2004 Acura TL transmission fluid

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance messages in the Multi-
Inf ormation Display, a Maintenance
Record, and instructions f or simple
maintenance tasks you may want to
take care of yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Acura, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Acura
dealer.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .194
....................
Maintenance Minder . 195
....................
Maintenance Record .200
..............................
Fluid Locations .202
......
Engine Compartment Covers . 203
........................
Adding Engine Oil .204
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter . 205
..............................
Engine Coolant .207
....................
Windshield Washers .208
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 209
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 210
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 211
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 212
....................................
Hood Latch .212
.............................................
Lights .213
.......................................
Seat Belts .218
.....................................
Floor Mats .218
.................................
Wiper Blades .219
...............................................
Tires .220
...................
Checking the Battery . 226
.............................
Vehicle Storage .227
269
Maintenance
Maint enance193

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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

Fluid Locations
Maint enance202
ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap)BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
ENGINE
COOLANT
RESERVOIR
RADIATOR CAP
CLUTCH FLUID
(Manual Transmission
only)

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 brake f luid level in the
reservoirs monthly af ter removing
the engine compartment rear cover
(see page ).
Replace it every 3 years, independent
of mileage.
Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 f luid, f rom a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement.The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If it is not, add
brake f luid to bring it up to that level.
Use the same fluid specified for the
brake system.
A low f luid level can indicate a leak
in the clutch system. Have this
system inspected as soon as possible.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle’s
braking system and can cause
extensive damage. Using any non-Honda brake f luid can
cause corrosion and decrease the lif e
of the system. Have the brake
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 as soon as possible. 203
Manual Transmission only
Brake and Clutch Fluid
Maint enance
Brake System
Clutch System
211
MAX
MIN MAX
MIN

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Specif ications
T echnical Inf ormation256
Dimensions
Weights
Air Conditioning
Capacities Capacities
186.2 in (4,730 mm)
72.2 in (1,835 mm)
56.7 in (1,441 mm)
107.9 in (2,740 mm)
62.1 in (1,577 mm)
62.0 in (1,576 mm)
HFC-134a (R-134a)
17.6 19.4 oz (500 550 g) ND-OIL8
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Track
Gross vehicle weight rating See the certification label attached
to the driver’s doorjamb.
Refrigerant type
Charge quantity
Lubricant type
Fuel tank Engine
coolant
Engine oil
Automatic
transmission
fluid
Manual
transmission
fluid
Windshield
washer
reservoir
2.6 US qt (2.5
)
7.6 US qt (7.2
)
3.1 US qt (2.9)
5.3 US qt (5.0)
4.2 US qt (4.0
)
4.5 US qt (4.3
)
Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine.
Reserve tank capacity: 0.16 US gal (0.6
)
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine. 2.3 US qt (2.2
)
2.6 US qt (2.5)
4.8 US qt (4.5
)
2.14 US gal (8.1
)
2.09 US gal (7.9)
1.66 US gal (6.3
)
1.69 US gal (6.4)
Approx.
Front
Rear
1:
2:Change
Manual
Automatic
Total Manual
Automatic
Change Including
filter
Without
filter
Total
Change
Total
Change
Total
U.S. Vehicle
Canada Vehicle
17.09 US gal (64.7)
1
2

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