2001 Acura RL air filter

Maintenance

This section explains why it is important to keep your car well
maintained 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 319 for information on how to obtain a copy, or see your Acura

dealer.
Maintenance Safety....................... 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............. 221Replacing Engine Coolant........ 223
Windshield Washers..................... 227
Automatic Transmission Fluid..... 228 Differential Oil.............................. 229

Brake Fluid.................................... 230
Brake System............................. 230
Power Steering............................... 230

Hood Latch.................................... 231

Air Cleaner Element...................... 231 Spark Plugs..................................... 233

Replacement.............................. 233
Specifications............................ 236
Battery............................................ 236
Wiper Blades.................................. 239
Air Conditioning System............... 241
Air Conditioning Filter.................. 242
Drive Belts...................................... 242
Timing Belt..................................... 243
Tires................................................ 243
Inflation..................................... 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

Maintenance

U.S. Owners
Follow the Severe Conditions
Maintenance Schedule if youdrive your car 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 207 .
* 1 : See Timing Belt on page 243 for replacement information under special driving conditions.
* 2 : See Air Conditioning Filter on page 242 for replacement information under special driving conditions.
Maintenance

Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in A, B, C, D, E as required for each distance/time.

U.S. Owners — Refer to page 210 to determine which schedule to use.

Canadian Owners — Use the Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions.

* 1 : See Timing Belt on page 243 for replacement information under special driving conditions.
* 2 : See Air Conditioning Filter on page 242 for replacement information under special driving

conditions.

# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page 207 .

NOTE :
Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.

Maintenance
CONTINUED

page 246

*
1 : See Timing Belt on page 243 for replacement information under
special driving conditions.
* 2 : See Air Conditioning Filter on page 242 for replacement

information under special driving conditions.

# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page 207.

NOTE:
Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.
Maintenance

Air Conditioning Filter, Drive Belts

Air Conditioning Filter The air conditioning filter removespollen and dust that is brought in
from the outside through the climate control system.
This filter should be replaced every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) under nor-
mal conditions. It should be replaced
every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) if youdrive primarily in urban areas that
have high concentrations of soot in
the air from industry and diesel-pow- ered vehicles. Replace it more often
if air flow from the climate control system becomes less than usual.
Have the air conditioning filter re-
placed by your Acura dealer. Drive Belts

The belts should have the following

"play" or deflection.

Alternator belt:
0.37 — 0.45 in (9.5 — 11.5 mm)
Compressor belt:
0.31 — 0.43 in (8.0 — 11.0 mm)
Power steering belt:
0.41 — 0.49 in (10.5 — 12.5 mm)
If you see signs of wear or looseness,
have your dealer adjust or replace
the belts.

Maintenance
Check the condition of the three
drive belts. Examine the edges of
each belt for cracks or fraying.
Check the tension of each belt by
pushing on it with your thumb midway between the pulleys.
ALTERNATOR BELT
POWER STEERING BELT
COMPRESSOR BELT

Index

Accessories and Modifications.... 174 Accessories................................. 174
Additional Safety Precautions.. 175Modifications............................. 175
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
Position)........................................ 80
Accessory Power Socket.............. 115
Additives, Engine Oil..................... 218
Airbag (SRS).......................... 9, 43, 45
Air Cleaner Element...................... 231
Air Conditioning Filter.................. 242
Air Conditioning System............... 122 Maintenance............................... 241
Usage..................................124, 129
Air Outlets (Vents)........................ 122
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 243
Alarm, Anti-theft............................ 164
Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 306
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning........ 265
Antifreeze....................................... 221
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) Indicator................................ 56, 189Operation.................................... 188
Anti-theft, Audio System............... 164
Anti-theft Steering Column
Lock...............................................80

Anti-theft System........................... 165

Appearance Care........................... 263

Armrest............................................. 97

Ashtrays.......................................... 117

Audio Controls, Remote................ 163

Audio System................................. 136
Automatic Climate Control
System......................................... 122

Automatic Lighting.......................... 64
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners.................................... 41
Automatic Speed Control................ 73
Automatic Transmission............... 182
Capacity, Fluid........................... 302

Checking Fluid Level................228

Shifting........................................ 182

Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 182
Shift Lever Positions................. 182
Shift Lock Release..................... 185 Battery
Charging SystemIndicator............................ 54, 286
Jump Starting............................. 280 Maintenance............................... 236
Specifications............................. 303
Before Driving............................... 167
Belts, Seat..................................... 8, 40
Beverage Holder............................ 112
Body Repair.................................... 270

Brakes
Anti-lock System (ABS)............ 188
Break-in, New Linings .............. 168
Bulb Replacement..................... 256
Fluid............................................229

