Lif t the hood up most of the way.
The hydraulic supports will lif t it
uptherestof thewayandholdit
up.To close the hood, lower it to about a
f oot (30 cm) above the f ender, then
press down f irmly with your hands.
Make sure the hood is securely
latched.
Park the vehicle on a level surf ace.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into its hole.
Wipe of f the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Remove the dipstick (orange loop).
Wait a f ew minutes af ter turning the
engine of f bef ore you check the oil.
If the hood latch handle moves
stif f ly, or if you can open the hood
without lifting the handle, the
mechanism should be cleaned and
lubricated.
3. 1.
3.
2.
Service Station Procedures
Oil Check
490
LATCH
DIPSTICK
\f—
—y
\fy
) \f\fy\fy
2009 TL
Remove the dipstick again, and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page .See page f or the engine coolant
location. Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
on page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant.
Refer to on page f or inf ormation
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
To access the radiator reserve tank,
remove the right-side engine
compartment cover (see page ).
4.
547545 550
543
546
Service Station Procedures
A dding Engine Oil Engine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coolant
Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
Bef ore Driving
491
RESERVE TANK
MAX
MIN
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
\f—
—y
\fy
) \f\fy\fy
2009 TL
Fluid Locations
Maint enance
545
RADIATOR CAPBRAKE FLUID
(Black cap)
WASHER FLUID
(Black cap)
ENGINE OIL FILL CAPAUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
ENGINE COOLANT
RESERVOR
\f—\f—y
\f\fy
) \f\fy\f\fy
2009 TL
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.
—
—y
y
) yy
2009 TL
Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).
Start the engine, and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn of f the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving
(see on page).
Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
CHARGING SYSTEM’’ message on
the multi-information display (see
page ).
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
If the charging system indicator
comes on brightly when the engine
is running, the battery is not being
charged.
This indicator should never come on
when the engine is running. If it
starts flashing or stays on, the oil
pressure has dropped very low or
lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible, and you should
take immediate action.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
ENGINE OIL LEVEL’’ message on
the multi-information display when
this indicator comes on. 1.
2.
3.
4.
490
547
606 88
Emergency T owing Charging System
Indicator
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
595
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.
\f—\f—y
y
) \f\fy\f\f\fy
2009 TL
ÎÎ Î
..............................
Economy, Fuel .492
............................
Carrying, Cargo .497
.............
CAUTION, Explanation of .iii
..................................
Ceiling Light .209
........................
Certif ication Label .612
...................................
Chains, tires .575
Changing Oil ........................................
How to .548
......................................
When to .535
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .583
...
Charging System Indicator .65,595
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving .502
................
Childproof Door Locks .147
.....................................
Child Saf ety .37
..............................
Booster Seats .54
...................................
Child Seats .45
..........................................
Inf ants .42
............................
Large Children .53
.........................................
LATCH .47
......................
Risks with Airbags .38
.............................
Small Children .43
.........................................
Tethers .51
.........
Where Should a Child Sit? .38
Cleaning ...................................
Seat Belts .564
..........
Client Service Inf ormation .630
...............
Climate Control System .214 ..............................................
Clock .377
..................
CO in the Exhaust .57,624
.......................
Compact Spare tire .582
.........................................
Compass .382
.................
Console Compartment .205
...............
Consumer Inf ormation .630
.............
Controls, Instruments and .61
Coolant
........................................
Adding .550
....................................
Checking .491
.........................
Proper Solution .550
...................
Temperature Gauge .76
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .623
................
Cruise Control Indicator .72
............
Cruise Control Operation .386
...................................
Cup Holders .203
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice .630
...............
DANGER, Explanation of .iii
...................................
Dashboard .3,62
..............
Daytime Running Lights .136
.
Daytime Running Light Indicator .72
.........
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety .632 ..............
Def ogger, Rear Window .139
..............
Def rosting the Windows .219
....................................
Dimensions .614
.............
Dimming the Headlights .133
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission .553
..................................
Engine Oil .490
........................
Directional Signals .133
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .520
.................................
Disc Changer .240
...
Disc Changer Error Messages .250
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .550
Doors ........
Door Lock Sensor Button .170
.................
Monitor Indicator .11,88
....................
Power Door Locks .146
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .617
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .5
...........................................
Driving .501
....................................
Economy .492
Driving Position Memory ........................................
System .164
Index
D
E
II
——y
y
) y
y
2009 TL