2001 Acura TL engine overheat

You should still install winter tires on
your car during the winter. Make
sure to use the same size originally
supplied with vehicle. Exercise the
samecautioninwinterdrivingasyou
would if your car was not equipped
with TCS.
Driving with the compact spare tire
installed (see page ) may
activate the TCS. You should turn of f
the system.
If the brakes overheat while the TCS
is activating, the TCS indicator will
stop flashing and stay on temporarily.
This indicates that the TCS system
has turned of f . Af ter the brakes have
cooled down (usually f or about 10
minutes), the TCS will turn back on
and the indicator will turn of f .This switch is under the side vent. It
letsyouturntheTractionControl
System on and of f . You cannot turn
of f the TCS while the TCS indicator
light is f lashing.Deactivate the system by pressing
the TCS On/Off switch. The TCS
indicator light comes on as a
reminder. Pressing the switch again
turns the system back on.
The Traction Control System turns
on every time you start the engine,
even if you turned it of f the last time
you drove the vehicle.
258
Traction Control System
Driving
TCS ON/OFF Switch
180

If the TCS indicator comes on and
stays on for more than 10 minutes
while driving, pull to the side of the
road when it is saf e and turn of f the
engine. Reset the system by
restarting the engine, and watch the
TCS indicator. If the indicator
remains on, or comes back on while
driving, have the system inspected
by your Acura dealer. You can still
drive the vehicle without TCS.
This indicator will come on along
with the ABS indicator if there is a
problem in the anti-lock brake
system (seeon page
).
The TCS indicator may occasionally
come on f or one or two seconds and
then go out. This is normal.
The TCS indicator comes on or
f lashes under the f ollowing condi-
tions:
When you turn the ignition switch
to ON (II).
When you manually turn of f the
TCS.
It f lashes when the TCS is
regulating wheelspin.
If the system’s diagnostics senses
a problem in the TCS, the indica-
tor will come on and stay on.
If the brakes overheat, the
indicator will come on. 178
Traction Control System
Driving
ABS Indicator
T CS Indicat or
181

´
µSpark Plug Gap:
Push the wire connector onto the
ignition coil. Make sure it locks in
place. Install the ignition coil. Reinstall
the hexagon socket head cap bolt. 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.
NGK:
DENSO:
8. 11.
10.
9.
Maint enance
Spark Plugs
Specif ications:
223
PZFR5F-11
PKJ16CR-L11
0.04 in (1.1 mm)
0
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.

This section covers the more-
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your car towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .258
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .259
..........
If Your Engine Won’t Start . 265
Nothing Happens or the Starter Motor Operates ............................
Very Slowly .265
The Starter Operates ................................
Normally .266
................................
Jump Starting .266
............
If Your Engine Overheats . 269
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 271
..........
Charging System Indicator . 272
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 273
.......................
Readiness Codes .274
...............
Brake System Indicator . 275
..................
Closing the Moonroof . 276
..............................................
Fuses .277
..........
Checking and Replacing . 278
......................
Emergency Towing .282
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed257

CONT INUED
The pointer of your car’s tempera-
ture gauge should stay in the mid-
range under most conditions. It may
go higher if you are driving up a long
steep hill on a very hot day. If it
climbs to the red mark, you should
determine the reason.Your car can overheat f or several
reasons, such as lack of coolant or a
mechanical problem. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the car or
engine cover. In either case, you
should take immediate action. Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park and set the parking brake.
Turn of f the climate control and all
other accessories. Turn on the
hazard warning indicators.
If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine.
If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading
(climbing a long, steep hill on a
hot day with the A/C running, f or
example), the engine should start
to cool down almost immediately.
If it does, wait until the tempera-
ture gauge comes down to the mid-
point then continue driving.
1.
2.
3.
If Your Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed269
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to your engine.

If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
Wait until you see no more signs
of steam or spray, then open the
hood.
Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (seeon page ).
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may also have to
add coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator.
Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. This
releases any remaining pressure in
the cooling system. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap and turn it until it comes
off.
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page
). If the level is below the
MIN mark, add coolant to halfway
between the MIN and MAX marks. Start the engine and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum (climate control to
FULL AUTO at 90°F/32°C). Add
coolant to the radiator up to the
base of the f iller neck. If you do
not have the proper coolant
mixture available, you can add
plain water. Remember to have
the cooling system drained and
ref illed with the proper mixture as
soon as you can.
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly. Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair. (See
on page .)
4.
5.
6.
7.
8. 9.
11.
12.10.
282
155 282
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
If Your Engine Overheats
270
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

CONT INUED
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .163
....................................
Economy .156
.........................
In Bad Weather .182
................
In Foreign Countries . 293
..............................
Economy, Fuel .156
............
Emergencies on the Road . 257
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 266
...........
Brake System Indicator . 275
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 259
.....
Charging System Indicator . 272
..................
Checking the Fuses . 277
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 271
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 273
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 276
..................
Overheated Engine . 269
.........................
Emergency Brake .103
......................
Emergency Flashers .69
......................
Emergency Towing .282
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 86
.......................
Emissions Controls .294
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 297Engine
............................................
Belts .230
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 62
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .56, 273
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 56,271
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 205
...............................
Overheating .269
............................
Specif ications .289
............................
Speed Limiter .173
.......................................
Starting .165
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .292
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 294
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .51
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 250
..........................
Fan, Interior .118, 123
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .113
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 151
Filter ................................
Air Cleaner .220 .......................
Air Conditioning .230
...............................................
Oil .207
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 69
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 259
.....................................
Floor Mats .252
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 216
..........................................
Brake .218
..........................
Power Steering .219
................
Windshield Washers . 215
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .128
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 293
..........................
Four-way Flashers .69
..............................
Front Airbags .9 ,45
.................................................
Fuel .150
......................
Fill Door and Cap .151
...........................................
Gauge .62
................
Octane Requirement . 150
...............................
Oxygenated .292
........................
Reserve Indicator .59
........................
Tank, Filling the .151
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .277
Index
E
F
III

CONT INUED
..................................................
Keys .76
..................................
Maintenance .191
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 203
........................................
Record .201
......................
Required Indicator .63
..........................................
Saf ety .192
.............................
Schedule .196-200
Malf unction Indicator ....................................
Lamp .56, 273
...............................
Meters, Gauges .60
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 292
........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .101
.......................................
Moonroof .100
......................
Closing Manually .276
...................................
Operation .100
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 169
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 150
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 286
.......................
Label, Certif ication .286
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 67
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 15,42
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .240
.......................................
Indicator .55
.........................................
Parking .65
..................................
Turn Signal .67
.....................................
Load Limit .160
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 78
........................
Lockout Prevention .80
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 78
............................
Fuel Fill Door .151
....................................
Glove Box .87
.................................
Power Door .79
...........................................
Trunk .84
........................
Low Coolant Level .155
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 56,271
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 288.........................................
Luggage .159
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 150
.........................................
Odometer .61
...............................
Odometer, Trip .61
Oil ........................
Change, How to .207
......................
Change, When to .196
......................
Checking Engine .154
..............
Pressure Indicator . 56,271
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .206
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 79
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ....................................
Recovery .294
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 293
............................
Outside Mirrors .102
....................
Overheating, Engine .269
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 203
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .292
Index
K
L
NO
M
V