automatic transmission fluid Acura RL 2002 3.5 Owner's Manual

If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Acura, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Acura
dealer. This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself . This section explains why it is
important to keep your car well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .214
.
Important Safety Precautions .215
.................
Maintenance Schedule .216
...
Required Maintenance Record .223
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks .225
..............................
Fluid Locations .226
......................................
Engine Oil .227
..................................
Adding Oil .227
....................
Recommended Oil .227
..............................
Synthetic Oil .228
....................................
Additives .228
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter .229
.............................
Cooling System .231
............
Adding Engine Coolant .231
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant .233
....................
Windshield Washers .237
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid .238
..............................
Dif f erential Oil .239
....................................
Brake Fluid .240
............................
Brake System .240
..............................
Power Steering .240
....................................
Hood Latch .241
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .241
....................................
Spark Plugs .243
..............................
Replacement .243
............................
Specif ications .246 ...........................................
Battery .246
.................................
Wiper Blades .249
..............
Air Conditioning System .251
.................
Air Conditioning Filter .252
.....................................
Drive Belts .252
....................................
Timing Belt .253
...............................................
Tires .253
......................................
Inf lation .253
..................................
Inspection .255
..............................
Maintenance .256
.............................
Tire Rotation .256
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels .257
......................
Wheels and Tires .258
..........................
Winter Driving .258
.............................
Snow Tires .259
............................
Tire Chains .259
.............................................
Lights .260
........................
Replacing Bulbs .262
...........................
Storing Your Car .271
329
Maintenance
Maint enance213
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Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission and wipe it
with a clean cloth. Insert the dipstick into the
transmission. Make sure the notch
in the rubber cap f its in the
dipstick guide and that you push
the dipstick in all the way.
Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
Park the car on level ground. Shut
of f the engine. If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid 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 f luid as a temporary
replacement. However, continued
use can affect shift quality. Have
the transmission f lushed and
ref illed with Honda ATF-Z1 as
soon as it is convenient.
To thoroughly f lush the
transmission, the technician
should drain and ref ill it with
Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid), then drive
the vehicle a short distance. Do
this three times. Then drain and
ref ill the transmission a f inal time.
1.
2. 3.
4.5.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Maint enance238
D D
I
IPP S
ST TI
ICCK K G
GUUIIDD E
E D
D
I
IPP S
ST TI
ICCK K
U
UPPP
PE
ER
R M
M A
AR
RKK
L
LO OW WE ER
R M
M A
AR
RKK
01/09/28 20:04:21 31SZ3660_241

µµ
UseaSAE90orSAE80W-90
viscosity hypoid gear oil, API service
classif ied GL4 or GL5 only, in the
dif f erential.
The dif f erential oil should be drained
andrefilledwithnewoilaccordingto
the time and distance recommenda-
tions in the maintenance schedule. Viscosity
If it is not, slowly add oil until it
starts to run out of the hole. Reinstall
the f iller plug and tighten it securely. Check the oil in the dif f erential with
the car sitting level. Remove the oil
f iller plug and check that the oil level
is up to the edge of the hole.
Insert the dipstick back in the
transmission. Make sure the notch
f its in the dipstick guide and the
dipstick is down all the way.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
6.
Maint enance
Dif f erential Oil
Automatic Transmission Fluid, Dif f erential Oil
239
F FI ILLL LEE R
R P
PL
LUUG G
D
D R
RAA I
INN P
PL
LUUG G
C
Coor
rrreec ctt
l
le ev veell
SAE 90: above 0°F ( 18°C)
SAE 80W-90: below 0°F ( 18°C)
01/09/28 20:04:31 31SZ3660_242

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
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..........................
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
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..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation .43
...
Additional Safety Precautions .48
Automatic Seat Belt
...............................
Tensioners .41
..
How the SRS Indicator Works .46
.....
How Your Airbags Work .43,45
........................
SRS Components .43
..................................
SRS Service .48
.............................
SRS Indicator .46,55
....
START (Ignition Key Position) .77
.......................
Starting the Engine .191
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .191
................
With a Dead Battery .290
..........
State Emissions Testing .322
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine .293
Steering Wheel
................................
Adjustments .71
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock .77
........................
Position Memory .93
...................
Stereo Sound System .128
...........................
Storing Your Car .272
........................................
Sun Visor .107
........................
Sunglasses Holder .107 Supplemental Restraint
............................
System .9,43,45
....................
Service Precautions .48
......................................
Servicing .48
.........................
SRS Indicator .46,55
...................
System Components .43
...............
Tensioners, Seat Belts .41
..................................
Synthetic Oil .228
.....................................
Tachometer .58
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in .266
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected .281
...........................
Tape Player .133,148
Technical Descriptions
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading .314
.....
Emissions Control Systems .318
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels .316
Three Way Catalytic
...............................
Converter .320
.......................
Temperature Gauge .60
...................
Tensioners, Seat Belts .41
..............
Tether Anchorage Points .39
...............
Thef t Deterrent System .157
............................
Thef t Protection .156 ..
Three Way Catalytic Converter .320
..........................
Time, Setting the .102
....................................
Timing Belt .253
....................................
Tire Chains .259
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat .283
...............................................
Tires .253
..............................
Air Pressure .254
...................................
Balancing .256
.........................
Checking Wear .255
..........................
Compact Spare .282
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading .314
......................................
Inf lation .253
..................................
Inspection .255
..............................
Maintenance .256
...................................
Replacing .257
......................................
Rotating .256
...........................................
Snow .259
............................
Specif ications .313
...................
Tools, Tire Changing .283
...............................
Torn Seat Belts .42
Towing
.....................................
A Trailer .206
..........
By Emergency Wrecker .306
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .238
Index
T
VIII
01/09/28 20:19:28 31SZ3660_341

Service Inf ormat ion Summary
Gasoline:
Fuel Tank Capacity:
Recommended Engine Oil:
Automatic Transmission Fluid:Tire Pressure (measured cold):
SpareTirePressure:
Power Steering Fluid:
Brake Fluid:
Premium unleaded gasoline,
pump octane number of 91 or
higher.
18.0 US gal (68
, 15.0 Imp gal)
API Service SJ ‘‘Energy
Conserving’’ oil, SAE 5W-30
viscosity (see page ).
Oil change capacity (including
filter): Front/Rear:
30 psi (210 kPa , 2.1 kgf/cm
)
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm
)
Honda Power Steering Fluid
preferred, or another brand of
power steering fluid as a
temporary replacement. Do not
use ATF (see page ).
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 preferred, or a DOT 3 or
DOT 4 brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page ).
4.9 US qt (4.6
, 4.0 Imp qt)
Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid) preferred, or
aDEXRON
III ATF as a
temporary replacement (see page ). 227
238 240
240
01/09/28 20:19:51 31SZ3660_345