engine coolant Acura CL 2003 User Guide

If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks.
The coolant you add should always
be a mixture of 50 percent antif reeze
and 50 percent water. Never add
straight antif reeze or plain water.If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.
Always use Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2. This
coolant is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent water. It
does not require any additional
mixing. If it is not available, you may
use another major-brand non-silicate
coolant as a temporary replacement.
Make sure it is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
However, continued use of any non-
Honda coolant can result in
corrosion, causing the cooling
system to malf unction or f ail. Have
the cooling system f lushed and
ref illed with Honda antif reeze/
coolant as soon as possible.
1.
CONT INUED
A dding Engine Coolant
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance243
R REES
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Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

Put the radiator cap back on.
Tighten it f ully. The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise. Turn the radiator cap counter-
clockwise, without pressing down
on it, until it stops. This relieves
any pressure remaining in the
cooling system. Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your car’s cooling
system. They may not be compatible
with the coolant or engine compo-
nents.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance244
R RE
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R
RA A D
DI
IAA T
TO
OR R C
CAA P
P

CONT INUED
Turn the ignition ON (II). Turn
the heater temperature control
dial to maximum heat (climate
control to 90°F/32°C). Turn of f
the ignition. Open the hood. Make
sure the engine and radiator are
cool to the touch.
Remove the radiator cap.Loosen the drain plug on the
bottom of the radiator. The
coolant will drain through the
splash guard.
Thecoolingsystemshouldbe
completely drained and ref illed with
new coolant according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. Only use
Honda All Season Antif reeze/
Coolant Type 2.
Draining the coolant requires access
to the underside of the car. Unless
you have the tools and knowledge,
you should have this maintenance
done by a skilled mechanic.
Drain the coolant into an
appropriate container.
1.
2. 3.
Replacing Engine Coolant
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance245
D D
R
RAA I
INN P
PL
LUUG G

Install a rubber hose on the drain
bolt at the rear of the engine
cylinder block. Loosen the drain
bolt.Bef ore removing the reserve tank,
remove the cruise control cable
f rom its clip, then remove the
ground cable f rom the clip on the
reserve tank. To remove the
cruise control cable, pivot the
upper part of the clip and push
down the lower part slightly.
Drain the coolant into an
appropriate container. Remove the reserve tank f rom its
holder by pulling it straight up.
Drain the coolant into an
appropriate container, then put the
tank back in its holder.
Af ter installing the tank back in
place, put the cables back in their
clips.
5.
4. 6.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance246
H HO
OL LD
D E
ER
R
D
D R
RAA I
INN B
BOOL LT
T R
RU
UB BBBEER
R
H
H O
OS SEE
R
REES
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CAA P
P
C
CR RUUI ISSE E C
COON NTTR
RO OL L C
CAA B
BLLE
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CONT INUED
Fill the reserve tank to the MAX
mark. Install the reserve tank cap.
When the coolant stops draining,
tightenthedrainplugatthe
bottom of the radiator.
Tighten the drain bolt at the rear
of the engine cylinder block
securely.
Tightening torque:
Pour Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2 into
the radiator up to the base of the
f iller neck. This coolant is a
mixture of 50 percent antif reeze
and 50 percent water. Pre-mixing
is not required.
The cooling system capacity is:
Start the engine and let it run f or
about 30 seconds. Then turn of f
the engine. Pour coolant into the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck.
7.
8.
9.10.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance247
F FIILLL LEE R
R N
NEEC
CK K
F
F i
illll u
u p
p t
too h
he
erree R
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7 lbf·ft (10 N·m , 1.0 kgf·m)
1.48 US gal (5.6
, 1.23 Imp gal)

Install the radiator cap, and
tighten it to the first stop.
Start the engine and let it run until
the radiator cooling f an comes on
at least twice. Then stop the
engine.
Remove the radiator cap. Pour
coolant into the radiator up to the
base of the f iller neck and into the
reserve tank up to the MAX mark.
Start the engine and hold it at
1,500 rpm until the cooling f an
comes on. Turn of f the engine.
Check the coolant level in the
radiator and add coolant if needed.
Install the radiator cap, and
tighten it fully.If necessary, f ill the reserve tank
to the MAX mark. Install the
reserve tank cap.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance248
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If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine.
If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading
(climbing a long, steep hill on a
hot day with the A/C running, for
example), the engine should start
to cool down almost immediately.
If it does, wait until the tempera-
ture gauge comes down to the mid-
point then continue driving. Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park and set the parking brake.
Turn of f the climate control and all
otheraccessories.Turnonthe
hazard warning indicators.
The pointer of your car’s tempera-
ture gauge should stay in the mid-
range under most conditions. It may
go higher if you are driving up a long
steep hill on a very hot day. If it
climbs to the red mark, you should
determine the reason. Your car can overheat f or several
reasons, such as lack of coolant or a
mechanical problem. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the hood.
In either case, you should take
immediate action.1.
2.
3.
If Your Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed306
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to your engine.

