2003 Acura CL Owner's Manual

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) This manual complements the Service Manual by
providing in-depth troubleshooting inf ormation f or each
electrical circuit in your vehicle.
This manual describes the procedures involved in the
replacement of damaged body parts. This manual covers maintenance and recommended
procedures f or repair to engine and chassis components.
It is written f or the Journeyman mechanic, but is simple
enough f or most mechanically-inclined owners to under-
stand.
Authorized Manuals
Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
342
NOTE: Dealers and Companies please provide dealer or company name,
and also the name of the person to whose attention the shipment should
be sent. For purchases outside U.S.A. please write to the address shown
below for a quotation.
P.O. BOX 07280·DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48207·1-800-782-4356
Customer Name Attention
Apartment Number
State & Zip Code
City
Daytime Telephone Number
Check or money order enclosed payable to Helm Inc U.S. funds only.
Do not send cash
Master
Card VISA
Check here if your billing address is different
from the shipping address shown above.
Account Number Expiration: Mo. Yr.
CUSTOMER SIGNATURE DATE
Street Address No P.O. Box Number
()
These Publications cannot be returned for credit without receiving advance authorization within 14
days of delivery. On returns, a restocking fee may be applied against the original order.

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

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

...............................
Meters, Gauges .65
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 330
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .98
.......................................
Moonroof .108
......................
Closing Manually .313
...................................
Operation .108
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 200
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 178
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 324
..............................
Paint Touch-up .287
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 72
........................
Park Gear Position .199
...........................................
Parking .205
...............................
Parking Brake .108
Parking Brake and Brake .................
System Indicator . 60,312
.................................
Parking Lights .70
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 334
.............................
PGM-FI System .333
..................
Polishing and Waxing . 287
............
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist . 11
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 18............................
Protecting Adults .12
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 19
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 18
........................
Protecting Children .20
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .29
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 36
.........
Protecting Small Children . 32
Using Child Seats with .....................................
Tethers .40
.............................
Using LATCH .41
...................
Radiator Overheating . 306
Radio/Cassette/CD Sound ........................................
System .135
...........................
Readiness Codes .311
..........
Rear Console Compartment . 90
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 278
............................
Rear Seat Access .94
..........................
Rear Seat Armrest .96
............................
Rear View Mirror .98
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 75
...............
Reclining the Seat Backs . 92
.............................
Reminder Lights .57
.......................
Remote Transmitter .83
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 178
.........................................
Odometer .66
...............................
Odometer, Trip .66
Oil ........................
Change, How to .241
......................
Change, When to .230
......................
Checking Engine .181
..............
Pressure Indicator . 60,308
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .240 ...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 81
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ....................................
Recovery .332
............................................
OnStar .168
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 331
..............................
Outside Mirrors .98
....
Outside Temperature Indicator . 67
....................
Overheating, Engine .306
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 237
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .330
Index
O PR
N
VI

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