Parking........................................ 109
System Indicator.................. 54, 289
Wear Indicators......................... 187
Braking System.............................. 187
Break-in, New Car......................... 168
Brightness Control, Instruments... 66
Brights, Headlights......................... 63

CONTINUED

Index

Fan, Interior.......................... 126, 131

Features, Comfort and
Convenience............................... 121
Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 169

Filters
Air Cleaner................................. 231

Air Conditioning........................ 242

Oil................................................ 219

Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 70
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 273
Fluids Automatic Transmission........... 228

Brake........................................... 229

Differential................................. 229

Power Steering........................... 230

Windshield Washer................... 227
FM Stereo Radio
Reception........................... 137, 147

Fog Lights......................................... 67
Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 307
Four-way Flashers...........................
70

Front
Airbags.............................. 9,

43

Fuel..................................................

168

Fill Door and Cap....................... 169
Gauge............................................ 60

Octane Requirement................. 168
Oxygenated................................ 306

Reserve Indicator......................... 57
Tank, Filling the......................... 169
Fuel Mileage, Improving............... 173
Fuses, Checking the...................... 292

Gasohol........................................... 306
Gasoline.......................................... 168

Fuel Reserve Indicator................ 57

Gauge............................................ 60
Octane Requirement................. 168
Tank, Filling the......................... 169

Gas Station Procedures................. 169

Gauges.............................................. 58

Engine Coolant Temperature .... 60

Fuel................................................ 60

Speedometer................................ 58

Tachometer.................................. 58

GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating)........................................ 197

Gearshift Lever Positions............. 182

Glass Cleaning............................... 268

Glove Box......................................... 88
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight

Rating)........................................ 197

Halogen Headlight Bulbs.............. 252
Hazard Warning Flashers............... 70
Headlights Automatic Lighting..................... 64
Daytime Running Lights............. 65
High Beam Indicator................... 57Lights On Indicator..................... 55

Reminder Chime.......................... 63

Replacing Halogen Bulbs......... 252

Turning on.................................... 63

Head Restraints............................... 96
Heating and Cooling...................... 122
High Altitude, Starting at.............. 181
High-Low Beam Switch .................. 63
High-mount Brake Light............... 257
HomeLink Universal
Transmitter.................................. 89

Hood Latch..................................... 231

Hood, Opening the........................ 170

Horn................................................... 62

Hydroplaning.................................. 195

Index

Melhanol in Gasoline.................... 306

Mirrors, Adjusting........................... 99

Moonroof........................................ 107
Closing Manually....................... 290
Operation.................................... 107
Neutral Gear Position.................... 183
New Vehicle Break-in ................... 168
NOTICE, Explanation of.................... i
Numbers, Identification................ 300 Octane Requirement, Gasoline.... 168
Odometer.......................................... 59
Odometer, Trip................................ 59
Oil
Change, How to......................... 219

Change, When to....................... 208

Checking Engine....................... 171

Pressure Indicator............... 54, 285
Selecting Proper Viscosity
Chart....................................... 218

ON (Ignition Key Position)............ 80 Onboard Refueling Vapor
Recovery..................................... 308

Opening the Trunk.......................... 86

Operation in Foreign Countries... 307

Outside Mirrors............................... 99

Outside Temperature Indicator..... 59

Overheating, Engine..................... 283

Owner Maintenance Checks........ 215

Oxygenated Fuels.......................... 306

Paint Touch-up............................... 265
Panel Brightness Control............... 66
Park Gear Position......................... 183
Parking............................................ 186
Parking Brake................................ 109

Parking Brake and Brake System Indicator.................. 54, 289
Parking Lights.................................. 63
Parking Over Things that Bum... 310

PGM-FI System.............................. 309

Polishing and Waxing................... 265 Pre-Drive Safety Checklist............. 11
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts.......... 18 Protecting Adults............................. 12
Additional Safety Precautions.... 19
Advice for Pregnant Women...... 18
Protecting Children......................... 20 Protecting Infants........................ 28
Protecting Larger Children........ 35
Protecting Small Children.......... 32
Using Child Seats with
Tethers...................................... 39

Radiator Overheating.................... 283
Radio/Cassette Sound System.... 136
Readiness Codes............................ 288
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement... 254
Rear Seat Armrest........................... 98
Rear Ventilation............................. 134

Rear View Mirror............................. 99

Rear Window Defogger.................. 71
Reclining the Seat Backs................ 95
Reminder Lights.............................. 53
Remote Transmitter........................ 82
Replacement Information Air Cleaner Element.................. 231
Air Conditioning Filter.............. 242