oil viscosity Acura RL 2001 3.5 Owner's Manual

Engine Oil
The numbers on the container's label 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 optimum fuel economy

and 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).
Synthetic Oil
You may use a synthetic motor oil if it meets the same requirements
given for conventional motor oil: it displays the API Certification Seal,
and it is 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. Additives
Your Acura does not need any oiladditives. 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.
Maintenance
Ambient Temperature

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

Index

Melhanol in Gasoline.................... 306

Mirrors, Adjusting........................... 99

Moonroof........................................ 107
Closing Manually....................... 290
Operation.................................... 107
Neutral Gear Position.................... 183
New Vehicle Break-in ................... 168
NOTICE, Explanation of.................... i
Numbers, Identification................ 300 Octane Requirement, Gasoline.... 168
Odometer.......................................... 59
Odometer, Trip................................ 59
Oil
Change, How to......................... 219

Change, When to....................... 208

Checking Engine....................... 171

Pressure Indicator............... 54, 285
Selecting Proper Viscosity
Chart....................................... 218

ON (Ignition Key Position)............ 80 Onboard Refueling Vapor
Recovery..................................... 308

Opening the Trunk.......................... 86

Operation in Foreign Countries... 307

Outside Mirrors............................... 99

Outside Temperature Indicator..... 59

Overheating, Engine..................... 283

Owner Maintenance Checks........ 215

Oxygenated Fuels.......................... 306

Paint Touch-up............................... 265
Panel Brightness Control............... 66
Park Gear Position......................... 183
Parking............................................ 186
Parking Brake................................ 109

Parking Brake and Brake System Indicator.................. 54, 289
Parking Lights.................................. 63
Parking Over Things that Bum... 310

PGM-FI System.............................. 309

Polishing and Waxing................... 265 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 with
Tethers...................................... 39

Radiator Overheating.................... 283
Radio/Cassette Sound System.... 136
Readiness Codes............................ 288
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement... 254
Rear Seat Armrest........................... 98
Rear Ventilation............................. 134

Rear View Mirror............................. 99

Rear Window Defogger.................. 71
Reclining the Seat Backs................ 95
Reminder Lights.............................. 53
Remote Transmitter........................ 82
Replacement Information Air Cleaner Element.................. 231
Air Conditioning Filter.............. 242

Index

Fluid Selection............................ 228

Identification Number............... 301
Shifting the Automatic.............. 182

Treadwear...................................... 304

Trip Meter........................................ 59

Trunk................................................. 86
Emergency Trunk Opener......... 87

Opening the.................................. 86

Open Monitor Light.................... 57
Turn Signals..................................... 66

Underside. Cleaning...................... 269

Unexpected, Taking Care
of the........................................... 271

Uniform Tire Quality Grading..... 304

Unleaded Gasoline......................... 168

Upholstery Cleaning...................... 267

Used Oil, How to Dispose of........ 220

Vanity Mirror................................. 114

Vehicle Capacity Load .................. 177

Vehicle Dimensions....................... 302
Vehicle Identification Number..... 300
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
System..................................... 191

VSA System Indicator........ 56, 192
VSA
Activation Indicator.... 56, 191
VSA Off Switch.......................... 192

Vehicle Storage.............................. 261

Ventilation...................................... 122

VIN.................................................. 300

Vinyl Cleaning................................ 267
Viscosity, Oil................................... 218

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

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

Warranty Coverages*................... 316

Washer, Windshield Checking the Fluid Level......... 227
Operation...................................... 70

Washing.......................................... 264
Waxing and Polishing................... 265

Wheels Adjusting the Steering................ 71
Alignment and Balance............. 246

Cleaning Aluminum Alloys....... 265
Compact Spare........................... 272

Wrench....................................... 274

Windows
Cleaning...................................... 267

Operating the Power................. 106

Rear, Defogger............................ 71
Windshield Cleaning........................................ 68
Defroster............................ 128,
133

Washers........................................
70

Wipers, Windshield

Changing Blades........................ 239

Operation...................................... 68

Wood Trim..................................... 267
Worn Tires..................................... 245

Wrecker, Emergency Towing...... 296
* U.S. and Canada only

Service Information Summary

Gasoline:
Premium unleaded gasoline,
pump octane number of 91 or
higher.

Fuel Tank Capacity: 18.0 US gal (68 l ,15.0 Imp gal)
Recommended Engine Oil:
API Service SJ "Energy Conserving" oil, SAE 5W-30
viscosity (see page 217 ).
Oil change capacity (including

filter):

4.9 US qt (4.6 l , 4.0 Imp qt)
Automatic Transmission Fluid: Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid) preferred, or
a DEXRON ®
lll ATF as a

temporary replacement (see page 228). Power Steering Fluid:
Honda Power Steering Fluid
preferred, or another brand of

power steering fluid as a

temporary replacement. Do not
use ATF (see page 230 ).
Brake Fluid: Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 preferred, or a DOT 3 or
DOT 4 brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page 230 ). Tire Pressure (measured cold):
Front/Rear:
29 psi (200 kPa , 2.0 kgf/cm2)
Spare Tire Pressure:
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm2)