steering wheel Acura CL 2002 Owner's Guide

If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Acura, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Acura
dealer. This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself . This section explains why it is
important to keep your car well
maintained and to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .206
.
Important Safety Precautions . 207
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 208
...
Required Maintenance Record . 215
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 217
..............................
Fluid Locations .218
......................................
Engine Oil .219
..................................
Adding Oil .219
....................
Recommended Oil .219
..............................
Synthetic Oil .220
....................................
Additives .220
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 221
.............................
Cooling System .223
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 223
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 225
....................
Windshield Washers .229
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 230
....................................
Brake Fluid .231
............................
Brake System .231
..............................
Power Steering .232
....................................
Hood Latch .233
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .233
....................................
Spark Plugs .235
..............................
Replacement .235
............................
Specif ications .237
...........................................
Battery .238 .................................
Wiper Blades .241
..............
Air Conditioning System . 243
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 244
.....................................
Drive Belts .244
....................................
Timing Belt .245
...............................................
Tires .245
......................................
Inf lation .245
..................................
Inspection .247
..............................
Maintenance .248
.............................
Tire Rotation .248
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 249
......................
Wheels and Tires .250
..........................
Winter Driving .250
.............................
Snow Tires .251
............................
Tire Chains .251
.............................................
Lights .252
.....................
Headlight Aiming .254
........................
Replacing Bulbs .254
...........................
Storing Your Car .263
321
Maintenance
Maint enance205

A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. If it is not available, you may
use another power steering f luid as
an emergency replacement.
However, continued use can cause
increased wear and poor steering in
cold weather. Have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
Check the level when the engine is
cold. Look at the side of the
reservoir. The f luid should be
between the UPPER LEVEL and
LOWER LEVEL. If it is below the
LOWER LEVEL, add power steering
f luid to the UPPER LEVEL.
Power Steering
Maint enance232
U UP
PP
PE
ER
R L
LEE V
V E
EL
L
L
LO OW WE ER
R L
LEE V
V E
EL
L
T urning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.

When shopping f or replacement
tires, you may find that some tires
are ‘‘directional.’’ This means they
are designed to rotate only in one
direction. If you use directional tires,
they should be rotated only front-to-
back.The tires that came with your car
were selected to match the perform-
ance capabilities of the car while
providing the best combination of
handling, ride comf ort, and long lif e.
Youshouldreplacethemwithradial
tires of the same size, load range,
speed rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire’s sidewall). Mixing radial and
bias-ply tires on your car can reduce
its braking ability, traction, and
steering accuracy.
It is best to replace all f our tires at
thesametime.If thatisnotpossible
or necessary, then replace the two
f ront tires or the two rear tires as a
pair. Replacing just one tire can
seriously af f ect your car’s handling.
CONT INUED
Replacing T ires and Wheels
Tires
Maint enance249
Installing improper tires on your
car can affect handling and
stability. This can cause a crash
in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of
tires recommended in this
owner’s manual.

If you are changing the bulb on
the driver’s side, start the engine,
turn the steering wheel all the way
to the right, and turn off the
engine. If you are changing the
bulb on the passenger’s side, turn
the steering wheel to the left.Use a f lat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the two holding clips f rom
the inner f ender.
Pull the inner f ender cover away
f rom the f ender and bumper.
Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.To remove the f ront turn signal/
parking light bulb, push it in
slightly and turn it
counterclockwise. To remove the
side marker bulb, pull it straight
out of its socket.
Install the new bulb into the
socket.
Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Put the inner f ender cover in place.
Install the two holding clips. Lock
each clip in place by pushing on
the center.
1.
2.
3.
4.5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing Front Turn Signal/
Parking and Side Marker Light
Bulbs
257
H H
O
OL LDD I
INNG G
C
CL LIIPP S
S

If you decide to tow your car with all
f our wheels on the ground, make
sure you use a properly-designed and
attached tow bar. Prepare the car for
towing as described above, and leave
the ignition switch in Accessory (I)
so the steering wheel does not lock.
Make sure the radio and any items
plugged into the accessory power
socket are turned of f so they do not
rundownthebattery.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed301
Trying to lif t or tow your car by the
bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to
support the car’s weight.
The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in Accessory (I), and
make sure the steering wheel turns
f reely bef ore you begin towing.

