2001 Acura RL oil 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

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

Engine Oil
The numbers on the container's label tell you the oil's viscosity or weight.Select the oil for your car according
to this chart.

An oil with a viscosity of 5W-30 is
preferred for optimum fuel economy

and year-round protection in your

Acura. You may use a 10W-30 oil if
the temperature in your area never

goes below 20°F(—7°C).
Synthetic Oil
You may use a synthetic motor oil if it meets the same requirements
given for conventional motor oil: it displays the API Certification Seal,
and it is the proper weight as shown
on the chart. When using synthetic
oil, you must follow the oil and filter
change intervals given in the
maintenance schedule. Additives
Your Acura does not need any oiladditives. Purchasing additives for
the engine or transmission will not increase your car's performance or
longevity. It only increases the cost of operating your car.
Maintenance
Ambient Temperature

Engine Oil

Changing the Oil and Filter
Always change the oil and filter according to the time and distance (miles/kilometers) recommenda-
tions in the maintenance schedule.
The oil and filter collect contami- nants that can damage your engine if
they are not removed regularly.
Changing the oil and filter requires
special tools and access from
underneath the car. The car should
be raised on a service station-type
hydraulic lift for this service. Unless
you have the knowledge and proper equipment, you should have this
maintenance done by a skilled

mechanic.
1. Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.

2. Open the hood and remove the

engine oil fill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer from the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.

3. Remove the oil filter and let the

remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your Acura
dealer) is required to remove the
filter.

CONTINUED

Maintenance

OIL DRAIN BOLT

WASHER
OIL FILTER

Engine Oil

4. Install a new oil filter according to
instructions that come with it.

5. Put a new washer on the drain bolt,

then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to:
33 lbf.ft (44 N.m , 4.5 kgf.m)

6. Refill the engine with the recom-

mended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including filter):
4.9 US qt (4.6 , 4.0 Imp qt)

7. Replace the engine oil fill cap.

Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator light should go out within
five seconds. If it does not, turn off
the engine and reinspect your
work.

8. Let the engine run for several

minutes and check the drain bolt
and oil filter for leaks.

9. Turn off the engine, let it sit for

several minutes, then check the oil
level. If necessary, add oil to bring the level to the upper mark on the
dipstick.

Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmful to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose ofthe used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container and take it to a recycling center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.
Maintenance
NOTICE

Storing Your Car

If you need to park your car for an extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you should do to prepare it for storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent deterioration and makes it easier to
get your car back on the road. If
possible, store your car indoors. Fill the fuel tank.
Change the engine oil and filter
(see page 219).
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Clean the interior. Make sure the
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Park. Block the rear wheels.
If the car is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be supported on jackstands so the
tires are off the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the car is being stored indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Support the front wiper blade
arms with a folded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield. To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and trunk seals. Also, apply a vehicle body wax to the painted
surfaces that mate with the door
and trunk seals. Cover the car with a "breathable"
cover, one made from a porous
material such as cotton. Nonporous materials, such as
plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint. If possible, run the engine for a
while periodically (preferably once
a month).
If you store your car for 12 months or longer, have your Acura dealer
perform the inspections called for in
the 24 months/30,000 miles (48,000
km) maintenance schedule (Normal Conditions) as soon as you take it
out of storage (see page 208). The
replacements called for in the
maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the car has actually
reached that time or mileage.

Maintenance

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