battery Acura RL 2000 3.5 User Guide

Audi
o Syste m

Thef t Protectio n
Your car's audio system will disable itself if it is disconnected fromelectrical power for any reason. To
make it work again, the user must
enter a specific five-digit code in the
Preset buttons. Because there are
hundreds of number combinations possible from five digits, making thesystem work without knowing the
exact code is nearly impossible.
You should have received a card that lists your audio system's code
number and serial number. It is bestto store this card in a safe place at
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 from 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 fuse is
removed, the audio system will disable itself. If this happens, you
will see "Code" in the frequency display the next time you turn on the
system. Use the Preset buttons to
enter the five-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
five-digit sequence, then enter the correct code. You have three tries to
enter the correct code. If you are
unsuccessful in three attempts, you
must then leave the system on for one hour before trying again. 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.
Comfor t an d Convenienc e Feature s

Startin
g th e Engin e

1. Apply the parking brake.
2. In cold weather, turn off all electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.

3. Make sure the shift lever is in

Park. Press on the brake pedal.

4. Without touching the accelerator

pedal, turn the ignition key to theSTART (III) position. If the enginedoes not start right away, do not
hold the key in START (III) for
more than 15 seconds at a time.
Pause for at least 10 seconds
before trying again.

5. If the engine does not start within
15 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.

6. If the engine still does not start,

press the accelerator pedal all the
way down and hold it there whilestarting in order to clear flooding.
As before, keep the ignition key in the START (III) position for nomore than 15 seconds. Return tostep 5 if the engine does not start.
If it starts, lift your foot off the
accelerator pedal so the engine
does not race.

Startin g in Col d Weathe r a t Hig h
Altitud e (Abov e 8,000 feet/
2,400 meters )

An engine is harder to start in cold weather. The thinner air found athigh altitude above 8,000 feet (2,400meters) adds to the problem.
Use the following procedure:
1. Turn off all electrical accessories

to reduce the drain on the battery.

2. Push the accelerator pedal half-

way to the floor and hold it there
while starting the engine. Do nothold the ignition key in START (III) for more than 15 seconds.
When the engine starts, release the accelerator pedal gradually as
the engine speeds up and smoothsout.

3. If the engine fails to start in step 2,

push the accelerator pedal to the
floor and hold it there while youtry to start the engine for no more
than 15 seconds. If the engine does not start, return to step 2.

Drivin g

Maintenanc
e

This section explains why it is important to keep your car well
maintained and to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
This section also includes Maintenance Schedules for normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions for simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself.
If you have the skills and tools to per-
form more complex maintenance tasks on your Acura, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page 315 for information on how to obtain a copy, or see your Acura

dealer.
Maintenance Safety....................... 202
Important Safety Precautions.. 203
Maintenance Schedule.................. 204
Required Maintenance Record.... 211
Owner Maintenance Checks........ 213
Fluid Locations............................... 214

Engine Oil....................................... 215 Adding Oil................................... 215
Recommended Oil..................... 215
Synthetic Oil............................... 216

Additives..................................... 216 Changing the Oil and Filter...... 217
Cooling System.............................. 219 Adding Engine Coolant............. 219Replacing Engine Coolant........ 221
Windshield Washers..................... 225
Automatic Transmission Fluid..... 226

Differential Oil............................... 227
Brake Fluid..................................... 227
Brake System............................. 228
Power Steering............................... 228
Hood Latch..................................... 229
Air Cleaner Element...................... 229 Spark Plugs..................................... 231 Replacement............................... 231
Specifications............................. 234 Battery............................................ 234
Wiper Blades.................................. 237
Air Conditioning System............... 239
Air Conditioning Filter.................. 240
Drive Belts...................................... 240
Timing Belt..................................... 241 Tires................................................ 241 Inflation....................................... 241
Inspection................................... 243
Maintenance............................... 244
Tire Rotation.............................. 244
Replacing Tires and Wheels.... 245
Wheels and Tires....................... 246
Winter Driving........................... 246
Snow Tires.............................. 247
Tire Chains............................. 247
Lights.............................................. 248 Replacing Bulbs......................... 250
Storing Your Car............................ 259

Maintenance

Maintenanc
e Safet y

Importan t Safet y Precaution s
Before 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 off. This will help to eliminate several potential hazards:
Carbo
n monoxid e poisonin g

fro m engin e exhaust . Be sure

there is adequate ventilation

whenever you operate the engine. Burn
s fro m ho t parts . Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
before touching any parts. Injur
y fro m movin g 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 fire or explosion, be careful 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
fuel-related parts.
You should wear eye protection and protective clothing when workingnear the battery or when usingcompressed air.
Maintenance

