service Acura RL 2002 3.5 Owner's Guide

µ
The treadwear grade is a compara-
tive rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specif ied government
test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-
half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded
100. The relative perf ormance of
tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart signif icantly f rom the norm
due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and dif f erences in
road characteristics and climate.
The tires on your car meet all U.S.
Federal Saf ety Requirements. All
tires are also graded for treadwear,
traction, and temperature perform-
ance according to Department of
Transportation (DOT) standards.
The f ollowing explains these
gradings.
Quality grades can be f ound where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between the tread shoulder and the
maximum section width. For
example:
The traction grades, f rom highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. These
grades represent the tire’s ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on
specif ied government test surf aces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
perf ormance.
Warning: The traction grade
assignedtothistireisbasedon
straight-ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
All passenger car tires must conf orm
to Federal Saf ety Requirements in
addition to these grades. T readwear
Unif orm T ire Quality Grading T readwear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades Traction AA, A, B, C
DOT T ire Quality Grading (U.S. Cars)
T echnical Inf ormation314
01/09/28 20:16:30 31SZ3660_317

Some conventional gasolines are
being blended with alcohol or an
ether compound. These gasolines
are collectively ref erred to as
oxygenated f uels. To meet clean air
standards, some areas of the United
States and Canada use oxygenated
f uels to help reduce emissions.
If you use an oxygenated f uel, be
sure it is unleaded and meets the
minimum octane rating requirement.
Bef ore using an oxygenated f uel, try
to conf irm the f uel’s contents. Some
states/provinces require this
informationtobepostedonthe
pump.(Methyl Tertiary Butyl
Ether)
You may use gasoline containing up
to 15 percent MTBE by volume. (ethyl or grain alcohol)
You may use gasoline containing up
to 10 percent ethanol by volume.
Gasoline containing ethanol may be
marketed under the name ‘‘Gasohol.’’ The f ollowing are the U.S. EPA and
Canadian CGSB approved
percentages of oxygenates: If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
Fuel system damage or perf ormance
problems resulting f rom the use of
an oxygenated f uel containing more
than the percentages of oxygenates
given above are not covered under
warranty.
(methyl or wood
alcohol)
Your vehicle was not designed to use
fuel that contains methanol.
Methanol can corrode metal parts in
the fuel system, and also damage
plastic and rubber components. This
damage would not be covered by
your warranties. MT BE ET HA NOL
MET HA NOL
Oxygenated Fuels
T echnical Inf ormation316
01/09/28 20:16:45 31SZ3660_319

If you are dissatisf ied with the
decision made by the dealership’s
management, contact the Acura
Customer Relations Of f ice.When you call or write, please give
us this inf ormation:
Acura dealership personnel are
trained prof essionals. They should
be able to answer all your questions.
If you encounter a problem that your
dealership does not solve to your
satisf action, please discuss it with
the dealership’s management. The
Service Manager or General
Manager can help. Almost all
problems are solved in this way. U.S. Owners:
In Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin
Islands:
Vortex Motor Corp.Bella International P.O. Box 190816
San Juan, PR 00919-0816 (787) 250-4327
Ref er to the Canadian Zone Of f ice
Map on the next page. Canadian Owners: Acura Automobile Division
Client Services Of f ice
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. 1919 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90501-2746
Tel: (800) 382-2238 Vehicle Identif ication Number
(see page )
Name and address of the dealer
who services your car
Date of purchase
Mileage on your car
Your name, address, and tele-
phone number
A detailed description of the
problem
Name of the dealer who sold the
car to you310
Cust omer Relat ions Inf ormat ion
Warrant y and Cust omer Relat ions324
01/09/28 20:17:48 31SZ3660_327

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*
The f ollowing publications covering the operation and
servicing of your vehicle can be obtained f rom Helm
Incorporated, either by f illing out the attached f orm or,
f or credit card holders, calling the toll-f ree phone number
on the f orm. For manuals prior to the year shown below,
contact Helm Incorporated, P.O. Box 07280, Detroit,
Michigan 48207, or call 1-800-782-4356.
Valid only f or sales within the U.S. Canadian owners should
contact their authorized Acura dealer.
Authorized Manuals
Purchasing Factory Authorized Manuals
(U.S. only)
329
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61SZ306
61SZ306EL 61SZ330
31SZ3660
31SZ3760 ACU-R Form Description
1996-2001 Acura 3.5 RL Service Manual
2002 Acura 3.5 RL
Service Manual Supplement 1996-2002 Acura 3.5 RL
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual 1996-2002 Acura 3.5 RLBody Repair Manual2002 Acura 3.5 RLOwner’s Manual
2002 Acura 3.5 RL
Navigation Manual
Order Form for Previous Years-
Indicate Year and Model Desired
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Price
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Orders are mailed within 10 days. Please
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By completing this form you can order the materials desired. You can
pay by check or money order, or charge to your credit card. Mail to
Helm Incorporated at the address shown on the back of the order form.
Prices are subject to change without notice and without incurring
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01/09/28 20:18:26 31SZ3660_332

µµ
µ
(


%
)
$
%

.
"

#
) This manual complements the Service Manual by
providing in-depth troubleshooting inf ormation f or each
electrical circuit in your vehicle.
This manual describes the procedures involved in the
replacement of damaged body parts. This manual covers maintenance and recommended
procedures f or repair to engine and chassis components.
It is written f or the Journeyman mechanic, but is simple
enough f or most mechanically-inclined owners to under-
stand.
Authorized Manuals
Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
330
NOTE: Dealers and Companies please provide dealer or company name,
and also the name of the person to whose attention the shipment should
be sent. For purchases outside U.S.A. please write to the address shown
below for a quotation.
P.O. BOX 07280·DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48207·1-800-782-4356
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Do not send cash
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01/09/28 20:18:37 31SZ3660_333

