1998 Acura TL 2.5 Owner's Manual

The 1998 Acura TL 2.5 is a luxury sports sedan featuring a 2.5L V6 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission, leather interior, power accessories, climate control, premium audio system, and advanced safety features including dual airbags and ABS. Below are key sections for vehicle operation, maintenance, specifications, and troubleshooting.

1. Vehicle Overview 2. Instrument Panel 3. Operating Controls 4. Maintenance Schedule 5. Specifications 6. Safety Features 7. Audio System 8. Climate Control 9. Troubleshooting 10. Warranty Information

Vehicle Overview

Key features: 2.5L V6 engine, automatic transmission, power windows/locks/mirrors, leather seats, dual-zone climate control, AM/FM cassette with CD changer compatibility.

Component	Description
Engine	2.5L V6 SOHC 24-valve
Transmission	5-speed automatic with SportShift
Fuel System	Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI)
Brakes	4-wheel disc with ABS
Suspension	4-wheel independent double-wishbone
Steering	Power-assisted rack-and-pinion

Instrument Panel

Main gauges: Speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, temperature gauge. Warning lights: Check engine, ABS, airbag, battery, oil pressure.

Speedometer: Shows vehicle speed in mph and km/h
Tachometer: Engine RPM with redline at 6500 RPM
Fuel Gauge: Fuel level with low fuel warning light
Temperature Gauge: Engine coolant temperature
Odometer: Total and trip distance

WARNING! If any warning light illuminates while driving, stop safely and check condition.

Operating Controls

Steering wheel controls: Cruise control, audio controls. Center console: Climate controls, audio system, gear selector.

Starting: Insert key, press brake, shift to Park, turn ignition
Transmission: P-R-N-D-D3-2-1 with SportShift manual mode
Cruise Control: Set/Resume buttons on steering wheel
Power Windows: Master switch on driver's door
Power Door Locks: Rocker switch on driver's door

CAUTION! Always engage parking brake when parked on inclines.

Maintenance Schedule

Oil Change: Every 7,500 miles or 12 months
Oil Filter: Replace with every oil change
Air Filter: Inspect every 15,000 miles
Spark Plugs: Replace every 30,000 miles
Timing Belt: Replace every 90,000 miles
Brake Fluid: Replace every 3 years
Coolant: Replace every 5 years
Transmission Fluid: Replace every 30,000 miles

Specifications

Engine: 2.5L V6 SOHC 24-valve
Horsepower: 176 hp @ 6300 RPM
Torque: 170 lb-ft @ 4800 RPM
Transmission: 5-speed automatic with SportShift
Fuel Capacity: 17.2 gallons
Fuel Requirement: Premium unleaded (91 octane)
Curb Weight: 3,417 lbs
Wheelbase: 108.1 inches
Tires: P205/60R16 91V

Safety Features

Standard safety equipment: Dual airbags, ABS, side impact protection, 3-point seat belts, childproof door locks.

Airbag System: Driver and front passenger airbags with automatic cutoff. ABS: Prevents wheel lockup during hard braking. Seat Belts: 3-point ELR/ALR with pretensioners.

Audio System

AM/FM stereo cassette with auto-reverse, 6-speaker system, CD changer compatible, steering wheel controls.

Power: Press POWER button to turn on/off
Volume: Rotary knob or steering wheel controls
Source: AM/FM/Cassette buttons
Seek: Automatic station tuning
Presets: 6 AM and 12 FM station memories
CD Changer: Compatible with optional 6-disc changer

Tip: Use steering wheel controls for safe operation while driving.

Climate Control

Automatic climate control with dual-zone temperature settings, air conditioning, and rear defroster.

Auto Mode: Set desired temperature, system adjusts automatically
Manual Controls: Fan speed, mode selection, temperature adjustment
A/C: Press A/C button for air conditioning
Defrost: Front and rear defroster buttons
Recirculation: Interior air recirculation mode

WARNING! Do not operate A/C system with low refrigerant levels.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Engine won't start	Battery/ignition	Check battery connections; ensure in Park; try spare key.
Check engine light	Engine system	Have diagnostic code read at Acura dealer.
Poor fuel economy	Maintenance/driving	Check air filter; tire pressure; avoid aggressive driving.
Brake vibration	Warped rotors	Have brake rotors inspected and resurfaced.
A/C not cooling	Refrigerant/compressor	Check refrigerant level; have system inspected.

Reset: Disconnect battery for 10 minutes to reset computer.

Service: Contact Acura dealer for professional service.

Warranty Information

Basic warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles. Powertrain: 5 years/60,000 miles. Corrosion: 5 years/unlimited miles. For warranty claims, contact authorized Acura dealership with proof of maintenance records.