maintenance Acura TL 2008 User Guide

There are six message categories in
AcuraLink: Quick Tips, Feature
Guides, Maintenance Minders,
Recalls/Campaigns, Diagnostic Inf o,
and Dealer Appointment Reminders.
The system can store up to 256
messages.
Message categories can be added,
revised, or deleted through
broadcast messages f rom Acura.During the f irst 90 days of
ownership, one of up to 32 dif f erent
messages appears each day. These
messages help you to use and
understand the f eatures of your
vehicle.
These messages, based on updated
vehicle inf ormation and comments
f rom other TL owners, supplement
your Owner’s Manual and Quick
Start Guide. They provide you with
relevant information for a safe and
enjoyable ownership experience. For
additional inf ormation, call Acura
Client Services directly through the
HFL. Feature Guide
Quick T ips
Message Categories
AcuraLink
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If your vehicle is af f ected by a recall
or other important saf ety
inf ormation, a letter will be mailed to
you about the issue and how to f ix it.
If you don’t get your vehicle f ixed,
you will also receive a reminder
message through AcuraLink. You
can then use the message options to
call your dealer f or an appointment
or to f ind the nearest dealer.
You can then use the message
options to call your dealer f or an
appointment or to f ind the nearest
dealer.
These messages provide detailed
inf ormation about the service
needed f or your vehicle. When a
maintenance message appears on
the multi-information display, a list of
needed maintenance items is
provided through an AcuraLink
message. These messages tell you
the exact maintenance needed,
helping you to avoid unnecessary
maintenance costs. Recall/Campaigns
Maintenance Minder
AcuraLink
Features
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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, seeon page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant. Refer to
on page f or inf ormation
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
290 283
Engine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coolant Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
241
RESERVE TANK
MINMAX
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Aggressive driving (hard
acceleration and braking)
Excessive idling, accelerating and
braking in stop-and-go traf f ic
Cold engine operation (engines
aremoreefficientwhenwarmed
up)
Driving with a heavy load or the
air conditioner running
Improperly inf lated tires
The f ollowing f actors can lower your
vehicle’s f uel economy:
A properly maintained vehicle
maximizes f uel economy. Poor
maintenance can signif icantly reduce
f uel economy. Always maintain your
vehicle according to the maintenance
messages displayed on the
inf ormation display (see
on page ).
For example: Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking increase fuel
consumption.
Aerodynamic drag has a big ef f ect
on f uel mileage at speeds above 45
mph (75 km/h). Reduce your
speed and you reduce the drag.
Trailers, car top carriers, roof
racks and bike racks are also big
contributors to increased drag.
If your vehicle has a
manual transmission, you can
boost your f uel economy by up
shif ting as early as possible.
Idling
results in 0 miles per gallon.
It puts a heavier
load on the engine, increasing f uel
consumption.
In
particular, a build-up of snow or
mud on your vehicle’s underside
adds weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
economy. An under-inf lated tire increases
‘‘rolling resistance,’’ which reduces
f uel economy.
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CONT INUED
Fuel Economy
Fuel Economy Factors Use the recommended viscosity motor oil, displaying the A PI
Certif ication Seal (see page
).
Improving Fuel Economy Owner’s
Maintenance Checks Drive moderately
Observe the speed limit
Always drive in the highest gear
possible
Avoid excessive idling
A void carrying excess weight in
your vehicle
K eep your vehicle clean
Maintain proper tire inf lation
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Vehicle Maint enance Drive Ef f icient ly
Bef ore Driving
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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 on 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 .278
....................
Maintenance Minder .279
..............................
Fluid Locations .285
......
Engine Compartment Covers .286
........................
Adding Engine Oil .287
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter .288
..............................
Engine Coolant .290
....................
Windshield Washers .291
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid .292
........
Manual Transmission Fluid .294
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid .295
....................
Power Steering Fluid .296
.............................................
Lights .297
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .303
.....................................
Floor Mats .304
.................................
Wiper Blades .304
...............................................
Tires .306
...................
Checking the Battery .314
.............................
Vehicle Storage .315
361
Maintenance
Maint enance
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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
down 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.
278
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.
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CONT INUED
Displayed
Engine Oil Lif e (%) 100 %90 %
80 %
70 %
60 %
50 %
40 %
30 %
20 %
15 %
10 %5%
0%
Calculated Engine
Oil Lif e (%)
100 % 91 % 90 % 81 %
80 % 71 %
70 % 61 %
60 % 51 %
50 % 41 %
40 % 31 %
30 % 21 %
20 % 16 %
15 % 11 %10 % 6 % 5% 1% 0%
Your vehicle displays engine oil lif e
and maintenance service items on
the multi-information display to show
youwhenyoushouldhaveyour
dealer perf orm engine oil
replacement and indicated
maintenance service.
Based on the engine operating
conditions and accumulated engine
revolutions, the onboard computer in
your vehicle calculates the remaining
engine oil lif e and displays it as a
percentage. To see the current engine oil lif e,
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position, then push and release
the INFO ( / ) button repeatedly
until the engine oil lif e appears (see
page ).The remaining engine oil lif e is
displayed on the multi-information
display according to this table:
72
Maintenance Minder
Engine Oil L if e Indicator
Maint enance
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If theoillifeis15to6percent,you
will see the message ‘‘SERVICE
DUE SOON’’ along with all
maintenance items that are needed
at oil change time (see page ).When the remaining engine oil lif e is
5 to 1 percent, 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.If you still do not perf orm the
indicated maintenance, you will see
the message ‘‘SERVICE PAST DUE’’
on the display. Immediately have the
service perf ormed, and make sure to
reset the display (see page ).
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281
Maintenance Minder
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All maintenance items displayed on
the inf ormation display are in code.
For an explanation of these
maintenance codes, see page . 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.
If maintenance service is done by
someone other than your dealer,
reset the maintenance minder as
f ollows:
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position.
Press the INFO ( / ) button
repeatedly until the engine oil lif e
is displayed. Press and hold the SEL/RESET
button f or 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 SEL/
RESET button to select ‘‘OK.’’
If you do not want to reset the
display, press the INFO ( / )
button to select ‘‘Cancel.’’
1.
2. 3.
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Maintenance Minder
Maintenance Main Items and Sub
Items Resetting the Engine Oil Lif e
Indicator
Maint enance
281
MAINTENANCE MAIN ITEM
MAINTENANCE SUB ITEMS
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If you have the required service
done but do not reset the display, or
reset the display without doing the
service, the system will not show the
proper maintenance intervals. This
canleadtoseriousmechanical
problems because you will no longer
have an accurate record of when
maintenance is needed.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
your Maintenance Journal or
Canadian Maintenance Log. Check
your warranty booklet f or more
inf ormation.
We recommend using Acura parts
and fluids 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 perf ormance and durability.
Maintenance Minder
Important Maintenance
Precautions
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