checking oil Acura RL 2005 Owner's Manual

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance messages in the multi-
inf ormation display, a maintenance
record, and instructions f or simple
maintenance tasks you may want to
take care of yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .290
....................
Maintenance Minder . 291
....................
Maintenance Record .301
..............................
Fluid Locations .303
......
Engine Compartment Covers . 304
........................
Adding Engine Oil .305
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter . 306
..............................
Engine Coolant .308
....................
Windshield Washers .310
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 310
....................................
Brake Fluid .311
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 312
....................................
Timing Belt .313
.............................................
Lights .314
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts . 321
.....................................
Floor Mats .322
.................................
Wiper Blades .323
...............................................
Tires .325
...................
Checking the Battery . 331
.............................
Vehicle Storage .333
381
Maintenance
Maint enance
289

....................................
Accessories .255
ACCESSORY (Ignition Switch .....................................
Position) .115
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 156
.....................................
Acura Link .208
Adaptive Front Lighting System ..........................................
(AFS) .107
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 305
.............................
Airbag (SRS) .11, 25
............................
Air Conditioning .162
.........................................
Usage .163
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .326
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .248
......................................
Antif reeze .308
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .62, 275
...................................
Operation .275
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 199
Anti-thef t Steering Column ............................................
Lock .115
.........................................
Ashtrays .157
................................
Audio System .171
Auto Control Mode, Starting ........................................
Engine .263 .......................
Automatic Lighting .105
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 22
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 201
..............
Automatic Transmission . 265
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .366
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 310
.......................................
Shif ting .265
Shif t Lever Position ...............................
Indicators .265
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 265
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 270
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .60, 348
............................
Jump Starting .343
..............................
Maintenance .331
..........................................
Cover .322
............................
Specif ications .367
..............................
Bef ore Driving .247
..................................
Belts, Seat .10, 21
.........................
Beverage Holders .154
..................................
Booster Seats .51 Brakes
Anti-lock Brake ........................
System (ABS) .275
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 248
...........................................
Fluid .311
.......................................
Parking .151
.................
System Indicator . 61,350
........................
Wear Indicators .274
.............................
Braking System .274
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 248
Brightness Control, ...............................
Instruments .109
......................
Brights, Headlights .104
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .320
.......................
Front Fog Lights .318
...............
Front Position Lights . 317
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 317
.................................
Headlights .314
............................
Specif ications .367
............
Turn Signal Lights . 316,320
.....................................
Built-in-key .128
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .314
Index
A
B
INDEX
I

............................
Capacities Chart .366
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 54
....................
Cargo, How to Carry .257
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
.........................................
CD Care .196
.......................
CD Error Message .197
...................................
CD Changer .187
................................
Ceiling Lights .160
........................
Certif ication Label .364
.................................
Chains, Tires .329
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .337
Changing Oil ........................................
How to .306
......................................
When to .291
...
Charging System Indicator . 60,348
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 262
.....................................
Child Saf ety .36
..............................
Booster Seats .51
...................................
Child Seats .43
Important Saf ety ...............................
Reminders .36
..........................................
Inf ants .41
..........................
Larger Children .50
.........................................
LATCH .45 ......................
Risks with Airbags .37
.............................
Small Children .42
.........................................
Tethers .49
.........
Where Should a Child Sit? . 37
.......................................
Child Seats .42
.........................................
LATCH .45
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 49
................
Childproof Door Locks . 118
Cleaning ...................................
Seat Belts .321
...............
Climate Control System . 162
........................
CO in the Exhaust .371
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 263
......................
Compact Spare Tire .336
.................
Console Compartment . 155
.................
Consumer Inf ormation . 378
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 57
Coolant ........................................
Adding .308
....................................
Checking .253
.........................
Proper Solution .308
...................
Temperature Gauge . 68
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .371
................
Cruise Control Indicator . 64
............
Cruise Control Operation . 201...................................
Cup Holders .154
.............
Customer Service Of f ice . 378
.........................
Customize Settings .78
..................
Door/Window Setup . 94
.........
KEYLESS ACCESS Setup . 88
.............................
Lighting Setup .91
.................................
Meter Setup .82
..............................
Position Setup .85
........................
Setting to Def ault .80
.................................
Wiper Setup .99
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .4, 58
..............
Daytime Running Lights . 106
Daytime Running Lights .......................................
Indicator .64
.................................
Dead Battery .343
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 380
..............
Def ogger, Rear Window . 110
..............
Def rosting the Windows . 168
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .366
....................................
Dimensions .366
.............
Dimming the Headlights . 104
Index
D
C
II

