Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2005 RL.
The 2005 Acura RL is a midsize passenger car built on the E platform, powered by a 4.9‑quart engine that requires 5W‑20 API‑rated oil, and mated to an automatic S5 transmission; its EPA‑rated fuel economy of 16/24/19 mpg reflects a balanced approach to performance and efficiency. In that model year, the RL drew the highest number of owner complaints—125 in total, with exterior lighting issues topping the list—amid 11 recalls, marking it as the most problematic year in a 20‑year span that saw the RL’s complaints dip to just one in 2012. This historical context indicates that while the 2005 RL offers solid engineering, it also represents a peak in reliability concerns for the model, underscoring the importance of scrutinizing its maintenance and potential defect history.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24 · 585 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S5) |
| Overall length | 194.1 in |
| Overall width | 72.8 in |
| Overall height | 57.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 109.8 in |
| Curb weight | 4001 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 61.4 / 61.8 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 58/42 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 16 / 24 / 19 mpg |
| Drivetrain | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 99 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 13 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the RL of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | SH-AWD Sedan 3.5L V6 | 6.30 sec | 14.80 sec | 300 hp | AWD |
| 2005 | SH-AWD Sedan 3.5L V6 | 6.60 sec | 15.10 sec | 300 hp | AWD |
| 2005 | SH-AWD Sedan 3.5L V6 | 6.70 sec | 15.20 sec | 300 hp | AWD |
| 2005 | SH-AWD Sedan 3.5L V6 | 6.70 sec | 15.00 sec | 300 hp | AWD |
| 2005 | SH-AWD Sedan 3.5L V6 | 7.00 sec | 15.30 sec | 300 hp | AWD |
| 2009 | SH-AWD Collision Mitigation Braking System Sedan 3.7L V6 | 6.50 sec | 15.10 sec | 300 hp | AWD |
| 2009 | SH-AWD Collision Mitigation Braking System Sedan 3.7L V6 | 6.90 sec | 15.40 sec | 300 hp | AWD |
| 2011 | SH-AWD Advance Package Sedan 3.7L V6 | 6.10 sec | 14.70 sec | 300 hp | AWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4.9 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, ATF in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 94 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.3 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Differential Gear Oil | ATF |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 5.6 Pints |
| Engine Oil | 5W-20 · API |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4.9 qt |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | 8mm Bolts: 16 ft-lbs, 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 54 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 29.0 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 29.0 ft-lbs |
| Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs | 8mm Bolts: 16 ft-lbs, 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs |
| Engine Valve Cover Bolts | 8.9 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 94 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Fill Plug | 33 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Drain Plug | 36 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 242 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 181 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-4-2-5-3-6 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 680 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | NGK |
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.039-0.0.043 in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 13.0 ft-lbs |
| Ignition Timing | 10 degrees |
| Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance | 2 degrees |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | .99-1.10 lbs |
| Oil Type | PAG 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 4.33-4.83 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 24 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 585 cca |
| Pressure Test | 14-18 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 14-18 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 169-176 °F |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 55.0-63.0 psi |
| Engine Compression | 135 minimum PSI. 28 maximum variation PSI. |
| Engine Oil Pressure | 10 psi @ Idle, 50 psi @ 3000 rpm psi |
| Intake Valve Lash | 0.008-0.009 in |
| Exhaust Valve Lash | 0.011-0.013 in |
| Torque to Knuckle | 58 ft-lbs |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 17 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 80 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | 0.060 in |
| Rotor Max Parallel Variation | 0.0006 in |
| Rotor Runout Limit | 0.0016 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 1.098 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 1.106 in |
| 1 | 14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 | 14 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 47 ft. lbs., step 2: 60 | 47 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2005 model year represents a dramatic inflection point in the federal record, with complaints surging to 125—more than tenfold the 11 logged in 2004 and the highest single-year count in the dataset—alongside 11 recalls and the generation’s only three investigations. Following a low-activity trough in 2003-2004 (14 and 11 complaints respectively, with zero recalls in 2004), this spike establishes 2005 as the peak of reported federal activity, with complaint volume dropping sharply to 32 in 2006 and continuing downward thereafter, even as recall campaigns remained elevated through 2012. Exterior lighting and air bags dominated the 2005 docket, accounting for 39 and 33 complaints respectively, though the data does not specify root causes for these concentrations. Given that 2005 sits at the apex of a volatility curve that subsequently moderates, prospective buyers would be prudent to consider later model years or verify that all 11 recalls and relevant TSBs have been addressed before purchasing.
All 125 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 11 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service…
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer…
Showing 5 of 132 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B18-023 | 2026-06-30 | Air Bags | Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's… |
| B18-020 | 2026-02-28 | Air Bags | Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Driver's Airbag… |
| B23040A | 2023-05-17 | Electrical System | Service News - The navigation clock and date are incorrect. This is due to a limited GPS… |
| B18-020 | 2022-04-08 | Air Bags | Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating… |
| B18-020 | 2022-03-01 | Equipment | Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
4.9 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined mpg.