engine oil Acura RL 2004 3.5 Owner's Guide

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 possible, run the engine f or a
while periodically (pref erably once
amonth).
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
If you store your car f or 1 year or
longer, have your Acura dealer
perf orm the inspections called f or in
the 2 years/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 vehicle has
actually reached that time or mileage.
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. Disconnect the battery.
Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield. If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground. Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘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.
255 244
Maint enance
St oring Your Car
297

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 .308
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .309
..........
If Your Engine Won’t Start . 314
Nothing Happens or the Starter Motor Operates ........................
Very Slowly .314
The Starter Operates ................................
Normally .315
................................
Jump Starting .316
............
If Your Engine Overheats . 319
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 321
..........
Charging System Indicator . 322
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 323
.......................
Readiness Codes .324
...............
Brake System Indicator . 325
..................
Closing the Moonroof . 326
..............................................
Fuses .327
..........
Checking and Replacing . 328
......................
Emergency Towing .332
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed307

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 ). Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood and check the oil
level (see page ). Although oil
levelandoilpressurearenot
directly connected, an engine that
is very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
1.
2.
3. 4.
207 253 332
Emergency
Towing
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed321
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
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 vehicle stopped.

µµÎ
Î
Î
Î
T echnical Inf ormation
Specif ications
338
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
)
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
)
1.61 US gal (6.1)
2.27 US gal (8.6)
4.9 US qt (4.6
)
5.6 US qt (5.3
)
3.2 US qt (3.0)
9.1 US qt (8.6)
1.11 US qt (1.05
)
1.16 US qt (1.10)
2.6 US qt (2.5)
6.9 US qt (6.5)
0.172 US gal (0.65
)
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

CONT INUED
BatteryCharging System ...........................
Indicator .58, 322
............................
Jump Starting .316
..............................
Maintenance .272
............................
Specif ications .339
..............................
Bef ore Driving .203
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,44
...........................
Beverage Holder .110
...................................
Body Repair .306
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 224
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 204
....................
Bulb Replacement .292
...........................................
Fluid .266
.......................................
Parking .107
.................
System Indicator . 58,325
........................
Wear Indicators .223
.............................
Braking System .223
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 204
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 71
........................
Brights, Headlights .68
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 210
................................
Accessories .210
.
Additional Safety Precautions . 211
............................
Modif ications .211
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .82
.............
Accessory Power Socket . 113
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 254
.........................
Airbag (SRS) .9, 47, 49
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .267
..............
Air Conditioning System . 120
..............................
Maintenance .277
.................................
Usage .122, 127
.......................
Air Outlets (Vents) .120
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .279
...........................
Alarm, Anti-theft .181
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .343
.......
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning . 301
......................................
Antif reeze .256
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .60, 225
...................................
Operation .224
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 180Anti-thef t Steering Column
..............................................
Lock .82
..........................
Anti-thef t System .181
..........................
Appearance Care .299
.........................................
Ashtrays .115
...............
Audio Controls, Remote . 178
........................
Audio System .134, 151
Automatic Climate Control ........................................
System .120
.........................
Automatic Lighting .69
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 45
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 182
..............
Automatic Transmission . 218
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .338
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 264
.......................................
Shif ting .218
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 218
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 218
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 221
Index
A B
I

