2004 Acura RL service

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.(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.’’ 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 car 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. MT BE ET HA NOL
MET HA NOL
Oxygenated Fuels
T echnical Inf ormation343

Acura dealership personnel are
trained prof essionals. They should
be able to answer all your questions.
If you encounter a problem that your
dealership does not solve to your
satisf action, please discuss it with
the dealership’s management. The
Service Manager or General
Manager can help. Almost all
problems are solved in this way.U.S. Owners:
In Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin
Islands:
Vortex Motor Corp.Bella International P.O. Box 190816
San Juan, PR 00919-0816 (787) 250-4327 When you call or write, please give
us this inf ormation: Canadian Owners:
Vehicle Identif ication Number
(see page )
Name and address of the dealer
who services your car
Date of purchase
Mileage on your car
Your name, address, and tele-
phone number
A detailed description of the
problem
Name of the dealer who sold the
vehicle to you
If you are dissatisf ied with the
decision made by the dealership’s
management, contact the Acura
Client Services Of f ice.
336
Cust omer Relat ions Inf ormat ion
Warrant y and Cust omer Relat ions352
CUSTOMER RELATIONS
RELATIONS AVEC LA CLIENTÈLE
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Acura Client ServicesMail Stop 500-2N-7E1919 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90501-2746
Tel: (800) 382-2238 Honda Canada Inc.
715 Milner Avenue
Toronto, ON
M1B 2K8
Tel: 1-888-9-ACURA-9
Fax: Toll-free 1-877-939-0909
Toronto (416) 287-4776

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*
Valid only f or sales within the U.S. Canadian owners should
contact their authorized Acura dealer.
T he publications shown below can be purchased f rom Helm
Incorporated. You can order in any of three ways:
Detach and mail the order f orm on the right half of this page
Call Helm Inc. at 1-800-782-4356
Go online at
If you are interested in other years or models, contact Helm Inc.
at 1-800-782-4356
(credit card orders only)
Authorized Manuals
Purchasing Factory Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)
355
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-782-4356
OR
(NOTE: For Credit Card Holder Orders Only)
MINIMUM CREDIT CARD PURCHASE $10.00
Form Description
1996-2001 Acura 3.5 RL
Service Manual Base Book 2004 Acura 3.5 RL
Service Manual Supplement 1996-2004 Acura 3.5 RL
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual 1996-2004 Acura 3.5 RLBody Repair Manual
2004 Acura 3.5 RL Owner’s Manual
2004 Acura 3.5 RL Navigation Manual 2004 Acura 3.5 RL
Maintenance Journal
2004 Acura 3.5 RL Quick Start Guide Order Form for Previous Years-
Indicate Year and Model Desired
Publication
Form Number 61SZ305
61SZ308
61SZ308EL 61SZ330
31SZ3680
31SZ3780
31SZ3M10
31SZ3Q10 ACU-R Price
Each
$77.00
$38.00
$47.00
$44.00
$42.00
$29.00
$12.00
$12.00 FREE
PUBLICATION NUMBER VEHICLE MODEL
Name Year Qty
Price
Each Total
Price
GRAND TOTAL HANDLING CHARGE Mich. Purchases
Add 6% Sales Tax TOTAL MATERIAL
$6.00
Prices are subject to change without
notice and without incurring obligation.
Orders are mailed within 10 days. Please
allow adequate time for delivery. Monday-Friday 8:00 A.M. 6:00 P.M. EST
By completing this form you can order the materials desired. You can
pay by check or money order, or charge to your credit card. Mail to
Helm Incorporated at the address shown on the back of the order form.
Prices are subject to change without notice and without incurring
obligation. www. helminc. com

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(


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)
$
%

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"

#
) This manual describes the procedures involved in the
replacement of damaged body parts. This manual covers maintenance and recommended
procedures f or repair to engine and chassis components.
It is written f or the Journeyman mechanic, but is simple
enough f or most mechanically-inclined owners to under-
stand.
This manual complements the Service Manual by
providing in-depth troubleshooting inf ormation f or each
electrical circuit in your car.
Authorized Manuals
Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
356
NOTE: Dealers and Companies please provide dealer or company name,
and also the name of the person to whose attention the shipment should
be sent. For purchases outside U.S.A. please write to the address shown
below for a quotation.
P.O. BOX 07280·DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48207·1-800-782-4356
Customer Name Attention
Apartment Number
State & Zip Code
City
Daytime Telephone Number
Check or money order enclosed payable to Helm Inc U.S. funds only.
Do not send cash
Master
Card VISA
Check here if your billing address is different
from the shipping address shown above.
Account Number Expiration: Mo. Yr.
CUSTOMER SIGNATURE DATE
Street Address No P.O. Box Number
()
These Publications cannot be returned for credit without receiving advance authorization within 14
days of delivery. On returns, a restocking fee may be applied against the original order.

