timing belt 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

Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions
Service at the indicated
distance or time — whichever
comes first.miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil filter
Check engine oil and coolant
Replace air cleaner element
Inspect valve clearance
Replace spark plugsReplace timing belt*
1, and inspect water pump
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace transmission fluid
Inspect front and rear brakes
Replace brake fluid
Check parking brake adjustment Replace air conditioning filter*
2Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition
at least once per month) 15
24
12 30
48 24 45
72
36 60
96
4875
120 60 90
144 72 105
168
84 120
192
96
Replace every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 12 months
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
•
•
Adjust only if noisy
•
•
•
• •
•
•
• •
•
•
• •
•
• •
•
• •
•
• •
Rotate tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Visually inspect the following items:
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots Suspension components
Driveshaft bootsBrake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids Cooling system hoses and connections
#Exhaust system#Fuel lines and connections
U.S. Owners
Follow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule if thesevere driving conditions
specified in the Severe
Conditions Maintenance
Schedule do not apply.
NOTE: If you only OCCASIONALLY drive under a
"severe" condition, you should
follow the Normal Conditions Maintenance Schedule.
Canadian Owners
Follow the Maintenance
Schedule for Severe Conditions.
# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page\
191.
* 1: See Timing Belt on page 227 to determine need for replacement.
* 2: See Air Conditioning Filter on page 226 for replacement information under special conditions.
Maintenance
• • • • • •\
• •
• • • • • •\
• •
• • • • • •\
• •

Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions (listed by distance/time)Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the\
items in A, B, C as required for each distance/time interval. Follow thisschedule if the severe driving conditions described in the Severe Condit\
ions Schedule on the next page do not apply.
Canadian owners: Follow the schedule for Severe Conditions.
NOTE:• Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.• Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, if noisy. # : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last
column, page 191.
* 1 : See Timing Belt on page 227 to determine need for replacement.
* 2 : See Air Conditioning Filter on page 226 for replacement information under special conditions.
Maintenance
7,500 mi/12,000 km/1 yr15,000 mi/24,000 km/-
22,500 mi/36,000 km/1½, yrs
30,000 mi/48,000 km/2 yrs
37,500 mi/60,000 km/2½ yrs 45,000 mi/72,000 km/3 yrs
52,500 mi/84,000 km/3½ yrs
60,000 mi/96,000 km/4 yrs
67,500 mi/108,000 km/4½yrs
75,000 mi/120,000 km/5 yrs
82,500 mi/132,000 km/5½ yrs
90,000 mi/144,000 km/6 yrs
97,500 mi/156,000 km/6½ yrs
105,000 mi/168,000 km/7 yrs
112,500 mi/180,000 km/7½ yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km/8 yrs Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.Do items in A.
Do items in A, B, C.
Do items in A.
Replace coolant. Replace brake fluid.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B, C.
Do items in A. Replace coolant. Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
Replace brake fluid. Replace transmissionfluid. Do items in A, B, C.
Do items in A.
Replace timing belt*1, inspect water pump. Replace coolant. lnspect valve clearance. Check idle speed. Replace spark plugs.Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B, C.
A Replace engine oil.
Rotate tires (follow pattern on paqe 231 ).
B Replace engine oil filter.
Inspect front and rear brakes.
Check parking brake adjustment.
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots.
Inspect suspension components.
Inspect driveshaft boots.
Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS).
Check all fluid levels, condition of fluids, and check for leaks.
# Inspect cooling system hoses and connections.
# Inspect exhaust system.
Inspect fuel lines and connections.
C Replace air cleaner element.
Inspect and adjust drive belts.
Replace air conditioning filter.*
2

Service at the indicated
distance or time — whichever
comes first. miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Check engine oil and coolant
Clean (o) or replace ( • ) air cleaner element Use normal schedule except in dusty conditons
Inspect valve clearance
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt*
1-*, and inspect water pump
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace transmission fluid Inspect front and rear brakes
Replace brake fluid
Check parking brake adjustment
Replace air conditioning filter*
2Lubricate all hinges, locks and latches Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition
at least once per month) 15
24 12 30
48
24 45
72
3660
96
48 75
120 60 90
144
72 105
168
84 120
192
96
Replace every 3,750 miles (6,000 km) or 6 months Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
O •
O • O •
Adjust only if noisy
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
O •
•
•
Inspect every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months
•
• •
•
•
•
•
••
•
••
•
•
• •
•
•
••
•
•
Rotate tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Visually inspect the following items:
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, Suspension components
Driveshaft boots and boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and conditions of fluids Cooling system hoses and connections
'Exhaust system
'Fuel lines and connections
Lights and controls
Vehicle underbody Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months
U.S. Owners
Follow the Severe Conditions
Maintenance Schedule if you
drive your vehicle MAINLY
under one or more of the
following conditions:
• Driving less than 5 miles (8 km) per trip or, in freezing
temperatures, driving less
than 10 miles (16 km) per trip.
• Driving in extremely hot[over 90°F (32° C)] conditions.
• Extensive idling or long periods of stop-and-go driving.
• Trailer towing, driving with a roof rack, or driving in
mountainous conditions.
• Driving on muddy, dusty, orde-iced roads.
Canadian Owners
Follow the Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions.
# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, \
page 191.
* 1: See Timing Belt on page 227 to determine need for replacement.
* 2: See Air Conditioning Filter on page 226 for replacement information under special conditions.
Maintenance
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions• • • • • • • \
•

