2003 Acura TL trunk

Determine which of the f our bulbs
is burned out: stop/taillights, turn
signal light, or back-up light.
Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Open the trunk.
Remove the f astener on the edge
of the trunk opening by turning it
counterclockwise with a coin.
Unscrew the cargo net mounting
button. Pull the lining back.
Screw the cargo net mounting
button back into the hole. Put the f astener in the hole on the
side of the trunk lining and push
on the center until it locks (the
center is f lush with the head). Reinstall the trunk lining. Make
sure it is installed under the edge
of the trunk seal. Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working. Reinstall the socket into the light
assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.
To remove the turn signal bulb
push it in slightly and turn it
counterclockwise. To remove the
stop/taillight or back-up light, pull
the bulb straight out of its socket. Install the new bulb into the
socket.
3. 2.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
1.
10.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing Rear Bulbs
273
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Open the trunk and remove the
socket f rom the light assembly by
turning it one-quarter turn counter-
clockwise.
Remove the burned-out bulb by
pulling it straight out of the socket.
Install the new bulb and reinstall
the socket. Make sure the new
bulb is working.Use a small Phillips-head
screwdriver to remove the two
screws. Remove the lens f rom the
license plate assembly.
Remove the bulb by pulling it
straight out. Push the new bulb
into the socket.Put the lens back in place and
tighten the two screws securely.
1. 2.
3. 1.
2.3.
Replacing a High-mount Brake
Light Bulb Replacing a Rear License Plate
Bulb
Lights
Maint enance274

Open the trunk. Pull down the
trunk light cover.
Remove the bulb by pulling it
straight out of its metal tabs.
Push the new bulb into the metal
tabs.
Push the cover back in place.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing the T runk L ight Bulb
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Block the rear wheels.
Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter
(see page ).
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
If you need to park your car f or an
extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your car back on the road. If
possible, store your car indoors.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Park. If the car is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Coverthecarwitha‘‘breathable’’
cover, one made f rom a porous
material such as cotton.
Nonporous materials, such as
plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
If possible, run the engine f or a
while periodically (pref erably once
amonth).
Leave one window open slightly (if
the car is being stored indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and trunk seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and trunk seals. If you store your car f or 12 months
or longer, have your Acura dealer
perf orm the inspections called f or in
the 24 months/30,000 miles (48,000
km) maintenance schedule (Normal
Conditions) as soon as you take it
out of storage (see page ). The
replacements called f or in the
maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the car has actually
reached that time or mileage.
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St oring Your Car
Maint enance277

If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Stopping in traf f ic or on the shoulder
of a busy road is dangerous. Drive
slowly along the shoulder until you
gettoanexitoranareatostopthat
is far away from the traffic lanes.Open the trunk. Raise the trunk
f loor by lif ting up on the back edge.
To keep the trunk f loor out of the
way, attach the hook into the slot
in the trunk lid.
The tools are in the tool box on
the right side of the trunk. Take
the tools out of the tool box. Unscrew the wing bolt and take
the spare tire out of its well.
Park the car on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground away f rom
traffic. Put the transmission in
Park. Apply the parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer, unhitch
the trailer.
Turn on the hazard warning lights
and turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0). Have all the
passengers get out of the car while
you change the tire. 5. 4. 3.
2. 1.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed289
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The car can easily roll off the
jack, seriously injuring anyone
underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the car when it
is supported only by the jack.

Tighten the wheel nuts securely in
the same crisscross pattern. Have
the wheel nut torque checked at
the nearest automotive service
f acility.
Tighten the wheel nuts to:Place the flat tire face down in the
spare tire well.
Remove the spacer cone f rom the
wing bolt, turn it over, and put it
back on the bolt.
Secure the f lat tire by screwing
the wing bolt back into its hole.
Remove the center cap before
storing the f lat tire in the trunk
well.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed293
W WIINNG G B
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80 lbf·ft (108 N·m , 11 kgf·m)

Store the jack in its holder. Turn
the jack’s end bracket to lock it in
place. Replace the cover. Store the
tools.Unclip the hook f rom the trunk lid
and lower the trunk f loor.
Close the trunk lid.
Store the center cap in the trunk.
Make sure it does not get scratch-
ed or damaged.
20.
21. 22.
23.
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Changing a Flat T ire
294
Loose items can fly around the
interior in a crash and could
seriously injure the occupants.
Store the wheel, jack, and tools
securely before driving.

Use a screwdriver or coin to
remove the round plug in the
center of the headliner.Remove the wrench. Reinstall the
round plug.
If the electric motor will not close
the moonroof , do the f ollowing:
Check the f use f or the moonroof
motor (see page ). If the f use
is blown, replace it with one of the
same or lower rating.
Try closing the moonroof . If the
new f use blows immediately or the
moonroof motor still does not
operate, you can close the
moonroof manually. Insert the moonroof wrench into
the socket behind this plug. Turn
the wrench until the moonroof is
f ully closed.
Get the moonroof wrench out of
the tool kit in the trunk. 5.
6.
4.
1.
2.
3. 307
Closing t he Moonroof
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed306
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