automatic transmission Acura TL 2004 Owner's Guide

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Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
Turn of f all the electrical acces-
sories: heater, A/C, stereo system,
lights, etc. Put the transmission in
Neutral or Park, and set the
parking brake.
Connect one jumper cable to the
positive ( ) terminal on your
battery. Connect the other end to
the positive ( ) terminal on the
booster battery.Connect the second jumper cable
to the negative ( ) terminal on
the booster battery. Connect the
other end to the grounding strap
as shown. Do not connect this
jumper cable to any other part of
the engine.
You cannot start an Acura with an
automatic transmission by pushing
or pulling it. Open the hood, and check the
physical condition of the battery.
In very cold weather, check the
condition of the electrolyte. If it
seems slushy or like ice, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.
1.
2.
3. 4.
Jump Starting
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
To Jump Start Your Vehicle:
238
NOTICE:
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone
nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery. If a battery sits in extreme
cold, the electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.

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There are three popular types of
prof essional towing equipment.
Shif t the transmission to Neutral.
ShifttoD,thentoN.
Turn of f the engine.
The tow
truck uses metal cables with hooks
on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the f rame or suspension and
the cables lif t that end of the vehicle
of f the ground. Your vehicle’s sus-
pension and body can be seriously
damaged.
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
behind another vehicle with just a
rope or chain. It is very dangerous.
The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck.
The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (f ront or rear) and lif t
them of f the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground. If your Acura cannot be transported
by f lat-bed, it should be towed by
wheel-lif t equipment with the f ront
wheels of f the ground. If , due to
damage, your vehicle must be towed
with the f ront wheels on the ground,
do the f ollowing: Release the parking brake.
Start the engine. Release the parking brake.
Automatic Transmission:
6-speed Manual Transmission:
Sling-t ype Equipment
Flat -bed Equipment Wheel-lif t Equipment
T his method of towing
is unacceptable.
T his is the best way to
transport your A cura.
T his is
an acceptable way to tow your
Acura.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed249
NOTICE: Improper towing preparation
will damage the transmission. Follow
the above procedure exactly. If you
cannot shif t the transmission or start
the engine (automatic transmission),
your vehicle must be transported with
the f ront wheels of f the ground.

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Specif ications
T echnical Inf ormation256
Dimensions
Weights
Air Conditioning
Capacities Capacities
186.2 in (4,730 mm)
72.2 in (1,835 mm)
56.7 in (1,441 mm)
107.9 in (2,740 mm)
62.1 in (1,577 mm)
62.0 in (1,576 mm)
HFC-134a (R-134a)
17.6 19.4 oz (500 550 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
Manual
transmission
fluid
Windshield
washer
reservoir
2.6 US qt (2.5
)
7.6 US qt (7.2
)
3.1 US qt (2.9)
5.3 US qt (5.0)
4.2 US qt (4.0
)
4.5 US qt (4.3
)
Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine.
Reserve tank capacity: 0.16 US gal (0.6
)
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine. 2.3 US qt (2.2
)
2.6 US qt (2.5)
4.8 US qt (4.5
)
2.14 US gal (8.1
)
2.09 US gal (7.9)
1.66 US gal (6.3
)
1.69 US gal (6.4)
Approx.
Front
Rear
1:
2:Change
Manual
Automatic
Total Manual
Automatic
Change Including
filter
Without
filter
Total
Change
Total
Change
Total
U.S. Vehicle
Canada Vehicle
17.09 US gal (64.7)
1
2

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Specif ications
T echnical Inf ormation257
Lights
Battery
Fuses Engine
Alignment
Tires
3.50 x 3.39 in (89.0 x 86.0 mm)
12 V 21/5 W
195.8 cu-in (3,210 cm
)
Water cooled 4-stroke
SOHC VTEC 6-cylinder (V6), gasoline engine
12 V 21 W 12 V 51 W (HB4)
DRL (Canadian models)
Front turn signal/Side marker/
Parking lights
Fog Lights
Rear turn signal lights
Back-up lights
License plate light
Ceiling light
Trunk light
Door courtesy lights
Vanity mirror lights
Spotlights 12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V21 CP
3CP
5W
5W
2CP
5W
4CP
Capacity 65 AH/20 HR
Interior
Under-hood 12 V51 W (HB3)
12 V
11 : 1
See page 248or the fuse label
attached to the inside of the fuse
box door on each side of the
dashboard.
See page 247or the fuse box
cover. Type
BorexStroke
Displacement
Compression ratio
Spark plugs
Toe-in
Camber
Caster
0.00 in (0.0 mm)
0.08 in (2.0 mm)
0°30’
1°00’
3°17’
P235/45R17 93W 235/45R17 93W IZFR6K-11
SKJ20DR-M11
35 psi (240 kPa , 2.4 kgf/cm
)
32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm)
32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm)
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm)
Size
Pressure
T145/70R17 96M T135/80R16 101M
Front
Rear
Front
Rear
Front
NGK:
DENSO:
Front/Rear
Spare
Front
Rear
Spare A/T Vehicles:
M/T Vehicles:
All season tire
Summer tire
Vehicles with manual transmission
Vehicles with automatic transmission
1:
2:
3:
4:
1
2
34

