2002 Acura RL coolant level

If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks.
The coolant you add should always
be a mixture of 50 percent antif reeze
and 50 percent water. Never add
straight antif reeze or plain water.If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.
Always use Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2. This
coolant is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent water. It
does not require any additional
mixing.
If it is not available, you may use
another major-brand non-silicate
coolant as a temporary replacement.
Make sure it is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
However, continued use of any non-
Honda coolant can result in
corrosion, causing the cooling
system to malf unction or f ail. Have
the cooling system f lushed and
ref illed with Honda antif reeze/
coolant as soon as possible.
1.
CONT INUED
A dding Engine Coolant
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance231
R RE
ES
SE ER
RV V E
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TA
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NK K
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.
01/09/28 20:03:12 31SZ3660_234

Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank. Put the radiator cap back on.
Tighten it f ully. The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise. Turn the radiator cap counter-
clockwise, without pressing down
on it, until it stops. This relieves
any pressure remaining in the
cooling system. Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your car’s cooling
system. They may not be compatible
with the coolant or engine compo-
nents.
2.
3. 4.
5.
6.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance232
R RE
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RV V E
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NK K
R
RA
A D
DI
IAA T
TO
OR R C
CAA P
P
01/09/28 20:03:22 31SZ3660_235

Install the radiator cap, and
tighten it fully.
If necessary, f ill the reserve tank
to the MAX mark. Install the
reserve tank cap.
Remove the radiator cap. Pour
coolant into the radiator up to the
base of the f iller neck and into the
reserve tank up to the MAX mark.
Start the engine and hold it at
1,500 rpm until the cooling f an
comes on. Turn of f the engine.
Check the coolant level in the
radiator and add coolant if needed. 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:
Install the radiator cap, and
tighten it to the first stop.
Start the engine and let it run until
the radiator cooling f an comes on
at least twice. Then stop the
engine.
Fill the reserve tank to the MAX
mark. Install the reserve tank cap.
Check the level in the radiator,
add coolant if needed.
12. 11. 13.
14.
15.
16.
17. 18.
19.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance236
R RE ES
SE ER
RV V E
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TA
A N
NK K
F
Fi
illll u
u p
p t
too h
he
erree F
FIILLL LEE R
R N
NEEC
CK K
7 lbf·ft (9.8 N·m , 1.0 kgf·m)
01/09/28 20:04:03 31SZ3660_239

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.
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. 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 (see on 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.
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.
9.10.
12.
11.
306
182 306
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
If Your Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed294
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.
01/09/28 20:13:24 31SZ3660_297

CONT INUED
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle .310
Ignition
..............................................
Keys .74
...........................................
Switch .77
............
Timing Control System .319
........................
Immobilizer System .75
.........
Important Safety Precautions .6
Indicators, Instrument
.............................................
Panel .53
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .28
......................................
Inf ant Seats .28
..........
Tether Anchorage Points .39
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire .253
...................................
Inside Mirror .91
.............................
Inspection, Tire .255
............................
Instrument Panel .53
........
Instrument Panel Brightness .66
...........................
Interior Cleaning .277
........................................
Introduction .i
........................
Jacking up the Car .284
.......................................
Jack, Tire .284 ................................
Jump Starting .290
..................................................
Keys .74
.......................
Label, Certif ication .310
.................
Lane Change, Signaling .66
..........................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .40
...................................
Learning Key .75
.........................
Leather, Cleaning .276
........................
Lights On Indicator .55
.........................
Lighter, Cigarette .109
Lights
....................
Bulb Replacement .262
........................................
Ceiling .111
.....................................
Courtesy .112
.......................................
Indicator .53
.........................................
Parking .63
..................................
Turn Signal .66
.....................................
Load Limit .187
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) .77
Locks
.......
Anti-thef t Steering Column .77 ..........................
Childproof Door .82
............................
Fuel Fill Door .179
....................................
Glove Box .85
.................................
Power Door .78
...........................................
Trunk .83
........
Trunk Pass-through Cover .90
........................
Low Coolant Level .182
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .57
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .54,295
Lubricant Specif ications
..........................................
Chart .312
.........................................
Luggage .186
..................................
Maintenance .213
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 225
.................................
Record .223-224
......................
Required Indicator .61
..........................................
Saf ety .214
.............................
Schedule .218-222
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 55,297
.............
Memory, Driving Position . 93
...............................
Meters, Gauges .58
Index
I
J K
L
M
V
01/09/28 20:19:09 31SZ3660_338