spark plugs Acura RL 2004 3.5 Owner's Manual

If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Acura, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Acura
dealer. This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself . This section explains why it is
important to keep your car well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .240
.
Important Safety Precautions . 241
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 242
...
Required Maintenance Record . 249
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 251
..............................
Fluid Locations .252
......................................
Engine Oil .253
..................................
Adding Oil .253
....................
Recommended Oil .253
..............................
Synthetic Oil .254
....................................
Additives .254
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 255
.............................
Cooling System .257
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 257
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 259
....................
Windshield Washers .263
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 264
..............................
Dif f erential Oil .265
....................................
Brake Fluid .266
............................
Brake System .266
..............................
Power Steering .266
....................................
Hood Latch .267
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .267
....................................
Spark Plugs .269
..............................
Replacement .269
............................
Specif ications .272 ...........................................
Battery .272
.................................
Wiper Blades .275
..............
Air Conditioning System . 277
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 278
.....................................
Drive Belts .278
....................................
Timing Belt .279
...............................................
Tires .279
......................................
Inf lation .279
..................................
Inspection .281
..............................
Maintenance .282
.............................
Tire Rotation .282
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 283
......................
Wheels and Tires .284
..........................
Winter Driving .284
.............................
Snow Tires .285
............................
Tire Chains .285
.............................................
Lights .286
........................
Replacing Bulbs .288
...........................
Storing Your Car .297
355
Maintenance
Maint enance239

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Maint enance244
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
15
24
30
4845
72 75
120
60
96 90
144 105
168120
192135
216150
240
Service the items listed at the indicated distance (or time, if given).
Check inflation and condition once a month
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or every 1 year, whichever comes firstEvery 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
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At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years,
then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page . Replace at 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 4 years, then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 2 years.
Replace at 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 6 years, then every 90,000 miles (144,000 km) or 5 years. Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
Check engine oil and coolant
Check tires
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page 282 )
Replace engine oil filter
Check front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect the following items:
Tie-rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Replace automatic transmission fluid
Replace front differential fluid
Inspect idle speed
Replace timing belt, balancer belt, and inspect water pump
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid
1:
2: : 243
1
2
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions

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Maint enance245
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Service the items listed at the indicated distance (or time, if given).
Check inflation and condition once a month
Every 3,750 miles (6,000 km) or 6 months, whichever comes first Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
Check engine oil and coolant
Check tires
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page 282)
Check front and rear brakes
Inspect the following items: Tie-rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Check parking brake adjustment
Lubricate all hinges, locks and latches
Inspect the following items: Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Lights and controls/vehicle underbody
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Clean air cleaner element
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Replace automatic transmission fluid
Replace front differential fluid
Inspect idle speed
Replace timing belt , balancer belt , and inspect water
pump
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid
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7260
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144 105
168120
192135
216150
240
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120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months, whichever comes first
See dust and pollen filter on page for replacement information under special driving conditions.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page . See timing belt on page for replacement information under special driving conditions. Replace at 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 3 years, then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 2 years.
Replace at 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 2 years, then every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) or 1 year.
1:
2:
3:
4:
: 278
279 243
1
2
3
,4 ,4
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions

Clean off any dirt and oil that have
collected around the ignition coils. Remove the two bolts and the f our
nuts with a wrench and remove
the tower bar. Then remove the
A/C tube f rom the three clips.
Remove the two bolts and the
three nuts with a 7/16 inch (10
mm) wrench, then remove the
engine cover.
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.
1.2.
3.
CONT INUED
Replacement
Spark Plugs
Maint enance269
NUTS
BOLTS NUTS
BOLTS
NUTS

Put the new spark plug into the
socket, then screw it into the hole.
Screw it in by hand so you do not
crossthread it.
Use a wrench to remove the two
bolts holding the ignition coil.
Remove the ignition coil by pulling
it straight out.
Remove the spark plug with
a f ive-eighths inch (16 mm) spark
plug socket.
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.
4.
5.
6.7.
Spark Plugs
Maint enance270
IGNITION COIL CONNECTOR
LOCK TAB BOLTS
IGNITION COIL

Install the ignition coil. Reinstall
the two hold-down bolts.
Repeat this procedure f or the
other f ive spark plugs.
Torque the spark plug. (If you do
not have a torque wrench, tighten
the spark plug two-thirds of a turn
af ter it contacts the cylinder head.)
Tightening torque: Put the A/C tube back in place.
Install the tower bar and tighten
the two bolts and the f our nuts.
Tightening torque:
Push the wire connector onto the
ignition coil. Make sure it locks in
place. Install the engine cover. First
tighten the two bolts on the front
of the engine cover, then tighten
the three nuts on the engine cover.
Tightening torque:
8. 9.
10.
11. 12.
13.
14.
CONT INUED
Spark Plugs
Maint enance271
13 lbf·ft (18 N·m , 1.8 kgf·m) 16 lbf·ft (22 N·m , 2.2 kgf·m)
7 lbf·ft (9.8 N·m , 1.0 kgf·m)
Tighten the spark plugs caref ully. A
spark plug that is too loose can
overheat and damage the engine.
Overtightening can cause damage to
the threads in the cylinder head.

