engine oil Acura TL 2001 3.2 Owner's Guide

Block the rear wheels.
Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter
(see page ).
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
If you need to park your car f or an
extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your car back on the road. If
possible, store your car indoors.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Park. If the car is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Coverthecarwitha‘‘breathable’’
cover, one made f rom a porous
material such as cotton.
Nonporous materials, such as
plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
If possible, run the engine f or a
while periodically (pref erably once
amonth).
Leave one window open slightly (if
the car is being stored indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and trunk seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and trunk seals. If you store your car f or 12 months
or longer, have your Acura dealer
perf orm the inspections called f or in
the 24 months/30,000 miles (48,000
km) maintenance schedule (Normal
Conditions) as soon as you take it
out of storage (see page ). The
replacements called f or in the
maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the car has actually
reached that time or mileage.
207
196
St oring Your Car
Maint enance247

This section covers the more-
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your car towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .258
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .259
..........
If Your Engine Won’t Start . 265
Nothing Happens or the Starter Motor Operates ............................
Very Slowly .265
The Starter Operates ................................
Normally .266
................................
Jump Starting .266
............
If Your Engine Overheats . 269
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 271
..........
Charging System Indicator . 272
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 273
.......................
Readiness Codes .274
...............
Brake System Indicator . 275
..................
Closing the Moonroof . 276
..............................................
Fuses .277
..........
Checking and Replacing . 278
......................
Emergency Towing .282
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed257

This indicator should light when the
ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
af ter the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing, it
indicates that the oil pressure
dropped very low f or a moment, then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with the engine running, it shows
that the engine has lost oil pressure
and serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action.Saf ely pull of f the road and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the light
does not go out within ten seconds,
turn of f the engine. There is a
mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired bef ore you can
continue driving. (See
on page .)
Letthecarsitforaminute.Open
the hood and check the oil level
(see page ). 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.
1.
2.
3. 4.
154 205 282
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency
Towing
271
L LO OW W O
OIILL P
PR
RE ES
SS SUUR REE I
INND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the car stopped.

µµÎ
Î
Î
Î
Specif ications
T echnical Inf ormation288
Dimensions
Weights
Air Conditioning
Capacities Capacities
192.9 in (4,900 mm)
70.3 in (1,785 mm)
55.7 in (1,415 mm)
108.1 in (2,745 mm)
61.2 in (1,555 mm)
60.4 in (1,535 mm) 1.48 US gal (5.6, 1.23 Imp gal)
1.98 US gal (7.5, 1.65 Imp gal)
4.6 US qt (4.4
, 3.9 Imp qt)
4.2 US qt (4.0
, 3.5 Imp qt)
5.3 US qt (5.0
, 4.4 Imp qt)
3.1 US qt (2.9, 2.6 Imp qt)
7.6 US qt (7.2, 6.3 Imp qt)
2.6 US qt (2.5
, 2.2 Imp qt)
4.8 US qt (4.5, 4.0 Imp qt)
Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine.
Reserve tank capacity: 0.16 US gal (0.6
, 0.13 Imp gal)
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine.
HFC-134a (R-134a)
25 27 oz (700 750 g) ND-OIL8
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Track
Gross vehicle weight rating See the certification label attached
to the driver’s doorjamb.
Refrigerant type
Charge quantity
Lubricant type
Fuel tank Engine
coolant
Engine oil
Automatic
transmission
fluid
Windshield
washer
reservoir
Approx.
Front
Rear
Change
Total
Change
Including
filter
Without
filter
Total
Change
Total
U.S. Cars
Canada Cars
1:
2:17.17 US gal (65.0, 14.30 Imp gal)
1
2

