fuel Acura TL 2001 3.2 Owner's Guide

Some conventional gasolines are
being blended with alcohol or an
ether compound. These gasolines
are collectively ref erred to as
oxygenated f uels. To meet clean air
standards, some areas of the United
States and Canada use oxygenated
f uels to help reduce emissions.
If you use an oxygenated f uel, be
sure it is unleaded and meets the
minimum octane rating requirement.
Bef ore using an oxygenated f uel, try
to conf irm the f uel’s contents. Some
states/provinces require this
informationtobepostedonthe
pump.The f ollowing are the U.S. EPA and
Canadian CGSB approved
percentages of oxygenates:
If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
Fuel system damage or perf ormance
problems resulting f rom the use of
an oxygenated f uel containing more
than the percentages of oxygenates
given above are not covered under
warranty.
(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. (Methyl Tertiary Butyl
Ether)
You may use gasoline containing up
to 15 percent MTBE by volume. (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.’’
Oxygenated Fuels
T echnical Inf ormation
MET HA NOL MT BE ET HA NOL
292

If you are planning to take your
Acura outside the U.S. or Canada,
contact the tourist bureaus in the
areas you will be traveling in to f ind
out about the availability of unleaded
gasoline with the proper octane
rating.
If unleaded gasoline is not available,
be aware that using leaded gasoline
in your Acura will af f ect perf or-
mance and fuel mileage, and damage
its emissions controls. It will no
longer comply with U.S. and
Canadian emissions regulations, and
will be illegal to operate in North
America. To bring your car back into
compliance will require the replace-
ment of several components, such as
theoxygensensorsandthethree
way catalytic converter. These re-
placements are not covered under
warranty.
Driving in Foreign Countries
T echnical Inf ormation293

The exhaust emissions controls
include f our systems: PGM-FI,
Ignition Timing Control, Exhaust
Gas Recirculation and Three Way
Catalytic Converter. These four
systems work together to control the
engine’s combustion and minimize
the amount of HC, CO, and NOx that
comes out the tailpipe. The exhaust
emissions control systems are
separate f rom the crankcase and
evaporative emissions control
systems.The emissions control systems are
covered by warranties separate from
the rest of your car. Read your
warranty manual for more inf orma-
tion.
The PGM-FI System uses sequential
multiport f uel injection.
It has three subsystems: Air Intake,
Engine Control, and Fuel Control.
The Powertrain Control Module
(PCM) uses various sensors to
determine how much air is going
into the engine. It then controls how
much f uel to inject under all operat-
ing conditions. This system constantly adjusts the
ignition timing, reducing the amount
of HC, CO and NOx produced.
The Exhaust Gas Recirculation
(EGR) system takes some of the
exhaust gas and routes it back into
the intake manif old. Adding exhaust
gas to the air/f uel mixture reduces
the amount of NOx produced when
the f uel is burned.
The emissions control systems are
designed and certif ied to work to-
gether in reducing emissions to
levels that comply with the Clean Air
Act. To make sure the emissions
remain low, you should use only new
Genuine Honda replacement parts or
their equivalent f or repairs. Using
lower quality parts may increase the
emissions f rom your car.
The three way catalytic converter is
in the exhaust system. Through
chemical reactions, it converts HC,
CO, and NOx in the engine’s exhaust
to carbon dioxide (CO ), dinitrogen
(N ), and water vapor.
2
2
Exhaust Emissions Controls Replacement Parts
PGM-FI Syst emIgnit ion T iming Cont rol Syst em
Exhaust Gas Recirculat ion (EGR)Syst em
Three Way Catalytic Converter
Emissions Cont rols
T echnical Inf ormation295

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

...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 286Ignition
..............................................
Keys .76
...........................................
Switch .78
............
Timing Control System . 295
........................
Immobilizer System .77
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 55
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .30
......................................
Inf ant Seats .30
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 41
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 232
.................................
Inside Mirror .101
.............................
Inspection, Tire .233
............................
Instrument Panel .55
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 67
...........................
Interior Cleaning .252
...............................
Interior Lights .110
........................................
Introduction .i
........................
Jacking up the Car .261
.......................................
Jack, Tire .260
................................
Jump Starting .266
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 240
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 69
........................................
Headlights .65
........................................
Aiming .240
Automatic Lighting Off .....................................
Feature .66
............
Daytime Running Lights . 66
..................
High Beam Indicator . 58
....................
Lights On Indicator .58
.........................
Reminder Chime .65
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 240
...................................
Turning on .65
..............................
Head Restraints .95
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 165
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 65
HomeLink Universal .................................
Transmitter .88
....................................
Hood Latch .219
.......................
Hood, Opening the .152
.................................
Hydroplaning .183
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 156
..........................................
Gasohol .292
.........................................
Gasoline .150
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 59
...........................................
Gauge .62
................
Octane Requirement . 150
........................
Tank, Filling the .151
................
Gas Station Procedures . 150
Gauges ...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 62
...............................................
Fuel .62
...............................
Speedometer .60
.................................
Tachometer .60
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) .185
Gearshif t Lever Positions ..........
Automatic Transmission . 166
..............................
Glass Cleaning .254
........................................
Glove Box .87
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight ............................................
Rating) .185
Index
GH
IJ
IV

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
CONT INUED
...................
System Components . 42
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 19
....................................
Seat Heaters .98
........................
Seats, Adjusting the .93
............................
Security System .147
........
Sequential SportShif t Mode . 169
...............................
Serial Number .286
...........................
Service Intervals .196
...........................
Service Manual .305
.........
Service Station Procedures . 151
..........................
Setting the Clock .104
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 166
........................
Shif t Lock Release .173
................................
Side Airbags .9 ,47
...............
Side Airbag Indicator . 49,57
Side Marker Lights, Bulb ..............................
Replacement .241
...............................
Signaling Turns .67
.....................................
Snow Tires .237
...................
Solvent-type Cleaners . 250
................................
Sound System .127
Spare Tire ......................................
Inf lating .258
............................
Specif ications .289
................
Spark Plugs, Replacing . 221
....................
Specif ications Charts . 288..................................
Speed Control .72
...................................
Speedometer .60
.......................................
Spotlights .111
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 45
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 50
How the SRS Indicator .......................................
Works .48
...........
How Your Airbags Work . 45
........................
SRS Components .45
..................................
SRS Service .50
.............................
SRS Indicator .48 ,57
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 79
.......................
Starting the Engine .165
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .165
................
With a Dead Battery . 266
..............
State Emissions Testing . 297
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 269
Steering Wheel ..................................
Adjustment .71
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 78
...................
Stereo Sound System . 127
...........................
Storing Your Car .247
........................................
Sun Visor .108
........................
Sunglasses Holder .109 ....
Supplemental Restraint System . 45
......................................
Servicing .50
...............................
SRS Indicator .48
...................
System Components . 45
.....................................
Tachometer .60
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in . 243
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 257
....................................
Tape Player .141
Technical Descriptions ......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 290
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 294
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels .292
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .296
.......................
Temperature Gauge .62
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 41
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 296
..........................
Time, Setting the .104
....................................
Timing Belt .231
....................................
Tire Chains .237
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 259
Index
T
VII

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)