check engine Acura RL 2000 3.5 User Guide

Th
e Brakin g Syste m

Your Acura is equipped with disc brakes at all four wheels. A powerassist helps reduce the effort needed
on the brake pedal. The ABS helps
you retain steering control when braking very hard.
Put your foot on the brake pedal only
when you intend to brake. Resting
your foot on the pedal keeps the brakes applied lightly, causing them
to build up heat. Heat build-up can
reduce how well your brakes work. Italso keeps your brake lights on all
the time, confusing drivers behind

you.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds up heat and reduces their effective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by downshifting to a lower
gear and taking your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Check your brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they feel normal. If not, apply them gently and
frequently until they do. Since a
longer distance is needed to stop
with wet brakes, be extra cautious and alert in your driving. Brak
e Wea r Indicator s
All four brakes have audible brake wear indicators.
When the brake pads need replacing, you will hear a distinctive metallic "screeching" sound when you apply
the brakes. If you do not have the
brake pads replaced, they will begin screeching all the time.
Your brakes may sometimes squeal or squeak when you apply them
lightly. Do not confuse this with the
brake wear indicators. They make a
very audible "screeching."
Driving

Th
e Brakin g Syste m

Important Safety Reminders

AB S doe s no t reduc e th e tim e o r
distanc e i t take s t o sto p th e car , it
only helps with steering control
during braking. You should always
maintain a safe following distance
from other vehicles.
AB S wil l no t preven t a ski d tha t
result s fro m changin g directio n
abruptly , such as trying to take a
corner too fast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe,
prudent speed for the road and
weather conditions.
AB S canno t preven t a los s o f
stability . Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your car to veer into
oncoming traffic or off the road. A
vehicl e wit h AB S ma y requir e a
longe r distanc e t o sto p on loose or
uneven surfaces, such as gravel or snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock. Slow down and allow a greater distance between vehicles under
those conditions.
ABS Indicator
* U.S . indicato r show n
The ABS is self-checking. If anything goes wrong, the ABS indicator on
the instrument panel comes on (see
page 56). This means the anti-lock function of the braking system has
shut down. The brakes still work like
a conventional system without anti-
lock, providing normal stopping ability. You should have the dealer
inspect your car as soon as possible
if this light stays on after you start
the engine, or comes on while driving.
CONTINUED
Drivin g
AB
S INDICATOR *

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

Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in A
, B , C as required for each distance/time interval. Follow this
schedule if the severe driving conditions described in the Severe Conditions Schedule on the next page do not apply.
Canadia n owners : Follow the schedule for Severe Conditions.

Maintenance
# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last
column, page 205.

NOTE:
Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.
page 244

# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last
column, page 205.
* 1 : See Timing Belt on page 241 to determine need for replacement.
* 2 : See Air Conditioning Filter on page 240 for replacement
information under special conditions.

NOTE:
Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.
Maintenanc e

Owne
r Maintenanc e Check s
You should check the following items at the specified intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perform any check, turn to the page given. Engine oil level — Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page 169.
Engine coolant level — Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 170.

Windshield washer fluid — Check the level in the reservoir monthly.If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers frequently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
for fuel. See page 225 . Automatic transmission — Check
the fluid level monthly. See page
226.
Brakes — Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 22 8 . Tires —
Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
241.
Lights — Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and license plate lights monthly. See

page 248.

Maintenance

Engin
e Oil

Addin g Oi l
To add oil, unscrew and remove the engine oil fill cap on top of the left
valve cover. Pour in the oil, and replace the engine oil fill cap.
Tighten it securely. Wait a few minutes and recheck the oil level. Do
not fill above the upper mark; you
could damage the engine. Recommende
d Oi l
Oil is a major contributor to your
engine's performance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade deter- gent oil. It is highly recommended
that you use Genuine Honda Motor Oil in your vehicle for as long as you
own it.
You can determine an oil's SAE
viscosity and Service Classification
from the API Service label on the oil container.
A fuel-efficient oil is recommended for your Acura. This is shown on the
API Service label by the words "Energy Conserving." This oil is
formulated to help your engine use
less fuel. The API Service label also tells you
the service classification of the oil.
Always use an oil that is labeled "API Service SJ." This service rating may
include other classifications, such as
CD. These additional classifications

are not a problem, as long as the
label also carries the SJ classification.
API SERVIC E LABE L
CONTINUED
Maintenanc e
ENGIN
E OI L FIL L CA P

Engin
e Oi l

4. Install a new oil filter according to

instructions that come with it.

5. Put a new washer on the drain bolt,

then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to:
3 3 lbf.ft (44 N.m , 4.5 kgf.m)

6. Refill the engine with the recom-

mended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including filter):
4.9 US qt (4.6 , 4.0 Imp qt)

7. Reinstall the engine oil fill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator light should go out within
five seconds. If it does not, turn off
the engine and reinspect your
work.
8. Let the engine run for several
minutes and check the drain bolt
and oil filter for leaks.
9. Turn off the engine, let it sit for
several minutes, then check the oil
level. If necessary, add oil to bring
the level to the upper mark on the

dipstick.

Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmful to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container and take it to a recycling

center. Do not discard it in a trash bin

or dump it on the ground.

Maintenanc e
NOTIC
E

Coolin
g Syste m
Addin g Engin e Coolan t
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 for leaks.
This coolant should always be a mixture of 50 percent antifreeze and
50 percent water. Never add straight
antifreeze or plain water. Always use Genuine Honda
Antifreeze/Coolant. 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 for aluminum engines.However, continued use of any non-
Honda coolant can result in
corrosion, causing the cooling system to malfunction or fail. Have
the cooling system flushed and
refilled with Honda antifreeze/
coolant as soon as possible. If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
1. Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.

CONTINUED

Maintenanc e

RESERV
E TAN K
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.

Coolin
g Syste m

8. Remove the two bolts and the three nuts with a 7/16 in (10 mm)
wrench, then remove the enginecover. 9. Loosen the bleeder bolt on top of
the engine.
Pour coolant into the radiator up to the base of the filler neck.
Tighten the bleeder bolt when
coolant comes out in a steady
stream with no bubbles. 10.Fill the reserve tank to the MAX
mark. Install the reserve tank cap.
11.Check the level in the radiator, add coolant if needed.

CONTINUED

Maintenanc e

NUT
S

BOLT S
BLEEDE
R BOL T
Fill u p t o her e

FILLE
R NEC K