cooling Acura TL 2004 Owner's Manual

This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise to
about the middle of the gauge. In
severe driving conditions, the pointer
may rise to the upper zone. If it
reaches the red (Hot) mark, pull
safely to the side of the road. Turn to
page f or instructions and
precautions on checking the engine’s
cooling system.
This shows how much f uel you have.
It may show slightly more or less
than the actual amount. The needle
returns to the bottom after you turn
of f the ignition.240
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Temperature Gauge
Fuel Gauge
57
FUEL GAUGE
TEMPERATURE GAUGE
SPEEDOMETER
TACHOMETER
Avoid driving with an extremely low
f uel level. Running out of f uel could
cause the engine to misf ire, damaging
the catalytic converter.

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Ý
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Press the button to increase
the fan speed and air flow. Press the
button to decrease them.
The driver’s side temperature and
passenger’s side temperature can be
set separately. Press either side’s
button to increase the temperature
of air f low. Press either side’s
button to decrease it. When you set
the temperature to its lower limit or
its upper limit, it will be displayed as
‘‘Lo’’ or ‘‘Hi’’.
This button turns the air
conditioning on and of f . The A/C
ON indicator comes on in the display
when the A/C is on.
When the indicator in the button is
on, air f rom the vehicle’s interior is
recirculated throughout the system. When the indicator is off, air is
brought in f rom the outside of the
vehicle (Fresh Air mode).
The outside air intakes f or the
heating and cooling system are at
the base of the windshield. Keep this
area clear of leaves and other debris.
ThesystemshouldbeleftinFresh
Air mode under almost all conditions.
Keeping the system in Recirculation
mode, particularly with the A/C of f ,
can cause the windows to fog up.
Switch to Recirculation mode when
driving through dusty or smoky
conditions, then return to Fresh Air
mode.
This button turns the rear window
def ogger of f and on (see page ).
Air f lows f rom the f loor
vents. When you select , the
system automatically switches to
Fresh Air mode. Airf low is divided between
the vents in the dashboard and the
f loor vents. Air flows from the center
and corner vents in the dashboard.
Use the mode control button to select the vents the air flows from.
Some air will flow from the
dashboard vents in all modes.
Airf low is drivided between
the f loor vents and the def roster
vents at the base of the windshield.
Air f lows f rom the def roster
vents at the base of the windshield.
77
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Fan Control Buttons
Temperature Control Buttons
Air Conditioning (A/C) Button
Recirculation Button Rear Window Def ogger Button
Mode Control Button
Airf low Buttons
112

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When you press a f an control button,
the fan is taken out of AUTO mode
and starts to run at its lowest speed.
Press the button to make
the f an run f aster.
You can manually select various
f unctions of the climate control
system when it is in f ully automatic
mode. All other f eature remain
automatically controlled. Making any
manual selection causes the word
AUTO in the display to go out.
Press the OFF button. However, a
lack of air f low can cause the
windows to fog up. It is
recommended that you keep the f an
on at all times so stale air and
moisture do not build up in the
interior and cause fogging.
When the AUTO button on the
driver’s side is pressed, the
temperature control buttons on the
passenger’s side are disabled, and
the interior temperature is regulated
to the temperature set on the driver’s
side.WhentheAUTObuttononthe
passenger’s side is pressed,
temperature can be set on the driver’s
side and passenger’s side separately.
The system automatically selects the
proper mix of conditioned and/or
heated air that will, as quickly as
possible, raise or lower the interior
temperature to your pref erence.
When you set the temperature to its
lower or its upper limit, the system
runs at f ull cooling or heating only. It
does not regulate the interior
temperature.
The automatic climate control
system adjusts the f an speed and
airflow levels to maintain the interior
temperature you select.
In the AUTO mode, the vehicle’s
interior temperature is
independently regulated f or the
driver and passenger. If the driver’s
side of the vehicle is getting too
much sun, the system will adjust to a
lower temperature.
Press the AUTO button.
Set the desired temperature with
the temperature control buttons.
You will see AUTO in the system’s
display.
1.
2.
On models with Navigation System
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Climat e Cont rol
T o Cool or Heat A utomatically
Semi-automatic Operation
To Turn Everything Of f
Using A utomatic Climate Control
115

If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks.
Always use Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2. This
coolant is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent water.
Never add straight antifreeze or
plain water.If Honda antif reeze/coolant is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporaryreplacement.Makesureit
is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
Continued use of any non-Honda
coolant can result in corrosion,
causing the cooling system to
malf unction or f ail. Have the cooling
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda antif reeze/coolant as soon as
possible.
If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
Engine Coolant
Maint enance
A dding Engine Coolant
207
RESERVE TANK
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.

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.

If you need to park your vehicle 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 vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry. Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle 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.Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Non-porous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches f ull
operating temperature (the
cooling f an cycles twice).
Pref erably do this once a month.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse
(6-speed manual) or Park
(automatic).
Vehicle Storage
Maint enance227

Start the engine and set the
interior temperature to maximum.
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.
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 (seeon page ).
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.
Using gloves or large heavy cloth,
turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter 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. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark
(see
on
page ).
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need 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. 8. 9.
7.
11. 10.
6.
249
207
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency
Towing
A dding Engine Coolant
241
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.