check transmission fluid Acura TL 2006 Owner's Manual

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

Î
Ì Ì
Ì
Ì
Î
Maintenance Minder
213
:
If the message ‘‘SERVICE DUE NOW’’ does not appear more than 12 months
after the display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty in the first column
on page .Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy. Independent of the maintenance messages in the multi-information
display, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
NOTE: 1:
212
Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Rotate tires
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Visually inspect these items: Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and line (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element If you drive primarily in dusty conditions, replace
every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Replace dust and pollen filter If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds results in higher transmission temperatures.
This requires transmission fluid changes more
frequently than recommended by the Maintenance
Minder. If you regulary drive your vehicle under these
conditions, have the transmission fluid changed at
60,000 miles (100,000 km), then every 30,000 miles
(48,000 km).
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over
110°F, 43°C), or in very low temperatures (under-20°F,
29°C), replace every 60,000 mile (U.S.)/100,000 km
(Canada)
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
A
B
Symbol
Symbol
1
2
3
4
51
Maintenance Minder

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.
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.Always use Honda ATF-Z1
(automatic transmission f luid). 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 f lushed and
ref illed with Honda ATF-Z1 as
soon as it is convenient.
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 enance
223
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 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.
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.
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
Manual Transmission Fluid
224
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 ).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. Replace the brake f luid 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.
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. 217
Manual Transmission only
Brake and Clutch Fluid
Brake Fluid
Clutch Fluid
Maint enance
225
MAX
MIN MAX
MIN

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications .181
................................
Accessories .181
............................
Modif ications .182
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .90
............
Accessory Power Sockets .115
................
Adding Engine Coolant .221
........................
Adding Engine Oil .218
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .219
.............................
Airbag (SRS) .11,23
...............
Additional Information .23
......................................
Servicing .32
...................
System Components .23
..............
Air Conditioning System .122
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .234
......................................
Antif reeze .221
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .61,201
...................................
Operation .201
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System .151
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock .90
................................
Audio System .127
...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature .86
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners .21 .............
Automatic Speed Control .153
..............
Automatic Transmission .193
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .270
...............
Checking Fluid Level .223
.......................................
Shif ting .193
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator .193
.......................................
Shif ting .193
....................
Shif t Lock Release .197
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .60,256
............................
Jump Starting .252
..............................
Maintenance .240
............................
Specif ications .271
..............................
Bef ore Driving .175
..................................
Belts, Seat .10,20
...........................
Beverage Holder .115
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) .201
.............
Break-in, New Linings .176
...........................................
Fluid .225
.......................................
Parking .112
.................
System Indicator .60,258 ........................
Wear Indicators .200
.............................
Braking System .200
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle .176
..
Brightness Control, Instruments .85
........................
Brights, Headlights .84
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .230
.................................
Fog Lights .227
............................
Specif ications .271
............
Turn Signal Lights .228,229
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .227
............................
Capacities Chart .270
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .53
............................
Carrying, Cargo .183
Cassette Player ............................................
Care .149
...................................
Operation .147
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of .ii
..................................
Ceiling Light .113
........................
Certif ication Label .268
...................................
Chains, tires .239
Index
A
BC
INDEX
I

ÎCONT INUED
..................
Checking the Fuses .259
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers .86
......
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck .264
............................
Jump Starting .252
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .256
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .257
..................
Overheated Engine .254
.......................................
Towing .263
.........................
Emergency Brake .112
......................
Emergency Flashers .86
......................
Emergency Towing .263
............
Emergency Trunk Opener .94
.......................
Emissions Controls .274
.............
Emissions Testing, State .277
Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .66
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .60,257
.........................................
Oil Lif e .73
........
Oil Pressure Indicator .60,256
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .218
...............................
Overheating .254
............................
Specif ications .271
....................
Speed Limiter .191,197
.......................................
Starting .189
.................
Engine, if it won’t start .250 ......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .177
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls .274
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .53
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving .180
.........................................
Gasoline .176
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator .64
...........................................
Gauge .66
................
Octane Requirement .176
........................
Tank, Filling the .177
................
Gas Station Procedures .177
...................................
Fan, Interior .122
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .119
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .177
........................................
Filter, Oil .219
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning .86
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .245
.....................................
Floor Mats .232
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission .223
..........................................
Brake .225
.........................................
Clutch .225
..............
Manual Transmission .224
..........................
Power Steering .226
................
Windshield Washers .222
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .132
.....................................
Fog Lights .85..........................
Four-way Flashers .86
............................
Front Airbags .11,23
......................................
Front Seats .98
......................................
Adjusting .98
.......................................
Heaters .106
...................................
Airbags .11,23
.................................................
Fuel .176
......................
Fill Door and Cap .177
...........................................
Gauge .66
................
Octane Requirement .176
........................
Reserve Indicator .64
........................
Tank, Filling the .177
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .259
Index
F
G
INDEX
III

