2011 Acura TL engine

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.When reinstalling the covers, make
sure the pins and tabs are in their
proper positions.
To remove the covers:
Remove the right and lef t engine
compartment covers by sliding
them apart.
Pull the bulkhead cover straight
uptoremove.Whenremovingthe
cover, make sure to move the
bulkhead cover slightly to the lef t
so that the hood latch handle does
not get in the way.
Af ter replacing the right engine
compartment cover, make sure the
washer f luid cap is f irmly in place. 1.
2.
Engine Compartment Covers
508
RIGHT ENGINE COMPARTMENT
COVER
BULKHEAD COVER LEFT ENGINE COMPARTMENT COVER
10/07/29 12:46:57 31TK4620_513
2011 TL

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.
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. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment. Install the engine oil
f ill cap, and tighten it securely. Wait
a f ew minutes, and recheck the oil
level (see page ). Do not f ill
above the upper mark; you could
damage the engine. 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.’’
448
CONT INUED
Recommended Engine Oil
A dding Engine Oil
Maint enance
509
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
10/07/29 12:47:04 31TK4620_514
2011 TL

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.
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.
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.
Synthetic Oil
Engine Oil A dditives
Changing the Engine
Oil and Filter
A dding Engine Oil, Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
510
Ambient Temperature
10/07/29 12:47:11 31TK4620_515
2011 TL

Install a new oil f ilter according to
the instructions that come with it.
Make sure to clean of f any dirt
and dust on the contacting surface
of a new oil f ilter.
Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten the drain bolt to:
Refill the engine with the
recommended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter):
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.
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 oil
drain bolt and washer f rom the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container. 3.
5.
6. 4.
1.
2.
CONT INUED
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
Maint enance
511
OIL FILTER
DRAIN BOLT
WASHER
29 lbf·ft (39 N·m , 4.0 kgf·m)
4.5 US qt (4.3
)
10/07/29 12:47:21 31TK4620_516
2011 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 antifreeze/coolant is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporary replacement. Make sure it
is a high-quality coolant
recommended for aluminum engines.
Continued use of any non-Honda
coolant can result in corrosion,
causing the cooling system to
malfunction or fail. Have the cooling
system flushed and refilled with
Honda antifreeze/coolant as soon
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.
508
A dding Engine Coolant
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter, Engine Coolant
512
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.
10/07/29 12:47:30 31TK4620_517
as possible.
2011 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.
Reinstall the engine compartment
covers.
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.
7.
508
Engine Coolant
Maint enance
513
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.
10/07/29 12:47:40 31TK4620_518
2011 TL

Check the f luid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use.If the washer f luid is low, a ‘‘LOW
WASHER FLUID’’ message appears
on the multi-information display.
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.
To check washer fluid level, cover
the reservoir cap center hole with
your finger while lifting the
cap and the attached measuring
tube. The washer fluid level in the
tube will indicate the washer
fluid level in the reservoir.
On U.S. models On Canadian models
Windshield Washers
514
TUBE
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.
10/07/29 12:47:48 31TK4620_519
2011 TL

CONT INUED
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.
Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.
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
T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance
515
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
DIPSTICK
10/07/29 12:47:56 31TK4620_520
2011 TL