Honda Car Forum

The 2004 Acura TL performance luxury sedan will
feature a Bluetooth hands-free phone system as standard
equipment
when it goes on sale in October at Acura dealers nationwide.
The
HandsFreeLink™ system enables a Bluetooth wireless
connection
between compatible mobile phones and the TL, allowing
hands-free
calls to be made and received from the car. With legislation
pending
in many states to ban the use of hand-held mobile phones while
driving, the HandsFreeLink system is a timely addition to the
TL's
already considerable list of standard luxury features.

"We think the HandsFreeLink system is the most effective,
most
convenient hands-free vehicle phone system available," said
Tom
Elliott, Executive Vice President, Auto Operations. "And we are
proud
to offer it as standard equipment on all TLs."

HandsFreeLink utilizes a Bluetooth wireless interface with
compatible mobile phones (Bluetooth-enabled phones with a
hands-free
profile), enabling drivers to place and receive calls

using the TL's voice recognition and audio interfaces.
Compatible
phones are available from leading manufacturers including
Nokia, Sony
Ericcson and Siemens. Unlike some wireless protocols,
Bluetooth does
not require line of site, so phones can be stored in backpacks,
briefcases or in a pocket inside the TL's passenger cabin while
connected to the HandsFreeLink system.

The system's voice recognition function is controlled by two
buttons, labeled "talk" and "back" respectively, mounted on the
steering wheel. The "talk" button is used to answer incoming
calls,
start the voice recognition process and to confirm system
commands.
The "back" button is used to end a call and to scroll back through
system commands. The system's microphone is located in the
overhead
console and shared with the TL's optional navigation
system.

Phone information is shown on two displays within the
cabin, both
of which can be easily seen from the driver's seat. When
HandsFreeLink is activated, an icon appears on the center
console LCD
indicating that the system is ready to use. When HandsFreeLink
is in
use, the Multi-Info Display, located on the instrument panel
beneath
the fuel gauge, can show phone signal strength, battery level,
phone
mode and the status of the call (dialing, phone number of
incoming
call, etc.).

After an initial "pairing" process, which links the
HandsFreeLink
system with the driver's mobile phone, the system links with that
phone whenever it is turned on within 30 feet of the car. To place
a
call the driver pushes the "talk" button, says "call" or "dial," then
says the number to be called or indicates an entry (for example,
"Matt at Work") stored in the system's phone book.
HandsFreeLink
confirms the number to be dialed on the Multi-Info Display and
through the TL's audio system, and reads back the available
options.
The user can then place the call by pressing and holding the
"talk"
button or by saying, "call" or "dial."

The innovative HandsFreeLink system includes an
assortment of
features that make it easy and intuitive to use. These
include:

• A phone book capable of storing up to 50 phone
  numbers



• A "transfer" feature that allows calls to be transferred from
  a mobile phone to the HandsFreeLink system or vice versa
  while the
  call is in progress



• The ability to select a male or female voice for
  prompts



• Linkage with the navigation system that enables
  hands-free
  dialing to over 7million points of interest



• A security mode for privacy

Like all Acura models, the 2004 TL is covered by a
comprehensive
4-year/50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty.
Additional
ownership benefits include Acura Total Luxury Care (TLC), which
provides free 24-hour roadside assistance, concierge service
and trip
routing.

For more information about Acura vehicles, please visit
www.acura.com. For media inquiries, please visit
www.acuranews.com.