2003 Acura TL 3.2 Owner's Manual

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
248
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Caref ully clean the inside of the
air cleaner housing with a damp
rag.Align the tabs on the battery side
and reinstall the air cleaner
housing cover, then tighten the
two bolts.
Remove the old air cleaner
element. Place the new air cleaner element
in the air cleaner housing.Reinstall the air cleaner housing
cover, tighten the f our bolts.
2. 3.
4.5.
On Premium model
On Type-S
A ir Cleaner Element
Maint enance249
A AI
IRR C
CLLEE A
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LEE M
M E
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CLLEE A
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reem m i
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Disconnect the wire connector
f rom the ignition coil by pushing
on the lock tab and pulling on the
connector. Pull on the plastic
connector, not the wires.
Loosen the two holding clips by
turning the heads one-quarter turn
counterclockwise with a f lat-tipped
screwdriver. Remove the cover on
the f ront cylinder bank by pulling
it straight up.
Clean up any dirt and oil that have
collected around the ignition coils.
The spark plugs in your car are a
special platinum-tipped design f or
longer lif e. The spark plugs should
be replaced according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule.
1.
2.3.
Replacement
Spark Plugs
Maint enance250
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Put the new spark plug into the
socket, then screw it into the hole.
Screw it in by hand so you do not
crossthread it.Torque the spark plug. (If you do
not have a torque wrench, tighten
the spark plug two-thirds of a turn
after it contacts the cylinder head.)
Tightening torque:
Use a wrench to remove the
hexagonsocketheadcapbolt
holding the ignition coil. Remove
the ignition coil by pulling it
straight out.
Remove the spark plug with
a f ive-eighths inch (16 mm) spark
plug socket.
4.
5.
6.
7.
CONT INUED
Spark Plugs
Maint enance251
H HE
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GO ONN S
SOOC CKKEET
T H
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EA
A D
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CAA P
P B
BOOL LTT
13 lbf·ft (18 N·m , 1.8 kgf·m)

´
µ
´
µ
Push the wire connector onto the
ignition coil. Make sure it locks in
place. Install the ignition coil. Reinstall
the hexagon socket head cap bolt. Repeat this procedure f or the
other f ive spark plugs.
Reinstall the cover on the front
cylinder bank while putting its
mounting clip in the hole on the
passenger’s side. Secure the cover
by turning the heads of the two
holding clips one-quarter turn
clockwise with a f lat-tipped
screwdriver.
Spark Plug Gap: Spark Plug Gap:NGK:
DENSO:
8. 11.
10.
9. NGK:
DENSO:
Specif ications:
Spark Plugs
Maint enance
Premium model
T ype-S
252
0.04 in (1.1 mm) PKJ20CR-M11 PZFR6E-11
0.04 in (1.1 mm) PKJ16CR-L11
PZFR5F-11
0
0.1 mm
0
0.1 mm
Tighten the spark plugs caref ully. A
spark plug that is too loose can
overheat and damage the engine.
Overtightening can cause damage to
the threads in the cylinder head.

Check the battery terminals for
corrosion (a white or yellowish
powder). To remove it, cover the
terminals with a solution of baking
soda and water. It will bubble up and
turn brown. When this stops, wash it
of f with plain water. Dry of f the
battery with a cloth or paper towel.
Coat the terminals with grease to
help prevent f uture corrosion.
Check the condition of your car’s
battery monthly. You should check
the color of the test indicator window,
and f or corrosion on the terminals.
Remove the battery cover.
Check the battery condition by
looking at the test indicator window
on the battery.
The label on the battery explains the
test indicator’s colors. Battery posts,
terminals and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds.
CONT INUED
WARNING:
Wash hands af ter handling.
Battery
Maint enance253
T T E
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ICCA A T
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WI INND DO
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