power steering 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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The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
Check the f luid level in the brake
f luid reservoir monthly.
The brake f luid 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 f luid, f rom a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement. However, the use of
any non-Honda brake fluid can cause
corrosion and decrease the lif e of the
system. Have the brake system
f lushed and ref illed with Honda
Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3 as
soon as possible.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your car’s braking
system and can cause extensive
damage.
You should check the f luid level in
the power steering reservoir at least
once a year. Check the level when
the engine is cold. Look at the side
of the reservoir. The f luid should be
between the UPPER LEVEL and
LOWER LEVEL. If it is below the
LOWER LEVEL, add power steering
f luid to the UPPER LEVEL.
Brake System Power Steering
Brake Fluid
Maint enance
Brake Fluid, Power Steering
240
M M I
INN
M
M A
AX
X L
LO
OW WE ER
R
L
LE E V
V E
EL
L
U
UP
PP
PE
ER
R
L
LE E V
V E
EL
L
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The air cleaner element should be
cleaned or replaced according to the
time and distance recommendations
in the maintenance schedule.
Clean the air cleaner element by
blowing compressed air through it in
the opposite direction to normal air
f low. If you do not have access to
compressed air (such as a service
station), ask your Acura dealer to do
this service.
Follow the replacement procedure
for removal and reinstallation.
Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. If it is not available, you may
use another power steering f luid as
an emergency replacement.
However, continued use can cause
increased wear and poor steering in
cold weather. Have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible. 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.
CONT INUED
A ir Cleaner Element
Hood L atch
Maint enance
Power Steering, Hood L atch, A ir Cleaner Element
Cleaning (Severe Condit ions)
241
P P I
IVV O
OT TS
S
L
LA A T
TC
CH H
A
A S
SSSEEM
M B
BLLYY
T urning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
01/09/28 20:04:54 31SZ3660_244

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
01/09/28 20:19:00 31SZ3660_337

Î
Î
...........................
Fluid Selection .238
..............
Identif ication Number .311
.............
Shif ting the Automatic .192
.....................................
Treadwear .314
.......................................
Trip Meter .59
................................................
Trunk .83
........
Emergency Trunk Opener .84
.................................
Opening the .83
...................
Open Monitor Light .57
....................................
Turn Signals .66
.....................
Underside, Cleaning .279
Unexpected, Taking Care
..........................................
of the .281
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading .314
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .178
.....................
Upholstery Cleaning .277
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of .230
................................
Vanity Mirror .107
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load .187
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .312 ....
Vehicle Identif ication Number .310
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
....................................
System .201
........
VSA System Indicator .56,202
...
VSA Activation Indicator .56,201
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .202
.............................
Vehicle Storage .271
.....................................
Ventilation .116
.................................................
VIN .310
...............................
Vinyl Cleaning .277
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .228
.............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of .50
..................
Warranty Coverages .326
Washer, Windshield
........
Checking the Fluid Level .237
.....................................
Operation .70
.........................................
Washing .274
..................
Waxing and Polishing .275
Wheels
...............
Adjusting the Steering .71
............
Alignment and Balance .256
......
Cleaning Aluminum Alloys .275 ..........................
Compact Spare .282
......................................
Wrench .284
Windows .....................................
Cleaning .277
..................
Operating the Power .98
...........................
Rear, Def ogger .71
Windshield .......................................
Cleaning .68
...........................
Def roster .120,125
.......................................
Washers .70
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .249
.....................................
Operation .68
....................................
Wood Trim .277
....................................
Worn Tires .255
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing .306
U.S. and Canada only
Index
U
V W
IX
01/09/28 20:19:34 31SZ3660_342

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