2003 Acura CL coolant

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, for
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. 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
otheraccessories.Turnonthe
hazard warning indicators.
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 hood.
In either case, you should take
immediate action.1.
2.
3.
If Your Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed306
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.
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.
320
183 320
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
If Your Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed307
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.

µµÎ
Î
Î
Î
T echnical Inf ormation
Specif ications
326
Dimensions
Weights
Air Conditioning Capacities
4.2 US qt (4.0
, 3.5 Imp qt)
192.0 in (4,877 mm)
70.6 in (1,793 mm)
53.3 in (1,354 mm)
106.9 in (2,715 mm)
61.1 in (1,553 mm)
61.0 in (1,549 mm)
HFC-134a (R-134a)
21.2 22.9 oz (600 650 g) ND-OIL8 1.48 US gal (5.6
, 1.23 Imp gal)
1.98 US gal (7.5, 1.65 Imp gal)
4.6 US qt (4.4
, 3.9 Imp qt)
5.3 US qt (5.0
, 4.4 Imp qt)
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Track
Gross vehicle weight rating See the certification label attached
to the driver’s doorjamb.
Refrigerant type
Charge quantity
Lubricant type 3.1 US qt (2.9, 2.6 Imp qt)
7.6 US qt (7.2, 6.3 Imp qt)
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine. 0.16 US gal (0.6
, 0.13 Imp gal)
Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine.
Reserve tank capacity: 4.8 US qt (4.5
, 4.0 Imp qt)
2.6 US qt (2.5, 2.2 Imp qt)
Fuel tank
Engine
coolant
Engine oil
Automatic
transmission
fluid
Manual
transmission
fluid
Windshield
washer
reservoir
2.3 US qt (2.2
, 1.9 Imp qt)
2.6 US qt (2.5, 2.2 Imp qt)
1:
2: Approx.
Front
Rear Change
Total
Change
Including filter
Without filter
Total
Change
Total
Change
Total
U.S. Cars
Canada Cars
17.17 US gal (65.0, 14.30 Imp gal)1
2

Î
Bulb Replacement..........................
Back-up Lights .278
..............................
Brake Lights .278
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 277
.................................
Headlights .275
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 279
...........................
Interior Lights .280
...................
License Plate Light . 280
............................
Specif ications .327
...............................
Trunk Light .282
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 277
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .275
............................
Capacities Chart .326
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 52
............................
Carrying, Cargo .187
Cassette Player ............................................
Care .146
...................................
Operation .142
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
...................................
CD Changer .147
..................................
Ceiling Light .118
........................
Certif ication Label .324
............................................
Chains .272 Changing Oil
........................................
How to .241
......................................
When to .230
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .295
............
Changing Engine Coolant . 245
...
Charging System Indicator . 60,309
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 192
.....................................
Child Saf ety .20
.......................................
Child Seats .25
.........................................
LATCH .41
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 40
....................
Cleaner Element, Air . 254
Cleaning ....................
Aluminum Wheels .287
...................................
Carpeting .288
......................................
Exterior .286
.........................................
Fabric .289
.......................................
Interior .288
.......................................
Leather .289
...................................
Seat Belts .289
...........................................
Vinyl .289
....................................
Windows .290
................................
Wood Trim .290
...............
Climate Control System . 122
.........................
Clock, Setting the .109
...............................
Clutch System .253 ......................................
Coat Hook .115
.....................
Code, Audio System .157
........................
CO in the Exhaust .332
........................................
Coin Box .113
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 193
..............................
Compact Spare .294
.................
Console Compartment . 113
.............................
Console Pocket .114
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 338
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 55
Coolant ........................................
Adding .243
....................................
Checking .183
.........................
Proper Solution .243
...................................
Replacing .245
...................
Temperature Gauge . 67
....................
Corrosion Protection .291
............................
Courtesy Lights .119
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .332
............
Cruise Control Operation . 159
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 338
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
Index
C
D
II

CONT INUED
...................................
Dashboard .2, 56
................
Daytime Running Lights . 71
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 340
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 75
......
Def rosting the Windows . 128,133
....................................
Dimensions .326
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 70
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 250
..................................
Engine Oil .181
..........................
Directional Signals .72
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 206
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .242
Doors ....................
Lockout Prevention . 83
..............................
Monitor Light .63
......................
Power Door Locks .82
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 328
.....................................
Drive Belts .265
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .191
....................................
Economy .184
.........................
In Bad Weather .215
................
In Foreign Countries . 331
Driving Position Memory ........................................
System .100 ..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 265
..............................
Economy, Fuel .184
............
Emergencies on the Road . 293
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 303
...........
Brake System Indicator . 312
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 295
.....
Charging System Indicator . 309
..................
Checking the Fuses . 315
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 308
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 310
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 313
..................
Overheated Engine . 306
.........................
Emergency Brake .108
......................
Emergency Flashers .75
......................
Emergency Towing .320
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 89
.......................
Emissions Controls .332
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 335
Engine ............................................
Belts .265
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 67
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .60, 310 ........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 60,308
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 239
...............................
Overheating .306
............................
Specif ications .327
....................
Speed Limiter . 195,203
.......................................
Starting .193
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .330
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 332
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .52
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .333
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 286
..........................
Fan, Interior .126, 131
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .121
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 179
Index
E
F
III

