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 RL.
The 2008 Acura RL is a passenger car driven by a 5-speed automatic transmission and an engine requiring 4.5 quarts of 5W-20 API oil, delivering an EPA-rated 16 city, 24 highway, and 19 combined mpg. Although the vehicle carries six recalls and thirteen total owner complaints with airbags being the top complaint area, this model year stands as a relatively stable chapter in the nameplate's history. Contextualized within the model's 1996 to 2015 complaint timeline, the 2008 RL sits far below the 2005 peak of 125 complaints and much closer to the 2012 low of just one, indicating a notably improved reliability profile for this specific year.
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 · 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.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S5) |
| Overall length | 194.1 in |
| Overall width | 72.8 in |
| Overall height | 57.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 109.8 in |
| Curb weight | 4001 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 61.4 / 61.8 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 58/42 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 16 / 24 / 19 mpg |
| Drivetrain | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 99 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 13 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 2011 | SH-AWD Advance Package Sedan 3.7L V6 | 6.10 sec | 14.70 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 |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 16 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 23 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 29.0 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 29.0 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 |
| Ignition Timing | 10 degrees |
| Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance | 2 degrees |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | .99-1.10 lbs |
| Oil Type | PAG 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 4.33-4.83 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 24 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 585 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 |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 55.0-63.0 psi |
| Engine Compression | 135 minimum PSI. 28 maximum variation PSI. |
| Torque to Knuckle | 58 ft-lbs |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 17 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 80 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | 0.060 in |
| Rotor Max Parallel Variation | 0.0006 in |
| Rotor Runout Limit | 0.0016 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 1.098 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 1.106 in |
| 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.
Federal data tracks a clear arc for this generation, with a severity peak in 2005 of 125 complaints, 11 recalls, and 3 investigations followed by a steady retreat in subsequent years. The 2008 model records just 13 complaints and 6 recalls, down from 20 complaints and 7 recalls in 2007 and preceding a further decline to 8 complaints in 2009, placing it in the lower-complaint latter phase of the cycle. Air bags dominate the 2008 record with 8 of 13 entries, though the data does not specify a root cause, alongside only 1 crash complaint and 0 fire complaints. Technical Service Bulletins remained level at 72 after 71 in 2007, far below the 2005 high of 132. Given its markedly reduced complaint volume and lack of federal investigations, the 2008 RL stands out as a comparatively sound used-car bet, provided buyers confirm air bag system condition.
All 13 complaints on record, top 6 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 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service…
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 72 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B18-023 | 2026-06-30 | Air Bags | Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's… |
| 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… |
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 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined mpg.