tow Acura RL 2000 3.5 Owner's Guide
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: ACURA, Model Year: 2000, Model line: RL, Model: Acura RL 2000Pages: 330, PDF Size: 4.53 MB
Page 285 of 330
Lo
w Oi l Pressur e Indicato r
This indicator should light when the ignition switch is ON (II), and go outafter the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is
running. If it starts flashing, it
indicates that the oil pressure
dropped very low for a moment, then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with the engine running, it shows that the engine has lost oil pressure
and serious engine damage is
possible
. I
n either case, you should
take immediate action.
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn off
the engine as soon as you can safely get
the car stopped.
1.
Safely pull off the road and shut
off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
2. Let the car sit for a minute. Open the hood and check the oil level
(see page
169). Although oil level
and oil pressure are not directly connected, a
n engine that is very
low on oil can lose pressure during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
3. If necessary, add oil to bring the level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page
215). 4. Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the light
does not go out within ten seconds,
turn off the engine. There is a
mechanical problem that needs tob
e repaired before you can
continue driving. (See Emergenc y
Towin g o
n page 29
2.)
Takin g Car e
o
f th e Unexpecte d
NOTIC
E
LO W OI L PRESSUR E INDICATO R
Page 288 of 330
Brak
e Syste m Indicato r
The Brake System Indicator comes on when you turn the ignition ON (II). If the parking brake is not set, it
goes off after you start the engine. If
the parking brake is set, it goes off
when you fully release the parking brake with the engine running. 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 fluid level in the
brake fluid reservoir. Press lightly on
the brake pedal to see if it feels
normal. If it does, check the brake
fluid level the next time you stop at a service station (see page 228). If the
fluid level is low, take the car to your dealer and have the brake system
inspected for leaks or worn brake
pads.
However, if the brake pedal does not
feel 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 feel the brake pedal
go down much farther before 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. Slow down by shifting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is safe. 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 Emergenc y
Towin g on page 292.)
If you must drive the car a short distance in this condition, drive
slowly and cautiously.
If the ABS indicator and the VSA system indicator come on with this
indicator, have the car inspected by
your dealer immediately.
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
*U.S
. indicato r show n
BRAK
E SYSTE M INDICATOR *
Page 295 of 330
Emergenc
y Towin g
If your car needs to be towed, call a
professional towing service or, if you
belong to one, an organization that
provides roadside assistance. Never
tow your car behind another vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
There are three popular types of professional towing equipment:
Flat-bed Equipment — The operator
loads your car on the back of a truck.
Thi s is th e bes t wa y to transpor t
you r Acura .
Wheel-Lift Equipment — The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (front or rear) and lift
them off the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground. Thi s i s
a n acceptabl e wa y to to w you r
Acura .
Sling-type Equipment — The tow
truck uses metal cables with hooks on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the frame or suspension and
the cables lift that end of the car off the ground. Your car's suspensionand body can be seriously damaged.
Thi s metho d o f towin g is
unacceptable .
If your Acura cannot be transported
by flat-bed, it should be towed by
wheel-lift equipment with the front
wheels off the ground. If, due to damage, your car must be towed
with the front wheels on the ground, do the following. Release the parking brake.
Shift the transmission to Neutral.
Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shift the transmission or start theengine, your car must be transportedwith the front wheels off the ground.
With the front wheels on the ground, it is best to tow the car no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep thespeed below 35 mph (55 km/h).
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
NOTIC
E
Page 296 of 330
Emergenc
y Towin g
If you decide to tow your car with all
four wheels on the ground, make sure you use a properly-designed and
attached tow bar. Prepare the car for
towing as described above, and leave the ignition switch in Accessory (I)so the steering wheel does not lock.
Make sure the radio and any items
plugged into the accessory power socket are turned off so they do not
run down the battery.
The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in Accessory (I), and
make sure the steering wheel turns
freely before you begin towing. Trying to lift or tow your car by the
bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to
support the car's weight.
Taking Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
NOTIC
E
NOTIC E
Page 315 of 330
Warrant
y Coverage s
U.S . Owner s
Your new Acura is covered by these
warranties:
New Vehicle Limited Warranty —
covers your new vehicle, except for
the battery, emissions control systems and accessories, against
defects in materials and
workmanship.
Emissions Control Systems Defects
Warranty and Emissions
Performance Warranty — these two
warranties cover your vehicle's emis- sions control systems. Time, mileage,
and coverage are conditional. Please
read the warranty manual for exact
information.
Original Equipment Battery Limited
Warranty — this warranty gives up
to 100 percent credit toward a
replacement battery.
Seat Belt Limited Warranty — a seat
belt that fails to function properly is
covered for the useful life of the
vehicle.
Rust Perforation Limited Warranty
— all exterior body panels are
covered for rust-through from the
inside for the specified time period
with no mileage limit.
Accessory Limited Warranty —
Genuine Acura Accessories are
covered under this warranty. Time
and mileage limits depend on the
type of accessory and other factors. Please read your warranty manual
for details.
Replacement Parts Limited
Warranty — covers all Genuine
Acura replacement parts against defects in materials and workman-
ship.
Replacement Battery Limited
Warranty — provides prorated
coverage for a replacement battery
purchased from an Acura dealer.
Replacement Muffler Lifetime
Limited Warranty — provides
coverage for as long as the pur-
chaser of the muffler owns the
vehicle.
Restrictions and exclusions apply to
all these warranties. Please read the
2000 Acura Warranty Information
booklet that came with your car for
precise information on warranty coverages. Your Acura's original
tires are covered by their manufacturer. Tire warranty infor-
mation is in a separate booklet.
Canadia n Owner s
Please refer to the 2000 Warranty
Manual that came with your car.
Warrant y an d Custome r Relation s
Page 322 of 330
Inde
x
Differential Oil........................... 227
Drive Belts.................................. 240
Engine Coolant........................... 170
Engine Oil................................... 169
Fuses........................................... 288 Power Steering Fluid................. 228
Checklist, Before Driving............. 178
Childproof Door Locks................... 85
Cigarette Lighter........................... 115
Cleaner, Air.................................... 229
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels..................... 263
Carpeting.................................... 264
Exterior....................................... 262
Fabric.......................................... 264
Interior........................................ 264
Leather........................................ 264
Seat Belts.................................... 264
Vinyl............................................ 264
Windows..................................... 265
Wood Trim................................. 265
Climate Control System................ 120
Clock, Setting the.......................... 108
Code, Audio System...................... 162
CO in the Exhaust......................... 305
Coin Box......................................... 112 Cold Weather, Starting in............. 179
Compact Spare............................... 270
Console Compartment.................. 112
Consumer Information*................ 310
Controls, Instruments and.............. 51
Coolant
Adding......................................... 219
Checking..................................... 170
Proper Solution.......................... 219
Replacing.................................... 221
Temperature Gauge.................... 60
Corrosion Protection..................... 266
Courtesy Lights............................. 118 Crankcase Emissions Control System......................................... 305
Cruise Control Operation............... 73
Customer Relations Office........... 310
DANGER, Explanation of................. ii
Dashboard.................................... 2, 52
Daytime Running Lights................. 65
Dead Battery, What to Do............ 278
Defects, Reporting Safety............. 313
Defogger, Rear Window................. 71
Defrosting the Windows....... 126, 131
DEXRON
®
III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.................... 226
Differential Oil ............................... 227
Dimensions..................................... 298
Dimming the Headlights................ 63
Dipstick
Automatic Transmission........... 226
Engine Oil................................... 169
Directional Signals........................... 66
Disabled, Towing Your Car If...... 292
Disc Brake Wear Indicators......... 185
Disposal of Used Oil...................... 218
Doors
Locking and Unlocking............... 81
Lockout Prevention..................... 82
Monitor Light............................... 57
Power Door Locks....................... 81
DOT Tire Quality Grading........... 301
Drive Belts...................................... 240
Driver and Passenger Safety............ 5
CONTINUED
Page 323 of 330
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x
Driving............................................ 177
Economy..................................... 171
In Bad Weather.......................... 192
In Foreign Countries................. 304
Driving Position Memory
System......................................... 100
Economy, Fuel............................... 171
Emergencies on the Road............. 269
Battery, Jump Starting.............. 278
Brake System Indicator............ 285
Changing a Flat Tire................. 271
Charging System Indicator...... 283
Checking the Fuses................... 288
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 282
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.... 284
Manually Closing Moonroof.... 286
Overheated Engine................... 280
Emergency Brake.......................... 108
Emergency Flashers....................... 70
Emergency Towing....................... 292
Emissions Controls........................ 305
Engine
Belts............................................. 240
Coolant Temperature Gauge ..... 60
Malfunction IndicatorLamp................................. 55, 284
Oil Pressure Indicator......... 54, 282
Oil, What Kind to Use............... 215
Overheating................................ 280
Specifications............................. 299
Speed Limiter............................. 182
Engine Speed Limiter.................... 182
Ethanol in Gasoline ....................... 303
Evaporative Emissions Controls.. 305
Exhaust Fumes................................ 49
Exhaust Gas Recirculation
System......................................... 306
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by......................................... 18
Exterior, Cleaning the................... 262
Fabric, Cleaning............................. 264
Fan, Interior........................... 124, 129
Features, Comfort and
Convenience............................... 119
Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 167
Filters
Air Cleaner................................. 229
Air Conditioning........................ 240
Oil................................................ 217
First Gear, Shifting........................ 182
Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 70
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 271
Fluids
Automatic Transmission........... 226
Brake........................................... 227
Differential................................. 227
Power Steering........................... 228
Windshield Washer................... 225
FM Stereo Radio
Reception............................ 135, 145
Fog Lights......................................... 67
Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 304
Four-way Flashers........................... 70
Front Airbags............................... 9, 43
Front End, Towing by Emergency Wrecker................. 292
Fuel.................................................. 166
Fill Door and Cap....................... 167
Gauge............................................ 60
Octane Requirement................. 166
Oxygenated................................ 303
Page 324 of 330
Inde
x
Reserve Indicator......................... 57
Tank, Filling the......................... 167
Fuel Mileage, Improving............... 171
Fuses, Checking the...................... 288
Gasohol........................................... 303
Gasoline.......................................... 166
Fuel Reserv
e Indicator................ 57
Gauge............................................
60
Octane Requirement................
. 166
Tank, Fillin
g the......................... 167
Gas Statio
n Procedures................. 167
Gauges..............................................
58
Engine Coolan
t Temperature .... 60
Fuel................................................
60
Maintenance Require
d
Indicator.................................... 61
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating) ........................................ 195
Gearshift Lever Positions .............180
Glass Cleaning............................... 265
Glove Box......................................... 87
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) ........................................ 195
Halogen Headlight Bulbs.............. 250
Hazard Warning Flashers............... 70
Headlights
Automatic Lighting..................... 64
Daytime Running Lights............. 65
High Beam Indicator................... 57
High Beams, Turning on............ 63
Lights On Indicator..................... 55
Low Beams, Turning on............. 63
Reminder Chime.......................... 63
Replacing Halogen Bulbs ......... 250
Turning on.................................... 63
Head Restraints............................... 95
Heating and Cooling...................... 120
High Altitude, Starting at.............. 179
High-Low Beam Switch .................. 63
High-mount Brake Light............... 255
HomeLink Universal
Transmitter.................................. 88
Hood Latch..................................... 229
Hood, Opening the ........................ 168
Horn................................................... 62
Hot Coolant, Warning about........ 219
Hydroplaning.................................. 193 Identification Number, Vehicle.... 296
If Your Car Has to be Towed....... 292
Ignition
Keys............................................... 77
Switch............................................ 80
Timing Control System............. 306
Immobilizer System......................... 78
Important Safety Precautions .......... 6
Indicator Lights, Instrument Panel.............................................. 53
Inflation, Proper Tire .................... 241
Inside Mirror.................................... 98
Inspection, Tire.............................. 243
Instrument Panel............................. 53
Instrument Panel Brightness......... 66
Interior Cleaning............................ 264
Introduction......................................... i
CONTINUED
Page 326 of 330
Inde
x
Selecting Proper Viscosity Chart....................................... 216
ON (Ignition Key Position)............ 80
Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery..................................... 305
Opening the Hood......................... 168
Opening the Trunk.......................... 86
Operation in Foreign Countries... 304
Outside Mirrors............................... 98
Outside Temperature Indicator..... 59
Overheating, Engine..................... 280
Owner Maintenance Checks........ 213
Oxygenated Fuels.......................... 303
Paint Touch-up............................... 263
Panel Brightness Control............... 66
Park Gear Position......................... 181
Parking............................................ 184
Parking Brake................................ 108
Parking Brake and Brake System Indicator.................. 54, 285
Parking Lights.................................. 63
Parking Over Things that Burn... 307
PGM-FI System.............................. 306
Polishing and Waxing................... 263
Power
Door Locks................................... 81
Mirrors.......................................... 98
Seat Controls...............................