Î
Bulb Replacement..........................
Back-up Lights .292
..............................
Brake Lights .292
............................
Ceiling Lights .295
........................
Courtesy Lights .295
.................................
Fog Lights .289
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 291
.................................
Headlights .288
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 293
.................
License Plate Lights . 294
............................
Specif ications .339
...............................
Trunk Light .296
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 291
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .288
................................
Cancel Button .184
............................
Capacities Chart .338
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 53
............................
Carrying, Cargo .212
Cassette Player ............................................
Care .163
...........................
Operation .139, 159
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
..........................
CD Changer .143, 164 ................................
Ceiling Lights .116
........................
Certif ication Label .336
............................................
Chains .285
Changing Oil ........................................
How to .253
......................................
When to .244
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .309
............
Changing Engine Coolant . 258
...
Charging System Indicator . 58,322
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 216
.....................................
Child Saf ety .20
.......................................
Child Seats .24
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 39
.............................
Using LATCH .40
..................
Childproof Door Locks . 87
..........................
Cigarette Lighter .114
...................................
Cleaner, Air .267
Cleaning ....................
Aluminum Wheels .301
...................................
Carpeting .302
......................................
Exterior .300
.........................................
Fabric .303
.................................
Floor Mats .302
.......................................
Interior .302
.......................................
Leather .303
...................................
Seat Belts .303 ...........................................
Vinyl .303
....................................
Windows .304
................................
Wood Trim .304
...............
Climate Control System . 120
.................
Clock, Setting the . 108,158
.....................
Code, Audio System .180
........................
CO in the Exhaust .345
........................................
Coin Box .111
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 217
..............................
Compact Spare .308
.................
Console Compartment . 111
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 352
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 55
Coolant ........................................
Adding .256
....................................
Checking .208
.........................
Proper Solution .256
...................................
Replacing .258
...................
Temperature Gauge . 65
....................
Corrosion Protection .305
............................
Courtesy Lights .117
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .345
............
Cruise Control Operation . 182
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 352
Index
C
II

CONT INUED
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .2, 56
................
Daytime Running Lights . 70
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 354
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 76
......
Def rosting the Windows . 126,131
..............................
Dif f erential Oil .265
....................................
Dimensions .338
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 68
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 264
..................................
Engine Oil .207
..........................
Directional Signals .71
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 223
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .255
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 83
....................
Lockout Prevention . 84
..............................
Monitor Light .61
......................
Power Door Locks .83
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 340
.....................................
Drive Belts .278
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5...........................................
Driving .215
....................................
Economy .209
.........................
In Bad Weather .230
................
In Foreign Countries . 344
Driving Position Memory ..........................................
System .98
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 278
..............................
Economy, Fuel .209
............
Emergencies on the Road . 307
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 316
...........
Brake System Indicator . 325
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 309
.....
Charging System Indicator . 322
..................
Checking the Fuses . 328
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 321
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 323
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 326
..................
Overheated Engine . 319
.........................
Emergency Brake .107
......................
Emergency Flashers .75
......................
Emergency Towing .332
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 89
.......................
Emissions Controls .345 .............
Emissions Testing, State . 348
Engine ............................................
Belts .278
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 65
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .59, 323
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 58,321
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 251
...............................
Overheating .319
............................
Specif ications .339
............................
Speed Limiter .220
.......................................
Starting .217
...................
Engine Speed Limiter . 220
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .343
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 345
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .53
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .346
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 300
Index
D
E
III

.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 288
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 75
Headlights ........................................
Aiming .288
....................
Automatic Lighting .69
............
Daytime Running Lights . 70
..................
High Beam Indicator . 62
....................
Lights On Indicator .59
.........................
Reminder Chime .68
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 288
...................................
Turning on .68
..............................
Head Restraints .94
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 217
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 68
..............
High-mount Brake Light . 293
............................
Fabric, Cleaning .303
..........................
Fan, Interior .124, 129
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .119
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 205
Filters ................................
Air Cleaner .267
.........................
Dust and Pollen .278
...............................................
Oil .255
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 75
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 309
.....................................
Floor Mats .302
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 264
..........................................
Brake .266
................................
Differential .265
..........................
Power Steering .266
..................
Windshield Washer . 263
FM Stereo Radio ...........................
Reception .135, 152
........................................
Fog Lights .72
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 344
..........................
Four-way Flashers .75
..............................
Front Airbags .9 ,47 .................................................
Fuel .204
......................
Fill Door and Cap .205
...........................................
Gauge .65
................
Octane Requirement . 204
...............................
Oxygenated .343
........................
Reserve Indicator .62
........................
Tank, Filling the .205
..............
Fuel Mileage, Improving . 209
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .328
................
Gas Mileage Improving . 209
..........................................
Gasohol .343
.........................................
Gasoline .204
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 62
...........................................
Gauge .65
................
Octane Requirement . 204
........................
Tank, Filling the .205
................
Gas Station Procedures . 205
.............................................
Gauges .63
...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 65
...............................................
Fuel .65
...............................
Speedometer .63
.................................
Tachometer .63 GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
.......................................
Rating) .233
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions . 218
..............................
Glass Cleaning .304
........................................
Glove Box .90
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight .......................................
Rating) .233
Index
G H
F
IV

