Acura TL 2000 3.2 Owner's Manual

Cooling System
4. The coolant level should be up tothe base of the filler neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
5. Put the radiator cap back on. Tighten it fully.
RESERVE TANK
6. Pour coolant into the reserve tank. Fill it to halfway 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 car's cooling
system. They may not be compatible
with the coolant or engine compo- nents. Replacing Engine Coolant
The cooling system should be completely drained and refilled with
new coolant according to the timeand distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. Only use Genuine Honda Antifreeze/Coolant.
Draining the coolant requires access
to the underside of the car. Unless
you have the tools and knowledge,
you should have this maintenance done by a skilled mechanic.
Maintenance

Cooling System
1. Turn the ignition ON (II). Turnthe heater temperature controldial to maximum heat (climate
control to 90°F/32°C). Turn off
the ignition. Open the hood. Make sure the engine and radiator are
cool to the touch.
2. Remove the radiator cap.
DRAIN PLUG
DRAIN BOLT
3. Loosen the drain plug on thebottom of the radiator. Thecoolant will drain through thesplash guard. Loosen the drain
bolt at the rear of the engine cylinder block.
RESERVE TANK CAP RESERVE TANK
HOLDER
4. Remove the reserve tank from itsholder by pulling it straight up.Drain the coolant, then put the
tank back in its holder.
5. When the coolant stops draining, tighten the drain plug at the
bottom of the radiator.
CONTINUED
Maintenance

Cooling System
6. Tighten the drain bolt at the rearof the engine cylinder blocksecurely.
Tightening torque: 7 Ibf-ft(10N-m,1.0kgf-m)
7. Mix the recommended antifreeze with an equal amount of purifiedor distilled water in a clean
container. The cooling system
capacity is:
1.48 US gal (5.6 i, 1.23 Imp gal) 8. Pour coolant into the radiator up
to the base of the filler neck. Start
the engine and let it run for about30 seconds. Then turn off the
engine. Pour coolant into the
radiator up to the base of the filler
neck. 9. Fill the reserve tank to the MAX
mark. Install the reserve tank cap.
10.Install the radiator cap, and tighten it to the first stop.
Maintenance

Cooling System
11.Start the engine and hold it at1,500 rpm until the radiatorcooling fan comes on at least twice.
Then stop the engine.
12.Remove the radiator cap. Pour coolant into the radiator up to thebase of the filler neck and into the
reserve tank up to the MAX mark.
13.Start the engine and hold it at 1,500 rpm until the cooling fancomes on. Turn off the engine. Check the coolant level in the radiator and add coolant if needed.
14.Install the radiator cap, and tighten it fully. 15.If necessary, fill the reserve tank
to the MAX mark. Install thereserve tank cap.
Maintenance

Windshield Washers
Check the level in the windshield
washer reservoir at least monthly during normal usage. In bad weather,
when you use the washers often, check the level every time you stop
for fuel.
The windshield washer reservoir is located behind the headlight.
Check the reservoir's fluid level by
removing the cap and looking at the
level gauge attached to the cap.
Canadian Models
The low washer level indicator will light when the level is low (see page 57). Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer fluid. This increases the cleaning capability and
prevents freezing in cold weather.NOTICE
Do not use engine antifreeze or a vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir.
Antifreeze can damage your car's paint, while a vinegar/water solution can
damage the windshield washer pump.
Use only commercially-available
windshield washer fluid.
When you refill the reservoir, clean the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer fluid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition the blade edges.
Maintenance

Transmission Fluid
Automatic Transmission
DIPSTICK
Check the fluid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.1. Park the car on level ground. Shut off the engine.
2. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop) from the transmission and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
3. Insert the dipstick all the way into the transmission securely asshown in the illustration.
4. Remove the dipstick and check the fluid level. It should be
between the upper and lowermarks. 5. If the level is below the lower
mark, add fluid into the tube to
bring it to the upper mark. Always use Honda Premium Formula
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF). If it is not available, you
may use a DEXRON® III
automatic transmission fluid as a
temporary replacement. However,
continued use can affect shift
quality. Have the transmission drained and refilled with Honda
ATF as soon as it is convenient.
6. Insert the dipstick all the way back into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
The transmission should be drained and refilled with new fluid according
to the time and distance recommen- dations in the maintenance schedule.
Maintenance

Brake Fluid
Check the fluid level in the brake
fluid reservoir monthly.
The brake fluid should be replaced according to the time and distancerecommendations in the mainte-
nance schedule. Always use Genuine Honda DOT 3
brake fluid. If it is not available, you should use only DOT 3 or DOT 4
fluid, from a sealed container, as a
temporary replacement. However,
the use of any non-Honda brake fluid
can cause corrosion and decrease the life of the system. Have the
brake system flushed and refilled
with Honda DOT 3 brake fluid as
soon as possible.
Brake fluid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your car's braking
system and can cause extensive
damage. Brake System
The fluid level should be between the MIN and MAX marks on the side
of the reservoir. If the level is at or below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected for leaks or
worn brake pads.
Maintenance

Power Steering, Hood Latch
Power Steering
MAX
Check the level when the engine is
cold. Look at the side of the
reservoir. The fluid should be
between the UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL. If it is below the
LOWER LEVEL, add power steering
fluid to the UPPER LEVEL. Always use Genuine Honda Power
Steering Fluid. If it is not available,
you may use another power steering
fluid as an emergency replacement. However, continued use can cause
increased wear and poor steering in
cold weather. Have the power steering system flushed and refilled
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering fluid level can indicate a leak in the system. Check
the fluid level frequently and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Turning the steering wheel to full left
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
Hood Latch
Clean the hood latch assembly with a
mild cleaner, then lubricate it with a
multipurpose grease. Lubricate all
the moving parts, including the pivot.
Follow the time and distance
recommendations in the
Maintenance Schedule. If you are
not sure how to clean and grease the
latch, contact your Acura dealer.
Maintenance
NOTICE

Air Cleaner Element
The air cleaner element should becleaned or replaced according to thetime and distance recommendations
in the maintenance schedule.
Cleaning (Severe Conditions)
Clean the air cleaner element by
blowing compressed air through it in
the opposite direction to normal air
flow. If you do not have access to
compressed air (such as a service station), ask your Acura dealer to do
this service.
Follow the replacement procedure
for removal and reinstallation.
Replacement
The air cleaner element is inside the air cleaner housing on the driver's
side of the engine compartment
To replace it:BOLTS
1. Loosen the four bolts and remove the air cleaner housing cover.
2. Remove the old air cleaner element.
3. Carefully clean the inside of the air cleaner housing with a damp
rag.
AIR CLEANER ELEMENT
4. Place the new air cleaner element in the air cleaner housing.
5. Reinstall the air cleaner housing cover, tighten the four bolts.
Maintenance

Spark Plugs
The spark plugs in your car shouldbe replaced according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. Replacement
1. Remove the cover on the front cylinder bank by turning the two
clips one quarter turn
counterclockwise.
2. Clean up any dirt and oil that have collected around the ignition coils. 3. Disconnect the wire connector
from the ignition coil by pushingon the lock tab and pulling on the
connector. Pull on the plastic
connector, not the wires.
CONTINUED
Maintenance