coolant level Acura RL 2005 Owner's Manual

This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom white mark to about
the middle of the gauge. In severe
driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill
driving, the pointer may rise to theupper end of the white section of the
gauge. If it reaches the red (hot)
mark, pull saf ely to the side of the
road. For more inf ormation, see page
. This shows how much f uel you
have. It may show slightly more
or less than the actual amount.
The needle returns to the
bottom after you turn off the
ignition.
345
Gauges
Temperature Gauge Fuel Gauge
68
U.S. model is shown.TACHOMETER SPEEDOMETER TEMPERATURE GAUGE
FUEL GAUGE
Avoid driving with an extremely low
f uel level. Running out of f uel could
cause the engine to misf ire, damaging
the catalytic converter.

Bef ore you begin driving your
vehicle, you should know what
gasoline to use and how to check the
levels of important f luids. You also
need to know how to properly store
luggage or packages. The
inf ormation in this section will help
you. If you plan to add any
accessories to your vehicle, please
read the information in this section
first..............................
Break-in Period .248
.................
Fuel Recommendation . 248
.........
Service Station Procedures . 249
.....................................
Ref ueling .249
.........
Check Fuel Cap Message . 250
Opening and Closing .................................
the Hood .251
....................................
Oil Check .253
..............
Engine Coolant Check .253
...............................
Fuel Economy .254
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 255
.............................
Carrying Cargo .257
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving
247

Remove the dipstick again, and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower
mark, seeon
page .
Wait a f ew minutes af ter turning the
engine of f bef ore you check the oil.
Remove the dipstick (orange loop).
Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Insert it all the way back in its hole. Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
on page .
4.
1.
2.
3. 305 308
CONT INUED
Engine Coolant Check
A dding Engine Oil
Oil Check
A dding
Engine Coolant
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
253
RESERVE TANK
MAX
MIN
LOWER MARK UPPER MARK
DIPSTICK

µµµ
µ
µ µ
Ì Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed.
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page . Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page .
U.S. Vehicles:
According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, Acura
recommends that all maintenance
services be perf ormed in accordance
with the intervals indicated by the
Multi-Inf ormation Display. 253
308
310 311
325 314
Maintenance Minder
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.
298

Maintenance Minder
300
Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Replace dust and pollen filter If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission fluid and transfer fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds or trailer towing results in higher
transmission and transfer temperatures.
This requires transmission and transfer fluid changes
more frequently than recommended by the
Maintenance Minder. If you regulary drive your
vehicle under these conditions, have the transmission
and transfer fluid changed at 60,000 miles
(100,000 km), then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km).
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over
110°F, 43°C), or in very low temperatures (under-20°F,
29°C), replace every 60,000 mile (U.S.)/100,000 km
(Canada)
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant Maintenance Sub Items
Replace rear differential fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds or trailer towing results in higher level of
mechanical (shear) stress to fluid This requires
differential fluid changes more frequently than
recommended by the Maintenance Minder. If you
regulary drive your vehicle under these conditions,
have the differential fluid changed at 7,500 miles
(12,000 km), then every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Symbol
1
2
3
4
5 Symbol
6
Maintenance Minder

If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks.Always use Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2. This
coolant is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent water.
Never add straight antifreeze or
plain water.
If Honda antif reeze/coolant is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporaryreplacement.Makesureit
is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
Continued use of any non-Honda
coolant can result in corrosion,
causing the cooling system to
malf unction or f ail. Have the cooling
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda antif reeze/coolant as soon as
possible.If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
A dding Engine Coolant
Engine Coolant
308
RESERVE TANK
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

Pour the coolant slowly and caref ully
so you do not spill. Clean up any spill
immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment.The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
When the radiator and engine are
cool, relieve any pressure in the
cooling system by turning the
radiator cap counterclockwise,
without pressing down.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise. Put the radiator cap back on, and
tighten it fully.
Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle’s
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components.
3.
1.
2. 4.
5.
Engine Coolant
Maint enance
309
RADIATOR CAP
RESERVE TANK

If you do not f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator.Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.
Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (see
on page ).
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
Start the engine, and set the
interior temperature to maximum
(climate control to FULL AUTO at
‘‘ ’’). Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.
6.
7.
8.
9.10.
11. 360
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
346
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

CONT INUED
.................
Jacking up the Vehicle . 338
.......................................
Jack, Tire .337
................................
Jump Starting .343
................................................
Keys .113
................
Keyless Access System . 127...............
Keyless Access Remote . 128
...........
Keyless Memory Settings . 134
.......................
Label, Certif ication .364
...............
Lane Change, Signaling . 104
........................
Lap/Shoulder Belts .21
........................
Lights On Indicator .62
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .314
.......................................
Indicator .59
......................................
Position .104
................................
Turn Signal .104
.....................................
Load Limit .283
....
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 115
Locks .....
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 115
........................
Childproof Door .118
............................
Fuel Fill Door .249
..................................
Glove Box .153
...............................
Power Door .116
.........................................
Trunk .117
......
Trunk Pass-through Cover . 121
........................
Low Coolant Level .253
Ignition
............................................
Keys .113
.........................................
Switch .115
............
Timing Control System . 372
......................
Immobilizer System .114
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 8
.........................................
Indicators .60
ABS (Anti-lock Brake ............................
System) .62, 275
Brake (Parking and Brake ............................
System) .61, 274
................
Charging System . 60,348
.............................
Cruise Control .64
DRL (Daytime Running ......................................
Lights) .64
...................................
High Beam .64
........
Key (Immobilizer System) . 62
......................................
Low Fuel .64
................
Low Oil Pressure . 60,348
Low Tire Pressure ...........................
Indicator .65, 277
.......................................
Message .66
......................................
SH-AWD .65
...........................
Side Airbag Of f .61
...............................................
SRS .61 Turn Signal and Hazard
...................................
Warning .63
..
VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) . 63
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 59
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .41
......................................
Inf ant Seats .41
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 49
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 325
.................................
Inside Mirror .122
.............................
Inspection, Tire .326
............................
Instrument Panel .59
......
Instrument Panel Brightness . 109
................
Interf ace Dial . 163,171,208
...............................
Interior Lights .160
........................................
Introduction .i
Index
J
K L
INDEX
V