2006 Acura RL check 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
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .348
....................
Maintenance Minder .349
....................
Maintenance Record .359
..............................
Fluid Locations .361
......
Engine Compartment Covers .362
........................
Adding Engine Oil .363
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter .364
..............................
Engine Coolant .366
....................
Windshield Washers .368
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid .368
....................................
Brake Fluid .369
....................
Power Steering Fluid .370
....................................
Timing Belt .371
.............................................
Lights .372
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .379
.....................................
Floor Mats .380
.................................
Wiper Blades .381
...............................................
Tires .383
...................
Checking the Battery .390
.............................
Vehicle Storage .392
441
Maintenance
Maint enance
347

Check the f luid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use.Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.
Park the vehicle on level ground.
Shut of f the engine.
Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
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. If the washer f luid is low, a
‘‘WASHER FLUID LOW’’ message
appears on the multi-inf ormation
display.
Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission as shown.
Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Windshield Washers
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Windshield Washers, A utomatic T ransmission Fluid
368
NOTICE:
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
DIPSTICK
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 brake f luid level in the
reservoirs monthly.
Replace the brake f luid every 3 years,
independent of mileage.
If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the dipstick
tube to bring it to the upper mark.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully
so you do not spill any. Clean up
any spill immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment. Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
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.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your dealer.
Always use Honda ATF-Z1
(automatic transmission f luid). If
it’s not available, you may use a
DEXRON
III automatic
transmission f luid as a temporary
replacement. However, continued
use can affect the shift quality.
Have the transmission f lushed and
ref illed with Honda ATF-Z1 as
soon as it is convenient. 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.
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.
5.
6.
CONT INUED
Brake Fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid, Brake Fluid
Maint enance
369

CONT INUED
....................................
Accessories .303
ACCESSORY (Ignition Switch .....................................
Position) .147
............
Accessory Power Sockets .188
......................................
AcuraLink .256
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) .....................................
Indicator .237
...................................
Operation .239
Adaptive Front Lighting System ..........................................
(AFS) .139
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .363
.............................
Airbag (SRS) .11,27
............................
Air Conditioning .194
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .384
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .296
......................................
Antif reeze .366
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .64,324
...................................
Operation .323
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System .232
Anti-thef t Steering Column
............................................
Lock .147
.........................................
Ashtrays .189
................................
Audio System .203Auto Control Mode, Starting
........................................
Engine .311
..........
Automatic Climate Control .201
.......................
Automatic Lighting .137
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners .22
.............
Automatic Speed Control .234
..............
Automatic Transmission .313
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .426
...............
Checking Fluid Level .368
.......................................
Shif ting .313
Shif t Lever Position ...............................
Indicators .313
................
Shif t Lever Positions .313
....................
Shif t Lock Release .318
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .62,409
............................
Jump Starting .403
..............................
Maintenance .390
..........................................
Cover .391
............................
Specif ications .427
..............................
Bef ore Driving .295
..................................
Belts, Seat .10,21.........................
Beverage Holders .186
..................................
Booster Seats .53
Brakes Anti-lock Brake ........................
System (ABS) .323
.............
Break-in, New Linings .296
...........................................
Fluid .369
.......................................
Parking .183
.................
System Indicator .63,411
........................
Wear Indicators .322
.............................
Braking System .322
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle .296
Brightness Control,
...............................
Instruments .141
......................
Brights, Headlights .136
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .378
.......................
Front Fog Lights .376
...............
Front Position Lights .375
........
Front Side Marker Lights .375
.................................
Headlights .372
............................
Specif ications .427
............
Turn Signal Lights .374,375
.....................................
Built-in-key .160
Index
A
B
INDEX
I

Î
CONT INUED
..............
Def rosting the Windows .200
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .426
....................................
Dimensions .426
.............
Dimming the Headlights .136
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission .368
..................................
Engine Oil .301
........................
Directional Signals .136
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .322
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .365
Doors ............
Locking and Unlocking .148
..................
Lockout Prevention .148
.................
Monitor Indicator .13,79
....................
Power Door Locks .148
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .428
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .7
.......................................
Driver’s ID .81
...........................................
Driving .309
....................................
Economy .302
Driving Position Memory ........................................
System .156
..............................
Economy, Fuel .302..................................
Emergencies .393
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .403
...........
Brake System Indicator .411
................
Changing a Flat Tire .398
.....
Charging System Indicator .409
..................
Checking the Fuses .415
.......
Hazard Warning Flashers .141
............................
Jump Starting .403
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .409
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .410
Opening the Fuel Fill Door
................................
Manually .412
..................
Overheated Engine .406
.......................................
Towing .421
.........................
Emergency Brake .183
....................
Emergency Flashers .141
......................
Emergency Towing .421
..........
Emergency Trunk Opener .150
.......................
Emissions Controls .432
.............
Emissions Testing, State .435
Engine
............
Check Starting System .312
...............
Compartment Covers .362
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .70
.........................
If It Won’t Start .402Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .62,410
.........................................
Oil lif e .349
........
Oil Pressure Indicator .62,409
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .363
...............................
Overheating .406
............................
Specif ications .427
............................
Speed Limiter .318
.......................................
Starting .311
...................
Engine Speed Limiter .318
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .296
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls .432
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .56
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .433
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
...................................
Fan, Interior .196
.........................................
Features .193
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 297
Index
E F
INDEX
III

