charging Acura CL 2001 Owner's Manual

The engine can be severely damaged
if this light f lashes or stays on when
the engine is running. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
If this light comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For complete
inf ormation, see page .This light has two f unctions:
Itcomesonwhenyouturnthe
ignition switch ON (II) as a
reminder to check the parking
brake. If the parking brake is not
set, it goes of f af ter the engine
starts. If the parking brake is set,
it goes of f when you release the
parking brake with the engine
running. Driving with the parking
brake applied can damage the
brakes and tires.
If the indicator remains lit after
you have f ully released the
parking brake while the engine is
running, or if it comes on while
driving, it can indicate a problem
in the brake system. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
See page . This light normally comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II), and when
the ignition switch is turned to
START (III). If this light comes on at
any other time, there is a problem in
theABS.If thishappens,takethe
cartoyourdealertohaveitchecked.
With the light on, your car still has
normal braking ability but no anti-
lock. For complete inf ormation, see
page .
1.
2.
284
285
287187
286
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator Parking Brake and Brake System
Indicator
Malf unction Indicator
Lamp Anti-lock Brake
System (A BS)
Indicator
55
U.S. Canada
U.S. Canada

If your car’s battery is disconnected
or goes dead, the audio system will
disableitself.Thenexttimeyouturn
on the radio you will see ‘‘ ’’
in the f requency display. Use the
Preset buttons to enter the five-digit
code (see page ).If your car’s battery is disconnected
or goes dead, all stored driving
positions will be lost. To store the
driving positions again, see the
storingprocedureonpage .
The Navigation System will also
disableitself.Thenexttimeyouturn
on the ignition switch, the system
will require you to enter a PIN
bef ore it can be used. Ref er to the
Navigation System Owner’s Manual.
157
103
3.2 CL with Navigation System
Battery
Maint enance238
Charging the battery with the cables
connected can seriously damage your
car’s electronic controls. Detach the
battery cables bef ore connecting the
battery to a charger.

Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it f or at least ten
minutes while you are driving at a
steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the ref rigerant.If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Ref rigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specif ications on page
.)
Periodically check the engine’s
radiator and air conditioning
condenser f or leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the f ront surf ace. These
block the air f low and reduce cooling
ef f iciency. Use a light spray f rom a
hose or a sof t brush to remove them. Your car’s air conditioning is a sealed
system. Any major maintenance,
such as recharging, should be done
by a qualif ied mechanic. You can do
a couple of things to make sure the
air conditioning works ef f iciently. 300
A ir Condit ioning Syst em
Maint enance241
A AI
IRR C
COON NDDI
ITT I
IOON NIINNG G C
COON NDDE
EN
NS SEER
R
Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
f acility uses a ref rigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
ref rigerant f or reuse. Releasing
ref rigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.
The condenser and radiator f ins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or sof t-bristle brush to clean them.

This section covers the more-
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your car towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire . 272
....................
Changing a Flat Tire . 273
..........
If Your Engine Won’t Start . 278
Nothing Happens or theStarter Motor Operates ........................
Very Slowly . 278
The Starter Operates ................................
Normally . 279
................................
Jump Starting . 280
............
If Your Engine Overheats . 282
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 284
..........
Charging System Indicator . 285
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 286
...............
Brake System Indicator . 287
..................
Closing the Moonroof . 288
..............................................
Fuses . 289
..........
Checking and Replacing . 290
......................
Emergency Towing . 295
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed271

By eliminating as much of the
electrical load as possible, you can
drive several miles (kilometers)
before the battery is too discharged
to keep the engine running. Drive to
a service station or garage where
you can get technical assistance.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories: radio, climate control,
rear def ogger, cruise control, etc.
Try not to use other electrically-
operated controls such as the power
windows. Keep the engine running
and take extra care not to stall it.
Starting the engine will discharge
the battery rapidly.
This indicator should come on when
the ignition switch is ON (II), and go
out af ter the engine starts. If it
comes on brightly when the engine
is running, it indicates that the
charging system has stopped
charging the battery.
Charging System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed285
C CH H A
AR
RGGI INNG G S
SYYSSTTE
EM
M I
INND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R

