engine coolant Acura TL 2003 3.2 User Guide

CONT INUED
Turn the radiator cap counter-
clockwise, without pressing down
on it, until it stops. This relieves
any pressure remaining in the
cooling system. Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.
The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Put the radiator cap back on.
Tighten it f ully.
3.
1.
2. 4.
5.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance239
R RA
A D
DI
IAA T
TO
OR R C
CAA P
P

Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your car’s cooling
system. They may not be compatible
with the coolant or engine compo-
nents.
Thecoolingsystemshouldbe
completely drained and ref illed with
new coolant according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. Only use
Honda All Season Antif reeze/
Coolant Type 2. Use of any non-
Honda coolant or plain water can
result in corrosion and deposits in
the cooling system.
Draining the coolant requires access
to the underside of the car. Unless
you have the tools and knowledge,
you should have this maintenance
done by a skilled mechanic.
6. Replacing Engine Coolant
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance240
R RE
ES
SE ER
RV V E
E T
TA
A N
NK K

CONT INUED
Remove the reserve tank f rom its
holder by pulling it straight up.
Drain the coolant, then put the
tank back in its holder.
When the coolant stops draining,
tightenthedrainplugatthe
bottom of the radiator.
Turn the ignition ON (II). Turn
the heater temperature control
dial to maximum heat (climate
control to 90°F/32°C). Turn of f
the ignition. Open the hood. Make
sure the engine and radiator are
cool to the touch.
Remove the radiator cap. Loosen the drain plug on the
bottom of the radiator. The
coolant will drain through the
splash guard.
Install a rubber hose on the drain
bolt at the rear of the engine
cylinder block. Loosen the drain
bolt.
3.
1.
2. 4.5.
6.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance241
D D
R
RAA I
INN P
PL
LUUG G R
REES
SE ER
RV V E
E T
TA
A N
NK K C
CAA P
P
H
H O
OL LDD E
ER
R R
RE
ES
SE ER
RV V E
E T
TA
A N
NK K
D
D R
RAA I
INN B
BOOL LTT

Tighten the drain bolt at the rear
of the engine cylinder block
securely.
Tightening torque:Pour Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2 into
the radiator up to the base of the
f iller neck. This coolant is a
mixture of 50 percent antif reeze
and 50 percent water. Pre-mixing
is not required.
The cooling system capacity is:
Start the engine and let it run f or
about 30 seconds. Then turn of f
the engine. Pour coolant into theradiator up to the base of the f iller
neck.
Fill the reserve tank to the MAX
mark. Install the reserve tank cap.
Install the radiator cap, and
tighten it to the first stop.
7.
8.
9.10.
11.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance242
F Fi illll u
u p
p t
too h
he
erree
7 lbf·ft (9.8 N·m , 1.0 kgf·m)
1.48 US gal (5.6
, 1.23 Imp gal)

If necessary, f ill the reserve tank
to the MAX mark. Install the
reserve tank cap.
Install the radiator cap, and
tighten it fully. Start the engine and hold it at
1,500 rpm until the cooling f an
comes on. Turn of f the engine.
Check the coolant level in the
radiator and add coolant if needed. Remove the radiator cap. Pour
coolant into the radiator up to the
base of the f iller neck and into the
reserve tank up to the MAX mark. Start the engine and let it run until
the radiator cooling f an comes on
at least twice. Then stop the
engine. Check the level in the windshield
washer reservoir at least monthly
during normal usage. In bad weather,
when you use the washers of ten,
check the level every time you stop
for fuel.
The windshield washer reservoir is
located behind the passenger’s side
headlight.
12.
13.
14.
15. 16.
CONT INUED
Maint enance
Cooling System, Windshield Washers
Windshield Washers
243

CONT INUED
The pointer of your car’s tempera-
ture gauge should stay in the mid-
range under most conditions. It may
go higher if you are driving up a long
steep hill on a very hot day. If it
climbs to the red mark, you should
determine the reason.Your car can overheat f or several
reasons, such as lack of coolant or a
mechanical problem. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the car or
engine cover. In either case, you
should take immediate action. Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park and set the parking brake.
Turn of f the climate control and all
otheraccessories.Turnonthe
hazard warning indicators.
If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine.
If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading
(climbing a long, steep hill on a
hot day with the A/C running, for
example), the engine should start
to cool down almost immediately.
If it does, wait until the tempera-
ture gauge comes down to the mid-
point then continue driving.
1.
2.
3.
If Your Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed299
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to your engine.

