adjusts the side-to-side strength,while FAD adjusts the front-to-backstr

For example:1:06 would RESET to 1:00.1:52 would RESET to 2:00.If your car’s battery is disconnectedor goes dead, the time setting will belost. To set

Load and play only standard rounddiscs. Odd-shaped CDs may jam inthe drive or cause other problems.You cannot load and play 3-inch(8-cm)discsinthissys

Frontseatoccupantsaresittingupright and as far back as possiblefrom the steering wheel anddashboard (see page ).Seat-backs are upright (see page).Head

To load a single CD:Press and release the LOADbutton.The system will load the CD, andbegin playing it.The disc number for an emptyposition starts to b

If you press the LOAD button whilea CD is playing, the system will stopplaying that CD and start the loadingsequence. It will then play the CDjust loa

−−When that disc ends, the next disc inthe CD changer is loaded and played.After the last disc finishes, thesystem returns to disc one.Each time you p

To take the system out of CD mode,press the AM/FM button. Each timeyou press the AM/FM button, thesystem will change to the next mode;FM1, FM2, or AM.

To remove the disc that is currentlyplaying, press the eject button. Youwill see ‘‘EJEC’’ in the display. Whenyou remove the disc from the slot,the sy

For information on how to handleand protect compact discs, see page.In any mode, if you press the ejectbutton and hold it until you hear abeep, the sy

If you see an error indication in thedisplay while operating the CDchanger, find the cause in the chartto the right. If you cannot clear theerror indi

＊＊The cassette system features Dolbynoise reduction, automatic sensing ofchromium-dioxide (CrO ) tape, andauto-reverse for continuous play.To operate

▲If you turn the system off while atape is playing, either with the PWR/VOL knob or by turning off theignition, the cassette will remain inthe drive.

−−With a cassette playing, you can usethe FF, REW, SKIP, or REPEATfunction to find a desired program.The Skip function allowsyoutofindthebeginningofas

For security, locked doors canprevent an outsider fromunexpectedly opening a door whenyou come to a stop.Your car has a door monitor light onthe instr

− The Repeat functioncontinuously replays the currentsong or passage. Press the RPTbutton to activate it; you will see RPTdisplayed as a reminder. Whe

The in-dash CD changer holds up tosix discs. You operate the CDchanger with the same controls usedfor the radio. See page for CDchanger operation.The

−−−The ignition switch must be inACCESSORY (I) or ON (II) tooperate the audio system. Turn thesystem on by pressing the PWR/VOL knob, the AM/FM button

− −−You can store thefrequencies of your favorite radiostations in the six preset icons. Eachicon will store one frequency on theAM band, and two freq

If you are in a remote area, AutoSelect may not find six strong AMstations or twelve strong FM stations.If this happens, you will not see astation num

−−These twomodes adjust the strength of thesound coming from each speaker.Left and Right icons adjust the side-to-side strength, while Front andRear i

If you want to adjust the sound whilethe radio/CD is playing, push theAUDIO DISPLAY button, then touchthe SOUND icon in the display.To return to the p

Those bands cover these frequen-cies:AM band:530 to 1,710 kilohertzFM band:87.7 to 107.9 megahertzRadio stations on the AM band areassigned frequencie

Radio signals, especially on the FMband, are deflected by large objectssuch as buildings and hills. Yourradio then receives both the directsignal from

To load CDs or operate the CDchanger, the ignition switch must bein ACCESSORY (I) or ON (II).Load and play only standard rounddiscs. Odd-shaped CDs ma

Any driver who sits too close to thesteering wheel is at risk of beingseriously injured or killed by strikingthe steering wheel or from beingstruck by

To load multiple CDs in oneoperation:Repeat this until all six positionsare loaded. The system will thenbegin playing the last CD loaded.To load a sin

−If you press the LOAD button whilea CD is playing, the system will stopplaying that CD and start the loadingsequence. It will then play the CDjust lo

−▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼Select the CD changer by pressingthe CD/AUX button. You will see‘‘CD’’ in the upper display. Thesystem will begin playing the lastselected di

When you touch the TRACK RPTicon on the audio display, the systemcontinuously replays the currenttrack. As a reminder, you will seeTRACK REPEAT in the

To take the system out of CD mode,press the AM/FM button. Each timeyou press the AM/FM button, thesystem changes to the next mode(AM, FM1, or FM2). Wh

To remove the disc that is currentlyplaying, press the eject button. Youwill see ‘‘EJEC’’ in the upper display.When you remove the disc from theslot,

If you press the eject button whilelistening to the radio, or with theaudio system turned off, the discthat was last selected is ejected.After that di

If you see an error indication in theupper display while operating the CDchanger, find the cause in the chartto the right. If you cannot clear theerro

A new CD may be rough on theinner and outer edges. The smallplastic pieces causing this roughnesscan flake off and fall on the re-cording surface of t

＊＊The cassette system features Dolbynoise reduction, automatic sensing ofchromium-dioxide (CrO ) tape, andauto-reverse for continuous play.To operate

A front passenger should also adjustthe seat-back to an upright position,but as far from the dashboard aspossible. A passenger who sits tooclose to th

▲Noise reduction remains off until youturn it on by pressing the icon again.When the system reaches the end ofthe tape, it will automatically reversed

−▲▼▲▼−▲▼With a cassette playing, you can usethe FF, REW, SKIP, or REPEATfunction to find a desired song orpassage.Fast Forward and Re-wind move the ta

− The Repeat functioncontinuously replays the currentsong or passage. Press the AUDIODISPLAY button to change to theaudio display, then touch the RPTi

If you do not clean the cassetteplayer regularly, it may eventuallybecome impossible to remove thecontamination with a normalcleaning kit.Use 100-minu

▲▼＋−＋−＋−The VOL button adjusts the volumeup ( ) or down ( ). Press the topor bottom of the button and hold ituntil the desired volume is reached,then

When all the digits in the code areentered correctly, the radio will startplaying.Youshouldhavereceivedacardthatlists your audio system’s codenumber a

Do not attempt to alter this systemor add other devices to it.Once the security system is set,opening any door (without using thekey or the remote tra

Accelerate to the desired cruisingspeedabove25mph(40km/h).Push in the Cruise Control MasterButtononthesteeringwheel.TheCRUISE MAIN light on theinstrum

You can increase the set cruisingspeed in any of these ways:Press and hold the RES/ACCELbutton. The car will accelerate.When you reach the desiredcrui

Push the CANCEL button on thesteering wheel.Tap the brake or clutch pedal.Youcancancelthecruisecontrolinany of these ways:When you push the CANCEL but

Before driving, make sure everyonewith an adjustable head restraint hasproperly positioned the headrestraint. The restraint should bepositioned so the

If your garage door opener wasmanufactured before April 1982, youmay not be able to programHomeLink to operate it. Garage dooropeners manufactured bef

−If you are training the second orthird buttons, go directly to Step 1.Unplug the garage door openermotor from the house current.Before you can use Ho

For security purposes, newer garagedoor opening systems use a ‘‘rolling’’or variable code. Information fromthe remote control and the garagedoor opene

−−Itmaybehelpfultohavesomeoneassist you with this procedure.Find the ‘‘Training’’ button on yourgarage door opener unit. Thelocation will vary, depend

As required by the FCC:This device complies with Part 15 of theFCC rules. Operation is subject to thefollowing two conditions: (1) This devicemay not

182Main Menu

Before you begin driving your Acura,youshouldknowwhatgasolinetouse, and how to check the levels ofimportant fluids. You also need toknow how to proper

During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapidacceleration.We recommend gasolines containingdetergent additives that help preventfuel system

Push the fuel fill door closed untilit latches.Remove the fuel fill cap slowly.You may hear a hissing sound aspressure inside the tank escapes.The fue

Shift to Park or Neutral and setthe parking brake. Pull the hoodrelease handle located under thelower left corner of the dashboard.The hood will pop u

Position the lap part of the belt aslow as possible across your hips,then pull up on the shoulder part ofthe belt so the lap part fits snugly.This let

CONTINUEDTo close the hood, lift it up slightly toremove the support rod from thehole. Put the support rod back intoits holding clip. Lower the hood t

Remove the dipstick again andcheck the level. It should bebetween the upper and lowermarks.If it is near or below the lower mark,see on page .Insert i

Look at the coolant level in theradiator reserve tank. Make sure it isbetween the MAX and MIN lines. Ifit is below the MIN line, seeon page forinforma

A cold engine uses more fuel than awarm engine. It is not necessary to‘‘warm-up’’ a cold engine by letting itidle for a long time. You can driveaway i

Be sure electronic accessories donot overload electrical circuits(see page ).If possible, have your dealer inspectthe final installation.Before instal

If a side airbagor a side curtain airbag inflates, acupholderorotherhardobjectattached on or near the door couldbe propelled inside the car andhurt so

Your car has several convenientstorage areas so you can stow cargosafely.The glove box, and the pockets inthe doors and seat-backs, aredesigned for sm

×−If your vehicle will be towing atrailer, load from your trailer willbe transferred to your vehicle.Consult this manual to determinehow this reduces

There are hooks on the floor andsides of the trunk. They can be usedto install a net for securing items.Distribute cargo evenly on thefloor of the tru

196Main Menu

The information and specifications includedin this publication were in effect at the timeof approval for printing. Honda Motor Co.,Ltd. reserves the r

To adjust the height of a front seatbelt anchor, squeeze the two releasebuttons and slide the anchor up ordown as needed (it has fourpositions).See pa

This section gives you tips onstarting the engine under variousconditions, and how to operate themanual and automatic transmissions.It also includes i

Make sure all windows, mirrors,and outside lights are clean andunobstructed. Remove frost, snow,or ice.Check that the hood and trunk arefully closed.C

Push the clutch pedal down all theway. START (III) does notfunction unless the clutch pedal isdepressed.Apply the parking brake.In cold weather, turn

Use the following procedure:Turn off all electrical accessoriesto reduce the drain on the battery.Push the accelerator pedal half-way to the floor and

Come to a full stop before you shiftinto Reverse. You can damage thetransmission by trying to shift intoReverse with the car moving. Pushdown the clut

Drive in the highest gear that letsthe engine run and acceleratesmoothly. This will give you the bestfuel economy and effective emis-sions control. Th

The 6-speed manual transmissionhas an electric lockout so you cannotaccidentally shift from Fifth toReverse instead of Sixth while thecar is moving. I

Your Acura’s transmission has fiveforward speeds, and is electronicallycontrolled for smoother shifting. Italso has a ‘‘lock-up’’ torque converterforb

−If you have done all of the above andstill cannot move the lever out ofPark, see Shift Lock Release on page.To avoid transmission damage, cometo a co

−−−−−−To shift to Reversefrom Park, see the explanation underPark. To shift to Reverse fromNeutral, come to a complete stop andthen shift.Your car has