If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
Wait until you see no more signs
of steam or spray, then open the
hood.
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page). If the level is below the
MIN mark, add coolant to halfway
between the MIN and MAX marks. Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (see on page ).
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may also have to
add coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator.
Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. This
releases any remaining pressure in
the cooling system. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap and turn it until it comes
off.
Start the engine and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum (climate control to
FULL AUTO at 90°F/32°C). Add
coolant to the radiator up to the
base of the f iller neck. If you do
not have the proper coolant
mixture available, you can add
plain water. Remember to have
the cooling system drained and
ref illed with the proper mixture as
soon as you can.
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly. Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair. (See
on page .)
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.10.
12.
11.
320
183 320
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
If Your Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed307
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

µµÎ
Î
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T echnical Inf ormation
Specif ications
326
Dimensions
Weights
Air Conditioning Capacities
4.2 US qt (4.0
, 3.5 Imp qt)
192.0 in (4,877 mm)
70.6 in (1,793 mm)
53.3 in (1,354 mm)
106.9 in (2,715 mm)
61.1 in (1,553 mm)
61.0 in (1,549 mm)
HFC-134a (R-134a)
21.2 22.9 oz (600 650 g) ND-OIL8 1.48 US gal (5.6
, 1.23 Imp gal)
1.98 US gal (7.5, 1.65 Imp gal)
4.6 US qt (4.4
, 3.9 Imp qt)
5.3 US qt (5.0
, 4.4 Imp qt)
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Track
Gross vehicle weight rating See the certification label attached
to the driver’s doorjamb.
Refrigerant type
Charge quantity
Lubricant type 3.1 US qt (2.9, 2.6 Imp qt)
7.6 US qt (7.2, 6.3 Imp qt)
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine. 0.16 US gal (0.6
, 0.13 Imp gal)
Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine.
Reserve tank capacity: 4.8 US qt (4.5
, 4.0 Imp qt)
2.6 US qt (2.5, 2.2 Imp qt)
Fuel tank
Engine
coolant
Engine oil
Automatic
transmission
fluid
Manual
transmission
fluid
Windshield
washer
reservoir
2.3 US qt (2.2
, 1.9 Imp qt)
2.6 US qt (2.5, 2.2 Imp qt)
1:
2: Approx.
Front
Rear Change
Total
Change
Including filter
Without filter
Total
Change
Total
Change
Total
U.S. Cars
Canada Cars
17.17 US gal (65.0, 14.30 Imp gal)1
2

Î
Bulb Replacement..........................
Back-up Lights .278
..............................
Brake Lights .278
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 277
.................................
Headlights .275
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 279
...........................
Interior Lights .280
...................
License Plate Light . 280
............................
Specif ications .327
...............................
Trunk Light .282
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 277
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .275
............................
Capacities Chart .326
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 52
............................
Carrying, Cargo .187
Cassette Player ............................................
Care .146
...................................
Operation .142
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
...................................
CD Changer .147
..................................
Ceiling Light .118
........................
Certif ication Label .324
............................................
Chains .272 Changing Oil
........................................
How to .241
......................................
When to .230
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .295
............
Changing Engine Coolant . 245
...
Charging System Indicator . 60,309
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 192
.....................................
Child Saf ety .20
.......................................
Child Seats .25
.........................................
LATCH .41
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 40
....................
Cleaner Element, Air . 254
Cleaning ....................
Aluminum Wheels .287
...................................
Carpeting .288
......................................
Exterior .286
.........................................
Fabric .289
.......................................
Interior .288
.......................................
Leather .289
...................................
Seat Belts .289
...........................................
Vinyl .289
....................................
Windows .290
................................
Wood Trim .290
...............
Climate Control System . 122
.........................
Clock, Setting the .109
...............................
Clutch System .253 ......................................
Coat Hook .115
.....................
Code, Audio System .157
........................
CO in the Exhaust .332
........................................
Coin Box .113
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 193
..............................
Compact Spare .294
.................
Console Compartment . 113
.............................
Console Pocket .114
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 338
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 55
Coolant ........................................
Adding .243
....................................
Checking .183
.........................
Proper Solution .243
...................................
Replacing .245
...................
Temperature Gauge . 67
....................
Corrosion Protection .291
............................
Courtesy Lights .119
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .332
............
Cruise Control Operation . 159
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 338
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
Index
C
D
II