AcuraCL19972.2L/acura/cl/1997/2-2l/

1997 Acura CL — 2.2L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1997 CL 2.2L.

Engine 2.2L

The 1997 Acura CL 2.2L is a 2-door coupe equipped with a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine requiring 4.5 quarts of 5W-30 API-rated oil, serving as the base powertrain option within the CL's eight-year model run. In the context of the CL's complaint history spanning 1997-2004, the 1997 model year recorded 87 total owner complaints—a figure that positions it well below the model's peak complaint year of 2001 (274 complaints) but substantially above its lowest recorded year of 2004 (1 complaint). Power Train emerged as the top complaint area for this model year, and two recalls were issued for the 1997 CL overall. The 2.2L variant thus falls into a notably more favorable reliability position relative to the model's mid-production troubles, with complaint volumes suggesting the powertrain's issues were less prevalent than they would become in subsequent years before the platform matured.

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.5 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 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.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size205-55VR15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length190.2 in
Overall width70.1 in
Overall height54.7 in
Wheelbase107.1 in
Curb weight3009 lb
Track (front / rear)59.4 / 59.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)62/38

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

Independent published road-test results.

8.9–9.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.90 sec — 1997 2.2CL Premium Coupe
145 hpHorsepower (as tested)
149 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
19972.2CL Premium Coupe 2.2L I-48.90 sec16.70 sec145 hpFWD
19972.2CL Premium Coupe 2.2L I-49.60 sec17.40 sec145 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0-22.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs8mm Bolts: 16 ft-lbs, 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings34 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts181 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 54, MT: 76-87 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23 ft-lbs
Main Bearings54 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0-22.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

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

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)770 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.45-.55 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance16,800-25,000 ohms

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.40-1.50 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.33 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.30-4.40 lbs
Oil TypeND 8 oil

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)38.0-46.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)30.0-37.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)41.0-48.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)37.0-44.0 psi
Engine Compression135

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket80 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket18 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle28 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.060 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.9 in / 0.39 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
129.0 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
251.0 ft. lbs.51 ft. lbs
372.3 ft. lbs.72.3 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; spark plugs at 105,000 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 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Steering System (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 45,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed)
Every 60,000 miDistributor Cap (inspect) · Distributor Rotor (inspect)
Every 90,000 miBalance Shaft Drive Belt (replace) · Timing Belt (replace) · Water Pump (inspect)
At 105,000 miSpark Plugs (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 1997 Acura CL opens its generation with 87 complaints, two recalls, and 57 TSBs — higher early-volume figures than the 1998–2000 period, which see complaints fall to 57, 49, and 11 respectively. The model then experiences a sharp mid-generation spike in 2001 (274 complaints, 165 TSBs, one investigation), with elevated activity persisting through 2003 before collapsing to near-zero in 2004. The 1997 top complaint categories — Power Train (17), Air Bags (13), Electrical System (12), and Suspension (7) — plus five crash reports and no fires, reflect typical first-year teething rather than systemic danger, though the data does not specify root causes. Compared to the quieter 1998–2000 window, 1997 carries more documented issues, but it avoids the severe 2001–2003 surge entirely. For a buyer prioritizing federal-record cleanliness, the 1997 is a defensible but not optimal choice; the 1999 or 2000 model years present lower complaint and TSB counts with the same platform maturity.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
57
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
87
Owner complaints
5 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 87 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train17
Air Bags13
Electrical System12
Suspension7
Engine & Engine Cooling6
Service Brakes, Hydraulic5
Visibility4
Tires3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

02V120000Electrical System:Ignition:SwitchReported 16/05/2002

ON CERTAIN SEDANS, COUPES, HATCHBACKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT…

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 57 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
RFI20210312_BB642021-03-12EquipmentThis SKU is a bushing kit. The customer communication requested return of unsold…
B980152016-03-18EquipmentSpecial Tool Loan Program: Under TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN, the list has been updated.
B99-0402015-12-08Fuel System, Gasoline"SERVICE BULLETIN - THIS BULLETIN UPDATES THE TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURES FOR DTC P1456…
SB-905092013-02-01Electrical SystemACURA: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. INFORMATION REGARDING PRODUCT UPDATE…
SB-07082010-11-01TiresACURA: THERE ARE GUIDELINES FOR VARIOUS SITUATIONS AND PROCEDURES INCLUDING: TIRE…

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

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Vehicles with shared specs

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Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1997 CL 2.2L take?

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

Does the 1997 CL have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.