steering Acura TL 2002 3.2 Service Manual

µµ
This f ilter should be replaced every
30,000 miles (48,000 km) under nor-
mal conditions. It should be replaced
every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) if you
drive primarily in urban areas that
have high concentrations of soot in
the air f rom industry and diesel-pow-
ered vehicles. Replace it more of ten
if air f low f rom the climate control
system becomes less than usual.
Have the air conditioning f ilter re-
placed by your Acura dealer. The air conditioning f ilter removes
pollen and dust that is brought in
f rom the outside through the climate
control system.
Check the tension of the power
steering belt by pushing on it with
your thumb midway between the
pulleys. Check the condition of the two drive
belts (power steering belt and
alternator belt). Examine the edges
of each belt f or cracks or f raying.If you see signs of wear or looseness,
have your dealer adjust or replace
the belts. Power steering belt: Thebeltshouldhavethefollowing
‘‘play’’ or def lection.
Drive Belts
A ir Conditioning Filter
A ir Conditioning Filter, Drive Belts
Maint enance249
P P O
OW WE ER
R S
STTE
EE
ER
RI INNG G B
BEEL
LTT
A
A L
LTT E
ER
RN NA AT
TO
OR R B
BEEL
LTT
0.51 0.65 in (13.0 16.5 mm)
00/12/25 14:34:22 31S0K630_252

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.
T ire Rotation Replacing T ires and Wheels
Tires
Maint enance254
( (
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
all
T
T i
irre es s a
ann d
d W
Wh he
eeellss) )
F
Fr
roo n
nt
t
F
Fr roo n
nt
t
00/12/25 14:35:23 31S0K630_257

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. Replacing Front Turn Signal and
Side Marker L ight Bulbs
Lights
Maint enance260
B BU
UL LBB
T
T A
A B
B
00/12/25 14:36:24 31S0K630_263

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 ed303
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.
00/12/25 14:43:39 31S0K630_306

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modifications . 171
................................
Accessories . 171
.
Additional Safety Precautions . 172
............................
Modif ications . 172
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) . 79
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 110
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 225
...............................
Airbag (SRS) . 9, 47
.....................
Air Cleaner Element . 238
.................
Air Conditioning Filter . 249
......
Air Conditioning System . 116, 123
..............................
Maintenance . 248
.................................
Usage . 118, 123
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires . 251
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline . 312
......................................
Antif reeze . 228
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .60, 192
...................................
Operation .191
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 151
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 78
..........................
Appearance Care .269
................................
Audio System .129 ...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature . 70
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 45
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 153
..............
Automatic Transmission . 180
..........................
Capacity,Fluid .308
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 234
.......................................
Shif ting .180
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 180
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 181
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 187
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .59, 292
............................
Jump Starting .286
..............................
Maintenance .243
............................
Specif ications .309
..............................
Bef ore Driving .163
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,44
...........................
Beverage Holder .108
...................................
Body Repair .276
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 191
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 164....................
Bulb Replacement .263
...........................................
Fluid .236
.......................................
Parking .104
.................
System Indicator . 59, 295
........................
Wear Indicators .190
.............................
Braking System .190
........................
Break-in, New Car .164
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 71
........................
Brights, Headlights .69
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .263
..............................
Brake Lights .263
..............................
Ceiling Light .265
........................
Courtesy Lights .265
.................................
Fog Lights .262
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 260
.................................
Headlights .259
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 264
...................
License Plate Light . 264
............................
Specif ications .309
...................................
Spotlights .265
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 260
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .259
Index
A
B
I
00/12/26 11:14:29 31S0K630_330

CONT INUED
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving . 177
....................................
Economy . 170
.........................
In Bad Weather . 199
................
In Foreign Countries . 313
Driving Position Memory ..........................................
System . 96
..............................
Economy, Fuel . 170
............
Emergencies on the Road . 277
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 286
...........
Brake System Indicator . 295
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 279
.....
Charging System Indicator . 292
..................
Checking the Fuses . 297
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 291
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 293
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 296
..................
Overheated Engine . 289
.........................
Emergency Brake .104
......................
Emergency Flashers .73
......................
Emergency Towing .302
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 86
.......................
Emissions Controls .314 .............
Emissions Testing, State . 317
Engine ............................................
Belts .249
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 66
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .59, 293
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 59, 291
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 223
...............................
Overheating .289
............................
Specif ications .309
............................
Speed Limiter .187
.......................................
Starting .179
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .312
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 314
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .53
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 270
..........................
Fan, Interior .120, 125
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .115
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 165Filter
................................
Air Cleaner .238
.......................
Air Conditioning .249
...............................................
Oil .225
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 73
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 279
.....................................
Floor Mats .272
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 234
..........................................
Brake .236
..........................
Power Steering .237
................
Windshield Washers . 233
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .135
........................................
Fog Lights .70
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 313
..........................
Four-way Flashers .73
..............................
Front Airbags .9, 47
.................................................
Fuel .164
......................
Fill Door and Cap .165
...........................................
Gauge .66
................
Octane Requirement . 164
...............................
Oxygenated .312
........................
Reserve Indicator .63
........................
Tank, Filling the .165
Index
E
F
III
00/12/25 14:47:26 31S0K630_332

