2000 Acura TL brake

Towing a Trailer
Handling Crosswinds and Buffeting
Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause trailer swaying. When being passed by a
large vehicle, keep a constant speed
and steer straight ahead. Do not try
to make quick steering or braking corrections.
Backing Up
Always drive slowly and have someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the bottom of the steering
wheel; then turn the wheel to the left to get the trailer to move to the left,
and turn the wheel right to move the
trailer to the right. Parking
Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including putting the
transmission in Park and firmly setting the parking brake. Also, place
wheel chocks at each of the trailer's
tires.
Driving

Maintenance
This section explains why it isimportant to keep your car wellmaintained and to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
This section also includes Maintenance Schedules for normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions for simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself.
If you have the skills and tools to per-
form more complex maintenance
tasks on your Acura, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See page 297 for information on how toobtain a copy, or see your Acuradealer. Maintenance Safety .................................188
Important Safety Precautions......189
Maintenance Schedule
.......................... 190
Maintenance Record ............................ 197
Owner Maintenance Checks.............. 199
Fluid Locations.................................... 200
Engine Oil...................................... 201
Adding Oil................................ 201
Recommended Oil...................... 201
Synthetic Oil................................ 203
Additives.................................. 203
Changing the Oil and Filter.......... 203
Cooling System ............................ 206
Adding Engine Coolant............ 206 Replacing Engine Coolant........ 208
Windshield Washers .................... 212
Transmission Fluid...................... 213
Automatic Transmission.......... 213
Brake Fluid................................ 214
Brake System .......................... 214
Power Steering ............................ 215
Hood Latch.................................. 215
Air Cleaner Element .................. 216
Spark Plugs................................ 217
Replacement............................ 217
Specifications............................ 219Battery..........................................
220
Wiper Blades.............................. 223 Air Conditioning System.............. 225
Air Conditioning Filter................ 226
Drive Belts.................................... 226
Timing Belt................................ 227
Tires............................................ 227
Inflation................................ 228
Inspection................................ 229
Maintenance............................ 230
Tire Rotation............................ 231
Replacing Tires and Wheels..... 231
Wheels and Tires.................... 232
Winter Driving...................... 233
Snow Tires.......................... 233
Traction Devices.................. 233
Lights........................................ 234
Replacing Bulbs...................... 236
Storing Your Car........................ 243
Maintenance

Maintenance Safety
Important Safety Precautions
Before you begin any maintenance,
make sure your car is parked on
level ground and that the parking
brake is set. Also, be sure the engine
is off. This will help to eliminateseveral potential hazards:
• Carbon monoxide poisoning from engine exhaust. Be surethere is adequate ventilation
whenever you operate the engine.
• Burns from hot parts. Let the engine and exhaust system cool
before touching any parts.
• Injury from moving parts. Do
not run the engine unless in-structed to do so. Read the instructions before you
begin, and make sure you have the tools and skills required.
To reduce the possibility of fire or explosion, be careful when working
around gasoline or batteries. Use a
commercially available degreaser or
parts cleaner, not gasoline, to clean
parts. Keep cigarettes, sparks, and
flames away from the battery and all
fuel-related parts.
You should wear eye protection and protective clothing when workingnear the battery or when using
compressed air.
Maintenance

Maintenance Schedule
The Maintenance Schedule specifieshow often you should have your carserviced and what things need
attention. It is essential that you have
your car serviced as scheduled to retain its high level of safety,dependability, and emissions control
performance. The services and time or distance
intervals shown in the maintenanceschedule assume you will use your
vehicle as normal transportation for passengers and their possessions.
You should also follow these recommendations:
• Avoid exceeding your car's load limit. This puts excess stress on
the engine, brakes, and manyother parts of your car. The load
limit is shown on the label on the driver's doorjamb.
• Operate your car on reasonable roads within the legal speed limit.
• Drive your car regularly over a distance of several miles(kilometers).
• Always use unleaded gasoline with the proper octane rating (see page 146). Which Schedule to Follow:
Service your car according to the
time and mileage periods on one of
the Maintenance Schedules on the
following pages. Select the schedule
for "Severe Conditions" if most of
your driving is done under one or more of the conditions listed on that
page. Otherwise, follow the schedule
for "Normal Conditions."
Maintenance

Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions
Service at the indicated
distance or time — whichever
comes first.miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil filter
Check engine oil and coolant
Replace air cleaner element
Inspect valve clearance
Replace spark plugsReplace timing belt*
1, and inspect water pump
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace transmission fluid
Inspect front and rear brakes
Replace brake fluid
Check parking brake adjustment Replace air conditioning filter*
2Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition
at least once per month) 15
24
12 30
48 24 45
72
36 60
96
4875
120 60 90
144 72 105
168
84 120
192
96
Replace every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 12 months
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
•
•
Adjust only if noisy
•
•
•
• •
•
•
• •
•
•
• •
•
• •
•
• •
•
• •
Rotate tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Visually inspect the following items:
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots Suspension components
Driveshaft bootsBrake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids Cooling system hoses and connections
#Exhaust system#Fuel lines and connections
U.S. Owners
Follow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule if thesevere driving conditions
specified in the Severe
Conditions Maintenance
Schedule do not apply.
NOTE: If you only OCCASIONALLY drive under a
"severe" condition, you should
follow the Normal Conditions Maintenance Schedule.
Canadian Owners
Follow the Maintenance
Schedule for Severe Conditions.
# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page\
191.
* 1: See Timing Belt on page 227 to determine need for replacement.
* 2: See Air Conditioning Filter on page 226 for replacement information under special conditions.
Maintenance
• • • • • •\
• •
• • • • • •\
• •
• • • • • •\
• •

Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions (listed by distance/time)Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the\
items in A, B, C as required for each distance/time interval. Follow thisschedule if the severe driving conditions described in the Severe Condit\
ions Schedule on the next page do not apply.
Canadian owners: Follow the schedule for Severe Conditions.
NOTE:• Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.• Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, if noisy. # : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last
column, page 191.
* 1 : See Timing Belt on page 227 to determine need for replacement.
* 2 : See Air Conditioning Filter on page 226 for replacement information under special conditions.
Maintenance
7,500 mi/12,000 km/1 yr15,000 mi/24,000 km/-
22,500 mi/36,000 km/1½, yrs
30,000 mi/48,000 km/2 yrs
37,500 mi/60,000 km/2½ yrs 45,000 mi/72,000 km/3 yrs
52,500 mi/84,000 km/3½ yrs
60,000 mi/96,000 km/4 yrs
67,500 mi/108,000 km/4½yrs
75,000 mi/120,000 km/5 yrs
82,500 mi/132,000 km/5½ yrs
90,000 mi/144,000 km/6 yrs
97,500 mi/156,000 km/6½ yrs
105,000 mi/168,000 km/7 yrs
112,500 mi/180,000 km/7½ yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km/8 yrs Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.Do items in A.
Do items in A, B, C.
Do items in A.
Replace coolant. Replace brake fluid.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B, C.
Do items in A. Replace coolant. Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
Replace brake fluid. Replace transmissionfluid. Do items in A, B, C.
Do items in A.
Replace timing belt*1, inspect water pump. Replace coolant. lnspect valve clearance. Check idle speed. Replace spark plugs.Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B, C.
A Replace engine oil.
Rotate tires (follow pattern on paqe 231 ).
B Replace engine oil filter.
Inspect front and rear brakes.
Check parking brake adjustment.
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots.
Inspect suspension components.
Inspect driveshaft boots.
Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS).
Check all fluid levels, condition of fluids, and check for leaks.
# Inspect cooling system hoses and connections.
# Inspect exhaust system.
Inspect fuel lines and connections.
C Replace air cleaner element.
Inspect and adjust drive belts.
Replace air conditioning filter.*
2