Adjust the steering wheel, if needed,so that the wheel points toward yourchest, not toward your face.Pointing the steering wheel towardyour chest prov

−＋−To enter the Sequential SportShiftMode, move the shift lever further tothe driver’s side. To return to ‘‘D’’,move the shift lever to thepassenger’s

→→→−−→−−→−−→→→→The car speeds drops below5 4:33mph(52km/h)4 3:20mph(32km/h)The transmission will also shiftautomatically as the car comes to acomplete

→→→→If you exceed the maximum speedfor the gear you are in, the enginespeed will enter into the tachometer’sred zone. If this occurs, you may feelthe

Set the Parking brake.Make sure the key is in theignition switch LOCK (0) position.Push down on the key while youmove the shift lever out of Park toNe

−Make sure the parking brake is fullyreleased before driving away.Driving with the parking brakepartially set can overheat or damagethe rear brakes.Al

Put your foot on the brake pedal onlywhen you intend to brake. Restingyour foot on the pedal keeps thebrakes applied lightly, causing themto build up

this defeats thepurpose of the ABS. Let the ABSwork for you by always keeping firm,steady pressure on the brake pedalas you steer away from the hazard

such as trying to take acorner too fast or making a suddenlane change. Always drive at a safe,prudent speed for the road andweather conditions.Always

If the ABS indicator and the brakesystem indicator come on together,and the parking brake is fullyreleased, the front-to-rear brakingdistribution syst

The Vehicle Stability Assist systemhelps to stabilize the car duringcornering if the car turns more orless than desired. It also assists youin maintai

Each time you have a check-up, askyour doctor if it’s okay for you todrive.Remember to keep the lap portion ofthe belt as low as possible acrossyour h

The VSA system indicator (see page) comes on and stays on whenthere is a problem with the VSAsystem. The VSA Activationindicator will also come on.The

VSA is turned on every time youstart the engine, even if you turned itoff the last time you drove the car.Driving with varying tire or wheelsizes may

−CONTINUEDRain, fog, and snow conditionsrequire a different driving techniquebecause of reduced traction andvisibility. Keep your car well-maintained

−−Being able to seeclearly in all directions and beingvisible to other drivers are importantin all weather conditions. This ismore difficult in bad we

The weight thatthe tongue of a fully-loaded trailerputs on the hitch should beapproximately 10 percent of thetrailer weight. Too little tongueload can

To achieve a proper tongue load,start by loading 60 percent of theload toward the front of the trailerand 40 percent toward the rear, thenre-adjust th

Discuss your needs with your trailersales or rental agency, and follow theguidelines in the rest of this section.Also make sure that all equipment isp

All states and Canadian provincesrequire some type of trailer lights.Check requirements for the areaswhere you plan to tow.You can get an optional tra

Many states and Canadian provincesrequire special outside mirrors whentowing a trailer. Even if they don’t,you should install special mirrors ifyou ca

The added weight, length, andheight of a trailer will affect your car’shandling and performance, sodriving with a trailer requires somespecial driving

If they do, theycould be very seriously injured in acrash.Devices intended to improveoccupant comfort or reposition theshoulder part of a seat belt ca

Maketurnsmoreslowlyandwiderthan normal. The trailer tracks asmaller arc than your car, and it canhit or run over something the carmisses. Allow more t

228Main Menu

This section also includesMaintenance Schedules for normaldriving and severe driving conditions,a Maintenance Record, and instruc-tions for simple mai

Some of the most important safetyprecautions are given here. However,we cannot warn you of everyconceivable hazard that can arise inperforming mainten

Be surethere is adequate ventilationwhenever you operate the engine.Let theengine and exhaust system coolbefore touching any parts.Donot run the engin

−The Maintenance Schedule specifieshow often you should have your carserviced and what things needattention. It is essential that you haveyour car ser

−＃U.S. Cars:Trailer towing, driving with a roofrack, or driving in mountainousconditions.Driving on muddy, dusty, ordeiced roads.Follow theMaintenance

−＃＊＊＃＃Maintenance234Visually inspect the following items:Service at the indicated distanceor time whichever comes first.miles x 1,000km x 1,000months1

−−□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□＃＃♯CONTINUEDMaintenance235A, B, C, D, EU.S. OwnersCanadian OwnersABCDEService at the indicated distance or time, whichever

−＃＊＊＃＃Maintenance236Visually inspect the following items:miles x 1,000km x 1,000months1016203230484064508060967011280128901441001601101761201921302081

(See page.)Children depend on adults to protectthem. However, despite their bestintentions, many parents and otheradults may not know how toprotect yo

−−□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□＃＃＊＊＃Maintenance237A, B, C, D, E, F, G, HU.S. OwnersCanadian OwnersABCDEFGHService at the indicated distance or time, whic

□□□□□□Maintenance238Replace automatic transmission fluid.Replace engine coolant.Do item in A.Do items in A, B.Do items in A, C.DoitemsinA,B,D.Do item

CONTINUEDMaintenanceRequired Maintenance Record (for Normal and Severe Schedules)2395,000 mi10,000 mi15,000 mi20,000 mi25,000 mi30,000 mi35,000 mi40,0

MaintenanceRequired Maintenance Record (for Normal and Severe Schedules)24065,000 mi70,000 mi75,000 mi80,000 mi85,000 mi90,000 mi95,000 mi100,000 mi10

MaintenanceRequired Maintenance Record (for Normal and Severe Schedules)241125,000 mi130,000 mi135,000 mi140,000 mi145,000 mi150,000 mi155,000 mi160,0

−−−−−−−Youshouldcheckthefollowingitems at the specified intervals. Ifyou are unsure of how to performany check, turn to the page given.Engine oil leve

Fluid LocationsMaintenance243RADIATOR CAPCLUTCH FLUID(ManualTransmission only)(Light gray cap)AUTOMATICTRANSMISSIONFLUID DIPSTICK(Yellow loop)COOLANTR

To add oil, unscrew and remove theengine oil fill cap on top of the valvecover. Pour in the oil, and install theengine oil fill cap. Tighten it secure

Make sure the API Certification Sealsays ‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’ You may use a synthetic motor oil ifit meets the same requirementsgiven for a conve

Run the engine until it reachesnormal operating temperature,then shut it off.Changing the oil and filter requiresspecial tools and access fromundernea

If you are not wearing aseat belt in a crash, you could bethrown forward into thedashboard and crush the child.During acrash, the belt could press dee

CONTINUEDOpen the hood and remove theengine oil fill cap.Remove the oil drain bolt andwasher from the bottom of theengine. Drain the oil into anapprop

Put a new washer on the drain bolt,then reinstall the drain bolt.Tighten it to:Refill the engine with the recom-mended oil.Engine oil change capacity(

CONTINUEDAlways use Honda All SeasonAntifreeze/Coolant Type 2. Thiscoolant is pre-mixed with 50 percentantifreeze and 50 percent water. Itdoes not req

Turn the radiator cap counter-clockwise, without pressing downon it, until it stops. This relievesany pressure remaining in thecooling system.Make sur

CONTINUEDThecoolingsystemshouldbecompletely drained and refilled withnew coolant according to the timeand distance recommendations inthe maintenance s

Loosen the drain plug on thebottom of the radiator. Thecoolant will drain through thesplash guard. Drain the coolantinto an appropriate container.Remo

CONTINUEDPour Honda All SeasonAntifreeze/Coolant Type 2 intothe radiator up to the base of thefiller neck. This coolant is amixture of 50 percent anti

Remove the radiator cap. Pourcoolant into the radiator up to thebase of the filler neck and into thereserve tank up to the MAX mark.Start the engine a

Check the level in the windshieldwasher reservoir at least monthlyduring normal usage. In bad weather,when you use the washers often,check the level e

Check the fluid level with the engineat normal operating temperature.Park the car on level ground. Shutoff the engine.Remove the dipstick (yellow loop

To remind you of the passenger’sfront airbag hazards, and thatchildren must be properly restrainedin the back seat, your car haswarninglabelsonthedash

To thoroughly flush the transmission,the technician should drain and refillit with Honda ATF-Z1, then drive thevehicle a short distance. Do thisthree

Pour the fluid to the filler hole slowlyand carefully so you do not spill.Clean up any spills immediately.Spilled fluid could damagecomponents in the

The fluid level should be betweentheMINandMAXmarksonthesideof the reservoir. If the level is at orbelow the MIN mark, your brakesystem needs attention

The fluid level should be betweentheMINandMAXmarksonthesideof the reservoir. If it is not, addbrake fluid to bring it up to that level.Use the same fl

Place the new air cleaner elementin the air cleaner housing.Loosen the four bolts, and removethe air cleaner housing cover.Remove the old air cleanere

The spark plugs in your car are aspecial iridium-tipped design forlonger life. The spark plugs shouldbe replaced according to the distancerecommendati

Clean up any dirt and oil that havecollected around the ignition coils.Use a wrench to remove the boltholding the ignition coil. Pull theignition coil

Install the ignition coil into thehole.Connect the wire connector to theignition coil. Make sure it locks inplace.Push the ignition coil down all thew

Check the battery condition bylooking at the test indicator windowon the battery. The label on thebattery explains the test indicator’scolors.Check th

−If the terminals are severely cor-roded, clean them with baking sodaand water. Then use a wrench toloosen and remove the cables fromthe terminals. Al

To remind you of the front airbaghazards, your car has warning labelson the driver’s and front passenger’svisors. Please read and follow theinstructio

Check the condition of the wiperblades at least every six months.Look for signs of cracking in therubber, or areas that are gettinghard. Replace the b

Remove the blade from its holderby grasping the tabbed end of theblade. Pull firmly until the tabscome out of the holder.Examine the new wiper blades.

Run the air conditioning at least oncea week during the cold weathermonths. Run it for at least tenminutes while you are driving at asteady speed with

The dust and pollen filter removespollen and dust that is brought infrom the outside through the heatingandcoolingsystem.To replace it:Push the stop o

Pushinthetabsonthecornersofthe dust and pollen filter case. Pullout the case.Remove the filter from the case.Install the new filter in the case.Make s

If the pointer is out of this range oryou see signs of wear, have the drivebelt replaced by your Acura dealer assoon as possible.Check the condition o

Use a gauge to measure the airpressure at least once a month. Eventires that are in good condition maylose one to two psi (10 to 20 kPa, 0.1to 0.2 kgf

The following chart shows therecommended cold tire pressures formost normal driving conditions andspeeds. Tire pressures for highspeed driving are the

Every time you check inflation, youshould also examine the tires fordamage, foreign objects, and wear.Youshouldlookfor:Bumps or bulges in the tread or

When shopping for replacementtires, you may find that some tiresare ‘‘directional.’’ This means theyare designed to rotate only in onedirection. If yo