ÎÎ
CONT INUED
........................................
Saf ety Belts .8
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 354
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
...........................................
Airbags .9
..................................
Door Locks .10
..........................
Head Restraints .10
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
.....................
Seats & Seat-Backs .10
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 54
...............................
Saf ety Messages . ii
...................
Satellite Digital Radio . 173
.....................................
Seat Belts .8, 44
...............
Additional Information . 44
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 18
.
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioner . 45
.........
Child Seat Lower Anchors . 40
Child Seat Tether Anchorage ........................................
Points .39 .....................................
Cleaning .303
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .44
................................
Maintenance .46
Reminder Light and ................................
Beeper .44, 58
................................
Replacement .46
...................
System Components . 44
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 18
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt . 15
..................................
Seat Heaters .100
....................
Seat Position Memory .98
........................
Seats, Adjusting the .91
................
Security Alarm System . 181
...............................
Serial Number .336
...........................
Service Intervals .244
...........................
Service Manual .355
.........
Service Station Procedures . 205
..................
Setting the Clock . 108,158
Shif ting the Automatic .............................
Transmission .218
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 218
........................
Shif t Lock Release .221
...................
Radiator Overheating . 319
Radio/Cassette Sound ................................
System .134, 151
...........................
Readiness Codes .324
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 292
..........................
Rear Seat Armrest .95
............................
Rear Ventilation .132
............................
Rear View Mirror .96
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 76
...............
Reclining the Seat Backs . 92
.............................
Reminder Lights .57
.......................
Remote Transmitter .84
Replacement Inf ormation .................
Air Cleaner Element . 267
..............
Dust and Pollen Filter . 278
..........................
Engine Coolant .258
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 253
..........................................
Fuses .328
................................
Light Bulbs .288
....................................
Schedule .242
................................
Spark Plugs .269
...........................................
Tires .283
.............................
Wiper Blades .275 Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a
............................................
Crash .46
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant . 208
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 219
................................
Rotation, Tire .282
Index
S
R
VII

.....................................
Tachometer .63
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in . 292
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 307
...........................
Tape Player .139, 159
Technical Descriptions ......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 340
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 345
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels .343
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .347
.......................
Temperature Gauge .65
...................
Tensioners, Seat Belts . 45
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 39
...............
Thef t Deterrent System . 181
............................
Thef t Protection .180
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 347
..................
Time, Setting the . 108,158
....................................
Timing Belt .279
....................................
Tire Chains .285
...........................
Tire Inf ormation .342
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 309
...............................................
Tires .279
..............................
Air Pressure .280
...................................
Balancing .282
....................................
Side Airbags .49
How the Side Airbag Cutof f ...........
Indicator Light Works . 51
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 49
Side Marker Lights, Bulb .........................
Replacement in .291
...............................
Signaling Turns .71
.......................................
Ski Sleeve .101
.....................................
Snow Tires .285
...................
Solvent-type Cleaners . 300
........................
Sound System .134, 151
Spare Tire ......................................
Inf lating .308
............................
Specif ications .339
................
Spark Plugs, Replacing . 269
....................
Specif ications Charts . 338
................................
Speed Control .182
...................................
Speedometer .63
.......................................
Spotlights .116
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 47
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 52
Automatic Seat Belt ...............................
Tensioners .45
How the SRS Indicator Light .......................................
Works .50
.....
How Your Airbags Work . 47,49 ........................
SRS Components .47
..................................
SRS Service .52
.............................
SRS Indicator .50 ,59
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 82
.......................
Starting the Engine .217
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .217
................
With a Dead Battery . 316
..........
State Emissions Testing . 348
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 319
Steering Wheel ................................
Adjustments .76
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 82
........................
Position Memory .98
...........
Stereo Sound System . 134,151
...........................
Storing Your Car .297
........................................
Sun Visor .112
........................
Sunglasses Holder .109
Supplemental Restraint ............................
System .9 ,47, 49
....................
Service Precautions .52
......................................
Servicing .52
.........................
SRS Indicator .50 ,59
...................
System Components . 47
...............
Tensioners, Seat Belts . 45
..................................
Synthetic Oil .252
Index
T
VIII

Service Inf ormat ion Summary
Gasoline:
Fuel Tank Capacity:
Recommended Engine Oil:Tire Pressure (measured cold):
SpareTirePressure:
Power Steering Fluid:
Brake Fluid:
Automatic Transmission Fluid: Premium unleaded gasoline,
pump octane number of 91 or
higher.
18.0 US gal (68
) Front/Rear:
30 psi (210 kPa , 2.1 kgf/cm
)
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm
)
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 ).
API Premium grade 5W-30
detergent oil (see page ).
Oil change capacity (including
filter):
4.9 US qt (4.6
)
Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid) preferred, or
aDEXRON
III ATF as a
temporary replacement (see page ). 253
264 266
266