2008 Acura TSX Owners Manual

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Congratulations! Your selection of a 2008 Acura TSX was a wise investment. It will give you years of driving pleasure.

One of the best ways to enhance the enjoyment of your new vehicle is to read this manual. In it, you will learn how to operate its driving controls and convenience items. Afterwards, keep this owner’s manual in your vehicle so you can refer to it at any time.

Several warranties protect your new vehicle. Read the warranty booklet thoroughly so you understand the coverages and are aware of your rights and responsibilities.

Maintaining your vehicle according to the maintenance minder shown in the instrument panel helps to keep your driving trouble-free while it preserves your investment. When your vehicle needs maintenance, keep in mind that your dealer’s staff is specially trained in servicing the many systems unique to your vehicle. Your dealer is dedicated to your satisfaction and will be pleased to answer any questions and concerns.

Introduction

As you read this manual, you will find information that is preceded by information is intended to help you avoid damage to your vehicle, other property, or the environment.

symbol. This

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Introduction

California Proposition 65 Warning

WARNING: defects or other reproductive harm.

This product contains or emits chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth

Event Data Recorders This vehicle is equipped with one or more devices commonly referred to as event data recorders. These devices record front seat belt use, front passenger seat occupancy, airbag deployment data, and the failure of any airbag system component. This data belongs to the vehicle owner and may not be accessed by anyone else except as legally required or with the permission of the vehicle owner.

Service Diagnostic Recorders This vehicle is equipped with service-related devices that record information about powertrain performance. The data can be used to verify emissions law requirements and/or help technicians diagnose and solve service problems. It may also be combined with data from other sources for research purposes, but it remains confidential.

ii

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Your safety, and the safety of others, is very important. And operating this vehicle safely is an important responsibility.

To help you make informed decisions about safety, we have provided operating procedures and other information on labels and in this manual. This information alerts you to potential hazards that could hurt you or others.

Of course, it is not practical or possible to warn you about all the hazards associated with operating or maintaining your vehicle. You must use your own good judgement.

A Few Words About Safety

You will find this important safety information in a variety of forms, including:

Safety Labels − Safety Messages

on the vehicle. − three signal words: These signal words mean:

preceded by a safety alert symbol DANGER WARNING

, or

CAUTION

and one of

You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT if you don’t follow instructions.

You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT if you don’t follow instructions.

You CAN be HURT if you don’t follow instructions.

Safety Headings

− Safety Precautions.

such as Important Safety Reminders or Important

Safety Section Instructions −

such as Driver and Passenger Safety.

− how to use this vehicle correctly and safely.

This entire book is filled with important safety information carefully.

−

please read it

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2008 TSX 

Contents

2008 TSX Online Reference Owner's Manual

Owner's Identification Form

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... i A Few Words About Safety .............................................................................................................................. iii Your Vehicle at a Glance (main controls) .................................................................................................... 3
Driver and Passenger Safety (seat belts, SRS, and child protection) .................................................... 5 Instruments and Controls (indicators, gauges, multi-information display, dashboard and steering column) .......... 59 Features (climate control,audio,steering wheel,security,cruise control,HomeLink®,and other convenience items) ........... 159 Before Driving (fuel, vehicle break-in, and cargo loading) ...................................................................... 231 Driving (engine and transmission operation) ................................................................................................ 247 Maintenance (minder, fluid checking, minor services, and vehicle storage)........................................... 277 Taking Care of the Unexpected (flat tire, dead battery, overheating, and fuses) .............................. 323 Technical Information (vehicle specifications, tires, and emissions controls) ....................................... 347 Warranty and Customer Relations (U. S. and Canada only) (warranty and contact information) ... 365 Authorized Manuals (U. S. only) (how to order) ......................................................................................... 369 Index ............................................................................................................................... ........................................ I

Service Information Summary ( fluid capacities and tire pressures)

00X31-TL1-6000

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Overview of Contents

Contents A convenient reference to the sections in this manual.

Your Vehicle at a Glance A quick reference to the main controls in your vehicle.

Driver and Passenger Safety Important information about the proper use and care of your vehicle’s seat belts, an overview of the supplemental restraint system, and valuable information on how to protect children with child restraints.

