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 2008 TL.
The 2008 Acura TL is a passenger‑car that calls for 4.5 qt of 5W‑20 API engine oil. With four recalls on record and the air‑bag system cited as the top complaint area, the model year logged a total of 124 owner complaints. Placed within the TL’s 1995‑2014 complaint history—where the highest tally was 551 issues in 2004 and the lowest a single complaint in 1995—the 2008 figure sits below the peak but above the baseline, indicating a moderate reliability standing.
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 24F · 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.
| Overall length | 189.4 in |
| Overall width | 75.6 in |
| Overall height | 56.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 107.9 in |
| Curb weight | 3620 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 62.2 / 61.8 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 62/38 |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the TL 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Type-S Sedan 3.5L V6 | 5.50 sec | 14.10 sec | 286 hp | FWD |
| 2004 | A-Spec Sedan 3.2L V6 | 5.60 sec | 14.30 sec | 270 hp | FWD |
| 2004 | 3.2 Sedan 3.2L V6 | 5.70 sec | 14.40 sec | 270 hp | FWD |
| 2004 | A-Spec Sedan 3.2L V6 | 5.70 sec | 14.25 sec | 270 hp | FWD |
| 2004 | 3.2 Sedan 3.2L V6 | 5.80 sec | 14.50 sec | 270 hp | FWD |
| 2004 | 3.2 Sedan 3.2L V6 | 6.10 sec | 14.44 sec | 270 hp | FWD |
| 2004 | 3.2 Sedan 3.2L V6 | 6.30 sec | 14.78 sec | 270 hp | FWD |
| 2004 | 3.2 Sedan 3.2L V6 | 6.30 sec | 14.80 sec | 270 hp | FWD |
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 80 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.3 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Engine Oil | 5W-20 · API |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4.5 qt |
| Engine Oil | 5W-20 · API |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | 8mm Bolts: 16 ft-lbs, 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | AT: 54, MT: 76 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 16 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 23 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 16 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 23 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 16 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 23 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 80 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 181 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 134 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-4-2-5-3-6 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 750 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 750 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 | 1.10-1.21 lbs |
| Oil Type | PAG 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 4.00-4.50 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 24F |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 550 cca |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 24F |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 550 cca |
| Pressure Test | 14-18 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 14-18 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 169-176 °F |
| Pressure Test | 14-18 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 14-18 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 169-176 °F |
| Pressure Test | 14-18 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 14-18 psi |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 17 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 41 ft-lbs |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 37 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 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 | 1.098 in |
| 1 | 14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 | 14 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 47 ft. lbs, step 2: 60 | 47 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.
In 2008 the 2008 Acura TL recorded 124 federal complaints, 4 recalls and 33 TSBs, matching the 2007 figures but far below the 2004 peak of 551 complaints and 6 recalls. The complaint trajectory shows a sharp rise through the early 2000s, a plateau around 2003‑2004, then a steady decline, with 2008 sitting near the low‑end of that descending arc but still above the 2009‑2011 trough. The dominant complaint categories for 2008 are Air Bags (17) and Steering (15), together accounting for a sizable share of the reported issues, while crash‑related complaints numbered 4 and fire‑related complaints 7. Compared with the immediate post‑model‑year years, 2009 drops to 42 complaints and 3 recalls, indicating that the most severe problem years have largely passed by the model’s third year. Consequently, while the 2008 TL is not the most problematic year in the generation, the lingering air‑bag and steering concerns suggest a cautious approach; it is a reasonable purchase only if the specific vehicle’s service history addresses those issues.
All 124 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain Accelerator Pedal Assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2004-2008 Acura TL and TSX, 2003-2007 Honda… Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and qualified service facilities will replace the affected accelerator pedal assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019. Owners may…
HONDA IS RECALLING 273,000 MY 2004-2008 ACURA TL VEHICLES. PROLONGED HIGH UNDER-HOOD TEMPERATURES MAY CAUSE THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO DETERIORATE PREMATURELY CAUSING THE HOSE TO CRACK AND LEAK POWER STEERING FLUID. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HEAT RESISTANT POWER STEERING HOSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 28, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ACURA AT 800-382-2238. THIS IS AN EXPANSION OF…
Showing 5 of 33 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B23040A | 2023-05-17 | Electrical System | Service News - The navigation clock and date are incorrect. This is due to a limited GPS… |
| B21120A | 2022-01-25 | Electrical System | ServiceNews Article - The clock shows the incorrect time. This issue is due to a limited… |
| DORE5C4S09 | 2019-07-11 | Suspension | This SKU is a Front Upper Ball Joint. The customer communication requested return of… |
| BBOM05242018901 | 2018-05-24 | Air Bags | Dealer message - Today, May 24, 2018, Acura is announcing a warranty extension for… |
| B05-018 | 2016-11-23 | Equipment | SERVICE BULLETIN - NAVIGATION SYSTEM INFORMATION. |
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 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.