2003 Acura TL octane

During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Avoidhardbraking.Newbrakes
need to be broken-in by moderate
use f or the f irst 200 miles (300
km).
Help assure your car’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
Do not change the oil until the
recommended time or mileage
intervalshowninthemaintenance
schedule.
Youshouldfollowthesesamere-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are relined. In Canada, some gasolines contain
an octane-enhancing additive called
MMT. If you use such gasolines,
your emissions control system
perf ormance may deteriorate and
the Malf unction Indicator Lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on.
If this happens, contact your
authorized Acura dealer f or service.
Your Acura is designed to operate on
premium unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane number of 91 or higher.
Useof aloweroctanegasolinecan
cause occasional, metallic knocking
noises in the engine and will result in
decreased engine perf ormance.
We recommend gasolines containing
detergent additives that help prevent
f uel system and engine deposits.
Using gasoline containing lead will
damage your car’s emissions
controls. This contributes to air
pollution.
Bef ore Driving
Break-in Period
Gasoline
Break-in Period, Gasoline
174

The services and time or distance
intervals shown in the maintenance
schedule assume you will use your
vehicle as normal transportation f or
passengers and their possessions.
You should also f ollow these
recommendations:
The Maintenance Schedule specif ies
how of ten you should have your car
serviced and what things need
attention. It is essential that you have
your car serviced as scheduled to
retain its high level of saf ety,
dependability, and emissions control
perf ormance.
Avoidexceedingyourcar’sload
limit.Thisputsexcessstresson
the engine, brakes, and many
other parts of your car. The load
limit is shown on the label on the
driver’s doorjamb.
Operate your car on reasonable
roads within the legal speed limit.Service your car according to the
time and mileage periods on one of
the Maintenance Schedules on the
f ollowing pages. Select the schedule
f or ‘‘Severe Conditions’’ if most of
your driving is done under one or
more of the conditions listed on that
page. Otherwise, f ollow the schedule
f or ‘‘Normal Conditions.’’
Drive your car regularly over a
distance of several miles
(kilometers).
Always use unleaded gasoline with
theproperoctanerating(seepage ).
174
Maintenance Schedule
Maint enance
Which Schedule to Follow:
222

Some conventional gasolines are
being blended with alcohol or an
ether compound. These gasolines
are collectively ref erred to as
oxygenated f uels. To meet clean air
standards, some areas of the United
States and Canada use oxygenated
f uels to help reduce emissions.
If you use an oxygenated f uel, be
sure it is unleaded and meets the
minimum octane rating requirement.
Bef ore using an oxygenated f uel, try
to conf irm the f uel’s contents. Some
states/provinces require this
informationtobepostedonthe
pump.The f ollowing are the U.S. EPA and
Canadian CGSB approved
percentages of oxygenates:
If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
Fuel system damage or perf ormance
problems resulting f rom the use of
an oxygenated f uel containing more
than the percentages of oxygenates
given above are not covered under
warranty.
(methyl or wood
alcohol)
Your vehicle was not designed to use
fuel that contains methanol.
Methanol can corrode metal parts in
the fuel system, and also damage
plastic and rubber components. This
damage would not be covered by
your warranties. (Methyl Tertiary Butyl
Ether)
You may use gasoline containing up
to 15 percent MTBE by volume. (ethyl or grain alcohol)
You may use gasoline containing up
to 10 percent ethanol by volume.
Gasoline containing ethanol may be
marketed under the name ‘‘Gasohol.’’
Oxygenated Fuels
T echnical Inf ormation
MET HA NOL MT BE ET HA NOL
322

If you are planning to take your
Acura outside the U.S. or Canada,
contact the tourist bureaus in the
areas you will be traveling in to f ind
out about the availability of unleaded
gasoline with the proper octane
rating.
If unleaded gasoline is not available,
be aware that using leaded gasoline
in your Acura will af f ect perf or-
mance and fuel mileage, and damage
its emissions controls. It will no
longer comply with U.S. and
Canadian emissions regulations, and
will be illegal to operate in North
America. To bring your car back into
compliance will require the replace-
ment of several components, such as
theoxygensensorsandthethree
way catalytic converter. These re-
placements are not covered under
warranty.
Driving in Foreign Countries
T echnical Inf ormation323