Instruments and Controls Explains the purpose of each instrument panel indicator and gauge, the multi-information display, and how to use the controls on the dashboard and steering column.

Features How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other

convenience features.

Before Driving What gasoline to use, how to break- in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.

Driving The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park; plus what you need to know if you’re planning to tow a trailer.

Maintenance The maintenance minder shows you when you need to take your vehicle to the dealer for maintenance service. There is also a list of things to check and instructions on how to check them.

Taking Care of the Unexpected This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, and details how to handle them.

Technical Information ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.

Warranty and Client Relations (U.S. and Canada only) A summary of the warranties covering your new vehicle, and how to contact us for any reason. Refer to your warranty manual for detailed information.

Authorized Manuals (U.S. only) How to order manuals and other technical literature.

Index

Service Information Summary A summary of the information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.

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DRIVER’S FRONT AIRBAG

(P.9, 26)

INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS GAUGES(P.68)

(P.62)

PASSENGER’S FRONT AIRBAG

(P.9, 33)

Your Vehicle at a Glance

DRIVING POSITION MEMORY SYSTEM (P.143)

MIRROR CONTROLS (P.146)

POWER DOOR LOCK MASTER SWITCH (P.129)

POWER WINDOW SWITCHES (P.147)

HOOD RELEASE HANDLE (P.234)

TRUNK RELEASE LEVER (P.135) FUEL FILL DOOR RELEASE LEVER

(P.233)

Vehicle without navigation system is shown.

PARKING BRAKE LEVER (P.151)

AUDIO SYSTEM (P.170)

POWER DOOR LOCK MASTER SWITCH (P.130)

CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM (P.160)

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (P.252) MANUAL TRANSMISSION (P.250)

CONTINUED

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Your Vehicle at a Glance

HEADLIGHTS/TURN SIGNALS/FOG LIGHTS (P.121-122)

INSTRUMENT PANEL BRIGHTNESS (P.123)

WINDSHIELD WIPERS/WASHERS (P.120)

REMOTE AUDIO CONTROL BUTTONS (P.202)

MOONROOF SWITCH (P.150)

VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST (VSA) SYSTEM OFF SWITCH

(P.269)

BLUETOOTH HANDSFREELINK BUTTONS/ VOICE CONTROL BUTTONS (P.214)

＊

HORN ＊

STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENT (P.125)

Vehicle without navigation system is shown.

MULTI-INFORMATION BUTTONS

(P.71, 72)

PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR (P.33)

HAZARD WARNING BUTTON (P.124)

REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER BUTTON (P.124)

CRUISE CONTROL BUTTONS (P.206)

SEAT HEATER SWITCHES (P.137)

1 : 2 :

To use the horn, press the pad around the ‘‘Acura’’ logo.

＊ ＊ Only on vehicles equipped with navigation system. Refer to the navigation system manual.

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Driver and Passenger Safety

This section gives you important information about how to protect yourself and your passengers. It shows you how to use seat belts. It explains how your airbags work. And it tells you how to properly restrain infants and children in your vehicle.

Seat Belts Airbags

Protecting Adults and Teens

Important Safety Precautions Your Vehicle’s Safety Features

......... ....... ....................................... ........................................... ......... 1. Close and Lock the Doors ..... 2. Adjust the Front Seats ........... 3. Adjust the Seat-Backs ............ 4. Adjust the Head Restraints ... 5. Fasten and Position the Seat .....................................

. 6
. 7
. 8
. 9
. 11
. 11
. 12
. 13
. 14

Belts

. 15

6. Maintain a Proper Sitting

Position

. 16
. 17
Advice for Pregnant Women Additional Safety Precautions . 18

................................ ..... ...

Additional Information About

Your Seat Belts

....................... . 19
Seat Belt System Components . 19
..

......................

. 20

Lap/Shoulder Belt Automatic Seat Belt

Tensioners

Seat Belt Maintenance

Additional Information About

............................... ...............

. 21
. 22

Your Airbags

........................... ......

. 23
. 23

Airbag System Components How Your Front Airbags

Work

Work

. 26
......................................... How Your Side Airbags Work . 30
... How Your Side Curtain Airbags ......................................... . 31
How the SRS Indicator Works . 32
.. How the Side Airbag Off

Indicator Works

...................... How the Passenger Airbag Off ...................... ............................. ...

