2004 Acura TL Owner's Manual

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) 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 vehicle.
This manual describes the procedures involved in the
replacement of damaged body parts.
Authorized Manuals
Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
270
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.

CONT INUED
BatteryCharging System ...........................
Indicator .52, 242
............................
Jump Starting .238
..............................
Maintenance .226
............................
Specif ications .257
..............................
Bef ore Driving .163
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,19
...........................
Beverage Holder .106
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 189
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 164
...........................................
Fluid .211
.......................................
Parking .103
.................
System Indicator . 52,244 ........................
Wear Indicators .188
.............................
Braking System .188
........................
Break-in, New Car .164
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 75
........................
Brights, Headlights .74
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .216
.................................
Fog Lights .213
............................
Specif ications .257
............
Turn Signal Lights . 214,215
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .213
............................
Capacities Chart .256
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 46
............................
Carrying, Cargo .171
Cassette Player ............................................
Care .138
...................................
Operation .136
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
..................................
Ceiling Light .104
........................
Certif ication Label .254
...................................
Chains, .225
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 168
................................
Accessories .169
............................
Modif ications .170
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .80
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 106
................
Adding Engine Coolant . 207
........................
Adding Engine Oil .204
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 205
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9, 22
...............
Additional Information . 22
......................................
Servicing .28
...................
System Components . 22
..............
Air Conditioning System . 110
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .221
......................................
Antif reeze .207
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .53, 189
...................................
Operation .189
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 140
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 80
................................
Audio System .117
...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature . 76
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 20.............
Automatic Speed Control . 142
..............
Automatic Transmission . 181
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .256
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 209
.......................................
Shif ting .181
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 181
.......................................
Shif ting .181
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 185
tires
Index
A
BC
I

ÎÎÎ
ÎÎ
Changing Oil ........................................
How to .205
......................................
When to .195
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .231
...
Charging System Indicator . 52,242
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 176
..................
Childproof Door Locks . 84
.....................................
Child Saf ety .29
..............................
Booster Seats .43
...................................
Child Seats .36
..........................................
Inf ants .34
............................
Large Children .42
.........................................
LATCH .38
......................
Risks with Airbags .30
.............................
Small Children .35
.........................................
Tethers .41
.........
Where Should a Child Sit? . 30
Cleaning .................................
Floor Mats .218
...................................
Seat Belts .218
...............
Climate Control System . 115
..............................................
Clock .103
..........................
CO in the Exhaust .46
.......................
Compact Spare .230
.................
Console Compartment . 107
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 265.............
Controls, Instruments and . 49
Coolant ........................................
Adding .207
....................................
Checking .167
.........................
Proper Solution .207
...................
Temperature Gauge . 57
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .260
................
Cruise Control Indicator . 54
............
Cruise Control Operation . 142
...................................
Cup Holders .106
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 266
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .2, 50
............
Daytime Running Lights . 74
Daytime Running Light ...................................
Indicator .55
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 268
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 77
..............
Def rosting the Windows . 114
....................................
Dimensions .256
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 74Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission . 209
..................................
Engine Oil .167
..........................
Directional Signals .74
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 188
.................................
Disc Changer .129
...
Disc Changer Error Messages . 135
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .206
Doors ..............................
Monitor Light .60
......................
Power Door Locks .82
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 258
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .175
....................................
Economy .168
Driving Position Memory ..........................................
System .93
..............................
Economy, Fuel .168
............
Emergencies on the Road . 229
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 238
...........
Brake System Indicator . 244
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 231
.....
Charging System Indicator . 242
tire
Index
D
E
II