Spar
k Plugs , Batter y

Specifications :

NGK:

DENSO:
PFR5L-1 1

PK16PR-L1 1

Spark Plug Gap:
0.043 in (1.1 mm )
Batter
y
Check the condition of your car's
battery monthly. You should check
the color of the test indicator window, and for corrosion on the terminals.
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.
Maintenanc e TES
T INDICATO R WINDO W

Batter
y
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
off with plain water. Dry off the

battery with a cloth or paper towel. Coat the terminals with grease to
help prevent future 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 from the terminals. Always disconnect the
negative (
—) cable first 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.

CONTINUED

Maintenanc e

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.

Batter
y

If your car's battery is disconnected
or goes dead, the engine's computer
needs to "relearn" the idle control.
After replacing or recharging the battery:
1. Make sure the climate control sys- tem is off.
2. Start the engine and let it run until it warms up (the radiator cooling
fan comes on at least twice), and
let it idle for five more minutes.
Your audio system will also disable it-

self when the battery is disconnected

or goes dead. The next time you turn

on the radio you will see "Code" in

the frequency display. Use the Pre-
set buttons to enter the five-digit

code (see page 162 ).
Charging the battery with the cables
connected can seriously damage your
car's electronic controls. Detach the
battery cables before connecting the

battey' to a charger.

Maintenanc e
NOTIC
E

Storin
g You r Ca r

If you need to park your car for an
extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it for storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your car back on the road. If
possible, store your car indoors. Fill the fuel tank.
Change the engine oil and filter
(see page 217). Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Clean the interior. Make sure the
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry. Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Park. Block the rear wheels.
If the car is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be supported on jackstands so the
tires are off the ground. Leave one window open slightly (if
the car is being stored indoors). Disconnect the battery.
Support the front wiper blade
arms with a folded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a silicone spray lubricant to all door
and trunk seals. Also, apply a
vehicle body wax to the painted surfaces that mate with the door
and trunk seals. Cover the car with a "breathable"
cover, one made from a porous
material such as cotton.
Nonporous materials, such as
plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint. If possible, run the engine for a
while periodically (preferably once a month).
If you store your car for 12 months or longer, have your Acura dealer
perform the inspections called for in
the 24 months/30,000 miles (48,000
km) maintenance schedule (Normal Conditions) as soon as you take it
out of storage (see page 206). The
replacements called for in the
maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the car has actually
reached that time or mileage.

Maintenance

I
f You r Engin e Won' t Star t

Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Turn on the headlights and check their brightness. If the headlightsare very dim or don't light at all,
the battery is discharged. See

Jum p Startin g on page 278.
Turn the ignition switch to START
(III). If the headlights do not dim,
check the condition of the fuses. If
the fuses are OK, there is proba-
bly something wrong with the
electrical circuit for the ignition switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualified technician to determine the problem. (See

Emergenc y Towin g on page 292.)
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the engine, either the battery is dis-
charged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the battery and terminal connec-
tions (see page 234). You can
then try jump starting the car froma booster battery (see page 278 ).
Th e Starte r
Operate
s Normall y
In this case, the starter motor's
speed sounds normal, or even faster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to START (III), but
the engine does not run. Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Refer to Startin g th e
Engin e on page 179 . Do you have fuel? Turn the
ignition switch to ON (II) for a
minute and watch the fuel gauge.
The low fuel level warning light may not be working, so you werenot reminded to fill the tank. There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
fuel pump. Check all the fuses
(see page 287).

If you find nothing wrong, you will need a qualified technician to find
the problem. See Emergenc y
Towin g on page 292.
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

Jum
p Startin g
If your car's battery has run down,
you may be able to start the engine by using a booster battery. Although
this seems like a simple procedure,
you should take several precautions.
You cannot start your Acura bypushing or pulling it. To jump start your car, follow these
directions closely:
1. Open the hood and check the physical condition of the battery
(see page 234). In very cold
weather, check the condition of
the electrolyte. If it seems slushy
or like ice, do not try jump starting
until it thaws.

If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can freeze.
Attempting to jump start with a frozen
battery can cause it to rupture.

2. Turn off all the electrical acces- sories: climate control, stereo
system, lights, etc.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park and set the parking brake.

Takin g Car e
o
f th e Unexpecte d
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
NOTICE