Acura RL 2005 Owner's Manual

Check the f luid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use.Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.
Park the vehicle on level ground.
Shut of f the engine.
Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.
When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition them. If the washer f luid is low, a
‘‘WASHER FLUID LOW’’ message
appears on the multi-inf ormation
display.
Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission as shown.
Remove the dipstick, and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Windshield Washers
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Windshield Washers, A ut omat ic T ransmission Fluid
310
NOTICE:
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
DIPSTICK
Do not use engine antif reeze
or a vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antif reeze
can damage your vehicle’s paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer f luid.

Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
To thoroughly f lush the transmission,
the technician should drain and ref ill
it with Honda ATF-Z1, then drive the
vehicle f or a short distance. Do this
three times. Then drain and ref ill the
transmission a f inal time.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid when this
service is shown on a maintenance
message in the Multi-Inf ormation
Display.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your dealer. Check the brake f luid level in the
reservoirs monthly.
Replace the brake f luid every 3 years,
independent of mileage.
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.
Using any non-Honda brake f luid 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 vehicle’s
braking system and can cause
extensive damage.
If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the dipstick
tube to bring it to the upper 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 ATF-Z1
(automatic transmission f luid). If
it’s not available, you may use a
DEXRON
III automatic
transmission f luid as a temporary
replacement. However, continued
use can affect the shift quality.
Have the transmission f lushed and
ref illed with Honda ATF-Z1 as
soon as it is convenient.
5.
6.
CONT INUED
Brake Fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid, Brake Fluid
Maint enance
311

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

µµ
In very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C).
In very low temperatures
(under 20°F, 29°C).
If you f requently tow a trailer.
The timing belt should be replaced
at the intervals shown on the
maintenance minder. Replace the
belt at 60,000 miles (100,000 km) if
you regularly drive your vehicle in
one or more of these conditions:
Power Steering Fluid, Timing Belt
Timing Belt
Maint enance
313
T urning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.

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

Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to
remove the two mounting bolts
and remove the holding clip with a
f lat-tipped screwdriver.
Caref ully push up the side under
cover into the bumper.
Your vehicle uses halogen light
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its plastic case 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.
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)
Reinstall the battery and the
battery cover.
Reinstall the windshield washer
reservoir. (Passenger’s side)
Reinstall the engine compartment
side cover.
1.
2.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Lights
Replacing a Front Fog L ight Bulb
318
BOLTS
CLIP
Halogen bulbs get very hot when lit. Oil,
perspiration, or a scratch on the glass
can cause the bulb to overheat and
shatter.

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.Insert the new bulb into the hole
and turn it one-quarter turn clock-
wise to lock it in place.
Push the electrical connector back
onto the bulb. Make sure it is on
all the way.
Turn on the f og lights to test the
new bulb.
Reinstall the two mounting bolts
on the side under cover and
tighten them securely. Put the
holding clip back on the side
under cover and push on the
centre until it locks (the centre is
flushwiththehead).
3.
4. 5.
6.
8. 7.
Lights
Maint enance
319
BULB