2009 Acura RL battery

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
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.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the multi-information display, and
instructions f or simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself .......................
Maintenance Saf ety .444
....................
Maintenance Minder .445
..............................
Fluid Locations .455
......
Engine Compartment Covers .456
........................
Adding Engine Oil .458
Changing the Engine Oil and
...........................................
Filter .459
..............................
Engine Coolant .461
....................
Windshield Washers .464
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid .464
....................................
Brake Fluid .466
....................
Power Steering Fluid .466
....................................
Timing Belt .467
.............................................
Lights .468
..................
DustandPollenFilter .476
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .476
.....................................
Floor Mats .477
.................................
Wiper Blades .478
...........................................
Wheels .480
...............................................
Tires .480
...................
Checking the Battery .489
.............................
Vehicle Storage .492
541
Maintenance
Maint enance
443
2009 RL

To eliminate potential hazards, read
the instructions bef ore you begin,
and make sure you have the tools
and skills required.To clean parts, use a commercially
available degreaser or parts
cleaner, not gasoline. Be sure there is
adequate ventilation whenever you
operate the engine.
Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
down bef ore touching any parts. Do
not run the engine unless
instructed to do so.
Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.
Make sure your vehicle is parked
on level ground, the parking brake
is set, and the engine is of f .
To reduce the possibility of f ire or
explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks,
and flames away from the battery
and all f uel-related parts.
Wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working
with the battery or compressed air.
All service items not detailed in this
section should be perf ormed by a
certif ied technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.
Maintenance Saf ety
Important Saf ety Precautions
Potential Vehicle HazardsCarbon Monoxide poison f rom
engine exhaust.
Burns f rom hot parts. Injury f rom moving parts.
444
Improperly maintaining this
vehicle, or failing to correct a
problem before driving can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations and
schedules in this owner’s
manual.
Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.
2009 RL

The component parts in the engine
compartment are protected by
several covers. You may need to
remove the covers when you
perf orm some simple maintenance
work.
All of the covers are secured by
holding clips.
To remove the battery cover, turn
the knob of the f astener and remove
the holding clips by pushing on the
center of each f astener head.
To remove the f ront bulkhead cover:Remove the battery cover.
Remove the holding clips by
pushingonthecenterof each
f astener head.
1.
2.
Engine Compartment Covers
456
FRONT BULKHEAD COVER BATTERY COVER
:
: CLIPS
CLIPS
KNOB
Push to remove clip
Push to reset/install clip CLIPS
Unlock
Lock
2009 RL

To remove the lef t engine
compartment cover:
To remove the right engine
compartment cover:Remove the battery and front
bulkhead covers (see page ).
Remove the holding clips by
pushingonthecenterof each
f astener head.
Take the windshield washer hose
out f rom the holder on the bottom
side of the cover.
When reinstalling the covers, make
sure the pins and tabs are in their
proper positions. Remove the holding clips by
pushingonthecenterof each
f astener head.
Remove the battery cover (see
page ).
1.
2.
1.
2.
3. 456
456
Engine Compartment Covers
Maint enance
457
RIGHT ENGINE COMPARTMENT LEFT ENGINE COMPARTMENT
:
: Push to remove clip
Push to reset/install clip CLIPS CLIPS
CLIP
2009 RL

CONT INUED
Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pushing on the
tab and pulling the connector
down.
Remove the bulb by turning it one-
quarter turn counterclockwise.
Remove the left or right side
engine compartment cover f rom
thesideyouareworkingonby
caref ully pulling the cover out (see
page ).
If youarereplacingthebulbon
the driver’s side, remove the
battery cover (see page ).
Your vehicle has halogen high beam
headlight bulbs which are also used
f or the daytime running light.
Handle it by its base and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass,
clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.
2.
3.
1.
457 491
Lights
Replacing a Headlight/Daytime
Running L ight Bulb
Maint enance
469
BULB
CONNECTOR
Halogen bulbs get very hot when lit. Oil,
perspiration, or a scratch on the glass
can cause the bulb to overheat and
shatter.
2009 RL

Insert the new bulb into the hole,
and turn it one-quarter turn
clockwise to lock it in place.
Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb.
Push the electrical connector back
onto the bulb. Make sure it is on
all the way.Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Push the bulb in slightly, and turn
it counterclockwise.
Remove the left or right side
engine compartment cover f rom
thesideyouareworkingonby
caref ully pulling the cover out (see
page ).
Reinstall the engine compartment
side cover.
(Driver’s side)
Reinstall the battery cover. 2.
1.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
3.
457
Lights
Replacing a Front T urn Signal
Light Bulb
470
BULB SOCKET
2009 RL

CONT INUED
Remove the left or right side
engine compartment cover (see
page ).
Install the new bulb into the
socket.
Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working. Reinstall the engine compartment
side cover.
(Driver’s side)
Reinstall the battery cover.
(Passenger’s side)
Use a f lat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the holding clip f rom the
windshield washer reservoir.
1.
2.
5.
6. 7.
8.
4.
457
Lights
Replacing a Front Parking/Side
Marker Bulb
Maint enance
471
2009 RL

Your vehicle uses halogen light
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its plastic case, and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass,
clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.
Install the new bulb into the
socket.
Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. (Passenger’s side)
Reinstall the windshield washer
reservoir.
Reinstall the engine compartment
side cover.
(Driver’s side)
Reinstall the battery cover.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
3.
4.
Lights
ReplacingaFogLightBulb
472
SOCKET
BULB
CLIP
Halogen bulbs get very hot when lit. Oil,
perspiration, or a scratch on the glass
can cause the bulb to overheat and
shatter.
2009 RL