CONT INUED
Dipstick..........
Automatic Transmission . 310
..................................
Engine Oil .253
........................
Directional Signals .104
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 274
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .307
Doors ............
Locking and Unlocking . 116
..................
Lockout Prevention . 116
.......................
Monitor Indicator .60
....................
Power Door Locks . 116
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 368
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 7
.......................................
Driver’s ID .86
...........................................
Driving .261
....................................
Economy .254
Driving Position Memory ........................................
System .124
..............................
Economy, Fuel .254
..................................
Emergencies .335
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 343
...........
Brake System Indicator . 350
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 337 .....
Charging System Indicator . 348
..................
Checking the Fuses . 354
.......
Hazard Warning Flashers . 109
............................
Jump Starting .343
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 348
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 349
Opening the Fuel Fill Door ................................
Manually .351
..................
Overheated Engine . 345
.......................................
Towing .360
.........................
Emergency Brake .151
....................
Emergency Flashers .109
......................
Emergency Towing .360
..........
Emergency Trunk Opener . 118
.......................
Emissions Controls .371
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 374
Engine ............
Check Starting System . 264
...............
Compartment Covers . 304
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 68
.........................
If It Won’t Start .341
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .60, 349
.........................................
Oil lif e .291
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 60,348
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 305...............................
Overheating .345
............................
Specif ications .367
............................
Speed Limiter .270
.......................................
Starting .263
...................
Engine Speed Limiter . 270
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .248
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 371
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .54
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .372
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
...................................
Fan, Interior .164
.........................................
Features .161
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 249
Filters ...............................................
Oil .306
...........
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 109
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 337
.....................................
Floor Mats .322
Index
E F
INDEX
III

..............................
Paddle Shif ters .267
............
Panel Brightness Control . 109
........................
Park Gear Position .266
...........................................
Parking .266
...............................
Parking Brake .151
Parking Brake and Brake .................
System Indicator . 61,350
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 373
.............................
PGM-FI System .372
........................
Power Door Locks .116
...............
Power Socket Locations . 156
............................
Power Windows .145
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 19
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens . 13
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 20
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 19
........................
Protecting Children .36
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .64
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 60,348
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 366
..........................
Luggage, Storing .257
..................................
Maintenance .289
................................
Main Items .299
........................................
Minder .291
Owner’s Maintenance ...................................
Checks .298
.................................
Record .301-302
..........................................
Saf ety .290
.............................
Schedule .291-300
...................................
Sub Items .300
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 60,349
...........
Memory, Driving Position . 124
.............................
Message Display .76
..........................
Message Indicator .66
...............................
Meters, Gauges .68
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 248
........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .122
.................................
Modif ications .255
...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle . 256
................................
Moonroof .147-150 ................................................
MP 3 .193
.............
Multi-Inf ormation Display . 69
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 248
.........................................
Odometer .70
...............................
Odometer, Trip .70
Oil ........................
Change, How to .306
......................
Change, When to .291
......................
Checking Engine .253
...............................
Lif e, Engine .291
..............
Pressure Indicator . 60,348
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .305
.....
ON (Ignition Switch Position) . 115
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ....................................
Recovery .371 ............................................
OnStar .217
............................
Outside Mirrors .123
....
Outside Temperature Indicator . 71
....................
Overheating, Engine .345
....
Owner’s Maintenance Checks . 298
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .248
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 266
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 248
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 364
Index
O P
M N
VI

