engine oil Acura RL 2002 3.5 Owner's Manual

High levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidly in enclosed areas,
such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.
Even with the door open, run the
engine only long enough to move the
vehicle out of the garage.If you must sit in your parked car,
even in an unconf ined area, with the
engine running, adjust the climate
control system as f ollows:
Your car’s exhaust contains carbon
monoxide gas. You should have no
problem with carbon monoxide
entering the car in normal driving if
you maintain your car properly.
Have the exhaust system inspected
f or leaks whenever:
The car is raised f or an oil change.
You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust.
Thecarwasinanaccidentthat
may have damaged the underside. Select the Fresh Air mode.
Select the mode.
Set the f an speed to high.
Set the temperature control to a
comfortable setting.
With the trunk lid open, air f low can
pull exhaust gas into your car’s
interior and create a hazardous
condition. If you must drive with the
trunk lid open, open all the windows
and set the climate control system as
shown below.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
Driver and Passenger Saf ety49
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and even kill
you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or
activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.
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The engine can be severely damaged
if this light f lashes or stays on when
the engine is running. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
If this light comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For complete
inf ormation, see page .This light has two f unctions:
If you do not f asten your seat belt,
the beeper will stop af ter a f ew
seconds but the light stays on until
you do. Both the light and the beeper
stay of f if you f asten your seat belt
bef ore turning on the ignition. This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to you and your passengers
to protect yourselves by f astening
the seat belts. A beeper also sounds
if you have not fastened your seat
belt. The instrument panel has many
indicators to give you important
inf ormation about your car. This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch ON (II). It
is a reminder to check the parking
brake. Driving with the parking
brake not f ully released can
damage the brakes and tires.
If the indicator remains lit af ter
you have fully released the
parking brake while the engine is
running, or if it comes on while
driving, it can indicate a problem
in the brake system. For complete
information, see page .
1.
2.
295
296
299
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
IndicatorParking Brake and Brake System
Indicator
Seat Belt Reminder L ight
54
U.S. Canada
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The HI or LO indicator lights and
remains lit until you turn it of f by
pushing the opposite side of the
switch lightly. The indicator will turn
off.Follow these precautions whenever
you use the seat heaters:
Use the HI setting only to heat the
seats quickly. Select the LO
setting when the seats f eel warm.
The HI setting draws large
amounts of current f rom the
battery.
Do not use the seat heaters, even
on the LO setting, if the engine is
lef t idling f or an extended period.
They can weaken the battery,
causing hard starting.
In LO, the heater runs continuously.
It does not cycle with temperature
changes. In HI, the heater turns of f when the
seat gets warm, and turns back on
after the seat’s temperature drops. It
continues to cycle as long as you
leave it set on HI. The HI indicator
remains lit as a reminder that you
have the heater on.
Because of the sensors f or the side
airbag system, there is no heater in
the passenger’s seat-back. To use the ski sleeve:
Pull down the rear seat armrest.
Open the trunk pass-through
cover by sliding the knob down-
ward and pulling on the cover.
Theskisleeveallowsyoutocarry
skis or other long objects saf ely
without soiling or damaging the
interior of your car. It attaches to the
trunk pass-through.
1. Ski Sleeve
Seat Heaters, Ski Sleeve
Inst rument s and Cont rols96
K KN
NO OBB
L
LIIDD
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Bef ore you begin driving your Acura,
youshouldknowwhatgasolineto
use, and how to check the levels of
important f luids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggage
or packages. The inf ormation in this
section will help you. If you plan to
add any accessories to your car,
please read the inf ormation in this
section f irst..............................
Break-in Period .178
.........................................
Gasoline .178
.........
Service Station Procedures .179
................
Filling the Fuel Tank .179
....................
Opening the Hood .180
...............................
Oil Check .181
.........
Engine Coolant Check .182
...............................
Fuel Economy .183
............................
Car Condition .183
...........................
Driving Habits .183
...
Accessories and Modif ications .184
.............................
Carrying Cargo .186
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving177
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During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration. If you are unable to f ind premium
unleaded gasoline, you may substi-
tute an unleaded regular gasoline.
The engine will compensate f or the
lower octane, but you may notice a
slight decrease in power as a result.
We recommend gasolines containing
detergent additives that help prevent
f uel system and engine deposits.
Avoidhardbraking.Newbrakes
need to be broken-in by moderate
use f or the f irst 200 miles (300
km). Your Acura is designed to operate on
premium unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane number of 91 or higher.
In Canada, some gasolines contain
an octane-enhancing additive called
MMT. If you use such gasolines,
your emissions control system
perf ormance may deteriorate and
the Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on.
