2001 Acura RL engine

Automatic Transmission Fluid

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 thedipstick 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 lower
marks.

5. If the level is below the lower

mark, add fluid into the tube to
bring it to the upper mark. Always
use Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid). 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 flushed and refilled with Honda ATF-Z1 assoon as it is convenient.

To thoroughly flush the
transmission, the technician should drain and refill it with
Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid), then drive the vehicle a short distance. Do
this three times. Then drain and
refill the transmission a final time.
Maintenance

DIPSTICK GUIDE

DIPSTICK

UPPER MARKLOWER MARK

Brake Fluid, Power Steering

Brake Fluid

Check the fluid level in the brake
fluid reservoir monthly.
The brake fluid should be replaced according to the time recommenda-
tion in the maintenance schedule.
Always use Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3. 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 fluid can cause
corrosion and decrease the life of the
system. Have the brake system
flushed and refilled with Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3 assoon as possible.
Brake fluid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your car's braking system and can cause extensive

damage.
Brake System
The fluid level should be between the MIN and MAX marks on the side
of 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. Power Steering
You should check the fluid level in the power steering reservoir at leastonce a year. 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.

Maintenance
MAX
MIN
UPPER

LEVEL
LOWER

LEVEL

Air Cleaner Element

Replacement

The air cleaner element is inside the air cleaner housing on the passenger's
side of the engine compartment.
To replace it:
1. Unsnap the four clamps holding
the air cleaner housing cover.

2. Remove the air cleaner housing cover. Do not disconnect the air

intake tube from the air cleaner
housing cover.

3. Remove the old air cleaner
element.
4. Carefully clean the inside of the air cleaner housing with a damp

rag.

5. Place the new air cleaner element

in the air cleaner housing.

6. Reinstall the air cleaner housing

cover, snap the four hold-down
clamps back into place.

Maintenance CLAMPS
AIR CLEANER

ELEMENT

Spark Plugs
The spark plugs in your car are a special platinum-tipped design for
longer life. The spark plugs should
be replaced according to the time and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. Replacement
1. Remove the two bolts and thethree nuts with a 7/16 inch (10
mm) wrench, then remove theengine cover.
2. Remove the two bolts and the four
nuts with a wrench and remove
the tower bar. Then remove the
A/C tube from the three clips.
3. Clean up any dirt and oil that have
collected around the ignition coils.

CONTINUED

Maintenance

BOLTS

NUTS

NUTS
BOLTS

NUTS

Spark Plugs

8. Torque the spark plug. (If you do
not have a torque wrench, tighten
the spark plug two-thirds of a turn
after it contacts the cylinder head.)
Tightening torque:
13 lbf.ft (18 N.m , 1.8 kgf.m)

Tighten the spark plugs carefully. A
spark plug that is too loose can
overheat and damage the engine. Overtightening can cause damage to
the threads in the cylinder head.

9. Install the ignition coil. Reinstall

the two hold-down bolts.

10.Push the wire connector onto the

ignition coil. Make sure it locks in
place.

11.Repeat this procedure for the other five spark plugs.
12.Put the A/C tube back in place.
13.Install the tower bar and tighten

the two bolts and the four nuts.
Tightening torque: 16 lbf .
ft (22 N .
m , 2.2 kgf .
m)

14.Install the engine cover. First

tighten the two bolts on the front
of the engine cover, then tighten
the three nuts on the engine cover.
Tightening torque: 7 lbf .
ft (10 N .
m , 1.0 kgf .
m)

CONTINUED

Maintenance

NOTICE

Battery

If your car's battery is disconnected
or goes dead, the engine's computer
needs to "relearn" the idle control.
After replacing or recharging the
battery:

1. Make sure the climate control sys-
tem is off.

2. Start the engine and let it run until

it warms up (the radiator cooling
fan comes on at least twice), and
let it idle for five more minutes.

Your audio system will also disable it-
self when the battery is disconnected
or goes dead. The next time you turn
on the radio you will see "Code" in
the frequency display. Use the Pre- set buttons to enter the five-digit
code (see page 164 ).

Charging the battery with the cables
connected can seriously damage your
car's electronic controls. Detach the
battery cables before connecting the

battery to a charger.

Maintenance
NOTICE

Air Conditioning System

Your car's air conditioning is a sealed system. Any major maintenance,such as recharging, should be done
by a qualified mechanic. You can do a couple of things to make sure the
air conditioning works efficiently.
Periodically check the engine's
radiator and air conditioning
condenser for leaves, insects, anddirt stuck to the front surface. These
block the air flow and reduce cooling efficiency. Use a light spray from a
hose or a soft brush to remove them.

The condenser and radiator fins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or soft-bristle brush to clean them.
Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it for at least ten
minutes while you are driving at asteady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the refrigerant. If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a). (See Specifications on page 302.)
Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
facility uses a refrigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
refrigerant for reuse. Releasingrefrigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.

Maintenance

NOTICE
NOTICE

AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER

Lights

Replacing Front Turn Signal/ Parking and Side Marker Light
Bulbs
1. If you are changing the bulb on the driver's side, start the engine,
turn the steering wheel all the way
to the right, and turn off theengine. If you are changing the
bulb on the passenger's side, turn
the steering wheel to the left. 2. Use a flat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the holding clip from the
inner fender.
3. Pull the inner fender cover back.
4. Remove the socket from the headlight assembly by turning itone-quarter turn counterclockwise. 5. To remove the front turn signal/
parking light bulb, push it inslightly and turn it
counterclockwise. To remove the side marker bulb, pull it straight
out of its socket.
6. Install the new bulb into the
socket.

7. Insert the socket back into the headlight assembly. Turn itclockwise to lock it in place.
8. Test the lights to make sure the new bulb is working.
9. Put the inner fender cover in place. Install the holding clip. Lock it in
place by pushing on the center.
Maintenance

HOLDING CLIP