tow Acura TL 2000 3.2 Owner's Guide

Low Oil Pressure Indicator
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
This indicator should light when theignition switch is ON (II), and go out
after the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is
running. If it starts flashing, itindicates that the oil pressure
dropped very low for a moment, then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with the engine running, it shows that the engine has lost oil pressureand serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action.
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical damage almost immediately. Tu
rn off
the engine as soon as you can safely get
the car stopped.
1. Safely pull off the road and shut off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
2. Let the car sit for a minute. Open the hood and check the oil level(see page 150). Although oil level
and oil pressure are not directly
connected, an engine that is very
low on oil can lose pressure during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
3. If necessary, add oil to bring the level back to the full mark on thedipstick (see page 201). 4. Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the lightdoes not go out within ten seconds,
turn off the engine. There is a
mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired before you can continue driving. (See Emergency
Towing on page 277.)
Taking Care of the Unexpected
NOTICE

Brake System Indicator
BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR
The Brake System Indicator lightcomes on when you turn the ignitionON (II). If the parking brake is not
set, it goes off after you start the
engine. If the parking brake is set, it
goes off when you fully release the parking brake with the engine
running. If it comes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem with the car's
brake system. In most cases, the problem is a low fluid level in the
brake fluid reservoir. Press lightly on
the brake pedal to see if it feels normal. If it does, check the brake
fluid level the next time you stop at a service station (see page 214). If the
fluid level is low, take the car to your dealer and have the brake system
inspected for leaks or worn brake
pads.
However, if the brake pedal does not
feel normal, you should take immediate action. Because of the
brake system's dual-circuit design, a
problem in one part of the system will still give you braking at two
wheels. You will feel the brake pedal
go down much farther before the car
begins to slow down, and you will
have to press harder on the pedal.
The distance needed to stop will be much longer. Slow down by shifting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is safe. Because of the longer distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the car. Youshould have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible. (See Emergency
Towing on page 277.)
If you must drive the car a shortdistance in this condition, driveslowly and cautiously.
Taking Care of the Unexpected

Fuses
All the electrical circuits in your carhave fuses to protect them from a short circuit or overload. These
fuses are located in three fuse boxes.INTERIOR
The interior fuse boxes are located on each side of the dashboard. To
open an interior fuse box, open the
car door. Pull the bottom of the
cover open, then take it out of itsside hinges by pulling it toward you.
UNDER-HOOD
The under-hood fuse box is located in the back of the engine compart-
ment on the passenger's side. To
open it, push the tabs as shown.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
TAB

Emergency Towing
If your car needs to be towed, call a
professional towing service or, if you
belong to one, an organization that
provides roadside assistance. Never
tow your car behind another vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very dangerous.
There are three popular types of professional towing equipment:
Flat-bed Equipment — The operator
loads your car on the back of a truck.
This is the best way to transport
your Acura.
Wheel-Lift Equipment — The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (front or rear) and lift
them off the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground. This is an acceptable way to tow your
Acura.
Sling-type Equipment — The tow
truck uses metal cables with hooks on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the frame or suspension and
the cables lift that end of the car off
the ground. Your car's suspension and body can be seriously damaged.
This method of towing is unacceptable.
If your Acura cannot be transported
by flat-bed, it should be towed by
wheel-lift equipment with the front
wheels off the ground. If, due to damage, your car must be towed
with the front wheels on the ground, do the following.
• Release the parking brake.
• Start the engine.
• Shift to D5, then to N.
• Turn off the engine.
Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shift the transmission or start theengine, your car must be transported
with the front wheels off the ground.
• With the front wheels on the ground, it is best to tow the car no
farther than 50 miles (80 km), and
keep the speed below 35 mph (55
km/h).
CONTINUED
Taking Care of the Unexpected
NOTICE

Emergency Towing
If you decide to tow your car with all
four wheels on the ground, make sure you use a properly-designed and
attached tow bar. Prepare the car for
towing as described above, and leave
the ignition switch in Accessory (I) so the steering wheel does not lock.
Make sure the radio and any items
plugged into the accessory power socket are turned off so they do not
run down the battery.
The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the ignition switch in Accessory (I), and
make sure the steering wheel turns
freely before you begin towing. Trying to lift or tow your car by the
bumpers will cause serious damage. The bumpers are not designed to
support the car's weight.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
NOTICE
NOTICE

Warranty Coverages
U.S. Owners
Your new Acura is covered by these
warranties:
New Car Limited Warranty — covers
your new vehicle, except for the battery, emissions control systemsand accessories, against defects in
materials and workmanship.
Emissions Control Systems Defects
Warranty and Emissions
Performance Warranty — these two
warranties cover your vehicle's emis- sions control systems. Time, mileage,
and coverage are conditional. Please
read the warranty manual for exact information.
Original Equipment Battery Limited
Warranty — this warranty gives up
to 100 percent credit toward a
replacement battery.
Seat Belt Limited Warranty — a seat
belt that fails to function properly is covered for the useful life of the
vehicle.
Rust Perforation Limited Warranty — all exterior body panels are
covered for rust-through from the
inside for the specified time period
with no mileage limit.
Accessory Limited Warranty — Genuine Acura Accessories are
covered under this warranty. Time
and mileage limits depend on the
type of accessory and other factors. Please read your warranty manual
for details.
Replacement Parts Limited Warranty — covers all Genuine
Acura replacement parts against defects in materials and workman-ship. Replacement Battery Limited
Warranty — provides prorated
coverage for a replacement battery
purchased from an Acura dealer.
Replacement Muffler Lifetime
Limited Warranty — provides
coverage for as long as the pur-
chaser of the muffler owns the car.
Restrictions and exclusions apply to all these warranties. Please read the
2000 Acura Warranty Information
booklet that came with your car for
precise information on warranty
coverages. Your Acura's original
tires are covered by their manufacturer. Tire warranty infor-
mation is in a separate booklet.
Canadian Owners
Please refer to the 2000 Warranty
Manual that came with your car.
Warranty and Customer Relations

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
O
Octane Requirement, Gasoline.... .......... 146
Odometer....................................... . 58
Odometer, Trip.............................. 59
Oil Change, How to.......... .................... 203
Change, When to...................... 192
Checking Engine...................... 150
Pressure Indicator......... ......... 54, 267
Selecting Proper Viscosity Chart........................................ 202
ON (Ignition Key Position)......... ... 76
Opening the Hood........................ 148
Operation in Foreign Countries... 287
Outside Mirrors......... ....................... 98
Overheating, Engine...................... 265
Owner Maintenance Checks.......... 199
Parking Over Things that Burn... 290
PGM-FI System.......... .................... 289
Polishing and Waxing.................... 247
Power
Door Locks......... ....................... 77
Mirrors.......................................... 97
Steering.......... .............................. 215
Windows........................................ 95
Pre-Drive Safety Checklist.......... .. 11
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts.......... 18
Protecting Adults......... ..................... 12
Additional Safety Precautions.... 19
Advice for Pregnant Women.......... 18
Protecting Children......... ..................... 20
Protecting Infants......... ............. 28
Protecting Larger Children.......... 35
Protecting Small Children.......... 32
Using Child Seats with
Tethers......... .............................. . 39Rear Seat Armrest.........
........... 92
Rear View Mirror......... ........... 97
Rear Window Defogger......... ........ 67
Reclining the Seat Backs.......... 90
Reminder Lights......... ..................... 53
Remote Transmitter......... ............. 78
Replacement Information Air Cleaner Element.......... .......... 216
Coolant.......... .............................. 208
Engine Oil and Filter.................... 203
Fuses........................................ 273
Light Bulbs.......... .................... 236
Schedule........................................ 192
Spark Plugs.......... .................... 217
Tires.................................................. 231
Wiper Blades.............................. 223
Replacing Seat Belts After a Crash......... ................................ . 42
Reserve Tank, Coolant.......... .......... 151
Restraint, Child.............................. 20
Reverse Gear Position.......... .......... 164
Rotation, Tire.......... ...................... 231
P
Panel Brightness Control......... ........... 64
Park Gear Position...................... 164
Parking.......................................... 171
Parking Brake................................ 99
Parking Lights.................................... . 63R
S
Radiator Overheating..........
.......... 265
Radio/Cassette Sound System.... .. 123
Rear End Towing.......... .......... 277
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement.... 238 Safety Belts...................................... 8

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