Acura TL 2000 Owner's Manual
2000 TL Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.helminc.com.
Owner's Identification Form
Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... i
A Few Words About Safety.................................................................................................................ii
Your Vehicle at a Glance.................................................................................................................... 2
Driver and Passenger Safety ..............................................................................................................5
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restraint System.
Instruments and Controls.................................................................................................................51
Instrument panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering column controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ............................................................................................. 109
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other convenience features.
Before Driving..................................................................................................................................145
What gasoline to use, how to break-in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ..............................................................................................................................................159
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, plus towing a trailer.
Maintenance.....................................................................................................................................187
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take your vehicle to the dealer.
Appearance Care..............................................................................................................................245
Tips on cleaning and protecting your vehicle. Things to look for if your vehicle ever needs body repairs.
Taking Care of the Unexpected......................................................................................................253
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, and how to handle them.
Technical Information.....................................................................................................................279
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................291
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact us.
Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)......................................................................................................297
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index...................................................................................................................................................... I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.
Contents
Owner's Identification
Main Menu
OWNER
ADDRESS
CITY
V. I. N.
DELIVERY DATE
DEALER NAME
ADDRESS
CITY
OWNER'S
SIGNATURE
DEALER'S SIGNATURE
STREET
STATE/PROVINCE
(Date sold to original retail purchaser)
DEALER NO.
STREET
STATE/PROVINCE
ZIP CODE /
POSTAL CODE
ZIP
CODE/
POSTAL CODE
This Owner's Manual should be considered
a permanent part of the car, and should
remain with the car when it i
s sold.
The information and specifications included
in this publication were in affect at the time
of approval for printing. Honda Motor Co.,
Ltd. reserves the right, however, to
discontinue or change specifications or
design at any time without notice and
with out incurring any obligation whatsoever.
Introduction
Main Menu
Congratulations ! Your selection of a 2000 Acura 3.2 TL was a wise
investment. It will give you years of driving pleasure.
One of the best ways to enhance the enjoyment of your new Acura 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 car so you
can refer to it at any time.
Several warranties protect your new Acura. Read the warranty booklet
thoroughly so you understand the coverages and are aware of your rights
and responsibilities.
Maintaining your car according to the schedules given in this manual helps
to keep your driving trouble-free while it preserves your investment. When
your car needs maintenance, keep in mind that your Acura dealer's staff is
specially trained in servicing the many systems unique to your Acura. Your
Acura dealer is dedicated to your satisfaction and will be pleased to answer
any questions and concerns.
As you read this manual, you will
find information that is preceded by
a symbol. This
information is intended to help you
avoid damage to your Acura, other
property, or the environment.
A Few Words About Safety
−
−
on the vehicle.
preceded by a safety alert symbol and one of
three signal words: , , or .
These signal words mean:
DANGER WARNING CAUTION
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
Main Menu
Your safety, and the safety of others,
is very important. And operating this
car 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 car. You must use
your own good judgement.
You will find this important safety information in a variety of forms,
including:
• Safety Labels — on the car.
•
Safety Messages — preceded by a safety alert symbol
three signal words: DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION.
These signal words mean:
• Safety Headings — such as Important Safety Reminders or Important
Safety Precautions.
• Safety Section — such as Driver and Passenger Safety.
• Instructions — how to use this vehicle correctly and safely.
This entire book is filled with important safety information — please read it
carefully.
DANGER
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.
Your Car at a Glance
Main Menu
POWER DOOR LOCK
SWITCH
(P.77)
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
(P.95)
TRUNK RELEASE
BUTTON
(P.82)
MIRROR
CONTROLS
(P.98)
FUEL FILL DOOR
HANDLE
(P.147)
AIRBAGS
(P.9, 43)
HOOD RELEASE
HANDLE
(P.148)
DIGITAL CLOCK
(P. 100)
CLIMATE CONTROL
(P.110, 118)
AUDIO SYSTEM
(P.123)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
(P. 162)
Your Car at a Glance
Main Menu
TRACTION CONTROL
(P.175)
MOONROOF SWITCH
(P.96)
INSTRUMENT PANEL
BRIGHTNESS
(P.64)
HEADLIGHTS/
TURN SIGNALS
(P.63, 65)
CRUISE CONTROL
(P.69)
WINDSHIELD WIPERS/WASHERS
(P.65)
TILT ADJUSTMENT
(P.68)
HORN
(P.62)
HAZARD WARNING
LIGHTS
(P.67)
REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER
(P.67)
4
Main Menu
Driver and Passenger Safety
Main Menu
This section gives you important
information about how to protect
yourself and your passengers. It
shows you how to use seat belts
properly. It explains your Supplemental Restraint System. And it tells
you how to properly restrain infants
and children in your car.
Important Safety Precautions ........6
Your Car's Safety Features ........... 7
Seat Belts ............................
Airbags .....................................9
Seats & Seat-Backs .....................10
Head Restraints .......................10
Door Locks 10
Pre-Drive Safety Checklist.........11
Protecting Adults .........................12
1. Close and Lock the Doors......12
2. Adjust the Front Seats..........12
3. Adjust the Seat-Backs.......... 13
4. Adjust the Head Restraints.... 14
5. Fasten and Position the Seat
Belts ................................ 15
6. Adjust the Steering Wheel..... 17
7. Maintain a Proper Sitting
Position............................. 17
Advice for Pregnant Women..... 18
Additional Safety Precautions.... 19
Protecting Children.......................20
All Children Must Be
Restrained............................ 20
Children Should Sit in the Back
Seat........................................... 21
The Passenger's Front Airbag
Poses Serious Risks
to Children......................... 21
8
If You Must Drive with Several
Children................................ 23
If a Child Requires Close
Attention............................. 23
Additional Safety Precautions.... 23
General Guidelines for Using
Child Seats........................... 24
Protecting Infants......................28
Protecting Small Children...........32
Protecting Larger Children........35
Using Child Seats with
Tethers...................................39
Additional Information About Your
Seat Belts..................................40
Seat Belt System Components... 40
Lap/Shoulder Belt..................... 40
Seat Belt Maintenance.............. 42
Additional Information About Your
Front Airbags........................ 43
SRS Components...................... 43
How Your Front Airbags
Work...................................43
How the SRS Indicator Light
Works................................... 45
Additional Information About Your
Side Airbags.......................... 46
How Your Side Airbags Work.... 46
How The Side Airbag Indicator
Light Works......................... 47
Airbag Service........................... 48
Additional Safety Precautions..... 48
Carbon Monoxide Hazard..............49
Safety Labels.................................50
Driver and Passenger Safety
Important Safety Precautions
Main Menu
Table of Contents
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
supplement seat belts, but airbags
are designed to inflate only in a
moderate to severe frontal collision.
So even though your car 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 are safest when they are
properly restrained in the back seat,
not the front seat. A child who is too
small for a seat belt must be properly
restrained in a child safety seat. (See
page 20.)
Driver and Passenger Safety
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. (See page
9.)
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 accidents can also
occur at lower speeds. Never drive
faster than is safe for current
conditions, regardless of the
maximum speed posted.
Keep Your Car 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 192 .)
(7)
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Table of Contents
(9)
(8)
(3)
(2)
(4) (1)
(6)
(7)
(5)
(1) Safety Cage
(2) Crush Zones
(3) Seats & Seat-Backs
(4) Head Restraints
(5) Collapsible Steering Column
(6) Seat Belts
(7) Airbags
(8) Door Locks
(9) Side Airbags
(9)
Your Car's Safety Features
Your car is equipped with many
features that work together to
protect you and your passengers
during a crash.
(2)
Some safety 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 that are designed to
crumple and absorb energy during a
crash; and a collapsible steering
column.
These safety features are designed
to reduce the severity of injuries in a
crash. However, you and your
passengers can't take full advantage
of these safety features unless you
remain sitting in a proper position
and always wear your seat belts
properly. In fact, some safety
features can contribute to injuries if
they are not used properly.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Your Car's Safety Features
Main Menu
Table of Contents
Seat Belts
For your safety, and the safety of
your passengers, your car is
equipped with seat belts in all seating
positions.
Your seat belt system also
includes a light on the
instrument panel to remind you and
your passengers to fasten your seat
belts.
Why Wear Seat Belts
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 car has airbags.
Driver and Passenger Safety
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
if you have 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
car'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 car and
against other occupants.
• Keep you from being thrown out
of the car.
• 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.
What you should do: Always wear
your seat belt, and make sure you
wear it properly.
Your Car's Safety Features
Main Menu
Table of Contents
Airbags
Your car 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.
Your car 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.
The most important things you need
to know about your airbags are:
• Airbags do not replace seat belts.
They are designed to supplement
the seat belts.
• Airbags offer no protection in rear
impacts, rollovers, or minor
frontal or side collisions.
• Airbags can pose serious hazards.
To do their job, airbags must
inflate with tremendous force and
speed. 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.
What you should do: Always wear
your seat belt properly, and sit
upright and as far back as possible
from the steering wheel or
dashboard.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Your Car's Safety Features
Main Menu
Table of Contents
Seats & Seat-Backs
Your car's seats are designed to keep
you in a comfortable, upright
position so you can take full
advantage of the protection offered
by seat belts and the energy
absorbing materials in the seats.
How you adjust your seats and seat-
backs can also affect your safety. For
example, sitting too close to the
steering wheel or dashboard
increases the risk of you or your
passenger being injured by striking
the inside of the car, or by an
inflating airbag.
Reclining a seat-back too far reduces
the seat belt's effectiveness and
increases the chance that the seat's
occupant will slide under the seat
belt in a crash and be seriously
injured.
Driver and Passenger Safety
What you should do: Move the front
seats as far back as possible, and
keep adjustable seat-backs in an
upright position whenever the car is
moving.
Head Restraints
Head restraints can help protect you
from whiplash and other injuries. For
maximum protection, the back of
your head should rest against the
center of the head restraint.
Door Locks
Keeping your doors locked reduces
the chance of being thrown out of
the car during a crash. It also helps
prevent occupants from accidentally
opening a door and falling out, and
outsiders from unexpectedly opening
your doors.
Your Car's Safety Features
Main Menu
Table of Contents
Pre-Drive Safety Checklist
To make sure you and your
passengers get the maximum
protection from your car's safety
features, check the following each
time before you drive away:
• All adults, and children who have
outgrown child safety seats, are
wearing their seat belts and
wearing them properly (see page
15).
• Any infant or small child is
properly restrained in a child seat
in the back seat (see page 20).
• Front seat occupants are sitting
upright and as far back as possible
from the steering wheel and
dashboard (see page 12).
• Seat-backs are upright (see page
13).
• Head restraints are properly
adjusted (see page 14).
• All doors are closed and locked
(see page 12).
• All cargo is properly stored or
secured (see page 155).
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 severe
crashes, even when seat belts are
properly worn and the airbags deploy.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Protecting Adults
Main Menu
Table of Contents
Introduction
The following pages provide
instructions on how to properly
protect the driver and other adult
occupants.
These instructions also apply to
children who have outgrown child
seats and are large enough to wear
lap/shoulder belts. (See page 35 for
important additional guidelines on
how to properly protect larger
children.)
1.Close and Lock the Doors
After everyone has entered the car,
be sure the doors are closed and
locked.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Your car has a door monitor light on
the instrument panel to indicate
when a specific door is not tightly
closed.
For safety, locking the doors reduces
the chance that a passenger,
especially a child, will open a door
while the car is moving and
accidentally fall out. It also reduces
the chance of someone being thrown
out of the car during a crash.
For security, locked doors can
prevent an outsider from
unexpectedly opening a door when
you come to a stop.
See page 77 for how to lock the
doors.
2.Adjust the Front Seats
Any driver who sits too close to the
steering wheel is at risk of being
seriously injured or killed by striking
the steering wheel or from being
struck by an inflating front airbag
during a crash.
Protecting Adults
Main Menu
Table of Contents
To reduce the chance of injury, wear
your seat belt properly, sit upright
with your back against the seat, and
move the seat as far back as possible
from the steering wheel while still
maintaining full control of the car.
Also make sure your front seat
passenger moves the seat as far to
the rear as possible.
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.
Most shorter drivers can get far
enough away from the steering
wheel and still reach the pedals.
However, if you are concerned about
sitting too close, we recommend that
you investigate whether some type
of adaptive equipment may help.
Once your seat is adjusted correctly,
rock it back and forth to make sure
the seat is locked in position.
See page 89 for how to adjust the
front seats.
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. If you
sit too close to the steering wheel,
you could be injured if the front
airbag inflates.
A front passenger should also adjust
the seat-back to an upright position,
but as far from the dashboard as
possible. A passenger who sits too
close to the dashboard could be
injured if the front airbag inflates.
CONTINUED
Driver and Passenger Safety
Protecting Adults
Main Menu
Table of Contents
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.
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.
See page 90 for how to adjust seatbacks.
Driver and Passenger Safety
4.Adjust the Head Restraints
Before driving, make sure everyone
with an adjustable head restraint has
properly positioned the head
restraint. The restraint should be
positioned so the back of the
occupant's head rests against the
center of the restraint. A taller
person should adjust the 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 91 for how to adjust the
head restraints.
Protecting Adults
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Table of Contents
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. Also check
that the belt is not twisted, because a
twisted belt can cause serious
injuries in a crash.
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 from the
shoulder part, then check that the
belt rests across the center of your
chest and over your shoulder. 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.
CONTINUED
Driver and Passenger Safety
Protecting Adults
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Table of Contents
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.
Driver and Passenger Safety
To adjust the height of a front seat
belt anchor, press the release button
and slide the anchor up or down as
needed (it has four positions).
Never place the shoulder portion of a
l
ap/shoulder belt under your arm or
behind your back. This could cause
very serious injuries in a crash
.
If a seat belt does not seem to work
as it should, it may not protect the
occupant in a crash. No one should
sit in a seat with an inoperative seat
belt. Anyone using a seat belt that is
not working properly can be
seriously injured or killed. Have your
Acura dealer check the belt as soon
as possible.
See page 40 for additional
information about your seat belt
system and how to take care of your
belts.
Protecting Adults
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Table of Contents
6.Adjust the Steering Wheel
Adjust the steering wheel, if needed,
so that the wheel points toward your
chest, not toward your face.
Pointing the steering wheel toward
your chest provides optimal
protection from the airbag.
See page 68 for how to adjust the
steering wheel.
7.Maintain a Proper Sitting
Position
After all occupants have adjusted
their seats and put on 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
car 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.
In addition, an occupant who is out of
position in the front seat can be
seriously or fatally injured by
striking interior parts of the car, or
by being struck by an inflating front
airbag. Being struck by an inflating
side airbag can result in possibly
serious injuries.
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.
CONTINUED
Driver and Passenger Safely
Protecting Adults
Main Menu
Table of Contents
Remember, to get the best
protection from your car's airbags
and other safety features, you must
sit properly and wear your seat belt
properly.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Advice for Pregnant Women
Because protecting the mother is the
best way to protect her unborn child,
a pregnant woman should always
wear a seat belt whenever she drives
or rides in a car.
Remember to keep the lap portion of
the belt as low as possible across
your hips.
Pregnant women should also sit
upright and as far back as possible
from the steering wheel or
dashboard. This will reduce the risk
of injuries to both the mother and
her unborn child that can be caused
by a crash or an inflating airbag.
Each time you have a check-up, ask
your doctor if it's okay for you to
drive.
Protecting Adults
Main Menu
Table of Contents
Additional Safety Precautions
• Two people should never use the
same seat belt. If they do, they
could be very seriously injured in a
crash.
Do not put any accessories on seat
•
belts. Devices intended to improve
occupant comfort or reposition the
shoulder part of a seat belt can
severely compromise the
protective capability of the seat
belt and increase the chance of
serious injury in a crash.
• Do not place hard or sharp objects
between yourself and a front
airbag. Carrying hard or sharp
objects on your lap, or driving with
a pipe or other sharp object in
your mouth, can result in injuries
if your front airbag inflates.
• Do not attach or place objects on
the front airbag covers. Any object
attached to or placed on the covers
marked "SRS AIRBAG," in the
center of the steering wheel and
on top of the dashboard could
interfere with the proper operation
of the airbags. Or, if the airbags
inflate, the objects could be
propelled inside the car and hurt
someone.
• Do not attach hard objects on or
near a front door. If a side airbag
inflates, a cup holder or other hard
object attached on or near the
door could be propelled inside the
car and hurt someone.
• Keep your hands and arms away
from the airbag covers. If your
hands or arms are close to the
airbag cover in the center of the
steering wheel or on top of the
dashboard, they could be injured if
the front airbags inflate.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Protecting Children
Main Menu
Table of Contents
Children depend on adults to protect
them. However, despite their best
intentions, many parents and other
adults may not know how to properly
protect young passengers.
So if you have children, or if you ever
need to drive with a grandchild or
other children in your car, be sure to
read this section.
Children who are unrestrained
or improperly restrained can be
seriously injured or killed in a
crash.
Any child too small for a seat
belt should be properly
restrained in a child seat. A
larger child should be properly
restrained with a seat belt.
All Children Must Be Restrained
Each year, many children are injured
or killed in vehicle crashes because
they are either unrestrained or not
properly restrained. In fact, vehicle
accidents are the number one cause
of death of children ages 12 and
under.
To reduce the number of child
deaths and injuries, every state and
Canadian province requires that
infants and children be restrained
whenever they ride in a vehicle.
Any child who is too small to wear a
seat belt should be properly
restrained in a child seat. (See page
24.)
A larger child should always be
restrained with a seat belt. (See page
35.)
Driver and Passenger Safety
Protecting Children
Main Menu
Table of Contents
Children Should Sit in the Back
Seat
According to accident statistics,
children of all ages and sizes are
safer when they are restrained in the
back seat, not the front seat. The
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration and Transport
Canada recommend that all children
ages 12 and under be properly
restrained in the back seat.
In the back seat, children are less
likely to be injured by striking hard
interior parts during a collision or
hard braking. Also, children cannot
be injured by an inflating airbag
when they ride in the back.
The Passenger's Front Airbag
Poses Serious Risks to Children
Front airbags have been designed to
help protect adults in a moderate to
severe frontal collision. To do this,
the passenger's front airbag is quite
large, and it inflates with tremendous
speed.
Infants
Never put a rear-facing child seat in
the front seat of a vehicle equipped
with a passenger's front airbag. If
the airbag inflates, it can hit the back
of the child seat with enough force
to kill or very seriously injure an
infant.
Small Children
Placing a forward-facing child seat in
the front seat of a vehicle equipped
with a passenger's front airbag can
be hazardous. If the vehicle seat is
too far forward, or the child's head is
thrown forward during a collision, an
inflating front airbag can strike the
child with enough force to kill or
very seriously injure a small child.
Larger Children
Children who have outgrown child
seats are also at risk of being injured
or killed by an inflating passenger's
front air bag. Whenever possible,
larger children should sit in the back
seat, properly restrained with a seat
belt. (See page 35 for important
information about protecting larger
children.)
CONTINUED
Driver and Passenger Safety
Protecting Children
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Table of Contents
U.S. Models
To remind you of the passenger's
front airbag hazards, and that
children must be properly restrained
in the back seat, your car has
warning labels on the dashboard and
on the driver's and front passenger's
visors. Please read and follow the
instructions on these labels.
