steering wheel Acura TL 2001 3.2 Owner's Guide

µExercise extra caution when driving
in rain af ter a long dry spell. Af ter
months of dry weather, the f irst
rains bring oil to the surf ace of the
roadway, making it slippery.
Always drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your car longer to
react, even in conditions that may
seem just barely damp. Apply
smooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli-
cation of the brakes can cause loss of
control in wet weather. Be extra
cautious f or the f irst f ew miles
(kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in
snow. A person can f orget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills.
Rain, f og, and snow conditions
require a dif f erent driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your car well-
maintained and exercise greater
caution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control
should not be used in these
conditions.
Driving
Driving T echnique
Driving in Bad Weather
182

Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including putting the
transmission in Park and f irmly
setting the parking brake. Also, place
wheel chocks at each of the trailer’s
tires.
Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause trailer
swaying. When being passed by a
large vehicle, keep a constant speed
and steer straight ahead. Do not try
to make quick steering or braking
corrections.
Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; then turn the wheel to the lef t
to get the trailer to move to the lef t,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.
If you must stop when f acing uphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
placebypressingontheaccelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shif t down to 2nd
gear. Do not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and
remember it will take longer to slow
downandstopwhentowingatrailer.
bottom
Towing a Trailer
Driving
Parking
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Backing Up
190

This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself . This section explains why it is
important to keep your car well
maintained and to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Acura, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Acura
dealer.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .192
.
Important Safety Precautions . 193
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 194
...
Required Maintenance Record . 201
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 203
..............................
Fluid Locations .204
......................................
Engine Oil .205
..................................
Adding Oil .205
....................
Recommended Oil .205
..............................
Synthetic Oil .206
....................................
Additives .207
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 207
.............................
Cooling System .210
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 210
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 212
....................
Windshield Washers .215
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 216
....................................
Brake Fluid .218
............................
Brake System .218
..............................
Power Steering .219
....................................
Hood Latch .219
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .220
....................................
Spark Plugs .221
..............................
Replacement .221
............................
Specif ications .223
...........................................
Battery .224 .................................
Wiper Blades .227
..............
Air Conditioning System . 229
.................
Air Conditioning Filter . 230
.....................................
Drive Belts .230
....................................
Timing Belt .231
...............................................
Tires .231
......................................
Inf lation .232
..................................
Inspection .233
..............................
Maintenance .234
.............................
Tire Rotation .235
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 235
......................
Wheels and Tires .236
..........................
Winter Driving .237
.............................
Snow Tires .237
...................
Traction Devices . 237
.............................................
Lights .238
.....................
Headlight Aiming .240
........................
Replacing Bulbs .240
...........................
Storing Your Car .247
305
Maintenance
Maint enance191

Check the level when the engine is
cold. Look at the side of the
reservoir. The f luid should be
between the UPPER LEVEL and
LOWER LEVEL. If it is below the
LOWER LEVEL, add power steering
f luid to the UPPER LEVEL.Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. If it is not available, you may
use another power steering f luid as
an emergency replacement.
However, continued use can cause
increased wear and poor steering in
cold weather. Have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Clean the hood latch assembly with a
mild cleaner, then lubricate it with a
multipurpose grease. Lubricate all
the moving parts (as shown),
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.
Maint enance
Power Steering Hood L atch
Power Steering, Hood L atch
219
M MA
AX
X
M
M I
INN L
LA
A T
TC
CH H
A
A S
SSSEEM
M B
BLLYY
T urning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.

CONT INUED
To help increase tire lif e and
distribute wear more evenly, you
should have the tires rotated every
7,500 miles (12,000 km). Move the
tires to the positions shown in the
chart each time they are rotated.When shopping f or replacement
tires, you may find that some tires
are ‘‘directional.’’ This means they
are designed to rotate only in one
direction. If you use directional tires,
they should be rotated only front-to-
back.
The tires that came with your car
were selected to match the perform-
ance capabilities of the car while
providing the best combination of
handling, ride comf ort, and long lif e.
Youshouldreplacethemwithradial
tires of the same size, load range,
speed rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire’s sidewall). Mixing radial and
bias-ply tires on your car can reduce
its braking ability, traction, and
steering accuracy.
Tires
Maint enance
T ire Rotation
Replacing T ires and Wheels
235
( (F
Fo o r
r N
No on
n-
-d
d i
irre ec cttiioo n
na
all
T
T i
irre es s a
ann d
d W
Wh he
eeellss) ) (
(
F
Fo o r
r D
D i
irre ec cttiioo n
na
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T i
irre es s a
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Wh he
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F
Fr
roo n
nt
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F
Fr roo n
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t

CONT INUED
Insert the new bulb into the hole
and turn it one-quarter turn clock-
wise to lock it in place.
Push the electrical connector back
onto the bulb. Make sure it is on
all the way.
Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb. Remove the bulb by turning it
approximately one-quarter turn
counterclockwise.
Open the hood. Reinstall the radiator reserve tank.
If you need to change a bulb on
the driver’s side, remove the
radiator reserve tank.
Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by squeezing the
connector to unlock the tab, then
slide the connector of f the bulb. The f ront side marker/turn signal
light bulb and parking light bulb use
the same bulb.
If you are changing the bulb on
the driver’s side, start the engine,
turn the steering wheel all the way
to the right, and turn off the
engine. If you are changing the
bulb on the passenger’s side, turn
the steering wheel to the left.
1.
3.
4.
7. 6. 5.
1.
2.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing Front Turn Signal and
Side Marker L ight Bulbs
241
B BU UL LBB
T
T A
A B
B

If you decide to tow your car with all
f our 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 of f so they do not
rundownthebattery.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed283
Trying to lif t or tow your car by the
bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to
support the car’s weight.
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
f reely bef ore you begin towing.

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

Î
.....................
Underside, Cleaning .255
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the .257
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 290
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .150
.....................
Upholstery Cleaning .252
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 209
...............................................
Tires .231
..............................
Air Pressure .232
.........................
Checking Wear .233
..........................
Compact Spare .258
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 290
......................................
Inf lation .232
..................................
Inspection .233
...................................
Replacing .235
......................................
Rotating .235
...........................................
Snow .237
............................
Specif ications .289
.......................
Traction Devices .237
..........................
Winter Driving .237
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 259
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .184
................
Emergency Wrecker . 282
Traction Control System (TCS) ...............................
Indicator .57, 181
...................................
Operation .179
...........................
Traction Devices .237
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .216
...........................
Fluid Selection .217
..............
Identif ication Number . 287 .............
Shif ting the Automatic . 166
.............................
Treadwear .233, 290
.......................................
Trip Meter .61
................................................
Trunk .84
........
Emergency Trunk Release . 86
.................................
Opening the .84
...................
Open Monitor Light . 58
....................................
Turn Signals .67
................................
Vanity Mirror .108
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 160
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .288
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 286
.............................
Vehicle Storage .247 .................................................
VIN .286
...............................
Vinyl Cleaning .253
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .206
.............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 52
..................
Warranty Coverages .302
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level . 215
.......................................
Indicator .59
.....................................
Operation .69
.........................................
Washing .250
..................
Waxing and Polishing . 251
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering . 71
............
Alignment and Balance . 234
..........................
Compact Spare .258
Windows .....................................
Cleaning .254
..................
Operating the Power . 99
...........................
Rear, Def ogger .70
Windshield .......................................
Cleaning .68
...........................
Def roster .120, 125
Index
U
V W
VIII