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 157
................................
Accessories .157
.
Additional Safety Precautions . 158
............................
Modif ications .158
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .79
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 109
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 207
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9, 45
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .220
.................
Air Conditioning Filter . 230
......
Air Conditioning System . 114,121
..............................
Maintenance .229
.................................
Usage .116, 121
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .232
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .292
......................................
Antif reeze .210
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .57, 178
...................................
Operation .177
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 146
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 78
..........................
Appearance Care .249
................................
Audio System .127 ...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature . 66
...............
Automatic Speed Control . 72
..............
Automatic Transmission . 166
..........................
Capacity,Fluid .288
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 216
.......................................
Shif ting .166
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 166
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 167
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 173
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .56, 272
............................
Jump Starting .266
..............................
Maintenance .224
............................
Specif ications .289
..............................
Bef ore Driving .149
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,42
...........................
Beverage Holder .107
...................................
Body Repair .256
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 177
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 150
....................
Bulb Replacement .243 ...........................................
Fluid .218
.......................................
Parking .103
.................
System Indicator . 56,275
........................
Wear Indicators .176
.............................
Braking System .176
........................
Break-in, New Car .150
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 67
........................
Brights, Headlights .65
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .243
..............................
Brake Lights .243
..............................
Ceiling Light .245
........................
Courtesy Lights .245
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 241
.................................
Headlights .240
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 244
...................
License Plate Light . 244
............................
Specif ications .289
...................................
Spotlights .245
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 241
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .240
Index
A
B
I

Î
............................
Capacities Chart .288
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 51
............................
Carrying, Cargo .159
Cassette Player ............................................
Care .144
...................................
Operation .141
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
...................................
CD Changer .137
.......................................
CD Player .135
..................................
Ceiling Light .110
........................
Certif ication Label .286
............................................
Chains .237
Changing Oil ........................................
How to .207
......................................
When to .196
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .259
............
Changing Engine Coolant . 212
...
Charging System Indicator . 56,272
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 164
..................
Childproof Door Locks . 84
.....................................
Child Saf ety .21
.......................................
Child Seats .26
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 41
....................
Cleaner Element, Air . 220Cleaning
....................
Aluminum Wheels .251
...................................
Carpeting .252
......................................
Exterior .250
.......................................
Interior .252
.......................................
Leather .253
...................................
Seat Belts .253
...........................................
Vinyl .253
....................................
Windows .254
.......
Climate Control System . 114,121
.........................
Clock, Setting the .104
..........................
CO in the Exhaust .51
........................................
Coin Box .105
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 165
..............................
Compact Spare .258
.................
Console Compartment . 105
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 300
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 53
Coolant ........................................
Adding .210
....................................
Checking .155
.........................
Proper Solution .210
...................................
Replacing .212
...................
Temperature Gauge . 62
....................
Corrosion Protection .255 Crankcase Emissions Control
........................................
System .294
..............
Cruise Control Operation . 72
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 300
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .2, 54
................
Daytime Running Lights . 66
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 303
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 70
......
Def rosting the Windows . 120,125
....................................
Dimensions .288
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 65
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 216
..................................
Engine Oil .154
..........................
Directional Signals .67
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 176
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .209
Doors ..............................
Monitor Light .58
......................
Power Door Locks .79
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 290
.....................................
Drive Belts .230
Index
C
D
II

CONT INUED
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .163
....................................
Economy .156
.........................
In Bad Weather .182
................
In Foreign Countries . 293
..............................
Economy, Fuel .156
............
Emergencies on the Road . 257
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 266
...........
Brake System Indicator . 275
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 259
.....
Charging System Indicator . 272
..................
Checking the Fuses . 277
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 271
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 273
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 276
..................
Overheated Engine . 269
.........................
Emergency Brake .103
......................
Emergency Flashers .69
......................
Emergency Towing .282
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 86
.......................
Emissions Controls .294
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 297Engine
............................................
Belts .230
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 62
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .56, 273
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 56,271
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 205
...............................
Overheating .269
............................
Specif ications .289
............................
Speed Limiter .173
.......................................
Starting .165
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .292
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 294
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .51
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 250
..........................
Fan, Interior .118, 123
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .113
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 151
Filter ................................
Air Cleaner .220 .......................
Air Conditioning .230
...............................................
Oil .207
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 69
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 259
.....................................
Floor Mats .252
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 216
..........................................
Brake .218
..........................
Power Steering .219
................
Windshield Washers . 215
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .128
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 293
..........................
Four-way Flashers .69
..............................
Front Airbags .9 ,45
.................................................
Fuel .150
......................
Fill Door and Cap .151
...........................................
Gauge .62
................
Octane Requirement . 150
...............................
Oxygenated .292
........................
Reserve Indicator .59
........................
Tank, Filling the .151
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .277
Index
E
F
III

