2012 Acura TL transmission

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
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 .
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.U.S. Vehicles:
......................
Maintenance Saf ety .530
.................
Maintenance Minder . 531
..............................
Fluid Locations .541
......
Engine Compartment Covers . 542
........................
Adding Engine Oil .543
Changing the Engine Oil and ...........................................
Filter .544
..............................
Engine Coolant .546
....................
Windshield Washers .548
.......................
Transmission Fluid .549
..........
Automatic Transmission . 549
..............
Manual Transmission . 551
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 553
....................................
Timing Belt .554
.............................................
Lights .555
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts . 564
.....................................
Floor Mats .565
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 566
.................................
Exterior Care .566
.................................
Wiper Blades .566
...............................................
Tires .568
...................
Checking the Battery . 577
.............................
Vehicle Storage .578
..................................
Interior Care .579
633
Maintenance
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.
Maint enance
529
TM
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2012 TL

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Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed.
Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page .
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .
Automatic transmission Check
the fluid level monthly. See
.
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See .
474
475
553 555
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Maintenance Minder
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
Maint enance
539
TM
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page
549
page 568
2012 TL

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Maintenance Minder
540
:
TM
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 .
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km). Independent of the Maintenance Minder information, replace the brake
fluid every 3 years.
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.
NOTE:
2:
1:
SH-AWD only
538
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/VSA)
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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2012 TL

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Fluid Locations
Maint enance
541
WASHER FLUID
(Black cap)
ENGINE OIL FILL CAPAUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
RADIATOR CAP BRAKE FLUID
(Black cap)
ENGINE COOLANT
RESERVOIR CLUTCH FLUID
(Manual
Transmission only)
(Light gray cap)
: Located under the cover
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2012 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.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 filter requires
special tools and access from
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lift for this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
technician.
Acura Motor Oil is the pref erred
5W-20 lubricant f or your vehicle. 5W-
20 oil is f ormulated f or year-round
protection of your vehicle to improve
cold weather starting and f uel
economy.
Synthetic Oil
Engine Oil A dditivesChanging the Engine
Oil and Filter
SH-AWD models:
A dding Engine Oil, Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
544
Ambient Temperature
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Maint enance
2012 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
549
DIPSTICK
UPPER
MARK
LOWER
MARK GUIDE
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2012 TL

Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the dipstick
hole to bring it to the level
between the upper and lower
marks.
Always use Acura ATF DW-1
(automatic transmission f luid). 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.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the Maintenance Minder (see
page ).
If you are not sure how to check and
add f luid, contact your dealer.Make sure the rubber cap on the
dipstick f its in the dipstick guide
and that you push the dipstick in
all the way.
5.
6.
531
T ransmission Fluid
550
TM
Use only Acura ATF DW-1 (automatic
transmission f luid). Do not mix with
other transmission f luids.
Using transmission f luid other than
Acura ATF DW-1 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 DW-1 is not covered by the Acura
new vehicle warranty.
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Maint enance
2012 TL

Remove the check bolt and look for
transmission f luid coming out of the
bolt hole. If a small amount of f luid
drips out of the bolt hole, reinstall
the check bolt.
Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground. If no f luid comes out, remove the
f iller bolt and washer. Slowly add
Acura Manual Transmission Fluid
(MTF) until it starts to run out of the
check bolt hole.
To check the transmission f luid level,
remove the mounting bolts and the
under cover holding clips, then pull
out the driver’s side under cover
caref ully.
CONT INUED
T ransmission Fluid
Manual Transmission
Maint enance
551
WASHER
CHECK BOLT
FILLER BOLT
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2012 TL