service Acura TL 2000 3.2 Owner's Guide

Oxygenated Fuels
Some conventional gasolines are
being blended with alcohol or an ether compound. These gasolines
are collectively referred to as
oxygenated fuels. To meet clean air
standards, some areas of the United
States and Canada use oxygenated
fuels to help reduce emissions.
If you use an oxygenated fuel, be
sure it is unleaded and meets the
minimum octane rating requirement.
Before using an oxygenated fuel, try
to confirm the fuel's contents. Some states/provinces require this
information to be posted on the pump. The following are the U.S. EPA and
Canadian CGSB approved
percentages of oxygenates:
ETHANOL (ethyl or grain alcohol)
You may use gasoline containing up to 10 percent ethanol by volume. Gasoline containing ethanol may be
marketed under the name "Gasohol."
MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl
Ether)
You may use gasoline containing up to 15 percent MTBE by volume.
METHANOL (methyl or wood alcohol)
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel that contains methanol.Methanol can corrode metal parts in
the fuel system, and also damage
plastic and rubber components. This damage would not be covered by
your warranties. If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
Fuel system damage or performance
problems resulting from the use of an oxygenated fuel containing more
than the percentages of oxygenates
given above are not covered under
warranty.
Technical Information

Customer Relations Information
Acura dealership personnel aretrained professionals. They should
be able to answer all your questions.If you encounter a problem that yourdealership does not solve to your
satisfaction, please discuss it with
the dealership's management. The Sendee Manager or General
Manager can help. Almost all
problems are solved in this way. If you are dissatisfied with the
decision made by the dealership's
management, contact the Acura Customer Relations Office.
U.S. Owners: Acura Automobile DivisionClient Services Office
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. 1919 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90501-2746
or telephone: (800) 382-2238
In Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin
Islands:
Vortex Motor Corp.Bella International P.O. Box 190816
San Juan, PR 00919-0816 (787) 2504327
Canadian Owners:
Refer to the Canadian Zone Office
Map on the next page. When you call or write, please give
us this information:
• Vehicle Identification Number (see page 280)
• Name and address of the dealer
who services your vehicle
• Date of purchase
• Mileage on your vehicle
• Your name, address, and tele-
phone number
• A detailed description of the
problem
• Name of the dealer who sold the vehicle to you
Warranty and Customer Relations

Authorized Manuals
Purchasing Factory Authorized Manuals
(U.S. only)
The following publications covering the operation and servicing of your vehicle can be obtained from Helm
Incorporated, either by filling out the attached form or,
for credit card holders, calling the toll-free phone number on the form. For manuals prior to the year shown below,
contact Helm Incorporated, P.O. Box 07280, Detroit,
Michigan 48207, or call 1-800-782-4356.
Publication
Form Number 61S0K01
61S0K01EL 61S0K30
31S0K610
31S0K710 ACU-R Form Description
1999-2000 Acura 3.2 TL Service Manual
1999-2000 Acura 3.2 TL
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual 1999-2000 Acura 3.2 TLBody Repair Manual2000 Acura 3.2 TL
Owner's Manual
2000 Acura 3.2 TL
Navigation Manual
Order Form for Previous Years-
Indicate Year and Model Desired Price
Each*
$64.00
$42.00
$40.00
$35.00
$27.00
FREE
* Prices are subject to change without notice and without incurring
obligation.
Valid only for sales within the U.S. Canadian owners should
contact diet authorized Acura dealer.
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-782-4356
(NOTE: For Credit Card Holder Orders Only) Monday-Friday 8:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. EST
MINIMUM CREDIT CARD PURCHASE $10.00
OR
By completing this form you can order the materials desired. You can
pay by check or money order, or charge to your credit card. Mail to
Helm Incorporated at the address shown on the back of the order form.
PUBLICATION NUMBER VEHICLE MODEL
NameYear Qty
Price
Each* Total
* Prices are subject to change without
notice and without incurring obligation.
Orders are mailed within 10 days. Please
allow adequate time for delivery.TOTAL MATERIAL
Mich. Purchases
Add 6% Sales Tax
HANDLING CHARGE $6.00
GRAND TOTAL

Authorized Manuals
NOTE: Dealers and Companies please provide dealer or company name,
and also the name of the person to whose attention the shipment should
be sent. For purchases outside U.S.A. please write to the address shown
below for a quotation.
Customer Name
Street Address - No P.O. Box NumberApartment Number State & Zip Code
Daytime Telephone Number ( ).
Check or money order enclosed payable to Helm Inc — U.S. funds only. Do not send cash
These Publications cannot be returned for credit without receiving advan\
ce authorization within 14 days of delivery. On returns, a restocking fee may be applied against th\
e original order.
P.O. BOX 07280-DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48207-1-800-782-4356Service Manual:
This manual covers maintenance and recommended procedures for repair to engine and chassis components.It is written for the Journeyman mechanic, but is simple
enough for most mechanically-inclined owners to under-
stand.
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual:
This manual complements the Service Manual by providing in-depth troubleshooting information for eachelectrical circuit in your vehicle.
Body Repair Manual:
This manual describes the procedures involved in the replacement of damaged body parts.
Master
Card VISA Check here if your billing address is differentfrom the shipping address shown above.
Expiration: Mo. Yr.
CUSTOMER SIGNATURE DATE

