engine coolant Acura RL 2008 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 information, 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.
444
Gauges
Temperature Gauge Fuel Gauge
70
U.S. model is shown.TACHOMETER TEMPERATURE GAUGE
SPEEDOMETER
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.
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The heater uses engine coolant to
warm the air. If the engine is cold, it
will be several minutes bef ore you
f eel warm air coming f rom the
system.
The f low-through ventilation system
draws in outside air, circulates it
through the interior, then exhausts it
through vents near the rear window. Set the temperature to the lower
limit.
Make sure the A/C is of f .
Select and fresh air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed. Press the A/C button to view
the climate control display.
Turn on the A/C by pushing
ENTER on the interf ace selector.
You will see A/C ON in the display.
Make sure the temperature is set
to maximum cool.
Push the interf ace selector down,
then select by turning the
interf ace knob.
If the outside air is humid, select
recirculation mode. If the outside
air is dry, select f resh air mode.
Push the interf ace selector down,
then set the f an to the desired
speed by turning the interf ace
knob.
Press the A/C button to view
theclimatecontroldisplay.
Turn the interface knob to set the
fantothedesiredspeed.
Push the interf ace selector down,
then select and f resh air
mode.
Adjust the warmth of the air with
the temperature control bars.
You can set the temperature for the
driver’s side and the passenger’s side
separately when this button is
pressed (indicator on). When the
indicator in the DUAL button is off,
you can adjust both sides to the
same temperature with the driver’s
side temperature control bar.
Air conditioning places an extra load
on the engine. Watch the engine
coolant temperature gauge (see page). If it moves near the red zone,
turn of f the A/C until the gauge
reading returns to normal. you can
cool it down more rapidly by partially
opening the windows, turning on the
air conditioning, and setting the fan
to maximum speed in f resh air mode.
1.
2.
3.
4. 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
1.
2.
3.
4.
70
If the interior is very warm,
Using the Heater
Dual Button
Ventilation
Using the A/C
Climate Control System
Features
203
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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 .328
.................
Fuel Recommendation .328
.........
Service Station Procedures .329
.....................................
Ref ueling.329
......
Tighten Fuel Cap Message.331
Opening and Closing
.................................
the Hood.331
....................................
Oil Check.333
..............
Engine Coolant Check.333
...............................
Fuel Economy .334
...
Accessories and Modif ications .337
.............................
Carrying Cargo .339
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving
327
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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, see on
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 the dipstick all the way back
into 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 .
Refer to on page f or inf ormation
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
4.
1.
2.
3. 399 402
394
Engine Coolant Check
A dding Engine Oil
Oil Check
A dding
Engine Coolant
Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
333
MAX
MIN
LOWER MARK UPPER MARK
DIPSTICK
RESERVE TANK
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This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
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.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the multi-information display, and
instructions f or simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself .......................
Maintenance Saf ety .386
....................
Maintenance Minder .387
..............................
Fluid Locations .397
......
Engine Compartment Covers .398
........................
Adding Engine Oil .399
Changing the Engine Oil and
...........................................
Filter .400
..............................
Engine Coolant .402
....................
Windshield Washers .404
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid .404
....................................
Brake Fluid .406
....................
Power Steering Fluid .406
....................................
Timing Belt .407
.............................................
Lights .408
..................
DustandPollenFilter .415
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .415
.....................................
Floor Mats .416
.................................
Wiper Blades .417
...........................................
Wheels .419
...............................................
Tires .419
...................
Checking the Battery .427
.............................
Vehicle Storage .429
481
Maintenance
Maint enance
385
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µ
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Ì Engine oil level Check every
time you f ill the f uel 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
.
Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
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.
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed.
Your authorized dealer knows your
vehicle best and can provide
competent, ef f icient service.
However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in effect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualif ied service f acility or
person who is skilled in this type of
automotive service. Keep all receipts
as proof of completion, and have the
person who does the work f ill out
your Maintenance Journal or
Canadian Maintenance Log. Check
your warranty booklet f or more
inf ormation.
We recommend the use of Acura
parts and f luids whenever you have
maintenance done. These are
manuf actured to the same high
quality standards as the original
components, so you can be conf ident
of their perf ormance and durability.
333
333
404 406
421
408
Maintenance Minder
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.
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
394
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Maintenance Minder
396
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
regularly 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).
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 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 regularly 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 (under20°F, 29°C), replace every 60,000 mile (U.S.)/
100,000 km (Canada)
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
Symbol
1
2
3
4
5 Symbol
6
Maintenance Minder
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Î
Î: The power steering f luid reservoir is located under the right compartment cover.
Fluid Locations
Maint enance
397
RADIATOR CAP
ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
BRAKE FLUID
(Black cap)
WASHER FLUID
(Black cap)
POWER STEERING
FLUID
(Red cap)
ENGINE COOLANT
RESERVOIR
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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.If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
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.
Always use Honda Long-lif e Anti-
f 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.
A dding Engine Coolant
Engine Coolant
402
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.
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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.
Pourthecoolantslowlyandcarefully
so you do not spill any. Clean up any
spill immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment.
3.
1.
2. 4.
5.
Engine Coolant
Maint enance
403
RADIATOR CAP
RESERVE TANK
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