CONT INUED
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 183
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 164
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 306
..................................................
Keys . 76
.......................
Label, Certif ication . 306
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 71
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 15, 44
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement . 259
.......................................
Indicator . 57
.........................................
Parking . 69
..................................
Turn Signal . 71
.....................................
Load Limit . 174
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 78
........................
Lockout Prevention . 80
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 78
............................
Fuel Fill Door . 165
....................................
Glove Box . 87
.................................
Power Door .79
...........................................
Trunk .85
........................
Low Coolant Level .169
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 59, 291
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 308.........................................
Luggage .173
..................................
Maintenance .209
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 221
........................................
Record .219
......................
Required Indicator .67
..........................................
Saf ety .210
.............................
Schedule .214-218
Malf unction Indicator ....................................
Lamp .59, 293
.............
Memory, Driving Position . 96
...............................
Meters, Gauges .64
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 312
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .94
.......................................
Moonroof .103
......................
Closing Manually .296
...................................
Operation .103 ...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 164
.........................................
Odometer .65
...............................
Odometer, Trip .65
Oil ........................
Change, How to .225
......................
Change, When to .214
......................
Checking Engine .168
..............
Pressure Indicator . 59, 291
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .224
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 79
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ....................................
Recovery .314
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 313
..............................
Outside Mirrors .94
....................
Overheating, Engine .289
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 221
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .312
Index
K
L
NO
M
V
00/12/25 14:47:41 31S0K630_334

Î
CONT INUED
...................
System Components . 44
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 19
....................................
Seat Heaters .99
........................
Seats, Adjusting the .88
............................
Security System .152
........
Sequential SportShif t Mode . 183
...............................
Serial Number .306
...........................
Service Intervals .214
...........................
Service Manual .325
.........
Service Station Procedures . 165
..........................
Setting the Clock .105
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 180
........................
Shif t Lock Release .187
................................
Side Airbags .9, 49
...............
Side Airbag Indicator . 51, 60
Side Marker Lights, Bulb ..............................
Replacement .260
...............................
Signaling Turns . 71
.....................................
Snow Tires .256
...................
Solvent-type Cleaners . 270
................................
Sound System .129
Spare Tire ......................................
Inf lating .278
............................
Specif ications .309
................
Spark Plugs, Replacing . 240
....................
Specif ications Charts . 308................................
Speed Control .153
...................................
Speedometer .64
.......................................
Spotlights .112
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 47
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 52
How the SRS Indicator .......................................
Works .50
...........
How Your Airbags Work . 47
........................
SRS Components .47
..................................
SRS Service .52
.............................
SRS Indicator .50, 60
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 79
.......................
Starting the Engine .179
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .179
................
With a Dead Battery . 286
..............
State Emissions Testing . 317
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 289
Steering Wheel ..................................
Adjustment .75
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 78
...................
Stereo Sound System . 129
...........................
Storing Your Car .267
........................................
Sun Visor .109
........................
Sunglasses Holder .110 ....
Supplemental Restraint System . 47
......................................
Servicing .52
...............................
SRS Indicator .50
...................
System Components . 47
.....................................
Tachometer . 64
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in . 263
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 277
....................................
Tape Player .137
Technical Descriptions ......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 310
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 314
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels .312
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .316
.......................
Temperature Gauge .66
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 41
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 316
..........................
Time, Setting the .105
....................................
Timing Belt .250
....................................
Tire Chains .256
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 279
Index
T
VII
00/12/25 14:47:52 31S0K630_336

Î
.....................
Underside, Cleaning . 275
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the . 277
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 310
........................
Unleaded Gasoline . 164
.....................
Upholstery Cleaning . 272
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 227 .............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 54
..................
Warranty Coverages . 322
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level . 233
.......................................
Indicator .63
.....................................
Operation .73
.........................................
Washing . 270
..................
Waxing and Polishing . 271
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering . 75
............
Alignment and Balance . 253
..........................
Compact Spare . 278
...............................................
Tires . 250
..............................
Air Pressure . 251
.........................
Checking Wear . 252
..........................
Compact Spare . 278
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 310
......................................
Inf lation . 251
..................................
Inspection . 252
...................................
Replacing . 254
......................................
Rotating . 254
...........................................
Snow . 256
............................
Specif ications . 309
.......................
Traction Devices . 256
..........................
Winter Driving . 256
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 279
Towing .....................................
A Trailer . 201
................
Emergency Wrecker . 302
Traction Control System (TCS) ...............................
Indicator .61, 195
...................................
Operation .193
...........................
Traction Devices .256
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .234
...........................
Fluid Selection .235
..............
Identif ication Number . 307 .............
Shif ting the Automatic . 180
.............................
Treadwear .252, 310
.......................................
Trip Meter .65
................................................
Trunk .85
........
Emergency Trunk Release . 86
.................................
Opening the .85
...................
Open Monitor Light . 62
....................................
Turn Signals .71
................................
Vanity Mirror .109
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 174
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .308
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 306Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
....................................
System .196
........
VSA System Indicator . 61, 196
...
VSA Activation Indicator . 61, 197
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .197
.............................
Vehicle Storage .267
.................................................
VIN .306
...............................
Vinyl Cleaning .273
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .224
Index
U
V W
VIII
00/12/25 14:47:59 31S0K630_337

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): 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:
API Service SJ ‘‘Energy
Conserving’’ oil, SAE 5W-20
viscosity (see page ). 223
235 237
236
17.17 US gal (65.0, 14.30 Imp gal)
00/12/25 14:48:17 31S0K630_339