page 72 Acura RL 2005 Owner's Manual

The component parts in the engine
compartment are protected by
several covers. You may need to
remove the covers when you
perf orm some simple maintenance
work.
All of the covers are secured by
holding clips.
To remove the f ront bulkhead cover,
remove the holding clips with a f lat-
tipped screwdriver.
To remove the lef t or right engine
compartment cover, remove the
holding clips by loosening the pins in
the center of the f astener.
To remove the battery cover, turn
the knob of the f astener (see page).
332
Engine Compartment Covers
304
FRONT BULKHEAD COVER
RIGHT COMPARTMENT COVER LEFT COMPARTMENT COVER
BATTERY COVER

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.Af ter removing the right engine
compartment cover (see page ),
check the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The f luid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not, add power steering f luid to the
UPPER LEVEL mark.Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spill immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment.
Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering f luid as an emergency
replacement, but 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.
304
Power Steering Fluid
Brake Fluid, Power Steering Fluid
312
MAX MIN
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL

The low beam headlight bulbs are a
type of high voltage discharge tube.
High voltage can remain in the
circuit even with the light switch of f
and the key removed. Because of
this, you should not attempt to
examine or change a low beam
headlight bulb yourself . If a low
beam headlight bulb fails, take the
vehicle to your dealer to have it
replaced.
Your vehicle has halogen high beam
headlight bulbs which is also used
f or the daytime running light.
Handle it by its base and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass,
clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.
Your vehicle is equipped with an
automatic headlight adjusting
system that adjusts the vertical aim
of the low beam headlights
automatically. Refer to page for
more inf ormation.
The high beam headlights were
properly aimed when your vehicle
was new. If you regularly carry
heavy items in the trunk or pull a
trailer, readjustment may be
required. Adjustment of the high
beam headlights should be
perf ormed by a dealer or other
mechanic. 108
Lights
Headlight A iming
Replacing a Headlight/Daytime
Running L ight Bulb
314
Halogen bulbs get very hot when lit. Oil,
perspiration, or a scratch on the glass
can cause the bulb to overheat and
shatter.

CONT INUED
Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pushing on the
tab and pulling the connector
down.
Remove the bulb by turning it one-
quarter turn counterclockwise.
Remove the left or right side
engine compartment cover f rom
thesideyouareworkingonby
caref ully pulling the cover out (see
page ).
If youarereplacingthebulbon
the driver’s side, remove the
battery cover (see page ), then
remove the battery hold-down by
removing the two nuts with a10
mm wrench. Then caref ully slide
the battery toward the engine to
access the bulb. 2.
3.
304
332
1.
Lights
Maint enance
315
NUTS
BULB
BATTERY HOLD-DOWN

Insert the new bulb into the hole
and turn it one-quarter turn clock-
wise to lock it in place.
Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb.
(Driver’s side)
Reinstall the engine compartment
side cover. Push the electrical connector back
onto the bulb. Make sure it is on
all the way.Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Push the bulb in slightly, and turn
it counterclockwise.
Reinstall the battery in the reverse
order of removal, and reinstall the
cover on the battery. Remove the left or right side
engine compartment cover f rom
thesideyouareworkingonby
caref ully pulling the cover out (see
page ).
If you are replacing a driver’s side
bulb, slide the battery toward the
engine to get more clearance (see
page ).
2.
1.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
3.
304
332
Lights
Replacing a Front T urn Signal
Bulb
316
SOCKET
BULB

Install the new bulb into the
socket.
Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
(Driver’s side)Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Remove the left or right side
engine compartment cover (see
page ).
(Passenger’s side)
Use a f lat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the holding clip f rom the
windshield washer reservoir. If you are replacing a driver’s side
bulb, slide the battery toward the
engine to get more clearance (see
page ).
Reinstall the battery and the
battery cover.
Reinstall the engine compartment
side cover. 1.
2.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
3.
4.
304
332
CONT INUED
Lights
Replacing a Front Position/Side
Marker L ight Bulb
Maint enance
317
BULB
HOLDING CLIP

Push the edge of the cover on the
blade assembly until the other side
of edge is pivoted out, and remove
the cover.
Disconnect the blade assembly
f rom the wiper arm by removing
the two screws f rom the arm.
Adjust the windshield wiper arms
to the winter position by holding
bothwiperarmsasshowninthe
illustration at the same time (see
page ). Raise the wiper arms
of f the windshield.
Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every 6 months.
Replace them if you f ind signs of
cracking in the rubber, areas that are
getting hard, or if they leave streaks
and unwiped areas when used.
2.
1.
3.
103
Wiper Blades
Maint enance
323
COVER
SCREWS
WIPER ARMS
HOLDING LOCATIONS
Do not open the hood when the wiper
arms are raised, or you will damage
the hood and the wiper arms.