Use this schedule if your vehicle is MAINLY driven in any of the followi\
ng Severe Conditions, or normally driven in Canada; otherwise use the No\
rmalSchedule. Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes fir\
st. Do the items in A, B, C, D as required for each distance/time.
3,750 mi/6,000 km/-7,500 mi/12,000 km/6 mos 11,250 mi/18,000 km/-
15,000 mi/24,000 km/1 yr
18,750 mi/30,000 km/-
22,500 mi/36,000 km/1½ yrs
26,250 mi/42,000 km/-
30,000 mi/48,000 km/2 yrs
33,750 mi/54,000 km/-
37,500 mi/60,000 km/2½ yrs
41,250 mi/66,000 km/-
45,000 mi/72,000 km/3 yrs
48,750 mi/78,000 km/-
52,500 mi/84,000 km/3½ yrs
56,250 mi/90,000 km/-
60,000 mi/96,000 km/4 yrs
63,750 mi/102,000 km/-
67,500 mi/108,000 km/4½ yrs
71,250 mi/114,000 km/-
75,000 mi/120,000 km/5 yrs
78,750 mi/126,000 km/- Do items in A.
Do items in A, B. Do items in A.

CIean air cleaner element. Do items in A, B, C.Do items in A. Do items in A, B.Do items in A.
Do items in A, B, C, D.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A. Replace coolant. Replace brake fluid.

CIean air cleaner element. Do items in A, B, C.Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
'
Replace timing belt*1, inspect water pump.Do items in A, B, C, D.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.

Replace coolant, Clean air cleaner element.Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
NOTE:• Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.• Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, if noisy.
CONTINUED
Maintenance
Severe Conditions:• Driving less than 5 miles (8 km) per trip or, in freezingtemperatures, driving less than 10 miles (16 km) per trip.• Driving in extremely hot (over 90°F/32°C) conditions.
• Extensive idling or long periods of stop-and-go driving.• Trailer towing, driving with a roof rack, or driving in mountainous conditions.
• Driving, on muddy, dusty, or de-iced roads.
A
B• Replace engine oil and filter. Inspect front and rear brakes.
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page 231 ). Inspect tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots.
Inspect suspension components. Inspect driveshaft boots.
# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, lastcolumn, page 191.
* 1 : See Timing Belt on page 227 to determine need for replacement.
* 2 : See Air Conditioning Filter on page 226 for replacement
information under special conditions.
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions (listed by distance/time)

NOTE:• Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.• Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, if noisy.# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last
column, page 191.
* 1: See Timing Belt on page 227 to determine need for replacement.
* 2: See Air Conditioning Filter on page 226 for replacement
information under special conditions.
Maintenance
82,500 mi/132,000 km/5½ vrs
86,250 mi/138,000 km/-
90,000 mi/144,000 km/6 vrs
93,750 mi/150,000 km/-
97,500 mi/156,000 km/6½ yrs101,250 mi/162,000 km/-
105,000 mi/168,000 km/7 yrs
108,750 mi/174,000 km/-
112,500 mi/180,000 km/7½yrs 116,250 mi/186,000 km/-
120,000 mi/192,000 km/8 yrs Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
Replace brake fluid. Do items in A, B, C, D. Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.

Replace timing belt*1, and inspect water pump. Replace coolant. Check idle speed. Clean air cleaner element. Replace spark
plugs. Inspect valve clearance.
Do items in A, B, C.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
Replace timing belt*
1, inspect water pump.
Do items in A, B, C, D.
C Check parking brake adjustment.
Lubricate all hinges, locks and latches.• Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS).
Check all fluid levels, condition of fluids, and check for leaks.
Inspect cooling system hoses and connections.
#Inspect exhaust system.
•' #Inspect fuel lines and connections.
Check all lights.
Inspect the underbody. Replace air cleaner element.
• Inspect and adjust drive belts.
• Replace transmission fluid.
• Replace air conditioning filter*
2.
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions (listed by distance/time)

Timing Belt, Tires
Timing Belt
The timing belt should normally bereplaced at the intervals shown in
the maintenance schedule.
Replace this belt at 60,000 miles (U.S.)or 100,000 Ion (Canada) if you
regularly drive your car in one or
more of these conditions:
• In very high temperatures (over 110° F, 43° C).
• In very low temperatures (under -20°F, -29°C). Tires
To safely operate your car, your tires
must be the proper type and size, in
good condition with adequate tread, and correctly inflated. The following
pages give more detailed information on how and when to check air
pressure, how to inspect your tires
for damage and wear, and what to do
when your tires need to be replaced.
Using tires that are excessively
worn or improperly inflated can cause a crash in which you canbe seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner's manual regarding tire inflation and maintenance.
Maintenance

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