Make sure the gas tank is nearly,
but not completely, f ull (around
3/4).
Make sure the ambient
temperature is between 20° and
95°F.Without touching the accelerator
pedal, start the engine, and let it
idle f or 20 seconds.
If you take your vehicle f or a state
emissions test shortly af ter the
battery has been disconnected or
gone dead, it may not pass the test.
This is because of certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that must be set in the on-
board diagnostics f or the emissions
systems. These codes are erased
when the battery is disconnected,
and set again only after several days
of driving under a variety of
conditions. If the testing f acility determines that
the readiness codes are not set, you
will be requested to return at a later
date to complete the test. If you must
get the vehicle re-tested within the
next two or three days, you can
condition the vehicle for re-testing
by doing the f ollowing.
Make sure the vehicle has been
parked with the engine of f f or 8
hours or more. Keep the vehicle in Park
(automatic transmission) or
Neutral (manual transmission).
Increase the engine speed to 2,000
rpm and hold it there until the
temperature gauge rises to at least
1/4of thescale(approximately3
minutes).
CONT INUED
St at e Emissions T est ing
T esting of Readiness Codes
T echnical Inf ormation263

CONT INUED
BatteryCharging System ...........................
Indicator .52, 242
............................
Jump Starting .238
..............................
Maintenance .226
............................
Specif ications .257
..............................
Bef ore Driving .163
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,19
...........................
Beverage Holder .106
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 189
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 164
...........................................
Fluid .211
.......................................
Parking .103
.................
System Indicator . 52,244 ........................
Wear Indicators .188
.............................
Braking System .188
........................
Break-in, New Car .164
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 75
........................
Brights, Headlights .74
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .216
.................................
Fog Lights .213
............................
Specif ications .257
............
Turn Signal Lights . 214,215
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .213
............................
Capacities Chart .256
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 46
............................
Carrying, Cargo .171
Cassette Player ............................................
Care .138
...................................
Operation .136
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
..................................
Ceiling Light .104
........................
Certif ication Label .254
...................................
Chains, .225
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 168
................................
Accessories .169
............................
Modif ications .170
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .80
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 106
................
Adding Engine Coolant . 207
........................
Adding Engine Oil .204
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 205
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9, 22
...............
Additional Information . 22
......................................
Servicing .28
...................
System Components . 22
..............
Air Conditioning System . 110
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .221
......................................
Antif reeze .207
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .53, 189
...................................
Operation .189
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 140
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 80
................................
Audio System .117
...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature . 76
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 20.............
Automatic Speed Control . 142
..............
Automatic Transmission . 181
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .256
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 209
.......................................
Shif ting .181
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 181
.......................................
Shif ting .181
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 185
tires
Index
A
BC
I

ÎÎÎ
ÎÎ
Changing Oil ........................................
How to .205
......................................
When to .195
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .231
...
Charging System Indicator . 52,242
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 176
..................
Childproof Door Locks . 84
.....................................
Child Saf ety .29
..............................
Booster Seats .43
...................................
Child Seats .36
..........................................
Inf ants .34
............................
Large Children .42
.........................................
LATCH .38
......................
Risks with Airbags .30
.............................
Small Children .35
.........................................
Tethers .41
.........
Where Should a Child Sit? . 30
Cleaning .................................
Floor Mats .218
...................................
Seat Belts .218
...............
Climate Control System . 115
..............................................
Clock .103
..........................
CO in the Exhaust .46
.......................
Compact Spare .230
.................
Console Compartment . 107
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 265.............
Controls, Instruments and . 49
Coolant ........................................
Adding .207
....................................
Checking .167
.........................
Proper Solution .207
...................
Temperature Gauge . 57
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .260
................
Cruise Control Indicator . 54
............
Cruise Control Operation . 142
...................................
Cup Holders .106
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 266
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .2, 50
............
Daytime Running Lights . 74
Daytime Running Light ...................................
Indicator .55
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 268
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 77
..............
Def rosting the Windows . 114
....................................
Dimensions .256
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 74Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission . 209
..................................
Engine Oil .167
..........................
Directional Signals .74
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 188
.................................
Disc Changer .129
...
Disc Changer Error Messages . 135
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .206
Doors ..............................
Monitor Light .60
......................
Power Door Locks .82
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 258
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .175
....................................
Economy .168
Driving Position Memory ..........................................
System .93
..............................
Economy, Fuel .168
............
Emergencies on the Road . 229
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 238
...........
Brake System Indicator . 244
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 231
.....
Charging System Indicator . 242
tire
Index
D
E
II

