battery Acura CL 2003 User Guide

You will have to store your favorite
stations in the Preset buttons after
the system begins working. Your
original settings were lost when
power was disconnected.
Your car’s audio system will disable
itself if it is disconnected f rom
electrical power f or any reason. To
make it work again, the user must
enter a specif ic f ive-digit code in the
Preset buttons. Because there are
hundreds of number combinations
possible f rom f ive digits, making the
system work without knowing the
exact code is nearly impossible.
Youshouldhavereceivedacardthat
lists your audio system’s code
number and serial number. It is best
tostorethiscardinasafeplaceat
home. In addition, you should write
the audio system’s serial number in
this Owner’s Manual. If you should
happen to lose the card, you must
obtain the code number f rom your
Acura dealer. To do this, you will
need the system’s serial number. If your car’s battery is disconnected
or goes dead, or the radio f use is
removed, the audio system will
disable itself . If this happens, you
will see ‘‘ ’’ in the f requency
display the next time you turn on the
system. Use the Preset buttons to
enter the f ive-digit code. If it is
entered correctly, the radio will start
playing.
If you make a mistake entering the
code, do not start over or try to
correct your mistake. Complete the
f ive-digit sequence, then enter the
correct code. You have ten tries to
enter the correct code. If you are
unsuccessful in ten attempts, you
must then leave the system on for
one hour bef ore trying again.
Thef t Protection
Audio System
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures157

The HomeLink Universal
Transceiver built into your car can
be programmed to operate remotely-
controlled devices around your home,
such as garage doors, lighting, or
home security systems. It can
replaceuptothreeremote
transmitters.
If you have problems with training
the HomeLink Universal Transceiver,
or would like inf ormation on home
products that can be operated by the
transmitter, call (800) 355-3515. On
the Internet, go to www.homelink.
com.Always ref er to the operating
instructions and saf ety inf ormation
that came with your garage door
opener or other equipment you
intend to operate with the HomeLink
Universal Transceiver. If you do not
have this inf ormation, you should
contact the manuf acturer of the
equipment.
While training or using HomeLink,
make sure you have a clear view of
the garage door or gate, and that no
one will be injured by its movement.
If you are training HomeLink to
operate a garage door or gate, it is
recommended that you unplug the
motor f or that device during training.
Repeatedly pressing the remote
control button could burn out the
motor.HomeLink stores the code in a
permanent memory. There should
be no need to retrain HomeLink if
your car’s battery goes dead or is
disconnected.
If your garage door opener was
manuf actured bef ore April 1982, you
may not be able to program
HomeLink to operate it. Garage door
openers manuf actured bef ore that
date do not have a safety feature that
causes them to stop and reverse if an
obstacle is detected during closing,
increasing the risk of injury. If you
have questions, call (800) 355-3515.
HomeL ink Universal T ransceiver
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Customer Assistance
Important Saf ety Precautions
General Inf ormation
163

You make up and provide your
Personal Identification Number
(PIN) when you establish your
account with OnStar. You should
write down your PIN and keep it
with you at all times.
You can change your PIN at any time.
Contact the OnStar advisor by
pressing the OnStar button, or by
calling (888) 4-ONSTAR.
If you f orget your PIN, contact the
OnStar advisor. For security reasons,
your PIN will be mailed to you.OnStar uses the Global Positioning
System (GPS) to locate your vehicle
f or f unctions such as route guidance
and roadside assistance. GPS is
af f ected by structures that can
obstruct the signal, such as tunnels,
parking structures, and tall buildings.
It may not be possible f or OnStar to
pinpoint your location if you are in or
near such structures.
OnStar uses cellular technology to
communicate with your vehicle.
Cellular coverage varies by location,
which may af f ect the ability to
establish a connection, or the quality
of the connection.When you turn of f your vehicle’s
ignition, the OnStar system goes into
low-power mode. Af ter 48 hours, it
switches to sleep mode to conserve
your vehicle’s battery power.
Features such as remote door
unlocking and misplaced vehicle
assistance will not work af ter your
vehicle has been parked f or more
that 48 hours.
Personal Identif ication Number System Limitations
OnSt ar
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures176

