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 2012 RL.
The 2012 Acura RL is a passenger car, powered by an engine requiring 4.5 quarts of 5W-20 API oil and paired with an Automatic (S6) transmission, with EPA fuel-economy ratings of 17/24/20 mpg city/highway/combined. Within the RL's 1996–2015 complaint history, the 2012 model records the lowest total with just one owner complaint. That single reported issue falls under exterior lighting, and the model year carries six recalls, so it registers as the quietest year in the lineup's ownership-feedback record while still carrying factory campaign exposure.
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 (S6) |
| 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 | 17 / 24 / 20 mpg |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 99 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 14 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | SH-AWD Advance Package Sedan 3.7L V6 | 6.10 sec | 14.70 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 |
| 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 | 24 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 | 1.00-1.10 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 4.25-4.75 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 |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 57.0 |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 57.0 |
| 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 |
| Torque to Knuckle | 58 ft-lbs |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 17 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 80 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | 0.063 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 2012 Acura RL sits at the tail end of the third‑generation RL (2005‑2012) where federal complaints have shown a steady decline from a peak of 125 in 2005 to just 1 in 2012, the lowest figure in the entire dataset. Recall activity remained relatively constant through the generation, averaging between six and eleven per year, and 2012 recorded six recalls—matching the levels seen in 2008‑2011. No investigations were opened for 2012 (or any year after 2005), mirroring the zero‑investigation trend from 2006 onward. Technical service bulletins stayed in the high‑80s range, with 2012 logging 89 TSBs, comparable to surrounding years. Given the markedly low complaint count and absence of investigations, the 2012 model year represents a favorable point to buy, provided any outstanding recalls are verified as completed.
All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 6 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 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 89 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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… |
| B21120A | 2022-01-25 | Electrical System | ServiceNews Article - The clock shows the incorrect time. This issue is due to a limited… |
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 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined mpg.