2004 Acura TL trunk

Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly or
your vehicle may roll if it is parked
on an incline.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake
bef ore you put the transmission in
Park. This keeps the vehicle f rom
moving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission.Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you. Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.
If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the f ront wheels away f rom the
curb. If you have a manual
transmission, put it in f irst gear.
If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb. If you have a manual
transmission, put it in reverse gear.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Lock the doors.
Parking T ips
Parking
Driving187

CONT INUED
Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk, readjustment may be required.
Adjustment should be perf ormed by
an Acura dealer or other qualif ied
mechanic.
The headlight bulbs are a type of
high voltage discharge tube. High
voltage can remain in the circuit
even with the light switch off and the
key removed. Because of this, you
shouldnotattempttoexamineor
change a headlight bulb yourself . If a
headlight bulb f ails, take your
vehicle to a dealer to have it replaced.Remove the left or right side
engine compartment cover f rom
thesideyouareworkingonby
caref ully pulling the cover out.
If youarereplacingthebulbon
the driver’s side, remove the air
intake cover by removing the two
f astener pins and pulling the cover
out. Then remove the upper part
of the air intake duct by pulling it
straight up.
1.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing a Front Fog L ight or
Daytime Running L ight Bulb
Headlight A iming
Headlights
213

Use a f lat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the holding clip f rom the
middle edge of the inner f ender
cover, and pull the inner f ender
cover back.
Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.Remove the bulb f rom the socket
bypushingitinandturningit
counterclockwise until it unlocks.
Install the new bulb in the socket.
Turn it clockwise to lock it in place.
Insert the socket into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Push the inner f ender cover in
place. Install the holding clip, and
lock it in place by pushing on its
center.
Open the trunk.
Using a small screwdriver, pop up
the pin in the center of the
f astener, then remove the f astener.
Unscrew and remove the cargo
net hook f rom the f ender. Pull
back the trunk lining.
Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
3. 2. 4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
1.
2.
CONT INUED
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing the Rear Turn Signal
Bulb (in Fenders)
215

Reinstall the trunk lining. Make
sure it is installed under the edge
of the trunk seal.Insert the fastener into the hole on
the side of the trunk lining, and
push in the head of the f astener.
Screw the cargo net hook into the
f ender.
Determine which back-up light
is out (lef t or right), then open
the trunk. Popupthepininthecenterof
the lef t or right corner f astener
with a small screwdriver, and
remove the f astener.
Remove the lef t side
f astener the same way.
Pull out the outside edge of the
rubber stop, then push the stop
outward, and pull it to remove it.
Remove the
screw f rom the trunk lid inner
handle, and remove the handle
trim.
Pull back the corner of the
trunk lid lining.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
Reinstall the socket into the light
assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
3.
4.
5.
6. 7.
1a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Lef t side
only:
Right side only:
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing the Back-up L ight Bulb
(in T runk L id)
216
RIGHT STOP
CORNER
FASTENER
CORNER
FASTENER LEFT STOP
TRUNK LID
INNER
HANDLE
LEFT SIDE FASTENER

Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Reinstall the trunk lid lining. Make
sure it is installed under the edge
of the trunk seal. Insert the socket into the light
assembly. Turn it clockwise to
lock it in place.
Install all removed parts.
Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
2.
3. 4.
5.
6.
7.
Lights
Maint enance217

If you need to park your vehicle 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 vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry. Block the rear wheels.
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.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
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.Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Non-porous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches f ull
operating temperature (the
cooling f an cycles twice).
Pref erably do this once a month.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse
(6-speed manual) or Park
(automatic).
Vehicle Storage
Maint enance227

If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area to stop
that is far away from the traffic lanes.Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park (automatic)
or Reverse (manual). Apply the
parking brake.
Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0). Have all the
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.Open the trunk. Raise the trunk
f loor by lif ting up on the back edge.
Take the tool case out of the spare
tire.
Unscrew the wing bolt and take
the spare tire out of its well.
5. 4.
3.
2. 1.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed231
TOOL CASE
JACK
TRUNK FLOOR
SPARE TIRE
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.

Lower the vehicle to the ground,
and remove the jack.Tighten the wheel nuts securely in
the same crisscross pattern. Have
the wheel nut torque checked at
the nearest automotive service
f acility.
Tighten the wheel nuts to:Place the flat tire face down in the
spare tire well.
Remove the spacer cone f rom the
wing bolt, turn it over, and put it
back on the bolt. Attach the wing
bolt to the bolt extension over the
spacer cone.
Secure the f lat tire by screwing
the wing bolt back into its hole.
Remove the center cap before
storing the f lat tire in the trunk
well.
12.
13.
14. 15.
16.
17.
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed234
WING BOLT SPACER
CONE
BOLT
EXTENSION
80 lbf·ft (108 N·m , 11 kgf·m)