. 33
Airbag Service . 34
Additional Safety Precautions . 35

Indicator Works

. 32

Protecting Children

−

General

Guidelines

................................

. 36

All Children Must Be

Restrained

...............................

. 36

All Children Should Sit in a

Back Seat

.................................

. 37

Can Pose Serious Risks

The Passenger’s Front Airbag ......... If You Must Drive with Several ...................................

Children

If a Child Requires Close

. 37

. 39

Attention

. 39
Additional Safety Precautions . 40

.................................. ...

Protecting Infants and

Small Children Protecting Infants Protecting Small Children

......................... ....................... ......... ...................... ....................

. 41
. 41
. 42
. 44
. 45

Selecting Child Seats Installing a Child Seat

Installing a Child Seat

Protecting Larger Children

with LATCH with a Lap/Shoulder Belt with a Tether

............................ ...... ........................... ........... ............... ..................

. 46
. 48
. 49
. 51
. 51
. 52

Checking Seat Belt Fit Using a Booster Seat When Can a Larger Child Sit

in Front

. 53
Additional Safety Precautions . 54
. 55
. 56

.................................... ... ............. ...................................

Carbon Monoxide Hazard Safety Labels

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Important Safety Precautions

You’ll find many safety recommendations throughout this section, and throughout this manual. The recommendations on this page are the ones we consider to be the most important.

Always Wear Your Seat Belt A seat belt is your best protection in all types of collisions. Airbags are designed to supplement seat belts, not replace them. So even though your vehicle is equipped with airbags, make sure you and your passengers always wear your seat belts, and wear them properly (see page 15

).

Restrain All Children Children age 12 and under should ride properly restrained in a back seat, not the front seat. Infants and small children should be restrained in a child seat. Larger children should use a booster seat and a lap/ shoulder belt until they can use the belt properly without a booster seat (see pages

36

54

).

−

Be Aware of Airbag Hazards While airbags can save lives, they can cause serious or fatal injuries to occupants who sit too close to them, or are not properly restrained. Infants, young children, and short adults are at the greatest risk. Be sure to follow all instructions and warnings in this manual.

Don’t Drink and Drive Alcohol and driving don’t mix. Even one drink can reduce your ability to respond to changing conditions, and your reaction time gets worse with

every additional drink. So don’t drink and drive, and don’t let your friends drink and drive, either.

Control Your Speed Excessive speed is a major factor in crash injuries and deaths. Generally, the higher the speed, the greater the risk, but serious injuries can also occur at lower speeds. Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions, regardless of the maximum speed posted.

Keep Your Vehicle in Safe Condition Having a tire blowout or a mechanical failure can be extremely hazardous. To reduce the possibility of such problems, check your tire pressures and condition frequently, and perform all regularly scheduled maintenance (see page

280

).

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(10)

(9)

(1)

(4)

(9)

(8)

(2)

(8)

(3)

(7)

(11)

(7)

(6)

(5)

(2)

(1) Safety Cage (2) Crush Zones (3) Seats and Seat-Backs (4) Head Restraints (5) Collapsible Steering Column (6) Seat Belts (7) Front Airbags (8) Side Airbags (9) Side Curtain Airbags (10) Door Locks (11) Seat Belt Tensioners

Your Vehicle’s Safety Features

Your vehicle is equipped with many features that work together to protect you and your passengers during a crash.

Some features do not require any action on your part. These include a strong steel framework that forms a safety cage around the passenger compartment, front and rear crush zones, a collapsible steering column, and tensioners that tighten the front seat belts in a crash.

However, you and your passengers can’t take full advantage of these features unless you remain sitting in a proper position and alwayswear . In fact, some safety yourseatbelts features can contribute to injuries if they are not used properly.

The following pages explain how you can take an active role in protecting yourself and your passengers.

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Your Vehicle’s Safety Features

Seat Belts Your vehicle is equipped with seat belts in all seating positions.

Your seat belt system also includes an indicator on the instrument panel and a beeper to remind you and your passengers to fasten your seat belts.

WhyWearSeatBelts Seat belts are the single most effective safety device for adults and larger children. (Infants and smaller children must be properly restrained in child seats.)

Not wearing a seat belt properly increases the chance of serious injury or death in a crash, even though your vehicle has airbags.

