2011 Acura TSX oil

Maintenance Under the Hood
Recommended Engine Oil
234Maintenance
Recommended Engine OilOil is a major contributor to your engine's performance and longevity. If you drive
the vehicle with insufficient or deteriorated oil, the engine may fail or be damaged.
Recommended Engine Oil
Engine Oil Additives
Your vehicle does not require oil additives. In fact,
they may adversely affect the engine performance
and durability.
Genuine Acura Motor Oil
t
Commercially available engine oil that
t
comes with this seal.
Synthetic oil
You may also use synthetic motor oil if it is labeled with the API Certification Seal
and is the specified viscosity grade.
Ambient Temperature -20 0 20 40 60 80 100ºF
-30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40ºC
Use Genuine Acura Motor Oil or another
commercial engine oil of suitable viscosity for
the ambient temperature as shown below. This seal indicates the oil is energy conserving
and that it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements.

Maintenance Under the Hood
Oil Check
235
Continued
Maintenance
Oil CheckWe recommend that you check the engine oil level every time you refuel.

Park the vehicle on level ground.
Wait approximately three minutes after turning the engine off before you check
the oil.
4-cylinder models 1. Remove the dipstick (orange handle). 6-cylinder models 1. Remove the dipstick (orange loop). All models 2. Wipe the dipstick with a clean cloth or
paper towel.
3. Insert the dipstick back all the way into its
hole.
Oil Check
If it is near or below the lower mark, slowly add oil
being careful not to overfill.
6-cylinder models 4-cylinder models

Maintenance Under the Hood
Oil Check
236Maintenance
4. Remove the dipstick again, and check the
level. It should be between the upper and
lower marks. Add oil if necessary.
4-cylinder models 6-cylinder models
Upper Mark
Upper Mark Lower Mark
Lower Mark

Maintenance Under the Hood
Adding Engine Oil
237
Maintenance
Adding Engine Oil
1. Unscrew and remove the engine oil fill cap.
2. Add oil slowly.
3. Reinstall the engine oil fill cap, and tighten
it securely.
4. Wait for three minutes and recheck the
engine oil dipstick.
Adding Engine Oil
If any oil spills, wipe it up immediately. Spilled oil
may damage the engine compartment components. NOTICE Do not fill the engine oil above the upper mark.
Overfilling the engine oil can result in leaks and
engine damage.
6-cylinder models 4-cylinder models
Engine Oil Fill Cap
Engine Oil Fill Cap

Maintenance Under the Hood
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter
238Maintenance
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil FilterYou must change the engine oil and oil filter regularly in order to maintain
the engine's lubrication. The engine may be damaged if they are not changed
regularly.
Change the oil and filter in accordance with the maintenance message on the
multi-information display.
1. Run the engine until it reaches normal
operating temperature, and then turn the
engine off.
2. Open the hood and remove the engine oil
fill cap. 4-cylinder models 3. Remove the bolts on the undercarriage
and remove the under cover. All models 4. Remove the drain bolt and washer from
the bottom of the engine, and drain the oil
into a suitable container.
5. Remove the oil filter and dispose of the
remaining oil.
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter NOTICE You may damage the environment if you do not
dispose of the oil in a suitable way. If you are
changing the oil by yourself, appropriately dispose
of the used oil. Put the oil in a sealed container and
take it to a recycling center. Do not throw the oil
away into a garbage can or onto the ground.
Drain Bolt
Washer
4-cylinder models
Under Cover Bolt
4-cylinder models

Maintenance Under the Hood
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter
239
Maintenance
6. Check that the filter gasket is not stuck to
the engine contact surface.
If it is stuck, you must detach it.
7. Wipe away dirt and dust adhering to the
contact surface of the engine block, and
install a new oil filter.
8. Put a new washer on the drain bolt, then
reinstall the drain bolt. Tightening torque: 29 lbf∙ft (39 N∙m, 4.0
kgf∙m)
9. Pour the recommended engine oil into the
engine. Engine oil change capacity (including
filter):
4-cylinder models 4.2 US qt (4.0 L) 6-cylinder models

4.5 US qt (4.3 L)
10. Reinstall the engine oil fill cap securely
and start the engine.
11. Run the engine for a few minutes, and
then check that there is no leak from the
drain bolt or oil filter.
12 . Stop the engine, wait for three minutes,
and then check the oil level on the
dipstick.
If necessary, add more engine oil.
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter
You will need a special wrench to replace the oil
filter. You can buy this wrench from a dealer.

When installing the new oil filter follow the
instructions supplied with the oil filter.

Reinstall the engine oil fill cap. Start the engine.
The low oil pressure indicator should go off within
five seconds. If it does not, turn off the engine, and
check your work.
Oil Filter
4-cylinder models 6-cylinder models 6-cylinder models
Oil Filter Drain Bolt
Washer

Maintenance Under the Hood
Transmission Fluid
243
Maintenance
1. Park the vehicle on level ground.
2. Remove the bolts with a wrench, then
carefully remove the under cover.
3. Remove the transmission filler bolt and
washer. Carefully feel inside the bolt hole
with your fingers.
Check if the fluid level is up to the edge
of the bolt hole.
4. If the fluid level is not up to the edge
of the bolt hole, add Acura Manual
Transmission Fluid (MTF) until it runs out of
the hole.
5. Put a new washer on the filler bolt, then
reinstall the filler bolt. Tightening torque: 33 lbf∙ft (44 N∙m,
4.5 kgf∙m)
6. Reinstall the under cover with the bolts.
Manual Transmission Fluid
Check the fluid level when the engine is at normal operating temperature.Specified fluid: Acura Manual Transmission Fluid (MTF)
Manual Transmission Fluid
If Acura MTF is not available, you may use the API
certificated SAE 0W-20 or 5W-20 viscosity motor oil
as a temporary measure.
Replace with MTF as soon as possible. Motor
oil does not contain the proper additives for the
transmission and continued use can cause decreased
shifting performance and lead to transmission
damage. Under Cover
Bolt

247
Replacing Light Bulbs
Continued
Maintenance
When replacing, use the following bulbs.
High beam headlight: 60W (HB3)
Low beam headlight: 55W (H1 for halogen bulb Type)
35W (D2S for high voltage discharge type)
High Beam Headlight
6-cylinder models 1. Remove all the engine compartment
covers.
Engine Compartment Covers

P. 2 3 3
Passenger side
All models 2. Remove the engine coolant reservoir.
Headlight Bulbs NOTICE Halogen bulbs get very hot when lit.
Oil, perspiration, or a scratch on the glass can cause
the bulb to overheat and shatter.
The headlight aim is set by the factory, and typically
does not need to be adjusted. However, if you
regularly carry heavy items in the trunk or tow a
trailer, have the aiming readjusted at a dealer or by
a qualified technician.
The HB3 and H1 types are halogen bulbs.
When replacing a bulb, 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.
Headlight Bulbs
Engine Coolant
ReservoirEngine Coolant
Reservoir
6-cylinder models 4-cylinder models