differential Acura RL 2001 3.5 Owner's Manual
Page 206 of 333
Maintenance
This section explains why it is important to keep your car well
maintained and to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
This section also includes Maintenance Schedules for normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions for simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself.
If you have the skills and tools to per-
form more complex maintenance
tasks on your Acura, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page 319 for information on how to obtain a copy, or see your Acura
dealer.
Maintenance Safety....................... 204
Important Safety Precautions.. 205
Maintenance Schedule.................. 206
Required Maintenance Record.... 213 Owner Maintenance Checks........ 215
Fluid Locations............................... 216
Engine Oil...................................... 217
Adding Oil................................... 217
Recommended Oil.................... 217
Synthetic Oil.............................. 218
Additives.................................... 218
Changing the Oil and Filter...... 219
Cooling System.............................. 221 Adding Engine Coolant............. 221Replacing Engine Coolant........ 223
Windshield Washers..................... 227
Automatic Transmission Fluid..... 228 Differential Oil.............................. 229
Brake Fluid.................................... 230
Brake System............................. 230
Power Steering............................... 230
Hood Latch.................................... 231
Air Cleaner Element...................... 231 Spark Plugs..................................... 233
Replacement.............................. 233
Specifications............................ 236
Battery............................................ 236
Wiper Blades.................................. 239
Air Conditioning System............... 241
Air Conditioning Filter.................. 242
Drive Belts...................................... 242
Timing Belt..................................... 243
Tires................................................ 243
Inflation..................................... 243
Inspection................................... 245
Maintenance............................... 246
Tire Rotation.............................. 246
Replacing Tires and Wheels .... 247
Wheels and Tires....................... 248
Winter Driving........................... 248
Snow Tires............................ 249
Tire Chains.............................
249
Lights.............................................. 250 Replacing Bulbs......................... 252
Storing Your Car............................
261
Maintenance
Page 232 of 333
Automatic Transmission Fluid, Differential Oil
6. Insert the dipstick back in thetransmission. Make sure the notch
fits in the dipstick guide and the dipstick is down all the way.
The transmission should be drained
and refilled with new fluid according
to the time and distance recommen- dations in the maintenance schedule.
Differential Oil
Check the oil in the differential with
the car sitting level. Remove the oil
filler plug and check that the oil level is up to the edge of the hole.
If it is not, slowly add oil until it
starts to run out of the hole. Reinstall
the filler plug and tighten it securely. Use a SAE 90 or SAE 80W-90
viscosity hypoid gear oil, API service classified GL4 or GL5 only, in the
differential.
Viscosity
SAE 90: above0°F(— 18°C)
SAE 80W-90: below 0°F ( — 8°C)
The differential oil should be drained
and refilled with new oil according to
the time and distance recommenda-
tions in the maintenance schedule.
CONTINUED
Maintenance
DRAIN PLUG
FILLER PLUG
Correct
level
Page 326 of 333
Index
DANGER, Explanation of................. ii
Dashboard.................................... 2, 52
Daytime Running Lights................. 65
Defects, Reporting Safety............. 317
Defogger, Rear Window................. 71
Defrosting the Windows.......128,
132
Differential
Oil............................... 229
Dimensions..................................... 302
Dimming the Headlights................ 63
Dipstick
Automatic Transmission........... 228
Engine Oil................................... 171
Directional Signals........................... 66
Disc Brake Wear Indicators......... 187
Disposal of Used Oil...................... 220
Doors
Locking and Unlocking............... 81
Lockout Prevention..................... 82
Monitor Light............................... 57
Power Door Locks....................... 81
DOT Tire Quality Grading........... 304
Drive Belts...................................... 242
Driver and Passenger Safety............ 5
Driving............................................ 179
Economy..................................... 173
In Bad Weather.......................... 194
In Foreign Countries................. 307
Driving Position Memory
System......................................... 101
Economy, Fuel............................... 173
Emergencies on the Road............. 271 Battery, Jump Starting.............. 280
Brake System Indicator............ 289Changing a Flat Tire................. 273
Charging System Indicator...... 286
Checking the Fuses................... 292
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 285
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.... 287
Manually Closing Moonroof.... 290
Overheated Engine................... 283
Emergency Brake.......................... 109
Emergency Flashers....................... 70
Emergency Towing....................... 296
Emissions Controls........................ 308
Emissions Testing,State............... 311 Engine
Belts............................................. 242
Coolant Temperature Gauge ..... 60
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp................................. 55, 287
Oil Pressure Indicator......... 54, 285
Oil. What Kind to Use............... 217
Overheating................................ 283
Specifications............................. 303
Speed Limiter............................. 184
Starting........................................ 181
Engine Speed Limiter.................... 184
Ethanol in Gasoline....................... 306
Evaporative Emissions Controls.. 308
Exhaust Fumes................................ 49
Exhaust Gas Recirculation
System......................................... 309
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
Belts by.........................................18
Exterior, Cleaning the................... 264
Fabric, Cleaning............................. 266
CONTINUED
Page 327 of 333
Index
Fan, Interior.......................... 126, 131
Features, Comfort and
Convenience............................... 121
Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 169
Filters
Air Cleaner................................. 231
Air Conditioning........................ 242
Oil................................................ 219
Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 70
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 273
Fluids Automatic Transmission........... 228
Brake........................................... 229
Differential................................. 229
Power Steering........................... 230
Windshield Washer................... 227
FM Stereo Radio
Reception........................... 137, 147
Fog Lights......................................... 67
Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 307
Four-way Flashers...........................
70
Front
Airbags.............................. 9,
43
Fuel..................................................
168
Fill Door and Cap....................... 169
Gauge............................................ 60
Octane Requirement................. 168
Oxygenated................................ 306
Reserve Indicator......................... 57
Tank, Filling the......................... 169
Fuel Mileage, Improving............... 173
Fuses, Checking the...................... 292
Gasohol........................................... 306
Gasoline.......................................... 168
Fuel Reserve Indicator................ 57
Gauge............................................ 60
Octane Requirement................. 168
Tank, Filling the......................... 169
Gas Station Procedures................. 169
Gauges.............................................. 58
Engine Coolant Temperature .... 60
Fuel................................................ 60
Speedometer................................ 58
Tachometer.................................. 58
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating)........................................ 197
Gearshift Lever Positions............. 182
Glass Cleaning............................... 268
Glove Box......................................... 88
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating)........................................ 197
Halogen Headlight Bulbs.............. 252
Hazard Warning Flashers............... 70
Headlights Automatic Lighting..................... 64
Daytime Running Lights............. 65
High Beam Indicator................... 57Lights On Indicator..................... 55
Reminder Chime.......................... 63
Replacing Halogen Bulbs......... 252
Turning on.................................... 63
Head Restraints............................... 96
Heating and Cooling...................... 122
High Altitude, Starting at.............. 181
High-Low Beam Switch .................. 63
High-mount Brake Light............... 257
HomeLink Universal
Transmitter.................................. 89
Hood Latch..................................... 231
Hood, Opening the........................ 170
Horn................................................... 62
Hydroplaning.................................. 195