maintenance schedule Acura CL 2003 Owner's Guide

The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your Acura dealer.Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
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 for
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 stif f er shif ting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
6.
6-speed Manual Transmission
Maint enance
T ransmission Fluid
251
F FIILLL LE
E R
R B
BOOL LT
T
C
CH H E
EC
CK K B
BOOL LTT
D
D R
RAA I
INN B
BOOL LTT

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.
Check the f luid level in the reser-
voirs monthly. There are up to two
reservoirs, depending on the model.
They are:
Brake f luid reservoir (all models)
Clutch f luid reservoir
(manual transmission only)
The brake f luid should be replaced
according to the time recommenda-
tion in the maintenance schedule. 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. However, the use of
any non-Honda brake fluid 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.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your car’s braking
system and can cause extensive
damage.Brake System
Brake and Clutch Fluid
Maint enance252
M M
I
INN
M
M
A
AX
X

Clean the hood latch assembly with a
mild cleaner, then lubricate it with a
multipurpose grease. Lubricate all
the moving parts (as shown),
including the pivot. Follow the time
and distance recommendations in
the Maintenance Schedule. If you
are not sure how to clean and grease
the latch, contact your Acura dealer.The air cleaner element should be
cleaned or replaced according to the
time and distance recommendations
in the maintenance schedule.
Follow the replacement procedure
for removal and reinstallation.
The air cleaner element is inside the
air cleaner housing on the driver’s
side of the engine compartment.
To replace it:
Removethecruisecontrolcable
f rom its clip. Loosen the f our bolts by using a
Phillips-head screwdriver and
remove the air cleaner housing
cover.
Clean the air cleaner element by
blowing compressed air through it in
the opposite direction to normal air
f low. If you do not have access to
compressed air (such as a service
station), ask your Acura dealer to do
this service.
1. 2.
On Premium model
Premium model
Hood L atch
A ir Cleaner Element
Cleaning (Severe Condit ions)
Replacement
Hood L atch, A ir Cleaner Element
Maint enance254
L LAA T
TC
CH H A
AS
SSSEEM
M B
BLLY
Y B
BO
OL LT
T S
S

The spark plugs in your car are a
special platinum-tipped design f or
longer lif e. The spark plugs should
be replaced according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule.Loosen the two holding clips by
turning the heads one-quarter turn
counterclockwise with a f lat-tipped
screwdriver. Remove the cover on
the f ront cylinder bank by pulling
it straight up.
Clean up any dirt and oil that have
collected around the ignition coils.Disconnect the wire connector
f rom the ignition coil by pushing
on the lock tab and pulling on the
connector. Pull on the plastic
connector, not the wires.
1.
2. 3.
Replacement
Spark Plugs
Maint enance256
H H
O
OL LDD I
INNG G C
CLLI
IPP I
IG
GN NIITT I
IOON N C
COOI ILL
C
CO
ON NNNEEC
CT TO
OR R
L
L O
OC CKK
T
T A
A B
B

µµWe recommend that you visually
check your tires every day. If you
think a tire might be low, check it
immediately with a tire gauge.
To saf ely operate your car, your tires
must be the proper type and size, in
good condition with adequate tread,
and correctly inf lated. The f ollowing
pages give more detailed inf ormation
on how and when to check air
pressure, how to inspect your tires
for damage and wear, and what to do
when your tires need to be replaced.
Keeping the tires properly inf lated
provides the best combination of
handling, tread lif e, and riding
comf ort. Underinf lated tires wear
unevenly, adversely affect handling
and f uel economy, and are more
likely to f ail f rom being overheated.
Overinf lated tires can make your car
ride more harshly, are more prone to
damage f rom road hazards, and wear
unevenly.
The timing belt should normally be
replaced at the intervals shown in
the maintenance schedule.
Replace this belt at 60,000 miles (U.S.)
or 100,000 km (Canada) if you
regularly drive your car in one or
more of these conditions:
In very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C).
In very low temperatures
(under 20°F, 29°C). Inf lation
Tires
Timing Belt
Timing Belt, Tires
Maint enance266
Using tires that are excessively
worn or improperly inflated can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding tire
inflation and maintenance.

Block the rear wheels.
Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter
(see page ).
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
If you need to park your car f or an
extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your car back on the road. If
possible, store your car indoors.
If the car is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the car is being stored indoors).Coverthecarwitha‘‘breathable’’
cover, one made f rom a porous
material such as cotton.
Nonporous materials, such as
plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
Disconnect the battery.
Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and trunk seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and trunk seals. If possible, run the engine f or a
while periodically (pref erably once
amonth).
If you store your car f or 12 months
or longer, have your Acura dealer
perf orm the inspections called f or in
the 24 months/30,000 miles (48,000
km) maintenance schedule (Normal
Conditions) as soon as you take it
out of storage (see page ). The
replacements called f or in the
maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the car has actually
reached that time or mileage.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse
(6-speed manual) or Park
(automatic). 230
241
Maint enance
St oring Your Car
283

