2009 Acura TL Owner's Manual

Always use Honda Long-lif e Anti-
f reeze/Coolant Type 2. This coolant
is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent distilled
water. Never add straight antif reeze
or plain water.
If Honda antif reeze/coolant is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporaryreplacement.Makesureit
is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
Continued use of any non-Honda
coolant can result in corrosion,
causing the cooling system to
malf unction or f ail. Have the cooling
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda antif reeze/coolant as soon as
possible.
Reinstall the engine oil f ill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator should go out within 5
seconds. If it does not, turn of f the
engine and check your work.
Let the engine run f or several
minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks.
Turn of f the engine, let it sit f or
several minutes, then check the oil
level on the dipstick. If necessary,
add more oil.
If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks.
To access the radiator reserve tank,
remove the right-side engine
compartment cover (see page ).
7.
8.
9.
546
Changing the Oil and Filter, Engine Coolant
A dding Engine Coolant
550
RESERVE TANK
MIN
MAX
Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmf ul to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container, and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.
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2009 TL

The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Remove all engine compartment
covers (see page ).
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.
If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
Pour the coolant slowly and
caref ully so you do not spill any.
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.
1.
2. 4.
5.
3. 6.
546
Engine Coolant
Maint enance
551
RADIATOR CAP
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
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2009 TL

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 the blade edges.
Check the f luid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use.
To check washer f luid level, cover
the reservoir cap center hole with
your f inger while lif ting the cap and
the attached measuring tube. The
washer f luid level in the tube will
indicate the washer f luid level in the
reservoir.
If the washer f luid is low, a ‘‘LOW
WASHER FLUID’’ message appears
on the multi-information display.
On U.S. models
On Canadian models
Windshield Washers
552
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.
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2009 TL

CONT INUED
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.
Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
Park the vehicle on level ground.
Start the engine, let it run until the
radiator f an comes on, then shut
of f the engine. For accurate
results, wait about 60 seconds (but
no longer than 90 seconds) bef ore
doing step 2.
1.
2. 3.4.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Maint enance
553
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
DIPSTICK
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2009 TL

If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the f iller hole
to bring it to the level between the
upperandlowermarks.
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.
Always use Acura ATF-Z1
(automatic transmission f luid).Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
Make sure the rubber cap on the
dipstick f its in the dipstick guide
and that you push the dipstick in
all the way.
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 check
and add f luid, contact your dealer.
5.
6.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
554
Using transmission f luid other than
Acura ATF-Z1 may cause deterioration
in transmission operation and
durability, and could result in damage
to the transmission.
Damage resulting f rom the use of
transmission f luid other than Acura
AT F-Z1 is not covered by the Acura
new vehicle warranty.
Use only Acura ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid). Do not mix with
other transmission f luids.
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2009 TL

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.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle’s
braking system and can cause
extensive damage.
Check the brake f luid level in the
reservoir monthly af ter removing the
lef t engine compartment cover (see
page ).
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.
Replace the brake f luid when this
service is indicated on a maintenance
message in the multi-inf ormation
display.
You will also see a ‘‘LOW BRAKE
FLUID’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display.
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.
You need remove the lef t engine
compartment cover to check the
f luid level (see page ).546
546
Brake System
Brake Fluid
Maint enance
555
MAX
MIN
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2009 TL

Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk, readjustment may be required.
Adjustmentsshouldbedonebyyour
dealer or another qualif ied
technician.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.
Open the hood.
Remove all engine compartment
covers (see page ). If youarereplacingthebulbon
the driver’s side, remove the three
holding clips with a f lat-tipped
screwdriver. Then remove the
upper part of the air intake duct by
pulling it straight up.
The low beam headlight bulbs are a
type of high voltage discharge tube.
High voltage can remain in the
circuit even with the light switch of f
and the key removed (or the vehicle
is in VEHICLE OFF (LOCK) mode
on models with keyless access
system). Because of this, you should
not attempt to examine or change a
low beam headlight bulb yourself . If
a low beam headlight bulb fails, take
the vehicle to your dealer to have it
replaced.
1.
2.
546
Headlight A iming
L ow Beam Headlight Bulb
Replacement
Replacing a High Beam
Headlight/Daytime Running
Light Bulb
Lights
556
HOLDING CLIP
Halogen bulbs get very hot when lit. Oil,
perspiration, or a scratch on the glass
can cause the bulb to overheat and
shatter.
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2009 TL

Push the electrical connector back
onto the bulb. Make sure it is on
all the way.
Turn on the lights to test the new
bulb.
(Driver’s side)
Install the upper part of the air
intake duct.
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.
Insert the new bulb into the hole,
and turn it one-quarter turn
clockwise to lock it in place. Install the engine coolant reserve
tank.
(Passenger’s side)
Install the all engine compartment
covers.
To change a bulb on the
passenger’s side, remove the
engine coolant reserve tank by
pulling it out of its stay.
4.
5. 6.
7.
8.
3. 9.
10.
Lights
Maint enance
557
RESERVE TANK BULB
CONNECTOR
STAY
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2009 TL