.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 335
Technical Descriptions ......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 368
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 371
Three Way Catalytic .............................
Converters .373 .......................
Temperature Gauge .68
........
Temperature, Inside Sensor . 170
....................
Temperature, Outside . 71
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 49
Three Way Catalytic .................................
Converters .373
Tilt/Telescopic Steering .........................................
Wheel .111
....................................
Timing Belt .313
....................................
Tire Chains .329
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 337
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ..................................
(TPMS) .277
Monitoring Tire Pressure ..................................
Reading .329
...........
TPMS System Warning . 280
...............................................
Tires .325
..............................
Air Pressure .326
........................................
Chains .329
.........................
Checking Wear .326
..........................
Compact Spare .336
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 368
......................................
Inf lation .325
..................................
Inspection .326
...................................
Replacing .328
......................................
Rotating .327
Side Marker Lights, Bulb
.........................
Replacement in .317
.............................
Signaling Turns .104
.....................................
Snow Tires .329
................................
Sound System .171
Spare Tire ......................................
Inf lating .336
............................
Specif ications .367
....................
Specif ications Charts . 366
................................
Speed Limiter .270
.......................................
Spotlights .160
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 24
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 35
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 32
How Your Airbags ............................
Work .27, 30,32
........................
SRS Components .24
..................................
SRS Service .34
.............................
SRS Indicator .32 ,61
START (Ignition Switch .....................................
Position) .115
.......................
Starting the Engine .263
...................
Auto Control Mode . 263
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .263
................
With a Dead Battery . 343 ..............
State Emissions Testing . 374
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 345
Steering Wheel ..............................
Adjustments .111
...........
Anti-thef t Column Lock . 115
......................
Position Memory .124
Steering Wheel Buttons/ .....................................
Switches .198
...................
Stereo Sound System . 171
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .333
......................................
Sun Visors .156
Supplemental Restraint ................................
System .11, 24
......................................
Servicing .34
.........................
SRS Indicator .32 ,61
...................
System Components . 24
..................................
Synthetic Oil .305
Index
T
VIII

...........................................
Snow .329
............................
Specif ications .367
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 337
Torque Distribution Monitor .................................
(SH-AWD) .272
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .283
................
Emergency Wrecker . 360
....
Equipment and Accessories . 284
.............................
Weight Limit .283
.............................................
TPMS .277
.............................
Trailer Loading .283
......................
Trailer Towing Tips .287
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .310
...........................
Fluid Selection .310
..............
Identif ication Number . 364
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 265
.....................................
Treadwear .336
.......................................
Trip Meter .70
..............................................
Trunk .117
..................
Emergency Opener . 118
...............................
Opening the .117
.......
Open Monitor Indicator . 13,77
..................................
Turn Signals .104 Unexpected, Taking Care
..........................................
of the .335
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 368
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .248
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 307
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 258
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .366
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 364
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) ....................................
System .281
........
VSA System Indicator . 63,281
...
VSA Activation Indicator . 63,281
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .282
.............................
Vehicle Storage .333
.................................................
VIN .364
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .305
.............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 55....................
Warranty Coverages .379
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level . 310
...................................
Operation .102
Wheels .............
Adjusting the Steering . 111
............
Alignment and Balance . 327
..........................
Compact Spare .336
...............................
Nut Wrench .338
Windows .............................
Auto Reverse .146
................
Operating the Power . 145
.........................
Rear, Def ogger .110
Windshield .....................................
Cleaning .102
...................................
Def roster .165
.....................................
Washers .102
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .323
...................................
Operation .102
........
Summer/Winter Position . 103
....................................
Worn Tires .326
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing . 360
Index
W V UINDEX
IX