WARNING
DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occur
•
Children 12 and under can be killed by the air bag
•
The BACK SEAT is the SAFEST place for children
•
NEVER put a rear-facing child seat in the front
•
Sit as far back as possible from the air bag
•
ALWAYS use SEAT BELTS and CHILD RESTRAINTS
WARNING
Children Can Be KILLED or INJURED
by Passenger Air Bag
The back seat is the safest place for children 12 and under.
Make sure all children use seat belts or child seats.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Canadian Models
To remind you of the front airbag
hazards, your car has warning labels
on the driver's and front passenger's
visors. Please read and follow the
instructions on these labels.
CAUTION
TO AVOID SERIOUS INJURY:
• FOR MAXIMUM SAFETY PROTECTION IN
ALL TYPES OF CRASHES, YOU MUST
ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SAFETY BELT.
• DO NOT INSTALL REARWARD-FACING
CHILD SEATS IN ANY FRONT
PASSENGER SEAT POSITION.
• DO NOT SIT OR LEAN UNNECESSARILY
CLOSE TO THE AIR BAG.
DO NOT PLACE ANY OBJECTS OVER THE
•
AIR BAG OR BETWEEN THE AIR BAG
AND YOURSELF.
SEE THE OWNER'S MANUAL FOR FURTHER
•
INFORMATION AND EXPLANATIONS.
PRECAUTION:
POUR EVITER DES BLESSURES GRAVES:
• POUR PROFITER DUNE PROTECTION
MAXIMALE LORS D'UNE COLLISION BOUCLEZ
TOUJOURS VOTRE CEINTURE DE SECURITE.
• NINSTALLEZ JAMAIS UN SIEGE POUR
ENFANTS FAISANT FACE A L ARRIERE SUR
LE SIEGE DU PASSAGER AVANT.
•
NE VOUS APPUYEZ PAS ET NE VOUS ASSEYEZ
PAS PRES DU COUSSIN GONFLABLE.
•
NE DEPOSEZ AUCUN OBJET SUR LE COUSSIN
GONFLABLE OU ENTRE LE COUSSIN
GONFLABLE ET VOUS.
• LISEZ LE GUIDE UTILISATEUR POUR DE
PLUS AMPLES RENSEIGNEMENTS.
Protecting Children
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Table of Contents
If You Must Drive with Several
Children
Your car has three seating positions
in the back seat where children can
be properly restrained.
If you ever have to carry more than
three children in your car:
• Place the largest child in the front
seat, provided the child is large
enough to wear a seat belt
properly (see page 35).
• Move the vehicle seat as far to the
rear as possible (see page 12).
• Have the child sit upright and well
back in the seat (see page 16).
• Make sure the seat belt is properly
positioned and secured (see page
15).
If a Child Requires Close
Attention
Many parents say they prefer to put
an infant or small child in the front
passenger seat so they can watch the
child, or because the child requires
attention.
Placing a child in the front seat
exposes the child to hazards from
the passenger's front airbag, and
paying close attention to a child
distracts the driver from the
important tasks of driving, placing
both of you at risk.
If a child requires physical attention
or frequent visual contact, we
strongly recommend that another
adult ride with the child in the back
seat. The back seat is far safer for a
child than the front.
Additional Safety Precautions
• Use childproof door locks to
prevent children from opening the
doors. Using this feature will
prevent children from opening the
doors and accidentally falling out
(see page 81 ).
• Use the main power window
switch to prevent children from
opening the rear windows. Using
this feature will prevent children
from playing with the windows,
which could expose them to
hazards or distract the driver (see
page 96 ).
CONTINUED
Driver and Passenger Safety
Protecting Children
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Table of Contents
• Do not leave children alone in your
vehicle. Leaving children without
adult supervision is illegal in most
states and Canadian provinces,
and can be very hazardous. For
example, infants and small
children left in a vehicle on a hot
day can die from heatstroke. And
children left alone with the key in
the ignition can accidentally set
the vehicle in motion, possibly
injuring themselves or others.
Driver and Passenger Safety
General Guidelines for Using
Child Seats
The following pages give general
guidelines for selecting and installing
child seats for infants and small
children.
Selecting a Child Seat
To provide proper protection, a child
seat should meet three
requirements:
1. The child seat should meet safety
standards. The child seat should
meet Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard 213 (FMVSS 213)
or Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213 (CMVSS 213). Look
for the manufacturer's statement
of compliance on the box and seat.
2. The child seat should be of the
proper type and size to fit the child.
Infants: Children up to about one
year old should be restrained in a
rear-facing, reclining child seat. Only
a rear-facing seat provides the
proper support to protect an infant's
head, neck, and back. See page
28 for additional information on
protecting infants.
Protecting Children
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Table of Contents
Small Children: A child who is too
large for a rear-facing child seat, and
who can sit up without support,
should be restrained in a forwardfacing child seat. See page 32 for
additional information on protecting
small children.
3. The child seat should fit the
vehicle seating position (or
positions) where it will be used.
Due to variations in the design of
child seats, vehicle seats, and seat
belts, all child seats will not fit all
vehicle seating positions.
However, Acura is confident that one
or more child seat models can fit and
be properly installed in all
recommended seating positions in
your car.
Before purchasing a child seat, we
recommend that parents test the
child seat in the specific vehicle
seating position (or positions) where
they intend to use the seat. If a
previously purchased child seat does
not fit, you may need to buy a
different one that will fit.
CONTINUED
Driver and Passenger Safety
Protecting Children
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Table of Contents
Placing a Child Seat
This page briefly summarizes Acura's
recommendations on where to place
rear-facing and forward-facing child
seats in your car.
Airbags Pose Serious
Risks to Children
The passenger's front airbag
inflates with enough force to kill
or seriously injure an infant in a
rear-facing child seat.
A small child in a forward-facing
child seat is also at risk. If the
vehicle seat is too far forward,
or the child's head is thrown
forward during a collision, an
inflating front airbag can kill or
seriously injure the child.
If a small child must ride in the
front, follow the instructions
provided in this section.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Front Passenger's Seat
Infants: Never in the front seat, due
to the front airbag hazard.
Small children: Not recommended,
due to the front airbag hazard. If a
small child must ride in front,
move the vehicle seat to the rear-
most position and secure a front-
facing child seat with the seat belt
(see page 32).
Back Seats
Infants: Recommended positions.
Secure a rear-facing child seat
with the seat belt (see page 28).
Small children: Recommended
positions. Secure a front-facing
child seat with the seat belt (see
page 32).
Protecting Children
Main Menu
Table of Contents
Installing a Child Seat
After selecting a proper child seat,
and a good position to install the seat,
there are three main steps in
installing the seat:
1. Secure the child seat to the car
with a seat belt. All child seats
must be secured to the car with
the lap part of a lap/shoulder belt.
A child whose seat is not properly
secured to the car can be
endangered in a crash. See pages
29 and 33 for instructions on how
to secure child seats in this car.
2. Make sure the child seat is firmly
secured. After installing a child
seat, push and pull the seat
forward and from side to side to
verify that it is secure.
To provide security during normal
driving maneuvers as well as during
a collision, we recommend that
parents secure a child seat as firmly
as possible.
However, a child seat does not need
to be "rock solid." In some vehicles
or seating positions, it may be
difficult to install a child seat so that
it does not move at all. Some side-toside or back-and-forth movement can
be expected and should not reduce
the child seat's effectiveness.
If the child seat is not secure, try
installing it in a different seating
position, or use a different style of
child seat that can be firmly secured
in the desired seating position.
3. Secure the child in the child seat.
Make sure the child is properly
strapped in the child seat
according to the child seat maker's
instructions. A child who is not
properly secured in a child seat
can be thrown out of the seat in a
crash and seriously injured.
Storing a Child Seat
When you are not using a child seat,
either remove it and store it in a safe
place, or make sure it is properly
secured. An unsecured child seat can
be thrown around the car during a
crash or sudden stop and injure
someone.
Driver and Passenger Safety
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