AcuraTL19973.2L/acura/tl/1997/3-2l/

1997 Acura TL — 3.2L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1997 TL 3.2L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 3.2L

The 1997 Acura TL 3.2L is a passenger car equipped with a 3.2‑liter engine that calls for 5.0 qt of 5W‑30 API oil. Owner reports for this model year total 33 complaints, with the Electrical System cited as the leading issue, and the vehicle was subject to two recalls. Situated within the 1995‑2014 complaint timeline, its 33 complaints are far below the peak of 551 recorded in 2004 and only slightly above the low of 1 complaint seen in 1995.

Model year199819971996

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.0 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 25 · 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 25 · 450 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size205-65VR15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length191.7 in
Overall width70.5 in
Overall height55.5 in
Wheelbase111.8 in
Curb weight3263 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.

8.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.80 sec — 1996 3.2 Sedan
200 hpHorsepower (as tested)
210 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
19963.2 Sedan 3.2L V68.80 sec16.70 sec200 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.0 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 firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilGL-4 · GL-5 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.2 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Power Steering FluidHONDA TYPE V OR EQUIVALENT

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs8mm Bolts: 16 ft-lbs, 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings24 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts181 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts54 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts8mm bolts, 16: 6mm bolts, 9 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub181 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub134 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-4-5-3
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)AT: 780, MT: 800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)AT: 780, MT: 800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.9-1.1 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerHonda

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.50-1.70 lbs
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Oil Capacity5.30 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.50-1.70 lbs
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Oil Capacity4.33-5.33 oz

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °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 Compression142

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket36 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.060 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.9 in / 0.35 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.91 in / 0.358 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.826 in / 0.295 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5422 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; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Steering System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAxle 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 miFinal Drive (drain & refill)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 45,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed)
At 105,000 miUniversal 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.

In 1997 the Acura TL generated 33 complaints and 2 federal recalls, with a total of 44 TSBs, placing it above the 1995 baseline of 1 complaint but below the 1996 level of 39 complaints. The complaint count in 1997 is modest compared with the sharp rise to 159 complaints in 1999 and the peak of 352 complaints in 2002, indicating that the early‑generation trend was still ascending but had not yet reached its later volatility. Recalls remained steady at two from 1996 through 1998, suggesting that safety‑related actions were limited during this period. The most frequently cited complaint categories for 1997 were Electrical System, Power Train, Air Bags, and Vehicle Speed Control, each accounting for four to five reports, and there were five crash‑related and two fire‑related complaints recorded. Given the relatively low complaint volume and stable recall record for that model year, it can be considered a viable purchase, provided the buyer verifies that those specific systems have been addressed.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
44
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
33
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

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.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
BJA461672017-01-01EquipmentSending vehicle data to tech line.
B980152016-03-18EquipmentSpecial Tool Loan Program: Under TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN, the list has been updated.
SB-07082010-11-01TiresACURA: THERE ARE GUIDELINES FOR VARIOUS SITUATIONS AND PROCEDURES INCLUDING: TIRE…
040120042004-04-01Power TrainDON'T TEST-DRIVE WITH THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP OR D INDICATOR ON. ACURA…
020120042004-02-01Air BagsAIRBAG 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

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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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1997 TL 3.2L take?

5.0 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.