service indicator Acura CL 2001 Owner's Manual

2001 CL Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com.
Contents
Introduction ........................................................................\
................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safet y........................................................................\
.........................................ii
Your Vehicle at a Glance........................................................................\
............................................ .2
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
..................................... .5
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restr\
aint System.
Instruments and Control s........................................................................\
........................................ .51
Instrume nt panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering colu\
mn controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ........................................................................\
..................... .121
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
Before Driving........................................................................\
..........................................................159
What gasoline to use, how to break -in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
...................................................................... 173
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
.............................................................203
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take you r vehicle to the dealer.
Appearance Car e........................................................................\
..................................................... .263
Tips on cleaning and protecting your vehicle. Things to look for if your\
vehicle ever needs body repairs.
Taking Care of the Unexpecte d........................................................................\
..............................271
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, an d how to handle them.
Technical Informatio n........................................................................\
.............................................297
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................309
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact \
us.
Authorized Manu als (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................315
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index........................................................................\
........................................................................\
...... I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.
Owner's Identification Form

This section gives you important
inf ormation about how to protect
yourself and your passengers. It
shows you how to use seat belts
properly. It explains your Supple-
mental Restraint System. And it tells
you how to properly restrain inf ants
andchildreninyourcar..........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
.............
Your Car’s Saf ety Features . 7
.......................................
Seat Belts . 8
...........................................
Airbags . 9
.....................
Seats & Seat-Backs . 10
..........................
Head Restraints . 10
..................................
Door Locks . 10
........
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist . 11
............................
Protecting Adults . 12
.....
1. Close and Lock the Doors . 12
...........
2. Adjust the Front Seats . 13
............
3. Adjust the Seat-Backs . 14
...
4. Adjust the Head Restraints . 15
5. Fasten and Position the Seat
.....................................
Belts . 15
....
6. Adjust the Steering Wheel . 17 7. Maintain a Proper Sitting
................................
Position . 17
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 18
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 19
........................
Protecting Children . 20
All Children Must Be ...............................
Restrained . 20
Children Should Sit in the Back ...........................................
Seat . 21
The Passenger’s Front Airbag Poses Serious Risks ...........................
to Children . 21
If You Must Drive with Several ...................................
Children . 23
If a Child Requires Close ..................................
Attention . 23
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 23
General Guidelines f or Using
...............................
Child Seats . 24
.......................
Protecting Inf ants . 28
.........
Protecting Small Children . 32
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 35
Using Child Seats with
.....................................
Tethers . 39Additional Inf ormation About Your
.................................
Seat Belts . 40
..
Seat Belt System Components . 40
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 40
Automatic Seat Belt ...............................
Tensioners . 41
...............
Seat Belt Maintenance . 42
Additional Inf ormation About Your ..........................
Front Airbags . 43
........................
SRS Components . 43
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work . 43
How the SRS Indicator Light .......................................
Works . 45
Additional Inf ormation About Your ............................
Side Airbags . 46
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 46
How The Side Airbag Indicator
............................
Light Works . 47
Additional Inf ormation About Your .....................................
Airbags . 48
.............................
Airbag Service . 48
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 48
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 49
...................................
Saf ety Labels . 50
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
5

During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Avoidhardbraking.Newbrakes
need to be broken-in by moderate
use f or the f irst 200 miles (300
km).
Youshouldfollowthesesamere-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are relined. Your Acura is designed to operate on
premium unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane number of 91 or higher.
In Canada, some gasolines contain
an octane-enhancing additive called
MMT. If you use such gasolines,
your emissions control system
perf ormance may deteriorate and
the Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on.
If this happens, contact your
authorized Acura dealer f or service.
Help assure your car’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
Useof aloweroctanegasolinecan
cause occasional metallic knocking
noises in the engine and will result in
decreased engine perf ormance.
We recommend gasolines containing
detergent additives that help prevent
f uel system and engine deposits.
Using gasoline containing lead will
damage your car’s emissions
controls. This contributes to air
pollution.
Break-in Period, Gasoline
Bef ore Driving
Break-in Period Gasoline
160

