2004 Acura TL display

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Maint enance
Maintenance Minder
199
:
Independent of the maintenance messages in the Multi-Information
Display, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
If the message ‘‘SERVICE DUE NOW’’ does not appear more than 12 months
after the display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, the first column,
page .
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.
NOTE: 1:
198
Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Rotate tires
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Visually inspect these items: Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and line (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element If you drive primarily in dusty conditions, replace
every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Replace dust and pollen filter If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds results in higher transmission temperatures.
This requires transmission fluid changes more
frequently than recommended by the Maintenance
Minder. If you regulary drive your vehicle under these
conditions, have the transmission fluid changed at
60,000 miles (100,000 km), then every 30,000 miles
(48,000 km).
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over
110°F, 43°C), or in very low temperatures (under-20°F,
29°C), replace every 60,000 mile (U.S.)/100,000 km
(Canada)
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
A
B
Symbol
Symbol
1
2
3
4
51
Maintenance Minder

Oil is a major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 5W-20
detergent oil displaying the API
Certif ication Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements.Honda Motor Oil is the pref erred
5W-20 lubricant f or your vehicle. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda Motor Oil in your vehicle f or
optimum engine protection. Make
sure the API Certif ication Seal says
‘‘For Gasoline Engines’’.
The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your Acura to
improve cold weather starting and
f uel economy.
Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on top of the valve cover.
Pour in the oil slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment. Install the engine oil
f ill cap and tighten it securely. Wait a
f ew minutes and recheck the oil level
(see page ). Do not f ill above the
upper mark on the dipstick; you
could damage the engine. 167
A dding Engine Oil
Maint enance
Recommended Engine Oil
204
ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP
API CERTIFICATION SEAL Ambient Temperature

You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certif ication Seal
and it is the proper weight. You must
f ollow the oil and f ilter change
intervals shown on the Multi-
Inf ormation Display.
Your Acura does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect your engine’s or transmission’s
perf ormance and durability.Always change the oil and f ilter
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the Multi-
Inf ormation Display. The oil and
f ilter collect contaminants that can
damage your engine if they are not
removed regularly.
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.
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.
2. 1.
A dding Engine Oil, Changing the Oil and Filter
Maint enance
Synthetic Oil
Engine Oil A dditives Changing the Oil and Filter
205
DRAIN BOLT
WASHER

When the radiator and engine are
cool, relieve any pressure in the
cooling system by turning the
radiator cap counterclockwise,
without pressing down.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Pourthecoolantslowlyand
caref ully so you do not spill. Clean
up any spill immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Put the radiator cap back on and
tighten it.
Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle’s
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components. Check the f luid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use.
If the f luid level
is low, a message will be shown on
the Multi-Information Display.
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.
When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition them.
3.
1.
2. 4.
5.
On Canadian models:
Engine Coolant, Windshield Washers
Maint enance
Windshield Washers
208
NOTICE:
RADIATOR CAP
Do not use engine antif reeze
or a vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antif reeze
can damage your vehicle’s paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer f luid.

Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.Park the vehicle on level ground.
Shut of f the engine.
Within 60 to 90 seconds, remove
the dipstick (yellow loop) f rom the
transmission, and wipe it with a
clean cloth.
Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely. Remove the dipstick, and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the f iller hole
to bring it to the upper mark.Always use Honda ATF-Z1
(Automatic Transmission Fluid). If
it’s not available, you may use a
DEXRON
III automatic
transmission f luid as a temporary
replacement. However, continued
use can af f ect the shif t quality.
Have the transmission flushed and
ref illed with Honda ATF-Z1 as
soon as it is convenient.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid when this
service is shown on a maintenance
message in the Multi-Information
Display. To thoroughly f lush the
transmission, the technician
should drain and ref ill it with
Honda ATF-Z1, then drive the
vehicle f or a short distance. Do
this three times. Then drain and
ref ill the transmission a f inal time.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
in the transmission.
1.
2.
3. 4.
5.
6.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Maint enance209
UPPER
MARK
LOWER
MARK
DIPSTICK

Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground. Remove the check
bolt, and look f or transmission f luid
coming out of the bolt hole. If a small
amount of f luid drips out of the bolt
hole, reinstall the check bolt.If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certif ication seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES’’ as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives, and continued use can
cause stiffer shifting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient. If no f luid comes out, remove the
f iller bolt. Slowly add Honda Manual
Transmission Fluid (MTF) until it
starts to run out of the check bolt
hole. Let the f luid run out until it
stops, then reinstall the check bolt
and the f iller bolt.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid when this
service is shown on a maintenance
message in the Multi-Inf ormation
Display.
Manual T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance
Manual Transmission Fluid
210
CHECK BOLT
DRAIN BOLT FILLER BOLT

Check the smaller f uses in the
under-hood f use box and all the
fuses in the interior fuse box by
pulling out each f use with the f use
puller provided in the under-hood
fuse box.
Look f or a burned wire inside the
f use. If it is burned, replace it with
oneof thesparefusesof thesame
rating or lower.If the replacement fuse of the
same rating blows in a short time,
there is probably a serious
electrical problem in your vehicle.
Leave the blown fuse in that
circuit, and have your vehicle
checked by a qualif ied mechanic.
If the radio f use is removed, the
audio system will disable itself . The
nexttimeyouturnontheradioyou
will see ‘‘CODE’’ in the f requency
display. Use the preset buttons to
enter the f ive-digit code (see page ).
If you cannot drive the vehicle
without f ixing the problem, and you
do not have a spare fuse, take a fuse
of the same rating or a lower rating
f rom one of the other circuits. Make
sureyoucandowithoutthatcircuit
temporarily (such as the accessory
power socket or radio).
If you replace the blown f use with a
spare f use that has a lower rating, it
might blow out again. This does not
indicate anything wrong. Replace the
f use with one of the correct rating as
soon as you can.
5. 6.
4. 140
Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed246
NOTICE:
BLOWN
Replacing a f use with one
that has a higher rating greatly
increases the chances of damaging the
electrical system. If you do not have a
replacement f use with the proper rating
f or the circuit, install one with a lower
rating.

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
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