maintenance schedule Acura RL 2000 3.5 User Guide

U.S. Owner s

Follow the Severe Conditions Maintenance Schedule if you

drive your car MAINLY under

one or more of the following

conditions:
Driving less than 5 miles (8
km) per trip or, in freezing
temperatures, driving less
than 10 miles (16 km) per trip. Driving in extremely hot
[over 90° F (32° C) ] conditions. Extensive idling or long
periods of stop-and-go driving.
Trailer towing, driving with a roof rack, or driving in
mountainous conditions. Driving on muddy, dusty, or
de-iced roads.

Canadia n Owner s
Follow the Maintenance
Schedule for Severe Conditions.
# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page 205.
* 1 : Refer to page 241 for replacement information under special driving conditions.
* 2 : Refer to page 240 for replacement information under special driving conditions.

Maintenanc e

Use this schedule if your vehicle is MAINLY driven in any of the following Severe Conditions, or normally driven in Canada; otherwise use the Normal
Schedule. Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in A , B , C , D as required for each distance/time.

Sever e Conditions:
Driving less than 5 miles (8 km) per trip or, in freezing temperatures, driving less than 10 miles (16 km) per trip.
Driving in extremely hot (over 90°F/32°C) conditions.
Extensive idling or long periods of stop-and-go driving.
Trailer towing, driving with a roof rack, or driving in mountainous conditions.
Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-iced roads.

Maintenance

CONTINUED

page 244

Require
d Maintenanc e Recor d (fo r Norma l an d Sever e Schedules )

You or the servicing dealer can record all completed maintenance here, whether you follow the schedule for normal conditions (page 206) or severe conditions (page 208). Keep the receipts for all work done on your car.

Maintenance

CONTINUED

Require
d Maintenanc e Recor d (fo r Norma l an d Sever e Schedules )

Maintenance

Engin
e Oi l
The oil container may also display the API Certification seal. Make sure
it says "For Gasoline Engines."
API CERTIFICATIO N SEA L The SAE numbers tell you the oil's
viscosity or weight. Select the oil for
your car according to this chart.
An oil with a viscosity of 5W-30 is preferred for improved fuel economyand year-round protection in your
Acura. You may use a 10W-30 oil if the temperature in your area never

goes below 20°F( — 7°C).
Syntheti
c Oi l
You may use a synthetic motor oil if it meets the same requirements
given for conventional motor oil:energy conserving, a service
classification of SJ, and the proper
weight as shown on the chart. When using synthetic oil, you must follow
the oil and filter change intervals
given in the maintenance schedule.
Additive s
Your Acura does not need any oil additives. Purchasing additives for
the engine or transmission will not
increase your car's performance or
longevity. It only increases the cost of operating your car.
Maintenanc e Ambien
t Temperatur e

Engin
e Oi l

Changin g th e Oi l an d Filte r
Always change the oil and filter according to the time and distance (miles/kilometers) recommenda-
tions in the maintenance schedule.
The oil and filter collect contami- nants that can damage your engine if
they are not removed regularly.
Changing the oil and filter requires
special tools and access from
underneath the car. The car should
be raised on a service station-type hydraulic lift for this service. Unless
you have the knowledge and proper equipment, you should have this
maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic. 1. Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.

2. Ope
n the hood and remove the

engine oil fill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer from the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.

3. Remov
e the oil filter and let the

remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your Acura dealer) is required to remove the
filter.

CONTINUED

Maintenanc e

WASHE
R
OI
L DRAI N
BOL T OI
L
FILTE
R

Coolin
g Syste m

Replacin g Engin e Coolan t
The cooling system should be completely drained and refilled with
new coolant according to the time and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. Only use Genuine Honda Antifreeze/Coolant.
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.

1. Turn the ignition ON (II). Turn
the heater temperature controldial to maximum heat (climate

control to 90°F/32°C). Turn off

the ignition. Open the hood. Make
sure the engine and radiator are

cool to the touch.

2. Remove the radiator cap.
DRAI
N PLU G
3. Loosen the drain plug on the bottom of the radiator. Thecoolant will come out through the
hole in the splash cover.

CONTINUED

Maintenanc e

Automati
c Transmissio n Flui d
Check the fluid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.
1. Park the car on level ground. Shut off the engine.
2. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop) from the transmission and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
3. Insert the dipstick into the transmission. Make sure the notch
in the rubber cap fits in the dipstick guide and that you push
the dipstick in all the way.
4. Remove the dipstick and check
the fluid level. It should be
between the upper and lowermarks.
5. If the level is below the lower
mark, add fluid into the tube to
bring it to the upper mark. Always use Honda Premium Formula
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF). If it is not available, you
may use a DEXRON® III
automatic transmission fluid as a
temporary replacement. However,
continued use can affect shift quality. Have the transmission
drained and refilled with Honda
ATF as soon as it is convenient.
6. Insert the dipstick back in the transmission. Make sure the notch
fits in the dipstick guide and the dipstick is down all the way.
The transmission should be drained and refilled with new fluid according
to the time and distance recommen- dations in the maintenance schedule.

Maintenanc e UPPE
R MAR K
LOWE R MAR K

DIPSTIC
K

DIPSTIC K GUID E

Differentia
l Oil , Brak e Flui dCheck the oil in the differential with
the car sitting level. Remove the oil
filler plug and check that the oil level is up to the edge of the hole.
If it is not, slowly add oil until it
starts to run out of the hole. Reinstall
the filler plug and tighten it securely. Use a SAE 90 or SAE 80W-90
viscosity hypoid gear oil, API service classified GL4 or GL5 only, in the
differential.

Viscosity

SAE 90: above 0°F( —18°C)
SAE 80W-90: below 0°F (— 18°C)
The differential oil should be drained and refilled with new oil according to
the time and distance recommenda-
tions in the maintenance schedule.

Brak e Flui d

Check the fluid level in the brake
fluid reservoir monthly.
The brake fluid should be replaced according to the time and distance
recommendations in the mainte-
nance schedule.

CONTINUED

Maintenanc e
Correc
t
leve l

Differentia
l Oi l

FILLER PLU G
DRAI
N PLU G

Powe
r Steering , Hoo d Latch , Ai r Cleane r Elemen t
Always use Genuine Honda Power Steering Fluid. If it is not available,
you may use another power steering fluid as an emergency replacement.However, continued use can causeincreased wear and poor steering in
cold weather. Have the powersteering system flushed and refilled
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering fluid level can indicate a leak in the system. Check
the fluid level frequently and have
the system inspected as soon as

possible.
Turning the steering wheel to full left
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.

Hoo d Latc h
Clean the hood latch assembly with a
mild cleaner, then lubricate it with a
multipurpose grease. Lubricate all
the moving parts (as shown),
including the pivot. Follow the time
and distance recommendations in
the Maintenance Schedule. If you are not sure how to clean and grease
the latch, contact your Acura dealer.
Ai
r Cleane r Elemen t

The air cleaner element should be cleaned or replaced according to the
time and distance recommendations
in the maintenance schedule.

Cleaning (Severe Conditions)

Clean the air cleaner element by
blowing compressed air through it in
the opposite direction to normal air
flow. If you do not have actcess to
compressed air (such as a service station), ask your Acura dealer to do
this service.
Follow the replacement procedure
for removal and reinstallation.
CONTINUED

Maintenanc e

PIVOT
S

LATC H

ASSEMBL Y

NOTIC E