checking oil Acura CL 2003 Owner's Manual

Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.
This section includes instructions f or
simple maintenance tasks, such as
checking and adding oil. Any service
items not detailed in this section
should be perf ormed by an Acura
technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.
Regularly maintaining your car is the
best way to protect your investment.
Proper maintenance is essential to
your saf ety and the saf ety of your
passengers. It will also reward you
with more economical, trouble-f ree
driving and help reduce air pollution.
Maintenance Saf ety
Maint enance226
Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.
Improperly maintaining this car
or failing to correct a problem
before driving can cause a
crash in which you can be
seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations and
schedules in this owner’s
manual.

This section covers the more-
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your car towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .294
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .295
..........
If Your Engine Won’t Start . 300
Nothing Happens or the Starter Motor Operates ........................
Very Slowly .301
The Starter Operates ................................
Normally .302
................................
Jump Starting .303
............
If Your Engine Overheats . 306
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 308
..........
Charging System Indicator . 309
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 310
.......................
Readiness Codes .311
...............
Brake System Indicator . 312
..................
Closing the Moonroof . 313
..............................................
Fuses .314
..........
Checking and Replacing . 315
......................
Emergency Towing .320
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed293

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 185
................................
Accessories .185
.
Additional Safety Precautions . 186
............................
Modif ications .186
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .81
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 117
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 240
.........................
Airbag (SRS) .9, 46, 48
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .254
..............
Air Conditioning System . 122
..............................
Maintenance .264
.................................
Usage .124, 129
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .266
...........................
Alarm, Anti-theft .158
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .330
.......
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning . 287
......................................
Antif reeze .243
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .61, 208
...................................
Operation .207
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 157
Anti-thef t Steering Column ..............................................
Lock .81 ..........................
Anti-thef t System .158
..........................
Appearance Care .285
............................................
Armrest .96
...............
Audio Controls, Remote . 156
................................
Audio System .135
Automatic Climate Control ........................................
System .122
...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature . 71
Automatic Seat Belt ...................................
Tensioners .44
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 159
..............
Automatic Transmission . 197
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .326
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 250
....
Sequential SportShif t Mode . 200
.......................................
Shif ting .198
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 197
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 198
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 204
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .60, 309
............................
Jump Starting .303 ..............................
Maintenance .259
............................
Specif ications .327
..............................
Bef ore Driving .177
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,43
...........................
Beverage Holder .111
...................................
Body Repair .292
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 207
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 178
....................
Bulb Replacement .278
...........................................
Fluid .252
.......................................
Parking .108
.................
System Indicator . 60,312
........................
Wear Indicators .206
.............................
Braking System .206
........................
Break-in, New Car .178
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 72
........................
Brights, Headlights .70
Index
A
B
I

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

CONT INUED
...................................
Dashboard .2, 56
................
Daytime Running Lights . 71
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 340
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 75
......
Def rosting the Windows . 128,133
....................................
Dimensions .326
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 70
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 250
..................................
Engine Oil .181
..........................
Directional Signals .72
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 206
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .242
Doors ....................
Lockout Prevention . 83
..............................
Monitor Light .63
......................
Power Door Locks .82
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 328
.....................................
Drive Belts .265
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .191
....................................
Economy .184
.........................
In Bad Weather .215
................
In Foreign Countries . 331
Driving Position Memory ........................................
System .100 ..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 265
..............................
Economy, Fuel .184
............
Emergencies on the Road . 293
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 303
...........
Brake System Indicator . 312
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 295
.....
Charging System Indicator . 309
..................
Checking the Fuses . 315
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 308
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 310
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 313
..................
Overheated Engine . 306
.........................
Emergency Brake .108
......................
Emergency Flashers .75
......................
Emergency Towing .320
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 89
.......................
Emissions Controls .332
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 335
Engine ............................................
Belts .265
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 67
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .60, 310 ........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 60,308
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 239
...............................
Overheating .306
............................
Specif ications .327
....................
Speed Limiter . 195,203
.......................................
Starting .193
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .330
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 332
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .52
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .333
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 286
..........................
Fan, Interior .126, 131
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .121
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 179
Index
E
F
III

.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 275
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 75
Headlights ........................................
Aiming .275
Automatic Lighting Off .....................................
Feature .71
............
Daytime Running Lights . 72
..................
High Beam Indicator . 63
.........................
Reminder Chime .70
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 275
...................................
Turning on .70
..............................
Head Restraints .95
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 193
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 70
..............
High-mount Brake Light . 279
HomeLink Universal ................................
Transceiver .163
....................................
Hood Latch .254
.......................
Hood, Opening the .180
..................................................
Horn .69
.................................
Hydroplaning .216
Filters
................................
AIr Cleaner .254
.........................
Dust and pollen .265
...............................................
Oil .241
..............
Flashers,Hazard Warning . 75
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 295
.....................................
Floor Mats .288
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 250
..........................................
Brake .252
.........................................
Clutch .253
..............
Manual Transmission . 251
..........................
Power Steering .253
................
Windshield Washers . 249
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .140
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 331
..........................
Four-way Flashers .75
..............................
Front Airbags .9 ,46
.................................................
Fuel .178
......................
Fill Door and Cap .179
...........................................
Gauge .67
................
Octane Requirement . 178
...............................
Oxygenated .330
........................
Reserve Indicator .64
........................
Tank, Filling the .179 .....................
Fuses, Checking the .315
..........................................
Gasohol .330
.........................................
Gasoline .178
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 64
...........................................
Gauge .67
................
Octane Requirement . 178
........................
Tank, Filling the .179
................
Gas Station Procedures . 179
.............................................
Gauges .65
...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 67
...............................................
Fuel .67
Maintenance Required ...................................
Indicator .68
...............................
Speedometer .65
.................................
Tachometer .65
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) .218
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions . 198
..............................
Glass Cleaning .290
........................................
Glove Box .90
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight .......................................
Rating) .218
Index
G H
IV