CONT INUED
To saf ely operate your vehicle, your
tires must be the proper type and
size, in good condition with adequate
tread, and correctly inf lated.Keeping the tires properly inf lated
provides the best combination of
handling, tread lif e, and riding
comf ort.
Underinf lated tires wear unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel
economy, and are more likely to
fail from being overheated.
Overinf lated tires can make your
vehicleridemoreharshly,are
more prone to damage f rom road
hazards, and wear unevenly.
The f ollowing pages give more
detailed inf ormation on how to take
care of your tires and what to do
when they need to be replaced.
Check the pressure in the tires when
they are cold. This means the vehicle
has been parked f or at least three
hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6
km). Use a gauge to measure the air
pressure at least once a month. Even
tires that are in good condition may
lose one to two psi (10 to 20 kPa, 0.1
to 0.2 kgf /cm ) per month.
Remember to check the spare tire at
thesametime. We recommend that you visually
check your tires every day. If you
think a tire might be low, check it
immediately with a tire gauge.
Thetirepressuremonitoringsystem
(TPMS)willwarnyouwhenatire
pressure is low. See page f or
inf ormation on the TPMS. Add or release air, if needed, to
match the recommended cold tire
pressures on page .
277
326
Tires
Inf lation Guidelines
Maint enance
325
Using tires that are excessively
worn or improperly inflated can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding tire
inflation and maintenance.

If you check the pressure when the
tires are hot [driven f or several miles
(kilometers)], you will see readings 4
to6psi(30to40kPa,0.3to0.4
kgf /cm ) higher than the cold
reading. This is normal; do not
release air to match the cold
pressure.Every time you check inf lation, you
should also examine the tires for
damage, f oreign objects, and wear.
Youshouldlookfor:
Excessive tread wear. Cuts, splits, or cracks in the side
of the tire. Replace the tire if you
can see f abric or cord. Bumps or bulges in the tread or
side of the tire. Replace the tire if
youfindeitherof theseconditions.
Youshouldgetyourowntire
pressure gauge and use it whenever
you check your tire pressures. This
will make it easier f or you to tell if a
pressure loss is due to a tire problem
and not due to a variation between
gauges.
While tubeless tires have some
ability to self -seal if they are
punctured, you should look closely
for punctures if a tire starts losing
pressure. For convenience, the recommended
tire sizes and cold tire pressures are
on a label on the driver’s doorjamb. This chart shows the recommended
cold tire pressures f or most normal
and high speed driving conditions.
For additional technical inf ormation
about your tires, see page .
367
Tire Size/Ttpe
Compact Spare Cold Tire Pressure
Front
Rear
Tires
Tire Inspection
Recommended Tire Pressures
326
T155/70D17
110M
P245/50R17 98V
32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm
)
30 psi (210 kPa , 2.1 kgf/cm
)
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm
)

It is best to replace all f our tires at
thesametime.If thatisnotpossible
or necessary, replace the two f ront
tires or two rear tires as a pair.
Replacing just one tire can seriously
af f ect your vehicle’s handling.Wheels:
Tires:
See page f or DOT tire quality
grading inf ormation, and page
f or tire size explanation.
Replace your tires with radial tires of
the same size, load range, speed
rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire’s sidewall).
Mixing radial and bias-ply tires on
your vehicle can reduce braking
ability, traction, and steering
accuracy. Using tires of a dif f erent
size or construction can cause the
ABS and vehicle stability assist
system (VSA) to work inconsistently. If you ever need to replace a wheel,
make sure the wheel’s specif ications
match those of the original wheel
that came on your vehicle.
Replacement wheels are available at
your Acura dealer. 368
370
Tires
Replacing T ires and Wheels Wheels and T ires
328
17x8.0JAL(TPMS)
P245/50R17 98V
Installing improper tires on your
vehicle can affect handling and
stability. This can cause a crash
in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of
tires recommended in this
owner’s manual.