2009 Acura TL 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.
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 .534
....................
Maintenance Minder .535
..............................
Fluid Locations .545
......
Engine Compartment Covers .546
........................
Adding Engine Oil .547
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter .548
..............................
Engine Coolant .550
....................
Windshield Washers .552
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid .553
....................................
Brake Fluid .555
.............................................
Lights .556
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .564
.....................................
Floor Mats .565
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .566
.................................
Wiper Blades .566
...............................................
Tires .568
...................
Checking the Battery .577
.............................
Vehicle Storage .578
633
Maintenance
Maint enance
533
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2009 TL

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Î
Ì Ì Î
Î
µµ
Ì
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Maintenance Minder
544
:
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 on page .
Independent of the maintenance messages on the multi-information
display, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
Adjust the valves during service 3 if they are noisy.
NOTE:
2:
542
1:
SH-AWD only
Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
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 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
Replace transmission and transfer fluid
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 (under20°F, 29°C), replace every 60,000 miles (U.S.)/
100,000 km (Canada).
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
Replace rear differential fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds results in higher level of mechanical (shear)
stress to fluid. This requires differential fluid changes
more frequently than recommended by the
maintenance minder. If you regularly drive your
vehicle under these conditions, have the differential
fluid changed at 7,500 miles (12,000 km), then every
15,000 miles (24,000 km).
A
B
Symbol
Symbol
3
4
5
1
2
61
1
2
2
Maintenance Minder
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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

CONT INUED
............................
Capacities Chart .614
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .57
Battery
Charging System ...........................
Indicator .65,595
............................
Jump Starting .591
..............................
Maintenance .577
............................
Specif ications .615
..............................
Bef ore Driving .485
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,20
...........................
Beverage Holder .203
.......
Bluetooth
HandsFreeLink.392 Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) .521
.............
Break-in, New Linings .486
...........................................
Fluid .555
.......................................
Parking .201
.................
System Indicator .65,597
........................
Wear Indicators .520
.............................
Braking System .520
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle .486
Brightness Control,
...............................
Instruments .137
....................................
Built-In Key .142
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .563
.........
Daytime Running Lights .556
.................................
Fog Lights .561
............................
Specif ications .345
............
Turn Signal Lights .559,563
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .556
................................
AAC .265,307,357
...
Accessories and Modif ications .495
................................
Accessories .495
............................
Modif ications .496
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .....................................
Position) .145
ACCESSORY Mode ...........................
(Power Mode) .178
............
Accessory Power Sockets .204
......................................
AcuraLink .467
................
Adding Engine Coolant .550
........................
Adding Engine Oil .547
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .548
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9,24
...............
Additional Information .24
......................................
Servicing .35
...................
System Components .24
..............
Air Conditioning System .214
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .568
......................................
Antif reeze .550
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .66,521
...................................
Operation .521
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System .376 Anti-thef t Steering Column
............................................
Lock .145
................................
Audio System .223
.
Automatic Lighting Off Feature .135
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners .22
.............
Automatic Speed Control .386
..............
Automatic Transmission .507
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .614
...............
Checking Fluid Level .553
.......................................
Shif ting .508
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator .507
....................
Shif t Lock Release .510
Index
A
BC
INDEX
I
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2009 TL

CONT INUED
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving .492
Electronic Stability Control
..........................................
(ECS) .523
............
Emergencies on the Road .581
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .591
...........
Brake System Indicator .597
................
Changing a Flat Tire .583
.....
Charging System Indicator .595
..................
Checking the Fuses .599
.......
Hazard Warning Flashers .139
......
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck .608
............................
Jump Starting .591
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .595
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .596
..................
Overheated Engine .593
.......................................
Towing .606
.........................
Emergency Brake .201
....................
Emergency Flashers .139
......................
Emergency Towing .606
..........
Emergency Trunk Opener .150
.......................
Emissions Controls .623
.............
Emissions Testing, State .626
Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .76
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .64,596
.................................
Oil Lif e .84,535 ........
Oil Pressure Indicator .64,595
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .547
...............................
Overheating .593
............................
Specif ications .615
............................
Speed Limiter .510
.......................................
Starting .503
.................
Engine, if it won’t start .588
............
Engine Start/Stop Button .177
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .487
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls .623
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .57
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
...................................
Fan, Interior .218
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .213
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .487
........................................
Filter, Oil .548
...........
Flashers, Hazard Warning .139
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .583
.....................................
Floor Mats .565
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission .553 ..........................................
Brake .555
................
Windshield Washers .552
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .372
.....................................
Fog Lights .137
..............................
Front Airbags .9,26
....................................
Front Seats .155
....................................
Adjusting .155
.......................................
Heaters .193
.....................................
Airbags .9,26
.................................................
Fuel .486
......................
Fill Door and Cap .487
...........................................
Gauge .75
................
Octane Requirement .486
........................
Reserve Indicator .73
........................
Tank, Filling the .487
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .599
Index
F
G
INDEX
III
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2009 TL

Unexpected, Taking Care..........................................
of the .581
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading .617
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .486
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of .550
........
Temperature, Inside Sensor .222
..............
Tether Anchorage Points .51
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter .625
................
Tilt the Steering Wheel .140
..........................
Time, Setting the .377
....................................
Tire Chains .575
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat .583
Tire Pressure Monitoring
....................................
System .526
Low Tire Pressure/TPMS ...........................
Indicator .69,526
..............
TPMS System Failure .529
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ...................................
Messages .527
...............................................
Tires .568
..............................
Air Pressure .568
.........................
Checking Wear .571
..........................
Compact Spare .582
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading .617
......................................
Inf lation .568
..................................
Inspection .571
...................................
Replacing .574
......................................
Rotating .573
...........................................
Snow .575
............................
Specif ications .616
.............................
Summer Tire .575.......................
Traction Devices .575
..........................
Winter Driving .575
...................
Tools, Tire Changing .583
Torque Distribution Monitor
...............................
(SH-AWD
) .517
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .531
................
Emergency Wrecker .606
...........................
Traction Devices .575
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .553
.
Checking Fluid Level Manual .555
..................
Fluid Selection .554,555
..............
Identif ication Number .612
.............
Shif ting the Automatic .508
.....................................
Treadwear .617
................................
Trip Computer .82
.......................................
Trip Meter .81
..............................................
Trunk .148
......
Emergency Trunk Release .150
...............................
Opening the .148
.............
Open Monitor Light .11,88
..................................
Turn Signals .133.................
Vehicle Capacity Load .498
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .614
VEHICLE OFF Mode ...........................
(Power Mode) .178
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number .612
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
),
aka Electronic Stability ....
Control (ESC), System .523
........
VSA System Indicator .68,523
...
VSA Activation Indicator .68,523
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .524
.............................
Vehicle Storage .578
.................................................
VIN .612
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .548
Index
U
V
VIII
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2009 TL