Acura TSX 2011 Owner's Manual

Maintenance Under the Hood
Maintenance Items Under the Hood
230Maintenance
6-cylinder models
Engine Oil Dipstick
(Orange Loop)
Washer Fluid
(Blue Cap)
Engine Coolant
Reservoir*
Radiator Cap*
* : Located under the coverBrake Fluid
(Black Cap)
Engine Oil Fill Cap
Automatic
Transmission
Fluid Dipstick
(Yellow Loop)

Maintenance Under the Hood
Opening the Hood
231
Continued
Maintenance
Opening the Hood
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface, and set
the parking brake.
2. Pull the hood release handle under the
lower left corner of the dashboard.

The hood will pop up slightly.
3. Push up the hood latch lever in the center
of the hood to release the lock mechanism,
and open the hood.
4-cylinder models 4. Remove the support rod from the clamp
using the grip. Mount the support rod in
the hood.
When closing, remove the support rod, and
stow it in the clamp, then gently lower the
hood. Remove your hand at a height of
approximately 12 inches (30 cm) and let the
hood close.
Opening the Hood NOTICE Do not open the hood when the wiper arms are
raised.
The hood will strike the wipers, and may damage
either the hood or the wipers.
When closing the hood, check that the hood is
securely latched.
If the hood latch lever moves stiffly, or if you can
open the hood without lifting the lever, the latch
mechanism should be cleaned and lubricated.
Grip
ClipSupport Rod
Hood Release Handle
Pull
Lever

Maintenance Under the Hood
Opening the Hood
232Maintenance
6-cylinder models 4. Lift the hood up most of the way.
The hydraulic supports will lift it up the
rest of the way and hold it up.
When closing, lower it to approximately 12
inches (30 cm), then press down firmly with
your hands.

Maintenance Under the Hood
Engine Compartment Covers*
233
Maintenance
Engine Compartment Covers
*
The component parts in the engine compartment are protected by three covers.
You may need to remove the covers when you perform certain maintenance work.
To remove the covers:
Engine Compartment Covers
When removing the clip, insert a flat-tip screwdriver,
then lift and remove the central pin.
When mounting the clip, insert while keeping the
central pin of the clip raised, then push until the pin
is flat.
Push until the
pin is flat
* Not available on all models
Bulkhead Cover
Remove the holding clipsRight Engine Compartment Cover
Remove the holding clips
Left Engine Compartment Cover
Remove the holding clips

Maintenance Under the Hood
Recommended Engine Oil
234Maintenance
Recommended Engine OilOil is a major contributor to your engine's performance and longevity. If you drive
the vehicle with insufficient or deteriorated oil, the engine may fail or be damaged.
Recommended Engine Oil
Engine Oil Additives
Your vehicle does not require oil additives. In fact,
they may adversely affect the engine performance
and durability.
Genuine Acura Motor Oil
t
Commercially available engine oil that
t
comes with this seal.
Synthetic oil
You may also use synthetic motor oil if it is labeled with the API Certification Seal
and is the specified viscosity grade.
Ambient Temperature -20 0 20 40 60 80 100ºF
-30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40ºC
Use Genuine Acura Motor Oil or another
commercial engine oil of suitable viscosity for
the ambient temperature as shown below. This seal indicates the oil is energy conserving
and that it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements.

Maintenance Under the Hood
Oil Check
235
Continued
Maintenance
Oil CheckWe recommend that you check the engine oil level every time you refuel.

Park the vehicle on level ground.
Wait approximately three minutes after turning the engine off before you check
the oil.
4-cylinder models 1. Remove the dipstick (orange handle). 6-cylinder models 1. Remove the dipstick (orange loop). All models 2. Wipe the dipstick with a clean cloth or
paper towel.
3. Insert the dipstick back all the way into its
hole.
Oil Check
If it is near or below the lower mark, slowly add oil
being careful not to overfill.
6-cylinder models 4-cylinder models

Maintenance Under the Hood
Oil Check
236Maintenance
4. Remove the dipstick again, and check the
level. It should be between the upper and
lower marks. Add oil if necessary.
4-cylinder models 6-cylinder models
Upper Mark
Upper Mark Lower Mark
Lower Mark

Maintenance Under the Hood
Adding Engine Oil
237
Maintenance
Adding Engine Oil
1. Unscrew and remove the engine oil fill cap.
2. Add oil slowly.
3. Reinstall the engine oil fill cap, and tighten
it securely.
4. Wait for three minutes and recheck the
engine oil dipstick.
Adding Engine Oil
If any oil spills, wipe it up immediately. Spilled oil
may damage the engine compartment components. NOTICE Do not fill the engine oil above the upper mark.
Overfilling the engine oil can result in leaks and
engine damage.
6-cylinder models 4-cylinder models
Engine Oil Fill Cap
Engine Oil Fill Cap

Maintenance Under the Hood
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter
238Maintenance
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil FilterYou must change the engine oil and oil filter regularly in order to maintain
the engine's lubrication. The engine may be damaged if they are not changed
regularly.
Change the oil and filter in accordance with the maintenance message on the
multi-information display.
1. Run the engine until it reaches normal
operating temperature, and then turn the
engine off.
2. Open the hood and remove the engine oil
fill cap. 4-cylinder models 3. Remove the bolts on the undercarriage
and remove the under cover. All models 4. Remove the drain bolt and washer from
the bottom of the engine, and drain the oil
into a suitable container.
5. Remove the oil filter and dispose of the
remaining oil.
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter NOTICE You may damage the environment if you do not
dispose of the oil in a suitable way. If you are
changing the oil by yourself, appropriately dispose
of the used oil. Put the oil in a sealed container and
take it to a recycling center. Do not throw the oil
away into a garbage can or onto the ground.
Drain Bolt
Washer
4-cylinder models
Under Cover Bolt
4-cylinder models

Maintenance Under the Hood
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter
239
Maintenance
6. Check that the filter gasket is not stuck to
the engine contact surface.
If it is stuck, you must detach it.
7. Wipe away dirt and dust adhering to the
contact surface of the engine block, and
install a new oil filter.
8. Put a new washer on the drain bolt, then
reinstall the drain bolt. Tightening torque: 29 lbf∙ft (39 N∙m, 4.0
kgf∙m)
9. Pour the recommended engine oil into the
engine. Engine oil change capacity (including
filter):
4-cylinder models 4.2 US qt (4.0 L) 6-cylinder models

4.5 US qt (4.3 L)
10. Reinstall the engine oil fill cap securely
and start the engine.
11. Run the engine for a few minutes, and
then check that there is no leak from the
drain bolt or oil filter.
12 . Stop the engine, wait for three minutes,
and then check the oil level on the
dipstick.
If necessary, add more engine oil.
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter
You will need a special wrench to replace the oil
filter. You can buy this wrench from a dealer.

When installing the new oil filter follow the
instructions supplied with the oil filter.

Reinstall the engine oil fill cap. Start the engine.
The low oil pressure indicator should go off within
five seconds. If it does not, turn off the engine, and
check your work.
Oil Filter
4-cylinder models 6-cylinder models 6-cylinder models
Oil Filter Drain Bolt
Washer