engine oil Acura RL 2002 3.5 Owner's Guide

Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it f or at least ten
minutes while you are driving at a
steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the ref rigerant.If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Ref rigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specif ications on page
.)
Periodically check the engine’s
radiator and air conditioning
condenser f or leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the f ront surf ace. These
block the air f low and reduce cooling
ef f iciency. Use a light spray f rom a
hose or a sof t brush to remove them. Your car’s air conditioning is a sealed
system. Any major maintenance,
such as recharging, should be done
by a qualif ied mechanic. You can do
a couple of things to make sure the
air conditioning works ef f iciently. 312
A ir Condit ioning Syst em
Maint enance251
A A I
IRR C
COON NDDI
ITT I
IOON NIINNG G C
COON NDDE
EN
NS SEER
R
Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
f acility uses a ref rigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
ref rigerant f or reuse. Releasing
ref rigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.
The condenser and radiator f ins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or sof t-bristle brush to clean them.
01/09/28 20:06:26 31SZ3660_254

Block the rear wheels.
Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter
(see page ).
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Park.
If you need to park your car f or an
extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your car back on the road. If
possible, store your car indoors.
If the car is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the car is being stored indoors).Coverthecarwitha‘‘breathable’’
cover, one made f rom a porous
material such as cotton.
Nonporous materials, such as
plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
Disconnect the battery.
Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and trunk seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and trunk seals. If possible, run the engine f or a
while periodically (pref erably once
amonth).
If you store your car f or 12 months
or longer, have your Acura dealer
perf orm the inspections called f or in
the 24 months/30,000 miles (48,000
km) maintenance schedule (Normal
Conditions) as soon as you take it
out of storage (see page ). The
replacements called f or in the
maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the car has actually
reached that time or mileage.
229
218
Maint enance
St oring Your Car
271
01/09/28 20:09:53 31SZ3660_274

This section covers the more-
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your car towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .282
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .283
..........
If Your Engine Won’t Start .288
Nothing Happens or theStarter Motor Operates ........................
Very Slowly .288
The Starter Operates ................................
Normally .289
................................
Jump Starting .290
............
If Your Engine Overheats .293
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .295
..........
Charging System Indicator .296
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .297
...............
Brake System Indicator .299
..................
Closing the Moonroof .300
..............................................
Fuses .301
..........
Checking and Replacing .302
......................
Emergency Towing .306
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed281
01/09/28 20:11:13 31SZ3660_284

Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the light
does not go out within ten seconds,
turn of f the engine. There is a
mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired bef ore you can
continue driving. (Seeon page .)
Saf ely pull of f the road and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
This indicator should light when the
ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
af ter the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing, it
indicates that the oil pressure
dropped very low f or a moment, then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with the engine running, it shows
that the engine has lost oil pressure
and serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action. If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ). Letthecarsitforaminute.Open
the hood and check the oil level
(see page ). Although oil level
and oil pressure are not directly
connected, an engine that is very
low on oil can lose pressure during
cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
1.
2.
3. 4.
181 227 306
Emergency
Towing
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed295
L LO OW W O
OIILL P
PR
RE ES
SS SUUR REE I
INND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the car stopped.
01/09/28 20:13:33 31SZ3660_298

µµÎ
Î
Î
Î
T echnical Inf ormation
Specif ications
312
Dimensions
Weights
Air Conditioning Capacities
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine. Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine.
Reserve tank capacity: 4.5 US qt (4.3
, 3.8 Imp qt)
196.7 in (4,995 mm)
71.7 in (1,820 mm)
54.5 in (1,385 mm)
114.6 in (2,910 mm)
61.0 in (1,550 mm)
60.6 in (1,540 mm)
HFC-134a (R-134a)
24.7 26.5 oz (700 750 g) ND-OIL8 18.0 US gal (68
, 15.0 Imp gal)
1.61 US gal (6.1, 1.34 Imp gal)
2.27 US gal (8.6, 1.89 Imp gal)
4.9 US qt (4.6
, 4.0 Imp qt)
5.6 US qt (5.3
, 4.7 Imp qt)
3.2 US qt (3.0, 2.6 Imp qt)
9.1 US qt (8.6, 7.6 Imp qt)
1.11 US qt (1.05
,0.92Impqt)
1.16 US qt (1.10,0.97Impqt)
2.6 US qt (2.5, 2.2 Imp qt)
6.9 US qt (6.5, 5.7 Imp qt)
0.172 US gal (0.65
, 0.143 Imp gal)
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Track
Gross vehicle weight rating See the certification label attached
to the driver’s doorjamb.
Refrigerant type
Charge quantity
Lubricant type Fuel tank
Engine
coolant
Engine oil
Automatic
transmission
fluid
Differential
oil
Windshield
washer
reservoir
1:
2: Approx.
Front
Rear Change
Total
Change
Including filter
Without filter
Total
Change
Total
Change
Total
U.S. Cars
Canada Cars
1
2
01/09/28 20:15:54 31SZ3660_315