ÎÎ
................
Gas Mileage Improving .302
.........................................
Gasoline .296
...........................................
Gauge .70
.....................
Low Fuel Indicator .66
................
Octane Requirement .296
........................
Tank, Ref ueling .297
................
Gas Station Procedures .297
.............................................
Gauges .70
...
Engine Coolant Temperature .70
...............................................
Fuel .70
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) .342
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions .313
......................................
Glove Box .185
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight .......................................
Rating) .342
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs .372 ..........................
HandsFreeLink .278
............
Hazard Warning Flashers .141
Headlights
Adaptive Front Lighting System ......................................
(AFS) .139
........................................
Aiming .372
..................
Automatic Lighting .137
.........
Daytime Running Lights .138
..................
High Beam Indicator .66
....................
Lights On Indicator .64
..........
Low Beams, Turning on .136
.......................
Reminder Chime .136
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs .372
..........
High beams, Turning on .136
...................................
Washer .134
............................
Head Restraints .152
...............................
Heated Mirror .155
...................................
Heater, Seat .174
.............
High Altitude, Starting at .311
HomeLink Universal
................................
Transceiver .252
.......................
Hood, Opening the .299
................................................
Horn .133
Filters
...............................................
Oil .364
...........
Flashers, Hazard Warning .141
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .398
.....................................
Floor Mats .380
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission .368
..........................................
Brake .369
..........................
Power Steering .370
..................
Windshield Washer .368
.....................................
Fog Lights .138
........................
Four-way Flashers .141
............................
Front Airbags .11,29
......................................
Front Seat .151
....................................
Adjusting .151
.......................................
Heaters .174
...................................
Airbags .11,29
...........................
Air Ventilation .175
.................................................
Fuel .296
......................
Fill Door and Cap .297
...........................................
Gauge .70
.....................
Low Fuel Indicator .66
................
Octane Requirement .296
Opening the Fuel Fill Door
................................
Manually .412
...............................
Oxygenated .296........................
Tank, Ref ueling .297
......................
Tighten Fuel Cap .298
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .415
Index
G
H
IV
TM

CONT INUED
Unexpected, Taking Care..........................................
of the .393
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading .428
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .296
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of .365
Three Way Catalytic
.................................
Converters .434
Tilt/Telescopic Steering .........................................
Wheel .143
....................................
Timing Belt .371
....................................
Tire Chains .387
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat .398
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
..................................
(TPMS) .335
Monitoring Tire Pressure ..................................
Reading .387
...........
TPMS System Warning .335
...............................................
Tires .383
..............................
Air Pressure .384
........................................
Chains .387
.........................
Checking Wear .384
..........................
Compact Spare .397
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading .428
......................................
Inf lation .383
..................................
Inspection .384
..............
Michelin PAX System .394
...................................
Replacing .386
......................................
Rotating .385
...........................................
Snow .387
............................
Specif ications .427
...................
Tools, Tire Changing .398 Torque Distribution Monitor
.................................
(SH-AWD) .320
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .341
....
Equipment and Accessories .342
.............................
Weight Limit .341
.............................................
TPMS .335
.............................
Trailer Loading .341
......................
Trailer Towing Tips .345
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .368
...........................
Fluid Selection .369
..............
Identif ication Number .424
.............
Shif ting the Automatic .313
.....................................
Treadwear .397
.......................................
Trip Meter .72
..............................................
Trunk .149
..................
Emergency Opener .150
...............................
Opening the .149
.......
Open Monitor Indicator .13,79
..................................
Turn Signals .136.................
Vehicle Capacity Load .306
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .426
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number .424
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
....................................
System .339
...
VSA Activation Indicator .65,339
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .340
........
VSA System Indicator .65,339
.............................
Vehicle Storage .392
.................................................
VIN .424
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .363
Index
INDEX
V U
IX