2001 Acura CL Owner's Manual

A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. If it is not available, you may
use another power steering f luid as
an emergency replacement.
However, continued use can cause
increased wear and poor steering in
cold weather. Have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
You should check the f luid level in
the power steering reservoir
monthly. Check the level when the
engine is cold. Look at the side of
the reservoir. The f luid should be
between the UPPER LEVEL and
LOWER LEVEL. If it is below the
LOWER LEVEL, add power steering
f luid to the UPPER LEVEL.
Power Steering
Maint enance230
U UP
PP
PE
ER
R L
LEE V
V E
EL
L
L
LO OW WE ER
R L
LEE V
V E
EL
L
T urning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.

CONT INUED
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.The air cleaner element should be
cleaned or replaced according to the
time and distance recommendations
in the maintenance schedule.
Follow the replacement procedure
for removal and reinstallation.
The air cleaner element is inside the
air cleaner housing on the driver’s
side of the engine compartment.
To replace it:
Removethecruisecontrolcable
f rom its clip. Loosen the f our bolts by using a
Phillips-head screwdriver and
remove the air cleaner housing
cover.
Clean the air cleaner element by
blowing compressed air through it in
the opposite direction to normal air
f low. If you do not have access to
compressed air (such as a service
station), ask your Acura dealer to do
this service.
1. 2.
On Premium model
Premium model
Hood L atch
A ir Cleaner Element
Cleaning (Severe Condit ions)
Replacement
Hood L atch, A ir Cleaner Element
Maint enance231
L LAA T
TC
CH H A
AS
SSSEEM
M B
BLLYY B
BO
OL LTT S
S

Loosen the two bolts with a
Phillips-head screwdriver. Remove
the air cleaner housing cover by
lif ting and pivoting it out of the
loops.Remove the old air cleaner
element.
Caref ully clean the inside of the
air cleaner housing with a damp
rag.
Place the new air cleaner element
in the air cleaner housing.Reinstall the air cleaner housing
cover, tighten the four bolts.
Align the tabs on the battery side
and reinstall the air cleaner
housing cover, then tighten the
two bolts.
Put the cruise control cable back
in place.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
On Premium model
On Type S
On Type S
A ir Cleaner Element
Maint enance232
A A
I
IRR C
CLLEE A
A N
NE ER
R
E
E L
LEE M
M E
EN
NT T
L
LO OO OPP P
Pr
reem m i
iuu m
m m
mo
od
de
ell A
A
I
IRR C
CLLEE A
A N
NE ER
R
E
E L
LEE M
M E
EN
NT T
T
T y
ypp e
e S
S
B
BO
OL LTT S
S

CONT INUED
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.Loosen the two holding clips by
turning the heads one-quarter turn
counterclockwise with a f lat-tipped
screwdriver. Remove the cover on
the f ront cylinder bank by pulling
it straight up.
Clean up any dirt and oil that have
collected around the ignition coils.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.
1.
2. 3.
Replacement
Spark Plugs
Maint enance233
H H
O
OL LDD I
INNG G C
CLLIIPP I
IG
GN NIITT I
IOON N C
COOI ILL
C
CO
ON NNNEEC
CT TO
OR R
L
LO OC CKK
T
T A
A B
B

Use a wrench to remove the
hexagonsocketheadcapbolt
holding the ignition coil. Remove
the ignition coil by pulling it
straight out.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:
Remove the spark plug with
a f ive-eighths inch (16 mm) spark
plug socket. 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.
4.
5. 6.
7.
Spark Plugs
Maint enance234
H HE
EX
X A
AG
GO ONN S
SOOC CKKEET
T H
HE
EA
A D
D C
CAA P
P B
BOOL LTT
13 lbf·ft (18 N·m , 1.8 kgf·m)

´
µ´
µ
Install the ignition coil. Reinstall
the hexagon socket head cap bolt.
Push the wire connector onto the
ignition coil. Make sure it locks in
place.
Repeat this procedure f or the
other f ive spark plugs.
Reinstall the cover on the front
cylinder bank while putting its
mounting clip in the hole on the
passenger’s side. Secure the cover
by turning the heads of the two
holding clips one-quarter turn
clockwise with a f lat-tipped
screwdriver.
Spark Plug Gap:
Spark Plug Gap:
8.
9.
10.
11. NGK:
DENSO:
NGK:
DENSO:
Spark Plugs
Maint enance
Specif ications:
Premium model
Type S
235
0.04 in (1.1 mm)
0.04 in (1.1 mm) PZFR5F-11
PKJ16CR-L11
PZFR6F-11
PKJ20CR-L11
0
0.1 mm0
0.1 mm
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.

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.
To remove the battery cover, pull up
on the right side of the cover to
remove it from the bolt, then pull the
cover out.
To reinstall the cover, insert the pins
ontheleftsideof thecoverintothe
holes and put the cover over the
battery, then push the right side of
the cover over the bolt.
Maint enance
Battery
236
T TE
ES
ST T I
INND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R W
WI INND DO
OW W
T
T
E
ES
ST T I
INND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R W
WI INND DO
OW W B
BA
A T
TT
TE
ER
RY Y
C
CO OV VE
ER
R

µ
Check the battery terminals for
corrosion (a white or yellowish
powder). To remove it, cover the
terminals with a solution of baking
soda and water. It will bubble up and
turn brown. When this stops, wash it
of f with plain water. Dry of f the
battery with a cloth or paper towel.
Coat the terminals with grease to
help prevent f uture corrosion.
If the terminals are severely cor-
roded, clean them with baking soda
and water. Then use a wrench to
loosen and remove the cables f rom
the terminals. Always disconnect the
negative ( ) cable f irst and recon-
nect it last. Clean the battery termi-
nals with a terminal cleaning tool or
wire brush. Reconnect and tighten
the cables, then coat the terminals
with grease.If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damage to the car’s
electrical system.
CONT INUED
Battery
Maint enance237
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
mechanic do the battery
maintenance.