2002 Acura TL checking oil

Remove the dipstick again and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page . Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
on page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant. Refer to
on page f or inf ormation
on checking other items in your
Acura.
4. 223 228221
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
A dding Oil
A dding
Engine Coolant Owner Maintenance
Checks
Engine Coolant Check
169
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00/12/25 14:21:05 31S0K630_172

Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.
Regularly maintaining your car is the
best way to protect your investment.
Proper maintenance is essential to
your saf ety and the saf ety of your
passengers. It will also reward you
with more economical, trouble-f ree
driving and help reduce air pollution. This section includes instructions f or
simple maintenance tasks, such as
checking and adding oil. Any service
items not detailed in this section
should be perf ormed by an Acura
technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.
Maintenance Saf ety
Maint enance210
Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.
Improperly maintaining this car
or failing to correct a problem
before driving can cause a
crash in which you can be
seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations and
schedules in this owner’s
manual.
00/12/25 14:27:47 31S0K630_213

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 . 278
....................
Changing a Flat Tire . 279
..........
If Your Engine Won’t Start . 285
Nothing Happens or the Starter Motor Operates ............................
Very Slowly . 285
The Starter Operates ................................
Normally . 286
................................
Jump Starting . 286
............
If Your Engine Overheats . 289
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 291
..........
Charging System Indicator . 292
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 293
.......................
Readiness Codes .294
...............
Brake System Indicator . 295
..................
Closing the Moonroof . 296
..............................................
Fuses .297
..........
Checking and Replacing . 298
......................
Emergency Towing .302
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed277
00/12/25 14:39:17 31S0K630_280

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modifications . 171
................................
Accessories . 171
.
Additional Safety Precautions . 172
............................
Modif ications . 172
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) . 79
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 110
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 225
...............................
Airbag (SRS) . 9, 47
.....................
Air Cleaner Element . 238
.................
Air Conditioning Filter . 249
......
Air Conditioning System . 116, 123
..............................
Maintenance . 248
.................................
Usage . 118, 123
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires . 251
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline . 312
......................................
Antif reeze . 228
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .60, 192
...................................
Operation .191
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 151
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 78
..........................
Appearance Care .269
................................
Audio System .129 ...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature . 70
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 45
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 153
..............
Automatic Transmission . 180
..........................
Capacity,Fluid .308
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 234
.......................................
Shif ting .180
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 180
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 181
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 187
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .59, 292
............................
Jump Starting .286
..............................
Maintenance .243
............................
Specif ications .309
..............................
Bef ore Driving .163
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,44
...........................
Beverage Holder .108
...................................
Body Repair .276
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 191
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 164....................
Bulb Replacement .263
...........................................
Fluid .236
.......................................
Parking .104
.................
System Indicator . 59, 295
........................
Wear Indicators .190
.............................
Braking System .190
........................
Break-in, New Car .164
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 71
........................
Brights, Headlights .69
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .263
..............................
Brake Lights .263
..............................
Ceiling Light .265
........................
Courtesy Lights .265
.................................
Fog Lights .262
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 260
.................................
Headlights .259
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 264
...................
License Plate Light . 264
............................
Specif ications .309
...................................
Spotlights .265
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 260
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .259
Index
A
B
I
00/12/26 11:14:29 31S0K630_330

Î
............................
Capacities Chart . 308
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 53
............................
Carrying, Cargo .173
Cassette Player ............................................
Care .141
...................................
Operation .137
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
...................................
CD Changer .142
..................................
Ceiling Light .111
........................
Certif ication Label .306
............................................
Chains .256
Changing Oil ........................................
How to .225
......................................
When to .214
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .279
............
Changing Engine Coolant . 230
...
Charging System Indicator . 59, 292
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 178
..................
Childproof Door Locks . 84
.....................................
Child Saf ety .21
.......................................
Child Seats .26
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 41
....................
Cleaner Element, Air . 238Cleaning
....................
Aluminum Wheels .271
...................................
Carpeting .272
......................................
Exterior .270
.......................................
Interior .272
.......................................
Leather .273
...................................
Seat Belts .273
...........................................
Vinyl .273
....................................
Windows .274
.......
Climate Control System . 116, 123
.........................
Clock, Setting the .105
..........................
CO in the Exhaust .53
........................................
Coin Box .106
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 179
..............................
Compact Spare .278
.................
Console Compartment . 106
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 320
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 55
Coolant ........................................
Adding .228
....................................
Checking .169
.........................
Proper Solution .228
...................................
Replacing .230
...................
Temperature Gauge . 66
....................
Corrosion Protection .275 Crankcase Emissions Control
........................................
System .314
............
Cruise Control Operation . 153
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 320
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .2, 56
................
Daytime Running Lights . 70
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 323
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 74
......
Def rosting the Windows . 122, 127
....................................
Dimensions .308
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 69
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 234
..................................
Engine Oil .168
..........................
Directional Signals .71
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 190
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .227
Doors ..............................
Monitor Light .62
......................
Power Door Locks .79
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 310
.....................................
Drive Belts .249
Index
C
D
II
00/12/25 14:47:20 31S0K630_331

CONT INUED
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving . 177
....................................
Economy . 170
.........................
In Bad Weather . 199
................
In Foreign Countries . 313
Driving Position Memory ..........................................
System . 96
..............................
Economy, Fuel . 170
............
Emergencies on the Road . 277
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 286
...........
Brake System Indicator . 295
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 279
.....
Charging System Indicator . 292
..................
Checking the Fuses . 297
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 291
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 293
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 296
..................
Overheated Engine . 289
.........................
Emergency Brake .104
......................
Emergency Flashers .73
......................
Emergency Towing .302
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 86
.......................
Emissions Controls .314 .............
Emissions Testing, State . 317
Engine ............................................
Belts .249
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 66
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .59, 293
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 59, 291
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 223
...............................
Overheating .289
............................
Specif ications .309
............................
Speed Limiter .187
.......................................
Starting .179
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .312
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 314
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .53
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 270
..........................
Fan, Interior .120, 125
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .115
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 165Filter
................................
Air Cleaner .238
.......................
Air Conditioning .249
...............................................
Oil .225
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 73
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 279
.....................................
Floor Mats .272
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 234
..........................................
Brake .236
..........................
Power Steering .237
................
Windshield Washers . 233
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .135
........................................
Fog Lights .70
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 313
..........................
Four-way Flashers .73
..............................
Front Airbags .9, 47
.................................................
Fuel .164
......................
Fill Door and Cap .165
...........................................
Gauge .66
................
Octane Requirement . 164
...............................
Oxygenated .312
........................
Reserve Indicator .63
........................
Tank, Filling the .165
Index
E
F
III
00/12/25 14:47:26 31S0K630_332

CONT INUED
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 183
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 164
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 306
..................................................
Keys . 76
.......................
Label, Certif ication . 306
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 71
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 15, 44
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement . 259
.......................................
Indicator . 57
.........................................
Parking . 69
..................................
Turn Signal . 71
.....................................
Load Limit . 174
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 78
........................
Lockout Prevention . 80
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 78
............................
Fuel Fill Door . 165
....................................
Glove Box . 87
.................................
Power Door .79
...........................................
Trunk .85
........................
Low Coolant Level .169
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 59, 291
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 308.........................................
Luggage .173
..................................
Maintenance .209
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 221
........................................
Record .219
......................
Required Indicator .67
..........................................
Saf ety .210
.............................
Schedule .214-218
Malf unction Indicator ....................................
Lamp .59, 293
.............
Memory, Driving Position . 96
...............................
Meters, Gauges .64
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 312
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .94
.......................................
Moonroof .103
......................
Closing Manually .296
...................................
Operation .103 ...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 164
.........................................
Odometer .65
...............................
Odometer, Trip .65
Oil ........................
Change, How to .225
......................
Change, When to .214
......................
Checking Engine .168
..............
Pressure Indicator . 59, 291
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .224
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 79
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ....................................
Recovery .314
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 313
..............................
Outside Mirrors .94
....................
Overheating, Engine .289
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 221
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .312
Index
K
L
NO
M
V
00/12/25 14:47:41 31S0K630_334

Î
.....................
Underside, Cleaning . 275
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the . 277
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 310
........................
Unleaded Gasoline . 164
.....................
Upholstery Cleaning . 272
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 227 .............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 54
..................
Warranty Coverages . 322
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level . 233
.......................................
Indicator .63
.....................................
Operation .73
.........................................
Washing . 270
..................
Waxing and Polishing . 271
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering . 75
............
Alignment and Balance . 253
..........................
Compact Spare . 278
...............................................
Tires . 250
..............................
Air Pressure . 251
.........................
Checking Wear . 252
..........................
Compact Spare . 278
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 310
......................................
Inf lation . 251
..................................
Inspection . 252
...................................
Replacing . 254
......................................
Rotating . 254
...........................................
Snow . 256
............................
Specif ications . 309
.......................
Traction Devices . 256
..........................
Winter Driving . 256
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 279
Towing .....................................
A Trailer . 201
................
Emergency Wrecker . 302
Traction Control System (TCS) ...............................
Indicator .61, 195
...................................
Operation .193
...........................
Traction Devices .256
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .234
...........................
Fluid Selection .235
..............
Identif ication Number . 307 .............
Shif ting the Automatic . 180
.............................
Treadwear .252, 310
.......................................
Trip Meter .65
................................................
Trunk .85
........
Emergency Trunk Release . 86
.................................
Opening the .85
...................
Open Monitor Light . 62
....................................
Turn Signals .71
................................
Vanity Mirror .109
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 174
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .308
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 306Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
....................................
System .196
........
VSA System Indicator . 61, 196
...
VSA Activation Indicator . 61, 197
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .197
.............................
Vehicle Storage .267
.................................................
VIN .306
...............................
Vinyl Cleaning .273
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .224
Index
U
V W
VIII
00/12/25 14:47:59 31S0K630_337