2000 Acura TL 3.2 Owner's Manual

Cooling System
Adding Engine Coolant
RESERVE TANK
If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.Inspect the cooling system for leaks.
This coolant should always be a mixture of 50 percent antifreeze and50 percent water. Never add straight
antifreeze or plain water. Always use Genuine Honda
Antifreeze/Coolant. If it is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporary replacement. Make sure it
is a high-quality coolant
recommended for aluminum engines.
However, continued use of any non-
Honda coolant can result in corrosion, causing the cooling
system to malfunction or fail. Have
the cooling system flushed and refilled with Honda antifreeze/
coolant as soon as possible. If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
Maintenance

Cooling System
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and radiator cool down beforeremoving the radiator cap.RADIATOR CAP
1. Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.
2. Turn the radiator cap counter- clockwise, without pressing down
on it, until it stops. This relieves
any pressure remaining in the
cooling system. 3. Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turningcounterclockwise.
CONTINUED
Maintenance

Cooling System
4. The coolant level should be up tothe base of the filler neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
5. Put the radiator cap back on. Tighten it fully.
RESERVE TANK
6. Pour coolant into the reserve tank. Fill it to halfway between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or other additives to your car's cooling
system. They may not be compatible
with the coolant or engine compo- nents. Replacing Engine Coolant
The cooling system should be completely drained and refilled with
new coolant according to the timeand distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. Only use Genuine Honda Antifreeze/Coolant.
Draining the coolant requires access
to the underside of the car. Unless
you have the tools and knowledge,
you should have this maintenance done by a skilled mechanic.
Maintenance

Cooling System
1. Turn the ignition ON (II). Turnthe heater temperature controldial to maximum heat (climate
control to 90°F/32°C). Turn off
the ignition. Open the hood. Make sure the engine and radiator are
cool to the touch.
2. Remove the radiator cap.
DRAIN PLUG
DRAIN BOLT
3. Loosen the drain plug on thebottom of the radiator. Thecoolant will drain through thesplash guard. Loosen the drain
bolt at the rear of the engine cylinder block.
RESERVE TANK CAP RESERVE TANK
HOLDER
4. Remove the reserve tank from itsholder by pulling it straight up.Drain the coolant, then put the
tank back in its holder.
5. When the coolant stops draining, tighten the drain plug at the
bottom of the radiator.
CONTINUED
Maintenance

Cooling System
6. Tighten the drain bolt at the rearof the engine cylinder blocksecurely.
Tightening torque: 7 Ibf-ft(10N-m,1.0kgf-m)
7. Mix the recommended antifreeze with an equal amount of purifiedor distilled water in a clean
container. The cooling system
capacity is:
1.48 US gal (5.6 i, 1.23 Imp gal) 8. Pour coolant into the radiator up
to the base of the filler neck. Start
the engine and let it run for about30 seconds. Then turn off the
engine. Pour coolant into the
radiator up to the base of the filler
neck. 9. Fill the reserve tank to the MAX
mark. Install the reserve tank cap.
10.Install the radiator cap, and tighten it to the first stop.
Maintenance

Cooling System
11.Start the engine and hold it at1,500 rpm until the radiatorcooling fan comes on at least twice.
Then stop the engine.
12.Remove the radiator cap. Pour coolant into the radiator up to thebase of the filler neck and into the
reserve tank up to the MAX mark.
13.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.
14.Install the radiator cap, and tighten it fully. 15.If necessary, fill the reserve tank
to the MAX mark. Install thereserve tank cap.
Maintenance

Windshield Washers
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 headlight.
Check the reservoir's fluid level by
removing the cap and looking at the
level gauge attached to the cap.
Canadian Models
The low washer level indicator will light when the level is low (see page 57). Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer fluid. This increases the cleaning capability and
prevents freezing in cold weather.NOTICE
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

Transmission Fluid
Automatic Transmission
DIPSTICK
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.
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
3. Insert the dipstick all the way into the transmission securely asshown in the illustration.
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 all the way back into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
The transmission should be drained and refilled with new fluid according
to the time and distance recommen- dations in the maintenance schedule.
Maintenance