Many parents say they prefer to putan infant or small child in the frontpassenger seat so they can watch thechild, or because the child requiresattent

It is best to replace all four tires atthesametime.Ifthatisnotpossibleor necessary, then replace the twofront tires or the two rear tires as apair. Re

＋Tires that are marked ‘‘M S’’ or‘‘All Season’’ on the sidewall have anall-weather tread design. Theyshould be suitable for most winterdriving conditi

If you ever hear the chainscontacting the body or chassis, stopand investigate. If the chains haveloosened, retighten them. Make surethey do not conta

Check the operation of your car’sexterior lights at least once a month.A burned out bulb can create anunsafe condition by reducing yourcar’s visibilit

Check the following:Headlights (low and high beam)Parking lightsTaillightsBrake lightsHigh-mount brake lightTurn signalsBack-up lightsHazard light fun

The low beam headlight bulbs are atype of high voltage discharge tube.High voltage can remain in thecircuit even with the light switch offand the key

CONTINUEDOpen the hood. If you need tochange a bulb on the driver’s side,undo the three fasteners andremove the air intake cover.Remove the electrical

Pull the bulb straight out of itssocket.Push the new bulb straight intothe socket until it bottoms.Insert the socket back into theheadlight assembly.

Pull the inner fender cover back.Pull the bulb straight out of itssocket.Push the new bulb straight intothe socket until it bottoms.Use a flat-tipped

Pull the bulb straight out of itssocket.Insert the socket back into theheadlight assembly. Turn itclockwise to lock it in place.Push the new bulb stra

The following pages give generalguidelines for selecting and installingchild seats for infants and smallchildren.To provide proper protection, a child

Reinstall the socket into the lightassembly by turning it clockwiseuntil it locks.Install the light assembly cover.Make sure it snaps into place.To re

Remove the socket by turning itone-quarter turn counterclockwise.Pull the bulb straight out of itssocket. Push the new bulb in untilit bottoms in the

Open the trunk and remove thesocket from the light assembly byturning it one-quarter turn counter-clockwise.Remove the burned-out bulb bypulling it st

Removethelensbycarefullyprying on the edge of the lens witha fingernail file or a small flat-tipscrewdriver. Do not pry on theedge of the housing arou

LightsMaintenance291BULBDOOR COURTESY LIGHTBULBVANITY MIRROR LIGHTMain MenuTable of Contents

Pull the bulb straight out of theholder. Push the new bulb straightinto the holder until it bottoms.Put the light assembly back intothe hole, left sid

Block the rear wheels.Fill the fuel tank.Wash and dry the exteriorcompletely.Cleantheinterior.Makesurethecarpeting, floor mats, etc. arecompletely dry

294Main Menu

Regular cleaning and polishing ofyour Acura helps to keep it ‘‘new’’looking. This section gives you hintson how to clean your car andpreserve its appe

When you have washed and rinsedthe whole exterior, dry it with achamois or soft towel. Letting itair-dry will cause dulling and waterspots.Fill a buck

California Proposition 65 WarningThis product contains or emits chemicals known to the State ofCalifornia to cause cancer and birth defects or other r

A child who is toolarge for a rear-facing child seat, andwho can sit up without support,should be restrained in a forward-facing child seat. See page

−−Always wash and dry the whole carbefore waxing it. You should waxyour car, including the metal trim,whenever water sits on the surfacein large patch

Vacuum the carpeting frequently toremove dirt. Ground-in dirt will makethe carpet wear out faster.Periodically shampoo the carpet tokeep it looking ne

Vacuum dirt and dust out of thematerial frequently. For generalcleaning, use a solution of mild soapand lukewarm water, letting it air dry.To clean of

Dirt build-up in the loops of the seatbelt anchors can cause the belts toretract slowly. Wipe the insides ofthe loops with a clean clothdampened in mi

Repair chips and scratches in thepaint as soon as you discover them.Inspect and clean out the drainholes in the bottom of the doorsand body.Check the

Body repairs can affect your car’sresistance to corrosion. If your carneeds repairs after a collision, payclose attention to the parts used inthe repa

This section covers the more-common problems that motoristsexperience with their cars. It givesyou information about how to safelyevaluate the problem

Thecompactsparetirehasashortertread life than a regular tire. Replaceit when you can see the tread wearindicator bars. The replacementshould be the sa

If you have a flat tire while driving,stop in a safe place to change it.Stopping in traffic or on the shoulderof a busy road is dangerous. Driveslowly

Loosen the five wheel nuts 1/2turn with the wheel wrench.Open the trunk. Raise the trunkfloor by lifting up on the back edge.Take the tool tray out of

This page briefly summarizesHonda’s recommendations on whereto place rear-facing and forward-facing child seats in your car.Never in the front seat, d

CONTINUEDUse the extension and wheelwrench as shown to raise the caruntil the flat tire is off the ground.Remove the wheel nuts and flattire. Temporar

Put on the spare tire. Put thewheel nuts back on finger-tight,then tighten them in a crisscrosspattern with the wheel wrenchuntil the wheel is firmly

Tighten the wheel nuts securely inthe same crisscross pattern. Havethe wheel nut torque checked atthe nearest automotive servicefacility.Tighten the w

Diagnosing why your engine won’tstart falls into two areas, dependingon what you hear when you turn thekey to START (III):You hear nothing, or almostn

Turn the ignition switch to START(III). If the headlights do not dim,check the condition of the fuses. IfthefusesareOK,thereisproba-bly something wron

