Acura TL 2004 Owner's Manual

When the radiator and engine are
cool, relieve any pressure in the
cooling system by turning the
radiator cap counterclockwise,
without pressing down.
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.
Pourthecoolantslowlyand
caref ully so you do not spill. Clean
up any spill immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Put the radiator cap back on and
tighten it.
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 vehicle’s
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components. Check the f luid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use.
If the f luid level
is low, a message will be shown on
the Multi-Information Display.
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.
When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition them.
3.
1.
2. 4.
5.
On Canadian models:
Engine Coolant, Windshield Washers
Maint enance
Windshield Washers
208
NOTICE:
RADIATOR CAP
Do not use engine antif reeze
or a vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antif reeze
can damage your vehicle’s paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer f luid.

Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.Park the vehicle on level ground.
Shut of f the engine.
Within 60 to 90 seconds, remove
the dipstick (yellow loop) f rom the
transmission, and wipe it with a
clean cloth.
Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely. Remove the dipstick, and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the f iller hole
to bring it to the upper mark.Always use Honda ATF-Z1
(Automatic Transmission Fluid). If
it’s not available, you may use a
DEXRON
III automatic
transmission f luid as a temporary
replacement. However, continued
use can af f ect the shif t quality.
Have the transmission flushed and
ref illed with Honda ATF-Z1 as
soon as it is convenient.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid when this
service is shown on a maintenance
message in the Multi-Information
Display. To thoroughly f lush the
transmission, the technician
should drain and ref ill it with
Honda ATF-Z1, then drive the
vehicle f or a short distance. Do
this three times. Then drain and
ref ill the transmission a f inal time.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
in the transmission.
1.
2.
3. 4.
5.
6.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Maint enance209
UPPER
MARK
LOWER
MARK
DIPSTICK

Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground. Remove the check
bolt, and look f or transmission f luid
coming out of the bolt hole. If a small
amount of f luid drips out of the bolt
hole, reinstall the check bolt.If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certif ication seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES’’ as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives, and continued use can
cause stiffer shifting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient. If no f luid comes out, remove the
f iller bolt. Slowly add Honda Manual
Transmission Fluid (MTF) until it
starts to run out of the check bolt
hole. Let the f luid run out until it
stops, then reinstall the check bolt
and the f iller bolt.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid when this
service is shown on a maintenance
message in the Multi-Inf ormation
Display.
Manual T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance
Manual Transmission Fluid
210
CHECK BOLT
DRAIN BOLT FILLER BOLT

Check the brake f luid level in the
reservoirs monthly af ter removing
the engine compartment rear cover
(see page ).
Replace it every 3 years, independent
of mileage.
Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 f luid, f rom a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement.The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If it is not, add
brake f luid to bring it up to that level.
Use the same fluid specified for the
brake system.
A low f luid level can indicate a leak
in the clutch system. Have this
system inspected as soon as possible.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle’s
braking system and can cause
extensive damage. Using any non-Honda brake f luid can
cause corrosion and decrease the lif e
of the system. Have the brake
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 as soon as possible. 203
Manual Transmission only
Brake and Clutch Fluid
Maint enance
Brake System
Clutch System
211
MAX
MIN MAX
MIN

Check the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold,
and the engine compartment right-
side cover is of f (see page ). The
f luid should be between the UPPER
LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL. If not,
add power steering f luid to the
UPPER LEVEL mark.Periodically 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.
If you are not sure how to do this,
contact your Acura dealer.
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.
Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering f luid as an emergency replacement, but have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
203
Power Steering Fluid, Hood L atch
Maint enance
Power Steering Fluid Hood L atch
212
NOTICE:
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL PIVOTS
LATCH
ASSEMBLY
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
Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk, readjustment may be required.
Adjustment should be perf ormed by
an Acura dealer or other qualif ied
mechanic.
The headlight bulbs are a type of
high voltage discharge tube. High
voltage can remain in the circuit
even with the light switch off and the
key removed. Because of this, you
shouldnotattempttoexamineor
change a headlight bulb yourself . If a
headlight bulb f ails, take your
vehicle to a dealer to have it replaced.Remove the left or right side
engine compartment cover f rom
thesideyouareworkingonby
caref ully pulling the cover out.
If youarereplacingthebulbon
the driver’s side, remove the air
intake cover by removing the two
f astener pins and pulling the cover
out. Then remove the upper part
of the air intake duct by pulling it
straight up.
1.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing a Front Fog L ight or
Daytime Running L ight Bulb
Headlight A iming
Headlights
213

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 f og lights to test the
new bulb.
(Driver’s side)
Install the upper part of the air
intake duct.
(Driver’s side)
Install the engine compartment
corner cover, and secure it with
two fastener pins.
Install the engine compartment
side cover.
Remove the bulb by turning it one-
quarter turn counterclockwise. Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pushing on the
tab and pulling the connector
down. Start the engine. If you are
replacing a driver’s side bulb, turn
the steering wheel all the way to
theright.If youarereplacinga
passenger’s side bulb, turn the
steering wheel to the lef t. Turn of f
the engine.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
2.
3. 1.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing the Front T urn Signal/
Parking L ight Bulb
214

Use a f lat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the holding clip f rom the
middle edge of the inner f ender
cover, and pull the inner f ender
cover back.
Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.Remove the bulb f rom the socket
bypushingitinandturningit
counterclockwise until it unlocks.
Install the new bulb in the socket.
Turn it clockwise to lock it in place.
Insert the socket into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Push the inner f ender cover in
place. Install the holding clip, and
lock it in place by pushing on its
center.
Open the trunk.
Using a small screwdriver, pop up
the pin in the center of the
f astener, then remove the f astener.
Unscrew and remove the cargo
net hook f rom the f ender. Pull
back the trunk lining.
Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
3. 2. 4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
1.
2.
CONT INUED
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing the Rear Turn Signal
Bulb (in Fenders)
215

Reinstall the trunk lining. Make
sure it is installed under the edge
of the trunk seal.Insert the fastener into the hole on
the side of the trunk lining, and
push in the head of the f astener.
Screw the cargo net hook into the
f ender.
Determine which back-up light
is out (lef t or right), then open
the trunk. Popupthepininthecenterof
the lef t or right corner f astener
with a small screwdriver, and
remove the f astener.
Remove the lef t side
f astener the same way.
Pull out the outside edge of the
rubber stop, then push the stop
outward, and pull it to remove it.
Remove the
screw f rom the trunk lid inner
handle, and remove the handle
trim.
Pull back the corner of the
trunk lid lining.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
Reinstall the socket into the light
assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
3.
4.
5.
6. 7.
1a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Lef t side
only:
Right side only:
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing the Back-up L ight Bulb
(in T runk L id)
216
RIGHT STOP
CORNER
FASTENER
CORNER
FASTENER LEFT STOP
TRUNK LID
INNER
HANDLE
LEFT SIDE FASTENER

Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Reinstall the trunk lid lining. Make
sure it is installed under the edge
of the trunk seal. Insert the socket into the light
assembly. Turn it clockwise to
lock it in place.
Install all removed parts.
Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
2.
3. 4.
5.
6.
7.
Lights
Maint enance217