Shift to Park or Neutral and set
the parking brake. Pull the hood
release handle located under the
lower lef t corner of the dashboard.
The hood will pop up slightly.
Screw the f uel f ill cap back on,
tighten it until it clicks several
times. If you do not properly
tighten the cap, the Malfunction
Indicator Lamp may come on (see
page ).
Push the f uel f ill door closed until
it latches.
Standing in f ront of the car, reach
in between the hood and the f ront
bumper with your f inger. The
hood latch handle is under the ‘‘A’’
logo. Slide the latch handle to the
right.
1.
2.
5.
6.
286
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
Opening the Hood
162
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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
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Î
ÎÎ
Î
If you must drive the car a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and cautiously.
If it comes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem with the car’s
brake system. In most cases, the
problem is a low f luid level in the
brake f luid reservoir. Press lightly on
the brake pedal to see if it f eels
normal. If it does, check the brake
f luid level the next time you stop at a
service station (see page ). If the
fluid level is low, take the car to your
dealer and have the brake system
inspected f or leaks or worn brake
pads. Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the
longer distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the car. You
should have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible. (See
on page .)
However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. Because of the
brake system’s dual-circuit design, a
problem in one part of the system
will still give you braking at two
wheels. You will f eel the brake pedal
go down much f arther bef ore the car
begins to slow down, and you will
have to press harder on the pedal.
The distance needed to stop will be
much longer.
The Brake System Indicator comes
on when you turn the ignition ON
(II). If the parking brake is not set, it
goes of f af ter you start the engine. If
the parking brake is set, it goes of f
when you f ully release the parking
brake with the engine running.
If the ABS indicator and the VSA
system indicator come on with this
indicator, have the car inspected by
your dealer immediately.
229
295
On Type S
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency
Towing
287
U U. .SS. .i
inn d
di
icca at too r
r s
shh o
ow
wn n
B
BR
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SYYSSTTE
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CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 167
................................
Accessories . 167
.
Additional Safety Precautions . 168
............................
Modif ications . 168
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) . 80
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 117
Adding
Automatic Transmission .......................................
Fluid . 228
................................
Brake Fluid . 229
..........................
Engine Coolant . 221
..................................
Engine Oil . 217
................
Power Steering Fluid . 230
........
Windshield Washer Fluid . 227
Additional Inf ormation About ...........................
Your Airbags . 48
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 48
.............................
Airbag Service . 48
Additional Inf ormation About ................
Your Front Airbags . 43
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 45
How Your Front Airbags
.........................................
Work . 43........................
SRS Components . 43
Additional Inf ormation About .......................
Your Seat Belts . 40
Automatic Seat Belt ...............................
Tensioners . 41
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 40
...............
Seat Belt Maintenance . 42
..
Seat Belt System Components . 40
Additional Inf ormation About ...................
Your Side Airbags . 46
How The Side Airbag Indicator ............................
Light Works . 47
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 46
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 218
Adjustments
..........................
Head Restraints . 98
.......................................
Mirrors . 101
.............................................
Seats . 94
...........................
Steering Wheel . 71
.........................
Airbag (SRS) . 9, 43, 46
.....................
Air Cleaner Element . 231
.................
Air Conditioning Filter . 242
..............
Air Conditioning System . 122
..............................
Maintenance . 241
.................................
Usage . 124, 129
.......................
Air Outlets (Vents) . 122.......................
Air Pressure, Tires . 244
...........................
Alarm, Anti-theft . 157
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline . 304
.......
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning . 265
......................................
Antif reeze . 221
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ....................
Indicator Light . 55, 187
...................................
Operation . 186
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 157
Anti-thef t Steering Column
..............................................
Lock . 80
..........................
Anti-thef t System . 158
..........................
Appearance Care . 263
............................................
Armrest . 99
...............
Audio Controls, Remote . 156
................................
Audio System . 135
Automatic Climate Control ........................................
System . 122
...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature . 66
Automatic Seat Belt
...................................
Tensioners . 41
...............
Automatic Speed Control . 73
Index
A
I

