power steering fluid Acura TL 2000 3.2 Owner's Manual

Maintenance
This section explains why it isimportant to keep your car wellmaintained and to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
This section also includes Maintenance Schedules for normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions for simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself.
If you have the skills and tools to per-
form more complex maintenance
tasks on your Acura, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See page 297 for information on how toobtain a copy, or see your Acuradealer. Maintenance Safety .................................188
Important Safety Precautions......189
Maintenance Schedule
.......................... 190
Maintenance Record ............................ 197
Owner Maintenance Checks.............. 199
Fluid Locations.................................... 200
Engine Oil...................................... 201
Adding Oil................................ 201
Recommended Oil...................... 201
Synthetic Oil................................ 203
Additives.................................. 203
Changing the Oil and Filter.......... 203
Cooling System ............................ 206
Adding Engine Coolant............ 206 Replacing Engine Coolant........ 208
Windshield Washers .................... 212
Transmission Fluid...................... 213
Automatic Transmission.......... 213
Brake Fluid................................ 214
Brake System .......................... 214
Power Steering ............................ 215
Hood Latch.................................. 215
Air Cleaner Element .................. 216
Spark Plugs................................ 217
Replacement............................ 217
Specifications............................ 219Battery..........................................
220
Wiper Blades.............................. 223 Air Conditioning System.............. 225
Air Conditioning Filter................ 226
Drive Belts.................................... 226
Timing Belt................................ 227
Tires............................................ 227
Inflation................................ 228
Inspection................................ 229
Maintenance............................ 230
Tire Rotation............................ 231
Replacing Tires and Wheels..... 231
Wheels and Tires.................... 232
Winter Driving...................... 233
Snow Tires.......................... 233
Traction Devices.................. 233
Lights........................................ 234
Replacing Bulbs...................... 236
Storing Your Car........................ 243
Maintenance

Fluid Locations
ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
WASHER FLUID (Blue cap)
POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap) BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
COOLANT
RESERVOIR
RADIATOR CAP
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

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
Before Driving................................ 145
Belts, Seat........................................ 8
Beverage Holder.......... .................... 103
Body Repair.......... ...................... 251
Anti-lock System (ABS).......... .......... 173
Break-in, New Linings.......... .......... 146
Fluid.......................................... 214
Light, Burned-out.......... .......... 238
Parking........................................ 99
System Indicator...................... 54
Wear Indicators.......... ............ 172
Brakes, ABS Description................................ 173Operation........................................ 173
System Indicator....... ............ 55, 174
Braking System.............................. 172
Break-in, New Car.......... .................... 146
Brightness Control, Instruments... .. 64
Brights, Headlights...................... 63
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lights.............................. 238
Brake Lights.............................. 238Ceiling Light.............................. 241
Courtesy Light.......... .................... 241
Front Side Marker Lights.......... 237 Headlights..........
...................... 236
High-mount Brake Light.......... .... 240
License Plate Lights.......... .......... 240
Specifications.............................. 283
Spotlight........................................ 241
Turn Signal Lights.................... 237
Bulbs, Halogen.......... .................... 236Changing Engine Coolant.......... 208
Charging System Indicator.... 54, 268
Checking
Automatic Transmission Fluid........................................ 213
Battery Condition...................... 220
Brake Fluid................................ 214
Drive Belts.......... .................... 226
Engine Coolant.......... ............ 151
Engine Oil................................ 150
Fuses........................................ 273 Power Steering Fluid.......... .......... 215
Checklist, Before Driving.......... 199
Cleaner, Air................................ 216
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels.......... .......... 247
Carpeting.................................. 248
Exterior.......... .......................... 246
Interior.......... .............................. 246
Seat Belts................................ 249
Vinyl.......................................... 248
Window........................................ 249
Climate Control System.......... 112, 118
Clock, Setting the...................... 100
CO in the Exhaust......... ........... 49
Coin Box........................................ 101
C
Cables, Jump Starting With .......... 262
Capacities Chart................................ 282
Carbon Monoxide Hazard............. 49
Carrying, Cargo ................................ 155
Cassette Player Care.......................................... 140
Operation........................................ 137
CAUTION, Explanation of................ ii
CD Changer........................................ 133
CD Player........................................ 131
Certification Label.............................. 280
Chains.................................................. 233
Change Oil How to........................................ 203
When to........................................ 192
Changing a Flat Tire.................... 255
Brakes

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

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)