service Acura TL 2006 User Guide

Park the vehicle, and set the
parking brake. Pull the hood
release handle located under the
lower lef t corner of the dashboard.
The hood will pop up slightly.
Put your f ingers between the f ront
edge of the hood and the f ront
grille to locate the hood latch
handle. Push this handle up until it
releases the hood. Lif t the hood.Lif t the hood up most of the way.
The hydraulic supports will lif t it
uptherestof thewayandholdit
up. If the hood latch handle moves
stif f ly, or if you can open the hood
without lifting the handle, the
mechanism should be cleaned and
lubricated.
even though the tank is not f ull,
there may be a problem with your
vehicle’s fuel vapor recovery
system. The system helps keep
f uel vapors f rom going into the
atmosphere. Try f illing at another
pump. If this does not f ix the
problem, consult your dealer.
Screw the fuel fill cap back on
until it clicks at least once. If you
do not properly tighten the cap,
the malf unction indicator lamp
maycomeon(seepage ).You
will also see a ‘‘TIGHTEN FUEL
CAP’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display.
Push the f uel f ill door closed until
it latches.
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2.
3.
5.
6.
257
If the f uel nozzle keeps clicking of f
Service Station Procedures
Opening and Closing the Hood
178
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE
LATCH

Remove the dipstick again, and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
Wait a f ew minutes af ter turning the
engine of f bef ore you check the oil.
Remove the dipstick (orange loop).
Wipe of f the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Insert it all the way back in its tube.
To close the hood, lower it to about a
f oot (30 cm) above the f ender, then
press down f irmly with your hands.
Make sure the hood is securely
latched.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
seeon page .
4.
1.
2.
3 218
Service Station Procedures
Oil Check
A dding Engine Oil
Bef ore Driving
179
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
DIPSTICK

Try to maintain a constant speed.
Everytimeyouslowdownand
speed up, your vehicle uses extra
f uel. Use cruise control when
appropriate.
Combine several short trips into
one.
The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
usemorefuel.Usethefresh-air
ventilation when possible.
Always maintain your vehicle
according to the maintenance
messages given by the multi-
inf ormation display. See
on page
.
an underinf lated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses more f uel.
The build-up of snow or mud on
your vehicle’s underside adds
weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
mileage and reduces the chance of
corrosion.
Drive moderately. Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking use more f uel.
Always drive in the highest gear
possible.
Refer to
on page f or inf ormation
about checking other items on your
vehicle. Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see on page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant. 221
212 212
For example,
Service Station Procedures, Fuel Economy
Improving Fuel Economy
Owner’s
Maintenance Checks
Engine Coolant Check
Owner’s Maintenance
Checks A dding
Engine Coolant
180
RESERVE TANK
MINMAX

CONT INUED
When the low tire pressure indicator
is on, one or more of your tire is
signif icantly under-inf lated. You
should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible,
If you think you can saf ely drive a
short distance to a service station,
proceed slowly, and inf late the tire to
the recommended pressure shown
on the driver’s doorjamb.
If the tire is f lat, or if the tire
pressure is too low to continue
driving, replace the tire with the
compact spare tire.If there is a problem with the TPMS,
you will see the above message in
the multi-information display.
If you see this message, the system
is of f and is not monitoring the tire
pressures. Have the system checked
by your dealer as soon as possible.
It is possible that the pressures
shown in the multi-inf ormation
display and the pressures you
manually measure are slightly
dif f erent.
If the dif f erence is signif icant and
you cannot make the low tire
pressure indicator and message in
the multi-inf ormation display go out
after inflating the tires to the
specified values, have your dealer
check the system as soon as possible. Driving on a signif icantly under-
inf lated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inf lation also reduces f uel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
af f ect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability. Each tire, including
the spare should be checked
monthly when cold, and set to the
recommended inf lation pressure as
specif ied in the vehicle placard and
owner’s manual (see page ).
235
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Low Tire Pressure
Indicator TPMS System Failure
205

