2000 Acura RL 3.5 Owner's Manual

Coolin
g Syste m

4. On the right side of the engine block, remove the clip with a plier,
and then remove the drain cap. 5. Remove the reserve tank from its
holder by pulling it straight up.
Drain the coolant, then put the
tank back in its holder. 6. When the coolant stops draining,
tighten the drain plug at the
bottom of the radiator.
Put the drain cap back in place
tightly, then reinstall the clip on
the drain cap securely.
7. Mix the recommended antifreeze with an equal amount of purifiedor distilled water in a clean
container. The cooling system
capacity is:
1.61 US gal (6.1 l ,1.34 Imp gal)

Maintenanc e

CLI
P
DRAI N CA P RESERV
E TAN K
HOLDER
RESERV E TAN K CA P

Coolin
g Syste m

8. Remove the two bolts and the three nuts with a 7/16 in (10 mm)
wrench, then remove the enginecover. 9. Loosen the bleeder bolt on top of
the engine.
Pour coolant into the radiator up to the base of the filler neck.
Tighten the bleeder bolt when
coolant comes out in a steady
stream with no bubbles. 10.Fill the reserve tank to the MAX
mark. Install the reserve tank cap.
11.Check the level in the radiator, add coolant if needed.

CONTINUED

Maintenanc e

NUT
S

BOLT S
BLEEDE
R BOL T
Fill u p t o her e

FILLE
R NEC K

Cooling
Syste m

12.Install the engine cover. First tighten the two bolts on the frontof the engine cover, then tighten
the three nuts on the engine cover.

Tightening torque:
7 lbf .
ft (10 N .
m,1.0 kgf.m)

13.Install the radiator cap, and

tighten it to the first stop.
14.Start the engine and let it run until the radiator cooling fan comes onat least twice. Then stop the

engine.
15.Remove the radiator cap. Pour
coolant into the radiator up to the
base of the filler neck and into the
reserve tank up to the MAX mark.
16.Start the engine and hold it at 1,500 rpm until the cooling fancomes on. Turn off the engine.Check the coolant level in the
radiator and add coolant if needed.
17.Install the radiator cap, and tighten it fully.
18. If necessary, fill the reserve tank

to the MAX mark. Install the
reserve tank cap.

Maintenanc e
RESERV
E TAN K

Windshiel
d Washer s

Check the level in the windshield
washer reservoir at least monthly during normal usage. In bad weather,
when you use the washers often, check the level every time you stop

for fuel.

The windshield washer reservoir is located behind the driver's side

headlight.

Check the reservoir's fluid level by
removing the cap and looking at the
float. It should be up to the top of the
neck. If the float is at the bottom of
the neck, the reservoir is nearly empty. Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer fluid. This increases the cleaning capability and
prevents freezing in cold weather.

Do not use engine antifreeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the

windshield washer reservoir.

Antifreeze can damage your car's paint,
while a vinegar/water solution can

damage the windshield washer pump.

Use only commercially-available

windshield washer fluid.

When you refill the reservoir, clean the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer fluid on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition the blade edges.

Maintenance

FLOA
T NOTIC
E

When you refill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper

blades with windshield washer fluid
on a clean cloth. This will help to

condition the blade edges.

Automati
c Transmissio n Flui d
Check the fluid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.
1. Park the car on level ground. Shut off the engine.
2. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop) from the transmission and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
3. Insert the dipstick into the transmission. Make sure the notch
in the rubber cap fits in the dipstick guide and that you push
the dipstick in all the way.
4. Remove the dipstick and check
the fluid level. It should be
between the upper and lowermarks.
5. If the level is below the lower
mark, add fluid into the tube to
bring it to the upper mark. Always use Honda Premium Formula
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF). If it is not available, you
may use a DEXRON® III
automatic transmission fluid as a
temporary replacement. However,
continued use can affect shift quality. Have the transmission
drained and refilled with Honda
ATF as soon as it is convenient.
6. Insert the dipstick back in the transmission. 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.

Maintenanc e UPPE
R MAR K
LOWE R MAR K

DIPSTIC
K

DIPSTIC K GUID E

Differentia
l Oil , Brak e Flui dCheck 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: above 0°F( —18°C)
SAE 80W-90: below 0°F (— 18°C)
The differential oil should be drained and refilled with new oil according to
the time and distance recommenda-
tions in the maintenance schedule.

Brak e Flui d

Check the fluid level in the brake
fluid reservoir monthly.
The brake fluid should be replaced according to the time and distance
recommendations in the mainte-
nance schedule.

CONTINUED

Maintenanc e
Correc
t
leve l

Differentia
l Oi l

FILLER PLU G
DRAI
N PLU G

Brak
e Fluid , Powe r Steerin g

Always use Genuine Honda DOT 3 brake fluid. If it is not available, you should use only DOT 3 or DOT 4
fluid, from a sealed container, as a temporary replacement. However,
the use of any non-Honda brake fluidcan cause corrosion and decrease
the life of the system. Have the
brake system flushed and refilled
with Honda DOT 3 brake fluid as soon as possible.
Brake fluid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your car's braking system and can cause extensive

damage.
Brak
e Syste m
The fluid level should be between the MIN and MAX marks on the sideof the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected for leaks or
worn brake pads. Powe
r Steerin g
You should check the fluid level in the power steering reservoirmonthly. Check the level when the
engine is cold. Look at the side of
the reservoir. The fluid should be
between the UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL. If it is below the
LOWER LEVEL, add power steering
fluid to the UPPER LEVEL.
Maintenanc e
MA
X MI
N LOWE
R
LEVE L
UPPE
R
LEVE L

Powe
r Steering , Hoo d Latch , Ai r Cleane r Elemen t
Always use Genuine Honda Power Steering Fluid. If it is not available,
you may use another power steering fluid as an emergency replacement.However, continued use can causeincreased wear and poor steering in
cold weather. Have the powersteering system flushed and refilled
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering fluid level can indicate a leak in the system. Check
the fluid level frequently and have
the system inspected as soon as

possible.
Turning the steering wheel to full left
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.

Hoo d Latc h
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.
Ai
r Cleane r Elemen t

The air cleaner element should be cleaned or replaced according to the
time and distance recommendations
in the maintenance schedule.

Cleaning (Severe Conditions)

Clean the air cleaner element by
blowing compressed air through it in
the opposite direction to normal air
flow. If you do not have actcess to
compressed air (such as a service station), ask your Acura dealer to do
this service.
Follow the replacement procedure
for removal and reinstallation.
CONTINUED

Maintenanc e

PIVOT
S

LATC H

ASSEMBL Y

NOTIC E