Put the transmission in Neutral orPark, and set the parking brake.Open the hood and check thephysical condition of the battery(see page ). In very col

＋＋−CONTINUEDConnect one jumper cable to thepositive ( ) terminal on yourAcura’s battery. Connect the otherend to the positive ( ) terminalon the boost

Start your car. If the starter motorstill operates slowly, check thejumper cable connections to makesure they have good metal-to-metal contact.Once yo

CONTINUEDThe pointer of your car’s tempera-ture gauge should stay in the mid-range under most conditions. It maygo higher if you are driving up a long

If the temperature gauge stays atthe red mark, turn off the engine.Wait until you see no more signsof steam or spray, then open thehood.If there was n

After selecting a proper child seat,and a good position to install the seat,there are three main steps ininstalling the seat:When you are not using a

This indicator should light when theignition switch is ON (II), and go outafter the engine starts. It shouldnever come on when the engine isrunning. I

By eliminating as much of theelectrical load as possible, you candrive several miles (kilometers)before the battery is too dischargedto keep the engin

This indicator should light when theignition switch is ON (II), and go outafter the engine starts. If it comes onat any other time, it indicates one o

Your car has certain ‘‘readinesscodes’’ that are part of the on-boarddiagnostics for the emissionssystems. In some states, part of theemissions testin

＊＊If it comes on at any other time, itindicates a problem with the car’sbrake system. In most cases, theproblem is a low fluid level in thebrake fluid

Use a screwdriver or coin toremove the round plug in thecenter of the headliner.Remove the wrench. Reinstall theround plug.Insert the moonroof wrench

All the electrical circuits in your carhave fuses to protect them from ashort circuit or overload. Thesefuses are located in two fuse boxes.The under-

Turn the ignition switch to LOCK(0). Make sure the headlights andall other accessories are off.Remove the cover from the fusebox.If something electric

CONTINUEDIf the replacement fuse of thesame rating blows in a short time,there is probably a seriouselectrical problem in your car.Leave the blown fus

−−−＋Circuits Protected No.No.No.Amps. Amps.Amps. Circuits ProtectedCircuits ProtectedLeft Headlight Low(Rear Defroster Coil)Left Headlight HiSmall Lig

Only a rear-facing child seat providesproper support for a baby’s head,neck, and back. Infants up to aboutone year of age must be restrained ina rear-

−−−−−＊＊No.No. No. Amps. Circuits ProtectedAmps. Circuits ProtectedCircuits ProtectedAmps.: On Canadian models13141516171819202122232425262728293031323

−−−Automatic Transmission:Manual Transmission:There are three popular types ofprofessional towing equipment.The towtruck uses metal cables with hookso

If you decide to tow your car with allfour wheels on the ground, makesure you use a properly-designed andattached tow bar. Prepare the car fortowing a

330Main Menu

Thediagramsinthissectiongiveyou the dimensions and capacities ofyour Acura, and the locations of theidentification numbers. It alsoincludes informatio

Your car has several identifyingnumbers located in various places.The Vehicle Identification Number(VIN) is the 17-digit number yourAcura dealer uses

The Transmission Number is on alabel on top of the transmission.The Engine Number is stamped intothe engine block. It is on the front.Identification N

−−＊＊＊＊SpecificationsTechnical Inf ormation334WeightsDimensionsAir ConditioningCapacitiesCapacities1.43 US gal (5.4 )1.40 US gal (5.3 )Gross vehicle we

−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−CONTINUEDSpecificationsTechnical Inf ormation335AlignmentEngineFusesBatteryLights12 V 21 W12 V12 V12 V12 V12 V21 W21/5 W5W21 W21 W12

SpecificationsTechnical Inf ormation336TiresP215/50R17 93VT135/90D1532 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm )60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm )SizePressure30 psi (21

With the child seat in the desiredback seating position, route thebelt through the child seataccording to the seat maker’sinstructions, then insert th

−The treadwear grade is a compara-tive rating based on the wear rate ofthe tire when tested under controlledconditions on a specified governmenttest c

− Warning: The temperature grade forthis tire is established for a tire thatis properly inflated and not over-loaded. Excessive speed, underinfla-tion

−−−−−−−−−−−Whenever tires are replaced, theyshould be replaced with tires of thesame size. Following is an exampletire size with an explanation of wha

Some conventional gasolines arebeing blended with alcohol or anether compound. These gasolinesare collectively referred to asoxygenated fuels. To meet

If you are planning to take yourAcura outside the U.S. or Canada,contact the tourist bureaus in theareas you will be traveling in to findout about the

＊＊The burning of gasoline in your car’sengine produces several byproducts.Some of these are carbon monoxide(CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx) andhydrocarb

The emissions control systems arecovered by warranties separate fromthe rest of your car. Read yourwarranty manual for more informa-tion.The emissions

Always use unleaded gasoline.Even a small amount of leadedgasoline can contaminate thecatalyst metals, making the threeway catalytic converter ineffec

Make sure the gas tank is nearly,but not completely, full (around3/4).Make sure the ambienttemperature is between 20° and95°F.Without touching the acc

Then drive in city/suburbantraffic for at least 10 minutes.When traffic conditions allow, letthe car coast for several secondswithout using the accele

After confirming that the belt islocked, grab the shoulder part ofthe belt near the buckle and pullup to remove any slack from thelap part of the belt

Customer Relations...Information . 348...Warranty Coverages . 349Reporting Safety Defects...

Acura dealership personnel aretrained professionals. They shouldbe able to answer all your questions.If you encounter a problem that yourdealership do

−−−−−−−−−providescoverageforaslongasthepur-chaser of the muffler owns the car.this warranty gives upto 100 percent credit toward areplacement battery.

To contact NHTSA, you may eithercall the Auto Safety Hotline toll-freeat 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 inWashington D.C. area) or write to:NHTSA, U.S. D

＊＊＊−＊２００４ＡＣＵThe publications shown below can be purchased from HelmIncorporated. You can order in any of three ways:Detach and mail the order form on

−−−ＳＨＩＰＴＯＰＡＹＭＥＮＴThis manual describes the procedures involved in thereplacement of damaged body parts.This manual covers maintenance and recommendedpr

CONTINUED...Accessories and Modifications . 191...Accessories . 191.Additional Safety Precautions . 192...

＊...Capacities Chart . 334...Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 53...Carrying Cargo . 193...

CONTINUED...Dust and Pollen Filter . 270...Fabric, Cleaning . 299...Fan, Inter

...Gas Station Procedures . 184Gauges...Engine Coolant Temperature . 66...Fuel . 67...

CONTINUEDTo achieve the desired recliningangle, it may help to put a rolled uptowel under the toe of the child seat,as shown.Forproperprotection,aninf

CONTINUED...LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 80Locks...Anti-theft Steering Column . 80...Fuel Fill Door . 184...

＊＊...Radiator Overheating . 315...Radio/CD Sound System . 129, 148..Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 286...Rea

CONTINUED...Signaling Turns . 73...Snow Tires . 278...Solvent-type Clean

＊＊TransmissionChecking Fluid Level,...Automatic . 256Checking Fluid Level,...Manual . 257..

Service Information SummaryGasoline: Tire Pressure (measured cold):Power Steering Fluid:Brake Fluid:Recommended Engine Oil:Fuel Tank Capacity:Automati

The lap/shoulder belts in the backand front passenger seating positionshave a locking mechanism that mustbe activated to secure a child seat.With the

After confirming that the belt islocked, grab the shoulder part ofthe belt near the buckle and pullup to remove any slack from thelap part of the belt

When a child reaches therecommended weight or height limitfor a forward-facing child seat, thechild should sit in the back seat on abooster and wear a

−−−−−−To help you make informeddecisions about safety, we haveprovided operating procedures andother information on labels and inthis manual. This inf

CONTINUEDWhichever style you select, followthe booster seat maker’s instructions.This could causevery serious injuries during a crash.It also increase

The National Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration and TransportCanada recommend that all childrenages 12 and under be properlyrestrained in a back sea

If you decide that a child can safelyride up front, be sure to:Carefully read the owner’s manualand make sure you understand allseat belt instructions

To use either outside anchoragepoint, lift the rear head restraint,then route the tether strap over theseat-back between the legs of thehead restraint

The National Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration and TransportCanada recommend that all childrenages 12 and under be properlyrestrained in a back sea

Follow the child seat maker’sinstructions for any additionaladvice on adjusting or tighteningthe fit.Push and pull the child seatforward and from side

This seat belt has a single belt thatgoes over your shoulder, across yourchest and across your hips. The seat belts in all seating positionsexcept the

See page for instructions on howto wear the lap/shoulder beltproperly.To deactivate the lockingmechanism, unlatch the buckle andlet the seat belt full

For safety, you should check thecondition of your seat belts regularly.Pull each belt out fully and look forfrays, cuts, burns, and wear. Checkthat th

Your Supplemental Restraint System(SRS) includes:Two front airbags. The driver’sairbag is stored in the center ofthe steering wheel; the frontpassenge

Your Car at a Glance2POWER WINDOWSWITCHESMIRROR CONTROLSDOOR LOCK SWITCHHEATING/COOLINGCONTROLSTRUNK RELEASE HANDLE/FUEL FILL DOOR RELEASEHOOD RELEASE

If you ever have a moderate tosevere frontal collision, the sensorswill detect the car’s rapiddeceleration. If the rate ofdeceleration is high enough,

In a moderate to severe side impact,the sensors will detect rapiddeceleration and signal the controlunit to instantly inflate either thedriver’s or th

The SRS indicator alertsyou to a potential problemwith the front airbags or seat belttensioners. If equipped, it also alertsyou to a potential problem

If the light comes on at any othertime, or does not come on at all, youshould have the system checked byyour dealer. For example:If the SRS indicator

A front seat passenger should notuse a cushion or other object as abackrest. It may prevent the cutoffsystem from working properly.When you turn the i

Together, airbags andseat belts provide the bestprotection.Tampering could causethe airbags to deploy, possiblycausing very serious injury.If rain or

Your car’s exhaust contains carbonmonoxide gas. You should have noproblem with carbon monoxideentering the car in normal driving ifyou maintain your c

These labels are in the locationsshown. They warn you of potentialhazards that could cause seriousinjury. Read these labels carefully. Ifa label comes

U.S. modelsCanadian modelsOn cars with side curtain airbagsU.S. models Canadian modelsU.S. models Canadian modelsSafety LabelsDriver and Passenger Saf

56Main Menu

Your Car at a Glance3REAR WINDOWDEFOGGERMOONROOFSWITCHHAZARDWARNING LIGHTSTILT/TELESCOPICADJUSTMENTHEADLIGHTS/TURN SIGNALSREMOTE AUDIOCONTROLSWINDSHIE

This section gives information aboutthe controls and displays thatcontribute to the daily operation ofyour Acura. All the essential controlsare within