Î
ÎThe United States Clean Air Act
sets standards f or automobile
emissions. It also requires that
automobile manufacturers explain to
owners how their emissions controls
workandwhattodotomaintain
them. This section summarizes how
the emissions controls work.
Scheduled maintenance is on page .
In Canada, Acura vehicles comply
with the Canadian emission
requirements, as specif ied in an
agreement with Environment
Canada, at the time they are
manuf actured.
The burning of gasoline in your car’s
engine produces several byproducts.
Some of these are carbon monoxide
(CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and
hydrocarbons (HC). Gasoline
evaporating from the tank also
produces hydrocarbons. Controlling
the production of NOx, CO, and HC
is important to the environment.
Under certain conditions of sunlight
and climate, NOx and HC react to
f orm photochemical ‘‘smog.’’ Carbon
monoxide does not contribute to
smog creation, but it is a poisonous
gas.
Your car has a Positive Crankcase
Ventilation System. This keeps
gasses that build up in the engine’s
crankcase from going into the
atmosphere. The Positive CrankcaseVentilation valve routes them from
the crankcase back to the intake
manif old. They are then drawn into
the engine and burned.
As gasoline evaporates in the f uel
tank, an evaporative emissions
control canister f illed with charcoal
adsorbs the vapor. It is stored in this
canister while the engine is of f . Af ter
the engine is started and warmed up,
the vapor is drawn into the engine
and burned during driving.
The Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
Recovery (ORVR) system captures
the f uel vapors during ref ueling. The
vapors are adsorbed in a canister
f illed with activated carbon. While
driving, the f uel vapors are drawn
into the engine and burned of f .
230
The Clean Air Act
Crankcase Emissions Control
System Evaporative Emissions Control
System
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
Recovery
Emissions Cont rols
T echnical Inf ormation332

CONT INUED
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 324
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .78
...........................................
Switch .80
............
Timing Control System . 333
........................
Immobilizer System .79
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 57
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .29
......................................
Inf ant Seats .30
.........................................
LATCH .41
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 40
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 266
...................................
Inside Mirror .98
.............................
Inspection, Tire .268
............................
Instrument Panel .57
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 72
...........................
Interior Cleaning .288
...............................
Interior Lights .118
........................................
Introduction .i
........................
Jacking up the Car .297 .......................................
Jack, Tire .295
................................
Jump Starting .303
..................................................
Keys .78
.......................
Label, Certif ication .324
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 72
..........................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .43
.........................
Leather, Cleaning .289
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .275
........................................
Ceiling .118
.....................................
Courtesy .119
.......................................
Indicator .57
.........................................
Parking .70
..................................
Turn Signal .72
.....................................
Load Limit .217
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 81
........................
Lockout Prevention .83
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 81
............................
Fuel Fill Door .179 ....................................
Glove Box .90
.................................
Power Door .82
......
Rear Console Compartment . 90
...........................................
Trunk .87
........
Trunk Pass-through Cover . 97
........................
Low Coolant Level .183
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .64
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 60,308
Lubricant Specif ications ..........................................
Chart .326
.........................................
Luggage .187
..................................
Maintenance .225
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 237
.................................
Record .235-236
......................
Required Indicator .68
..........................................
Saf ety .226
.............................
Schedule .230-234
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 60,310
...................
Manual Transmission . 194
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 251
...........
Memory, Driving Position . 100
Index
J K
L
M
I
V

ÎÎ
CONT INUED
Replacement Inf ormation.................
Air Cleaner Element . 254
..............
Dust and Pollen Filter . 265
..........................
Engine Coolant .245
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 241
..........................................
Fuses .315
................................
Light Bulbs .275
....................................
Schedule .228
................................
Spark Plugs .256
...........................................
Tires .270
.............................
Wiper Blades .262
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .45
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant . 183
...............................
Restraint, Child .20
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 199
................................
Rotation, Tire .269
........................................
Saf ety Belts .8
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 340
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
...........................................
Airbags .9
..................................
Door Locks .10
..........................
Head Restraints .10 .......................................
Seat Belts .8
.....................
Seats & Seat-Backs .10
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 53
...............................
Saf ety Messages . ii
.....................................
Seat Belts .8, 43
...............
Additional Information . 43
Automatic Seat Belt ...............................
Tensioners .44
.............
Child Seat Anchor Plate . 40
.....................................
Cleaning .289
................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 15,43
................................
Maintenance .45
Reminder Light and ................................
Beeper .43, 60
...................
System Components . 43
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 18
..................................
Seat Heaters .103
..................
Seat Position Memory . 100
........................
Seats, Adjusting the .91
............................
Security System .158
........
Sequential SportShif t Mode . 200
...............................
Serial Number .324
...........................
Service Intervals .230
...........................
Service Manual .341
.........
Service Station Procedures . 179
..........................
Setting the Clock .109 .....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 197
........................
Shif t Lock Release .204
....................................
Side Airbags .48
.........
Side Airbag Cutof f Indicator . 50
Side Marker Lights, Bulb ..............................
Replacement .277
...............................
Signaling Turns .72
.....................................
Snow Tires .272
...................
Solvent-type Cleaners . 286
................................
Sound System .135
Spare Tire ......................................
Inf lating .294
............................
Specif ications .327
................
Spark Plugs, Replacing . 256
....................
Specif ications Charts . 326
................................
Speed Control .159
...................................
Speedometer .65
.......................................
Spotlights .118
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 46
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 51
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 49
.....
How Your Airbags Work . 46,48
........................
SRS Components .46
..................................
SRS Service .51
Index
S
VII