Service at the indicated
distance or time — whichever
comes first. miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Check engine oil and coolant
Clean (o) or replace ( • ) air cleaner element Use normal schedule except in dusty conditons
Inspect valve clearance
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt*
1-*, and inspect water pump
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace transmission fluid Inspect front and rear brakes
Replace brake fluid
Check parking brake adjustment
Replace air conditioning filter*
2Lubricate all hinges, locks and latches Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition
at least once per month) 15
24 12 30
48
24 45
72
3660
96
48 75
120 60 90
144
72 105
168
84 120
192
96
Replace every 3,750 miles (6,000 km) or 6 months Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
O •
O • O •
Adjust only if noisy
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
O •
•
•
Inspect every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months
•
• •
•
•
•
•
••
•
••
•
•
• •
•
•
••
•
•
Rotate tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Visually inspect the following items:
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, Suspension components
Driveshaft boots and boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and conditions of fluids Cooling system hoses and connections
'Exhaust system
'Fuel lines and connections
Lights and controls
Vehicle underbody Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months
U.S. Owners
Follow the Severe Conditions
Maintenance Schedule if you
drive your vehicle MAINLY
under one or more of the
following conditions:
• Driving less than 5 miles (8 km) per trip or, in freezing
temperatures, driving less
than 10 miles (16 km) per trip.
• Driving in extremely hot[over 90°F (32° C)] conditions.
• Extensive idling or long periods of stop-and-go driving.
• Trailer towing, driving with a roof rack, or driving in
mountainous conditions.
• Driving on muddy, dusty, orde-iced roads.
Canadian Owners
Follow the Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions.
# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, \
page 191.
* 1: See Timing Belt on page 227 to determine need for replacement.
* 2: See Air Conditioning Filter on page 226 for replacement information under special conditions.
Maintenance
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions• • • • • • • \
•

Use this schedule if your vehicle is MAINLY driven in any of the followi\
ng Severe Conditions, or normally driven in Canada; otherwise use the No\
rmalSchedule. Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes fir\
st. Do the items in A, B, C, D as required for each distance/time.
3,750 mi/6,000 km/-7,500 mi/12,000 km/6 mos 11,250 mi/18,000 km/-
15,000 mi/24,000 km/1 yr
18,750 mi/30,000 km/-
22,500 mi/36,000 km/1½ yrs
26,250 mi/42,000 km/-
30,000 mi/48,000 km/2 yrs
33,750 mi/54,000 km/-
37,500 mi/60,000 km/2½ yrs
41,250 mi/66,000 km/-
45,000 mi/72,000 km/3 yrs
48,750 mi/78,000 km/-
52,500 mi/84,000 km/3½ yrs
56,250 mi/90,000 km/-
60,000 mi/96,000 km/4 yrs
63,750 mi/102,000 km/-
67,500 mi/108,000 km/4½ yrs
71,250 mi/114,000 km/-
75,000 mi/120,000 km/5 yrs
78,750 mi/126,000 km/- Do items in A.
Do items in A, B. Do items in A.

CIean air cleaner element. Do items in A, B, C.Do items in A. Do items in A, B.Do items in A.
Do items in A, B, C, D.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A. Replace coolant. Replace brake fluid.

CIean air cleaner element. Do items in A, B, C.Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
'
Replace timing belt*1, inspect water pump.Do items in A, B, C, D.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.

Replace coolant, Clean air cleaner element.Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
NOTE:• Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.• Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, if noisy.
CONTINUED
Maintenance
Severe Conditions:• Driving less than 5 miles (8 km) per trip or, in freezingtemperatures, driving less than 10 miles (16 km) per trip.• Driving in extremely hot (over 90°F/32°C) conditions.
• Extensive idling or long periods of stop-and-go driving.• Trailer towing, driving with a roof rack, or driving in mountainous conditions.
• Driving, on muddy, dusty, or de-iced roads.
A
B• Replace engine oil and filter. Inspect front and rear brakes.
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page 231 ). Inspect tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots.
Inspect suspension components. Inspect driveshaft boots.
# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, lastcolumn, page 191.
* 1 : See Timing Belt on page 227 to determine need for replacement.
* 2 : See Air Conditioning Filter on page 226 for replacement
information under special conditions.
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions (listed by distance/time)