...................
Neutral Gear Position . 219
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 204
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 336 ..............................
Paint Touch-up .301
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 71
........................
Park Gear Position .219
...........................................
Parking .222
...............................
Parking Brake .107
Parking Brake and Brake .................
System Indicator . 58,325
.................................
Parking Lights .68
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 347
.............................
PGM-FI System .346
..................
Polishing and Waxing . 301
............
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
.............................
Using LATCH .40
..................................
Maintenance .239
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 249
.................................
Record .246-248
......................
Required Indicator .66
..........................................
Saf ety .240
.............................
Schedule .244-245
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 59,323
.............
Memory, Driving Position . 98
...............................
Meters, Gauges .63
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 343
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .96
.......................................
Moonroof .105
......................
Closing Manually .326
...................................
Operation .105 ...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 204
.........................................
Odometer .64
...............................
Odometer, Trip .64
Oil ........................
Change, How to .253
......................
Change, When to .244
......................
Checking Engine .207
..............
Pressure Indicator . 58,321
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .252
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 82
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ....................................
Recovery .345
............................................
OnStar .192
.........................
Opening the Trunk .88
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 344
..............................
Outside Mirrors .96
....
Outside Temperature Indicator . 65
....................
Overheating, Engine .319
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 249
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .343
Index
N OP
M
VI

ÎÎ
CONT INUED
........................................
Saf ety Belts .8
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 354
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
...........................................
Airbags .9
..................................
Door Locks .10
..........................
Head Restraints .10
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
.....................
Seats & Seat-Backs .10
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 54
...............................
Saf ety Messages . ii
...................
Satellite Digital Radio . 173
.....................................
Seat Belts .8, 44
...............
Additional Information . 44
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 18
.
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioner . 45
.........
Child Seat Lower Anchors . 40
Child Seat Tether Anchorage ........................................
Points .39 .....................................
Cleaning .303
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .44
................................
Maintenance .46
Reminder Light and ................................
Beeper .44, 58
................................
Replacement .46
...................
System Components . 44
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 18
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt . 15
..................................
Seat Heaters .100
....................
Seat Position Memory .98
........................
Seats, Adjusting the .91
................
Security Alarm System . 181
...............................
Serial Number .336
...........................
Service Intervals .244
...........................
Service Manual .355
.........
Service Station Procedures . 205
..................
Setting the Clock . 108,158
Shif ting the Automatic .............................
Transmission .218
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 218
........................
Shif t Lock Release .221
...................
Radiator Overheating . 319
Radio/Cassette Sound ................................
System .134, 151
...........................
Readiness Codes .324
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 292
..........................
Rear Seat Armrest .95
............................
Rear Ventilation .132
............................
Rear View Mirror .96
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 76
...............
Reclining the Seat Backs . 92
.............................
Reminder Lights .57
.......................
Remote Transmitter .84
Replacement Inf ormation .................
Air Cleaner Element . 267
..............
Dust and Pollen Filter . 278
..........................
Engine Coolant .258
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 253
..........................................
Fuses .328
................................
Light Bulbs .288
....................................
Schedule .242
................................
Spark Plugs .269
...........................................
Tires .283
.............................
Wiper Blades .275 Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a
............................................
Crash .46
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant . 208
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 219
................................
Rotation, Tire .282
Index
S
R
VII