CONT INUED
..................................................
Keys .89
...............
Keyless Memory Setting .76
.......................
Label, Certif ication .268
.................
Lane Change, Signaling .84
........................
Lap/Shoulder Belts .20
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .227
.......................................
Indicator .60
.........................................
Parking .84
..................................
Turn Signal .84
.....................................
Load Limit .184
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) .90
........................
Lockout Prevention .92
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column .90
..................................
Glove Box .116
.................................
Power Door .92
...........................................
Trunk .93
........................
Low Coolant Level .180
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .60,256
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart .270 ...........
Luggage, Storing (Cargo) .183
..................................
Maintenance .207
.....................................
Messages .73
........................................
Minder .209
...
Owner Maintenance Checks .212
........................................
Record .214
..........................................
Saf ety .208
Malf unction Indicator ....................................
Lamp .60,257
...................
Manual Transmission .190
........
Manual Transmission Fluid .224
...........
Memory, Driving Position .103
...............................
Meters, Gauges .66
........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .101
...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle .182
.......................................
Moonroof .110
.............
Multi-Inf ormation Display .67
............................
Engine Oil Lif e .73
...........................
HandsFreeLink .80
.........
Keyless Memory Settings .76
.............
Maintenance Messages .73
.....................................
Odometer .71
.................
Outside Temperature .72 ............................
Trip Computer .75
...................................
Trip Meter .71
...................
Neutral Gear Position .194
..................
New Vehicle Break-in .176
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of. i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication .268
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline .176
.........................................
Odometer .71
...............................
Odometer, Trip .71
Oil ........................
Change, How to .219
......................
Change, When to .209
......................
Checking Engine .179
..............
Pressure Indicator .60,256
Selecting Proper Viscosity
......................................
Chart .218
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) .90
Index
K
L N
O
M
INDEX
V

Î
..........................
Time, Setting the .112
....................................
Tire Chains .239
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat .245
Tire Pressure Monitoring
....................................
System .204
Low Tire Pressure ...........................
Indicator .65,205
.....
TPMS System Indicator .65,205
..............
TPMS System Failure .205
Tire Pressure Monitoring System .....................................
Messages .74
...............................................
Tires .234
..............................
Air Pressure .235
.........................
Checking Wear .236
..........................
Compact Spare .244
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading .272
......................................
Inf lation .235
..................................
Inspection .236
...................................
Replacing .238
......................................
Rotating .237
...........................................
Snow .239
............................
Specif ications .271
.............................
Summer Tire .239
.......................
Traction Devices .239
..........................
Winter Driving .239
...................
Tools, Tire Changing .245 Towing
.....................................
A Trailer .206
................
Emergency Wrecker .263
...........................
Traction Devices .239
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .223
.
Checking Fluid Level Manual .224
..................
Fluid Selection .223,224
..............
Identif ication Number .268
.............
Shif ting the Automatic .193
..................
Shif ting the Manual .190
.....................................
Treadwear .237
................................
Trip Computer .75
.......................................
Trip Meter .71
................................................
Trunk .93
........
Emergency Trunk Release .94
.................................
Opening the .93
...................
Open Monitor Light .69
....................................
Turn Signals .84
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the .243
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading .272 ........................
Unleaded Gasoline .176
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of .220
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load .184
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .270
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number .268
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
....................................
System .202
........
VSA System Indicator .62,202
...
VSA Activation Indicator .62,202
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .203
.............................
Vehicle Storage .241
.................................................
VIN .268
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .218
.............
WARNING, Explanation of. ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of .54
..................
Warranty Coverages .281
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level .222
.......................................
Indicator .71
.....................................
Operation .83
Index
U V
W
VIII