engine oil Acura TL 2012 Owner's Guide

ÎÎ
Î
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Fluid Locations
Maint enance
541
WASHER FLUID
(Black cap)
ENGINE OIL FILL CAPAUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
RADIATOR CAP BRAKE FLUID
(Black cap)
ENGINE COOLANT
RESERVOIR CLUTCH FLUID
(Manual
Transmission only)
(Light gray cap)
: Located under the cover
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2012 TL

Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on top of the valve cover.
Pour in the oil slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment. Install the engine oil
f ill cap, and tighten it securely. Wait
a f ew minutes, and recheck the oil
level (see page ). Do not f ill
above the upper mark; you could
damage the engine.Oil is a major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade
detergent oil displaying the API
Certif ication Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements. It is
highly recommended that you use
Acura Motor Oil in your vehicle f or
optimum engine protection.
Make sure the API Certif ication Seal
says ‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’
The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
Acura Motor Oil is the pref erred
0W-20 lubricant f or your vehicle.
0W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your vehicle to
improve cold weather starting and
f uel economy.
474
CONT INUED
Recommended Engine Oil 2WD models:
A dding Engine Oil
Maint enance
543
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
Ambient Temperature
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
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2012 TL

You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certif ication Seal
and it is the proper weight. You must
f ollow the oil and f ilter change
intervals shown on the multi-
inf ormation display.
Your vehicle does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect the engine or transmission
perf ormance and durability.Always change the oil and f ilter
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the multi-
inf ormation display. The oil and f ilter
collect contaminants that can
damage your engine if they are not
removed regularly.
Changing the oil and filter requires
special tools and access from
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lift for this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
technician.
Acura Motor Oil is the pref erred
5W-20 lubricant f or your vehicle. 5W-
20 oil is f ormulated f or year-round
protection of your vehicle to improve
cold weather starting and f uel
economy.
Synthetic Oil
Engine Oil A dditivesChanging the Engine
Oil and Filter
SH-AWD models:
A dding Engine Oil, Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
544
Ambient Temperature
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Maint enance
2012 TL

Install a new oil f ilter according to
the instructions that come with it.
Make sure to clean of f any dirt
and dust on the contacting surface
of a new oil f ilter.
Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten the drain bolt to:
Refill the engine with the
recommended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter):
Remove the oil f ilter, and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
dealer) is required.
Make sure the oil f ilter gasket is
not stuck to the contacting surface
of the engine. If it is, remove it
bef ore installing a new oil f ilter.
Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
Open the hood, and remove the
engine oil f ill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer f rom the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container. 3.
5.
6. 4.
1.
2.
CONT INUED
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
Maint enance
545
OIL FILTER
DRAIN BOLT
WASHER
29 lbf·ft (39 N·m , 4.0 kgf·m)
4.5 US qt (4.3
)
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2012 TL

Always use Honda Long-lif e Anti-
f reeze/Coolant Type 2. This coolant
is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent distilled
water. Never add straight antif reeze
or plain water.
If Honda antifreeze/coolant is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as
recommended for aluminum engines.
Continued use of any non-Honda
coolant can result in corrosion,
causing the cooling system to
malfunction or fail. Have the cooling
system flushed and refilled with
Honda antifreeze/coolant as soon
Reinstall the engine oil f ill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator should go out within 5
seconds. If it does not, turn of f the
engine and check your work.
Let the engine run f or several
minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks.
Turn of f the engine, let it sit f or
several minutes, then check the oil
level on the dipstick. If necessary,
add more oil.
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.
To access the radiator reserve tank,
remove the right-side engine
compartment cover (see page ).
7.
8.
9.
542
A dding Engine Coolant
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter, Engine Coolant
546
RESERVE TANK
MIN
MAX
Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmf ul to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container, and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.
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Maint enance
as possible. it is a high-quality coolant a temporary replacement. Make sure
2012 TL

The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the Maintenance Minder (see
page ).
If you are not sure how to check and
add f luid, contact your dealer.
Reinstall the under cover, tighten the
mounting bolts securely, then put
the holding clips back in place. Make
sure the under cover is installed
under the edge of the f ront bumper.
Pour the f luid into the f iller hole
slowly and caref ully so you do not
spill any. Clean up any spills
immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment.
Let the f luid run out until it stops,
then reinstall the check bolt and the
f iller bolt.
Make sure to put a new washer on
each bolt when reinstalling it. If Acura MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 0W-20 or 5W-20
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. 531
T ransmission Fluid
552
TM
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Maint enance
2012 TL

Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk, readjustment may be required.
Adjustmentsshouldbedonebyyour
dealer or another qualif ied
technician.Your vehicle has halogen high beam
headlight bulbs which are also used
f or the daytime running light.
Handle it by its base and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass,
clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.
Open the hood.
Remove all engine compartment
covers (see page ).
The low beam headlight bulbs are a
type of high voltage discharge tube.
High voltage can remain in the
circuit even with the light switch off
and the key removed (or the vehicle
is in VEHICLE OFF (LOCK) mode
on models with keyless access
system). Because of this, you
should not attempt to examine or
change a low beam headlight
bulb yourself. If a low beam
headlight bulb fails, take the vehicle
to your dealer to have it replaced.
If youarereplacingthebulbon
the driver’s side, remove the
holding clips with a f lat-tip
screwdriver. Then remove the
upper part of the air intake duct by
pulling it straight up.
1.
2. 542
CONT INUED
Headlight A iming
L ow Beam Headlight Bulb
Replacement Replacing a High Beam
Headlight/Daytime Running
Light Bulb
Lights
Maint enance
555
HOLDING CLIP
Halogen bulbs get very hot when lit. Oil,
perspiration, or a scratch on the glass
can cause the bulb to overheat and
shatter.
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2012 TL

Your vehicle uses halogen light
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its plastic case, and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass,
clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.Start the engine. If you are
replacing a driver’s side bulb, turn
the steering wheel all the way to
theright.If youarereplacinga
passenger’s side bulb, turn the
steering wheel to the lef t. Turn of f
the engine.
Thefoglightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk, readjustment may be required.
Adjustment should be done by your
dealer or another qualif ied
technician.
Install the new bulb in the socket
by pushing it straight in the socket
until it bottoms.
Push the under cover in place and
set the inner f ender cover in the
original position. Install the bolts
and tighten them securely. Insert
each holding clip, and lock it by
pushingonitscenter. Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working. Insert the socket into the light
assembly. Turn it clockwise to
lock it in place.
6.
7.
8.
9. 1.
Replacing a Front Fog L ight Bulb
Lights
560
Halogen bulbs get very hot when lit. Oil,
perspiration, or a scratch on the glass
can cause the bulb to overheat and
shatter.
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Maint enance
2012 TL

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .582
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .583
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start . 588
................................
Jump Starting .591
..............
If the Engine Overheats . 593
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 595
..........
Charging System Indicator . 596
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 597
...............
Brake System Indicator . 598
Opening the Fuel Fill Door ....................................
Manually .599
..............................................
Fuses .600
..............................
Fuse Locations .604
......................
Emergency Towing .607
..........
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck . 609
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
581
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2012 TL

Start the engine, and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
outwithin10seconds,turnoff the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving
(seeon
).
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ). Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers. Saf ely pull of f the road and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning lights.
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible, and you should
take immediate action.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
ENGINE OIL LEVEL’’ message on
the multi-information display when
this indicator comes on.
The indicator notif ies you of low oil
pressure and does not measure the
oil level. Check your vehicle’s oil
level at each ref ueling. 2.
3.4.
1. 474
543 607
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
Emergency Towing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
595
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.
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page
2012 TL