I check mine after the car has been sitting overnight.

I've never added more than three quarts during a D/F,
and it always reads between the dots.

 

Well checking when engine is cold is the wrong method. I believe you need to go drive for ~10~15 min, pull over & then check level of fluid on level surface.

 

I just checked the manual, and it does indeed state the car must be at "operating temperature".

The level is at 6/10ths between the dots on a 95˚ day.
I'll get back to you as to how much it expands, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't go over the top dot.

 

meaning with running engine and in P position? Thanks!

 

 

Thanks! I bought my car without the manual. It's high time to look for one, just wonder if there is the manual in electronic format to download.

 

http://www.bookonlinepdf.com/2003-ac...ers-manual.pdf

 

I'd bet bottom dot cold = top dot hot. I just checked after a 30 mile errand, and I'm all of 2mm over the top dot, if that. It might even be less, because the fluid sloshes around when being pumped through the system, and the inside of the dip tube may receive fluid.

In the beginning, I heard everything about "measure exactly what comes out", etc etc etc.
Well, if the wrong amount is in there coming out, you wouldn't want to put the wrong amount in.
I'm happy with 3 quarts out, three quarts in. Seems like it works perfectly.

Maybe, for whatever reason, some cars may be 3.1 or 3.25 quarts per D/F.

 

Register online at www.owners.acura.com and you can get the manual in PDF plus all the current recall info for your specific vehicle.