ÎÎ........................................
Saf ety Belts . 8
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 313
.................................
Saf ety Features . 7
...........................................
Airbags . 9
..................................
Door Locks . 10
..........................
Head Restraints . 10
.......................................
Seat Belts . 8
.....................
Seats & Seat-Backs . 10
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 50
...............................
Saf ety Messages . ii
Seat Belt, Additional ..............................
Inf ormation . 40
Automatic Seat Belt ...............................
Tensioners . 41
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 40
...............
Seat Belt Maintenance . 42
..
Seat Belt System Components . 40
.....................................
Seat Belts . 8, 40
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 18
.............
Child Seat Anchor Plate . 39
.....................................
Cleaning . 267
................................
Maintenance . 42
Reminder Light and ................................
Beeper . 40, 54 ................................
Replacement . 42
...................
System Components . 40
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 39
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 18
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt . 15
..................................
Seat Heaters . 106
..................
Seat Position Memory . 103
........................
Seats, Adjusting the . 94
................
Security Alarm System . 158
...............................
Serial Number . 298
...........................
Service Intervals . 208
...........................
Service Manual . 315
.........
Service Station Procedures . 161
..........................
Setting the Clock . 110
Shif ting the Automatic .............................
Transmission . 176
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 176
........................
Shif t Lock Release . 183
....................................
Side Airbags . 46
How The Side Airbag Indicator ............................
Light Works . 47
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 46
Side Marker Lights, Bulb .........................
Replacement in . 255
...............................
Signaling Turns . 67
.....................................
Snow Tires . 249...................
Solvent-type Cleaners . 264
................................
Sound System . 135
Spare Tire ......................................
Inf lating . 272
............................
Specif ications . 301
................
Spark Plugs, Replacing . 233
....................
Specif ications Charts . 300
..................................
Speed Control . 73
...................................
Speedometer . 60
.......................................
Spotlights . 118
....
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 43, 46
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 48
Automatic Seat Belt
...............................
Tensioners . 41
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 45
.....
How Your Airbags Work . 43, 46
........................
SRS Components . 43
..................................
SRS Service . 48
.............................
SRS Indicator . 45, 56
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 80
.......................
Starting the Engine . 175
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude . 175
................
With a Dead Battery . 280
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 282
Index
S
VIII

CONT INUED
Steering Wheel..................................
Adjustment . 71
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 80
...................
Stereo Sound System . 135
...........................
Storing Your Car . 261
..................................
Storage Tray . 115
........................................
Sun Visor . 116
........................
Sunglasses Holder . 111
Supplemental Restraint ............................
System . 9, 43, 46
....................
Service Precautions . 48
......................................
Servicing . 48
.........................
SRS Indicator . 45, 56
...................
System Components . 43
...............
Tensioners, Seat Belts . 41
..................................
Synthetic Oil . 218
.....................................
Tachometer . 60
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in . 256
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 271
....................................
Tape Player . 142
Technical Descriptions ......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 302
..
Driving in Foreign Countries . 305 .....
Emissions Control Systems . 306
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels . 304
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter . 308
.......................
Temperature Gauge . 62
...................
Tensioners, Seat Belts . 41
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 39
...............
Thef t Deterrent System . 158
............................
Thef t Protection . 157
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 308
..........................
Time, Setting the . 110
....................................
Timing Belt . 243
....................................
Tire Chains . 249
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 273
...............................................
Tires . 243
..............................
Air Pressure . 244
...................................
Balancing . 246
.........................
Checking Wear . 245
..........................
Compact Spare . 272
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 302
......................................
Inf lation . 243
..................................
Inspection . 245
..............................
Maintenance . 246
...................................
Replacing . 247
......................................
Rotating . 246
...........................................
Snow . 249............................
Specif ications . 301
.......................
Traction Devices . 249
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 273
...............................
Torn Seat Belts . 42
Towing .....................................
A Trailer . 196
..........
By Emergency Wrecker . 295
Traction Control System (TCS) ...............................
Indicator . 57, 190
...................................
Operation . 188
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic . 228
...........................
Fluid Selection . 228
..............
Identif ication Number . 299
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 176
.....................................
Treadwear . 302
.......................................
Trip Meter . 61
................................................
Trunk . 86
.................................
Opening the . 86
...................
Open Monitor Light . 58
....................................
Turn Signals . 67
Index
T
IX