Acura TSX 2004 Owner's Manual
2004 TSX 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...........................................................................................................................57
Instrument panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering column controls.
Comfort and Convenience 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...........................................................................................................................................................197
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, plus towing a trailer.
Maintenance..............................................................................................................................
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take your vehicle to the dealer.
Appearance Care..............................................................................................................................
Tips on cleaning and protecting your vehicle. Things to look for if your car ever needs body repairs.
Taking Care of the Unexpected...............................................................................................................303
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, and how to handle them.
Technical Information...............................................................................................................................331
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada).....................................................................
A summary of the warranties covering your new Honda, and how to contact us.
Authorized Manuals (U.S. only
)...............................................................................................................351
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
.113
...............183
...................229
...........295
.347
Owner’s Identification
Main Menu
OWNER
ADDRESS
STREET
CITY STATE/PROVINCE ZIP CODE/
V. I. N.
DELIVERY DATE
(Date sold to original retail purchaser)
DEALER NAME DEALER NO.
ADDRESS
STREET
CITY STATE/PROVINCE ZIP CODE/
OWNER’S SIGNATURE
DEALER’S SIGNATURE
POSTAL CODE
POSTAL CODE
This Owner’s Manual should be considered
a permanent part of the car, and should
remain with the car when it is sold.
This Owner’s Manual covers all models of
theTSX.Youmayfinddescriptionsof
equipment and features that are not on your
particular model.
The inf ormation and specifications included
in this publication were in effect at the time
of approval for printing. Honda Motor Co.,
Ltd. reserves the right, however, to
discontinue or change specif ications or
design at any time without notice and
without incurring any obligation whatsoever.
Introduction
Main Menu
Congratulations! Your selection of a 2004 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 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.
California Proposition 65 Warning
WARNING:
California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
This product contains or emits chemicals known to the State of
As you read this manual, you will
find inf ormation that is preceded by
a symbol. This
information is intended to help you
avoid damage to your Acura, other
property, or the environment.
i
AFewWordsAboutSafety
Main Menu
Your safety, and the safety of others,
is very important. And operating this
car saf ely 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.
ii
You will f ind this important safety information in a variety of forms,
including:
Safety Labels
Safety Messages
three signal words: , , or .
These signal words mean:
Safety Headings
Safety Precautions.
Safety Section
Instructions
This entire book is filled with important safety information please read it
carefully.
−
on the car.
−
preceded by a safety alert symbol and one of
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
instructions.
−
such as Important Safety Reminders or Important
−
such as Driver and Passenger Safety.
−
how to use this car correctly and safely.
−
Your Car at a Glance
Main Menu
MIRROR CONTROLS
(P.102)
DOOR LOCK SWITCH
(P.81)
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
(P.97)
HAZARD WARNING LIGHTSDIGITAL CLOCK (P.135, 153) (P.75)
AUDIO SYSTEM
(P.129, 148)
HEATING/COOLING
CONTROLS
(P.115, 121)
TRUNK RELEASE HANDLE/
FUEL FILL DOOR RELEASE
(P.87/184)
2
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE
(P.186)
Your Car at a Glance
Main Menu
HEADLIGHTS/
TURN SIGNALS
(P. 70/73)
REMOTE AUDIO
CONTROLS
(P. 171)
MOONROOF
SWITCH
(P. 101)
VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST
SYSTEM OFF SWITCH
(P. 217)
CRUISE CONTROLS
(P. 174)
TILT/TELESCOPIC
ADJUSTMENT
(P. 76)
WINDSHIELD WIPERS/WASHERS
(P. 73/75)
HAZARD
WARNING LIGHTS
(P. 75)
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER
(P. 75, 76)
HORN
3
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
andchildreninyourcar.
.............Your Car’s Safety Features . 7
.......................................Seat Belts . 8
...........................................Airbags . 9
..................Seats and Seat-Backs . 10
..........................Head Restraints . 11
..................................Door Locks . 11
............................Protecting Adults . 12
...........2. Adjust the Front Seats . 13
.........Important Safety Precautions . 6
........Pre-Drive Safety Checklist . 11
.....1. Close and Lock the Doors . 12
............3. Adjust the Seat-Backs . 14
5. Fasten and Position the Seat
.....................................Belts . 15
....6. Adjust the Steering Wheel . 18
7. Maintain a Proper Sitting
................................Position . 18
.....Advice for Pregnant Women . 19
........................Protecting Children . 21
All Children Must Be
...............................Restrained . 21
Children Should Sit in the Back
...........................................Seat . 22
The Passenger’s Front Airbag
Poses Serious Risks to
...............................Children . 22
If You Must Drive with Several
...................................Children . 24
If a Child Requires Close
..................................Attention . 25
General Guidelines for Using
...............................Child Seats . 26
.......................Protecting Infants . 30
.........Protecting Small Children . 33
...4. Adjust the Head Restraints . 15
...Additional Safety Precautions . 20
...Additional Safety Precautions . 25
.......Protecting Larger Children . 36
Using Child Seats with
.....................................Tethers . 39
.............................Using LATCH . 41
Additional Information About Your
.................................Seat Belts . 43
..Seat Belt System Components . 43
......................Lap/Shoulder Belt . 43
Automatic Seat Belt
...............................Tensioners . 44
...............Seat Belt Maintenance . 45
Additional Information About
...........................Your Airbags . 46
........................SRS Components . 46
How Your Front Airbags
.........................................Work . 46
...How Your Side Airbags Work . 48
How Your Side Curtain
..........................Airbags Work . 49
..How the SRS Indicator Works . 49
How the Side Airbag Cutoff
...........Indicator Light Works . 50
.............................Airbag Service . 51
...Additional Safety Precautions . 52
.............Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 53
...................................Safety Labels . 54
Driver and Passenger Safety
5
Important Safety Precautions
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Table of Contents
You’ll find many safety
recommendations throughout this
section, and throughout this manual.
Therecommendationsonthispage
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,
notthefrontseat.Achildwhoistoo
smallforaseatbeltmustbeproperly
restrained in a child safety seat. (See
page .)
21
6
Driver and Passenger Safety
Be Aware of Airbag Hazards Control Your Speed
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 f ollow all instructions and
warnings in this manual. (See page
.)
9
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
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
Having a tire blowout or a
mechanical f ailure 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 .)
drink and drive, either.
232
(3) (4)
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(10)
(8)
(1)
(9)
(2)
Your Car’s Saf ety Features
Your car is equipped with many
features that work together to
protect you and your passengers
during a crash.
(7)
＊
: if equipped
(2)
(6)
(7)
(5)
(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
(11)
＊
Some safety features do not require
anyactiononyourpart.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; a collapsible steering column;
and seat belt tensioners that
automatically tighten the front seat
belts in the event of a crash.
CONTINUED
Driver and Passenger Safety
7
Your Car’s Saf ety Features
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Table of Contents
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
always wear your seat belts
and
properly.
In fact, some safety
features can contribute to injuries if
they are not used properly.
8
Driver and Passenger Safety
Seat Belts
Foryoursafety,andthesafetyof
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
effectivesafetydeviceforadultsand
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.
In addition, most states and all
Canadian provinces require you to
wear seat belts.
Not wearing a seat belt properly
increases the chanceofserious
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 car so
you can take advantage of the car’s
built-in safety features.
Help protect you in almost every
type of crash, including f rontal,
side, and rear impacts and
rollovers.
Your Car’s Saf ety Features
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Table of Contents
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.Butinmostcases,seatbelts
can reduce your risk of serious
injury.
What you should do:
your seat belt, and make sure you
wear it properly.
Always wear
Airbags
Your car has a Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS) with dualstage, dual-threshold front airbags to
help protect the heads and chests of
the driver and a f ront 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.
CONTINUED
Driver and Passenger Safety
9
Your Car’s Saf ety Features
Main Menu
Table of Contents
Your car also has side curtain
airbags. During a moderate to severe
side impact, side curtain airbags help
to protect the heads of the driver,
front seat passenger, and passengers
sitting in the outer rear seating
positions.
The most important things you need
to know about your airbags are:
10
Driver and Passenger Safety
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.
Seats and 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 seatbacks 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
theinsideofthecar,orbyan
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.
Your Car’s Saf ety Features
Main Menu
Table of Contents
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
thechanceofbeingthrownoutof
the car during a crash. It also helps
prevent occupants from accidentally
opening a door and falling out, and
outsiders f rom unexpectedly opening
your doors.
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
wearingthemproperly(seepage
).
15
Any infant or small child is
properly restrained in a child seat
inthebackseat(seepage ).
21
Frontseatoccupantsaresitting
upright and as far back as possible
from the steering wheel and
dashboard (see page ).
13
Seat-backs are upright (see page
).
14
Head restraints are properly
adjusted (see page ).
15
All doors are closed and locked
(see page ).
12
All cargo is properly stored or
secured (see page ).
Driver and Passenger Safety
193
11
Protecting Adults
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Table of Contents
The rest of this section gives more
detailed inf ormation 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.
12
Driver and Passenger Safety
Introduction
The f ollowing 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 for
36
important additional guidelines on
how to properly protect larger
children.)
Close and Lock the Doors
1.
After everyone has entered the car,
be sure the doors are closed and
locked.
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
thechancethatapassenger,
especially a child, will open a door
while the car is moving and
accidentally fall out. It also reduces
thechanceofsomeonebeingthrown
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 for how to lock the
81
doors.
Protecting Adults
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Table of Contents
Adjust the Front Seats2.
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.
To reduce the chance of injury, wear
your seat belt properly, sit upright
with your back against the seat, and
movetheseatawayfromthe
steering wheel to the farthest
distance that allows you to maintain
full control of the car.
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration and Transport
Canada recommend that drivers
adjust the seat so the center of the
chest is at least 10 inches (25cm)
away from the center of the steering
wheel. In addition to adjusting the
seat, you can adjust the steering
wheel in and out (see page ).76
Also make sure your front seat
passenger moves the seat as f ar to
the rear as possible.
Sitting too closeto 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 f ar
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 for how to adjust the
90
front seats.
Driver and Passenger Safety
13
Protecting Adults
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Table of Contents
Adjust the Seat-Backs3.
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.
14
Driver and Passenger Safety
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.
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-backto an
upright position and sit well
back in the seat.
See page for how to adjust seat-
91
backs.
Protecting Adults
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Table of Contents
Adjust the Head Restraints Fasten and Position the Seat
4. 5.
Belts
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 f rom
whiplash and other crash injuries.
See page for how to adjust the
93
head restraints.
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.
CONTINUED
Driver and Passenger Safety
15
Protecting Adults
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Table of Contents
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.
16
Driver and Passenger Safety
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 causeserious 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.
Protecting Adults
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Table of Contents
RELEASE BUTTONS
To adjust the height of a front seat
belt anchor, squeeze the two release
buttons and slide the anchor up or
down as needed (it has four
positions).
Never place the shoulder portion of a
lap/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.
sit in a seat with an inoperative seat
belt.
Anyone using a seat belt that is
No one should
not working properly can be
seriously injured or killed. Have your
Acura dealer check the belt as soon
as possible.
See page for additional
43
information about your seat belt
system and how to take care of your
belts.
Driver and Passenger Safety
17
Protecting Adults
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Adjust the Steering Wheel Maintain a Proper Sitting
6. 7.
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 of f.
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,
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.
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 f atally 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.
See page for how to adjust the
76
steering wheel.
18
Driver and Passenger Safety
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.
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.
Driver and Passenger Safety
19
Protecting Adults
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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 comf ort 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.
20
Driver and Passenger Safety
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 objects 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.
On models with side airbags or
side curtain airbags, do not attach
hard objects on or near a front
door.
If a side airbag or a side
curtain 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 airbag inflates.
Children depend on adults to protect
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Table of Contents
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
otherchildreninyourcar,besureto
read this section.
Children who are unrestrained
or improperly restrained can be
seriously injured orkilled 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.