ÎCONT INUED
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 168
.........................................
Gasoline .164
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 56
...........................................
Gauge .57
................
Octane Requirement . 164
........................
Tank, Filling the .165
................
Gas Station Procedures . 165
...................................
Fan, Interior .122
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .109
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 165
........................................
Filter, Oil .205
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 76
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 231
.....................................
Floor Mats .218
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 209
..........................................
Brake .211
.........................................
Clutch .211
..............
Manual Transmission . 210
..........................
Power Steering .212
................
Windshield Washers . 208
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .122
.....................................
Fog Lights .75 ..........................
Four-way Flashers .76
..............................
Front Airbags .9 ,22
......................................
Front Seats .90
......................................
Adjusting .90
.........................................
Heaters .96
.....................................
Airbags .9, 22
.................................................
Fuel .164
......................
Fill Door and Cap .165
...........................................
Gauge .57
................
Octane Requirement . 164
........................
Reserve Indicator .56
........................
Tank, Filling the .165
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .245
..................
Checking the Fuses . 245
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers . 76
......
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck . 249
............................
Jump Starting .238
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 242
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 243
..................
Overheated Engine . 240
.......................................
Towing .249
.........................
Emergency Brake .103
......................
Emergency Flashers .76
......................
Emergency Towing .249
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 84
.......................
Emissions Controls .260
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 263
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 57
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .52, 243
.........................................
Oil Lif e .64
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 52,242
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 204
...............................
Overheating .240
............................
Specif ications .257
....................
Speed Limiter . 179,185
.......................................
Starting .177
...................
Engine, .236 ......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .164
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 260
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .46
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .17
if it won’t start
Index
F
G
III

ÎÎÎ
ÎÎ.................
Jacking up the Vehicle . 232
.......................................
Jack, Tire .231
................................
Jump Starting .238
Gauges
...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 57
...............................................
Fuel .57
...............................
Speedometer .57
.................................
Tachometer .57
Gearshif t Lever Positions ..........
Automatic Transmission . 181
6-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .178
......................................
Glove Box .107 ...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 254
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .79
...........................................
Switch .80
............
Timing Control System . 261
........................
Immobilizer System .81
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
.........................................
Indicators .52
......
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake) . 53,189
Brake (Parking and Brake ............................
System) .52, 244
................
Charging System . 52,242
.............................
Cruise Control .54
DRL (Daytime Running ..................................
Lights) .55
...................................
Fog Light .56
...................................
High Beam .55
........
Key (Immobilizer System) . 56
......................................
Low Fuel .56 ................
Low Oil Pressure . 54,242
...........................
Side Airbag Of f .53
.........................................
SRS .26, 53
Turn Signal and Hazard ...................................
Warning .55
............................
VSA Activation .54
.................................
VSA System .54
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .34
......................................
Inf ant Seats .34
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 41
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 221
...................................
Inside Mirror .91
.............................
Inspection, Tire .222
............................
Instrument Panel .51
..........
Instrument Panel Indicators . 52
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 75
...............................
Interior Lights .104
........................................
Introduction .i
.......................
Halogen Fog Bulbs .213
..........
HandsFree Link (HFL) . 70,149
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 76
........................................
Headlights .74
........................................
Aiming .213
Automatic Lighting Off .....................................
Feature .76
.......
Daytime Running Lights . 74
..................
High Beam Indicator . 55
.........................
Reminder Chime .74
...................................
Turning on .74
..............................
Head Restraints .89
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 74HomeLink Universal
................................
Transceiver .145
....................................
Hood Latch .212
.......................
Hood, Opening the .166
Index
H I
J
IV

CONT INUED
..................................................
Keys .79
...............
Keyless Memory Setting . 66
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 182
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 164
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 254
.......................
Label, Certif ication .254
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 74
........................
Lap/Shoulder Belts .19
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .213
.......................................
Indicator .52
.........................................
Parking .74
..................................
Turn Signal .74
.....................................
Load Limit .172
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 80
........................
Lockout Prevention .82
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 80
..................................
Glove Box .107
.................................
Power Door .82
...........................................
Trunk .83
........................
Low Coolant Level .167
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 52,242
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 256..............
Luggage, .171
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 164
.........................................
Odometer .62
...............................
Odometer, Trip .62
Oil ........................
Change, How to .205
......................
Change, When to .195
......................
Checking Engine .167
..............
Pressure Indicator . 52,242
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .204
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 80
..................................
Maintenance .193
.....................................
Messages .64
........................................
Minder .195
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 198
........................................
Record .200
..........................................
Saf ety .194
Malf unction Indicator ....................................
Lamp .52, 243
...................
Manual Transmission . 178
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 210
.............
Memory, Driving Position . 93
...............................
Meters, Gauges .57
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .91
...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle . 170
.......................................
Moonroof .100
.............
Multi-Inf ormation Display . 59
............................
Engine Oil Lif e .64
..........................
HandsFree Link .70
.........
Keyless Memory Settings . 66
.............
Maintenance Messages . 64
.....................................
Odometer .62
.................
Outside Temperature . 63............................
Trip Computer .65
...................................
Trip Meter .62
Storing (Cargo)
Index
K
L N
O
M
V