Index
Accessories and Modifications...... 153
Accessories..................................... 153
Additional Safety Precaution...... 154
Modifications............................. 154
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)........ .............................. . 76
Accessory Power Socket......... .......... 105
Adding Automatic Transmission Fluid......... .............................. 213
Brake Fluid......... .............................. 214
Engine Coolant......... .................... 206
Engine Oil....................................... 201
Power Steering Fluid................... 215
Windshield Washer Fluid......... .. 212
Additional Information About Your Airbags........ ..................... 48
Additional Safety Precautions...... 48
Airbags Service........ ..................... 48
Additional Information About
Your Front Airbags................... 43
How Your Front Airbags Work........ .............................. . 43How Your SRS Indicator Light
Works....................................... 45
SRS Components............................. 43
Additional Information About Your Seat Belts........ ..................... 40
Lap/Shoulder Belts..................... 40
Seat Belt Maintenance................... 42
Seat Belt System Components... 40
Additional Information About Your Side Airbags................... 46
How the Side Airbag Indicator Light Works............................. 47
How Your Side Airbags Work.... 46
Additives, Engine Oil................... 203
Adjustments Mirrors....................................... 94
Head Restraints........ ..................... 91
Seats........................................ . 89
Steering Wheel............................ . 68
Airbag (SRS)....................................... 9
Air Cleaner Element................... 216
Air Conditioning............................. 110
Maintenance......... .................... 225
Usage................................. . 112, 118
Air Conditioning Filter......... .......... 226
Air Pressure, Tires......... .......... 228Alcohol in Gasoline................... 286
Antifreeze.........
.............................. 206
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) Description......... ...................... 173
Indicator Light......... ............. 55, 174
Operation....................................... 173
Anti-theft Steering Column Lock.. 75
Appearance Care............................. 245 Audio System............................... 123
Automatic Speed Control........ ..... 69
Automatic Transmission......... .......... 162
Capacity, Fluid............................. 282
Checking Fluid Level................... 213
Shifting.......................................... 162
Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 162
Shift Lever Positions................... 163
Shift Lock Release......... .......... 169
A
B
Battery Charging System Light................... 268
Jump Starting......... .................... 262
Maintenance............................. 220
Specifications......... .................... 283
CONTINUED

Index
Safety Defects, Reporting*.................... 295
Safety Features................................ 7Airbags........ ................................ .. 9
Door Locks......................................... . 10
Head Restraints......... ............................. 10
Seat Belts.............................. .. 8
Seats & Seat-Backs......... ............. 10
Safety Labels, Location of......... ............. 50
Safety Messages................................ ii
Seat Belt, Additional Information. ..... 40
Lap/Shoulder Belt...................... 40
Seat Belt Maintenance............ 42 Seat Belt System Components... 40
Seat Belts...................................... .. 8
Cleaning.......... .............................. 249
Maintenance......... ....................... 42
Reminder Light and Beeper......... .............................. . 54
System Components.................... 40
Tether Attachment Points.......... .. 39
Use During Pregnancy.................... 18
Seats, Adjusting the......... ............. 89
Security System.......... ...................... 143
Serial Number.............................. 280
Service Intervals.......... .................... 192
Service Manual*.......... .................... 297Service Station Procedures.........
... 146
Setting the Clock.......... ............ 100
Shifting The Automati c
Transmission.............................. 162
Shift Lever Position Indicator.......... .. 162
Side Airbags.................................... 9, 46
Side Airbag Indicator......... ........... 47
Side Marker Lights, Bulb
Replacement in.............................. 238
Signaling Turns......... ..................... 65
Snow Tires.......... .............................. 233
Solvent-type Cleaners.......... .......... 246
Sound System.............................. 123
Spare Tire Inflating........................................ 254
Specifications.......... .................... 283
Spark Plugs, Replacing.......... .......... 217
Specifications Charts.......... .......... 282
Speed Control.............................. 69
Speedometer......... ........................ 58
SRS, Additional Information.......... 43 Additional Safety Precautions.... 48How Your Airbags Work.......... 43
How Your SRS Indicator Works....................................... . 45SRS Components.........
............. 43
SRS Service......... ..................... 48
SRS Indicator........................................ 45
START (Ignition Key Position).......... 76
Starting the Engine.......... ............ 161
In Cold Weather at High Altitude.......................................... 161
With a Dead Battery.................... 262
Steam Coming from Engine.......... 265 Steering Wheel Adjustment......... ....................... 68
Anti-theft Column Lock......... ........... 75
Stereo Sound System.................... 123
Storing Your Vehicle.................... 243
Sun Visor........................................ 104
Sunglasses Holder...................... 105
Supplemental Restrain t System
Servicing......... .............................. . 48
SRS Indicator.............................. 45
System Components.................... 43
CONTINUED
T
Tachometer......... .............................. . 58

Service Information Summary
Gasoline:
Premium unleaded gasoline,
pump octane number of 91 or
higher.
Fuel Tank Capacity:
17.17 US gal (65.0 l , 14.30 Imp gal)
Recommended Engine Oil:
API Service SJ "Energy Conserving" oil, SAE 5W-30
viscosity (see page 201).
Oil change capacity (including
filter):
4.6 US qt (4.4 l , 3.9 Imp qt)
Automatic Transmission Fluid: Honda Premium Formula
Automatic Transmission Fluid preferred, or a DEXRON
® III ATF
as a temporary replacement (see page 213). Power Steering Fluid:
Genuine Honda Power Steering
Fluid preferred, or another brand
of power steering fluid as a
temporary replacement. Do not use ATF (see page 215).
Brake Fluid:
Genuine Honda DOT 3 Brake Fluidpreferred, or a DOT 3 or DOT 4
brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page 214). Tire Pressure (measured cold):
32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm
2)