Acura›TL›1997›2.5L/acura/tl/1997/2-5l/

1997 Acura TL — 2.5L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1997 TL 2.5L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.5L

The 1997 Acura TL 2.5L is a passenger car powered by a 2.5L engine that requires 4.5 quarts of 5W-30 API oil. Within the model complaint history spanning 1995 to 2014, this specific year generated 33 total owner complaints with the Electrical System identified as the top complaint area, along with 2 recalls. Although the 1995 model year recorded the lowest volume at one complaint and 2004 peaked at 551, the 1997 figure remains significantly closer to the historical minimum than the maximum. This comparative data places the 1997 model year on the lower range of reported complaints relative to the model's highest volumes.

Model year1998 1997 1996

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 450 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.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 450 CCAOEM · verified

Tire size205-60HR15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	191.7 in
Overall width	70.5 in
Overall height	55.5 in
Wheelbase	111.8 in
Curb weight	3263 lb
Track (front / rear)	59.8 / 59.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	59/41

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

No 1997 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

9.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.00 sec — 1995 2.5 Premium Sedan

176 hpHorsepower (as tested)

170 lb-ftTorque (as tested)

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1995	2.5 Premium Sedan 2.5L I-5	9.00 sec	17.00 sec	176 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, GL-4 · GL-5 · 80W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	GL-4 · GL-5 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	2.2 Pints
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt
Power Steering Fluid	HONDA TYPE V OR EQUIVALENT

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	8mm Bolts: 16 ft-lbs, 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings	24 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	181 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	54 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	23 ft-lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts	16.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	29.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	181 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	134 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-4-5-3
Cylinder Firing Order	1-4-2-5-3-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)	770 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)	50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	0.3-0.5 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	10,800-16,200 ohms

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.50-1.70 lbs
Oil Type	ND 8 oil
Oil Capacity	5.30 oz
Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.50-1.70 lbs
Oil Type	ND 8 oil
Oil Capacity	4.33-5.33 oz

Service checks

Pressure Test	14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	Primary: 176-183, Secondary: 181-189 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)	43.0-50.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	33.0-41.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)	38.0-45.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	28.0-35.0 psi
Engine Compression	135

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	36 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	80 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket	17 ft-lbs / 80 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	28 ft-lbs / 80 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	0.060 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.9 in / 0.35 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

22 ft. lbs., Step 2: 54

22 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Steering System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect)
At 30,000 mi	Final Drive (drain & refill)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 45,000 mi	Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed)
At 105,000 mi	Timing Belt (replace) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) · Water Pump (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1997 Acura TL sits in the favorable early portion of this generation's federal record, positioned before a steep escalation in consumer complaints that begins in 1999 (159 complaints) and climbs to a peak of 551 in 2004. Compared to its immediate neighbors, the 1997 model year posts 33 complaints, 2 recalls, and 44 TSBs — broadly in line with 1996 (39 complaints, 2 recalls) and 1998 (26 complaints, 2 recalls), and notably free of any open investigations. The elevated TSB count of 44 is the highest of the 1995–1998 window, suggesting Acura was actively addressing emerging service issues, though these did not translate into the runaway complaint growth seen in later years. The target year's top complaint categories are unusually distributed (Electrical System at 5, with Power Train, Air Bags, and Vehicle Speed Control each at 4), and the modest 5 crash and 2 fire complaints do not flag any concentrated safety defect in the data provided. Taken together, 1997 represents one of the cleaner buying points in this model's otherwise deteriorating federal profile, making it a comparatively sound used-car candidate — provided a pre-purchase inspection verifies that the two recalls and relevant TSBs were completed.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

5 involved a crash · 2 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’95 ’96’97’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 33 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System5

Power Train4

Air Bags4

Vehicle Speed Control4

Service Brakes, Hydraulic2

Unknown Or Other2

Visibility2

Steering,Electrical System,Wheels1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

99V227000Power Train:Automatic TransmissionReported 19/08/1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A TRANSMISSION CASE BOLT CAN LOOSEN AND FALL OUT ALLOWING THE TRANSMISSION TO DISENGAGE FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED BOLT.

99V069000Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball JointReported 10/05/1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH BALL JOINTS THAT CAN PREMATURELY WEAR OUT AND, IN THE WORSE CASE, THE BALL JOINT WOULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 44 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
BJA46167	2017-01-01	Equipment	Sending vehicle data to tech line.
B98015	2016-03-18	Equipment	Special Tool Loan Program: Under TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN, the list has been updated.
SB-0708	2010-11-01	Tires	ACURA: THERE ARE GUIDELINES FOR VARIOUS SITUATIONS AND PROCEDURES INCLUDING: TIRE…
04012004	2004-04-01	Power Train	DON'T TEST-DRIVE WITH THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP OR D INDICATOR ON. ACURA…
02012004	2004-02-01	Air Bags	AIRBAG ON OFF SWITCH. *EH

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific TL. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 35 battery Vehicles taking 4.5 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1997 TL 2.5L take?

4.5 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1997 TL have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.