oil viscosity Acura RL 2000 3.5 Owner's Manual

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
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

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

Inde
x

Selecting Proper Viscosity Chart....................................... 216
ON (Ignition Key Position)............ 80
Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery..................................... 305
Opening the Hood......................... 168
Opening the Trunk.......................... 86
Operation in Foreign Countries... 304
Outside Mirrors............................... 98
Outside Temperature Indicator..... 59
Overheating, Engine..................... 280
Owner Maintenance Checks........ 213
Oxygenated Fuels.......................... 303

Paint Touch-up............................... 263

Panel Brightness Control............... 66
Park Gear Position......................... 181

Parking............................................ 184

Parking Brake................................ 108

Parking Brake and Brake System Indicator.................. 54, 285

Parking Lights.................................. 63

Parking Over Things that Burn... 307

PGM-FI System.............................. 306
Polishing and Waxing................... 263

Power

Door Locks................................... 81
Mirrors.......................................... 98

Seat Controls...............................
. 93
Steering....................................... 228

Steering Wheel............................ 71

Windows..................................... 105
Pre-Drive Safety Checklist............. 11
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts.......... 18
Protecting Adults............................. 12
Additional Safety Precautions.... 19
Advice for Pregnant Women...... 18
Protecting Children......................... 20
Protecting Infants........................ 28
Protecting Larger Children........ 35
Protecting Small Children.......... 32
Using Child Seats withTethers...................................... 39

Radiator Overheating.................... 280

Radio/Cassette Sound System .... 134

Rear End Towing........................... 292

Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement... 254
Rear Seat Armrest........................... 97

Rear Ventilation............................. 132

Rear View Mirror............................. 98
Rear Window Defogger.................. 71
Reclining the Seat Backs................ 94
Reminder Lights.............................. 53

Remote Transmitter........................ 82
Replacement Information Air Cleaner Element.................. 229
Air Conditioning Filter.............. 240 Engine Coolant........................... 221
Engine Oil and Filter................. 217

Fuses........................................... 288

Light Bulbs................................. 250

Schedule..................................... 204

Spark Plugs................................. 231

Tires............................................ 24
5

Wiper Blades.............................. 237
Replacing Seat Belts After a
Crash............................................. 42

Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant.... 170
Reverse Gear Position................... 181

Rotation, Tire................................. 244

CONTINUED

Inde
x

Underside, Cleaning...................... 266

Unexpected, Taking Care
of the........................................... 269

Uniform Tire Quality Grading..... 301

Unleaded Gasoline......................... 166

Upholstery Cleaning...................... 264

Used Oil, How to Dispose of........ 218
Vanity Mirror................................. 113
Vehicle Capacity Load .................. 175
Vehicle Dimensions....................... 298
Vehicle Identification Number..... 296
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) System..................................... 189
Technical Description............... 300
VSA System Indicator........ 56, 190
VSA Activation Indicator... 56, 189
VSA Off Switch.......................... 190
Vehicle Storage.............................. 259
Ventilation...................................... 120

VIN.................................................. 296

Vinyl Cleaning................................ 264 Warning Beepers
Headlights on............................... 63
Key in Ignition.............................. 80
Seat Belts................................ 40, 54

WARNING, Explanation of.............. ii

Warning Labels, Location of.......... 50

Warranty Coverages*................... 312
Washer, Windshield Checking the Fluid Level......... 225Operation...................................... 70
Washing.......................................... 262
Waxing and Polishing................... 263

Wheels
Adjusting the Steering................ 71
Alignment and Balance............. 244
Cleaning Aluminum Alloys....... 263
Compact Spare........................... 270
Wrench....................................... 272
Windows Cleaning...................................... 265
Operating the Power................. 105
Rear, Defogger............................
71

Windshield Cleaning....................................... .
68
Defroster............................ 126,

131

Wipers, Windshiel
d
Changing Blades........................ 237
Operation...................................... 68

Wood Trim..................................... 265

Worn Tires..................................... 243
Wrecker, Emergency Towing...... 292
* U.S. and Canada only

Viscosity, Oil................................... 216

Servic
e Informatio n Summar y

Gasoline :

Premium unleaded gasoline,
pump octane number of 91 or

higher.

Fue l Tan k Capacity :
18.0 US gal (68 l ,15.0 Imp gal)
Recommende d Engin e Oil :
API Service SJ "Energy Conserving" oil, SAE 5W-30
viscosity (see page 215).
Oil change capacity (including

filter):

4.9 US qt (4.6 l , 4.0 Imp qt)
Automati c Transmissio n Fluid :
Honda Premium Formula
Automatic Transmission Fluid
preferred, or a DEXRON ®
III ATF

as a temporary replacement (see page 226). Powe
r Steerin g Fluid :
Genuine Honda Power Steering
Fluid preferred, or another brand
of power steering fluid as a

temporary replacement. Do not
use ATF (see page 228).

Brak e Fluid :
Genuine Honda DOT 3 Brake Fluid
preferred, or a DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page 227). Tir
e Pressur e (measure d cold) :
Front/Rear:

29 psi (200 kPa , 2.0 kgf/cm2)

Spar e Tir e Pressure :

60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm2)