Acura TL 2003 3.2 Owner's Manual

Check the f ollowing:Headlights (low and high beam)
Fog lights
Parking lights
Taillights
Brake lights
Turn signals
Back-up lights
Hazard light f unction
License plate light
Side marker lights
High-mount brake light
Daytime running lights (Canadian
models)
If you f ind any bulbs are burned out,
replace them as soon as possible.
Refer to the chart on page to
determine what type of replacement
bulb is needed. 319
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The low beam headlight bulbs are a
type of high voltage discharge tube.
High voltage can remain in the
circuit even with the light switch of f
and the key removed. Because of
this, you should not attempt to
examine or change a low beam
headlight bulb yourself . If a low
beam headlight bulb fails, take the
cartoyourdealertohaveitreplaced.
Halogen bulbs are used f or the high
beam headlight bulbs. When
replacing a high beam headlight bulb,
handle it by its base and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass,
clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.
Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your car was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk or pull a trailer, readjustment
may be required. Adjustment of the
headlights should be perf ormed by
an Acura technician or other
qualif ied mechanic.
CONT INUED
Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Headlight A iming
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Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.

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
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Remove the burned out bulb f rom
thesocketbypushingitinand
turning the bulb counterclockwise
until it unlocks.
Install the new bulb in the socket.
Turn it clockwise to lock it in place.
Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Pull the inner f ender cover away
f rom the f ender and bumper. Put the inner f ender cover in place.
Install the three holding clips.
Lock each clip in place by pushing
on the center.
Use a f lat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the three holding clips
f rom the inner f ender.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
2.
3.
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Insert the new bulb into the hole
and turn it one-quarter turn clock-
wise to lock it in place.
Push the electrical connector onto
the new bulb. Turn on the f ront
f og lights to test the new bulb.
Put the light assembly into the
bumper. Tighten the mounting
bolt.
Remove the light assembly f rom
the bumper. Use a wrench to loosen the light
assembly’s mounting bolt.
Your car uses halogen f og light
bulbs. See page f or inf ormation
on replacing a halogen bulb.
Remove the bulb by turning it
approximately one-quarter turn
counterclockwise. Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by squeezing the
connector to unlock the tab, then
slide the connector of f the bulb.5.
6.
7.
1.
2. 3.
4.
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ReplacingaFogLightBulb
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Determine which of the f our bulbs
is burned out: stop/taillights, turn
signal light, or back-up light.
Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Open the trunk.
Remove the f astener on the edge
of the trunk opening by turning it
counterclockwise with a coin.
Unscrew the cargo net mounting
button. Pull the lining back.
Screw the cargo net mounting
button back into the hole. Put the f astener in the hole on the
side of the trunk lining and push
on the center until it locks (the
center is f lush with the head). Reinstall the trunk lining. Make
sure it is installed under the edge
of the trunk seal. Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working. Reinstall the socket into the light
assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.
To remove the turn signal bulb
push it in slightly and turn it
counterclockwise. To remove the
stop/taillight or back-up light, pull
the bulb straight out of its socket. Install the new bulb into the
socket.
3. 2.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
1.
10.
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Replacing Rear Bulbs
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Open the trunk and remove the
socket f rom the light assembly by
turning it one-quarter turn counter-
clockwise.
Remove the burned-out bulb by
pulling it straight out of the socket.
Install the new bulb and reinstall
the socket. Make sure the new
bulb is working.Use a small Phillips-head
screwdriver to remove the two
screws. Remove the lens f rom the
license plate assembly.
Remove the bulb by pulling it
straight out. Push the new bulb
into the socket.Put the lens back in place and
tighten the two screws securely.
1. 2.
3. 1.
2.3.
Replacing a High-mount Brake
Light Bulb Replacing a Rear License Plate
Bulb
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CONT INUED
The ceiling light, door light and
vanity mirror light come apart the
same way, but they do not use the
same type of bulb.Remove the bulb by pulling it
straight out of its metal tabs.
Push the new bulb into the metal
tabs. Snap the lens back in place.
Removethelensbycarefully
prying on the edge of the lens with
a f ingernail f ile or a small f lat-tip
screwdriver. Do not pry on the
edge of the housing around the
lens.
Door light:Pry on the top middle of the lens.
Ceiling light: Pry on the f ront edge of the lens
near both sides.
Spotlights: Pry on the front edge in front of
both spotlights.
1.
2.
3.
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Replacing Bulbs in the Interior
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Open the trunk. Pull down the
trunk light cover.
Remove the bulb by pulling it
straight out of its metal tabs.
Push the new bulb into the metal
tabs.
Push the cover back in place.
1.
2.
3.
4.
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Replacing the T runk L ight Bulb
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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.
235
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St oring Your Car
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