If this happens, contact your
authorized Acura dealer f or service.
Help assure your car’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
Using gasoline containing lead will
damage your car’s emissions
controls. This contributes to air
pollution.
Do not change the oil until the
recommended time or mileage
intervalshowninthemaintenance
schedule.
Youshouldfollowthesesamere-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are relined.
Break-in Period, Gasoline
Bef ore Driving
Break-in Period Gasoline
178
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CONT INUED
Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Check the engine oil level every time
you f ill the vehicle with f uel. Wait a
f ew minutes af ter turning the engine
of f bef ore you check the oil.
Remove the dipstick (orange
handle).
If you can open the hood without
sliding the hood latch handle, or the
hood latch handle moves stif f ly or
does not spring back as bef ore, the
mechanism should be cleaned and
lubricated (see page ).
Lif t the hood up most of the way.
The hydraulic supports will lif t it
uptherestof thewayandholdit
up.
To close the hood, lower it to about a
f oot (30 cm) above the f ender, then
press down f irmly with your hands.
Afterclosingthehood,makesureit
is securely latched. 2.
1.
3.
241
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
Oil Check
181
D D
I
IPP S
ST TI
ICCK K
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Refer toon page f or inf ormation
on checking other items in your
Acura. Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see on page f or
informationonaddingtheproper
coolant.
Remove the dipstick again and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page .
Insert it all the way back in its tube. 4.
3.
227231
225
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
Owner Maintenance
Checks A dding
Engine Coolant
A dding Oil
Engine Coolant Check
182
M M I
INN
M
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A
AX
X
L
LO OW WE ER
R M
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AR
RKK
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UP
PP
PE
ER
R M
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AR
RKK R
RE
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SE ER
RV V E
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NK K
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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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Ì
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Follow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule if the
severe driving conditions
specif ied in the Severe
Conditions Maintenance
Schedule do not apply.
NOTE: If you onlydrive under a
‘‘severe’’ condition, you should
f ollow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule.
Follow the Maintenance
Schedule f or Severe Conditions.
OCCASIONALLY
Maint enance
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
218
Visually inspect the following items:
Service at the indicated
distance or time whichever
comes first.
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
Replace every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 1 year
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page .
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Cooling system hoses and connections
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections Rotate tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil filter
Check engine oil and coolant
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt, balancer belt, and inspect
water pump
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace transmission fluid
Replace front differential fluid
Inspect front and rear brakes
Replace brake fluid
Check parking brake adjustment
Replace air conditioning filter
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition
at least once per month) 15
24
12
30
48
24 60
96
48
45
72
36 75
120 60 90
144 72 105
168
84 120
192
96
Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 6 years, then every
90,000 miles (144,000 km) or 5 years
120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every
60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
: 217
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions
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Maint enance219
Canadian Owners U.S. Owners
A, B, C, D
A
B
C
D
7,500 mi/12,000 km
15,000 mi/24,000 km/1yr
22,500 mi/36,000 km
30,000 mi/48,000 km/2 yrs
37,500 mi/60,000 km/
45,000 mi/72,000 km/3 yrs
52,500 mi/84,000 km/
60,000 mi/96,000 km/4 yrs
67,500 mi/108,000 km
75,000 mi/120,000 km/5 yrs
82,500 mi/132,000 km
90,000 mi/144,000 km/6 yrs
97,500 mi/156,000 km
105,000 mi/168,000 km/7 yrs
112,500 mi/180,000 km
120,000 mi/192,000 km/8 yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km/10 yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km/6 yrs Use the Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions.
Refer to page to determine which schedule to use.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,D.
Do items in A.Replace front differential fluid.
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A. Replace front differential fluid.
DoitemsinA,B,C,D.
Do items in A. Replace timing belt, balancer belt, and inspect
water pump. Check idle speed.
Replace spark plugs.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A. Replace front differential fluid.
DoitemsinA,B,C. Replace engine coolant, then replace every
60,000 mi/96,000 km/5 yrs. Replace transmission fluid, then every 90,000
mi/144,000 km/5 yrs. Replace engine oil.
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page256).
Replace engine oil filter.
Inspect front and rear brakes.
Check parking brake adjustment.
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots.
Inspect suspension components.
Inspect driveshaft boots.
Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS).
Check all fluid levels, condition of fluids, and check
for leaks.
Inspect cooling system hoses and connections.
Inspect exhaust system.
Inspect fuel lines and connections.
Replace air cleaner element.
Inspect and adjust drive belts.
Replace air conditioning filter.
Replace brake fluid (every 3 years regardless of
mileage).
Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in as required for each distance/time interval.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last
column, page .
Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop. :
NOTE: 217
218
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions (listed by distance/time)
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