CONT INUED
..................................................
Keys .76
..................................
Maintenance .191
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 203
........................................
Record .201
......................
Required Indicator .63
..........................................
Saf ety .192
.............................
Schedule .196-200
Malf unction Indicator ....................................
Lamp .56, 273
...............................
Meters, Gauges .60
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 292
........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .101
.......................................
Moonroof .100
......................
Closing Manually .276
...................................
Operation .100
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 169
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 150
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 286
.......................
Label, Certif ication .286
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 67
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 15,42
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .240
.......................................
Indicator .55
.........................................
Parking .65
..................................
Turn Signal .67
.....................................
Load Limit .160
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 78
........................
Lockout Prevention .80
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 78
............................
Fuel Fill Door .151
....................................
Glove Box .87
.................................
Power Door .79
...........................................
Trunk .84
........................
Low Coolant Level .155
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 56,271
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 288.........................................
Luggage .159
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 150
.........................................
Odometer .61
...............................
Odometer, Trip .61
Oil ........................
Change, How to .207
......................
Change, When to .196
......................
Checking Engine .154
..............
Pressure Indicator . 56,271
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .206
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 79
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ....................................
Recovery .294
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 293
............................
Outside Mirrors .102
....................
Overheating, Engine .269
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 203
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .292
Index
K
L
NO
M
V

Î
..............................
Paint Touch-up .251
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 67
........................
Park Gear Position .168
...........................................
Parking .175
...............................
Parking Brake .103
Parking Brake and Brake System ...............................
Indicator .56, 275
.................................
Parking Lights .65
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 175
.............................
PGM-FI System .295
..................
Polishing and Waxing . 251
............
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist . 11
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 19
............................
Protecting Adults .12
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 20
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 19
........................
Protecting Children .21
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .30
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 37
.........
Protecting Small Children . 34
Using Child Seats with .....................................
Tethers .41 ...................
Radiator Overheating . 269
Radio/Cassette/CD Sound ........................................
System .127
...................
Readiness Codes . 274,297
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 243
..........................
Rear Seat Armrest .97
..........................
Rear View Mirror .101
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 70
...............
Reclining the Seat Backs . 94
.............................
Reminder Lights .55
................
Remote Audio Controls . 145
.......................
Remote Transmitter .81
Replacement Inf ormation .................
Air Cleaner Element . 220
.............
Air Conditioning Filter . 230
..........................
Engine Coolant .212
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 207
..........................................
Fuses .278
................................
Light Bulbs .240
....................................
Schedule .196
................................
Spark Plugs .221
...........................................
Tires .235
.............................
Wiper Blades .227 Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a
............................................
Crash .44
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant . 155
...............................
Restraint, Child .21
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 168
................................
Rotation, Tire .235
..................................
Saf ety Belts .8, 42
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 303
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
...........................................
Airbags .9
..................................
Door Locks .10
..........................
Head Restraints .10
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
.....................
Seats & Seat-Backs .10
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 52
...............................
Saf ety Messages .ii
.....................................
Seat Belts .8, 42
...............
Additional Information . 42
.....................................
Cleaning .253
................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 15,42
................................
Maintenance .44
Reminder Light and ................................
Beeper .42, 56
Index
PR
S
VI

Service Inf ormat ion Summary
Gasoline:Tire Pressure (measured cold):
Power Steering Fluid:
Brake Fluid:
Automatic Transmission Fluid: Recommended Engine Oil: Fuel Tank Capacity: SpareTirePressure:
4.6 US qt (4.4
, 3.9 Imp qt)
Oil change capacity (including
filter): API Service SJ ‘‘Energy
Conserving’’ oil, SAE 5W-30
viscosity (see page ). Premium unleaded gasoline,
pump octane number of 91 or
higher.
Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid) preferred, or
aDEXRON
III ATF as a
temporary replacement (see page ). Honda Power Steering Fluid
preferred, or another brand of
power steering fluid as a
temporary replacement. Do not
use ATF (see page ).
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 preferred, or a DOT 3 or
DOT 4 brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page ).
32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm
)
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm
)
Front/Rear:
205
217 219
218
17.17 US gal (65.0, 14.30 Imp gal)