2003 Acura TL maintenance schedule

Maint enance
Required Maintenance Record (f or Normal and Severe Schedules)
230
63,750 mi
67,500 mi
71,250 mi
75,000 mi
78,750 mi
82,500 mi
86,250 mi
90,000 mi93,750 mi
97,500 mi
101,250 mi
105,000 mi
108,750 mi
112,500 mi
116,250 mi
120,000 mi
Signature or dealer stamp mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date Signature or dealer stamp mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
mi/km
Date
102,000 km
108,000 km
114,000 km
120,000 km
(or 5 years)
126,000 km
132,000 km
138,000 km
144,000 km
(or 6 years) 150,000 km
156,000 km
162,000 km
168,000 km
(or 7 years)
174,000 km
180,000 km
186,000 km
192,000 km
(or 8 years)

You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certif ication Seal,
and it is the proper weight as shown
on the chart. When using synthetic
oil, you must f ollow the oil and f ilter
change intervals given in the
maintenance schedule.
The SAE number tells you the oil’s
viscosity or weight. Select the oil f or
your vehicle according to this chart.
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your Acura, to
improve cold weather starting, and
to help your engine use less f uel.
If 5W-20 oil is not available, a 5W-30
oil may be used. However, it should
be replaced with 5W-20 at the next
oil change.
Engine Oil
Maint enance
Synthetic Oil
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CONT INUED
Always change the oil and f ilter
accordingtothetimeanddistance
(miles/kilometers) recommenda-
tions in the maintenance schedule.
The oil and f ilter collect contami-
nants that can damage your engine if
they are not removed regularly.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the car. The car should
be raised on a service station-type
hydraulic lif t f or this service. Unless
you have the knowledge and proper
equipment, you should have this
maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
Your Acura does not need any oil
additives. Purchasing additives f or
the engine or transmission will not
increase your car’s perf ormance or
longevity. It only increases the cost
of operating your car. 1.
Engine Oil
Maint enance
Additives
Changing the Oil and Filter
235

Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your car’s cooling
system. They may not be compatible
with the coolant or engine compo-
nents.
Thecoolingsystemshouldbe
completely drained and ref illed with
new coolant according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. Only use
Honda All Season Antif reeze/
Coolant Type 2. Use of any non-
Honda coolant or plain water can
result in corrosion and deposits in
the cooling system.
Draining the coolant requires access
to the underside of the car. Unless
you have the tools and knowledge,
you should have this maintenance
done by a skilled mechanic.
6. Replacing Engine Coolant
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance240
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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.If the level is below the lower
mark, remove the f ill plug and add
f luid to bring it to the upper mark.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
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.
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.
3. 5.
6.
4.
Maint enance
Automatic Transmission Fluid
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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.
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.
Check the f luid level in the brake
f luid reservoir monthly.
The brake f luid should be replaced
according to the time recommenda-
tion in the maintenance schedule.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your car’s braking
system and can cause extensive
damage.Brake System
Maint enance
Brake Fluid
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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.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.
Clean the hood latch assembly with a
mild cleaner, then lubricate it with a
multipurpose grease. Lubricate all
the moving parts (as shown),
including the pivot. Follow the time
and distance recommendations in
the Maintenance Schedule. If you
are not sure how to clean and grease
the latch, contact your Acura dealer.
Maint enance
Power Steering Hood L atch
Power Steering, Hood L atch
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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.

The air cleaner element should be
cleaned or replaced according to the
time and distance recommendations
in the maintenance schedule.Loosen the two bolts with a Phillips-
head screwdriver. Remove the air
cleaner housing cover by lif ting and
pivoting it out of the loops.
Loosen the f our bolts by using a
Phillips-head screwdriver and
remove the air cleaner housing
cover.
Clean the air cleaner element by
blowing compressed air through it in
the opposite direction to normal air
f low. If you do not have access to
compressed air (such as a service
station), ask your Acura dealer to do
this service.
Follow the replacement procedure
for removal and reinstallation.
The air cleaner element is inside the
air cleaner housing on the driver’s
side of the engine compartment.
To replace it:
1.
On Premium model
On Premium modelOn Type-S
Maint enance
A ir Cleaner Element
Cleaning (Severe Conditions)
Replacement
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