Apply the parking brake.
In cold weather, turn of f all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.
Push the clutch pedal down all the
way. START (III) does not
f unction unless the clutch pedal is
depressed.
Make sure the shif t lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal.
Without touching the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to the
START (III) position. If the engine
does not start right away, do not
hold the key in START (III) f or
more than 15 seconds at a time.
Pause f or at least 10 seconds
bef ore trying again.
If the engine does not start within15 seconds, or starts but stalls
right away, repeat step 4 with the
accelerator pedal pressed half-way
down. If the engine starts, release
pressure on the accelerator pedal
so the engine does not race.
If the engine still does not start,
press the accelerator pedal all the
way down and hold it there while
starting in order to clear f looding.
As bef ore, keep the ignition key in
the START (III) position f or no
more than 15 seconds. Return to
step 5 if the engine does not start.
If it starts, lif t your f oot of f the
accelerator pedal so the engine
does not race.
An engine is harder to start in cold
weather. The thinner air f ound at
high altitude above 8,000 f eet (2,400
meters) adds to the problem. Use the f ollowing procedure:
Turn of f all electrical accessories
to reduce the drain on the battery.
Push the accelerator pedal half-
way to the f loor and hold it there
while starting the engine. Do not
hold the ignition key in START
(III) f or more than 15 seconds.
When the engine starts, release
the accelerator pedal gradually as
the engine speeds up and smooths
out.
If the engine fails to start in step 2,
push the accelerator pedal to the
f loor and hold it there while you
try to start the engine for no more
than 15 seconds. If the engine
does not start, return to step 2.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
1.
2.
3.
Manual Transmission:
Automatic Transmission:
Driving
Starting the Engine
Starting in Cold Weather at High
A ltitude (A bove 8,000 f eet/
2,400 meters)
193

µµ
µµ
This position mechani-
cally locks the transmission. Use
Park whenever you are turning of f or
starting the engine. To shif t out of
Park, you must press on the brake
pedal and have your f oot of f the
accelerator pedal. Move the shif t
lever to the right to shif t out of the
Park position.
To avoid transmission damage, come
to a complete stop bef ore shif ting
into Park. The shif t lever must be in
Park bef ore you can remove the key
from the ignition switch. To shif t to Reverse
f rom Park, see the explanation under
Park. To shif t to Reverse f rom
Neutral, come to a complete stop and
then shift.
If you have done all of the above and
still cannot move the lever out of
Park, see Shif t Lock Release on page . Your car has a reverse lockout so
you cannot accidentally shif t to
Reverse from Neutral or any other
driving position when the vehicle
speed exceeds 7 9 mph (12 14
km/h).
If you cannot shif t to Reverse when
the car is stopped, press the brake
pedal and slowly shif t to Neutral, and
then to Reverse.
If there is a problem in the reverse
lockout system, or your car’s battery
is disconnected or goes dead, you
cannot shif t to Reverse. (Ref er to
Shif t Lock Release on page ).
204
204
CONT INUED
Park (P)Reverse (R)
Automatic Transmission
Driving199