ÎÎ
CONT INUED
..........................
Engine Coolant .233
................
Engine Oil and Filter .229
..........................................
Fuses .302
................................
Light Bulbs .262
....................................
Schedule .216
................................
Spark Plugs .243
...........................................
Tires .257
.............................
Wiper Blades .249
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .42
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant .182
..................
Reverse Gear Position .193
................................
Rotation, Tire .256
........................................
Saf ety Belts .8
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting .327
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
...........................................
Airbags .9
..................................
Door Locks .10
..........................
Head Restraints .10
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
.....................
Seats & Seat-Backs .10
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of .50
...............................
Saf ety Messages .ii .....................................
Seat Belts .8,40
...............
Additional Information .40
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women .18
.
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioner .41
.............
Child Seat Anchor Plate .39
.....................................
Cleaning .277
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .40
................................
Maintenance .42
Reminder Light and
................................
Beeper .40,54
................................
Replacement .42
...................
System Components .40
...............
Use During Pregnancy .18
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt .15
....................................
Seat Heaters .95
....................
Seat Position Memory .93
........................
Seats, Adjusting the .86
................
Security Alarm System .157
...............................
Serial Number .310
...........................
Service Intervals .218
...........................
Service Manual .329
.........
Service Station Procedures .179
..........................
Setting the Clock .102
Shif ting the Automatic
.............................
Transmission .192
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator .192 ........................
Shif t Lock Release .195
....................................
Side Airbags .45
How The Side Airbag Indicator ............................
Light Works .47
...
How Your Side Airbags Work .45
Side Marker Lights, Bulb .........................
Replacement in .265
...............................
Signaling Turns .66
.........................................
Ski Sleeve .96
.....................................
Snow Tires .259
...................
Solvent-type Cleaners .274
................................
Sound System .128
Spare Tire
......................................
Inf lating .282
............................
Specif ications .313
................
Spark Plugs, Replacing .243
....................
Specif ications Charts .312
................................
Speed Control .158
...................................
Speedometer .58
.......................................
Spotlights .111
Index
S
VII
01/09/28 20:19:23 31SZ3660_340

..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation .43
...
Additional Safety Precautions .48
Automatic Seat Belt
...............................
Tensioners .41
..
How the SRS Indicator Works .46
.....
How Your Airbags Work .43,45
........................
SRS Components .43
..................................
SRS Service .48
.............................
SRS Indicator .46,55
....
START (Ignition Key Position) .77
.......................
Starting the Engine .191
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .191
................
With a Dead Battery .290
..........
State Emissions Testing .322
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine .293
Steering Wheel
................................
Adjustments .71
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock .77
........................
Position Memory .93
...................
Stereo Sound System .128
...........................
Storing Your Car .272
........................................
Sun Visor .107
........................
Sunglasses Holder .107 Supplemental Restraint
............................
System .9,43,45
....................
Service Precautions .48
......................................
Servicing .48
.........................
SRS Indicator .46,55
...................
System Components .43
...............
Tensioners, Seat Belts .41
..................................
Synthetic Oil .228
.....................................
Tachometer .58
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in .266
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected .281
...........................
Tape Player .133,148
Technical Descriptions
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading .314
.....
Emissions Control Systems .318
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels .316
Three Way Catalytic
...............................
Converter .320
.......................
Temperature Gauge .60
...................
Tensioners, Seat Belts .41
..............
Tether Anchorage Points .39
...............
Thef t Deterrent System .157
............................
Thef t Protection .156 ..
Three Way Catalytic Converter .320
..........................
Time, Setting the .102
....................................
Timing Belt .253
....................................
Tire Chains .259
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat .283
...............................................
Tires .253
..............................
Air Pressure .254
...................................
Balancing .256
.........................
Checking Wear .255
..........................
Compact Spare .282
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading .314
......................................
Inf lation .253
..................................
Inspection .255
..............................
Maintenance .256
...................................
Replacing .257
......................................
Rotating .256
...........................................
Snow .259
............................
Specif ications .313
...................
Tools, Tire Changing .283
...............................
Torn Seat Belts .42
Towing
.....................................
A Trailer .206
..........
By Emergency Wrecker .306
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .238
Index
T
VIII
01/09/28 20:19:28 31SZ3660_341

Service Inf ormat ion Summary
Gasoline:
Fuel Tank Capacity:
Recommended Engine Oil:
Automatic Transmission Fluid:Tire Pressure (measured cold):
SpareTirePressure:
Power Steering Fluid:
Brake Fluid:
Premium unleaded gasoline,
pump octane number of 91 or
higher.
18.0 US gal (68
, 15.0 Imp gal)
API Service SJ ‘‘Energy
Conserving’’ oil, SAE 5W-30
viscosity (see page ).
Oil change capacity (including
filter): Front/Rear:
30 psi (210 kPa , 2.1 kgf/cm
)
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm
)
Honda Power Steering Fluid
preferred, or another brand of
power steering fluid as a
temporary replacement. Do not
use ATF (see page ).
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 preferred, or a DOT 3 or
DOT 4 brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page ).
4.9 US qt (4.6
, 4.0 Imp qt)
Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid) preferred, or
aDEXRON
III ATF as a
temporary replacement (see page ). 227
238 240
240
01/09/28 20:19:51 31SZ3660_345