..............
Automatic Transmission . 176
..........................
Capacity, Fluid . 300
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 228
....
Sequential SportShif t Mode . 179
.......................................
Shif ting . 176
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 176
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 177
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 183
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator . 55, 285
............................
Jump Starting . 280
..............................
Maintenance . 236
............................
Specif ications . 301
..............................
Bef ore Driving . 159
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,40
...........................
Beverage Holder . 112
...................................
Body Repair . 270
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 186
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 160
...........................................
Fluid . 229
.....................
Light, Burned-out . 256.......................................
Parking . 110
.................
System Indicator . 55, 287
........................
Wear Indicators . 185
Brakes, ABS ...................................
Operation . 186
.................
System Indicator . 55, 187
.............................
Braking System . 185
........................
Break-in, New Car . 160
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 67
........................
Brights, Headlights . 65
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights . 256
..............................
Brake Lights . 256
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 255
.................................
Headlights . 252
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 257
...........................
Interior Lights . 258
...................
License Plate Light . 258
...............................
Road Lamps . 254
............................
Specif ications . 301
...............................
Trunk Light . 260
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 255
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen . 252 .........
Cables, Jump Starting With . 280
..................................
Cancel Button . 75
............................
Capacities Chart . 300
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 49
............................
Carrying, Cargo . 169
Cassette Player ............................................
Care . 146
...................................
Operation . 142
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
...................................
CD Changer . 147
..................................
Ceiling Light . 118
........................
Certif ication Label . 298
............................................
Chains . 249
Change Oil ........................................
How to . 219
......................................
When to . 208
....................
Changing a Flat Tire . 273
............
Changing Engine Coolant . 223
...
Charging System Indicator . 55, 285
Checking
Automatic Transmission .......................................
Fluid . 228
.....................
Battery Condition . 236
................................
Brake Fluid . 229
Index
C
B
II

..............................
Economy, Fuel . 166
............
Emergencies on the Road . 271
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 280
...........
Brake System Indicator . 287
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 273
.....
Charging System Indicator . 285
..................
Checking the Fuses . 290
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 284
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 286
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 288
..................
Overheated Engine . 282
.........................
Emergency Brake . 110
......................
Emergency Flashers . 70
......................
Emergency Towing . 295
.......................
Emissions Controls . 306
Engine ............................................
Belts . 242
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 62
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp . 55, 286
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 55, 284
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 217
...............................
Overheating . 282
............................
Specif ications . 301............................
Speed Limiter . 182
...................
Engine Speed Limiter . 182
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline . 304
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 306
...............................
Exhaust Fumes . 49
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System . 307
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by . 18
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 264
..........................
Fan, Interior . 126, 131
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience . 121
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 161
Filters
................................
Air Cleaner . 231
.......................
Air Conditioning . 242
...............................................
Oil . 219
.......................
First Gear, Shif ting . 182
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 70
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 273
.....................................
Floor Mats . 266Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission . 228
..........................................
Brake . 229
..........................
Power Steering . 230
..................
Windshield Washer . 227
FM Stereo Radio ...........................
Reception . 136, 140
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 305
..........................
Four-way Flashers . 70
..............................
Front Airbags . 9, 43
Front End, Towing by ................
Emergency Wrecker . 295
.................................................
Fuel . 160
......................
Fill Door and Cap . 161
...........................................
Gauge . 62
................
Octane Requirement . 160
...............................
Oxygenated . 304
........................
Reserve Indicator . 59
........................
Tank, Filling the . 161
..............
Fuel Mileage, Improving . 166
.....................
Fuses, Checking the . 289
Index
F
E
IV