2004 Acura TL maintenance

Your vehicle’s tires have wear
indicators molded into the tread.
When the tread wears down to that
point, you will see a 1/2 inch (12.7
mm) wide band running across the
tread. This shows there is less than
1/16 inch (1.6 mm) of tread lef t on
the tire. A tire that is this worn gives
very little traction on wet roads. You
should replace the tire if you can see
the tread wear indicator in three or
more places around the tire.In addition to proper inf lation,
correct wheel alignment helps to
decrease tire wear. If you f ind a tire
is worn unevenly, have your dealer
check the wheel alignment.
Have your dealer check the tires if
you f eel a consistent vibration while
driving. A tire should always be
rebalanced if it is removed f rom the
wheel. When you have new tires
installed, make sure they are
balanced. This increases riding
comf ort and tire lif e. For best results,
have the installer perform a dynamic
balance.
Move the tires to the positions
shown in the illustration each time
they are rotated. If you purchase
directional tires, rotate only f ront-to-
back.
Tires
Maint enance
T ire Maintenance
T ire Rotation
223
INDICATOR LOCATION MARKS
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR Front
Front
(Front Directional
Tires and Wheels)
(Front Non-directional
Tires and Wheels)

µ
Check the condition of the battery
monthlybylookingatthetest
indicator window. The label on the
battery explains the test indicator’s
colors. Check the terminals f or corrosion (a
white or yellowish powder). To
remove it, cover the terminals with a
solution of baking soda and water. It
will bubble up and turn brown. When
this stops, wash it of f with plain
water. Dry off the battery with a
cloth or paper towel. Coat the
terminals with grease to help prevent
f urther corrosion.
If additional battery maintenance is
needed, see your Acura dealer or a
qualif ied technician.
Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damaging your vehicle’s
electrical system. Always disconnect
the negative ( ) cable first, and
reconnect it last.
Checking the Battery
Maint enance
WARNING:
Wash your hands af ter handling.
226
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
mechanic do the battery
maintenance.

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*
T he publications shown below can be purchased f rom Helm
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Form Description
2004 Acura TL Service Manual 2004 Acura TL
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual 2004 Acura TL
Body Repair Manual
2004 Acura TL Owner’s Manual
2004 Acura TL Navigation Manual 2004 Acura TL
Maintenance Journal
2004 Acura TL Quick Start Guide Order Form for Previous Years-
Indicate Year and Model Desired
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www. helminc. com

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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,
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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

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