Acura CL (2003 year). Manual — part 15

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Drive Belts

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Timing Belt

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Tires

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Inflation

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Inspection

268

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Maintenance

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Tire Rotation

...

Replacing Tires and Wheels .

270

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Wheels and Tires

271

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Winter Driving

271

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Snow Tires

272

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Tire Chains

272

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Lights

273

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Headlight Aiming

275

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Replacing Bulbs

275

. . . . . . ...

Storing Your Car

283

341

Maintenance

225

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Some of the most important safety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
performing maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perform a given task.

This section includes instructions for
simple maintenance tasks, such as
checking and adding oil. Any service
items not detailed in this section
should be performed by an Acura
technician or other qualified
mechanic.

Regularly maintaining your car is the
best way to protect your investment.
Proper maintenance is essential to
your safety and the safety of your
passengers. It will also reward you
with more economical, trouble-free
driving and help reduce air pollution.

Maintenance Safety

Maintenance

226

Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.

Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.

Improperly maintaining this car
or failing to correct a problem
before driving can cause a
crash in which you can be
seriously hurt or killed.

Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations and
schedules in this owner’s
manual.

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Be sure

there is adequate ventilation
whenever you operate the engine.

Let the

engine and exhaust system cool
before touching any parts.

not run the engine unless in-
structed to do so.

Read the instructions before you
begin, and make sure you have the
tools and skills required.

To reduce the possibility of fire or
explosion, be careful when working
around gasoline or batteries. Use a
commercially available degreaser or
parts cleaner, not gasoline, to clean
parts. Keep cigarettes, sparks, and
flames away from the battery and all
fuel-related parts.

Before you begin any maintenance,
make sure your car is parked on
level ground and that the parking
brake is set. Also, be sure the engine
is off. This will help to eliminate
several potential hazards:

You should wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working
near the battery or when using
compressed air.

Maintenance Safety

Maintenance

Important Saf ety Precautions

Carbon monoxide poisoning
f rom engine exhaust.

Burns f rom hot parts.

Injury f rom moving parts.

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The Maintenance Schedule specifies
how often you should have your car
serviced and what things need
attention. It is essential that you have
your car serviced as scheduled to
retain its high level of safety,
dependability, and emissions control
performance.

Avoid exceeding your car’s load
limit. This puts excess stress on
the engine, brakes, and many
other parts of your car. The load
limit is shown on the label on the
driver’s doorjamb.

Operate your car on reasonable
roads within the legal speed limit.

Service your car according to the
time and mileage periods on one of
the Maintenance Schedules on the
following pages. Select the schedule
for ‘‘Severe Conditions’’ if most of
your driving is done under one or
more of the conditions listed on that
page. Otherwise, follow the schedule
for ‘‘Normal Conditions.’’

Drive your car regularly over a
distance of several miles
(kilometers).

Always use unleaded gasoline with
the proper octane rating (see page

The services and time or distance
intervals shown in the maintenance
schedule assume you will use your
car as normal transportation for
passengers and their possessions.
You should also follow these
recommendations:

178

Maintenance Schedule

Maintenance

Which Schedule to Follow:

228

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U.S. Vehicles:

According to state and federal
regulations, failure to perform
maintenance on the items marked
with

will not void your emissions

warranties. However, Acura
recommends that all maintenance
services be performed at the
recommended time or mileage
period to ensure long-term reliability.

Your authorized Acura dealer knows
your car best and can provide
competent, efficient service.
However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in effect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualified service facility or
person who is skilled in this type of
automotive service. Keep all the
receipts as proof of completion, and
have the person who does the work
fill out the Maintenance Record.
Check your warranty booklet for
more information.

We recommend the use of genuine
Acura parts and fluids whenever you
have maintenance done. These are
manufactured to the same high-
quality standards as the original
components, so you can be confident
of their performance and durability.

Maintenance Schedule

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.

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Follow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule if the
severe driving conditions
specified in the Severe
Conditions Maintenance
Schedule do not apply.