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications .184
................................
Accessories .184
.
Additional Safety Precautions .185
............................
Modif ications .185
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .78
.............
Accessory Power Socket .108
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .228
.........................
Airbag (SRS) .9,43,45
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .241
.................
Air Conditioning Filter .252
..............
Air Conditioning System .114
..............................
Maintenance .251
.................................
Usage .116,121
.......................
Air Outlets (Vents) .114
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .253
...........................
Alarm, Anti-theft .156
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .316
.......
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning .275
......................................
Antif reeze .231
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............................
Indicator .56, 199
...................................
Operation .199
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 156Anti-thef t Steering Column
..............................................
Lock .77
..........................
Anti-thef t System .157
..........................
Appearance Care .273
............................................
Armrest .89
.........................................
Ashtrays .110
...............
Audio Controls, Remote . 155
................................
Audio System .128
Automatic Climate Control ........................................
System .114
.........................
Automatic Lighting .64
Automatic Seat Belt ...................................
Tensioners .41
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 158
..............
Automatic Transmission . 192
..........................
Capacity,Fluid .312
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 238
.......................................
Shif ting .192
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 192
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 192
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 195Battery
Charging System ...........................
Indicator .54, 296
............................
Jump Starting .290
..............................
Maintenance .246
............................
Specif ications .313
..............................
Bef ore Driving .177
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,40
...........................
Beverage Holder .104
...................................
Body Repair .280
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 198
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 178
....................
Bulb Replacement .266
...........................................
Fluid .239
.......................................
Parking .102
.................
System Indicator . 54,299
........................
Wear Indicators .197
.............................
Braking System .197
........................
Break-in, New Car .198
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 66
........................
Brights, Headlights .63
Index
A B
I
01/09/28 20:18:43 31SZ3660_334

Î
Bulb Replacement..........................
Back-up Lights .266
..............................
Brake Lights .266
............................
Ceiling Lights .269
........................
Courtesy Lights .269
.................................
Fog Lights .263
........
Front Side Marker Lights .265
.................................
Headlights .262
.........
High-mount Brake Light .267
.................
License Plate Lights .268
............................
Specif ications .313
...............................
Trunk Light .270
....................
Turn Signal Lights .265
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .262
..................................
Cancel Button .75
............................
Capacities Chart .312
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .49
............................
Carrying, Cargo .186
Cassette Player
............................................
Care .148
...........................
Operation .133,145
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of .ii
..................
CD Changer .136,149,151 ................................
Ceiling Lights .111
........................
Certif ication Label .310
............................................
Chains .259
Changing Oil
........................................
How to .229
......................................
When to .218
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .283
............
Changing Engine Coolant .233
...
Charging System Indicator .54,297
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving .190
.....................................
Child Saf ety .20
.......................................
Child Seats .24
............
Tether Anchorage Point .39
..................
Childproof Door Locks .82
..........................
Cigarette Lighter .109
...................................
Cleaner, Air .241
Cleaning
....................
Aluminum Wheels .275
...................................
Carpeting .276
......................................
Exterior .274
.........................................
Fabric .276
.......................................
Interior .276
.......................................
Leather .276
...................................
Seat Belts .276
...........................................
Vinyl .276
....................................
Windows .277 ................................
Wood Trim .277
...............
Climate Control System .114
.........................
Clock, Setting the .102
.....................
Code, Audio System .136
........................
CO in the Exhaust .318
........................................
Coin Box .106
............
Cold Weather, Starting in .191
..............................
Compact Spare .282
.................
Console Compartment .106
...............
Consumer Inf ormation .324
.............
Controls, Instruments and .51
Coolant
........................................
Adding .231
....................................
Checking .182
.........................
Proper Solution .231
...................................
Replacing .233
...................
Temperature Gauge .60
....................
Corrosion Protection .279
............................
Courtesy Lights .117
Crankcase Emissions Control
........................................
System .318
............
Cruise Control Operation .158
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice .324
Index
C
II
01/09/28 20:18:49 31SZ3660_335

CONT INUED
................
DANGER, Explanation of .ii
...................................
Dashboard .2,52
................
Daytime Running Lights .65
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety .327
................
Def ogger, Rear Window .71
......
Def rosting the Windows .120,124
..............................
Dif f erential Oil .239
....................................
Dimensions .312
...............
Dimming the Headlights .63
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission .238
..................................
Engine Oil .181
..........................
Directional Signals .66
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .197
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .230
Doors
..............
Locking and Unlocking .78
....................
Lockout Prevention .79
..............................
Monitor Light .57
......................
Power Door Locks .78
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .314
.....................................
Drive Belts .252
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .5 ...........................................
Driving .189
....................................
Economy .183
.........................
In Bad Weather .204
................
In Foreign Countries .317
Driving Position Memory ..........................................
System .97
..............................
Economy, Fuel .183
............
Emergencies on the Road .281
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 290
...........
Brake System Indicator . 299
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 283
.....
Charging System Indicator . 296
..................
Checking the Fuses . 302
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 295
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 297
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 300
..................
Overheated Engine . 293
.........................
Emergency Brake .102
......................
Emergency Flashers .70
......................
Emergency Towing .306
.......................
Emissions Controls .318
..............
Emissions Testing,State . 321Engine
............................................
Belts .252
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 60
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .55, 297
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 54,295
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 227
...............................
Overheating .293
............................
Specif ications .313
............................
Speed Limiter .194
.......................................
Starting .191
...................
Engine Speed Limiter . 194
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .316
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 318
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .49
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .319
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
..................
Exterior,Cleaningthe .274
............................
Fabric, Cleaning .276
Index
D
E
F
III
01/09/28 20:18:55 31SZ3660_336

..........................
Fan, Interior .118,123
Features, Comfort and
..............................
Convenience .113
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .179
Filters
................................
Air Cleaner .241
.......................
Air Conditioning .252
...............................................
Oil .229
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning .70
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .283
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission .238
..........................................
Brake .239
................................
Differential .239
..........................
Power Steering .240
..................
Windshield Washer .237
FM Stereo Radio ...........................
Reception .129,139
........................................
Fog Lights .67
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in .317
..........................
Four-way Flashers .70
..............................
Front Airbags .9,43
.................................................
Fuel .178
......................
Fill Door and Cap .179
...........................................
Gauge .60
................
Octane Requirement .178 ...............................
Oxygenated .316
........................
Reserve Indicator .57
........................
Tank, Filling the .179
..............
Fuel Mileage, Improving .183
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .302
..........................................
Gasohol .316
.........................................
Gasoline .178
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator .57
...........................................
Gauge .60
................
Octane Requirement .178
........................
Tank, Filling the .179
................
Gas Station Procedures .179
.............................................
Gauges .58
...
Engine Coolant Temperature .60
...............................................
Fuel .60
...............................
Speedometer .58
.................................
Tachometer .58
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) .207
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions . 192
..............................
Glass Cleaning .278
........................................
Glove Box .88 GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
.......................................
Rating) .207
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 262
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 70
Headlights ....................
Automatic Lighting .64
............
Daytime Running Lights . 65
..................
High Beam Indicator . 57
....................
Lights On Indicator .55
.........................
Reminder Chime .63
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 262
...................................
Turning on .63
..............................
Head Restraints .88
.....................
Heating and Cooling .114
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 191
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 63
..............
High-mount Brake Light . 267
HomeLink Universal ...............................
Transmitter .162
....................................
Hood Latch .241
.......................
Hood, Opening the .180
..................................................
Horn .62
.................................
Hydroplaning .205
Index
G H
IV
01/09/28 20:19:00 31SZ3660_337

...................
Methanol in Gasoline .316
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .91
.......................................
Moonroof .100
......................
Closing Manually .300
...................................
Operation .100
...................
Neutral Gear Position .193
..................
New Vehicle Break-in .178
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of .i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication .310
...................
Radiator Overheating .293
...
Radio/Cassette Sound System .128
...........................
Readiness Codes .298
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement .264
..........................
Rear Seat Armrest .90
............................
Rear Ventilation .126
............................
Rear View Mirror .91
.................
Rear Window Def ogger .71
...............
Reclining the Seat Backs .87
.............................
Reminder Lights .53
.......................
Remote Transmitter .79
Replacement Inf ormation
.................
Air Cleaner Element .241
.............
Air Conditioning Filter . 252
..............................
Paint Touch-up .275
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 66
........................
Park Gear Position .193
...........................................
Parking .196
...............................
Parking Brake .106
Parking Brake and Brake .................
System Indicator . 54,299
.................................
Parking Lights .63
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 320
.............................
PGM-FI System .319
..................
Polishing and Waxing . 275
............
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist . 11
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 18............................
Protecting Adults .12
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 19
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 18
........................
Protecting Children .20
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .28
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 35
.........
Protecting Small Children . 32
Using Child Seats with .....................................
Tethers .39
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 178
.........................................
Odometer .59
...............................
Odometer, Trip .59
Oil ........................
Change, How to .229
......................
Change, When to .218
......................
Checking Engine .181
..............
Pressure Indicator . 54,295
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .228
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 80Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
....................................
Recovery .310
............................................
OnStar .167
.........................
Opening the Trunk .83
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 317
..............................
Outside Mirrors .91
....
Outside Temperature Indicator . 59
....................
Overheating, Engine .293
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 225
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .316
Index
N
O P
R
VI
01/09/28 20:19:16 31SZ3660_339