2004 Acura RL oil temperature

High levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidly in enclosed areas,
such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.
Even with the door open, run the
engine only long enough to move the
vehicle out of the garage.Select the Fresh Air mode.
Select the mode.
Set the f an speed to high.
Set the temperature control to a
comfortable setting.
With the trunk lid open, air f low can
pull exhaust gas into your car’s
interior and create a hazardous
condition. If you must drive with the
trunk lid open, open all the windows
and set the climate control system as
shown below.
Your car’s exhaust contains carbon
monoxide gas. You should have no
problem with carbon monoxide
entering the vehicle in normal
driving if you maintain your car
properly.
Have the exhaust system inspected
f or leaks whenever:
The vehicle is raised f or an oil
change.
You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust.
The vehicle was in an accident
that may have damaged the under-
side. If you must sit in your parked vehicle,
even in an unconf ined area, with the
engine running, adjust the climate
control system as f ollows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
Driver and Passenger Saf ety53
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and even kill
you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or
activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.

The HI or LO indicator lights and
remains lit until you turn it of f by
pushing the opposite side of the
switch lightly. The indicator will turn
off.Follow these precautions whenever
you use the seat heaters:
Use the HI setting only to heat the
seats quickly. Select the LO
setting when the seats f eel warm.
The HI setting draws large
amounts of current f rom the
battery.
Do not use the seat heaters, even
on the LO setting, if the engine is
lef t idling f or an extended period.
They can weaken the battery,
causing hard starting.
In LO, the heater runs continuously.
It does not cycle with temperature
changes. In HI, the heater turns of f when the
seat gets warm, and turns back on
after the seat’s temperature drops. It
continues to cycle as long as you
leave it set on HI. The HI indicator
remains lit as a reminder that you
have the heater on.
Because of the sensors f or the side
airbag system, there is no heater in
the passenger’s seat-back. To use the ski sleeve:
Pull down the rear seat armrest.
Open the trunk pass-through
cover by sliding the knob down-
ward and pulling on the cover.
The ski sleeve allows you to carry
skis or other long objects saf ely
without soiling or damaging the
interior of your car. It attaches to the
trunk pass-through.
1.
CONT INUED
Ski Sleeve
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Seat Heaters, Ski Sleeve
101
KNOB
LID

µYou may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certif ication Seal,
and it is the proper weight as shown
on the chart. When using synthetic
oil, you must f ollow the oil and f ilter
change intervals given in the
maintenance schedule.
The numbers on the container’s label
tell you the oil’s viscosity or weight.
Select the oil f or your car according
to this chart.
An oil with a viscosity of 5W-30 is
pref erred f or optimum f uel economy
and year-round protection in your
Acura. You may use a 10W-30 oil if
the temperature in your area never
goes below 20°F ( 7°C). Your Acura does not need any oil
additives. Purchasing additives f or
the engine or transmission will not
increase your car’s perf ormance or
longevity. It only increases the cost
of operating your car.
Engine Oil
Maint enance
Synthetic Oil
Additives
252
Ambient Temperature

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

Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it f or at least ten
minutes while you are driving at a
steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the ref rigerant.If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Ref rigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specif ications on page
.)
Periodically check the engine’s
radiator and air conditioning
condenser f or leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the f ront surf ace. These
block the air f low and reduce cooling
ef f iciency. Use a light spray f rom a
hose or a sof t brush to remove them. Your car’s air conditioning is a sealed
system. Any major maintenance,
such as recharging, should be done
by a qualif ied mechanic. You can do
a couple of things to make sure the
air conditioning works ef f iciently. 338
A ir Condit ioning Syst em
Maint enance277
AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER
Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
f acility uses a ref rigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
ref rigerant f or reuse. Releasing
ref rigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.
The condenser and radiator f ins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or sof t-bristle brush to clean them.

Î
Bulb Replacement..........................
Back-up Lights .292
..............................
Brake Lights .292
............................
Ceiling Lights .295
........................
Courtesy Lights .295
.................................
Fog Lights .289
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 291
.................................
Headlights .288
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 293
.................
License Plate Lights . 294
............................
Specif ications .339
...............................
Trunk Light .296
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 291
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .288
................................
Cancel Button .184
............................
Capacities Chart .338
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 53
............................
Carrying, Cargo .212
Cassette Player ............................................
Care .163
...........................
Operation .139, 159
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
..........................
CD Changer .143, 164 ................................
Ceiling Lights .116
........................
Certif ication Label .336
............................................
Chains .285
Changing Oil ........................................
How to .253
......................................
When to .244
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .309
............
Changing Engine Coolant . 258
...
Charging System Indicator . 58,322
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 216
.....................................
Child Saf ety .20
.......................................
Child Seats .24
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 39
.............................
Using LATCH .40
..................
Childproof Door Locks . 87
..........................
Cigarette Lighter .114
...................................
Cleaner, Air .267
Cleaning ....................
Aluminum Wheels .301
...................................
Carpeting .302
......................................
Exterior .300
.........................................
Fabric .303
.................................
Floor Mats .302
.......................................
Interior .302
.......................................
Leather .303
...................................
Seat Belts .303 ...........................................
Vinyl .303
....................................
Windows .304
................................
Wood Trim .304
...............
Climate Control System . 120
.................
Clock, Setting the . 108,158
.....................
Code, Audio System .180
........................
CO in the Exhaust .345
........................................
Coin Box .111
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 217
..............................
Compact Spare .308
.................
Console Compartment . 111
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 352
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 55
Coolant ........................................
Adding .256
....................................
Checking .208
.........................
Proper Solution .256
...................................
Replacing .258
...................
Temperature Gauge . 65
....................
Corrosion Protection .305
............................
Courtesy Lights .117
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .345
............
Cruise Control Operation . 182
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 352
Index
C
II

CONT INUED
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .2, 56
................
Daytime Running Lights . 70
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 354
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 76
......
Def rosting the Windows . 126,131
..............................
Dif f erential Oil .265
....................................
Dimensions .338
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 68
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 264
..................................
Engine Oil .207
..........................
Directional Signals .71
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 223
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .255
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 83
....................
Lockout Prevention . 84
..............................
Monitor Light .61
......................
Power Door Locks .83
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 340
.....................................
Drive Belts .278
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5...........................................
Driving .215
....................................
Economy .209
.........................
In Bad Weather .230
................
In Foreign Countries . 344
Driving Position Memory ..........................................
System .98
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 278
..............................
Economy, Fuel .209
............
Emergencies on the Road . 307
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 316
...........
Brake System Indicator . 325
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 309
.....
Charging System Indicator . 322
..................
Checking the Fuses . 328
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 321
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 323
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 326
..................
Overheated Engine . 319
.........................
Emergency Brake .107
......................
Emergency Flashers .75
......................
Emergency Towing .332
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 89
.......................
Emissions Controls .345 .............
Emissions Testing, State . 348
Engine ............................................
Belts .278
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 65
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .59, 323
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 58,321
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 251
...............................
Overheating .319
............................
Specif ications .339
............................
Speed Limiter .220
.......................................
Starting .217
...................
Engine Speed Limiter . 220
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .343
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 345
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .53
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .346
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 300
Index
D
E
III

.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 288
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 75
Headlights ........................................
Aiming .288
....................
Automatic Lighting .69
............
Daytime Running Lights . 70
..................
High Beam Indicator . 62
....................
Lights On Indicator .59
.........................
Reminder Chime .68
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 288
...................................
Turning on .68
..............................
Head Restraints .94
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 217
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 68
..............
High-mount Brake Light . 293
............................
Fabric, Cleaning .303
..........................
Fan, Interior .124, 129
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .119
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 205
Filters ................................
Air Cleaner .267
.........................
Dust and Pollen .278
...............................................
Oil .255
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 75
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 309
.....................................
Floor Mats .302
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 264
..........................................
Brake .266
................................
Differential .265
..........................
Power Steering .266
..................
Windshield Washer . 263
FM Stereo Radio ...........................
Reception .135, 152
........................................
Fog Lights .72
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 344
..........................
Four-way Flashers .75
..............................
Front Airbags .9 ,47 .................................................
Fuel .204
......................
Fill Door and Cap .205
...........................................
Gauge .65
................
Octane Requirement . 204
...............................
Oxygenated .343
........................
Reserve Indicator .62
........................
Tank, Filling the .205
..............
Fuel Mileage, Improving . 209
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .328
................
Gas Mileage Improving . 209
..........................................
Gasohol .343
.........................................
Gasoline .204
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 62
...........................................
Gauge .65
................
Octane Requirement . 204
........................
Tank, Filling the .205
................
Gas Station Procedures . 205
.............................................
Gauges .63
...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 65
...............................................
Fuel .65
...............................
Speedometer .63
.................................
Tachometer .63 GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
.......................................
Rating) .233
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions . 218
..............................
Glass Cleaning .304
........................................
Glove Box .90
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight .......................................
Rating) .233
Index
G H
F
IV