If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
Wait until you see no more signs
of steam or spray, then open the
hood.
Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (seeon page ).
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may also have to
add coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator.
Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. This
releases any remaining pressure in
the cooling system. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap and turn it until it comes
off.
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page
). If the level is below the
MIN mark, add coolant to halfway
between the MIN and MAX marks. Start the engine and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum (climate control to
FULL AUTO at 90°F/32°C). Add
coolant to the radiator up to the
base of the f iller neck. If you do
not have the proper coolant
mixture available, you can add
plain water. Remember to have
the cooling system drained and
ref illed with the proper mixture as
soon as you can.
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly. Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair. (See
on page .)
4.
5.
6.
7.
8. 9.
11.
12.10.
312
178 312
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
If Your Engine Overheats
300
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

µµÎ
Î
Î
Î
Specif ications
T echnical Inf ormation318
Dimensions
Weights
Air Conditioning
Capacities Capacities
192.9 in (4,900 mm)
70.3 in (1,785 mm)
55.9 in (1,420 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

Î
............................
Capacities Chart .318
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 53
............................
Carrying, Cargo .183
Cassette Player ............................................
Care .141
...................................
Operation .137
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
...................................
CD Changer .142
..................................
Ceiling Light .111
........................
Certif ication Label .316
............................................
Chains .266
Changing Oil ........................................
How to .235
......................................
When to .224
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .289
............
Changing Engine Coolant . 240
...
Charging System Indicator . 59,302
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 188
..................
Childproof Door Locks . 84
.....................................
Child Saf ety .21
.......................................
Child Seats .26
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 41
....................
Cleaner Element, Air . 248Cleaning
....................
Aluminum Wheels .281
...................................
Carpeting .282
......................................
Exterior .280
.................................
Floor Mats .282
.......................................
Interior .282
.......................................
Leather .283
...................................
Seat Belts .283
...........................................
Vinyl .283
....................................
Windows .284
.......
Climate Control System . 118,123
.........................
Clock, Setting the .105
..........................
CO in the Exhaust .53
........................................
Coin Box .106
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 189
..............................
Compact Spare .288
.................
Console Compartment . 106
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 330
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 55
Coolant ........................................
Adding .238
....................................
Checking .179
.........................
Proper Solution .238
...................................
Replacing .240
...................
Temperature Gauge . 66
....................
Corrosion Protection .285 Crankcase Emissions Control
........................................
System .324
............
Cruise Control Operation . 153
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 330
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .2, 56
................
Daytime Running Lights . 70
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 332
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 74
......
Def rosting the Windows . 122,127
....................................
Dimensions .318
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 69
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 244
..................................
Engine Oil .178
..........................
Directional Signals .71
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 200
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .237
Doors ..............................
Monitor Light .62
......................
Power Door Locks .79
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 320
.....................................
Drive Belts .259
Index
C
D
II

CONT INUED
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .187
....................................
Economy .180
.........................
In Bad Weather .209
................
In Foreign Countries . 323
Driving Position Memory ..........................................
System .96
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 259
..............................
Economy, Fuel .180
............
Emergencies on the Road . 287
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 296
...........
Brake System Indicator . 305
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 289
.....
Charging System Indicator . 302
..................
Checking the Fuses . 307
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 301
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 303
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 306
..................
Overheated Engine . 299
.........................
Emergency Brake .104
......................
Emergency Flashers .73
......................
Emergency Towing .312
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 86.......................
Emissions Controls .324
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 327
Engine ............................................
Belts .259
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 66
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .59, 303
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 59,301
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 233
...............................
Overheating .299
............................
Specif ications .319
............................
Speed Limiter .197
.......................................
Starting .189
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .322
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 324
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .53
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 280
..........................
Fan, Interior .120, 125
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .115
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 175Filter
................................
Air Cleaner .248
.........................
Dust and Pollen .259
...............................................
Oil .235
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 73
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 289
.....................................
Floor Mats .282
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 244
..........................................
Brake .246
..........................
Power Steering .247
................
Windshield Washers . 243
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .135
........................................
Fog Lights .70
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 323
..........................
Four-way Flashers .73
..............................
Front Airbags .9 ,47
.................................................
Fuel .174
......................
Fill Door and Cap .175
...........................................
Gauge .66
................
Octane Requirement . 174
...............................
Oxygenated .322
........................
Reserve Indicator .63
........................
Tank, Filling the .175
Index
E
F
III