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer. This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance messages in the multi-
inf ormation display, a maintenance
record, and instructions f or simple
maintenance tasks you may want to
take care of yourself .......................
Maintenance Saf ety .208
....................
Maintenance Minder .209
....................
Maintenance Record .214
..............................
Fluid Locations .216
......
Engine Compartment Covers .217
........................
Adding Engine Oil .218
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter .219
..............................
Engine Coolant .221
....................
Windshield Washers .222
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid .223
........
Manual Transmission Fluid .224
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid .225
....................
Power Steering Fluid .226
.............................................
Lights .227
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .231
.....................................
Floor Mats .232
.................................
Wiper Blades .232
...............................................
Tires .234
...................
Checking the Battery .240
.............................
Vehicle Storage .241
283
Maintenance
Maint enance
207

To eliminate potential hazards, read
the instructions bef ore you begin,
and make sure you have the tools
and skills required.Make sure your vehicle is parked
on level ground, the parking brake
is set, and the engine is of f .
To clean parts, use a commercially
available degreaser or parts
cleaner, not gasoline.
To reduce the possibility of f ire or
explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks,
and flames away from the battery
and all f uel-related parts. Wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working
with the battery or compressed air.
Be sure there is
adequate ventilation whenever you
operate the engine.
Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
bef ore touching any parts. Do
not run the engine unless
instructed to do so.
Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.
All service items not detailed in this
section should be perf ormed by a
certif ied technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.
Maintenance Saf ety
Important Saf ety Precautions
Potential Vehicle HazardsCarbon Monoxide poison f rom
engine exhaust.
Burns f rom hot parts. Injury f rom moving parts.
208
Improperly maintaining this
vehicle or failing to correct a
problem before driving can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations in this owner’s
manual.
Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.

Based on engine operating
conditions and accumulated engine
revolutions, the onboard computer in
your vehicle calculates the remaining
engine oil lif e.When the remaining engine oil lif e is
15%, you will see the message
‘‘SERVICE DUE SOON’’ along with
all maintenance items that are
needed at oil change time. Ref er to
page f or a complete list of the
maintenance main items and sub
items.
The system also displays the code
f or other scheduled maintenance
items needing service. One of the most convenient and
important f eatures of the multi-
inf ormation display on your vehicle
is the Maintenance Minder.
The remaining engine oil lif e is
displayed on the multi-inf ormation
display as a percentage when you
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. 213
CONT INUED
Maintenance Minder
Maint enance
209
MAINTENANCE
MAIN ITEMMAINTENANCE
SUB ITEMS

»¼»¼
When the remaining oil lif e is less
than 5%, you will see the message
‘‘SERVICE DUE NOW’’ with the
same maintenance items you saw
when ‘‘SERVICE DUE SOON’’ was
displayed. When you see this
message, have the indicated
maintenance perf ormed as soon as
possible. Your dealer will reset the display
af ter completing the required
maintenance service. You will see
‘‘OIL LIFE 100%’’ on the display the
next time you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position.
If maintenance service is done by
someone other than your dealer,
reset the display as f ollows:
Press the or button
repeatedly until the oil lif e is
displayed.
Press and hold the Select/Reset
button for 10 seconds. The multi-
inf ormation display will ask f or a
conf irmation.If you are sure you want to reset
the display, press the Select/
Reset button to select ‘‘OK.’’
If you do not want to reset the
display, press the or
button to select ‘‘Cancel.’’
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2.
3.
Maintenance Minder
210

If you have the required service
perf ormed but do not reset the
display, or reset the display without
perf orming the service, the system
will not show the proper
maintenance intervals. This can lead
to serious mechanical problems
because you will no longer have an
accurate record of when
maintenance is needed.If the indicated maintenance service
is not done and the remaining engine
oil lif e gets less than 0%, you will see
the message ‘‘SERVICE PAST DUE’’
on the display. Immediately have the
service perf ormed, and make sure to
reset the display as previously
described.We recommend the use of Acura
parts and f luids whenever you have
maintenance done. These are
manuf actured to the same high-
quality standards as the original
components, so you can be conf ident
of their performance and durability. Your authorized dealer knows your
vehicle best and can provide
competent, ef f icient service.
However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in effect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualif ied service f acility or
person who is skilled in this type of
automotive service. Keep all receipts
as proof of completion, and have the
person who does the work f ill out the
maintenance record. Check your
warranty booklet f or more
inf ormation.
CONT INUED
Maintenance Minder
Maint enance
211

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U.S. Vehicles:
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed. Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page . Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page .
According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all
maintenance services should be
perf ormed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the multi-
inf ormation display.
179
180
223 225
236 227
Maintenance Minder
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
212