In addition, most states and all Canadian provinces require you to wear seat belts.

Not wearing a seat belt properly increases the chance of serious injury or death in a crash, even though your vehicle has airbags.

Be sure you and your passengers always wear seat belts and wear them properly.

When properly worn, seat belts:

Keep you connected to the vehicle so you can take advantage of the vehicle’s built-in safety features.

Help protect you in almost every type of crash, including frontal, side, and rear impacts and rollovers.

Help keep you from being thrown against the inside of the vehicle and against other occupants.

Keep you from being thrown out of the vehicle.

Help keep you in a good position should the airbags ever deploy. A good position reduces the risk of injury from an inflating airbag and allows you to get the best advantage from the airbag.

Of course, seat belts cannot completely protect you in every crash. But in most cases, seat belts can reduce your risk of serious injury.

WhatYouShouldDo: Always wear your seat belt, and make sure you wear it properly.

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Airbags

Your Vehicle’s Safety Features

Your vehicle has a supplemental restraint system (SRS) with front airbags to help protect the heads and chests of the driver and a front seat passenger during a moderate to severe frontal collision (see page for more information on how 26
your front airbags work).

Your vehicle also has side airbags to help protect the upper torso of the driver or a front seat passenger during a moderate to severe side impact (see page information on how your side airbags work).

for more

30

In addition, your vehicle has side curtain airbags to help protect the heads of the driver, front passenger, and passengers in the outer rear seating positions during a moderate to severe side impact (see page for more information on how 31
your side curtain airbags work).

CONTINUED

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Your Vehicle’s Safety Features

Always wear

Whatyoushoulddo: 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.

The rest of this section gives more detailed information about how you can maximize your safety.

Remember, however, that no safety system can prevent all injuries or deaths that can occur in a severe crash, even when seat belts are properly worn and the airbags deploy.

The most important things you need to know about your airbags are:

Airbagsdonotreplaceseatbelts. They are designed to supplement the seat belts.

Airbagsoffernoprotectioninrear impacts,orminorfrontalorside collisions.

Airbagscanposeserioushazards. To do their job, airbags must inflate with tremendous force. So while airbags help save lives, they can cause minor injuries or more serious or even fatal injuries if occupants are not properly restrained or sitting properly.

10

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Introduction The following pages provide instructions on how to properly protect the driver, adult passengers and teenage children who are large enough and mature enough to drive or ride in the front seat.

−

43

36

for important

See pages guidelines on how to properly protect infants, small children, and larger children who ride in your vehicle.

Close and Lock the Doors 1. After everyone has entered the vehicle, be sure the doors are closed and locked.

Your vehicle has a door and trunk open monitor on the multi- information display to indicate when a specific door or the trunk is not tightly closed. You will see the appropriate light/lights and the message for each condition.

Protecting Adults and Teens

When one or more doors are not tightly closed, the ‘‘DOOR OPEN’’ message will come on.

CONTINUED

11

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2.

Adjust the Front Seats

If you sit too close to the steering wheel or dashboard, you can be seriously injured by an inflating front airbag, or by striking the steering wheel or dashboard.

Adjust the driver’s seat as far to the rear as possible while allowing you to maintain full control of the vehicle. Have a front passenger adjust their seat as far to the rear as possible.

Protecting Adults and Teens

Locking the doors reduces the chance of someone being thrown out of the vehicle during a crash, and it helps prevent passengers from accidentally opening a door and falling out.

Locking the doors also helps prevent an outsider from unexpectedly opening a door when you come to a stop.

See page doors.

129

for how to lock the

12

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Transport Canada recommend that drivers allow at least 10 inches (25 cm) between the center of the steering wheel and the chest. In addition to adjusting the seat, you can adjust the steering wheel up and down, and in and out (see page

125

).

If you cannot get far enough away from the steering wheel and still reach the controls, we recommend that you investigate whether some type of adaptive equipment may help.

Sitting too close to a front airbag can result in serious injury or death if the front airbags inflate.

Always sit as far back from the front airbags as possible.

See page front seats.

138

for how to adjust the

Protecting Adults and Teens

3.

Adjust the Seat-Backs

Adjust the driver’s seat-back to a comfortable, upright position, leaving ample space between your chest and the airbag cover in the center of the steering wheel.

Passengers with adjustable seat- backs should also adjust their seat- back to a comfortable, upright position.

CONTINUED

13

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Protecting Adults and Teens

4.

Adjust the Head Restraints

Reclining the seat-back too far can result in serious injury or death in a crash.

Adjust the seat-back to an upright position, and sit well back in the seat.

Reclining a seat-back so that the shoulder part of the belt no longer rests against the occupant’s chest reduces the protective capability of the belt. It also increases the chance of sliding under the belt in a crash and being seriously injured. The farther a seat-back is reclined, the greater the risk of injury.

See page seat-backs.

138

for how to adjust the

14

Adjust the driver’s head restraint so the center of the back of your head rests against the center of the restraint.

Have passengers adjust their head restraints properly as well. Taller persons should adjust their restraint as high as possible.

Improperly positioning head restraints reduces their effectiveness and you can be seriously injured in a crash.

Make sure head restraints are in place and positioned properly before driving.

Properly adjusted head restraints will help protect occupants from whiplash and other crash injuries.

See page head restraints.

139

for how to adjust the

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5.

Fasten and Position the Seat Belts

Insert the latch plate into the buckle, then tug on the belt to make sure the belt is securely latched. Check that the belt is not twisted, because a twisted belt can cause serious injuries in a crash.

Protecting Adults and Teens

This spreads the forces of a crash over the strongest bones in your upper body.

Improperly positioning the seat belts can cause serious injury or death in a crash.

Make sure all seat belts are properly positioned before driving.

If the seat belt touches or crosses your neck, or if it crosses your arm instead of your shoulder, you need to adjust the seat belt anchor height.

CONTINUED

15

Position the lap part of the belt as low as possible across your hips, then pull up on the shoulder part of the belt so the lap part fits snugly. This lets your strong pelvic bones take the force of a crash and reduces the chance of internal injuries.

If necessary, pull up on the belt again to remove any slack, then check that the belt rests across the center of your chest and over your shoulder.

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Neverplacetheshoulderportionofa lap/shoulderbeltunderyourarmor behindyourback. very serious injuries in a crash.

This could cause

If a seat belt does not seem to work properly, it may not protect the occupant in a crash.

Nooneshouldsitinaseatwithan Using a seat inoperativeseatbelt. belt that is not working properly can result in serious injury or death. Have your dealer check the belt as soon as possible.

19

for additional

See page information about your seat belts and how to take care of them.

Protecting Adults and Teens

RELEASE BUTTONS

The front seats have adjustable seat belt anchors. To adjust the height of an anchor, press and hold the release buttons, and slide the anchor up or down as needed (it has four positions).

16

6.

Maintain a Proper Sitting Position

After all occupants have adjusted their seats and head restraints, and put on their seat belts, it is very important that they continue to sit upright, well back in their seats, with their feet on the floor, until the vehicle is parked and the engine is off.

Sitting improperly can increase the chance of injury during a crash. For example, if an occupant slouches, lies down, turns sideways, sits forward, leans forward or sideways, or puts one or both feet up, the chance of injury during a crash is greatly increased.

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In addition, an occupant who is out of position in the front seat can be seriously or fatally injured in a crash by striking interior parts of the vehicle or being struck by an inflating front airbag.

Sitting improperly or out of position can result in serious injury or death in a crash.

Always sit upright, well back in the seat, with your feet on the floor.

Advice for Pregnant Women

If you are pregnant, the best way to protect yourself and your unborn child when driving or riding in a vehicle is to always wear a seat belt, and keep the lap part of the belt as low as possible across the hips.

Protecting Adults and Teens

When driving, remember to sit upright and adjust the seat as far back as possible while allowing full control of the vehicle. When riding as a front passenger, adjust the seat as far back as possible.

This will reduce the risk of injuries to both you and your unborn child that can be caused by a crash or an inflating front airbag.

Each time you have a checkup, ask your doctor if it’s okay for you to drive.

17

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Protecting Adults and Teens

Donotplacehardorsharpobjects betweenyourselfandafront Carrying hard or sharp airbag. 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.

Keepyourhandsandarmsaway If your fromtheairbagcovers. hands or arms are close to an airbag cover, they could be injured if the airbag inflates.

Donotattachorplaceobjectson Objects on thefrontairbagcovers. 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.

Donotattachhardobjectsonor If a side airbag or a nearadoor. side curtain airbag inflates, a cup holder or other hard object attached on or near the door could be propelled inside the vehicle and hurt someone.

Additional Safety Precautions

Twopeopleshouldneverusethe sameseatbelt. could be very seriously injured in a crash.

If they do, they

Donotputanyaccessoriesonseat Devices intended to improve belts. occupant comfort or reposition the shoulder part of a seat belt can reduce the protective capability of the belt and increase the chance of serious injury in a crash.

18

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Seat Belt System Components Your seat belt system includes lap/ shoulder belts in all five seating positions. The front seat belts are also equipped with automatic seat belt tensioners.

This system uses the same sensors as the front airbags to monitor whether the front seat belts are latched or unlatched, and how much weight is on the front passenger’s seat (see pages

and

28

29

).

Additional Information About Your Seat Belts

The seat belt system includes an indicator on the

instrument panel and a beeper to remind you and your passengers to fasten your seat belts.

If either the driver or a front passenger does not fasten their seat belt while driving, the beeper will sound and the indicator will flash again at regular intervals.

If you turn the ignition switch to the ON (II) position before your seat belt is fastened, the beeper will sound and the indicator will flash. If your seat belt is not fastened before the beeper stops, the indicator will stop flashing but remain on.

If a front passenger does not fasten their seat belt, the indicator will come on about 6 seconds after the ignition switch is turned to the ON (II) position.

You will also see a ‘‘FASTEN SEAT BELT’’ or ‘‘FASTEN PASSENGER SEAT BELT’’ message on the multi- information display (see page

78

).

When no one is sitting in the front passenger’s seat, or a child or small adult is riding there, the indicator should not come on and the beeper should not sound.

CONTINUED

19

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Additional Information About Your Seat Belts

If the indicator comes on or the beeper sounds when the driver’s seat belt is latched and there is no front seat passenger and no items on the front seat, something may be interfering with the monitoring system. Look for and remove:

Any items under the front passenger’s seat.

Any object(s) hanging on the seat or in the seat-back pocket.

Any objects, such as a folded-down back seat, that are touching the rear of the seat-back.

If no obstructions are found, have your vehicle checked by a dealer.

Lap/Shoulder Belt The lap/shoulder belt goes over your shoulder, across your chest, and across your hips.

To fasten the belt, insert the latch plate into the buckle, then tug on the belt to make sure the buckle is latched (see page for how to properly position the belt).

15

To unlock the belt, press the red PRESS button on the buckle. Guide the belt across your body so that it retracts completely. After exiting the vehicle, be sure the belt is out of the way and will not get closed in the door.

20

All seat belts have an emergency locking retractor. In normal driving, the retractor lets you move freely in your seat while it keeps some tension on the belt. During a collision or sudden stop, the retractor automatically locks the belt to help restrain your body.

The seat belts in all positions except the driver’s have a lockable retractor that must be activated to secure a child seat (see page

48

).

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Additional Information About Your Seat Belts

Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners

If the shoulder part of the belt is pulled all the way out, the lockable retractor will activate. The belt will retract, but it will not allow the passenger to move freely.

To deactivate the lockable retractor, unlatch the buckle and let the seat belt fully retract. To refasten the seat belt, pull it out only as far as needed.

For added protection, the front seat belts are equipped with automatic seat belt tensioners. When activated, the tensioners immediately tighten the belts to help hold the driver and a front passenger in position.

The tensioners are designed to activate in any collision severe enough to cause the front airbags to deploy.

If a side airbag or side curtain airbag deploys during a side impact, the tensioner on that side of the vehicle will also deploy.

The tensioners can also be activated during a collision in which the front . In this case, the airbags airbags would not be needed, but the additional restraint could be helpful.

donotdeploy

When the tensioners are activated, the seat belts will remain tight until they are unbuckled.

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Additional Information About Your Seat Belts

Seat Belt Maintenance For safety, you should check the condition of your seat belts regularly.

Pull each belt out fully, and look for frays, cuts, burns, and wear. Check that the latches work smoothly and the belts retract easily. If a belt does not retract easily, cleaning the belt may correct the problem (see page ). Any belt that is not in good 310
condition or working properly will not provide good protection and should be replaced as soon as possible.

If a seat belt is worn during a crash, it must be replaced by your dealer. A belt that has been worn during a crash may not provide the same level of protection in a subsequent crash.

The dealer should also inspect the anchors for damage and replace them if needed. If the automatic seat belt tensioners activate during a crash, they must be replaced.

Not checking or maintaining seat belts can result in serious injury or death if the seat belts do not work properly when needed.

Check your seat belts regularly and have any problem corrected as soon as possible.

Acura provides a limited warranty on seat belts. See your Information

booklet for details.

AcuraWarranty

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Airbag System Components

Additional Information About Your Airbags

(1)

(1) Driver’s Front Airbag (2) Passenger’s Front Airbag (3) Control Unit (4) Front Seat Belt Tensioners (5) Side Airbags (6) Driver’s Seat Position Sensor (7) Front Passenger’s Weight Sensors (8) Front Impact Sensors (9) Passenger Airbag Off Indicator (10) Side Impact Sensors (First) (11) Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) Sensors (12) Front Passenger’s Weight Sensors/OPDS Sensors Control Unit (13) Side Impact Sensors (Second) (14) Side Curtain Airbags (15) Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Indicator

(10)

(3)

(6)

(8)

(2) (7) (12)

(11)

(9)

(8)

(15)

(14)

(5)

(13)

(10)

(4)

(7)

(14)

(5)

(4)

(13)

CONTINUED

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Additional Information About Your Airbags

Your airbag system includes:

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’’ (see page

26

).

Two side airbags, one for the driver and one for a front passenger. The airbags are stored in the outer edges of the seat- backs. Both are marked ‘‘SIDE AIRBAG’’ (see page

30

).

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’’ (see page 31

).

Automatic front seat belt ). tensioners (see page 21

Sensors that can detect a moderate to severe frontal or side impact.

Sensors that can detect whether a child is in the passenger’s side airbag path and signal the control unit to turn the airbag off (see page

30

).

Sensors that can detect whether the driver’s seat belt and the front passenger’s seat belt are latched or unlatched (see page 19

).

A driver’s seat position sensor that monitors the distance of the seat from the front airbag. If the seat is too far forward, the airbag will inflate with less force (see page

28

).

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Additional Information About Your Airbags

An indicator on the instrument panel that alerts you that the passenger’s side airbag has been turned off (see page

32

).

An indicator on the dashboard that alerts you that the passenger’s front airbag has been turned off (see page

33

).

Emergency backup power in case your vehicle’s electrical system is disconnected in a crash.

Weight sensors that monitor the weight on the front passenger’s seat. If the weight is about 65 lbs (29 kg) or less (the weight of an infant or small child), the passenger’s front airbag will be turned off (see page

28

).

A sophisticated electronic system that continually monitors and records information about the sensors, the control unit, the airbag activators, the seat belt tensioners, and driver and front passenger seat belt use when the ignition switch is in the ON (II) position.

An indicator on the instrument panel that alerts you to a possible problem with your airbags, sensors, or seat belt tensioners (see page

32

).

25

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Additional Information About Your Airbags

How Your Front Airbags Work

If you ever have a moderate to severe frontal collision, sensors will detect the vehicle’s rapid deceleration.

If the rate of deceleration is high enough, the control unit will instantly inflate the driver’s and front passenger’s airbags, at the time and with the force needed.

26

During a frontal crash, your seat belt restrains your lower body and torso, and the front airbag helps protect your head and chest.

Although both airbags normally inflate within a split second of each other, it is possible for only one airbag to deploy.

This can happen if the severity of a collision is at the margin, or threshold, that determines whether or not the airbags will deploy. In such cases, the seat belt will provide sufficient protection, and the supplemental protection offered by the airbag would be minimal.

Only the driver’s airbag will deploy if there is no passenger in the front seat, or if the advanced airbag system has turned the passenger’s airbag off (see page

28

).

After inflating, the front airbags immediately deflate, so they won’t interfere with the driver’s visibility, or the ability to steer or operate other controls.

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Additional Information About Your Airbags

The total time for inflation and deflation is one-tenth of a second, so fast that most occupants are not aware that the airbags deployed until they see them lying in their laps.

After a crash, you may see what looks like smoke. This is actually powder from the airbag’s surface. Although the powder is not harmful, people with respiratory problems may experience some temporary discomfort. If this occurs, get out of the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

Dual-StageAirbags Your front airbags are dual-stage airbags. This means they have two inflation stages that can be ignited sequentially or simultaneously, depending on crash severity.

moresevere

In a crash, both stages will ignite simultaneously to provide the quickest and greatest protection.

lesssevere

crash, one stage will

In a ignite first, then the second stage will ignite a split second later. This provides longer airbag inflation time with a little less force.

Dual-ThresholdAirbags Your front airbags are also dual- threshold airbags. Airbags with this feature have two deployment thresholds that depend on whether sensors detect the occupant is wearing a seat belt or not.

notlatched

If the occupant’s belt is the airbag will deploy at a slightly lower threshold, because the occupant would need extra protection.

latched

If the occupant’s belt is , the airbag will inflate at a slightly higher threshold, when the airbag would be needed to supplement the protection provided by the seat belt.

CONTINUED

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Additional Information About Your Airbags

AdvancedAirbags Your front airbags are also advanced airbags. The main purpose of this feature is to help prevent airbag- caused injuries to short drivers and children who ride in front.

For both advanced airbags to work properly:

Occupants must sit upright and wear their seat belts properly.

Do not spill any liquids on or under the seats, cover the sensors, or put any objects or metal items under the front seats.

Back-seat passengers should not put their feet under the front seats.

Failure to follow these instructions could damage the sensors or prevent them from working properly.

28

DRIVER’S SEAT POSITION SENSOR

PASSENGER’S SEAT WEIGHT SENSOR

The driver’s advanced front airbag system includes a seat position sensor under the seat. If the seat is too far forward, the airbag will inflate with less force, regardless of the severity of the impact.

If there is a problem with the sensor, the SRS indicator will come on, and the airbag will inflate in the normal manner regardless of the driver’s seating position.

The passenger’s advanced front airbag system has weight sensors under the seat. Although Acura does not encourage carrying an infant or small child in front, if the sensors detect the weight of an infant or small child (up to about 65 lbs or 29
kg), the system will automatically turn the passenger’s front airbag off.

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Be aware that objects placed on the passenger’s seat can also cause the airbag to be turned off.

When the airbag is turned off, a ‘‘passenger airbag off’’ indicator in the center of the dashboard comes on (see page

33

).

If the weight sensors detect there is no passenger in the front seat, the airbag will be off. However, the passenger airbag off indicator will not come on.

Additional Information About Your Airbags

Also, make sure the floor mat behind the front passenger’s seat is hooked to the floor mat anchor (see page 310
interfere with the proper operation of the sensors and operation of the seat.

). If it is not, the mat may

To ensure that the passenger’s advanced front airbag system will work properly, donotdoanything thatwouldincreaseordecreasethe weightonthefrontpassenger’sseat. This includes:

A rear passenger pushing or pulling on the back of the front passenger’s seat.

Moving the front seat forcibly back against cargo on the seat or floor behind it.

Hanging heavy items on the front passenger seat, or placing heavy items in the seat-back pocket.

Moving the front seat or seat-back forcibly back against the folded rear seat.

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Additional Information About Your Airbags

How Your Side Airbags Work

Only one airbag will deploy during a side impact. If the impact is on the passenger’s side, the passenger’s side airbag will deploy even if there is no passenger.

SideAirbagCutoffSystem Your vehicle has a side airbag cutoff system designed primarily to protect a child riding in the front passenger’s seat.

To get the best protection from the side airbags, front seat occupants should wear their seat belts and sit upright and well back in their seats.

Although Acura does not encourage children to ride in front, if the position sensors detect a child has leaned into the side airbag’s deployment path, the airbag will shut off.

The side airbag may also shut off if a short adult leans sideways, or a larger adult slouches and leans sideways into the airbag’s deployment path.

Objects placed on the front passenger seat can also cause the side airbag to be shut off.

If you ever have a moderate to severe side impact, sensors will detect rapid acceleration and signal the control unit to instantly inflate either the driver’s or the passenger’s side airbag and activate the seat belt tensioner on the affected side.