NOTE: If you only

drive under a

‘‘severe’’ condition, you should
follow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule.

Follow the Maintenance
Schedule for Severe Conditions.

OCCASIONALLY

Maintenance

U.S. Owners

Canadian Owners

230

Visually inspect the following items:

Service at the indicated

distance or time

whichever

comes first.

miles x 1,000

km x 1,000

months

Replace every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 1 year

Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop

120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles

(96,000 km) or 5 years

Replace engine oil

Replace engine oil filter

Check engine oil and coolant

Replace air cleaner element

Inspect valve clearance

Replace spark plugs

Replace timing belt, and inspect water pump

Inspect and adjust drive belts

Inspect idle speed

Replace engine coolant

Replace transmission fluid

Inspect front and rear brakes

Replace brake fluid

Check parking brake adjustment

Replace dust and pollen filter

Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition

at least once per month)

See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page

Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots

Suspension components

Driveshaft boots

Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)

All fluid levels and condition of fluids

Cooling system hoses and connections

Exhaust system

Fuel lines and connections

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)

120

144

105

168

120

192

Every 3 years (independent of mileage)

120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 6 years, then every

90,000 miles (144,000 km) or 5 years

Every 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 6 years

Adjust only if noisy

M/T

A/T

Maintenance

chedule

for

Normal

onditions

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Maintenance

231

U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners

A, B, C

Refer to page

to determine which schedule to use.

Use the Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions.

Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in

as required for each distance/time interval.

Replace engine oil.
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page

Replace engine oil filter.
Inspect front and rear brakes.
Check parking brake adjustment.
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots.
Inspect suspension components.
Inspect driveshaft boots.
Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS).
Check all fluid levels, condition of fluids, and check
for leaks.
Inspect cooling system hoses and connections.

Inspect exhaust system.
Inspect fuel lines and connections.

Replace air cleaner element.
Inspect and adjust drive belts.
Replace dust and pollen filter.

7,500 mi/12,000 km
15,000 mi/24,000 km/1 yr
22,500 mi/36,000 km
30,000 mi/48,000 km/2 yrs
37,500 mi/60,000 km
3 yrs
45,000 mi/72,000 km/3 yrs
52,500 mi/84,000 km
60,000 mi/96,000 km/4 yrs
67,500 mi/108,000 km
75,000 mi/120,000 km/5 yrs
82,500 mi/132,000 km
6 yrs
90,000 mi/144,000 km/6 yrs
97,500 mi/156,000 km
105,000 mi/168,000 km/7 yrs

112,500 mi/180,000 km
120,000 mi/192,000 km/8 yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km/10 yrs

120,000 mi/192,000 km/6 yrs

9 yrs

Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B, C.
Do items in A.

Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage).

Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B, C.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.

Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage).

Do items in A, B, C.
Do items in A.

Replace timing belt, and inspect water pump.
Inspect valve clearance.
Check idle speed.
Replace spark plugs.

Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B, C.

Replace engine coolant, then replace every

60,000 mi/96,000 km/5 yrs.

Replace automatic transmission fluid, then

replace every 90,000 mi/144,000 km/5 yrs.

Replace manual transmission fluid every

120,000 mi/192,000 km/6 yrs.

Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage).

230

See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last
column, page

Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.
Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, only if noisy.

NOTE:

Maintenance

chedule

for
Normal

onditions

(listed

istance/

time)

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Follow the Severe Conditions
Maintenance Schedule if you
drive your car

under

one or more of the following
conditions:

Driving less than 5 miles (8
km) per trip or, in freezing
temperatures, driving less
than 10 miles (16 km) per trip.
Driving in extremely hot
[over 90°F (32°C)] conditions.
Extensive idling or long
periods of stop-and-go driving.
Trailer towing, driving with a
roof rack, or driving in
mountainous conditions.
Driving on muddy, dusty, or
de-iced roads.

Follow the Maintenance
Schedule for Severe Conditions.

