2010 Acura TSX Owner's Manual

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.
To remove the covers:Remove the holding clip(s).
Remove the right and lef t engine
compartment covers by pulling up.
Pull the bulkhead cover straight
up to remove.
Af ter replacing the right engine
compartment cover, make sure the
washer f luid cap is f irmly in place.
When reinstalling the covers, make
sure the pins and tabs are in their
proper positions, and put the holding
clip(s) back in place securely. 1.
2.
3.
Engine Compartment Covers
6-cylinder models only
414
RIGHT ENGINE COMPARTMENT COVER
BULKHEAD COVER LEFT ENGINE COMPARTMENT COVER
2010 TSX

Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on top of the valve cover.
Pour in the oil slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spills immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment.Oil is a major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 5W-20
detergent oil displaying the API
Certif ication Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements.
Reinstall the engine oil f ill cap, and
tighten it securely. Wait a f ew
minutes, and recheck the oil level on
the engine oil dipstick. Do not f ill
above the upper mark; you could
damage the engine.
CONT INUED
Recommended Engine Oil
A dding Engine Oil
Maint enance
415
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
4-cylinder models 6-cylinder models
2010 TSX

Your vehicle does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect the engine or transmission
perf ormance and durability.
The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your vehicle to
improve cold weather starting and
f uel economy.
You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certif ication Seal
and it is the proper weight. You must
f ollow the oil and f ilter change
intervals shown on the multi-
inf ormation display.
Acura Motor Oil is the pref erred
5W-20 lubricant f or your vehicle. It is
highly recommended that you use
Acura Motor Oil in your vehicle f or
optimum engine protection. Make
sure the API Certif ication Seal says
‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’
Synthetic Oil
Engine Oil A dditives
A dding Engine Oil
416
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
Ambient Temperature
2010 TSX

Remove the oil drain bolt and
washer from the bottom of the
engine. Drain the oil into an
appropriate container.
Always change the oil and f ilter
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the multi-
inf ormation display. The oil and f ilter
collect contaminants that can
damage your engine if they are not
removed regularly.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lif t f or this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
technician.
Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
Open the hood and remove the
engine oil f ill cap. Remove the bolts located on the
underside of the body with a
wrench, then remove the under
cover.
2. 1. 3.
4.
CONT INUED
4-cylinder models
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
Maint enance
417
WASHER
OIL DRAIN BOLT
BOLT UNDER COVER
4-cylinder models 4-cylinder models
2010 TSX

Make sure to clean of f any dirt
and dust on the contacting surf ace
of a new oil f ilter. Install a new oil f ilter according to
the instructions that come with it.
Remove the oil f ilter and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
dealer) is required.
Make sure the oil f ilter gasket is
not stuck to the contacting surface
of the engine. If it is, remove it
bef ore installing a new oil f ilter. 6.
5.
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
418
OIL FILTER
6-cylinder models 6-cylinder models
4-cylinder models
2010 TSX

Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to:
Refill the engine with the recom-
mended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter):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.
Install the under cover and tighten
the bolts securely. 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.
7.
8. 9.
10.
11.
12.
4-cylinder models 6-cylinder models 4-cylinder models
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
Maint enance
419
29 lbf·ft (39 N·m , 4.0 kgf·m)
4.2 US qt (4.0
)
4.5 US qt (4.3
) 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.
2010 TSX

µµ
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. 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,
causingthecoolingsystemto
malf unction or f ail. Have the cooling
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda antif reeze/coolant as soon as
possible.
To access the radiator reserve tank,
remove the right-side engine
compartment cover.
Always use Honda Long-Lif e
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2. This
coolant is pre-mixed with 50 %
antif reeze and 50 % water. Never add
straight antif reeze or plain water.
Except 6-cylinder models
A dding Engine Coolant
Engine Coolant
420
RESERVE TANK
4-cylinder models 6-cylinder models
If you regularly drive your vehicle
under severe conditions in very low
temperature (under 31°F, 35°C), a
higher concentration of coolant should
be used. Consult your Acura dealer f or
more inf ormation of the proper coolant.
2010 TSX

CONT INUED
Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.Remove the radiator cap cover.
Relieve any pressure in the cooling
system by turning the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without
pressing down.
If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
1.2.
3.6-cylinder models
Engine Coolant
Maint enance
421
RADIATOR CAP RADIATOR CAP COVER
4-cylinder models 6-cylinder models
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.
2010 TSX