2003 Acura CL Owner's Manual

Install a rubber hose on the drain
bolt at the rear of the engine
cylinder block. Loosen the drain
bolt.Bef ore removing the reserve tank,
remove the cruise control cable
f rom its clip, then remove the
ground cable f rom the clip on the
reserve tank. To remove the
cruise control cable, pivot the
upper part of the clip and push
down the lower part slightly.
Drain the coolant into an
appropriate container. Remove the reserve tank f rom its
holder by pulling it straight up.
Drain the coolant into an
appropriate container, then put the
tank back in its holder.
Af ter installing the tank back in
place, put the cables back in their
clips.
5.
4. 6.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance246
H HO
OL LD
D E
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R
D
D R
RAA I
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BOOL LT
T R
RU
UB BBBEER
R
H
H O
OS SEE
R
REES
SE ER
RV V E
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TA
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NK K C
CAA P
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CR RUUI ISSE E C
COON NTTR
RO OL L C
CAA B
BLLE
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CONT INUED
Fill the reserve tank to the MAX
mark. Install the reserve tank cap.
When the coolant stops draining,
tightenthedrainplugatthe
bottom of the radiator.
Tighten the drain bolt at the rear
of the engine cylinder block
securely.
Tightening torque:
Pour Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2 into
the radiator up to the base of the
f iller neck. This coolant is a
mixture of 50 percent antif reeze
and 50 percent water. Pre-mixing
is not required.
The cooling system capacity is:
Start the engine and let it run f or
about 30 seconds. Then turn of f
the engine. Pour coolant into the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck.
7.
8.
9.10.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance247
F FIILLL LEE R
R N
NEEC
CK K
F
F i
illll u
u p
p t
too h
he
erree R
RE
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7 lbf·ft (10 N·m , 1.0 kgf·m)
1.48 US gal (5.6
, 1.23 Imp gal)

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.
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 radiator cap, and
tighten it fully.If necessary, f ill the reserve tank
to the MAX mark. Install the
reserve tank cap.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance248
R RE
ES
SE ER
RV V E
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NK K

Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.
Check the level in the windshield
washer reservoir at least monthly
during normal usage. In bad weather,
when you use the washers of ten,
check the level every time you stop
for fuel.
When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition the blade edges.
The windshield washer reservoir is
located behind the passenger’s side
headlight.
The low washer level indicator will
light when the level is low (see page
). Check the reservoir’s f luid level by
removing the cap and looking at the
level gauge attached to the cap.
64
Windshield Washers
Maint enance
Canadian Models
249
L LE
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L G
GAAU
UG GEE
Do not use engine antif reeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir.
Antif reeze can damage your car’s paint,
while a vinegar/water solution can
damage the windshield washer pump.
Use only commercially-available
windshield washer f luid.

If the level is below the lower
mark, remove the f ill plug and add
f luid to bring it to the upper mark.
Always use Honda ATF-Z1
(Automatic Transmission Fluid). If it
is not available, you may use a
DEXRON
III automatic
transmission f luid as a temporary
replacement. However, continued
use can affect shift quality. Have the
transmission f lushed and ref illed
with Honda ATF-Z1 as soon as it is
convenient.
To thoroughly f lush the transmission,
the technician should drain and ref ill
it with Honda ATF-Z1, then drive the
vehicle a short distance. Do this
three times. Then drain and ref ill the
transmission a final time.
Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.
Park the car on level ground. Shut
of f the engine.
Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission and wipe it
with a clean cloth. Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
1.
2. 3.
4.5.
Maint enance
T ransmission Fluid
Automatic Transmission
250
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LO OW WE ER
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M A
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ST TI
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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
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R B
BOOL LT
T
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CH H E
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BOOL LTT
D
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RAA I
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BOOL LTT

The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
Check the f luid level in the reser-
voirs monthly. There are up to two
reservoirs, depending on the model.
They are:
Brake f luid reservoir (all models)
Clutch f luid reservoir
(manual transmission only)
The brake f luid should be replaced
according to the time recommenda-
tion in the maintenance schedule. Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 f luid, f rom a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement. However, the use of
any non-Honda brake fluid can cause
corrosion and decrease the lif e of the
system. Have the brake system
f lushed and ref illed with Honda
Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3 as
soon as possible.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your car’s braking
system and can cause extensive
damage.Brake System
Brake and Clutch Fluid
Maint enance252
M M
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INN
M
M
A
AX
X

Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. If it is not available, you may
use another power steering f luid as
an emergency replacement.
However, continued use can cause
increased wear and poor steering in
cold weather. Have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Check the level when the engine is
cold. Look at the side of the
reservoir. The f luid should be
between the UPPER LEVEL and
LOWER LEVEL. If it is below the
LOWER LEVEL, add power steering
f luid to the UPPER LEVEL.
The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If it is not, add
brake f luid to bring it up to that level.
Use the same fluid specified for the
brake system.
Low f luid level can indicate a leak in
the clutch system. Have this system
inspected as soon as possible. Power Steering
Clutch System
Maint enance
Brake and Clutch Fluid, Power Steering
253
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AX
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M
M I
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T urning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.