´
µSpark Plug Gap:Check the battery condition by
looking at the test indicator window
on the battery. The label on the
battery explains the test indicator’s
colors.
Check the condition of your car’s
battery monthly. You should check
the color of the test indicator window,
and f or corrosion on the terminals.
NGK:
DENSO: Battery
Specif ications:
Spark Plugs, Battery
Maint enance272
TEST INDICATOR WINDOW
0.04 in (1.1 mm) PFR5L-11
PK16PR-L110
0.1 mm

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T echnical Inf ormation
Specif ications
339
Engine
Alignment
Tires
Battery
Fuses Lights 12 V
12 V55 W (H1) (High beam)
27/8 W
3.54x3.58in(90x91mm)212 cu-in (3,474 cm
)
9.6 : 1
0.00 in (0.0 mm)
0.08 in (2.0 mm) 0°
0°30’
2°50’
P225/55R16 94V
T135/80D16 101M
30 psi (210 kPa , 2.1 kgf/cm
)
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm)
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
21 W
21/5 W
55 W (H1)
21 W
3CP
21 W
3CP
5W
5W
3.4 W
3.4 W
2W Type
BorexStroke
Displacement
Compression ratio
Spark plugs
Water cooled 4-stroke
SOHC V-6 gasoline engine
Toe
Camber
Caster
Size
Pressure
Capacity 12 V 55 AH/5 HR
Interior
Under-hood 65 AH/20 HR
12 V
See page 331or the fuse label
attached to the inside of the fuse
box door under the dashboard.
See page 330or the fuse box
cover. See spark plug maintenance
section page
272.
Headlights
Front turn signal/parking lights
Rear turn signal lights
Brake/Taillights
Front fog lights
High-mount brake light
Front side marker lights
Back-up lights
License plate lights
Ceiling lights
Trunk light
Door courtesy lights
Vanity mirror light
Front
Rear
Front
Rear
Front
Front/Rear
Spare
Front/Rear
Sparein
Front
Rear
Low beam headlight bulbs are a type of high voltage discharge
tube (D2R).
1:
1

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CONT INUED
........................................
Saf ety Belts .8
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 354
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
...........................................
Airbags .9
..................................
Door Locks .10
..........................
Head Restraints .10
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
.....................
Seats & Seat-Backs .10
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 54
...............................
Saf ety Messages . ii
...................
Satellite Digital Radio . 173
.....................................
Seat Belts .8, 44
...............
Additional Information . 44
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 18
.
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioner . 45
.........
Child Seat Lower Anchors . 40
Child Seat Tether Anchorage ........................................
Points .39 .....................................
Cleaning .303
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .44
................................
Maintenance .46
Reminder Light and ................................
Beeper .44, 58
................................
Replacement .46
...................
System Components . 44
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 18
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt . 15
..................................
Seat Heaters .100
....................
Seat Position Memory .98
........................
Seats, Adjusting the .91
................
Security Alarm System . 181
...............................
Serial Number .336
...........................
Service Intervals .244
...........................
Service Manual .355
.........
Service Station Procedures . 205
..................
Setting the Clock . 108,158
Shif ting the Automatic .............................
Transmission .218
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 218
........................
Shif t Lock Release .221
...................
Radiator Overheating . 319
Radio/Cassette Sound ................................
System .134, 151
...........................
Readiness Codes .324
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 292
..........................
Rear Seat Armrest .95
............................
Rear Ventilation .132
............................
Rear View Mirror .96
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 76
...............
Reclining the Seat Backs . 92
.............................
Reminder Lights .57
.......................
Remote Transmitter .84
Replacement Inf ormation .................
Air Cleaner Element . 267
..............
Dust and Pollen Filter . 278
..........................
Engine Coolant .258
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 253
..........................................
Fuses .328
................................
Light Bulbs .288
....................................
Schedule .242
................................
Spark Plugs .269
...........................................
Tires .283
.............................
Wiper Blades .275 Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a
............................................
Crash .46
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant . 208
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 219
................................
Rotation, Tire .282
Index
S
R
VII

.....................................
Tachometer .63
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in . 292
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 307
...........................
Tape Player .139, 159
Technical Descriptions ......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 340
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 345
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels .343
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .347
.......................
Temperature Gauge .65
...................
Tensioners, Seat Belts . 45
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 39
...............
Thef t Deterrent System . 181
............................
Thef t Protection .180
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 347
..................
Time, Setting the . 108,158
....................................
Timing Belt .279
....................................
Tire Chains .285
...........................
Tire Inf ormation .342
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 309
...............................................
Tires .279
..............................
Air Pressure .280
...................................
Balancing .282
....................................
Side Airbags .49
How the Side Airbag Cutof f ...........
Indicator Light Works . 51
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 49
Side Marker Lights, Bulb .........................
Replacement in .291
...............................
Signaling Turns .71
.......................................
Ski Sleeve .101
.....................................
Snow Tires .285
...................
Solvent-type Cleaners . 300
........................
Sound System .134, 151
Spare Tire ......................................
Inf lating .308
............................
Specif ications .339
................
Spark Plugs, Replacing . 269
....................
Specif ications Charts . 338
................................
Speed Control .182
...................................
Speedometer .63
.......................................
Spotlights .116
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 47
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 52
Automatic Seat Belt ...............................
Tensioners .45
How the SRS Indicator Light .......................................
Works .50
.....
How Your Airbags Work . 47,49 ........................
SRS Components .47
..................................
SRS Service .52
.............................
SRS Indicator .50 ,59
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 82
.......................
Starting the Engine .217
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .217
................
With a Dead Battery . 316
..........
State Emissions Testing . 348
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 319
Steering Wheel ................................
Adjustments .76
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 82
........................
Position Memory .98
...........
Stereo Sound System . 134,151
...........................
Storing Your Car .297
........................................
Sun Visor .112
........................
Sunglasses Holder .109
Supplemental Restraint ............................
System .9 ,47, 49
....................
Service Precautions .52
......................................
Servicing .52
.........................
SRS Indicator .50 ,59
...................
System Components . 47
...............
Tensioners, Seat Belts . 45
..................................
Synthetic Oil .252
Index
T
VIII