How To Put Acura ILX In Neutral With A Dead Battery

Being stuck with a dead battery is a significant inconvenience no matter what vehicle you drive. You might find that you need to put the car in neutral so it can safely move into a different spot. If you are driving an Acura ILX and want to know how this can be done with a dead battery, we can help. We researched this vehicle from multiple professional sources so that you will see how this can be done.

You will be able to place your Acura ILX into neutral with a dead battery by following these steps:

  • Locate the tab to the right of the shifter
  • Remove the tab cover
  • Place your foot on the brake
  • Use your blade to press the white tab
  • While the white tab is pressed down, put the vehicle in neutral

Now that we know the steps you'll need to take to get this vehicle into neutral with a dead battery, we'll provide more detail on each one to make this task easier to follow. You might also be wondering what the signs of a dead battery are or how long the battery of an Acura ILX will last. For the answers to these questions and more, read ahead in this post to see what our research has uncovered.

Acura ILX premium sport sedan at a shop, How To Put Acura ILX In Neutral With A Dead Battery

The steps to get your Acura ILX put into neutral

Though there are multiple steps in this process, don't let that intimidate you. Getting your Acura ILX into neutral can be done relatively quickly. You'll just need a small, flat-blade screwdriver to get the job done.

Acura ILX premium sport sedan at a dealership, How To Put Acura ILX In Neutral With A Dead Battery

Above, we listed the steps you need to take to get the ILX into neutral while the battery is dead. Below, we've got details for each step in case you need them.

Locate the tab to the right of the shifter

The shifter is located between the front seats. Look to the right of the shifter knob. You'll see a rectangular covering about an inch long and half an inch wide. This covering has gaps that a small blade can be inserted into.

A 2018 Acura ILX Sedan at a dealership in Halifax's North End

Remove the tab cover.

Carefully insert the blade into the short side of this covering. You will then be able to pop the covering up, exposing the inside. It will be a white tab that is revealed.

Put the tab cover in a safe spot. You won't have it off for very long, but you certainly don't want to misplace it!

Place your foot on the brake.

Before maneuvering your vehicle into neutral, you want to ensure that it won't move unless you want it to. This means that you need to have your foot on the brake.

Brake the ILX, and keep your foot on that pedal for the duration of these steps. Remember, once the car is in neutral, it will move with the force of gravity whether you want it to or not. Don't release that brake for safety until you are ready to move.

Use your blade to press the white tab.

Using the small blade, gently press in on the white tab you just exposed. You'll find that it doesn't take much pressure to make this tab move downward, further into the console.

While the white tab is pressed down, put the vehicle in neutral

Hold the white tab into position with one hand. With the other hand, press the shift release button and move the shifter knob into neutral.

When you're ready to move the vehicle, gently release the brake.

If you would like to see a video tutorial of this process, we have a video that shows each step below:

What are the signs of a dead battery?

There are a good number of signs that your car battery has died. While a dead battery can share some signs of faulty alternators or broken starters, the following will give you a good idea of what to look for if you can't get enough juice to get your engine to turn over.

  • You aren't getting any response when you turn the key
  • You can hear the starter motor crank when you turn the key, but the engine won't turn over
  • During colder temperatures, the cranking is much slower
  • You get the engine to start, but it immediately dies
  • You notice that you do not have a door chime
  • Your headlights and interior lights are dim
  • The check engine light is illuminated
  • You inspect that battery and see that it is swollen
  •  You can smell leaking battery acid
  • The battery terminals are heavily corroded

 No matter the cause or the symptoms you notice, you will need to get your battery jumped to return to the road. Some batteries will be too far gone to be effectively jumped, however. If this is the case, you will need to replace the defective battery with a new one.

An African-American man taking a car battery out of a truck

How long will the battery of an Acura ILX last?

Car batteries shouldn't need to be replaced very often. The battery for your Acura ILX will last an average of three to five years. But this range will depend on several factors.

The temperature you regularly drive in will impact battery life. Frigid temperatures make your battery work harder to turn over the engine. This extra strain can lessen the useful life of your battery.

If you have drained your battery by leaving the headlights on with the engine off, it can wear the battery down faster. Do this too often, and you'll find that you will need to replace the battery more often than you like.

How much does it cost to replace an Acura battery?

Parts will wear out over time regardless of how well you care for your vehicle. At some point, you will need to replace the battery of your Acura ILX. Thankfully, this will not break the bank.

Depending on the battery's brand, the replacement cost will range between $75 and $200. There is usually a core replacement fee, and an old battery disposal charge is not included but does not add much more to the price.

Auto mechanic replacing car battery

Is the Acura ILX a reliable vehicle?

Though U.S. News and World Report rank the 2022 Acura ILX #12 out of 12 in its class of small luxury cars, that doesn't mean that this vehicle isn't reliable. Its 6.7 out of 10.0 rating from this agency is based on its disappointment in the interior design and comfort of the car and doesn't reflect its overall reliability.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 2022 model a respectable 81 out of 100 in this category. While not in the highest tier of ratings by this company, an "81" is still a good rating, meaning that the ILX scores well as a dependable vehicle.

How long will the Acura ILX last?

Consumers who spend money on luxury vehicles will often want them to last a good number of miles. These vehicles are expensive, and getting the most out of your dollar is important to many luxury vehicle owners.

The Acura ILX should last upwards of 200,000 miles. Driven at a rate of 20,000 miles each year, you can expect the ILX to be on the roadways for up to ten years or more.

Odometer with 99999 miles

To get to these mileage milestones, you will need to care for your vehicle correctly. Follow the routine maintenance schedule in the owner's manual, and don't deviate from it. Seemingly innocuous items like oil and filter changes go a long way in keeping your ILX on the road for many years.

Final thoughts

Acura ILX premium sport sedan at a dealership

The Acura ILX can be easily placed into neutral when the battery is dead by following a few simple steps. Know the signs of a dead battery so that you can get it replaced or jumped quickly. The reliable ILX will stay on the road for many years, so long as you properly maintain it. Drive safe!

We hope this post on the Acura ILX answered all of your questions. If you'd like to get additional information on this popular vehicle, we suggest reading the following commands:

Does Acura ILX Come With Spare Tire?

What Acura Vehicles Are AWD?

What Engine Does The Acura NSX Have?

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