2004 Acura RL maintenance schedule

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.Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
Open the hood and remove the
engine oil f ill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer f rom the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.Remove the oil f ilter and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available f rom your Acura
dealer) is required to remove the
f ilter.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
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.
1.
2.3.
CONT INUED
Changing the Oil and Filter
Engine Oil
Maint enance253
OIL DRAIN BOLT
WASHER OIL FILTER

Loosen the drain plug on the
bottom of the radiator. The
coolant will come out through the
hole in the splash cover.
Turn the ignition ON (II). Turn
the heater temperature control
dial to maximum heat (climate
control to 90°F/32°C). Turn of f
the ignition. Open the hood. Make
sure the engine and radiator are
cool to the touch.
Remove the radiator cap.
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 vehicle.
Unless you have the tools and
knowledge, you should have this
maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
1.
2.3.
Replacing Engine Coolant
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance258
DRAIN PLUG

µµ
UseaSAE90orSAE80W-90
viscosity hypoid gear oil, API service
classif ied GL4 or GL5 only, in the
dif f erential.
The dif f erential oil should be drained
and ref illed with new oil according to
the time and distance recommenda-
tions in the maintenance schedule. Viscosity
If it is not, slowly add oil until it
starts to run out of the hole. Reinstall
the f iller plug and tighten it securely.
Insert the dipstick back in the
transmission. Make sure the notch
f its in the dipstick guide and the
dipstick is down all the way.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
Check the oil in the dif f erential with
the vehicle sitting level. Remove the
oil f iller plug and check that the oil
levelisuptotheedgeof thehole.
6.
Maint enance
Dif f erential Oil
Automatic Transmission Fluid, Dif f erential Oil
265
DRAIN PLUGFILLER PLUG
Correct
level
SAE 90: above 0°F ( 18°C)
SAE 80W-90: below 0°F ( 18°C)

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.
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.
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.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your car’s braking
system and can cause extensive
damage.
You should check the f luid level in
the power steering reservoir at least
once a year. 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.
Brake System
Power Steering
Brake Fluid
Maint enance
Brake Fluid, Power Steering
266
MAX MIN UPPER
LEVEL
LOWER
LEVEL

The air cleaner element should be
cleaned or replaced according to the
time and distance recommendations
in the maintenance schedule.
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.
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.
CONT INUED
A ir Cleaner Element
Hood L atch
Maint enance
Power Steering, Hood L atch, A ir Cleaner Element
Cleaning (Severe Condit ions)
267
PIVOTS
LATCH
ASSEMBLY
T urning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.

Clean off any dirt and oil that have
collected around the ignition coils. Remove the two bolts and the f our
nuts with a wrench and remove
the tower bar. Then remove the
A/C tube f rom the three clips.
Remove the two bolts and the
three nuts with a 7/16 inch (10
mm) wrench, then remove the
engine cover.
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.
CONT INUED
Replacement
Spark Plugs
Maint enance269
NUTS
BOLTS NUTS
BOLTS
NUTS

µµWe recommend that you visually
check your tires every day. If you
think a tire might be low, check it
immediately with a tire gauge.
The timing belt and balancer belt
should normally be replaced at the
intervals shown in the maintenance
schedule.
In very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C).
In very low temperatures
(under 20°F, 29°C). To saf ely operate your car, your tires
must be the proper type and size, in
good condition with adequate tread,
and correctly inf lated. The f ollowing
pages give more detailed inf ormation
on how and when to check air
pressure, how to inspect your tires
for damage and wear, and what to do
when your tires need to be replaced.
Replace these belts at 60,000 miles
(U.S.) or 100,000 km (Canada) if you
regularly drive your car in one or
more of these conditions: Keeping the tires properly inf lated
provides the best combination of
handling, tread lif e, and riding
comf ort. Underinf lated tires wear
unevenly, adversely affect handling
and f uel economy, and are more
likely to f ail f rom being overheated.
Overinf lated tires can make your car
ride more harshly, are more prone to
damage f rom road hazards, and wear
unevenly.
CONT INUED
Inf lation
Tires
Timing Belt
Timing Belt, Tires
Maint enance279
Using tires that are excessively
worn or improperly inflated can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding tire
inflation and maintenance.

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.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Park.
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.
If possible, run the engine f or a
while periodically (pref erably once
amonth).
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
If you store your car f or 1 year or
longer, have your Acura dealer
perf orm the inspections called f or in
the 2 years/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 vehicle has
actually reached that time or mileage.
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. Disconnect the battery.
Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield. If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground. Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘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.
255 244
Maint enance
St oring Your Car
297