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 169
................................
Accessories .169
.
Additional Safety Precautions . 170
............................
Modif ications .170
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .76
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 109
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 220
.........................
Airbag (SRS) .9, 43, 45
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .233
..............
Air Conditioning System . 114
..............................
Maintenance .243
.................................
Usage .116, 121
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .246
...........................
Alarm, Anti-theft .149
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .310
.......
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning . 267
......................................
Antif reeze .223
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .56, 189
...................................
Operation .188
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 149
Anti-thef t Steering Column ..............................................
Lock .76 ..........................
Anti-thef t System .150
..........................
Appearance Care .265
............................................
Armrest .91
...............
Audio Controls, Remote . 148
................................
Audio System .127
Automatic Climate Control ........................................
System .114
...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature . 66
Automatic Seat Belt ...................................
Tensioners .41
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 151
..............
Automatic Transmission . 178
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .306
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 230
....
Sequential SportShif t Mode . 181
.......................................
Shif ting .178
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 178
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 179
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 185
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .55, 289
............................
Jump Starting .283 ..............................
Maintenance .238
............................
Specif ications .307
..............................
Bef ore Driving .161
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,40
...........................
Beverage Holder .104
...................................
Body Repair .272
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 188
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 162
....................
Bulb Replacement .258
...........................................
Fluid .231
.......................................
Parking .102
.................
System Indicator . 55,292
........................
Wear Indicators .187
.............................
Braking System .187
........................
Break-in, New Car .162
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 67
........................
Brights, Headlights .65
Index
A
B
I

ÎÎ
.....................................
Road Lamps .65
................................
Rotation, Tire .248
........................................
Saf ety Belts .8
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 320
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
...........................................
Airbags .9
..................................
Door Locks .10
..........................
Head Restraints .10
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
.....................
Seats & Seat-Backs .10
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 50
...............................
Saf ety Messages . ii
.....................................
Seat Belts .8, 40
...............
Additional Information . 40
Automatic Seat Belt ...............................
Tensioners .41
.............
Child Seat Anchor Plate . 39
.....................................
Cleaning .269
................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 15,40
................................
Maintenance .42
Reminder Light and ................................
Beeper .40, 55
...................
System Components . 40...............
Use During Pregnancy . 18
....................................
Seat Heaters .98
....................
Seat Position Memory .95
........................
Seats, Adjusting the .86
............................
Security System .150
........
Sequential SportShif t Mode . 181
...............................
Serial Number .304
...........................
Service Intervals .210
...........................
Service Manual .321
.........
Service Station Procedures . 163
..........................
Setting the Clock .102
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 178
........................
Shif t Lock Release .185
....................................
Side Airbags .45
.........
Side Airbag Cutof f Indicator . 47
Side Marker Lights, Bulb ..............................
Replacement .257
...............................
Signaling Turns .67
.....................................
Snow Tires .251
...................
Solvent-type Cleaners . 266
................................
Sound System .127
Spare Tire ......................................
Inf lating .274
............................
Specif ications .307
................
Spark Plugs, Replacing . 235
....................
Specif ications Charts . 306................................
Speed Control .151
...................................
Speedometer .60
.......................................
Spotlights .110
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 43
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 48
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 46
.....
How Your Airbags Work . 43,45
........................
SRS Components .43
..................................
SRS Service .48
.............................
SRS Indicator .46 ,56
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 76
.......................
Starting the Engine .177
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .177
................
With a Dead Battery . 283
..............
State Emissions Testing . 315
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 286
Steering Wheel ..................................
Adjustment .71
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 76
...................
Stereo Sound System . 127
...........................
Storing Your Car .263
..................................
Storage Tray .107
........................................
Sun Visor .108
CONT INUED
Index
S
VII

ÎÎ
.............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 50
..................
Warranty Coverages .319
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level . 229
.......................................
Indicator .59
.....................................
Operation .69
.........................................
Washing .266
..................
Waxing and Polishing . 267
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering . 71
............
Alignment and Balance . 248 ......
Cleaning Aluminum Alloys . 267
..........................
Compact Spare .274
Windows .....................................
Cleaning .270
..................
Operating the Power . 99
...........................
Rear, Def ogger .70
Windshield .......................................
Cleaning .68
...........................
Def roster .120, 125
.......................................
Washers .69
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .241
.....................................
Operation .68
....................................
Wood Trim .270
....................................
Worn Tires .247
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing . 300
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 304
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) ....................................
System .193
........
VSA System Indicator . 57,194
...
VSA Activation Indicator . 57,193
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .194
.............................
Vehicle Storage .263
.....................................
Ventilation .114
.................................................
VIN .304
...............................
Vinyl Cleaning .269
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .220
U.S. and Canada only
Index
W
IX