MAINLY

Maintenance

U.S. Owners

Canadian Owners

232

Visually inspect the following items:

Replace every 3,750 miles (6,000 km) or 6 months

Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop

Service at the indicated

distance or time

whichever

comes first.

miles x 1,000

km x 1,000

months

See dust and pollen filter on page

for replacement information under special driving conditions.

See timing belt on page

for replacement information under special driving conditions.

120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles

(96,000 km) or 5 years

Replace engine oil and oil filter

Check engine oil and coolant

Clean (

) or replace (

) air

cleaner element

Use normal schedule except in

dusty conditions

Inspect valve clearance

Replace spark plugs

Replace timing belt , and inspect water pump

Inspect and adjust drive belts

Inspect idle speed

Replace engine coolant

Replace transmission fluid

Inspect front and rear brakes

Replace brake fluid

Check parking brake adjustment

Replace dust and pollen filter

Lubricate all hinges, locks, and latches

Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition

at least once per month)

Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months

Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots

Suspension components, Driveshaft boots

Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)

All fluid levels and condition of fluids

Cooling system hoses and connections

Exhaust system, Fuel lines and connections

Lights and controls, Vehicle underbody

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)

120

144

105

168

120

192

Every 3 years (independent of mileage)

Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months

Every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 3 years

See information on maintenance and

emissions warranty, last column, page

Adjust only if noisy

Type-S

Premium model

1 :

2 :

M/T

A/T

60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 3 years, then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 2 years

Maintenance

chedule

for

Severe

Conditions

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CONTINUED

Maintenance

233

U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners

A, B, C, D

A
B

Refer to page

to determine which schedule to use.

Use the Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions.

3,750 mi/6,000 km
7,500 mi/12,000 km
11,250 mi/18,000 km
15,000 mi/24,000 km/1 yr

18,750 mi/30,000 km
22,500 mi/36,000 km
26,250 mi/42,000 km
30,000 mi/48,000 km/2 yrs
33,750 mi/54,000 km
37,500 mi/60,000 km
41,250 mi/66,000 km
3 yrs
45,000 mi/72,000 km/3 yrs

48,750 mi/78,000 km
52,500 mi/84,000 km
56,250 mi/90,000 km
60,000 mi/96,000 km/4 yrs

60,000 mi/96,000 km/3 yrs
63,750 mi/102,000 km
67,500 mi/108,000 km
71,250 mi/114,000 km
75,000 mi/120,000 km/5 yrs

78,750 mi/126,000 km

Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in

as required for each distance/time interval.

Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.

Clean air cleaner element.

Do items in A, B, C.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B, C, D.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.

Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage).
Clean air cleaner element.

Do items in A, B, C.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.

Replace timing belt , and inspect water pump.

Do items in A, B, C, D.

Replace transmission fluid.

Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.

Clean air cleaner element.

Do items in A, B, C.
Do items in A.

Replace engine oil and filter.
Inspect front and rear brakes.
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page

Inspect tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots.
Inspect suspension components.
Inspect driveshaft boots.
Replace air cleaner element. (Type-S)
Check parking brake adjustment.
Lubricate all hinges, locks and latches with
multipurpose grease.
Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS).
Check all fluid levels, condition of fluids, and check
for leaks.
Inspect cooling system hoses and connections.

Inspect exhaust system.
Inspect fuel lines and connections.

Check all lights.
Inspect the underbody.
Replace air cleaner element. (Premium model)
Inspect and adjust drive belts.
Replace dust and pollen filter .

232

See dust and pollen filter on page

for replacement information under special driving

conditions.

See timing belt on page

for replacement information under special driving conditions.

See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last
column, page

Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.
Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, only if noisy.

NOTE:

Premium model only

1 :
2 :
3 :

Maintenance

chedule

for
Severe

Conditions

(listed

istance/

time)

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Maintenance

234

Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.
Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, only if noisy.

See timing belt on page

for replacement information under

special driving conditions.
See dust and pollen filter on page

for replacement information

under special driving conditions.

See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last
column, page

NOTE:

1 :
2 :

3 :

Premium model only