CONT INUED
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .187
....................................
Economy .180
.........................
In Bad Weather .209
................
In Foreign Countries . 323
Driving Position Memory ..........................................
System .96
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 259
..............................
Economy, Fuel .180
............
Emergencies on the Road . 287
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 296
...........
Brake System Indicator . 305
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 289
.....
Charging System Indicator . 302
..................
Checking the Fuses . 307
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 301
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 303
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 306
..................
Overheated Engine . 299
.........................
Emergency Brake .104
......................
Emergency Flashers .73
......................
Emergency Towing .312
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 86.......................
Emissions Controls .324
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 327
Engine ............................................
Belts .259
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 66
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .59, 303
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 59,301
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 233
...............................
Overheating .299
............................
Specif ications .319
............................
Speed Limiter .197
.......................................
Starting .189
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .322
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 324
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .53
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 280
..........................
Fan, Interior .120, 125
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .115
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 175Filter
................................
Air Cleaner .248
.........................
Dust and Pollen .259
...............................................
Oil .235
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 73
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 289
.....................................
Floor Mats .282
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 244
..........................................
Brake .246
..........................
Power Steering .247
................
Windshield Washers . 243
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .135
........................................
Fog Lights .70
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 323
..........................
Four-way Flashers .73
..............................
Front Airbags .9 ,47
.................................................
Fuel .174
......................
Fill Door and Cap .175
...........................................
Gauge .66
................
Octane Requirement . 174
...............................
Oxygenated .322
........................
Reserve Indicator .63
........................
Tank, Filling the .175
Index
E
F
III

.....................
Fuses, Checking the .307
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 180
..........................................
Gasohol .322
.........................................
Gasoline .174
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 63
...........................................
Gauge .66
................
Octane Requirement . 174
........................
Tank, Filling the .175
................
Gas Station Procedures . 174
Gauges ...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 66
...............................................
Fuel .66
...............................
Speedometer .64
.................................
Tachometer .64
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) .212
Gearshif t Lever Positions ..........
Automatic Transmission . 190
..............................
Glass Cleaning .284
........................................
Glove Box .87
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight .......................................
Rating) .212 .............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 269
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 73
........................................
Headlights .69
........................................
Aiming .269
Automatic Lighting Off .....................................
Feature .70
............
Daytime Running Lights . 70
..................
High Beam Indicator . 62
.........................
Reminder Chime .69
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 269
...................................
Turning on .69
..............................
Head Restraints .91
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 189
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 69
HomeLink Universal ................................
Transceiver .157
....................................
Hood Latch .247
.......................
Hood, Opening the .176
.................................
Hydroplaning .210
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 316Ignition
..............................................
Keys .76
...........................................
Switch .78
............
Timing Control System . 325
........................
Immobilizer System .77
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 57
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .30
......................................
Inf ant Seats .30
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 41
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 261
...................................
Inside Mirror .94
.............................
Inspection, Tire .262
............................
Instrument Panel .57
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 71
...........................
Interior Cleaning .282
...............................
Interior Lights .111
........................................
Introduction .i
........................
Jacking up the Car .291
.......................................
Jack, Tire .290
................................
Jump Starting .296
Index
G H
IJ
IV

CONT INUED
..................................................
Keys .76
.......................
Label, Certif ication .316
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 71
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 15,44
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .269
.......................................
Indicator .57
.........................................
Parking .69
..................................
Turn Signal .71
.....................................
Load Limit .184
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 78
........................
Lockout Prevention .80
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 78
............................
Fuel Fill Door .175
....................................
Glove Box .87
.................................
Power Door .79
...........................................
Trunk .85
........................
Low Coolant Level .179
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 59,301
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 318.........................................
Luggage .183
..................................
Maintenance .219
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 231
........................................
Record .229
......................
Required Indicator .67
..........................................
Saf ety .220
.............................
Schedule .224-228
Malf unction Indicator ....................................
Lamp .59, 303
.............
Memory, Driving Position . 96
...............................
Meters, Gauges .64
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 322
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .94
.......................................
Moonroof .103
......................
Closing Manually .306
...................................
Operation .103
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 193
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 174
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 316 ...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 174
.........................................
Odometer .65
...............................
Odometer, Trip .65
Oil ........................
Change, How to .235
......................
Change, When to .224
......................
Checking Engine .178
..............
Pressure Indicator . 59,301
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .234
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 79
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ....................................
Recovery .324
............................................
OnStar .162
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 323
..............................
Outside Mirrors .94
....................
Overheating, Engine .299
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 231
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .322
Index
K
L
NO
M
V

Service Inf ormat ion Summary
Gasoline:Tire Pressure (measured cold):
Power Steering Fluid:
Brake Fluid:
Automatic Transmission Fluid: Recommended Engine Oil: Fuel Tank Capacity: SpareTirePressure:
4.6 US qt (4.4
, 3.9 Imp qt)
Oil change capacity (including
filter): Premium unleaded gasoline,
pump octane number of 91 or
higher.
Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid) preferred, or
aDEXRON
III ATF as a
temporary replacement (see page ). Honda Power Steering Fluid
preferred, or another brand of
power steering fluid as a
temporary replacement. Do not
use ATF (see page ).
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 preferred, or a DOT 3 or
DOT 4 brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page ).
32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm
)
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm
)
Front/Rear:
API Service SJ ‘‘Energy
Conserving’’ oil, SAE 5W-20
viscosity (see page ). 233
245 247
24617.17 US gal (65.0, 14.30 Imp gal)