temperature control Acura TL 2000 3.2 Owner's Guide

If Your Engine Overheats
The pointer of your car's tempera-ture gauge should stay in the mid-range under most conditions. It may
go higher if you are driving up a long steep hill on a very hot day. If it
climbs to the red mark, you should
determine the reason.
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause serious damage to your engine.
Your car can overheat for severalreasons, such as lack of coolant or amechanical problem. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red mark. Or you may see steam orspray coming from under the car or
engine cover. In either case, you should take immediate action.
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out. 1. Safely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park and set the parking brake.
Turn off the climate control and all other accessories. Turn on the
hazard warning indicators.
2. If you see steam and/or spray coming from under the hood, turnoff the engine.
3. If you do not see steam or spray, leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading(climbing a long, steep hill on a
hot day with the A/C running, for example), the engine should start
to cool down almost immediately. If it does, wait until the tempera-
ture gauge comes down to the mid- point then continue driving.
CONTINUED
Taking Care of the Unexpected
NOTICE

If Your Engine Overheats
4. If the temperature gauge stays atthe red mark, turn off the engine.
5. Wait until you see no more signs of steam or spray, then open the
hood.
6. Look for any obvious coolant leaks, such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot, so use caution. If you find a leak, it
must be repaired before you
continue driving (see Emergency
Towing on page 277).
7. If you don't find an obvious leak, check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page
151). If the level is below the
MIN mark, add coolant to halfway
between the MIN and MAX marks.
8. If there was no coolant in the reserve tank, you may also have toadd coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, before check-
ing the radiator.
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.
9. Using gloves or a large heavy cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the first stop. This
releases any remaining pressure in
the cooling system. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap and turn it until it comes off. 10. Start the engine and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum (climate control to
FULL AUTO at 90°F/32°C). Add
coolant to the radiator up to the
base of the filler neck. If you do not have the proper coolant
mixture available, you can add
plain water. Remember to have
the cooling system drained and refilled with the proper mixture assoon as you can.
11. 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 Emergency
Towing on page 277

.)
12. If the temperature stays normal, check the coolant level in theradiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
Taking Care of the Unexpected

Technical Information
The diagrams in this section giveyou the dimensions and capacities of
your Acura, and the locations of the identification numbers. The explana-
tions of several electronic and mechanical systems on your Acuraare for the more technically-orientedowner. Identification Numbers
.............. 280
Specifications ................................ 282
DOT Tire Quality Grading ............ 284
Treadwear................................ 284
Traction................................... 284
Temperature................................ 285 Oxygenated Fuels
...................... 286
Driving in Foreign Countries ................ 287
Emissions Controls...................... 288 The Clean Air Act ...................... 288
Crankcase Emissions Control System................................ 288
Evaporative Emissions Control System................................ 288
Onboard Refueling Vapor
Recovery.............................. 288
Exhaust Emissions Controls.... 289 PGM-FI System...................... 289
Ignition Timing Control System................................ 289
Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) System.................... 289
Three Way Catalytic Converter.............................. 289
Replacement Parts .................... 289
Three Way Catalytic Converter... 290
Technical Information

DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Cars)
The tires on your car meet all U.S.Federal Safety Requirements. All
tires are also graded for treadwear,
traction, and temperature perform-ance according to Department of
Transportation (DOT) standards.
The following explains these gradings.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between the tread shoulder and the maximum section width. For
example:
Treadwear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a compara-
tive rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlledconditions on a specified government
test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one
half (1-1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance of
tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits,
service practices, and differences in
road characteristics and climate. Traction
The traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. Those
grades represent the tire's ability tostop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based onstraight-ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
Technical Information

DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Cars)
Temperature
The temperature grades are A (thehighest), B, and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlledconditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the materialof the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law. Warning: The temperature grade for
this tire is established for a tire thatis properly inflated and not over-
loaded. Excessive speed, underinfla-
tion, or excessive loading either separately or in combination, can
cause heat build-up and possible tire
failure.
Technical Information

Index
Cold Weather, Starting in.................... 161
Compact Spare.............................. 254
Console Compartment.......... .......... 101
Consumer Information*.......... .......... 292
Controls, Instruments and.................... 52
Coolant
Adding.......................................... 206 Checking........................................ 151
Proper Solution...................... 206
Temperature Gauge.................... 60
Corrosion Protection.......... .......... 250
Crankcase Emissions Control System........................................ 288
Cruise Control Operation.......... .. 69
Customer Relations Office............ 292 Dimming the Headlights.........
........... 63
Dipstick Automatic Transmission.......... .......... 213
Engine Oil.......... .............................. 150
Directional Signals......... ............. 65
Disabled, Towing Your Car If.......... 277
Disc Brake Wear Indicators............ 172
Disposal of Used Oil.......... .......... 205
Doors Power Door Locks......... ............. 77
DOT Tire Quality Grading.......... ..... 284
Drive Belts.......... .............................. 226
Driver and Passenger Safety............ 5
Driving.................................................. 159
Economy........................................ 152
In Bad Weather.......... ............ 178
In Foreign Countries.................... 287 Checking the Fuses.................... 272
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.......... 267
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.... 269
Manually Closing Moonroof.... 271
Overheated Engine..........
.......... 265
Emergency Brake.............................. 99
Emergency Flashers...................... 67
Emissions Controls...................... 288
Engine Belts.......................................... 226
Coolant Temperature Gauge.......... 60
Malfunction IndicatorLamp................................ 54, 269
Oil Pressure Indicator.......... 54, 267
Oil, What Kind to Use.......... .. 201
Overheating.............................. 265
Specifications.......... .................... 283
Ethanol in Gasoline.................... 286
Evaporative Emissions Controls.. 288
Exhaust Fumes......... ..................... 49
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by........................................ 18
Exterior, Cleaning the.......... .......... 246
CONTINUED
D
DANGER, Explanation of...
......... ii
Dashboard.............
.............. 52
Daytime Running Lights.......... 64
Dead Battery, What to Do.......... 262
Defects, Reporting Safety.......... 295
DEXRON® in Automatic Transmission Fluid.................. 213
Dimensions....................
...... 282 E
Economy, Fuel.......... 152
Emergencies on the Road.......... 253 Battery, Jump Starting.......... 262Brake System Indicator.......... 270Changing a Flat Tire.......... 255Charging System Indicator.......... 268