...............................
Meters, Gauges .65
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 330
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .98
.......................................
Moonroof .108
......................
Closing Manually .313
...................................
Operation .108
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 200
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 178
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 324
..............................
Paint Touch-up .287
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 72
........................
Park Gear Position .199
...........................................
Parking .205
...............................
Parking Brake .108
Parking Brake and Brake .................
System Indicator . 60,312
.................................
Parking Lights .70
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 334
.............................
PGM-FI System .333
..................
Polishing and Waxing . 287
............
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist . 11
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 18............................
Protecting Adults .12
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 19
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 18
........................
Protecting Children .20
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .29
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 36
.........
Protecting Small Children . 32
Using Child Seats with .....................................
Tethers .40
.............................
Using LATCH .41
...................
Radiator Overheating . 306
Radio/Cassette/CD Sound ........................................
System .135
...........................
Readiness Codes .311
..........
Rear Console Compartment . 90
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 278
............................
Rear Seat Access .94
..........................
Rear Seat Armrest .96
............................
Rear View Mirror .98
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 75
...............
Reclining the Seat Backs . 92
.............................
Reminder Lights .57
.......................
Remote Transmitter .83
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 178
.........................................
Odometer .66
...............................
Odometer, Trip .66
Oil ........................
Change, How to .241
......................
Change, When to .230
......................
Checking Engine .181
..............
Pressure Indicator . 60,308
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .240 ...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 81
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ....................................
Recovery .332
............................................
OnStar .168
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 331
..............................
Outside Mirrors .98
....
Outside Temperature Indicator . 67
....................
Overheating, Engine .306
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 237
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .330
Index
O PR
N
VI

.............................
SRS Indicator .49 ,61
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 81
.......................
Starting the Engine .193
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .193
................
With a Dead Battery . 303
..............
State Emissions Testing . 335
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 306
Steering Wheel ..................................
Adjustment .76
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 81
...................
Stereo Sound System . 135
...........................
Storing Your Car .283
..................................
Storage Tray .115
........................................
Sun Visor .116
........................
Sunglasses Holder .110
Supplemental Restraint ..................................
System .9,46
......................................
Servicing .51
.........................
SRS Indicator .49 ,61
...................
System Components . 46
..................................
Synthetic Oil .240
.....................................
Tachometer .65 ..........
Taillights, Changing Bulbs . 278
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 293
....................................
Tape Player .142
Technical Descriptions ......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 328
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 332
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels .330
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .334
.......................
Temperature Gauge .67
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 41
............................
Thef t Protection .157
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 334
..........................
Time, Setting the .109
....................................
Timing Belt .266
....................................
Tire Chains .272
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 295
...............................................
Tires .266
..............................
Air Pressure .266
.........................
Checking Wear .268
..........................
Compact Spare .294
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 328
......................................
Inf lation .266
..................................
Inspection .268
...................................
Replacing .270
......................................
Rotating .269 ...........................................
Snow .272
............................
Specif ications .327
.......................
Traction Devices .272
..........................
Winter Driving .271
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 295
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .217
................
Emergency Wrecker . 320
Traction Control System (TCS) ...............................
Indicator .62, 209
...................................
Operation .209
...........................
Traction Devices .272
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .250
...................................
Manual .251
..................
Fluid Selection . 250,251
..............
Identif ication Number . 324
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 197
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 194
.....................................
Treadwear .328
.......................................
Trip Meter .66
................................................
Trunk .87
........
Emergency Trunk Opener . 89
.................................
Opening the .87
...................
Open Monitor Light . 63
Index
T
VIII

ÎÎ
....................................
Turn Signals .72
.....................
Underside, Cleaning .291
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the .293
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 328
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .178
.....................
Upholstery Cleaning .288
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 242
................................
Vanity Mirror .116
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 188
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .326
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 324
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) ....................................
System .212
........
VSA System Indicator . 62,213
...
VSA Activation Indicator . 62,212
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .213
.............................
Vehicle Storage .283
.....................................
Ventilation .122
.................................................
VIN .324 ...............................
Vinyl Cleaning .289
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .240
.............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 53
..................
Warranty Coverages .339
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level . 249
.......................................
Indicator .64
.....................................
Operation .74
.........................................
Washing .286
..................
Waxing and Polishing . 287
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering . 76
............
Alignment and Balance . 270
......
Cleaning Aluminum Alloys . 287
..........................
Compact Spare .294
Windows .....................................
Cleaning .290
................
Operating the Power . 104
...........................
Rear, Def ogger .75
Windshield .......................................
Cleaning .73
...........................
Def roster .128, 133 .......................................
Washers .74
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .262
.....................................
Operation .73
....................................
Wood Trim .290
....................................
Worn Tires .268
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing . 320
U.S. and Canada only
Index
W
U
V
IX