radiator Acura TSX 2004 Owner's Manual

These labels are in the locations
shown. They warn you of potential
hazards that could cause serious
injury. Read these labels caref ully. If
a label comes of f or becomes hard to
read (except f or the U.S. dashboard
label which is removed by the
owner), contact your Acura dealer
f or a replacement.
U.S. modelsCanadian models U.S. models only
On models with side curtain airbags
Saf ety L abels
Driver and Passenger Saf ety54
HOOD DASHBOARD
RADIATOR CAP

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
on checking other items in your
Acura.
249 242
Engine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coolant Owner Maintenance
Checks
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving189
RESERVE TANK
MIN MAX

µµµ µ
µ µ
µ
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the page given.
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .
Windshield washer f luid Check
the level in the reservoir monthly.
If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers f requently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
f or f uel. See page .Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page
.
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page . Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate light monthly. See
page .
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page .187
189
255
256 259 273
280
Owner Maintenance Checks
Maint enance242

Fluid Locations
Maint enance243
RADIATOR CAPCLUTCH FLUID
(Manual
Transmission only)
(Light gray cap)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
COOLANT
RESERVOIR ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP
BRAKE FLUID
(Black cap)
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange handle)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap)

CONT INUED
Always use Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2. This
coolant is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent water. It
does not require any additional
mixing. If it is not available, you may
use another major-brand non-silicate
coolant as a temporary replacement.
Make sure it is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
However, 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.
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.
The coolant you add should always
be a mixture of 50 percent antif reeze
and 50 percent water. Never add
straight antif reeze or plain water.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance
A dding Engine Coolant
249
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.

Turn the radiator cap counter-
clockwise, without pressing down
on it, until it stops. This relieves
any pressure remaining in the
cooling system. Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise. Put the radiator cap back on.
Tighten it f ully.
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 car’s cooling
system. They may not be compatible
with the coolant or engine compo-
nents.
Pourthecoolantslowlyand
caref ully so you do not spill. Clean
up any spills immediately. Spilled
coolant could damage components
in the engine compartment.
3. 4.5.
6.
2. 1.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance250
RADIATOR CAP RESERVE TANK

CONT INUED
Thecoolingsystemshouldbe
completely drained and ref illed with
new coolant according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. Only use
Honda All Season Antif reeze/
Coolant Type 2.
Draining the coolant requires access
to the underside of the car. Unless
you have the tools and knowledge,
you should have this maintenance
done by a skilled mechanic.Openthehood.Makesurethe
engine and radiator are cool to the
touch.
Remove the radiator cap.
Turn the ignition to ON (II). Make
sure the DUAL indicator is off. Set
the temperature of the climate
control system to its upper limit
‘‘Hi’’. Then turn of f the ignition,
and remove the key.
1.
2.
Replacing Engine Coolant
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance251

Loosen the drain plug on the
bottom of the radiator. The
coolant will drain through the
splash guard. Drain the coolant
into an appropriate container.Remove the two reserve tank
mounting bolts with a wrench.
Remove the reserve tank f rom its
holder by pulling it straight up.
Drain the coolant into an
appropriate container, then put the
tank back in its holder. Install the
mounting bolts securely.When the coolant stops draining,
tightenthedrainplugatthe
bottom of the radiator.
3. 4.
5.6.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance252
HOLDER
RESERVE TANK
DRAIN PLUG MOUNTING BOLTS

CONT INUED
Pour Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2 into
the radiator up to the base of the
f iller neck. This coolant is a
mixture of 50 percent antif reeze
and 50 percent water. Pre-mixing
is not required.Fill the reserve tank to the MAX
mark. Install the reserve tank cap.
Install the radiator cap, and
tighten it to the first stop.
The cooling system capacity is:
Start the engine, let it run f or
about 30 seconds, then turn it of f .
Fill the radiator with coolant up to
the base of the f iller neck.
Start the engine, let it run until the
radiator cooling f an comes on at
leasttwice,thenturnitoff.
7.
10.
11.
12.
8.
9.
With automatic transmission:
With manual transmission:
Maint enance
Cooling Syst em
253
Fill up to here
RESERVE TANK
FILLER NECK
1.43 US gal (5.4)
1.40 US gal (5.3
)

Remove the radiator cap. Pour
coolant into the radiator up to the
base of the f iller neck and into the
reserve tank up to the MAX mark.
Start the engine and hold it at
1,500 rpm until the cooling f an
comes on. Turn of f the engine.
Check the coolant level in the
radiator and add coolant if needed.
Install the radiator cap, and
tighten it fully.
If necessary, f ill the reserve tank
to the MAX mark. Install the
reserve tank cap.
16. 15.
14.
13.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance254