ignition Acura CL 2003 Owner's Manual

Many parents say they pref er to put
an inf ant or small child in the f ront
passenger seat so they can watch the
child, or because the child requires
attention.
Placing a child in the f ront seat
exposes the child to hazards f rom
the passenger’s f ront airbag, and
paying close attention to a child
distracts the driver f rom the
important tasks of driving, placing
both of you at risk.
If a child requires physical attention
or f requent visual contact, we
strongly recommend that another
adult ride with the child in the back
seat. The back seat is far safer for a
child than the front.
Place the largest child in the f ront
seat, provided the child is large
enough to wear a seat belt
properly (see page ).
Move the vehicle seat as far to the
rear as possible (see page ).
Have the child sit upright and well
backintheseat(seepage ).
Make sure the seat belt is properly
positioned and secured (see page
). Leaving children without
adult supervision is illegal in most
states and Canadian provinces,
and can be very hazardous. For
example, inf ants and small
childrenleftinavehicleonahot
day can die f rom heatstroke. And
children lef t alone with the key in
the ignition can accidentally set
the vehicle in motion, possibly
injuring themselves or others.
Your car has two seating positions in
the back seat where children can be
properly restrained.
If you ever have to carry more than
twochildreninyourcar:
Children who play in cars can
accidentally get trapped inside the
trunk and be seriously injured or
could die. Teach your children not
to play in or around cars. Know
how to operate the emergency
trunk opener (US models only)
and decide if your children should
be shown how to use this f eature
(see page ).
17
15 13
36
89
If a Child Requires Close
Attention
If You Must Drive with Several
Children Additional Saf ety Precautions
Do not leave children alone in your
vehicle.
Lock both doors and the trunkwhen your car is not in use.
Protecting Children
Driver and Passenger Saf ety24

Childrenuptoaboutone
year old should be restrained in a
rear-f acing, reclining child seat. Only
a rear-f acing seat provides the
proper support to protect an inf ant’s
head, neck, and back. See page for additional information on
protecting inf ants.
Even very young
children learn how to unlock
vehicle doors, turn on the ignition,
and open the trunk, which can
lead to accidental injury or death. The f ollowing pages give general
guidelines f or selecting and installing
child seats f or inf ants and small
children.
To provide proper protection, a child
seat should meet three
requirements:
The child seat should
meet Federal Motor Vehicle
Saf ety Standard 213 (FMVSS 213)
or Canadian Motor Vehicle Saf ety
Standard 213 (CMVSS 213). Look
for the manufacturer’s statement
of compliance on the box.
29
CONT INUED
T he child seat should be of theproper t ype and size t o f it t he child.
Inf ant s:
K eep car keys and remot e
transmitters out of the reach ofchildren.
Select ing a Child SeatT he child seat should meet saf et yst andards.
1.
2.
General Guidelines f or Using
Child Seats
Protecting Children
Driver and Passenger Saf ety25

This seat belt has a single belt that
goes over your shoulder, across your
chest and across your hips.To unlock the belt, push the red
PRESSbuttononthebuckle.
To fasten the belt, insert the latch
plate into the buckle, then tug on the
belt to make sure the buckle is
latched.
The seat belt system also
includes a light on the
instrument panel to remind you and
your passengers to f asten your belts.
If the driver’s seat belt is not
fastened before the ignition is turned
ON (II), the light will come on and a
beeper will also sound. The beeper
will stop af ter a f ew seconds, but the
light will stay on until the driver’s
seat belt is f astened. Your seat belt system includes lap/
shoulder belts in all f our seating
positions. The f ront seat belts are
also equipped with automatic seat
belt tensioners. Guide the belt across your body to
the door pillar. Af ter exiting the car,
be sure the belt is out of the way and
will not get closed in the door.
All seat belts have an emergency
locking retractor. In normal driving,
the retractor lets you move f reely in
your seat while it keeps some
tension on the belt. During a collision
or sudden stop, the retractor
automatically locks the belt to help
restrain your body.
The seat belts in all seating positions
except the driver’s have an additional
locking mechanism that must be
activated to secure a child seat. (See
pages and f or instructions on
how to secure child seats with this
type of seat belt.)30 34
CONT INUED
Seat Belt System Components L ap/Shoulder Belt
Additional Inf ormation About Your Seat Belts
Driver and Passenger Saf ety43

Your Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) includes:An indicator light on the
instrument panel that alerts you to
a possible problem with the
system (see page ).
Two f ront airbags. The driver’s
airbag is stored in the center of
the steering wheel; the f ront
passenger’sairbagisstoredinthe
dashboard. Both are marked ‘‘SRS
AIRBAG.’’
Sensors that can detect a
moderate to severe frontal
collision. Automatic seat belt tensioners
(see page ). Emergency backup power in case
your car’s electrical system is
disconnected in a crash.
A sophisticated electronic system
that continually monitors and
records inf ormation about the
sensors, the control unit, the
airbag activators, and driver and
passenger seat belt use when the
ignition is ON (II). If you ever have a moderate to
severe f rontal collision, the sensors
will detect the vehicle’s rapid
deceleration. If the rate of
deceleration is high enough, the
control unit will instantly inf late the
f ront airbags. Your vehicle is equipped with dual-
stage, dual-threshold airbags to help
reduce the chance of airbag-caused
injuries.
44 49
SRS Components
How Your Front A irbags Work
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Driver and Passenger Saf ety46

If the light comes on at any other
time, or does not come on at all, you
should have the system checked by
your dealer. For example:If the SRS indicator light does not
come on after you turn the ignition
ON (II).
If the light stays on after the
engine starts.
If the light comes on or f lashes on
andoff whileyoudrive.
Thepurposeof theSRS
indicator light is to alert
you to a potential problem with your
f ront airbags. This light will also
alert you to a potential problem with
your automatic seat belt tensioners
(page );oryoursideairbagsor
passenger’s side airbag automatic
cutof f system (page ).
When you turn the ignition ON (II),
this indicator will light brief ly then
go out. This tells you that the system
is working properly. If you see any of these indications,
your f ront or side airbags may not
deploy, your passenger’s side airbag
automatic cutoff system may not
work properly, or your seat belt
tensioners may not work when you
need them. See your Acura dealer as
soon as possible.
44
50
How the SRS Indicator L ight
Works
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Driver and Passenger Saf ety49
Ignoring the SRS indicator light
can result in serious injury or
death if the airbags, cutoff
system, or tensioners do not
work properly.
Have your vehicle checked by a
dealer as soon as possible if
the SRS light alerts you to a
potential problem.

This light alerts you that
the passenger’s side airbag
has been automatically shut off. If a small-statured adult leans
sideways, or larger adult slouches
and leans sideways into the
deployment path of the side airbag,
the system may also shut of f the side
airbag.A f ront seat passenger should not
use a cushion or other object as a
backrest. It may prevent the cutof f
system f rom working properly.
When you turn the ignition ON (II),
the indicator should light brief ly and
goout(seepage ).Ifitdoesn’t
light, stays on, or comes on while
driving without a passenger in the
f ront seat, have the system checked.
If the side airbag cutof f indicator
light comes on, you should have the
passenger sit upright. Once the
passenger is out of the deployment
path of the side airbag, the system
will turn the airbag back on and the
light will go out.
To reduce the risk of injury f rom an
inf lating side airbag, your car has an
automatic cutoff system for the
passenger’s side airbag. If does not mean there is a problem
with your side airbags. It means that
thesideairbagcutoff systemhas
activated to prevent the side airbag
f rom deploying.
Although Acura does not encourage
children to ride in the f ront seat, this
system is designed to shut of f the
side airbag if a child leans sideways
and the child’s head is in the side
airbag deployment path. 61
How the Side Airbag Cutof f
Indicator L ight Works
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Driver and Passenger Saf ety50

This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your Acura. All the essential controls
are within easy reach............................
Control Locations .56
...............................
Indicator Lights .57
.............................................
Gauges .65
...............................
Speedometer .65
.................................
Tachometer .65
.....................................
Odometer .66
...................................
Trip Meter .66
Outside Temperature ...................................
Indicator .67
...................
Temperature Gauge . 67
..................................
Fuel Gauge .67
Maintenance Required ...................................
Indicator .68 Controls Near the Steering
.......................................
Wheel .69
...................................
Headlights .70
Automatic Lighting Off .....................................
Feature .71
............
Daytime Running Lights . 72
....
Instrument Panel Brightness . 72
................................
Turn Signals .72
.....................
Windshield Wipers .73
..................
Windshield Washers . 74
..........................
Hazard Warning .75
.............
Rear Window Def ogger . 75
......
Steering Wheel Adjustment . 76
...............................
Keys and Locks .78
..............................................
Keys .78
....................
Immobilizer System . 79
............................
Ignition Switch .80
......................
Power Door Locks .82
...................
Remote Transmitter . 83
...........................................
Trunk .87
........
Emergency Trunk Opener . 89
....................................
Glove Box .90
......
Rear Console Compartment . 90
............................
Seat Adjustments .91
.........
Driver’s Seat Adjustments . 91
...........
Driver’s Lumbar Support . 93Front Passenger’s Seat
............................
Adjustments .93
........................
Rear Seat Access .94
..........................
Head Restraints .95
............................................
Armrest .96
.............................................
Mirrors .98
....
Adjusting the Power Mirrors . 98
Driving Position Memory ........................................
System .100
..................................
Seat Heaters .103
............................
Power Windows .104
.......................................
Moonroof .107
...............................
Parking Brake .108
..................................
Digital Clock .109
........................
Sunglasses Holder .110
...........................
Beverage Holder .111
.................
Console Compartment . 113
........................................
Coin Box .113
.............................
Console Pocket .114
..................................
Storage Tray .115
......................................
Coat Hook .115
........................................
Sun Visor .116
................................
Vanity Mirror .116
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 117
...............................
Interior Lights .118
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols55

This light has two f unctions:This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch ON (II). It
is a reminder to check the parking
brake. Driving with the parking
brake not f ully released 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 .
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 .
See page .
The instrument panel has many
indicators to give you important
inf ormation about your car.
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to you and your passengers
to protect yourselves by f astening
the seat belts. A beeper also sounds
if you have not fastened your seat
belt.
If you do not f asten your seat belt,
the beeper will stop af ter a f ew
seconds but the light stays on until
you do. Both the light and the beeper
stay of f if you f asten your seat belt
bef ore turning on the ignition.
1.
2.
308
310 312
309 Parking Brake and Brake System
Indicator
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator
Malf unction Indicator
Lamp
Seat Belt Reminder L ight
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols60
U.S. Canada

This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). If it
comes on at any other time, it
indicates that the passenger’s side
airbag has automatically shut off.
For complete inf ormation, see page.
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). If it
comes on at any other time, it
indicates a potential problem with
your f ront airbags. This light will
also alert you to a potential problem
with your side airbags, passenger’s
side airbag automatic cutoff system
or automatic seat belt tensioners.
For complete inf ormation, see page
.
This indicator comes on f or a f ew
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch ON (II). It will then go of f if
you have inserted a properly-coded
ignition key. If it is not a properly-
coded key, the indicator will blink
and the engine will not start (see
page ).
This indicator also blinks several
times when you turn the ignition
switch f rom ON (II) to ACCESSORY
(I) or LOCK (0).
This lights when you set the cruise
control. See page f or inf ormation
on operating the cruise control.
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 .
208 79
50
159 49
Side A irbag Cutof f
Indicator Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator
Immobilizer System
Indicator
Cruise Control Indicator
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Indicator
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols61
U.S. Canada

If this light comes on and stays on at
any other time, or it does not come
on when you turn the ignition switch
ON (II), there is a problem with the
VSA system. Take the car to your
dealer to have it checked. Without
VSA, your car still has normal
driving ability, but will not have VSA
traction and stability enhancement.
See page f or more inf ormation
on the VSA system. This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II).This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II). See pagef or more inf ormation on the
VSA system. It comes on along with the VSA
system indicator if there is a
problem with the VSA system. It flashes when VSA is active (see
page ). Itcomesonasareminderthatyou
have turned of f the Vehicle
Stability Assist (VSA) system.
This indicator has three f unctions: This indicator has three f unctions:
Itcomesonasareminderthatyou
have turned off the Traction
Control System.
It f lashes when the TCS is
regulating wheelspin.
If itcomesonandstaysonwhen
the Traction Control System is on,
it indicates that there is a problem
in the TCS.
This light also comes on when you
turn the ignition ON (II) and goes off
af ter the engine starts. See page f or more inf ormation on the
TCS.
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
212
212
212
209
On Premium model
On Type-S with A/T
On Type-S with A/T
Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA ) System Indicator VSA A ctivation Indicator
T raction Control System
(T CS) Indicator
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols62