2003 Acura CL oil level

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Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .
Windshield washer f luid Check
the level in the reservoir monthly.
If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers f requently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
f or f uel. See page .
Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate lights monthly. See
page . Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page
.
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the page given.
When adding or replacing f luids
within the engine compartment, such
as oil and coolant, be caref ul of
spillage.
This may lead to damage parts in the
engine compartment.
181
183
249
250 252 266
273
Owner Maintenance Checks
Maint enance237

CONT INUED
To add oil, unscrew and remove the
engine oil f ill cap on top of the valve
cover. Pour in the oil, and install the
engine oil f ill cap. Tighten it securely.
Wait a f ew minutes and recheck the
oil level. Do not f ill above the upper
mark; you could damage the engine.Make sure the API Certif ication Seal
says ‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’
Oil is a major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 5W-20
detergent oil displaying the API
Certif ication Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements.
Honda Motor Oil is the pref erred
5W-20 lubricant f or your vehicle. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda Motor Oil in your vehicle f or
optimum engine protection.
A dding Oil
Recommended Oil
Engine Oil
Maint enance239
E EN
NG GIINNE E O
OIILL F
FIILL L
L C
CAA P
P
A
AP
PI
IC
CE ER
RT TI
IFFI ICCA A T
TI
IOON N S
SEEA
A L
L

Let the engine run f or several
minutes and check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks.
Turn of f the engine, let it sit f or
several minutes, then check the oil
level. If necessary, add oil to bring
the level to the upper mark on the
dipstick.
Install a new oil f ilter according to
instructions that come with it.
Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to:
Refill the engine with the recom-
mended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter):
Replace the engine oil f ill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator light should go out within
f ive seconds. If it does not, turn of f
the engine and reinspect your
work.
6. 7.
8.
9.
4.
5.
Engine Oil
Maint enance242
29 lbf·ft (39 N·m , 4.0 kgf·m)
4.6 US qt (4.4
, 3.9 Imp qt)
Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmf ul to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the 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.

The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your Acura dealer.Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground.
Remove the check bolt and look for
transmission f luid coming out of the
bolt hole. If a small amount of f luid
drips out of the bolt hole, reinstall
the check bolt. If no f luid comes out, remove the
f iller bolt. Slowly add Honda Manual
Transmission Fluid (MTF) until it
starts to run out of the check bolt
hole. Let the f luid run out until it
stops, then reinstall the check bolt
and the f iller bolt.
If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certif ication seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES’’ as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives and continued use can
cause stif f er shif ting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
6.
6-speed Manual Transmission
Maint enance
T ransmission Fluid
251
F FIILLL LE
E R
R B
BOOL LT
T
C
CH H E
EC
CK K B
BOOL LTT
D
D R
RAA I
INN B
BOOL LTT

Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the light
does not go out within ten seconds,
turn of f the engine. There is a
mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired bef ore you can
continue driving. (Seeon page .)
Saf ely pull of f the road and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
This indicator should light when the
ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
af ter the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing, it
indicates that the oil pressure
dropped very low f or a moment, then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with the engine running, it shows
that the engine has lost oil pressure
and serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action. If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ). Letthecarsitforaminute.Open
the hood and check the oil level
(see page ). Although oil level
and oil pressure are not directly
connected, an engine that is very
low on oil can lose pressure during
cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
1.
2.
3. 4.
181 239 320
Emergency
Towing
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed308
L LO OW W O
OIILL P
PR
RE ES
SS SUUR REE I
INND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the car stopped.

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 185
................................
Accessories .185
.
Additional Safety Precautions . 186
............................
Modif ications .186
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .81
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 117
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 240
.........................
Airbag (SRS) .9, 46, 48
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .254
..............
Air Conditioning System . 122
..............................
Maintenance .264
.................................
Usage .124, 129
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .266
...........................
Alarm, Anti-theft .158
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .330
.......
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning . 287
......................................
Antif reeze .243
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .61, 208
...................................
Operation .207
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 157
Anti-thef t Steering Column ..............................................
Lock .81 ..........................
Anti-thef t System .158
..........................
Appearance Care .285
............................................
Armrest .96
...............
Audio Controls, Remote . 156
................................
Audio System .135
Automatic Climate Control ........................................
System .122
...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature . 71
Automatic Seat Belt ...................................
Tensioners .44
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 159
..............
Automatic Transmission . 197
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .326
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 250
....
Sequential SportShif t Mode . 200
.......................................
Shif ting .198
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 197
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 198
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 204
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .60, 309
............................
Jump Starting .303 ..............................
Maintenance .259
............................
Specif ications .327
..............................
Bef ore Driving .177
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,43
...........................
Beverage Holder .111
...................................
Body Repair .292
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 207
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 178
....................
Bulb Replacement .278
...........................................
Fluid .252
.......................................
Parking .108
.................
System Indicator . 60,312
........................
Wear Indicators .206
.............................
Braking System .206
........................
Break-in, New Car .178
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 72
........................
Brights, Headlights .70
Index
A
B
I

CONT INUED
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 324
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .78
...........................................
Switch .80
............
Timing Control System . 333
........................
Immobilizer System .79
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 57
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .29
......................................
Inf ant Seats .30
.........................................
LATCH .41
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 40
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 266
...................................
Inside Mirror .98
.............................
Inspection, Tire .268
............................
Instrument Panel .57
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 72
...........................
Interior Cleaning .288
...............................
Interior Lights .118
........................................
Introduction .i
........................
Jacking up the Car .297 .......................................
Jack, Tire .295
................................
Jump Starting .303
..................................................
Keys .78
.......................
Label, Certif ication .324
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 72
..........................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .43
.........................
Leather, Cleaning .289
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .275
........................................
Ceiling .118
.....................................
Courtesy .119
.......................................
Indicator .57
.........................................
Parking .70
..................................
Turn Signal .72
.....................................
Load Limit .217
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 81
........................
Lockout Prevention .83
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 81
............................
Fuel Fill Door .179 ....................................
Glove Box .90
.................................
Power Door .82
......
Rear Console Compartment . 90
...........................................
Trunk .87
........
Trunk Pass-through Cover . 97
........................
Low Coolant Level .183
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .64
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 60,308
Lubricant Specif ications ..........................................
Chart .326
.........................................
Luggage .187
..................................
Maintenance .225
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 237
.................................
Record .235-236
......................
Required Indicator .68
..........................................
Saf ety .226
.............................
Schedule .230-234
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 60,310
...................
Manual Transmission . 194
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 251
...........
Memory, Driving Position . 100
Index
J K
L
M
I
V

.............................
SRS Indicator .49 ,61
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 81
.......................
Starting the Engine .193
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .193
................
With a Dead Battery . 303
..............
State Emissions Testing . 335
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 306
Steering Wheel ..................................
Adjustment .76
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 81
...................
Stereo Sound System . 135
...........................
Storing Your Car .283
..................................
Storage Tray .115
........................................
Sun Visor .116
........................
Sunglasses Holder .110
Supplemental Restraint ..................................
System .9,46
......................................
Servicing .51
.........................
SRS Indicator .49 ,61
...................
System Components . 46
..................................
Synthetic Oil .240
.....................................
Tachometer .65 ..........
Taillights, Changing Bulbs . 278
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 293
....................................
Tape Player .142
Technical Descriptions ......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 328
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 332
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels .330
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .334
.......................
Temperature Gauge .67
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 41
............................
Thef t Protection .157
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 334
..........................
Time, Setting the .109
....................................
Timing Belt .266
....................................
Tire Chains .272
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 295
...............................................
Tires .266
..............................
Air Pressure .266
.........................
Checking Wear .268
..........................
Compact Spare .294
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 328
......................................
Inf lation .266
..................................
Inspection .268
...................................
Replacing .270
......................................
Rotating .269 ...........................................
Snow .272
............................
Specif ications .327
.......................
Traction Devices .272
..........................
Winter Driving .271
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 295
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .217
................
Emergency Wrecker . 320
Traction Control System (TCS) ...............................
Indicator .62, 209
...................................
Operation .209
...........................
Traction Devices .272
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .250
...................................
Manual .251
..................
Fluid Selection . 250,251
..............
Identif ication Number . 324
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 197
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 194
.....................................
Treadwear .328
.......................................
Trip Meter .66
................................................
Trunk .87
........
Emergency Trunk Opener . 89
.................................
Opening the .87
...................
Open Monitor Light . 63
Index
T
VIII