Instruments and ControlsControl Locations58MIRROR CONTROLSDOOR LOCK SWITCHPOWER WINDOWSWITCHESAUDIO SYSTEMHEATING/COOLINGCONTROLSTRUNK RELEASE HANDLE/

＊The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Differences for the Canadian models are noted in the text.Indicator LightsInstruments and Controls59CRUISE CONTRO

The instrument panel has manyindicators to give you importantinformation about your car.This indicator lights when you turnthe ignition switch ON (II)

This indicator lights briefly whenyou turn the ignition switch to ON(II). If it comes on at any other time,it indicates a potential problem withyour f

The appropriate light comes on inthis display if the trunk or any dooris not closed tightly.All the lights in the monitor displaycome on for a few sec

This indicator reminds you that theexterior lights are on. It comes onwhen the light switch is in either theor position. If you turn theignition switc

This indicator comes on for a fewseconds when you turn the ignitionswitch ON (II). It will then go off ifyou have inserted a properly-codedignition ke

Canadian ModelsU.S. ModelsThis shows your speed in kilometersper hour (km/h). The smaller innernumbers are the speed in miles perhour (mph).The tachom

This shows the temperature of theengine’s coolant. During normaloperation, the pointer should risefrom the bottom white mark to aboutthe middle of the

4Main Menu

−This shows how much fuel you have.It is most accurate when the car is onlevel ground. It may show slightlymore or less than the actual amountwhenyoua

Between 8,000 miles (12,800 km)and 10,000 miles (16,000 km), thisindicator will light for two secondswhen you first turn the ignitionswitch to ON (II)

＊＊The steering wheel adjustment leveron the underside of the steeringcolumn allows you to tilt andtelescope the steering wheel.The controls under the

To change from low beams to highbeams, push the turn signal leverforward until you hear a click. Theblue high beam indicator will light(see page ). To

The Automatic Lighting Off featureturns off the headlights, parkinglights, taillights, and license platelight within 15 seconds of removingthe key fro

With the headlight switch off, thehigh beam headlights and the highbeam indicator come on withreduced brightness when you turnthe ignition switch to O

Signal a turn or lane change with thislever. Push down on the lever tosignal a left turn, and up to signal aright turn. If you push it up or downall t

To operate the wipers in mist mode,push the control lever up from theOFF position. The wipers run at highspeed until you release the lever.This gives

To clean the windshield, pull back onthe wiper control lever. The washersspray until you release the lever. Thewipers run at low speed while you’repul

See page for important safetyinformation about how to properlyposition the steering wheel.18To adjust the steering wheel:Make any steering wheel adjus

This section gives you importantinformation about how to protectyourself and your passengers. Itshows you how to use seat beltsproperly. It explains y

Push the lever up to lock thesteering wheel in that position.Move the steering wheel up ordown, and in or out to the desiredposition, making sure the

The valet key works only in theignition and the driver’s door lock.You can keep the trunk releasehandle, rear seat trunk access, andglove box locked w

The Immobilizer System protectsyour car from theft. A properly-coded master or valet key must beused in the ignition switch for theengine to start. If

−The ignition switch is on the rightside of the steering column. It hasfour positions:•LOCK(0)• ACCESSORY (I)• ON (II)• START (III)You can insert orre

−−−In this position,you can operate the audio systemand the accessory power socket.This is the normal keyposition when driving. All featuresand access

On the front passenger’s door, pushthe master door lock switch down tolock the doors and the trunk, and upto unlock them.Each door has a lock tab at t

CONTINUEDYou can lock and unlock your carwith the remote transmitter. Whenyou push the LOCK button, all doorsand the trunk lock. The parkinglights, si

To open the trunk, push the TrunkRelease button for approximatelyone second.The trunk will not open if the key isin the ignition switch.The ceiling li

When the remote transmitter’sbattery begins to get weak, it maytake several pushes on the button tolock or unlock the doors, and theLED will not light

−Avoid severe shock to the trans-mitter, such as dropping or throwingit. Also, protect it from extreme hotor cold temperatures.Clean the transmitter c

Excessive speed is a major factor incrash injuries and deaths. Generally,the higher the speed the greater therisk, but serious accidents can alsooccur

The childproof door locks aredesigned to prevent children seatedin the rear from accidentally openingthe rear doors. Each rear door has alock lever ne

To protect items in the trunk whenyou need to give the key to someoneelse:To open the trunk, push the releaselever to the left.Parents should decide i

Open the glove box by pulling thehandle to the left. Close it with a firmpush. Lock or unlock the glove boxwith the master key.The glove box light com

−Pull up or push down on the front ofthe switch to move the seat bottom’sfront edge up or down. Pull up orpush down on the rear of the switchto move t

Pull the center of the horizontalswitch up to raise the seat. Push itdown to lower the seat.Adjust the seat-back angle bypushing the rear switch in th

−To adjust the seat forward andbackward, pull up on the lever underthe seat cushion’s front edge. Movethe seat to the desired position andreleasethele

See page for important safetyinformation and a warning about how toproperly position the head restraints.15Your car has adjustable headrestraints on t

The back of the rear seat folds downto give you direct access to the trunk.Each side folds down separately.With only half the seat folded, youcan stil

Make sure all rear shoulder belts arepositioned in front of the rear seat-back whenever the seat-back is in itsupright position.Make sure all items in

Do not use the seat heaters, evenon the LO setting, if the engine isleft idling for an extended period.Thiscanweakenthebattery,causing hard starting.U