AcuraSLX1998Overview/acura/slx/1998/base/

1998 Acura SLX

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 SLX.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1998 Acura SLX pairs a four-speed automatic transmission with an engine that takes 4.2 quarts of 5W-30 API oil and returns EPA ratings of 13 mpg city, 18 highway, and 15 combined. In the broader 1995–2000 model run, the 1998 model year logged six owner complaints — well below the 14-complaint peak seen in 1996 but above the single-complaint low of 1995 — with the leading issue category centered on engine and engine cooling and a single recall on record. That complaint tally positions the 1998 SLX in the middle of the nameplate's reliability band, suggesting neither the cleanest nor the most troubled iteration of the series.

Model year1999199819971996

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque87 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy13/18/15 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24 · 585 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 24 · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size245-70R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-JJ inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined13 / 18 / 15 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

Independent road tests for the SLX of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

10.7–11.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 10.70 sec — 1996 Premium Package
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1996Premium Package 3.2L V610.70 sec18.20 sec190 hp4x4
1996Premium Package 3.2L V611.10 sec18.10 sec190 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 87 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.8 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.2 qt
Transfer Case Fluid15W-40 · 20W-40 · 5W-30 · 20W-50 · API
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity3.2 Pints

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings40 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts181 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts40 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts38 ft-lbs
Main Bearings29 ft-lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts7.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts87 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.9-1.1 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing15 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.30 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca
Optional BCI Group Number27

Service checks

Pressure Test28 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13-17 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature166-173 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)43.0-50.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)35.0-42.0 psi
Engine Compression142
Engine Oil Pressure10 psi @ idle, 50 psi @ 3000 rpm psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket54 ft-lbs / 32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle115 ft-lbs / 76 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.039 in
Minimum Pad Thickness0.060 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.005 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.02 in / 0.71 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.02 in / 0.71 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 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 miBattery (inspect electrolyte level) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Assembly (inspect) · Clutch Cross Shaft (lubricate)
At 15,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 15,000 miBody Lock Cylinders (lubricate) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Clutch Pedal Bushing (lubricate) · Clutch Pedal Clevis Pin (lubricate)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Clutch Hydraulic Line (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miTransfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 60,000 miAir Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Radiator (inspect)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)

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 Acura SLX generation experienced a peak in federal reports during 1996 and 1997, with complaints reaching 14 and 11 respectively and TSBs peaking at 32 in 1997. The 1998 model year marks a clear downward trend in these figures, recording 6 complaints, 1 recall, and 11 TSBs. While this is a significant improvement over the 1997 model, it is not as low as the 1999 and 2000 years, which each had only 1 complaint. For 1998, the most frequent complaint area was Engine & Engine Cooling with 3 reports, although the data does not specify the root cause. There were zero reported crash or fire complaints for this target year. Given its position on the descending arc of the generation's reliability issues, 1998 is a good year to buy.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
11
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
6
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 6 complaints on record, top 4 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling3
Vehicle Speed Control1
Tires1
Fuel System, Gasoline1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

98V180000Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)Reported 03/08/1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE TRANSFER GEARBOX FLANGE NUTS WERE NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED, CAUSING THE NUTS TO LOOSEN. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FRONT AND REAR FLANGE NUTS AND, IF FOUND LOOSE, TIGHTEN TO SPECIFIED TORQUE AND SECURED STAKED AT TWO PLACES.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 11 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
BJA461672017-01-01EquipmentSending vehicle data to tech line.
Service Bulletin2014-07-24Electrical SystemService bulletin - The MIL comes on and DTC P1441 (EVAP system flow during non-purge) is…
SB-07082010-11-01TiresACURA: THERE ARE GUIDELINES FOR VARIOUS SITUATIONS AND PROCEDURES INCLUDING: TIRE…
10032003-10-16Power TrainSHIFT SOLENOID IDENTIFICATION. *TT
10022002-10-01Service Brakes, HydraulicCLEARING ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES. OCTOBER TECH LINE INFORMATION…

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 SLX. 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 1998 SLX take?

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

Does the 1998 SLX have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the SLX get?

EPA figures are 13 city / 18 highway / 15 combined mpg.