. 93
Steering....................................... 228
Steering Wheel............................ 71
Windows..................................... 105
Pre-Drive Safety Checklist............. 11
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts.......... 18
Protecting Adults............................. 12
Additional Safety Precautions.... 19
Advice for Pregnant Women...... 18
Protecting Children......................... 20
Protecting Infants........................ 28
Protecting Larger Children........ 35
Protecting Small Children.......... 32
Using Child Seats withTethers...................................... 39
Radiator Overheating.................... 280
Radio/Cassette Sound System .... 134
Rear End Towing........................... 292
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement... 254
Rear Seat Armrest........................... 97
Rear Ventilation............................. 132
Rear View Mirror............................. 98
Rear Window Defogger.................. 71
Reclining the Seat Backs................ 94
Reminder Lights.............................. 53
Remote Transmitter........................ 82
Replacement Information Air Cleaner Element.................. 229
Air Conditioning Filter.............. 240 Engine Coolant........................... 221
Engine Oil and Filter................. 217
Fuses........................................... 288
Light Bulbs................................. 250
Schedule..................................... 204
Spark Plugs................................. 231
Tires............................................ 24
5
Wiper Blades.............................. 237
Replacing Seat Belts After a
Crash............................................. 42
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant.... 170
Reverse Gear Position................... 181
Rotation, Tire................................. 244
CONTINUED
Page 328 of 330
Inde
x
Steering Wheel
Adjustments................................. 71
Anti-theft Column Lock.............. 80
Position Memory....................... 100
Stereo Sound System.................... 134
Storing Your Car............................ 259
Sun Visor......................................... 113
Sunglasses Holder......................... 110
Supplemental Restraint
System............................. 9
,
43, 4
6
Service Precautions..................... 48
Servicing....................................... 48
SRS Indicator.......................... 45, 55
System Components.................... 43
Tensioners, Seat Belts................ 41
Synthetic Oil................................... 216
Tachometer...................................... 58
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in....... 254
Taking Care of the Unexpected .. 269
Tape Player ........................... 139, 154
Technical Descriptions
DOT Tire Quality Grading....... 301
Driving in Foreign Countries... 304 Emissions Control Systems...... 305
Oxygenated Fuels...................... 303
Three Way Catalytic Converter................................ 307
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) System..................................... 300
Temperature Gauge........................ 60
Tensioners, Seat Belts .................... 41
Tether Anchorage Points............... 39
Theft Deterrent System................ 163
Theft Protection............................. 162
Three Way Catalytic Converter... 307
Time, Setting the........................... 108
Timing Belt..................................... 241
Tire Chains..................................... 247
Tire, How to Change a Flat.......... 271
Tires................................................ 241 Air Pressure............................... 242Balancing.................................... 244
Checking Wear.......................... 243
Compact Spare........................... 270
DOT Tire Quality Grading....... 301
Inflation....................................... 241
Inspection................................... 243
Maintenance............................... 244
Replacing.................................... 245
Rotating....................................... 244
Snow............................................ 247
Specifications............................. 299
Tools, Tire Changing.................... 271
Torn Seat Belts................................ 42
Towing
A Trailer...................................... 194
By Emergency Wrecker........... 292
Transmission
Checkin g
Fluid Level,
Automatic............................... 226
Fluid Selection............................ 226
Identification Number............... 297
Shifting the Automatic.............. 180
Treadwear...................................... 301
Trip Meter........................................ 59
Trunk................................................. 86
Opening the.................................. 86
Open Monitor Light.................... 57
Turn Signals..................................... 66
CONTINUED