.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 275
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 75
Headlights ........................................
Aiming .275
Automatic Lighting Off .....................................
Feature .71
............
Daytime Running Lights . 72
..................
High Beam Indicator . 63
.........................
Reminder Chime .70
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 275
...................................
Turning on .70
..............................
Head Restraints .95
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 193
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 70
..............
High-mount Brake Light . 279
HomeLink Universal ................................
Transceiver .163
....................................
Hood Latch .254
.......................
Hood, Opening the .180
..................................................
Horn .69
.................................
Hydroplaning .216
Filters
................................
AIr Cleaner .254
.........................
Dust and pollen .265
...............................................
Oil .241
..............
Flashers,Hazard Warning . 75
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 295
.....................................
Floor Mats .288
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 250
..........................................
Brake .252
.........................................
Clutch .253
..............
Manual Transmission . 251
..........................
Power Steering .253
................
Windshield Washers . 249
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .140
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 331
..........................
Four-way Flashers .75
..............................
Front Airbags .9 ,46
.................................................
Fuel .178
......................
Fill Door and Cap .179
...........................................
Gauge .67
................
Octane Requirement . 178
...............................
Oxygenated .330
........................
Reserve Indicator .64
........................
Tank, Filling the .179 .....................
Fuses, Checking the .315
..........................................
Gasohol .330
.........................................
Gasoline .178
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 64
...........................................
Gauge .67
................
Octane Requirement . 178
........................
Tank, Filling the .179
................
Gas Station Procedures . 179
.............................................
Gauges .65
...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 67
...............................................
Fuel .67
Maintenance Required ...................................
Indicator .68
...............................
Speedometer .65
.................................
Tachometer .65
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) .218
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions . 198
..............................
Glass Cleaning .290
........................................
Glove Box .90
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight .......................................
Rating) .218
Index
G H
IV

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

ÎÎ
CONT INUED
Replacement Inf ormation.................
Air Cleaner Element . 254
..............
Dust and Pollen Filter . 265
..........................
Engine Coolant .245
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 241
..........................................
Fuses .315
................................
Light Bulbs .275
....................................
Schedule .228
................................
Spark Plugs .256
...........................................
Tires .270
.............................
Wiper Blades .262
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .45
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant . 183
...............................
Restraint, Child .20
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 199
................................
Rotation, Tire .269
........................................
Saf ety Belts .8
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 340
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
...........................................
Airbags .9
..................................
Door Locks .10
..........................
Head Restraints .10 .......................................
Seat Belts .8
.....................
Seats & Seat-Backs .10
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 53
...............................
Saf ety Messages . ii
.....................................
Seat Belts .8, 43
...............
Additional Information . 43
Automatic Seat Belt ...............................
Tensioners .44
.............
Child Seat Anchor Plate . 40
.....................................
Cleaning .289
................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 15,43
................................
Maintenance .45
Reminder Light and ................................
Beeper .43, 60
...................
System Components . 43
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 18
..................................
Seat Heaters .103
..................
Seat Position Memory . 100
........................
Seats, Adjusting the .91
............................
Security System .158
........
Sequential SportShif t Mode . 200
...............................
Serial Number .324
...........................
Service Intervals .230
...........................
Service Manual .341
.........
Service Station Procedures . 179
..........................
Setting the Clock .109 .....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 197
........................
Shif t Lock Release .204
....................................
Side Airbags .48
.........
Side Airbag Cutof f Indicator . 50
Side Marker Lights, Bulb ..............................
Replacement .277
...............................
Signaling Turns .72
.....................................
Snow Tires .272
...................
Solvent-type Cleaners . 286
................................
Sound System .135
Spare Tire ......................................
Inf lating .294
............................
Specif ications .327
................
Spark Plugs, Replacing . 256
....................
Specif ications Charts . 326
................................
Speed Control .159
...................................
Speedometer .65
.......................................
Spotlights .118
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 46
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 51
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 49
.....
How Your Airbags Work . 46,48
........................
SRS Components .46
..................................
SRS Service .51
Index
S
VII