ÎCONT INUED
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 168
.........................................
Gasoline .164
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 56
...........................................
Gauge .57
................
Octane Requirement . 164
........................
Tank, Filling the .165
................
Gas Station Procedures . 165
...................................
Fan, Interior .122
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .109
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 165
........................................
Filter, Oil .205
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 76
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 231
.....................................
Floor Mats .218
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 209
..........................................
Brake .211
.........................................
Clutch .211
..............
Manual Transmission . 210
..........................
Power Steering .212
................
Windshield Washers . 208
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .122
.....................................
Fog Lights .75 ..........................
Four-way Flashers .76
..............................
Front Airbags .9 ,22
......................................
Front Seats .90
......................................
Adjusting .90
.........................................
Heaters .96
.....................................
Airbags .9, 22
.................................................
Fuel .164
......................
Fill Door and Cap .165
...........................................
Gauge .57
................
Octane Requirement . 164
........................
Reserve Indicator .56
........................
Tank, Filling the .165
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .245
..................
Checking the Fuses . 245
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers . 76
......
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck . 249
............................
Jump Starting .238
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 242
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 243
..................
Overheated Engine . 240
.......................................
Towing .249
.........................
Emergency Brake .103
......................
Emergency Flashers .76
......................
Emergency Towing .249
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 84
.......................
Emissions Controls .260
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 263
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 57
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .52, 243
.........................................
Oil Lif e .64
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 52,242
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 204
...............................
Overheating .240
............................
Specif ications .257
....................
Speed Limiter . 179,185
.......................................
Starting .177
...................
Engine, .236 ......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .164
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 260
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .46
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .17
if it won’t start
Index
F
G
III

ÎÎÎ
ÎÎ.................
Jacking up the Vehicle . 232
.......................................
Jack, Tire .231
................................
Jump Starting .238
Gauges
...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 57
...............................................
Fuel .57
...............................
Speedometer .57
.................................
Tachometer .57
Gearshif t Lever Positions ..........
Automatic Transmission . 181
6-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .178
......................................
Glove Box .107 ...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 254
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .79
...........................................
Switch .80
............
Timing Control System . 261
........................
Immobilizer System .81
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
.........................................
Indicators .52
......
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake) . 53,189
Brake (Parking and Brake ............................
System) .52, 244
................
Charging System . 52,242
.............................
Cruise Control .54
DRL (Daytime Running ..................................
Lights) .55
...................................
Fog Light .56
...................................
High Beam .55
........
Key (Immobilizer System) . 56
......................................
Low Fuel .56 ................
Low Oil Pressure . 54,242
...........................
Side Airbag Of f .53
.........................................
SRS .26, 53
Turn Signal and Hazard ...................................
Warning .55
............................
VSA Activation .54
.................................
VSA System .54
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .34
......................................
Inf ant Seats .34
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 41
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 221
...................................
Inside Mirror .91
.............................
Inspection, Tire .222
............................
Instrument Panel .51
..........
Instrument Panel Indicators . 52
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 75
...............................
Interior Lights .104
........................................
Introduction .i
.......................
Halogen Fog Bulbs .213
..........
HandsFree Link (HFL) . 70,149
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 76
........................................
Headlights .74
........................................
Aiming .213
Automatic Lighting Off .....................................
Feature .76
.......
Daytime Running Lights . 74
..................
High Beam Indicator . 55
.........................
Reminder Chime .74
...................................
Turning on .74
..............................
Head Restraints .89
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 74HomeLink Universal
................................
Transceiver .145
....................................
Hood Latch .212
.......................
Hood, Opening the .166
Index
H I
J
IV

Î
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 172
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .256
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 254Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
....................................
System .190
........
VSA System Indicator . 54,190
...
VSA Activation Indicator . 54,190
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .191
.............................
Vehicle Storage .227
.................................................
VIN .254
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .204
....................................
Tire Chains .225
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 231
...............................................
Tires .220
..............................
Air Pressure .221
.........................
Checking Wear .222
..........................
Compact Spare .230
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 258
......................................
Inf lation .221
..................................
Inspection .222
...................................
Replacing .224
......................................
Rotating .223
...........................................
Snow .225
............................
Specif ications .257
.............................
Summer Tire .224
.......................
Traction Devices .225
..........................
Winter Driving .224
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 231
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .192
................
Emergency Wrecker . 249
...........................
Traction Devices .225
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .209
.
Checking Fluid Level Manual . 210
..................
Fluid Selection . 209,210 ..............
Identif ication Number . 254
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 190
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 178
.............................
Treadwear .223, 258
................................
Trip Computer .65
.......................................
Trip Meter .62
................................................
Trunk .80
........
Emergency Trunk Release . 84
.................................
Opening the .83
...................
Open Monitor Light . 60
....................................
Turn Signals .74
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the .229
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 258
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .164
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 206 .............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 47
..................
Warranty Coverages .267
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level . 208
.......................................
Indicator .62
.....................................
Operation .73
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering . 78
............
Alignment and Balance . 223
..........................
Compact Spare .230
Windows ..................
Operating the Power . 97
...........................
Rear, Def ogger .77
Index
U
V W
VIII