2001 Acura CL oil

High levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidly in enclosed areas,
such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.
Even with the door open, run the
engine only long enough to move the
vehicle out of the garage.If you must sit in your parked car,
even in an unconf ined area, with the
engine running, adjust the climate
control system as f ollows:
Your car’s exhaust contains carbon
monoxide gas. You should have no
problem with carbon monoxide
entering the car in normal driving if
you maintain your car properly.
Have the exhaust system inspected
f or leaks whenever:
The car is raised f or an oil change.
You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust.
Thecarwasinanaccidentthat
may have damaged the underside. Select the Fresh Air mode.
Select the mode.
Set the f an speed to high.
Set the temperature control to a
comfortable setting.
With the trunk lid open, air f low can
pull exhaust gas into your car’s
interior and create a hazardous
condition. If you must drive with the
trunk lid open, open all the windows
and set the climate control system as
shown below.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
Driver and Passenger Saf ety49
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and even kill
you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or
activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.

The engine can be severely damaged
if this light f lashes or stays on when
the engine is running. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
If this light comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For complete
inf ormation, see page .This light has two f unctions:
Itcomesonwhenyouturnthe
ignition switch ON (II) as a
reminder to check the parking
brake. If the parking brake is not
set, it goes of f af ter the engine
starts. If the parking brake is set,
it goes of f when you release the
parking brake with the engine
running. Driving with the parking
brake applied can damage the
brakes and tires.
If the indicator remains lit after
you have f ully released the
parking brake while the engine is
running, or if it comes on while
driving, it can indicate a problem
in the brake system. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
See page . This light normally comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II), and when
the ignition switch is turned to
START (III). If this light comes on at
any other time, there is a problem in
theABS.If thishappens,takethe
cartoyourdealertohaveitchecked.
With the light on, your car still has
normal braking ability but no anti-
lock. For complete inf ormation, see
page .
1.
2.
284
285
287187
286
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator Parking Brake and Brake System
Indicator
Malf unction Indicator
Lamp Anti-lock Brake
System (A BS)
Indicator
55
U.S. Canada
U.S. Canada

Bef ore you begin driving your Acura,
youshouldknowwhatgasolineto
use, and how to check the levels of
important f luids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggage
or packages. The inf ormation in this
section will help you. If you plan to
add any accessories to your car,
please read the inf ormation in this
section f irst..............................
Break-in Period . 160
.........................................
Gasoline . 160
.........
Service Station Procedures . 161
................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 161
....................
Opening the Hood . 162
...............................
Oil Check . 163
.........
Engine Coolant Check . 165
...............................
Fuel Economy . 166
............................
Car Condition . 166
...........................
Driving Habits . 166
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 167
.............................
Carrying Cargo . 169
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving159

CONT INUED
If you can open the hood without
sliding the hood latch handle, or the
hood latch handle moves stif f ly or
does not spring back as bef ore, the
mechanism should be cleaned and
lubricated (see page ).Check the engine oil level every time
you f ill the car with f uel. Wait a f ew
minutes af ter turning the engine of f
bef ore you check the oil.Remove the dipstick (orange
handle).
Lif t the hood up most of the way.
The hydraulic supports will lif t it
uptherestof thewayandholdit
up.
To close the hood, lower it to about a
f oot (30 cm) above the f ender, then
press down f irmly with your hands.
Afterclosingthehood,makesureit
is securely latched. 1.
3.
231
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
Oil Check
163
D D
I
IPP S
ST TI
ICCK K

Remove the dipstick again and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page .
Insert it all the way back in its tube.
Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel. 4.
217
3.
2.
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
A dding Oil
164
U UP PP
PE
ER
R M
M A
AR
RKK
D
D
I
IPP S
ST TI
ICCK K
L
LOOW WE ER
R M
M A
AR
RKK

µExercise extra caution when driving
in rain af ter a long dry spell. Af ter
months of dry weather, the f irst
rains bring oil to the surf ace of the
roadway, making it slippery.
Rain, f og, and snow conditions
require a dif f erent driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your car well-
maintained and exercise greater
caution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control
should not be used in these
conditions. Always drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your car longer to
react, even in conditions that may
seem just barely damp. Apply
smooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli-
cation of the brakes can cause loss of
control in wet weather. Be extra
cautious f or the f irst f ew miles
(kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in
snow. A person can f orget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills. Driving T echnique
Driving
Driving in Bad Weather
194

If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Acura, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Acura
dealer. This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself . This section explains why it is
important to keep your car well
maintained and to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.......................
Maintenance Saf ety . 204
.
Important Safety Precautions . 205
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 206
...
Required Maintenance Record . 213
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 215
..............................
Fluid Locations . 216
......................................
Engine Oil . 217
..................................
Adding Oil . 217
....................
Recommended Oil . 217
..............................
Synthetic Oil . 218
....................................
Additives . 218
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 219
.............................
Cooling System . 221
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 221
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 223
....................
Windshield Washers . 227
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 228
....................................
Brake Fluid . 229
............................
Brake System . 229
..............................
Power Steering . 230
....................................
Hood Latch . 231
.....................
Air Cleaner Element . 231
....................................
Spark Plugs . 233
..............................
Replacement . 233
............................
Specif ications . 235
...........................................
Battery . 236.................................
Wiper Blades . 239
..............
Air Conditioning System . 241
.................
Air Conditioning Filter . 242
.....................................
Drive Belts . 242
....................................
Timing Belt . 243
...............................................
Tires . 243
......................................
Inf lation . 243
..................................
Inspection . 245
..............................
Maintenance . 246
.............................
Tire Rotation . 246
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 247
......................
Wheels and Tires . 248
..........................
Winter Driving . 248
.............................
Snow Tires . 249
............................
Tire Chains . 249
.............................................
Lights . 250
........................
Replacing Bulbs . 252
...........................
Storing Your Car . 261
315
Maintenance
Maint enance203

Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.
This section includes instructions f or
simple maintenance tasks, such as
checking and adding oil. Any service
items not detailed in this section
should be perf ormed by an Acura
technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.
Regularly maintaining your car is the
best way to protect your investment.
Proper maintenance is essential to
your saf ety and the saf ety of your
passengers. It will also reward you
with more economical, trouble-f ree
driving and help reduce air pollution.
Maintenance Saf ety
Maint enance204
Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.
Improperly maintaining this car
or failing to correct a problem
before driving can cause a
crash in which you can be
seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations and
schedules in this owner’s
manual.