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 how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .226
.
Important Safety Precautions . 227
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 228
...
Required Maintenance Record . 235
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 237
..............................
Fluid Locations .238
......................................
Engine Oil .239
..................................
Adding Oil .239
....................
Recommended Oil .239
..............................
Synthetic Oil .240
....................................
Additives .240
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 241
.............................
Cooling System .243
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 243
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 245
....................
Windshield Washers .249
.......................
Transmission Fluid .250
Automatic .........................
Transmission .250
5-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .251
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 252
............................
Brake System .252
...........................
Clutch System .253
..............................
Power Steering .253
....................................
Hood Latch .254 .....................
Air Cleaner Element .254
....................................
Spark Plugs .256
..............................
Replacement .256
............................
Specif ications .258
...........................................
Battery .259
.................................
Wiper Blades .262
..............
Air Conditioning System . 264
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 265
.....................................
Drive Belts .265
....................................
Timing Belt .266
...............................................
Tires .266
......................................
Inf lation .266
..................................
Inspection .268
..............................
Maintenance .269
.............................
Tire Rotation .269
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 270
......................
Wheels and Tires .271
..........................
Winter Driving .271
.............................
Snow Tires .272
............................
Tire Chains .272
.............................................
Lights .273
.....................
Headlight Aiming .275
........................
Replacing Bulbs .275
...........................
Storing Your Car .283
341
Maintenance
Maint enance225

Be sure
there is adequate ventilation
whenever you operate the engine.
Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
bef ore touching any parts.
Do
not run the engine unless in-
structed to do so. Read the instructions before you
begin, and make sure you have the
tools and skills required.
To reduce the possibility of f ire or
explosion, be caref ul when working
around gasoline or batteries. Use a
commercially available degreaser or
parts cleaner, not gasoline, to clean
parts. Keep cigarettes, sparks, and
flames away from the battery and all
f uel-related parts.
Bef ore you begin any maintenance,
make sure your car is parked on
level ground and that the parking
brake is set. Also, be sure the engine
is of f . This will help to eliminate
several potential hazards:
You should wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working
near the battery or when using
compressed air.
Maintenance Saf ety
Maint enance
Important Saf ety Precautions
Carbon monoxide poisoning
f rom engine exhaust.
Burns f rom hot parts.
Injury f rom moving parts.
227

Loosen the two bolts with a
Phillips-head screwdriver. Remove
the air cleaner housing cover by
lif ting and pivoting it out of the
loops.Remove the old air cleaner
element.
Caref ully clean the inside of the
air cleaner housing with a damp
rag.
Place the new air cleaner element
in the air cleaner housing.Reinstall the air cleaner housing
cover, tighten the f our bolts.
Align the tabs on the battery side
and reinstall the air cleaner
housing cover, then tighten the
two bolts.
Put the cruise control cable back
in place.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
On Premium model
On Type-S
On Type-S
A ir Cleaner Element
Maint enance255
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Check the battery condition by
looking at the test indicator window
on the battery.
The label on the battery explains the
test indicator’s colors.
Check the condition of your car’s
battery monthly. You should check
the color of the test indicator window,
and f or corrosion on the terminals.
To remove the battery cover, pull up
on the right side of the cover to
remove it from the bolt, then pull the
cover out.
To reinstall the cover, insert the pins
ontheleftsideof thecoverintothe
holes and put the cover over the
battery, then push the right side of
the cover over the bolt.
CONT INUED
Battery
Maint enance259
T TE
ES
ST T I
INND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R W
WI INND DO
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ST T I
INND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R W
WI INND DO
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µ
Check the battery terminals for
corrosion (a white or yellowish
powder). To remove it, cover the
terminals with a solution of baking
soda and water. It will bubble up and
turn brown. When this stops, wash it
of f with plain water. Dry of f the
battery with a cloth or paper towel.
Coat the terminals with grease to
help prevent f uture corrosion.
If the terminals are severely cor-
roded, clean them with baking soda
and water. Then use a wrench to
loosen and remove the cables f rom
the terminals. Always disconnect the
negative ( ) cable f irst and recon-
nect it last. Clean the battery termi-
nals with a terminal cleaning tool or
wire brush. Reconnect and tighten
the cables, then coat the terminals
with grease.If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damage to the car’s
electrical system.
Battery posts,
terminals and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. WARNING:
Wash hands af ter handling.
Battery
Maint enance260
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
mechanic do the battery
maintenance.