1. Park the car on a level surface and apply the parking brake.
2. Open the hood and locate the serpentine belt. It is the long, thin belt that runs around the front of the engine.
3. Use a 14mm wrench to loosen the tensioner pulley bolt. The tensioner pulley is located near the top of the engine, near the front of the car.
4. Once the tensioner pulley bolt is loose, use your hand to move the tensioner pulley away from the belt. This will release the tension on the belt.
5. Remove the belt from the pulleys. Start at the top of the engine and work your way down.
6. Install the new belt in the reverse order that you removed the old belt.
7. Adjust the tension on the belt. To do this, use the 14mm wrench to turn the tensioner pulley bolt until the belt is tight but not too tight. The belt should be able to move about 1/2 inch up and down when you press on it with your thumb.
8. Tighten the tensioner pulley bolt.
9. Close the hood and start the car.
Here are some additional tips for replacing the drive belt on a 1997 Acura TL:
- Be careful not to drop any of the bolts or nuts into the engine.
- If the belt is difficult to remove, you can use a pry bar to help you.
- Make sure that the belt is properly tensioned before you start the car.
- If you have any questions, consult a qualified mechanic.
