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 2010 RL.
The 2010 Acura RL is a passenger car equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission (S5), and routine service calls for 4.5 quarts of 5W-20 API engine oil to support its EPA-rated 16/22/18 mpg fuel economy. Reliability data shows this model year generated only 9 owner complaints, with air bags cited as the top complaint area and 7 recalls on record. Within the 1996–2015 RL complaint history, that complaint count places the 2010 model well below the 2005 peak of 125 complaints and closer to the low-complaint end represented by 2012's single complaint, making it a relatively quiet year for the nameplate.
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 · 550 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 | 195.7 in |
| Overall width | 72.8 in |
| Overall height | 57.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 110.2 in |
| Curb weight | 4109 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 61.8 / 61.8 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 58/42 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 16 / 22 / 18 mpg |
| Drivetrain | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, 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 Capacity | 1.5 Pints |
| Engine Oil | 5W-20 · API |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4.5 qt |
| Transfer Case Fluid | 80W-90 · API · GL-4 · GL-5 |
| Transfer Case Fluid Capacity | 0.8 Pints |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | AT: 54, MT: 76 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 16 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 23 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 | 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 | 0.039-0.043 in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 13.0 ft-lbs |
| 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 | 550 cca |
| Pressure Test | 14-18 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 14-18 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 169-176 °F |
| Pressure Test | 14-18 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 14-18 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 169-176 °F |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 57.0 |
| Engine Compression | 135 minimum PSI. 28 maximum variation PSI. |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 17 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 80 ft-lbs / 58 ft-lbs |
| Brake Application | WITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | 0.060 in |
| Rotor Max Parallel Variation | 0.0006 in |
| Rotor Runout Limit | 0.0016 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 0.626 in / 1.098 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 0.634 in / 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.
In the 1996‑2015 federal record, complaints peaked at 125 in 2005 and then fell to single‑digit levels by 2009. The 2010 model year recorded 9 complaints and 7 recalls, placing it just above the 2009 low of 8 complaints but well below the 2005 peak. Recall activity remained relatively steady from 2008 through 2012, ranging from 6 to 7 recalls per year, with 2010 at the upper end of that band. Investigations were absent for all years except 2005, which had three, indicating no additional safety probes for 2010. Given the low complaint count and the absence of open investigations, the 2010 Acura RL presents a comparatively favorable ownership outlook, pending verification that any outstanding recalls have been addressed.
All 9 complaints on record, top 3 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles nationwide. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2012 Acura RL, 2011 Honda Element and 2011-2013 Ridgeline vehicles in Arizona… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer…
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…
Showing 5 of 62 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.
4.5 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpg.