Acura TL 2000 3.2 Owner's Manual

Lights
4. Remove the socket from theheadlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise. 5. Remove the burned out bulb from
the socket by pushing it in and
turning counterclockwise until it unlocks.
6. Install the new bulb in the socket. Turn it clockwise to lock it in place.
7. Insert the socket back into the headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
8. Test the lights to make sure the new bulb is working.
9. Put the inner fender cover in place. Install the holding clip. Lock it in
place by pushing on the center. Replacing Rear Bulbs
CARGO NET MOUNTING
BUTTON
FASTENER
1. Open the trunk.Remove the fastener on the edge
of the trunk opening by turning it
counterclockwise with a coin. Unscrew the cargo net mounting
button. Pull the lining back.
Maintenance

Lights
2. Determine which of the four bulbsis burned out: stop/taillight or turn
signal light, back-up light
3. Remove the socket by turning it one-quarter turn counterclockwise. 4. Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
5. Reinstall the socket into the light assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.
6. Test the lights to make sure the new bulb is working.
7. Reinstall the trunk lining. Make sure it is installed under the edge
of the trunk seal 8. Put the fastener in the hole on the
side of the trunk lining and push
on the center until it locks (the
center is flush with the head).
9. Screw the cargo net mounting button back into the hole.
Maintenance

Lights
Replacing a High-mount BrakeLight Bulb
1. Open the trunk and remove the socket from the light assembly byturning it one-quarter turn counter-
clockwise.
2. Remove the burned-out bulb by pulling it straight out of the socket
3. Install the new bulb and reinstall the socket Make sure the newbulb is working. Replacing a Rear License Bulb
1. Use a small phillips screwdriver to remove the lens from the license
plate light assembly.
2. Remove the bulb by pulling it straight out Push the new bulbinto the socket
3. Reinstall the lens. Replacing Bulbs in the Interior
Lights
The ceiling light, door light and vanity mirror light come apart thesame way, but they do not use the
same type of bulb.
Maintenance

Lights
1. Remove the lens by carefullyprying on the edge of the lens with
a fingernail file or a small flat-tipscrewdriver. Do not pry on the
edge of the housing around the
lens.
Door light: Pry on the top middle of the lens.
Ceiling light: Pry on the front edge of the lensnear both sides.
Spotlights:
Pry on the front edge in front of
both spotlights.CEILING LIGHT
2. Remove the bulb by pulling it straight out of its metal tabs.
3. Push the new bulb into the metal tabs. Snap the lens back in place.
SPOTLIGHT
CONTINUED
Maintenance

Lights
DOOR LIGHT SUN VISOR LIGHT
TRUNK LIGHT
1. Open the trunk. Pull down the trunk light cover.
2. Remove the bulb by pulling it straight out of its metal tabs.
3. Push the new bulb into the metal tabs.
4. Push the cover back in place.
Maintenance Replacing the Trunk Light Bulb

Storing Your Car
If you need to park your car for an
extended period (more than one
month), there are several things youshould do to prepare it for storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent deterioration and makes it easier to
get your car back on the road. If
possible, store your car indoors.
• Fill the fuel tank.
• Change the engine oil and filter (see page 203).
• Wash and dry the exterior completely.
• Clean the interior. Make sure the carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
• Leave the parking brake off. Put the transmission in Park. • Block the rear wheels.
• If the car is to be stored for a
longer period, it should besupported on jackstands so the
tires are off the ground.
• Leave one window open slightly (if the car is being stored indoors).
• Disconnect the battery. • Support the front wiper blade arms with a folded 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
vehicle body wax to the painted surfaces that mate with the door
and trunk seals. • Cover the car with a "breathable"
cover, one made from a porous
material such as cotton.
Nonporous materials, such as
plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
• If possible, run the engine for a while periodically (preferably oncea month).
If you store your car for 12 months or longer, have your Acura dealer
perform the inspections called for 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 192). The
replacements called for in the maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the car has actually
reached that time or mileage.
Maintenance

244

Appearance Care
Regular cleaning and polishing of
your Acura helps to keep it "new" looking. This section gives you hints on how to clean your car and
preserve its appearance: the paint,
brightwork, wheels and interior. Also included are several things you cando to help prevent corrosion. Exterior Care....................................
246
Washing...................................... 246
Waxing........................................ 247
Aluminum Wheels...................... 247
Paint Touch-up.......................... 247
Interior Care.................................. 248
Carpeting.................................... 248
Vinyl............................................ 248
Leather........................................ 248
Seat Belts.................................... 249
Windows...................................... 249
Air Fresheners............................ 249
Corrosion Protection ...................... 250
Body Repairs................................ 251
Appearance Care

Exterior Care
WashingFrequent washing helps preserve
your car's beauty. Dirt and grit can scratch the paint, while tree sap and
bird droppings can permanently ruin
the finish.
Wash your car in a shady area, not in direct sunlight. If the car is parked in
the sun, move it into the shade and
let the exterior cool down before you start.
Only use the solvents and cleaners
recommended in this Owner's Manual.
Chemical solvents and strong cleaners
can damage the paint, metal, and
plastic on your car.
• Rinse the car thoroughly with cool water to remove loose dirt.
• Fill a bucket with cool water. Mix in a mild detergent, such asdishwashing liquid or a product
made especially for car washing.
• Wash the car using the water and detergent solution and a soft-
bristle brush, sponge, or soft cloth. Start at the top and work your way
down. Rinse frequently.
• Check the body for road tar, tree sap, etc. Remove these stains with
tar remover or turpentine. Rinse it off immediately so it does not
harm the finish. Remember to re-
wax these areas, even if the rest of the car does not need waxing. • When you have washed and rinsed
the whole exterior, dry it with achamois or soft towel. Letting it
air-dry will cause dulling and waterspots.
As you dry the car, inspect it for chips and scratches that could allow
corrosion to start. Repair them with
touch-up paint (see page 247).
Appearance Care
NOTICE

Exterior Care
WaxingAlways wash and dry the whole carbefore waxing it. You should wax
your car, including the metal trim,
whenever water sits on the surface in large patches. It should form into
beads or droplets after waxing.
You should use a quality liquid or paste wax. Apply it according to the
instructions on the container. In
general, there are two types ofproducts:
Waxes — A wax coats the finish and protects it from damage by exposure
to sunlight, air pollution, etc. You should use a wax on your Acura
when it is new.
Polishes — Polishes and cleaner/
waxes can restore the shine to paint that has oxidized and lost some of its shine. They normally contain mild
abrasives and solvents that remove
the top layer of the finish. You should use a polish on your Acura if
the finish does not have its original shine after using a wax.
Cleaning tar, insects, etc. with
removers also takes off the wax. Remember to re-wax those areas,
even if the rest of the car does not
need waxing.
Aluminum Wheels Clean your Acura's aluminum alloy
wheels as you do the rest of the exterior. Wash them with the samesolution, and rinse them thoroughly.
The wheels have a protective clear- coat that keeps the aluminum from
corroding and tarnishing. Using
harsh chemicals, including some commercial wheel cleaners, or stiff
brushes can damage this clear-coat. Only use a mild detergent and soft
brush or sponge to clean the wheels. Paint Touch-up
Your dealer has touch-up paint to match your car's color. The color
code is printed on a sticker on thedriver's doorjamb. Take this code to
your dealer so you are sure to get the correct color.
Inspect your car frequently for chips
or scratches in the paint. Repair
them right away to prevent corrosion of the metal underneath. Use the
touch-up paint only on small chips and scratches. More extensive paintdamage should be repaired by a
professional.
Appearance Care