Acura RL 2001 3.5 Owner's Manual

Automatic Transmission Fluid

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 thedipstick 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 lower
marks.

5. If the level is below the lower

mark, add fluid into the tube to
bring it to the upper mark. Always
use Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid). 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 flushed and refilled with Honda ATF-Z1 assoon as it is convenient.

To thoroughly flush the
transmission, the technician should drain and refill it with
Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid), then drive the vehicle a short distance. Do
this three times. Then drain and
refill the transmission a final time.
Maintenance

DIPSTICK GUIDE

DIPSTICK

UPPER MARKLOWER MARK

Automatic Transmission Fluid, Differential Oil
6. Insert the dipstick back in thetransmission. 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.
Differential Oil

Check 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: above0°F(— 18°C)
SAE 80W-90: below 0°F ( — 8°C)
The differential oil should be drained
and refilled with new oil according to
the time and distance recommenda-
tions in the maintenance schedule.

CONTINUED

Maintenance

DRAIN PLUG

FILLER PLUG

Correct
level

Brake Fluid, Power Steering

Brake Fluid

Check the fluid level in the brake
fluid reservoir monthly.
The brake fluid should be replaced according to the time recommenda-
tion in the maintenance schedule.
Always use Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 fluid, from a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement. However, the use of any non-Honda brake fluid can cause
corrosion and decrease the life of the
system. Have the brake system
flushed and refilled with Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3 assoon as possible.
Brake fluid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your car's braking system and can cause extensive

damage.
Brake System
The fluid level should be between the MIN and MAX marks on the side
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected for leaks or
worn brake pads. Power Steering
You should check the fluid level in the power steering reservoir at leastonce a year. Check the level when
the engine is cold. Look at the side of the reservoir. The fluid should be
between the UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL. If it is below the
LOWER LEVEL, add power steering
fluid to the UPPER LEVEL.

Maintenance
MAX
MIN
UPPER

LEVEL
LOWER

LEVEL

Power Steering, Hood Latch, Air Cleaner Element
Always use Honda Power Steering Fluid. If it is not available, you may
use another power steering fluid as
an emergency replacement.
However, continued use can cause
increased wear and poor steering in
cold weather. Have the power
steering 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.
Hood Latch

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.
Air Cleaner Element

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 access tocompressed air (such as a servicestation), ask your Acura dealer to do
this service.
Follow the replacement procedure
for removal and reinstallation.

CONTINUED

Maintenance

NOTICE

PIVOTS
LATCH
ASSEMBLY

Air Cleaner Element

Replacement

The air cleaner element is inside the air cleaner housing on the passenger's
side of the engine compartment.
To replace it:
1. Unsnap the four clamps holding
the air cleaner housing cover.

2. Remove the air cleaner housing cover. Do not disconnect the air

intake tube from the air cleaner
housing cover.

3. Remove the old air cleaner
element.
4. Carefully clean the inside of the air cleaner housing with a damp

rag.

5. Place the new air cleaner element

in the air cleaner housing.

6. Reinstall the air cleaner housing

cover, snap the four hold-down
clamps back into place.

Maintenance CLAMPS
AIR CLEANER

ELEMENT

Spark Plugs
The spark plugs in your car are a special platinum-tipped design for
longer life. The spark plugs should
be replaced according to the time and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. Replacement
1. Remove the two bolts and thethree nuts with a 7/16 inch (10
mm) wrench, then remove theengine cover.
2. Remove the two bolts and the four
nuts with a wrench and remove
the tower bar. Then remove the
A/C tube from the three clips.
3. Clean up any dirt and oil that have
collected around the ignition coils.

CONTINUED

Maintenance

BOLTS

NUTS

NUTS
BOLTS

NUTS

Spark Plugs
4. Disconnect the wire connector
from the ignition coil by pushing on the lock tab and pulling on the
connector. Pull on the plastic
connector, not the wires.

5. Use a wrench to remove the two

bolts holding the ignition coil. Remove the ignition coil by pulling
it straight out.

6. Remove the spark plug with
a five-eighths inch (16 mm) spark
plug socket. 7. Put the new spark plug into the
socket; then screw it into the hole.
Screw it in by hand so you do not

crossthread it.

Maintenance

IGNITION COIL
CONNECTOR
LOCK TAB BOLTS
IGNITION COIL

Spark Plugs

8. Torque the spark plug. (If you do
not have a torque wrench, tighten
the spark plug two-thirds of a turn
after it contacts the cylinder head.)
Tightening torque:
13 lbf.ft (18 N.m , 1.8 kgf.m)

Tighten the spark plugs carefully. A
spark plug that is too loose can
overheat and damage the engine. Overtightening can cause damage to
the threads in the cylinder head.

9. Install the ignition coil. Reinstall

the two hold-down bolts.

10.Push the wire connector onto the

ignition coil. Make sure it locks in
place.

11.Repeat this procedure for the other five spark plugs.
12.Put the A/C tube back in place.
13.Install the tower bar and tighten

the two bolts and the four nuts.
Tightening torque: 16 lbf .
ft (22 N .
m , 2.2 kgf .
m)

14.Install the engine cover. First

tighten the two bolts on the front
of the engine cover, then tighten
the three nuts on the engine cover.
Tightening torque: 7 lbf .
ft (10 N .
m , 1.0 kgf .
m)

CONTINUED

Maintenance

NOTICE

Spark Plugs, Battery

Specifications:
NGK:

DENSO:
PFR5L-11

PK16PR-L11

Spark Plug Gap:
0.043 in (1.1 mm )
Battery
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 bylooking at the test indicator window on the battery.
The label on the battery explains the test indicator's colors.
Maintenance TEST INDICATOR WINDOW

Battery

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.

WARNING: Battery posts,
terminals and related accessories

contain lead and lead compounds.

Wash hands after handling. 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

Maintenance

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.