Protecting Children
All Children Must Be Restrained
Each year, many children are injured
or killed in car crashes because they
are either unrestrained or not
properly restrained. In fact, car
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 car.
Anychildwhoistoosmalltoweara
seat belt should be properly
restrained in a child seat.
.)
A larger child should always be
restrained with a seat belt, and use a
booster, if needed.
(See page
(See page .)2636
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Driver and Passenger Safety
21
Protecting Children
Main Menu
Table of Contents
Additional Precautions to Parents
Neverholdaninfantorchildon
your lap.
If you are not wearing a
seat belt in a crash, you could be
thrown forward into the
dashboard and crush the child.
child can be torn from your arms
during a crash. For example, if
your car crashes into a parked car
at 30 mph (48 km/h), a 20-lb
(9 kg) infant will become a 600-lb
(275 kg) force, and you will not be
able to hold on.
Never put a seat belt over yourself
and an infant or child.
crash, the belt could press deep
into the child and cause very
serious injuries.
22
Driver and Passenger Safety
During a
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 f rontal collision. To do this,
the passenger’s front airbag is quite
large, and it inflates with tremendous
speed.Ifyouarewearingaseatbelt,the
Infants
Never put a rear-f acing child seat in
the front seat of a car 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.
Protecting Children
Main Menu
Table of Contents
Small Children
Placing a forward-facing child seat in
the front seat of a car 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 f orward 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 airbag.
Whenever possible,
larger children should sit in the back
seat, in a booster seat if needed, and
be properly restrained with a seat
belt. (See page for important
36
information about protecting larger
children.)
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
warninglabelsonthedashboardand
on the driver’s and front passenger’s
visors. Please read and follow the
instructions on these labels.
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Driver and Passenger Safety
23
Protecting Children
Main Menu
Table of Contents
Canadian Models
To remind you of the f ront 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.
24
Driver and Passenger Safety
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 ).
Move the vehicle seat as far to the
rear as possible (see page ).3613
Have the child sit upright and well
backintheseat(seepage ).
18
Make sure the seat belt is properly
positioned and secured (see page
).
15
Protecting Children
Main Menu
Table of Contents
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 f rom opening the
doors and accidentally falling out
(see page ).
Use the main power window
switch to prevent children f rom
opening the rear windows.
87
Using
this feature will prevent children
from playing with the windows,
which could expose them to
hazards or distract the driver (see
page ).
97
Do not leave children alone in your
car.
Leaving children without
adult supervision is illegal in most
states and Canadian provinces,
and can be very hazardous. For
example, infants and small
childrenleftinacaronahotday
can die from heatstroke. And
children left alone with the key in
the ignition can accidentally set
the car in motion, possibly injuring
themselves or others.
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Driver and Passenger Safety
25
Protecting Children
Main Menu
Table of Contents
Lock all doors and the trunk when
your car is not in use.
who play in cars can accidentally
get trapped inside the trunk and
be seriously injured or could die.
Teach your children not to play in
or around cars. Know how to
operate the emergency trunk
opener and decide if your children
should be shown how to use this
feature(seepage ).
Keep car keys/remote
transmitters out of the reach of
children.
children learn how to unlock car
doors, turn on the ignition, and
openthetrunk,whichcanleadto
accidental injury or death.
26
Driver and Passenger Safety
Children
88
Even very young
General Guidelines for Using
Child Seats
The f ollowing 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:
The child seat should meet safety
1.
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.
The child seat should be of the
2.
proper type and size to fit the child.
Infants:
Childrenuptoaboutone
year old should be restrained in a
rear-f acing, reclining child seat. Only
a rear-facing seat provides the
proper support to protect an inf ant’s
head, neck, and back. See page
for additional information on
30
protecting infants.
The child seat should f it the
Main Menu
Table of Contents
3.
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.
Protecting Children
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.
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 for
additional inf ormation on protecting
small children.
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.
Your car has lower anchors installed
for use with LATCH (Lower
AnchorsandTethersforChildren)compatible child seats. For more
information, see page .3341
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Driver and Passenger Safety
27
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