Î..................................
Saf ety Belts .8, 19
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 268
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
...........................................
Airbags .9
..................................
Door Locks .11
..........................
Head Restraints .13
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
.....................
Seats & Seat-Backs .12
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 47
...............................
Saf ety Messages . ii
................................
Satellite Radio .124
.....................................
Seat Belts .8, 19
...............
Additional Information . 19
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
....................................
Recovery .260
..............................
Outside Mirrors .91
.....................
Outside Temperature .63
....................
Overheating, Engine .240
....
Owner’s Maintenance Checks . 198
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 75
........................
Park Gear Position .182
...........................................
Parking .187
...............................
Parking Brake .103
Parking Brake and Brake System ...............................
Indicator .52, 244
.................................
Parking Lights .74
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 187
.............................
PGM-FI System .261
...............
Power Socket Locations . 106
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 17
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens . 11
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 18
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 17
........................
Protecting Children .29
Installing a Child Seat Using ........................................
Latch .38 Installing a Child Seat with a
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 40
Installing a Child Seat with a ......................................
Tether .41
.................
Selecting a Child Seat . 36
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .34
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 42
.........
Protecting Small Children . 35
..................
Protecting Your Discs . 134
...................
Radiator Overheating . 240
Radio/Cassette/Disc Sound ........................................
System .117
...................
Readiness Codes . 243,263
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 215
..........................
Rear Seat Armrest .89
............................
Rear View Mirror .91
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 77
...............
Reclining the Seat Backs . 88
.............................
Reminder Lights .52
................
Remote Audio Controls . 139
.......................
Remote Transmitter .85
Replacement Inf ormation ................
Engine Oil and Filter . 205..........................................
Fuses .245
................................
Light Bulbs .213
...........................................
Tires .224
.............................
Wiper Blades .219
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .21
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant . 167
.........................
Restraint, Child .34 ,35
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 182
................................
Rotation, Tire .223
Index
P
RS
VI

Î
CONT INUED
.....................................
Tachometer .57
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 229
....................................
Tape Player .136
Technical Descriptions ......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 258
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 260
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .262
.......................
Temperature Gauge .57
....................
Temperature, Outside . 63
........
Temperature, Inside Sensor . 116
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 41
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 262
..................
Tilt the Steering Wheel . 78
..........................
Time, Setting the .103
.....................................
Cleaning .218
................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 14,19
................................
Maintenance .21
Reminder Light and ................................
Beeper .19, 52
...................
System Components . 19
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 17
....................................
Seat Heaters .96
........................
Seats, Adjusting the .90
............................
Security System .141
........
Sequential SportShif t Mode . 183
...............................
Serial Number .254
...........................
Service Intervals .195
...........................
Service Manual .269
.........
Service Station Procedures . 165
..........................
Setting the Clock .103
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 181
........................
Shif t Lock Release .185
...........................................
Shif ting .181
................................
Side Airbags .9 ,25
........
Side Airbag Of f Indicator . 27,53
......................
Side Curtain Airbags .26
...............................
Signaling Turns .74
.....................................
Snow Tires .225
................................
Sound System .117 Spare Tire
......................................
Inf lating .230
............................
Specif ications .257
....................
Specif ications Charts . 256
................................
Speed Control .142
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 33
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 28
....................
Airbag Components . 22
.............................
Airbag Service .28
How the SRS Indicator .......................................
Works .26
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work .23
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 25
How Your Side Curtain Airbags .........................................
Work .26
.............................
SRS Indicator .26 ,53
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 80
.......................
Starting the Engine .177
................
With a Dead Battery . 238
..............
State Emissions Testing . 263
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 236
Steering Wheel ..................................
Adjustment .78
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 80
...................
Stereo Sound System . 117....................
Storing Your Vehicle .227
........................
Sunglasses Holder .108
....
Supplemental Restraint System . 22
......................................
Servicing .28
...............................
SRS Indicator .26
...................
System Components . 22
Index
T
VII