Index
Fan, Interior............................... 114, 120
Features, Comfort andConvenience.............................. 109
Filling the Fuel Tank...................... 147
Filter Air Conditioning.......... ................. 226
Oil.................................................. 203
First Gear, Shifting.......... ............ 169
Flashers, Hazard Warning.......... 67
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 255
Fluids
Automatic Transmission.. .......... 213
Brake.......... ................................ 214
Power Steering.............................. 215
Windshield Washer.................... 212
FM Stereo Radio Reception........................................ 129
Foreign Countries, Driving in.......... 287
Four-way Flashers......................... 67
Front End, Towing by
Emergency Wrecker.................... 277
Fuel.................................................. 146
Fill Door and Cap...................... 147 Gauge........................................ 60 Octane Requirement..........
.......... 146
Oxygenated.......... ...................... 286
Tank, Filling the.......... ............ 147
Fuses, Checking the.......... .......... 272Headlights.......................................
. 63
Automatic Lighting Off.................... 64 Daytime Running Lights......... ........... 64
High Beam Indicator.................... 56
High Beams, Turning on......... ........... 63
Low Beams, Turning on......... ........... 63
Reminder Chime...................... 63
Replacing Halogen Bulbs.......... 236
Turning on......... ....................... 63
Head Restraints.......................... 91
High Altitude, Starting at.......... .......... 161
High-Low Beam Switch......... ........... 63
HomeLink Universal Transmitter.............................
.......... . 84
Hood, Opening the...................... 148
Hot Coolant, Warning about.......... 207
Hydroplaning.............................
........... 178
F
G
Gas Mileage, Improving.......... .......... 152
Gasohol.................................................. 286
Gasoline.................................................. 146
Gauge......... ........................................ . 60
Octane Requirement.......... .......... 146
Tank, Filling the.......... .................... 147
Gas Station Procedures.................... 146
Gauges
Engine Coolant Temperature... .... 60
Fuel................................................. . 60
Gearshift Lever Positions Automatic Transmission.................... 162
Glass Cleaning.............................. 249
Glove Box....................................... . 83
H
Halogen Headlight Bulbs.................... 236
Hazard Warning Flashers.......... .. 67I
Identification Number, Vehicle............. 280
If Your Car Has to be Towed.......... 277
Ignition
Keys................................................. . 73
Switch......................................... . 75
Timing Control System.......... .......... 289

Index
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in.............. 238
Taking Care of the Unexpected........ 253
Tape Player........................................137
Technical Descriptions
Driving in Foreign Countries....... 287
Emissions Control Systems.......... 288
Oxygenated Fuels....................... 286
Three Way Catalytic
Converter.................................290
Tire Information.............................. 284
Temperature Gauge......................... 60
Tether Attachment Points................ 39
Three Way Catalytic Converter........ 290
Time, Setting the............................... 100
Timing Belt........................................ 227
Tire Chains...................................... 233
Tire, How to Change a Flat....... 255
Tires................................................ 227
Air Pressure................................ 228
Checking Wear............................ 229
Compact Spare.............................. 254
DOT Tire Quality Grading.......... 284
Inflation........................................228
Inspection................................... 229
Replacing................................... 231
Rotating........................................ 231
Snow........................................ 233
Specifications.............................. 283
Tools, Tire Changing......................... 255
Towing
ATrailer........................................180
Emergency Wrecker.................... 277
Traction Devices.......... .................... 233
Transmission Checking Fluid Level,
Automatic.............................. 213
Fluid Selection.......... .................... 213
Identification Number.................... 280
Shifting the Automatic.................... 162
Treadwear............................. 229, 284
Trip Meter....................................... . 59
Trunk......... ........................................ . 82
Opening the......... .............................. . 82
Open Monitor Light...................... 56
Turn Signals....................................... . 65Unleaded Gasoline..........
.............. 146
Upholstery Cleaning...................... 248
Used Oil, How to Dispose of.......... . 205
U
Underside, Cleaning.......... .......... 250
Unexpected, Taking Care
of the.......................................... 253
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.......... 284
V
Vanity Mirror........................................ 104
Vehicle Capacity Load.......... .......... 156
Vehicle Dimensions...................... 282
Vehicle Identification Number.......... 280
Vehicle Storage.............................. 243
VIN.................................................. 280
Vinyl Cleaning................................ 248
Viscosity, Oil................................ 202
W
Warning Beepers Key in Ignition......... ..................... 76
Seat Belts......... .............................. . 54
WARNING, Explanation of......... ........ ii
Warning Labels, Location of......... ........... 50
Warranty Coverages*.......... ............ 294
Washer, Windshield Checking the Fluid Level.......... 212
Operation................................67